ILY, no ownage. Just made up the little squabble March and Salsa got in. I guess I own that.

Eternal Karaoke

An Eternal Sonata Fanfic

By child of the gallows

Chapter 9: Can't Let It Go, Goo Goo Dolls

Salsa was chained back into line.

"Intermission over," Waltz said. "Terrible job, by the way. Anyway, let's have her sister go next." He motioned to Claves to un-handcuff her. "I hope you can do better than that."

March nodded. "Of course, sir. I'll do the best I can."

Waltz sat back in his seat, grumbling. He hated when things went according to plan.

On the other side of the curtain…

"March!" Gallow girl cried. "I told the count to send out Falsetto!"

"I'm sorry. Should I go back?"

Gallow girl thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Nah, you'll be okay. Your song's Can't Let It Go, by the Goo Goo Dolls."

March nodded. "Okay."

"Just, wait here for a moment. I've gotta go… tell Count Waltz something." Gallow girl clenched her fists and walked backstage.

March waited patiently. She heard muffled speaking, then muffled shouts, and a siren. The siren was probably Beat, he could do a good imitation of a siren.

Gallow girl came back out looking much more relieved, and handed March the microphone. "Just… forgot this backstage."

"Okay." March read the title. "Can't Let It Go, Goo Goo Dolls."

One thumbs up from Gallow girl.

"You said you'd light a candle and you'd say a prayer for me. I feel the light has dimmed and gone. Half the world is begging while the other half steals. Where did everything go wrong? Some days, I can't believe, others I'm on my knees, trying to be heard."

While she was singing, March nearly fell over in surprise. How did Gallow girl know about her fight 'to be heard,' with Salsa? She shook her head to clear the thought. Had to focus on singing. Singing. Singing. Singing. SINGING.

"I was your anger, and you were my fear. Now that it's over, of course it's so clear. But you were no angel, and I was no sin. Somehow I can't let it go, I can't let it go."

I can't let it go. March thought bitterly to herself. Not after what that evil jerk of a sister did to me!

"Half the world is sleeping while the other half dreams. You close your eyes and then you're gone. And maybe my intentions have been misunderstood. I know you feel so beautifully wronged. Some days I can't believe, others I'm on my knees, hoping I belong."

That old anger came rushing up into March. Just like the day that it happened…

"I was your anger, and you were my fear. Now that it's over, of course it's so clear. But you were no angel, and I was no sin. But somehow I can't let it go, I can't let it go.

"And laughter is my soul's release. But we're not smiling anymore. And can't we try to win this peace? 'Cause we're never gonna win, never gonna win this war."

That was what Salsa had insisted. "Can't we try to win this peace?" No, there was no way she would let Salsa win ever again.

"I was your anger, and you were my fear. Now that it's over, of course it's so clear. But you were no angel, and I was no sin. Somehow I can't let it go, I can't let it go."

The music ended.

"What's up, March?" Gallow girl asked her. "You were looking kind of angry up there."

She struggled to keep the anger from tainting her voice. "Nothing," she insisted.

Gallow girl glared.

"Oh, it's just that song reminded me of an argument me and my sister had one time. That was the first and last."

Gallow girl nodded. "What about?"

"Oh, you know, silly things. She took my hat. Never gave it back."

"Right. Make sure the count sends out Falsetto next. She's been up for the past two rounds."

"Okay."

March turned around and headed through the curtain, where she instantly knew why there were muffled shouts. And the siren.

The count was sitting back in his seat with a black eye. Tuba was laying unconscious. Fugue's monocle was broken, and his hair was dyed hot pink. Rondo was wearing Hello Kitty pajamas, and Claves was wearing monster truck P. J.'s. Legato looked woozy, and she would only find out later that Gallow girl had made him model for Abercrombie and Fitch. [1]

Gallow girl must have done this to them, out of her anger for Falsetto.

She was chained quietly back into line by half-blind Fugue and screaming Rondo.

FOOTNOTES!!!

[1] – Jeez, that's one creepy picture. Next time you go into Abercrombie, be thankful that Legato's not modeling.

We've got FUGUE'S pink hair, and LEGATO'S modeling shudder. Next up…