Ch 6

With Hojo gone, let the celebration begin!

After school: Time to PAR-TAY!

Five minutes remained until the end of school. The students in PE sat impatiently on the bleachers, wanting to start the party. Angeal could sense their eagerness, for he only chuckled. The celebrating air never left the group, even after Geography, which was two hours ago.

Two hours ago, Hojo was ejected from the school. Their worst nightmare was finally gone for good! Never again did they have to put up with his estranged teaching or his bitter remarks. Never again to darken a classroom again. Zack, being the loud-mouth that he was, flew around the school, telling the other students the great news about Hojo's rejection. Those that have been told quickly accepted the invitation.

Aerith and Tifa sat in the pool that was beneath the bleachers, chatting and laughing. Zack was joking with Reno and Angeal, who looked confused on some of the ghost's one-liner jokes, which he had to explain a second later.

Alexis sat with Sephiroth, Cloud, Tseng and Yuffie, talking about what they could do for the party. It was too bad that Lazard didn't get the memo about the bash in time; he went home a minute before Alexis arrived at the main office to tell him. Shrugging, she just left; he would somehow figure it out in the morning... that is, if everyone was to leave a huge mess when they left. She prayed to the gods they wouldn't do such a thing, unless they wanted to be forced to clean the entire gym. Finally... the school bell rang!

"PARTY TIME!" Zack shouted, his call echoing around the huge room.

He, Sephiroth, Vincent, Cloud and Angeal volunteered to grab whatever they needed for the party, with some help from the other attending students. Nearing four o'clock, everything was set up in the gym and students began pouring in by the dozens. By 4:15, over a hundred students were there. The food, drinks, plates and cups were set out on tables brought together. Zack plugged in the loudspeakers and went into the sound booth. Music boomed out from them and some students hit the floor to dance. Alexis and Elena were sitting on the bleachers, laughter and chatter shared between them.

"I just can't believe he's actually gone. I never thought he would be kicked out," Elena said.

"Well, believe it. I couldn't believe what I heard when I was heading back to Reeve's class. I thought I was hearing things at first," Alexis replied.

Suddenly, Reno was on the stage, a mic in his hand.

"What's up, Mythic High!" he shouted.

Cheers rose up and everyone gathered at the stage that was also set up, along with some instruments.

"Wow! What a turn out! Well, we all know why we're here, so no need for introduction. Anyways, this party wouldn't be a party without Mythic High's beloved band. So, everyone make some noise... for THE FOUR ELEMENTALS!" Reno shouted again before stepping off the stage.

The gym lights went out and flood lights shone on the said band. Sephiroth was lead singer, Genesis and Angeal had the guitars and Zack was behind the drums. The students went crazy, including the young Rhapsodos and the female Hydra member. The intro to Thanks for the Memories by Fallout Boy began to play and everyone went berserk.

"Who's ready to party tonight?" Genesis asked the crowd, earning a loud cheer.

"I said, who's ready to party tonight?" Genesis asked again.

The crowd got louder and Alexis suddenly got the feeling that she was more at a mini concert than a party from the atmosphere rising up. Sephiroth stepped up to the mic to begin the song.

[Sephiroth]

I'm gonna make it bend and break
(
Angeal: It sent you to me without wait)
Say a prayer, but let the good times roll
In case God doesn't show...

[Genesis]

Let the good times roll...
Let the good times roll!

[Sephiroth and Angeal]

And I want these words to make things right
But it's the wrongs tha
t make the words come to life,

Who does he think he is?
If that's the worst you got
Better put your fingers back to the keys

[Boys]

One night and one more time
Thanks for the memories
Even
though they weren't so great;
He tastes like you, only sweeter!
One night, yeah, and one more time
Thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories;
See, he tastes like you only sweeter!
Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh!

Everyone was jumping to the music as it blared out.

"WE LOVE YOU, SEPHIROTH!" squealed some fan girls, making Alexis roll her eyes. Oh brother...

[Sephiroth and Genesis]

Been looking forward to the future

[Angeal and Genesis]

But my eyesight is going bad
And this crystal ball

[Sephiroth and Genesis]

It's always cloudy except for
(Except for)
When you look into the past
(Look into the past)

[Genesis]

One night stand...

[Angeal and Genesis]

One night stand, oh!

[Boys]

One night and one more time
Thanks for the memories
Even
though they weren't so great;
He tastes like you only sweeter!
One night, yeah, and one more time
Thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories;
See, he tastes like you only sweeter!
Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh!

[Genesis]

(Sephiroth):They say...
I only think in the form of crunching numbers
In hotel rooms collecting page-six lovers
Get me out of my mind
And get you out of those clothes
I'm a liner away
From getting you into the mood
Whoa!

[Boys]
One night and one more time
Thanks for the memories
Even though they weren't so great;
He tastes like you but sweeter!
One night, yeah, and one more time
Thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories;
See, he tastes like you only sweeter!

"JOIN IN IF YOU KNOW THIS LAST LINE!" Zack shouted.

[Boys]
One night and one more time (
Genesis: One more night, one more time)
Thanks for the memories
Even though they weren't so great;
He tastes like you but sweeter!
One night, yeah, and one more time (
Genesis: One more night, one more time)
Thanks for the memories, thanks for the memories (
Angeal: For the memories)
See, he tastes like you only sweeter!

The crowd was going ballistic by the time the song ended. Even Alexis found herself screaming and cheering for the boys.

"Thank you," Sephiroth waved to them.

The flood lights went off for a moment before they shone again on the dragon, earning shrieks of delight and excitement from his fan girls that pushed up to the front to get a good look at him.

"What's going on, you guys?" he asked the crowd.

The crowd cheered in reply.

"Tonight, we have a special guest singer joining us tonight for this next song she requested to sing. Everyone, give it up for Miss Aerith Gainsborough!" he said, gesturing to the pink clad mermaid.

A loud cheer arose as Aerith smiled and came up. The intro to Ice Queen by Within Temptation began to play. Taking the mic from Sephiroth, he stepped back as Aerith took center stage. For those who know mermaids, they have unique abilities on land, such as possessing a certain nature element like fire, water, etc.

For Aerith, she had the perfect element for this song. She lowered her head as she waited for the song to begin. Suddenly, she snapped her head back up to the crowd as snow and wind began to whip around in a boisterous flurry, making her hair and dress flow about her. Her eyes were glowing pure white as she, in a high, clear melodious voice, began to sing...

When leaves have fallen and skies turned to gray
The night keeps on closing in on the day
A nightingale sings his song of farewell
You better hide for her freezing hell

On cold wings she's coming

You better keep moving
For warmth you'll be longing, nightingale
Come on just feel it

Don't you see it?
You better believe it!

When she embraces your heart turns to stone
She comes at night when you're all alone
And when she whispers your blood shall run cold
You better hide before she finds you

Whenever she is raging she takes all life away

Haven't you seen? Haven't you seen?

The ruins of our world

Whenever she is raging she takes all life away

Haven't you seen? Haven't you seen?

The ruins of our world!

The snow then began to weave among the students as she dispersed it. Alexis shivered slightly from the sudden blast of cold. Now she knew what element the brunette, kind mermaid possessed, which piqued her interest. Aerith began a graceful dance as another round of snow and wind swirled around her. She began the next verses.

She covers the earth with a breath-taking cloak

The sun awakes and melts it away

The world now opens its eyes and sees

The dawning of a new day

On cold wings she's coming

You better keep moving

For warmth you'll be longing, nightingale

Come on just feel it

Don't you see it?

You better believe it!

Whenever she is raging she takes life away

Haven't you seen? Haven't you seen?

The ruins of our world

Whenever she is raging she takes life away

Haven't you seen? Haven't you seen?

The ruins of our world!

The snow and wind slowly vanished as she finished. Her eyes returned to being bright green as the crowd cheered for her. The end of the song then bled into the intro of Angels. They cheered louder as Aerith used her magic to change her pink dress into a dark blue halter dress that touched the floor. Her hair was loose and cascaded down her back in waves. Again in that beautiful voice of hers, but with a slightly sorrowful yet serious expression, she sang.

Sparkling angel I believed

You were my savior in my time of need.

Blinded by faith I couldn't hear

All the whispers, the warnings so clear.

I see the angels

I'll lead them to your door.

There's no escape now

No mercy no more

No remorse cause I still remember

The smile when you tore me apart

You took my heart

Deceived me right from the start

You showed me dreams

I wished they'd turn into real

You broke your promise and made me realize.

It was all just a lie!

Sparkling angel, I couldn't see

Your dark intentions, your feelings for me

Fallen angel, tell me why?

What is the reason, the thorn in your eye?

I see the angels

I'll lead them to your door

There's no escape now

No mercy no more

No remorse cause I still remember

The smile when you tore me apart!

You took my heart

Deceived me right from the start

You showed me dreams

I wished they turn into real

You broke the promise and made me realize

It was all just a lie!

Could have been forever

Now we have reached the end!

Aerith's fist clenched suddenly as she lowered her head. Suddenly, a single tear fell down her face and onto the stage. Sephiroth and Alexis both smelled the salty tears and both began wondering what made her feel this way so suddenly. Within Aerith's mind, this song meant something to her... this reminded her of someone that actually broke her heart a long time ago. She had to get this off her chest or not do so and let it plague her mind. Facing the crowd again with the tears in her eyes, she finished the rest of the song.

This world may have failed you

It doesn't give you a reason why

You could have chosen a different path in life!

The smile when you tore me apart!

You took my heart

Deceived me right from the start.

You showed me dreams

I wished they turn into real.

You broke the promise and made me realize.

It was all just a lie!

Could have been forever

Now we have reached the end!

As the song ended, the lights dimmed again and Aerith left. She finally got her burden off her chest and now, she felt lighter on her heart. Alexis followed her outside into the now warm night. The mermaid sat on the small concrete bench, trying to calm herself down.

"You ok?" she asked.

Aerith looked up as the vampiress sat next to her. "I'm sorry, Alexis. I didn't mean to make you worry. I just... I just had something on my mind and I had to let it out somehow. My mother said to me that whenever something's bothering your mind, release it in a song. That's what she did when she was young," she said.

"And you did wonderful. I knew mermaids could sing, but you were amazing up there. I saw most of the boys gawking at you. I think some even drooled," Alexis laughed, trying to lighten the mood.

It worked as the two began laughing. The two embraced each other after word.

"Thanks, Lexi. I needed a laugh. Come on. I hear The Boys Next Door are going to be singing," Aerith said as the two stood and headed inside. The roar of the crowd hit their ears as Reno, Rufus, Rude and Tseng stepped onto the stage.

[Rufus]

Even in my heart I see
You're not bein' true to me

Deep within my soul I feel
Nothing's like it used to be

[Reno]

Sometimes I wish I could turn back time
Impossible as it may seem
But I wish I could so bad
, baby

[Boys]
Quit playin' games with my heart

My heart, my heart, my heart
(Before you tear us apart)
I should have known from the start
(Before you got in my heart)

[Tseng]

I live my life the way
To keep you comin' back to me
Everything I do is for you
So what is it that you can't see

[Reno]

Sometimes I wish I could
Turn back time, impossible as it may seem
But I wish I could so bad

[Boys]

You better quit playin' games with my heart
My heart, my heart, my heart
(Before you tear us apart)
I should have known from the start
(Before you got in my heart)

[Reno and Rude]
Quit playin' games
Baby, baby the love that we had was so strong
Don't leave me hangin' here forever
Oh baby, baby this is not a lie

Let's stop this tonight

[Reno]
Baby, quit playin' games...

The girls shrieked again as Reno and Tseng went to the edge of the stage and high fived most of them, flashing soft smiles at them. They sat at the edge as the next verse was about to come up. Tseng, then, spotted Elena in the crowd. Taking her hand, she was gently pulled onto the stage and she sat beside him, blushing as she did. Then, he started singing to her while caressing her cheek.

[Tseng]

Sometimes I wish I could
Turn back time, impossible as it may seem
But I wish I could so bad, baby
...

Then, Elena joined in as they stood again, to the delight of Alexis and Aerith and the other students.

[Boys and Elena]

Quit playin' games with may heart

My heart, my heart, my heart
(Before you tear us apart)
I should have known from the start

(Before you got in my heart)

[Tseng and Elena]

Quit playing games with my heart!

Quit playing games with my heart

My heart, my heart, my heart!

The two then suddenly kissed. If the crowd couldn't get any louder, it just did.

"GO ELENA!" Alexis and Aerith both shouted.

Tseng and Elena pulled away, leaving the blonde girl blushing a bright red. Rufus nodded with a smirk on his face while Reno pumped a happy fist. For the rest of the night, everyone was dancing to the music or just chatting with friends. As the Four Elementals packed up their band instruments and placed them in the back of Sephiroth's black Tahoe, Alexis rushed out to meet them.

"Once again, guys, another well-performed show. I can't wait to see you guys at the Karaoke Contest. Any songs lined up for that?" she said, barely containing her excitement.

"We do, but we're not telling. By the way" Zack winked at her. "Have you come to get my—"

"Nope. Still won't ask for it" suddenly, they heard squeals of their female fans as they rushed outside. "But, I'm sure they will," Alexis smirked before turning to head back inside.

"Ah, my ever-loving public!" The girls crowded around the four boys, all asking for different things from them. "Whoa, ladies. One at a time! There's plenty of me to go around," Zack announced.

"We love you so much, Zack! Can we have your autographs?" one girl asked.

"Don't forget to ask my buds as well, but yeah. I'll give ya my autograph. It'll cost you a date, though," Zack replied with a proud look.

The girls squealed again and Alexis could only watch as they bombarded them. She rolled her eyes good naturedly before going back into the gym. The party wasn't over yet.