Of Vampires And Rock Stars (Ch 21)
Title: Of Vampires And Rock Stars (Ch 21)
Author: seraph05
Rating: PG-13
Fandom: Largely Fall Out Boy with My Chemical Romance and appearances from The Academy Is…’s William Beckett, Gym Class Heroes’ Travis and Panic! At The Disco’s Brendon & Ryan.
Warnings:Swearing
Pairing: Patrick/Pete, Brendon/Ryan, Frank/Gerard
Disclaimer: Still don’t know/ own them, still wish I did, can’t believe it’s been over a year since I started and this is the end. Don’t sue there would be no point is there is no profit, just love for rock stars and the heroes they can be.
Summary: “No way man,” Pete disagreed hyperactively “This place is AWESOME, our rooms are fucking AWESOME, the views fucking AWESOME! It’s like a million times better than when the Dandies were here!!! Besides that, I’ve got an idea that just can’t wait!”
Chapter 1 - Just Another Night…
Chapter 2 - No Rest For The Broken The Beaten Or The Damned
Chapter 3 - Being A Living Sacrifice Is Better than Living a Lie
Chapter 4 - The Unraveling
Chapter 5 - The Ghost Of You Will Always Haunt Me
Chapter 6 - Anagnorisis
Chapter 7 - The Best Laid Plans…
Chapter 8 - The Ivory Tower
Chapter 9 - The Joker And The Thief In The Night
Chapter 10 - Home Is Where The Heart Is
Chapter 11 - Chaotic Souls And Dancing Stars
Chapter 12 - So Kiss Me Goodbye, Honey I’m Gonna Make It Out Alive
Chapter 13 - Calm Before The Storm
Chapter 14 - Release The Bats
Chapter 15 - The Music Or The Misery
Chapter 16 - Take This To Your Grave And I’ll Take You To Mine
Chapter 17 - It’s Almost Here
Chapter 18 - Dead.On.Arrival
Chapter 19 - Goodbyes To Paralyse
Chapter 20 - Saturday
Chapter 21 - To Infinity’s New High
The four boys stood outside in the warm evening the first stars barely visible and the last of their things in bags beside them. The days had been long and mad but the packing and moving was done. Now all there was left on the school’s doorsteps were farewells and memories.
As it had turned out, the Way Estate had been fairly well kept and there was barely any mess to clean up at all. The Clandestine chocked this down to the odd mix of psychopath and refined gentlemen the Dandies had been. The rest of the saviors of New Chicago had headed out to Gerard’s home already and Fall Out Boy were the last to go.
“See you soon,” Andy waved to the school as though to a person, and with all the seriousness he would give a real person.
“Yeah we’ll be back, Ivy.” Pete said fondly, lifting his bag off the ground.
“Seems like such a waste.” Joe sighed, looking over the hints of sophistication under the faded, peeling paint and chipped walls.
“Nothing we can do about it but move on.” Andy commented, lifting his suitcase. All the same, they waited in silence as the name ‘home’ vanished from Ivory Tower, as it became just another school with bittersweet pasts.
“Hey.” Pete said, then looked to each of his band mates.
“Let’s get outta here”
“Yeah” Joe agreed while they nodded.
“I’ll bring the car around.” Patrick offered, slinging his backpack over his shoulder and walking off.
Much to Pete’s thorough delight, the Batskullmobile had weathered the final battle well, going un-discovered and un-damaged aside from a few small scratches from the twigs and branches that had been flying around in the wind that night. The real challenge had been in finding the keys, which were not placed conveniently or obviously as Pete had left them before the battle, but were eventually found in the top draw of Andy’s clothes dresser, prompting a surprised ‘oh that’s where I put them’ from Fall Out Boy’s drummer.
“At least you put the car back where I hid it.” Pete pouted as he dropped into the car seat once Patrick pulled up.
“We found the keys eventually, didn’t we?” Andy snapped back, but there was nothing venomous in his voice. Joe jumped in, riding shotgun while Andy and Pete sat in the back. Patrick revved the engine with a grin, turned up the volume of the radio and the Batskullmobile purred, satisfied with it’s owners return. It wasn’t long before they were burning through the city of New Chicago towards the hills and their new home, windows down and singing loudly.
* * *
“Took you guys long enough. We were startin’ to wonder if you’d ever come round.” Travis said smugly, holding up a glass of orange juice as Patrick, Joe and Andy stared wide eyed at the exquisite lobby, broken windows being the only thing marring it’s majestic nature.
“Hey Pete!” Andrew called from the front room.
“Hey bro,” Pete called in reply.
“Dude, how old is this place?” Joe gasped, gaze taking in the stairs leading up to the second floor and the other levels above “It’s incredible!”
Patrick dropped his bag, mouth a wide smile of enchantment. Beneath their feet was soft red carpet. All around hung paintings and photographs, some old and mysterious, some crisp and clear. Joe walked over to the marble statue of a woman’s face, detail so fine he could almost make out her eyelashes. Pete stood near the door, looking around with less curiosity as he’d seen it before when he and Gerard had stolen the jacket. At the top of the stairs Gerard emerged, pale hand on the thick mahogany banister. At that moment all in the room could understand why he fit into this world. Despite his black leather jacket and tight denim jeans he could not look more suited to this house, blending into its elegance effortlessly.
“Oh good you’re here...are those my glasses?” Gerard asked Pete, who whipped them off and held them out with a sheepish smile.
“Yep, their fantastic to look at the sunlight with.” Pete complimented and Gerard was by him in a second, giving Andy a fright.
“I know, why do you think I wear them?” he replied with dry wit, hooking them over the neck of his t-shirt.
“One day I’ll get used to that.” Andy muttered under his breath.
“Come on,” Gerard said, picking up Patrick, Andy and Joe’s bags with ease “I’ll show you around.”
The next few hours were spent riddled with gasps and sighs as the mystery of the Way Estate was unraveled before them. The rolling gardens, the musty and empty graveyard, the long halls donned in fine art, the weapons gallery, the countless fireplaces, the front room and finally the bedrooms on the second floor.
“And this is my room.” Gerard said, opening it briefly for them to look into.
“Nice.” Pete said, impressed by the large bedroom.
“So you can have any of the rooms on the second floor except for mine obviously. It seems that the Gym Class Heroes have made the front room a general hang out place and you’ll note that some of the bedrooms even have plasma TV’s. We have the best of both worlds here; the newest technology with finer, older furnishings,” Gerard explained cheerily “Oh yeah and I think Travis and the guys are in the last four bedrooms on the right.”
“Awesome!” Joe said, voice buzzing with excitement “This is going to be the coolest place we’ve ever stayed in!”
“Not wrong.” Patrick agreed, eager to find his room. Gerard placed their bags down.
“Take your time choosing a room and getting unpacked, we’re in no hurry,” Gerard said, starting to walk down the hall towards the stairs “If you get lost, just shout out and I should be able to hear you from pretty much wherever you are.”
“Hey Gerard, where did you leave the boxes with our stuff?” Andy asked after not seeing any in the lobby or front room. Gerard paused at the top of the stairs, pointing to something behind them.
“The last room on the left.”
“Thank you” Andy replied.
Fall Out Boy lifted their bags and walked to the last room, opening the door.
“Oh man.” Patrick sighed, tone laced with rapture.
“A pool room,” Joe added in the same voice as they looked passed the raggedy boxes in the corner to the two pool tables set up in the middle of the room.
“I think I’m going to like it here.” Pete chuckled, finally entering the room.
“Yeah I think we’ll stay.” Patrick agreed with a nod.
Meanwhile Gerard had sat down with Travis, Matt and Andrew to watch the late night movie Fight Club. Chips were passed around and occasionally people walked past the screen and behind the couch at varying points during the night. First it was Pete carrying the blender and a box of ingredients.
“Kitchen’s that way.”
Then half an hour later it was Joe with a gun.
“Use any room you want for your weapons, the one’s in the hall underneath the stair case are best.”
Later it was Andy who paused to watch briefly and then left without a word. Five minutes later Patrick breezed in.
“You can use the coat hanger in the hall as a hat rack.”
The innocent interruptions continued.
“That is me at the painting at the end of the hall.”
“Of course you can visit the weapons gallery any time you like.”
“Yes, they are fun to slide down.”
Gerard dished out information while Travis became more annoyed at the movie being constantly interrupted, until Pete landed on the couch next to him, seemingly out of nowhere, and on an unfounded sugar high.
“Hey!” He shouted, a sketch pad held tightly in his arms.
“Whoa!” Travis exclaimed “Dude, there’s like 5 minutes left, a little peace?!”
“No way man,” Pete disagreed hyperactively “This place is AWESOME, our rooms are fucking AWESOME, the views fucking AWESOME! It’s like a million times better than when the Dandies were here!!! Besides that, I’ve got an idea that just can’t wait!”
“He’s in the house for less than a night and he’s already got a shiny new idea,” Matt commented, still focusing most of his attention on the movie.
“It’s not really new but I thought I’d bring it up again, ‘cause it’s been a bit neglected and it’s too good to be forgotten.”
“Dude, you haven’t even finished un-packing yet.” Travis couldn’t help but laugh and Pete jigged up and down in his seat.
“Yeah I have, through the supreme power of being a vampire. I helped the others unpack too. They’ll be down in a minute but I couldn’t wait to tell you, so I jumped down the stairs and it was a lot of fun, like I can see I’m going to enjoy gliding around this place-” Pete blabbered on while the movie came to its explosive end in the back ground.
“Dude, are you still talking?” Joe yawned as he entered the room.
“Yeah, it’s a non-stop torrent,” Andrew sniggered, still pleased to hear his big brother’s babblings.
“But I haven’t gotten to the good part yet,” Pete replied with a Cheshire cat grin.
“Well, take a deep breath and wait,” Joe said.
“You’re asking the impossible,” Pete called as Joe left the room.
“No, just the improbable,” came Joe’s voice from the kitchen, just as Patrick walked into the front room and sat down.
“So are you gonna tell us or what?” Patrick asked and Gerard switched off the TV.
“Waiting for Hurley and Troh, big unveilings need big turn outs” Pete replied, drumming his fingers on his knees.
A moment later, Joe entered, a steaming cup of coffee in hand, and joined his friends in waiting.
“Oh that smells great, can I-” Pete began when everyone simultaneously replied with “No.”
Finally Andy joined them and Pete took a deep breath, eyes closed. He opened the sketch pad that was in his arms and poured over the pages inside. His eyes where almost glowing with a kind of life that many in the room recognized. They now understood what kind of high he was on. It was a creative rush. He flicked through several pages before folding the front cover back and placing the book on the coffee table for everyone to see.
“It’s a new day and age,” Pete said, watching the book as a thrill vibrated quietly through all those watching “So let’s start something new.”
Drawings and designs of costumes, backdrops and song lists bloomed from the pages, some were crude while others were more carefully crafted. All were for a show. The greatest show Pete could conceive, the very show he’d dreamed of and spent many hours developing and working on in the days leading up to the final battle. The show he and Gerard had discussed for hours. Fall Out Boy’s first show back on the music scene, with Gerard Way and the Gym Class Heroes.
“You can’t sit still for five minutes, can you bro?” Travis asked, though his voice contained nothing but excitement and awe.
“No” Pete replied, looking from face to face “Let’s get started, let’s start tonight. Let’s get scheming for the new music scene”
“Alright,” Gerard said smiling “The theatre for the stage?”
“As was planned,” Pete said with a nod.
* * *
“Eric!” Gerard snapped, grabbing Eric’s shoulder and shaking his head “Eric, Eric, Eric. The seats will be going back after this.”
Eric gave him a pleading look but Gerard just forced the large ratchet into his hands.
“You want the beautiful red velvet seats gone so the crowd can stand and dance, you take them out one by one and stack them in the corner.” He continued fiercely.
“Fine,” Eric whined kneeling down, reaching under the seat nearest to him and beginning to unscrew the bolts that held it down. From somewhere in the ceiling where the lights were switching on and off, Travis’s voice echoed.
“He’s a hard man to please.”
“You’re moving them when they’re all out, Travi.” Gerard said, glare pitching skyward. A spotlight hit him.
“The brooding puppet master has spoken.”
“Fuck off.” Gerard stalked over to Patrick who was studying the sketches Pete had completed a week ago while Pete stood on stage, draped in fabric.
“What’s going on?” Gerard asked, looking over Patrick’s shoulder.
“Well, we have a few different backdrops to work with here,” Patrick said thoughtfully, before continuing under his breath “all with a healthy dose of irony of course.”
“I heard that.” Pete snorted as he held the fabrics up in a most clumsy and boyish way.
“I know that,” Patrick replied, rolling his eyes with a grin “School yards with shackles, graveyards and coffins with sun flowers, forests with beds that have trees for bedposts.”
“Anyway,” Patrick said, turning back to Gerard before Pete could reply, “Pete reckons another colour curtain might be better.”
Gerard frowned and looked up at Pete.
“Why Pete? The carmine curtains with gold trimming are perfect. It’s like saying life, and all we sing about, is just part of a play. Our play and we’re sharing it with everyone.”
Pete seemed to be contemplating it for a second and then nodded.
“You’re right.” Pete agreed.
“All the worlds a stage,” Joe called out from the back row with an overly dramatic voice.
“And all the men are just players.” Travis called out, putting extra emphasis on the last word.
“Hmm, good opening quote,” Patrick quietly noted, ignoring the fact that it was wrong. At that moment, Andy came through the door, phone pressed to his ear.
“Hey, I’ve been on the phone to our manager and he says he’ll do it. He’s handling the advertising now but he’s keeping it kinda low. He says it’ll probably be a few more weeks before we can put this on though.” Andy called out, loud enough for everyone to hear.
“We told him about this over a month ago when you guys signed Gerard onto Fall Out Boy.” Eric said, and he placed the seventeenth chair in the corner of the theatre “It’s not like he has a million other bands to deal with or venues or sponsors”
“Yeah but you know how things are these days. Everyone’s still picking up the pieces. Advertising isn’t as lucrative as it used to be so it takes things longer to get moving. I think we’re going to have to do most of it ourselves.” Gerard sighed, but was glad to hear their manager was at least putting the word out.
“Awesome.” Pete said with a wicked sneer “Hey Joe. Microphone, you, me and the Batskullmobile tonight, yeah?”
“Hell yeah!” Joe shouted back, grinning from ear to ear.
“Chuck fliers around while you’re at it.” Patrick advised.
“Sure will,” Joe called out as he briskly moved out the rear door of the theatre “I’ll go work on getting them printed now, meet you in the lobby at 8, Pete!”
“Kay, Troh see you there,” Pete called back “And take Andrew with you!”
* * *
“Good citizens of New Chicago, its Pete Wentz here from your friendly neighborhood vampire hunting, rock serving, ass kicking band. Since I’m on the move, I’ll try to keep it quick. If the names Fall Out Boy, Gym Class Heroes or My Chemical Romance mean anything to you, come on down and party hard in four weeks time when all three come back from the dead and celebrate the return of music to these parts with the greatest concert we have the power to put on. It has been too fucking long! So tell your parents you’ll be out all night, do your homework the day before or blow it off all together, just don’t miss out!”
Pete’s voice echoed into the night, followed everywhere by a flurry of red paper fliers with black bats imprinted on the back.
* * *
“So tonight’s clean up night!” Andy said, rubbing his hands together, to the handful of sleepy vampires and the occasional human gathered in the kitchen, going about their separate rituals of waking up. “There’s only a few days left before the show and even though the theatre’s looking great, this place needs a once over”
“Geez Andy, at this time of night? Look man, I respect the fact that you’re starting to reintroduce yourself to the afternoon sun but you gotta remember we’re still coming to at 9,” Travis yawned, slumping onto one of the large kitchen table’s chairs and pulling his bathrobe closer around him “Just cause you’ve been up for a few hours doesn’t mean we can comprehend you yet”
“Well that’s why I’m starting to drum it into you now, so it won’t hit you as hard later. There has to be vacuuming.” Andy began and Joe quickly added.
“This place is so huge a vampire would have to do it.”
“Yeah, true.” Andy agreed, turning to Travis.
“Hey, don’t look at me man, I’m working on the lights in the theatre.”
Andy then looked to Pete who grinned hopelessly.
“Do I have to?” Pete asked.
“Yep.” Andy assigned the task before turning back to the general group.
“Dusting?” Andy asked.
“I dibs the dusting of the cool weapons room.” Joe said, throwing his hand up.
“I suppose this’d be another one better suited to vampires, so I’ll dust the rest of the house.” Matt offered grudgingly.
“Good, thanks. Some of the statue art in the lobby needs to polished” Andy called out.
“I’ll do that.” Andrew’s muffled voice came from the table his head was pressed against.
“Awesome. The windows in the lobby have to be fixed.” Andy called out.
“I’ll phone the glass dudes.” Patrick offered, munching hungrily on his bowl of cereal.
“Good, good. Lastly pest control, like rats, possums and other small mammals must go. There must be like some health law stating there can’t be rodents present at rock shows with hundreds of kids.”
“You got it!” Disashi cheered, happy for a reason to clear out the roof and get a little blood on the side.
“Yeah we’ll take care of it,” Eric said, squinting at the ceiling “Little bastards won’t know what hit ‘em.”
“Me and Gerard can work on the sound and how it’s gonna be set up on the night.” Andy explained.
“Alright, let’s do it,” he finished, being met with a resounding grumpy growl from all involved parties.
* * *
“They’re restless,” Gerard murmured, peering out from behind the red curtain in the wings.
“Of course they are, but can you believe the smiles on their faces?” Patrick whispered back.
“I haven’t seen kids this geared since…” Patrick began, but trailed off as the rumbling and screaming grew louder, electricity so potent in the air it was almost visible.
“Since we became vampire hunters.” Joe finished, walking up behind them to share the sneak peek of their loyal, waiting fans.
“Is everyone in place?” Gerard asked.
“Yeah and Pete’s absolutely dying.” Joe replied.
“Alright,” Patrick said softly “Let’s play the track.”
Patrick walked out onto the stage through dim green and blue lighting, concealed by the beautiful dark curtain. His silver SG winked at him like a star, waiting by the mike closest to the audience. He lifted up the covers of a bed with trees for bedposts, carefully settled into the covers and closed his eyes. Nearby, he could hear Joe and Andy shuffling into place, the fake bushes rustling at their drawn claws. He listened as the sounds of summer insects began to fill the now pitch black theatre, jam packed with as many kids as would fit. Outside on Gerard’s vast lawns, sun well set, other kids watched large screens their manager had produced two nights ago.
In Patrick’s mind he could see them. They were beginning to hush and listen, their attention was beginning to leave the stage and whirl about the theatre, trying to find the source of the sound or the first glance of the shows beginning. The grand entrance of their rock stars. Patrick smirked, rolling over so his back was facing the audience. The noises stopped. The curtains opened. They weren’t going to expect this.
* * *
New Chicago, always a city with music in it’s veins, had to abandon its life’s blood years ago as basic survival took it’s place. With the casualties building into the hundreds due to the vampire population, we thought we’d never see the sun again. However a few weeks ago, the tyranny of the Dandy clan was rumored to have been lifted, and eventually the vastly lowered death rate proved it. It comes as some kind of joke, one we could all enjoy, that our saviors were in fact lead by a group of young men from Chicago band, Fall Out Boy. Seeing them playing on the stage in their first show back, one can hardly imagine them defeating the Dandies under three months ago.
The show began with a sound track of summer night insects silencing the crowd, bar from a few overly excited fans that could not hold their screams in. When the curtains pulled back, the stage appeared out of the darkness, a forest with someone sleeping in a bed; an obvious shout out to Pete Wentz’s favorite childhood storybook, “Where The Wild Things Are”. Eyes were glued to the stage, waiting for Wentz to jump out of bed. The fans were shocked and delighted when the white fox who jumped out to scare them was lead singer, Patrick Stump. The next two to jump out and growl were guitarist Joe Trohman, in a scruffy monster suit, and Andy Hurley, also complete with monster makeup. As Hurley took up the drums, setting a quick rhythm, Patrick picked up his guitar and looked out to the crowd. After a moment or two of savoring the roar escaping their audience, Trohman turned cheerily to Stump asking him
“Hey Patrick, where’s Pete?”, Patrick replying with a non-committal shrug. It was then that Pete’s voice boomed over the speakers “Good evening, New Chicago! What the fuck is happening?!” Spotlights pointed to the upper wings where monster Wentz perched, surrounded by crazed fans. Laughs followed his comment “Oh fuck, how do I get down there, I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to be down there,” and vanished as he stood and dove off the balcony into the air. Pulling up at the last moment, he skimmed the stunned crowd with his hands before landing on the stage. He brushed the mad stunt off quickly and they moved straight into the show the audience’s shock being speedily replaced with mirth. It was the beginning of a truly great night. Fall Out Boy played with the kind of abandon only well-seasoned rockers have had, every member rocking it out harder than ever seen before.
The backdrops changed to suit who was playing as, after Fall Out Boy’s hour long set and a short intermission, the curtain opened on the Gym Class Heroes’ Travis McCoy wearing an overly small t-shirt and shorts, large glasses and a ‘kick me’ sign. His fellow band members wore similar uniforms with the background being a cartoon-like classroom complete with four desks and seats. This too amused the crowd, letting them understand that this concert was purely for fun, laughs and enjoyment. There was not even a mention of vampires till the third set.
The third set was a graveyard masked by smoke, and out of the ominous mist rose Gerard Way, backed by Fall Out Boy, in strange army coats and skeleton make up. Despite being the most macabre of the night’s performances, it was full of cheer and life, packing more punch than one could think possible. A mix of old My Chemical Romance songs as well as songs never heard before were sung, to the delight and nostalgia of the MCRMY watching.
The last surprise of the night was when the curtain opened to reveal a mostly empty stage, scattered with comfy looking couches, seats and the occasional rug. Every member of the three-part show walked onto the stage in the casual but stylish clothes they are well known for. They played collaborations that crossed over between them and some songs Pete explained he and Way had written together. They played acoustic songs and some covers till the utterly spent entertainers called it a night, announcing that they would do this twice a week for the next seven weeks. Pete explained that every show would be slightly different but that he hoped it would give those who missed out another chance to see it. So fear not, fair New Chicago boys and girls. There is still plenty of time to go and see the first large-scale rock concert staged here in years, named after a hopeful toast, To Infinity’s New High.
~Epilogue~
His tongue passed quickly across his lips, waiting for enough calm to speak. The huge stage shrouded in soft shadow protected Pete against the setting sun that was splashing golden rays over the crowd’s ecstatic faces, not blinding them but making them shine. Pete watched their fans carefully, sunglasses firmly in place, always awed by the beauty of an afternoon show. Shadows and yellow splendor over tanned warm skin was one of Pete’s fondest pleasures now. Long after the media slander, when people discovered he wasn’t aging and was pulling impossible stunts every show, this sensation still remained. He looked to Patrick, who smiled cordially back. The schoolboy youth was beginning to fade from his demeanor but inside, and in everything he did, he was still the same boy Pete had met all that time ago. As Pete’s eyes swooped back to the fans and picked up the near undetectable hue of the light becoming darker, he knew it was time.
“Our lawyers wouldn’t want us to talk about this,” he began, sniggering slightly as he dusted off the old line “but we wanted you to know because you let us know how you really feel all the time. You send us letters and e-mails and told us that you still have faith in us again and again. So now it’s our turn. I know we’ve told you before but this is more specific.”
Pete turned and looked up to see Andy who gave him a subtle thumbs up and then Joe who gave him a less subtle, completely wicked grin.
“It’s been five years since the red eclipse in New Chicago” Pete said loudly and clearly into the mike, pausing again as a roar approved this simple statement, heavy with meaning “But from the moment we returned, you guys were there. You were waiting for us, like you were ready to go. That by itself is so fucking awesome and we love you so much for it. We were accepted back into the music scene so quickly and couldn’t have done it without your support, so thank you! We’ve been really enjoying touring again, haven’t we?”
Amongst the screams, Joe’s amplified “Yeah!” could be deciphered.
“We’re still very proud of the album we released a couple of years ago and we’re totally stoked about the one coming up soon, can’t wait for you guys to hear it,” Pete called out “because it is going to blow your fucking minds!”
The audience burst into ecstatic applause. It was several minutes before they quieted down once more. However, Pete did not continue, taking a step back from the mike and nodding to Patrick.
“Um, a lot of people having been asking about Gerard and where he’s gone. I’ve even heard that we were supposed to have had some huge fight and falling out but it’s just not true,” Patrick said gently “we wanted you to know what was going on so you didn’t have to wonder anymore. We only decided we’d tell you tonight, but I suppose there’ll be a million interviews after this. The truth is, we don’t really know where he is. He was happy to be a part of our band and has been a great addition to the group for the past five years. I believe his vocals and the concepts we shared and worked on together really furthered our sound. A few months ago he told us that he wanted to go traveling for a while, and we completely respected that. I have no doubt that we will see him again someday and work with him again but for the moment Fall Out Boy will return to just us boys.”
Patrick finished announcing with the memory of Gerard on the day he left playing in his mind. It should have been a sad or nostalgic moment but for the gleeful smile on the ageless rockers face. He’d told Patrick he was going to follow blood red eclipses wherever they were in the world so he could march with the Black Parade. He said he wanted to see all the places there was to see in greater detail than the rush from a hotel room to sound check. He’d promised he’d visit them if they were in the same place and play with them when he could but for a while he wanted a holiday and Patrick fully sympathized. He had taken a few months off a year back when he’d met her and while Pete and Joe were settling into married life. Andy had been glad for the time off to be with his girlfriend too but now they where back more enthusiastic than ever before. Patrick felt like they could take on the world and win, as Pete had always said they could.
“I think that’s probably enough talking for the moment,” Joe said excitably into his mike.
“Troh’s right. We’re gonna play you something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue, so let’s kick things off with something old, A LITTLE LESS SIXTEEN CANDLES A LITTLE MORE TOUCH ME!” Pete bellowed with all his might.
Cheers seemed to raise the very sky higher and guitars ripped into the gathering summer dusk. Beats drummed into the feet stomping the stands. Lyrics caught in flying hair and hearts. Voices mixed in a whirlwind of sound bright with cheer and the base just beat the walls. Every soul was set alight for the music pumping into their bodies.
It was the start of a perfect night.
A/N: So this is it. It’s been such a long story, such an epic effort. I never thought I could write something like this, something so long and involved and I certainly couldn’t have done it without you guys encouraging me every chapter along the way. I know I’ve been kind of saying goodbye to this story (and the readers of it if you don’t read my stuff again) in my own way for the last few chapters so most of what I wanted to say has been said.
I hope this ending and this story entertained you and lived up to your expectations. Keep an eye out for the one or two shot spin off I’m playing with where Pete and Patrick get it on and you know it XD
I want to dedicate this story to my best friend, confidant and been-editor for the last year. She took out time from her busy schedule to beta this for me every time I posted and stopped every single freak out and uncertainty I had about it even though I know it wasn’t easy. Thank you so much Em.
Till next time wonderful, beautiful girls and boys (if there are any boys lol) thank you for the feedback and have a good one.
Author: seraph05
Rating: PG-13
Fandom: Largely Fall Out Boy with My Chemical Romance and appearances from The Academy Is…’s William Beckett, Gym Class Heroes’ Travis and Panic! At The Disco’s Brendon & Ryan.
Warnings:Swearing
Pairing: Patrick/Pete, Brendon/Ryan, Frank/Gerard
Disclaimer: Still don’t know/ own them, still wish I did, can’t believe it’s been over a year since I started and this is the end. Don’t sue there would be no point is there is no profit, just love for rock stars and the heroes they can be.
Summary: “No way man,” Pete disagreed hyperactively “This place is AWESOME, our rooms are fucking AWESOME, the views fucking AWESOME! It’s like a million times better than when the Dandies were here!!! Besides that, I’ve got an idea that just can’t wait!”
Chapter 1 - Just Another Night…
Chapter 2 - No Rest For The Broken The Beaten Or The Damned
Chapter 3 - Being A Living Sacrifice Is Better than Living a Lie
Chapter 4 - The Unraveling
Chapter 5 - The Ghost Of You Will Always Haunt Me
Chapter 6 - Anagnorisis
Chapter 7 - The Best Laid Plans…
Chapter 8 - The Ivory Tower
Chapter 9 - The Joker And The Thief In The Night
Chapter 10 - Home Is Where The Heart Is
Chapter 11 - Chaotic Souls And Dancing Stars
Chapter 12 - So Kiss Me Goodbye, Honey I’m Gonna Make It Out Alive
Chapter 13 - Calm Before The Storm
Chapter 14 - Release The Bats
Chapter 15 - The Music Or The Misery
Chapter 16 - Take This To Your Grave And I’ll Take You To Mine
Chapter 17 - It’s Almost Here
Chapter 18 - Dead.On.Arrival
Chapter 19 - Goodbyes To Paralyse
Chapter 20 - Saturday
Chapter 21 - To Infinity’s New High
The four boys stood outside in the warm evening the first stars barely visible and the last of their things in bags beside them. The days had been long and mad but the packing and moving was done. Now all there was left on the school’s doorsteps were farewells and memories.
As it had turned out, the Way Estate had been fairly well kept and there was barely any mess to clean up at all. The Clandestine chocked this down to the odd mix of psychopath and refined gentlemen the Dandies had been. The rest of the saviors of New Chicago had headed out to Gerard’s home already and Fall Out Boy were the last to go.
“See you soon,” Andy waved to the school as though to a person, and with all the seriousness he would give a real person.
“Yeah we’ll be back, Ivy.” Pete said fondly, lifting his bag off the ground.
“Seems like such a waste.” Joe sighed, looking over the hints of sophistication under the faded, peeling paint and chipped walls.
“Nothing we can do about it but move on.” Andy commented, lifting his suitcase. All the same, they waited in silence as the name ‘home’ vanished from Ivory Tower, as it became just another school with bittersweet pasts.
“Hey.” Pete said, then looked to each of his band mates.
“Let’s get outta here”
“Yeah” Joe agreed while they nodded.
“I’ll bring the car around.” Patrick offered, slinging his backpack over his shoulder and walking off.
Much to Pete’s thorough delight, the Batskullmobile had weathered the final battle well, going un-discovered and un-damaged aside from a few small scratches from the twigs and branches that had been flying around in the wind that night. The real challenge had been in finding the keys, which were not placed conveniently or obviously as Pete had left them before the battle, but were eventually found in the top draw of Andy’s clothes dresser, prompting a surprised ‘oh that’s where I put them’ from Fall Out Boy’s drummer.
“At least you put the car back where I hid it.” Pete pouted as he dropped into the car seat once Patrick pulled up.
“We found the keys eventually, didn’t we?” Andy snapped back, but there was nothing venomous in his voice. Joe jumped in, riding shotgun while Andy and Pete sat in the back. Patrick revved the engine with a grin, turned up the volume of the radio and the Batskullmobile purred, satisfied with it’s owners return. It wasn’t long before they were burning through the city of New Chicago towards the hills and their new home, windows down and singing loudly.
* * *
“Took you guys long enough. We were startin’ to wonder if you’d ever come round.” Travis said smugly, holding up a glass of orange juice as Patrick, Joe and Andy stared wide eyed at the exquisite lobby, broken windows being the only thing marring it’s majestic nature.
“Hey Pete!” Andrew called from the front room.
“Hey bro,” Pete called in reply.
“Dude, how old is this place?” Joe gasped, gaze taking in the stairs leading up to the second floor and the other levels above “It’s incredible!”
Patrick dropped his bag, mouth a wide smile of enchantment. Beneath their feet was soft red carpet. All around hung paintings and photographs, some old and mysterious, some crisp and clear. Joe walked over to the marble statue of a woman’s face, detail so fine he could almost make out her eyelashes. Pete stood near the door, looking around with less curiosity as he’d seen it before when he and Gerard had stolen the jacket. At the top of the stairs Gerard emerged, pale hand on the thick mahogany banister. At that moment all in the room could understand why he fit into this world. Despite his black leather jacket and tight denim jeans he could not look more suited to this house, blending into its elegance effortlessly.
“Oh good you’re here...are those my glasses?” Gerard asked Pete, who whipped them off and held them out with a sheepish smile.
“Yep, their fantastic to look at the sunlight with.” Pete complimented and Gerard was by him in a second, giving Andy a fright.
“I know, why do you think I wear them?” he replied with dry wit, hooking them over the neck of his t-shirt.
“One day I’ll get used to that.” Andy muttered under his breath.
“Come on,” Gerard said, picking up Patrick, Andy and Joe’s bags with ease “I’ll show you around.”
The next few hours were spent riddled with gasps and sighs as the mystery of the Way Estate was unraveled before them. The rolling gardens, the musty and empty graveyard, the long halls donned in fine art, the weapons gallery, the countless fireplaces, the front room and finally the bedrooms on the second floor.
“And this is my room.” Gerard said, opening it briefly for them to look into.
“Nice.” Pete said, impressed by the large bedroom.
“So you can have any of the rooms on the second floor except for mine obviously. It seems that the Gym Class Heroes have made the front room a general hang out place and you’ll note that some of the bedrooms even have plasma TV’s. We have the best of both worlds here; the newest technology with finer, older furnishings,” Gerard explained cheerily “Oh yeah and I think Travis and the guys are in the last four bedrooms on the right.”
“Awesome!” Joe said, voice buzzing with excitement “This is going to be the coolest place we’ve ever stayed in!”
“Not wrong.” Patrick agreed, eager to find his room. Gerard placed their bags down.
“Take your time choosing a room and getting unpacked, we’re in no hurry,” Gerard said, starting to walk down the hall towards the stairs “If you get lost, just shout out and I should be able to hear you from pretty much wherever you are.”
“Hey Gerard, where did you leave the boxes with our stuff?” Andy asked after not seeing any in the lobby or front room. Gerard paused at the top of the stairs, pointing to something behind them.
“The last room on the left.”
“Thank you” Andy replied.
Fall Out Boy lifted their bags and walked to the last room, opening the door.
“Oh man.” Patrick sighed, tone laced with rapture.
“A pool room,” Joe added in the same voice as they looked passed the raggedy boxes in the corner to the two pool tables set up in the middle of the room.
“I think I’m going to like it here.” Pete chuckled, finally entering the room.
“Yeah I think we’ll stay.” Patrick agreed with a nod.
Meanwhile Gerard had sat down with Travis, Matt and Andrew to watch the late night movie Fight Club. Chips were passed around and occasionally people walked past the screen and behind the couch at varying points during the night. First it was Pete carrying the blender and a box of ingredients.
“Kitchen’s that way.”
Then half an hour later it was Joe with a gun.
“Use any room you want for your weapons, the one’s in the hall underneath the stair case are best.”
Later it was Andy who paused to watch briefly and then left without a word. Five minutes later Patrick breezed in.
“You can use the coat hanger in the hall as a hat rack.”
The innocent interruptions continued.
“That is me at the painting at the end of the hall.”
“Of course you can visit the weapons gallery any time you like.”
“Yes, they are fun to slide down.”
Gerard dished out information while Travis became more annoyed at the movie being constantly interrupted, until Pete landed on the couch next to him, seemingly out of nowhere, and on an unfounded sugar high.
“Hey!” He shouted, a sketch pad held tightly in his arms.
“Whoa!” Travis exclaimed “Dude, there’s like 5 minutes left, a little peace?!”
“No way man,” Pete disagreed hyperactively “This place is AWESOME, our rooms are fucking AWESOME, the views fucking AWESOME! It’s like a million times better than when the Dandies were here!!! Besides that, I’ve got an idea that just can’t wait!”
“He’s in the house for less than a night and he’s already got a shiny new idea,” Matt commented, still focusing most of his attention on the movie.
“It’s not really new but I thought I’d bring it up again, ‘cause it’s been a bit neglected and it’s too good to be forgotten.”
“Dude, you haven’t even finished un-packing yet.” Travis couldn’t help but laugh and Pete jigged up and down in his seat.
“Yeah I have, through the supreme power of being a vampire. I helped the others unpack too. They’ll be down in a minute but I couldn’t wait to tell you, so I jumped down the stairs and it was a lot of fun, like I can see I’m going to enjoy gliding around this place-” Pete blabbered on while the movie came to its explosive end in the back ground.
“Dude, are you still talking?” Joe yawned as he entered the room.
“Yeah, it’s a non-stop torrent,” Andrew sniggered, still pleased to hear his big brother’s babblings.
“But I haven’t gotten to the good part yet,” Pete replied with a Cheshire cat grin.
“Well, take a deep breath and wait,” Joe said.
“You’re asking the impossible,” Pete called as Joe left the room.
“No, just the improbable,” came Joe’s voice from the kitchen, just as Patrick walked into the front room and sat down.
“So are you gonna tell us or what?” Patrick asked and Gerard switched off the TV.
“Waiting for Hurley and Troh, big unveilings need big turn outs” Pete replied, drumming his fingers on his knees.
A moment later, Joe entered, a steaming cup of coffee in hand, and joined his friends in waiting.
“Oh that smells great, can I-” Pete began when everyone simultaneously replied with “No.”
Finally Andy joined them and Pete took a deep breath, eyes closed. He opened the sketch pad that was in his arms and poured over the pages inside. His eyes where almost glowing with a kind of life that many in the room recognized. They now understood what kind of high he was on. It was a creative rush. He flicked through several pages before folding the front cover back and placing the book on the coffee table for everyone to see.
“It’s a new day and age,” Pete said, watching the book as a thrill vibrated quietly through all those watching “So let’s start something new.”
Drawings and designs of costumes, backdrops and song lists bloomed from the pages, some were crude while others were more carefully crafted. All were for a show. The greatest show Pete could conceive, the very show he’d dreamed of and spent many hours developing and working on in the days leading up to the final battle. The show he and Gerard had discussed for hours. Fall Out Boy’s first show back on the music scene, with Gerard Way and the Gym Class Heroes.
“You can’t sit still for five minutes, can you bro?” Travis asked, though his voice contained nothing but excitement and awe.
“No” Pete replied, looking from face to face “Let’s get started, let’s start tonight. Let’s get scheming for the new music scene”
“Alright,” Gerard said smiling “The theatre for the stage?”
“As was planned,” Pete said with a nod.
* * *
“Eric!” Gerard snapped, grabbing Eric’s shoulder and shaking his head “Eric, Eric, Eric. The seats will be going back after this.”
Eric gave him a pleading look but Gerard just forced the large ratchet into his hands.
“You want the beautiful red velvet seats gone so the crowd can stand and dance, you take them out one by one and stack them in the corner.” He continued fiercely.
“Fine,” Eric whined kneeling down, reaching under the seat nearest to him and beginning to unscrew the bolts that held it down. From somewhere in the ceiling where the lights were switching on and off, Travis’s voice echoed.
“He’s a hard man to please.”
“You’re moving them when they’re all out, Travi.” Gerard said, glare pitching skyward. A spotlight hit him.
“The brooding puppet master has spoken.”
“Fuck off.” Gerard stalked over to Patrick who was studying the sketches Pete had completed a week ago while Pete stood on stage, draped in fabric.
“What’s going on?” Gerard asked, looking over Patrick’s shoulder.
“Well, we have a few different backdrops to work with here,” Patrick said thoughtfully, before continuing under his breath “all with a healthy dose of irony of course.”
“I heard that.” Pete snorted as he held the fabrics up in a most clumsy and boyish way.
“I know that,” Patrick replied, rolling his eyes with a grin “School yards with shackles, graveyards and coffins with sun flowers, forests with beds that have trees for bedposts.”
“Anyway,” Patrick said, turning back to Gerard before Pete could reply, “Pete reckons another colour curtain might be better.”
Gerard frowned and looked up at Pete.
“Why Pete? The carmine curtains with gold trimming are perfect. It’s like saying life, and all we sing about, is just part of a play. Our play and we’re sharing it with everyone.”
Pete seemed to be contemplating it for a second and then nodded.
“You’re right.” Pete agreed.
“All the worlds a stage,” Joe called out from the back row with an overly dramatic voice.
“And all the men are just players.” Travis called out, putting extra emphasis on the last word.
“Hmm, good opening quote,” Patrick quietly noted, ignoring the fact that it was wrong. At that moment, Andy came through the door, phone pressed to his ear.
“Hey, I’ve been on the phone to our manager and he says he’ll do it. He’s handling the advertising now but he’s keeping it kinda low. He says it’ll probably be a few more weeks before we can put this on though.” Andy called out, loud enough for everyone to hear.
“We told him about this over a month ago when you guys signed Gerard onto Fall Out Boy.” Eric said, and he placed the seventeenth chair in the corner of the theatre “It’s not like he has a million other bands to deal with or venues or sponsors”
“Yeah but you know how things are these days. Everyone’s still picking up the pieces. Advertising isn’t as lucrative as it used to be so it takes things longer to get moving. I think we’re going to have to do most of it ourselves.” Gerard sighed, but was glad to hear their manager was at least putting the word out.
“Awesome.” Pete said with a wicked sneer “Hey Joe. Microphone, you, me and the Batskullmobile tonight, yeah?”
“Hell yeah!” Joe shouted back, grinning from ear to ear.
“Chuck fliers around while you’re at it.” Patrick advised.
“Sure will,” Joe called out as he briskly moved out the rear door of the theatre “I’ll go work on getting them printed now, meet you in the lobby at 8, Pete!”
“Kay, Troh see you there,” Pete called back “And take Andrew with you!”
* * *
“Good citizens of New Chicago, its Pete Wentz here from your friendly neighborhood vampire hunting, rock serving, ass kicking band. Since I’m on the move, I’ll try to keep it quick. If the names Fall Out Boy, Gym Class Heroes or My Chemical Romance mean anything to you, come on down and party hard in four weeks time when all three come back from the dead and celebrate the return of music to these parts with the greatest concert we have the power to put on. It has been too fucking long! So tell your parents you’ll be out all night, do your homework the day before or blow it off all together, just don’t miss out!”
Pete’s voice echoed into the night, followed everywhere by a flurry of red paper fliers with black bats imprinted on the back.
* * *
“So tonight’s clean up night!” Andy said, rubbing his hands together, to the handful of sleepy vampires and the occasional human gathered in the kitchen, going about their separate rituals of waking up. “There’s only a few days left before the show and even though the theatre’s looking great, this place needs a once over”
“Geez Andy, at this time of night? Look man, I respect the fact that you’re starting to reintroduce yourself to the afternoon sun but you gotta remember we’re still coming to at 9,” Travis yawned, slumping onto one of the large kitchen table’s chairs and pulling his bathrobe closer around him “Just cause you’ve been up for a few hours doesn’t mean we can comprehend you yet”
“Well that’s why I’m starting to drum it into you now, so it won’t hit you as hard later. There has to be vacuuming.” Andy began and Joe quickly added.
“This place is so huge a vampire would have to do it.”
“Yeah, true.” Andy agreed, turning to Travis.
“Hey, don’t look at me man, I’m working on the lights in the theatre.”
Andy then looked to Pete who grinned hopelessly.
“Do I have to?” Pete asked.
“Yep.” Andy assigned the task before turning back to the general group.
“Dusting?” Andy asked.
“I dibs the dusting of the cool weapons room.” Joe said, throwing his hand up.
“I suppose this’d be another one better suited to vampires, so I’ll dust the rest of the house.” Matt offered grudgingly.
“Good, thanks. Some of the statue art in the lobby needs to polished” Andy called out.
“I’ll do that.” Andrew’s muffled voice came from the table his head was pressed against.
“Awesome. The windows in the lobby have to be fixed.” Andy called out.
“I’ll phone the glass dudes.” Patrick offered, munching hungrily on his bowl of cereal.
“Good, good. Lastly pest control, like rats, possums and other small mammals must go. There must be like some health law stating there can’t be rodents present at rock shows with hundreds of kids.”
“You got it!” Disashi cheered, happy for a reason to clear out the roof and get a little blood on the side.
“Yeah we’ll take care of it,” Eric said, squinting at the ceiling “Little bastards won’t know what hit ‘em.”
“Me and Gerard can work on the sound and how it’s gonna be set up on the night.” Andy explained.
“Alright, let’s do it,” he finished, being met with a resounding grumpy growl from all involved parties.
* * *
“They’re restless,” Gerard murmured, peering out from behind the red curtain in the wings.
“Of course they are, but can you believe the smiles on their faces?” Patrick whispered back.
“I haven’t seen kids this geared since…” Patrick began, but trailed off as the rumbling and screaming grew louder, electricity so potent in the air it was almost visible.
“Since we became vampire hunters.” Joe finished, walking up behind them to share the sneak peek of their loyal, waiting fans.
“Is everyone in place?” Gerard asked.
“Yeah and Pete’s absolutely dying.” Joe replied.
“Alright,” Patrick said softly “Let’s play the track.”
Patrick walked out onto the stage through dim green and blue lighting, concealed by the beautiful dark curtain. His silver SG winked at him like a star, waiting by the mike closest to the audience. He lifted up the covers of a bed with trees for bedposts, carefully settled into the covers and closed his eyes. Nearby, he could hear Joe and Andy shuffling into place, the fake bushes rustling at their drawn claws. He listened as the sounds of summer insects began to fill the now pitch black theatre, jam packed with as many kids as would fit. Outside on Gerard’s vast lawns, sun well set, other kids watched large screens their manager had produced two nights ago.
In Patrick’s mind he could see them. They were beginning to hush and listen, their attention was beginning to leave the stage and whirl about the theatre, trying to find the source of the sound or the first glance of the shows beginning. The grand entrance of their rock stars. Patrick smirked, rolling over so his back was facing the audience. The noises stopped. The curtains opened. They weren’t going to expect this.
* * *
New Chicago, always a city with music in it’s veins, had to abandon its life’s blood years ago as basic survival took it’s place. With the casualties building into the hundreds due to the vampire population, we thought we’d never see the sun again. However a few weeks ago, the tyranny of the Dandy clan was rumored to have been lifted, and eventually the vastly lowered death rate proved it. It comes as some kind of joke, one we could all enjoy, that our saviors were in fact lead by a group of young men from Chicago band, Fall Out Boy. Seeing them playing on the stage in their first show back, one can hardly imagine them defeating the Dandies under three months ago.
The show began with a sound track of summer night insects silencing the crowd, bar from a few overly excited fans that could not hold their screams in. When the curtains pulled back, the stage appeared out of the darkness, a forest with someone sleeping in a bed; an obvious shout out to Pete Wentz’s favorite childhood storybook, “Where The Wild Things Are”. Eyes were glued to the stage, waiting for Wentz to jump out of bed. The fans were shocked and delighted when the white fox who jumped out to scare them was lead singer, Patrick Stump. The next two to jump out and growl were guitarist Joe Trohman, in a scruffy monster suit, and Andy Hurley, also complete with monster makeup. As Hurley took up the drums, setting a quick rhythm, Patrick picked up his guitar and looked out to the crowd. After a moment or two of savoring the roar escaping their audience, Trohman turned cheerily to Stump asking him
“Hey Patrick, where’s Pete?”, Patrick replying with a non-committal shrug. It was then that Pete’s voice boomed over the speakers “Good evening, New Chicago! What the fuck is happening?!” Spotlights pointed to the upper wings where monster Wentz perched, surrounded by crazed fans. Laughs followed his comment “Oh fuck, how do I get down there, I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to be down there,” and vanished as he stood and dove off the balcony into the air. Pulling up at the last moment, he skimmed the stunned crowd with his hands before landing on the stage. He brushed the mad stunt off quickly and they moved straight into the show the audience’s shock being speedily replaced with mirth. It was the beginning of a truly great night. Fall Out Boy played with the kind of abandon only well-seasoned rockers have had, every member rocking it out harder than ever seen before.
The backdrops changed to suit who was playing as, after Fall Out Boy’s hour long set and a short intermission, the curtain opened on the Gym Class Heroes’ Travis McCoy wearing an overly small t-shirt and shorts, large glasses and a ‘kick me’ sign. His fellow band members wore similar uniforms with the background being a cartoon-like classroom complete with four desks and seats. This too amused the crowd, letting them understand that this concert was purely for fun, laughs and enjoyment. There was not even a mention of vampires till the third set.
The third set was a graveyard masked by smoke, and out of the ominous mist rose Gerard Way, backed by Fall Out Boy, in strange army coats and skeleton make up. Despite being the most macabre of the night’s performances, it was full of cheer and life, packing more punch than one could think possible. A mix of old My Chemical Romance songs as well as songs never heard before were sung, to the delight and nostalgia of the MCRMY watching.
The last surprise of the night was when the curtain opened to reveal a mostly empty stage, scattered with comfy looking couches, seats and the occasional rug. Every member of the three-part show walked onto the stage in the casual but stylish clothes they are well known for. They played collaborations that crossed over between them and some songs Pete explained he and Way had written together. They played acoustic songs and some covers till the utterly spent entertainers called it a night, announcing that they would do this twice a week for the next seven weeks. Pete explained that every show would be slightly different but that he hoped it would give those who missed out another chance to see it. So fear not, fair New Chicago boys and girls. There is still plenty of time to go and see the first large-scale rock concert staged here in years, named after a hopeful toast, To Infinity’s New High.
~Epilogue~
His tongue passed quickly across his lips, waiting for enough calm to speak. The huge stage shrouded in soft shadow protected Pete against the setting sun that was splashing golden rays over the crowd’s ecstatic faces, not blinding them but making them shine. Pete watched their fans carefully, sunglasses firmly in place, always awed by the beauty of an afternoon show. Shadows and yellow splendor over tanned warm skin was one of Pete’s fondest pleasures now. Long after the media slander, when people discovered he wasn’t aging and was pulling impossible stunts every show, this sensation still remained. He looked to Patrick, who smiled cordially back. The schoolboy youth was beginning to fade from his demeanor but inside, and in everything he did, he was still the same boy Pete had met all that time ago. As Pete’s eyes swooped back to the fans and picked up the near undetectable hue of the light becoming darker, he knew it was time.
“Our lawyers wouldn’t want us to talk about this,” he began, sniggering slightly as he dusted off the old line “but we wanted you to know because you let us know how you really feel all the time. You send us letters and e-mails and told us that you still have faith in us again and again. So now it’s our turn. I know we’ve told you before but this is more specific.”
Pete turned and looked up to see Andy who gave him a subtle thumbs up and then Joe who gave him a less subtle, completely wicked grin.
“It’s been five years since the red eclipse in New Chicago” Pete said loudly and clearly into the mike, pausing again as a roar approved this simple statement, heavy with meaning “But from the moment we returned, you guys were there. You were waiting for us, like you were ready to go. That by itself is so fucking awesome and we love you so much for it. We were accepted back into the music scene so quickly and couldn’t have done it without your support, so thank you! We’ve been really enjoying touring again, haven’t we?”
Amongst the screams, Joe’s amplified “Yeah!” could be deciphered.
“We’re still very proud of the album we released a couple of years ago and we’re totally stoked about the one coming up soon, can’t wait for you guys to hear it,” Pete called out “because it is going to blow your fucking minds!”
The audience burst into ecstatic applause. It was several minutes before they quieted down once more. However, Pete did not continue, taking a step back from the mike and nodding to Patrick.
“Um, a lot of people having been asking about Gerard and where he’s gone. I’ve even heard that we were supposed to have had some huge fight and falling out but it’s just not true,” Patrick said gently “we wanted you to know what was going on so you didn’t have to wonder anymore. We only decided we’d tell you tonight, but I suppose there’ll be a million interviews after this. The truth is, we don’t really know where he is. He was happy to be a part of our band and has been a great addition to the group for the past five years. I believe his vocals and the concepts we shared and worked on together really furthered our sound. A few months ago he told us that he wanted to go traveling for a while, and we completely respected that. I have no doubt that we will see him again someday and work with him again but for the moment Fall Out Boy will return to just us boys.”
Patrick finished announcing with the memory of Gerard on the day he left playing in his mind. It should have been a sad or nostalgic moment but for the gleeful smile on the ageless rockers face. He’d told Patrick he was going to follow blood red eclipses wherever they were in the world so he could march with the Black Parade. He said he wanted to see all the places there was to see in greater detail than the rush from a hotel room to sound check. He’d promised he’d visit them if they were in the same place and play with them when he could but for a while he wanted a holiday and Patrick fully sympathized. He had taken a few months off a year back when he’d met her and while Pete and Joe were settling into married life. Andy had been glad for the time off to be with his girlfriend too but now they where back more enthusiastic than ever before. Patrick felt like they could take on the world and win, as Pete had always said they could.
“I think that’s probably enough talking for the moment,” Joe said excitably into his mike.
“Troh’s right. We’re gonna play you something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue, so let’s kick things off with something old, A LITTLE LESS SIXTEEN CANDLES A LITTLE MORE TOUCH ME!” Pete bellowed with all his might.
Cheers seemed to raise the very sky higher and guitars ripped into the gathering summer dusk. Beats drummed into the feet stomping the stands. Lyrics caught in flying hair and hearts. Voices mixed in a whirlwind of sound bright with cheer and the base just beat the walls. Every soul was set alight for the music pumping into their bodies.
It was the start of a perfect night.
A/N: So this is it. It’s been such a long story, such an epic effort. I never thought I could write something like this, something so long and involved and I certainly couldn’t have done it without you guys encouraging me every chapter along the way. I know I’ve been kind of saying goodbye to this story (and the readers of it if you don’t read my stuff again) in my own way for the last few chapters so most of what I wanted to say has been said.
I hope this ending and this story entertained you and lived up to your expectations. Keep an eye out for the one or two shot spin off I’m playing with where Pete and Patrick get it on and you know it XD
I want to dedicate this story to my best friend, confidant and been-editor for the last year. She took out time from her busy schedule to beta this for me every time I posted and stopped every single freak out and uncertainty I had about it even though I know it wasn’t easy. Thank you so much Em.
Till next time wonderful, beautiful girls and boys (if there are any boys lol) thank you for the feedback and have a good one.