A/N: The song is Jane by The Loved Ones. I in no way claim it as my own.

In fact, if you like their music, I encourage you to buy it.

The Many Mini-Misadventures of Stan and Spooky

Plot One - The Next Big Thing

by Syrenia

Chapter One - Phase One Performance

"I'm sick of feeling like I lost this fight; sick of graying out the wrongs and rights," Stan sang out to the fairly large crowd, sitting on a stool and playing a guitar.

Looking them over, he decided to concentrate on the words a while before unleashing phase one of his grand scheme.

"I'm pulling out of here to clear my sights tonight, tonight. Alright, alright."

Playing his guitar with actual talent, the demon was impressive to the few who knew him and the details of his plot.

"Hear me out, baby, and dry your eyes. I'd write it out, but it would just seem trite," he sang, actually beginning to get into his zone. "I'm pulling out of here with holy spite tonight, tonight. Alright, alright."

To Spooky's surprise, albeit a pleasant sort, she'd found he actually enjoyed playing and singing.

In fact, she had told him so, now smiling to his performance as she danced and sang back up with Linda.

"But I've got this guitar that I can barely play," Stan sang, his leg bouncing to the music.

It was a strange sight to Kisling, who had come to hear them play.

Stan was obviously having a good time, soon shouting out, "Yeah!"

At the drums, surprising as it may be, was none other that Big Bull, who also seemed to be enjoying their first gig ever.

"How could we've known about what was in store? Never pictured me walk out this door," the Evil King continued. "I guess we didn't know just what we swore down at that broke down reservoir."

The crowd was rocking along, everything going smoothly and according to plan.

"Could we have one more shot for both our sakes?" sang Stan, grinning at the crowd that had grown slightly.

It was almost time to begin phase one.

"Can we slow it down and give, not take? Can't forgive me for my mistakes, my heart'll break, my heart'll break."

Off to the side, playing another guitar, was another familiar face.

Ari had joined the two by his master's commands, but he didn't mind it at all. He seemed to be having just as much fun as the others.

"See, I've got this guitar that I can barely play," Stan continued, the crowd roaring with approval. "And I betray a piece of your heart each time I go away."

Looking out into the crowd, he grinned, "But redemption comes harder when you're choosing not to pray."

A bit off to the other side, another familiar face stood before an electric keyboard. His feet didn't even touch the ground as he played, Epros seeming almost as excited as the rest.

"We can't stay innocent if we just run and hide. No remedy for scars and tears you've cried," the Evil King sang out to the roaring crowd. "My mind would ease if you told me your heart won't change if you knew that I tried... Yeah."

Giving a slight head bang as he played, Stan was definitely loving this.

"Yeah!" he shouted out. "Hey! ...Oh, yeah."

The plan hadn't hit a single hitch so far...

Playing during the short break, he readied himself to release hypnotic waves through his voice.

Soon the crowd would be in a daze and ready for step two of phase one.

"I'm sick of feeling like I lost this fight; sick of graying out the wrongs and rights," he continued, almost ready for his real part to begin. "I'm pulling out of here to clear my sights tonight, tonight. Alright, alright."

This was it - the big debut of his power!

"Hear me out, baby, and dry your eyes," he sang, his voice spreading across the crowd. "I'd write it out, but it would just seem trite. I'm out of here with holy spite. Alright, alright."

Hearing his voice, the crowd was slowly being hypnotized, Stan grinning.

"Well, I got this guitar and I've learned how to play," he went on with a sneer. "But now I've broken your heart 'cause I never chose to stay. And my redemption's a ruse 'cause you never heard me say..."

The mass of listeners was starting to zone out, almost overtaken by the Evil King's powers.

"We can't stay innocent if we just run and hide. No remedy for scars and tears you've cried. My mind would ease if you told me your heart won't change if you knew that I tried."

With every note sung, their defenses were falling. This plan was working perfectly!

"Just run and hide all the tears you cried," the sneering demon sang. "My mind's a mess 'cause you told me your heart changed and you don't know - don't know if I tried."

With his last piece before the finale, the crowd would be helpless.

With a triumphant grin, he finished his role, "If I tried."

Coming to a close, the music ended, Stan rising from his perch on the stool.

"People of Madril, Tenel, Rashelo; humans from towns across this land, heed my words!"

From behind, Navy smirked, knowingly exchanging glances with Ari. Both knew he was playing it up and had obviously rehearsed his grand speech.

"You will go out into the rest of our world and spread the message that the new band, The Crushing Devils, are now the best damn band you've ever heard. You will become extremely loyal fans to this, my band, and me specifically, whom you will call Samael."

The audience was so silent his words almost boomed, "You will never speak of me to heroes! You will follow any commands I give to you! Is that understood?"

A resounding murmur of acceptance sounding throughout the crowd, the demon laughed evilly.

"Now, go! Follow my commands at the count of three," he said, the rest of the band the only ones who'd escaped his hypnotism.

"One, two, three!" he counted, the audience awakening to find the band bowing.

Not thinking much of it, they all began to clap, soon talking amongst themselves before heading out.

They were all reacting just as planned, Stan grinning at the thinning crowd, though one man was left behind.

Seeing the last of the group disperse, the man began to clap a bit, taking out his earplugs.