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ULRICH POV:
Time seemed to just fly for Ulrich. Upon joining the band, he found himself thrown into a rigorous routine of late night practices in the forest near campus. Although he lost many hours of sleep, Ulrich ultimately enjoyed all of the practices. He had forgotten how much he loved to play.
Rebecca seemed to be obsessed with boy girl bands, and Ulrich repeatedly found himself playing songs from Evanescence. In fact, that was all they did.
Rebecca was a wonderful singer. Her voice was very mellow and easy on the ears, yet at the same time, her voice projected over long distances even without a microphone. Raven, who was the secondary singer, was a bass singer with an amazing range. He could sing notes all the way down to the bottom of the keyboard, and about halfway up the top. His voice projected as well, and it was very smooth and easy to listen to. Although he sang freely, he was as taciturn as usual during school hours.
Two years passed this way, with the group practicing regularly and attempting to plan a concert. However, it wasn't as easy as it first seemed. They had to raise enough money to buy refreshments for the crowd, buy equipment for the stage and instruments, and to hire people to work behind the scenes for stage effects.
The group did not need to hire a manager, for their drummer took that task upon herself. Her name was Merilise. She quickly took command of the group and controlled its practice times. When she learned how much money they needed, she organized a fundraiser for the group. The group decided to collect money by selling school supplies and candy at a set time in the morning. This was very effective, and the money came pouring in.
Right before the group had planned a concert, a new student showed up at school…
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"What do you need me to do?" Ulrich asked Mr. Silvers. He was called into the office by the principal during his first class. Ulrich had no idea what the principal wanted, but he knew it must be important.
"It's your turn to mentor a new student," Mr. Silvers answered. Ulrich groaned inwardly. He was stressed out enough, between homework and the upcoming concert. Now he had to show some pathetic newbie around?
"Come this way," Mr. Silvers ordered, walking out of his office and leading Ulrich to the school gates.
Ulrich soon noticed a girl by the gates, shyly carrying her luggage behind her. She was cute, with dark brown hair down to the middle of her back. Her skin was slightly tanned, which suggested that she spent a lot of time in the sun. Her face was roundish, with two almond shaped brown eyes. Ulrich's first thought was, "man, she's hot."
"Gabrielle, this is Ulrich Stern. He will show you around and give you your equipment. I hope you will like it here," Mr. Silvers said, almost exactly the same as when Ulrich got here.
"Thanks," Gabrielle replied as Mr. Silvers walked away. Ulrich was left alone with the girl. He was instantly shy, as he had no idea who the girl was, and he was horribly girl-shy. However, Gabrielle was far from shy.
"Hi, Ulrich! Good to meet you!" She cried, running up to him. They shook hands, somewhat awkwardly.
"Okay, well, I'll show you to your dorm," Ulrich stammered. Gabrielle noticed his awkwardness and pouted.
"We're not going to get anywhere if we can't get past the shyness," she asserted. Then, with absolutely no warning, she ran forward and embraced Ulrich warmly. Ulrich was caught off guard by this bold move and staggered back a little, and then he turned a bright red color. Gabrielle noticed this too, and giggled slightly.
"I could melt ice on your face," she remarked.
"Uh…" Ulrich stammered.
"Urgh, you're a tough one. Lighten up!" Gabrielle ordered. Ulrich laughed at the look on her face, which was of a comical nature.
"Anyway, let's go to your dorm now," Ulrich said, putting them back on subject. Gabrielle nodded and followed him in. The two talked on the way to her dorm, and they became used to each other's presence. Ulrich found Gabrielle funny and easy to talk to, unlike most of the other girls in this school. He felt like he hadn't laughed so much in years. She seemed to be able to pick out something funny about anything. Ulrich liked that in a girl. Sooner than Ulrich would have liked, the two found themselves at Gabrielle's appointed dorm.
"You know the band that I told you about? We're having a concert tomorrow. Do you want to come?" Ulrich suggested, his face going slightly pink.
"I'm sorry, I don't have any money," Gabrielle declined, her face falling somewhat.
"Screw money, you can come for free," Ulrich offered, knowing that Rebecca was going to kill him for this. Oh well. What she doesn't know won't hurt her.
"Really? Then I'll be there!" Gabrielle exclaimed. "See you later!"
Ulrich waved as Gabrielle retired to her dorm. Ulrich realized with a start that he had nearly all day to practice for the concert. Rebecca would be waiting for him in the forest, seeing as the band got the whole day off to practice.
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"Hey Ulrich. Glad you finally took the time to show up!" Merilise scolded him, twirling her drumsticks. Rebecca greeted him far more politely, waving. Raven said nothing, only glancing towards him.
"Sorry, had to show this new girl called Gabrielle around," Ulrich apologized.
"Have you worked on the new songs any?" Merilise demanded with a stern look on her face.
"Yeah, a lot," Ulrich muttered, groaning inwardly at the many nights he had worn his fingers out.
"Good. Depending on how well we do on them today will determine whether we do them tomorrow," Merilise finished.
"Come on, let's practice!" Rebecca interrupted, adjusting her microphone. Ulrich set himself up at the electric piano, and turned to the correct page in his music. Raven checked all the amps, and Merilise finished tuning her drums. Then, they began to rehearse the first song.
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Ulrich sat at his piano, his music open to the first song. Today was the concert, and he was determined not to mess up. His bandmates were around him, ready to play the moment the curtain opened.
Ulrich had not expected such a large crowd to assemble on their first performance. In fact, none of them did. There were almost five hundred people out there, including students, teachers, and adult visitors from the surrounding area. Merilise's advertisements had gone over better than he expected.
Ulrich had met Gabrielle just before going behind the curtain so he could tell her where everything was. She admitted that she was already having a good time, because she had made many friends already. Just like he thought she would, she fit in wonderfully.
"Ready?" Merilise hissed at him. Ulrich nodded, nervous. As the curtain slowly began to open, he forced himself to ignore the loud cheers and began to play the opening notes.
"You
don't remember me, but I remember you.
I lie awake and try so hard
not to think of you,
but who can decide what they dream?
(And
dream I do…)
Ulrich his fingers fly as he quickly got into the spirit of the song.
"I
believe in you.
I'll give up everything just to find you.
I
have to be with you to live, to breathe,
you're taking over me!"
The crowd went crazy at the end of the refrain and stood up, beginning to dance. This only served to further Ulrich's euphoric mood that was slowly taking shape.
"Have
you forgotten all I know, I believe in you.
and all we had?
You saw me mourning
my love for you
and touched my hand.
I knew you loved me
still!
I'll give up everything just to
find you.
I have to be with you to live, to breathe,
you're
taking over me!"
Ulrich shuddered slightly. The bridge was hard to play. He hoped he could make it all the way through.
"I
look in the mirror and see your face
if I look deep enough.
So
many things inside that are just like you are taking over!"
He sighed in relief. Now the fun part began.
"I believe in you. I believe in you. Taking over me!
I'll give up everything just to find you.
I
have to be with you to live, to breathe,
you're taking over me!
I'll give up everything just to find
you.
I have to be with you to live, to breathe,
you're taking
over me!
You're taking over me!
Taking
over me!
Taking over me!"
Ulrich hit the last note with exhilaration, allowing himself to sit back in his seat and soak in the applause that roared from the crowd.
"Thank you for coming here tonight!" Rebecca thanked the crowd, which instantly quieted down. "Although we prefer boy-girl bands, we have a few solos for Raven here…" Rebecca paused as a burst of female cat calls and applause erupted.
"So we have enough time tonight for three more songs: One more from Evanescence, and two songs that our drummer picked out. Now, enough talk. Let's hit it!" Rebecca finished, returning to her microphone. Raven began the song himself, with Ulrich accompanying him with the keyboard.
"Now
I will tell you what I've done for you!
50 thousand tears I've
cried.
Screaming, deceiving and bleeding for you -
And you
still won't hear me. (going under)
Don't want your hand this time
- I'll save myself.
Maybe I'll wake up for once (wake up for
once)
Not tormented daily defeated by you
Just when I thought
I'd reached the bottom
I'm dying again!"
As the refrain began, Rebecca started to sing, while Raven sang the echo. Ulrich loved this song, so he knew it by heart. Refusing to look at his music, he continued to play his heart out.
"I'm
going under (going under)
Drowning in you (drowning in you)
I'm
falling forever (falling forever)
I've got to break through
I'm
going under!"
Raven began to sing the next verse and Rebecca took the echo. Ulrich's effort was undiminished.
"Blurring
and stirring the truth and the lies.
(So I don't know what's real)
So I don't know what's real and what's not (and what's not)
Always
confusing the thoughts in my head
(So I can't trust myself
anymore)
I'm dying again!"
Rebecca began to sing, the crowd going wild as the refrain repeated. Merilise was drumming hard, and beads of sweat began to roll down her beautiful face. Ulrich's arms were beginning to hurt, but he ignored it, as any good keyboardist does.
"I'm
going under (going under) So go on and scream I'm
going under (going under) I'm
going under (going under)
Drowning in you (drowning in you)
I'm
falling forever (falling forever)
I've got to break
through
I'm...
Scream at me I'm so
far away (so far away)
I won't be broken again (again)
I've got
to breathe - I can't keep going under
I'm dying again
Drowning in you (drowning in you)
I'm
falling forever (falling forever)
I've got to break through
I'm going under (drowning in you)
I'm
going under!"
Ulrich again slumped back in his chair as the band finished the angst song. Raven let the final chord from his guitar die out as the crowd overwhelmed whatever sound they might still be making. Once they had quieted down, Raven adjusted his microphone. It was his turn for a solo. The song was a mixture of rap and rock, and the tune simply made you want and meet the guy whom the song concerned.
"Come
on and light the fuse
He's a rocket and he's ready to go
'Cause
now the countdown has started and he's ready to blow
He's got the
dope sounds bumping and his stereo-eo
Kicking ass fast
Putting
on a show
Go
on and get yourself together
There's no time to rest
And if you
put the time in
He'll put you to the test
He's like a running
man
In his world more is less
And if you wanna test him best
bring your best
Don't make me spell it out
Bring your best!
Ulrich launched into the refrain, which had such a rousing tune, it made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up straight. Rebecca sang the echo to Raven's part.
"In
this world (His world)
Where life is strong!
In this world (His
world)
Life's an open book!
In this world (His world)
Where
compromise does not exist.
In his world of worlds every step meets
the rest!
In
this world (His world)
Where one is all
In this world (His
world)
Never fear the fall
In this world (His world)
Where
compromise does not exist
In his world of worlds every step meets
the rest!
Raven paused for a moment to take in a breath, and Ulrich played the next verse, whose tune was just as lively.
"Running
and back again
Well whatcha expect
Coming out with ten out of
ten
Got a real rough neck!
Spikes
up his liberty Intergalactic,
continental champ,
And straps on his shoes
'Cause he's the best
there ever was
Haven't you heard the news!
Running things
Hyperactive, instrumental and
pulling strings!
He's
just the one who decides Come on and psyche
yourself up Because the pressures of
this world The only way to break free
When the tides will swing
So he's
breaking down doors
Never following!
'Cause it's time to play
Bounce to the beats and
the rhymes
'Cause they're here to stay!
The one and only marathon man
Living today
Rolling up
Coming
fast
And he'll blow you away!
They can take their toll
And it's tough to get
away
When they take ahold!
Is
to break the mold
He can't stop now, lock and load
Don't stop
now come on rock and roll!"
The refrain began anew, and Ulrich prayed in vain to himself that the song would never end. It was just that much fun to play.
"In
this world (His world) `In this world (His world)
(Gotta make your own way)
Where life is
strong!
In
this world (His world)
(Life is just a game you play)
Life's an
open book!
In this world (His world)
(Nothing's ever here to
stay)
Where compromise does not exist!
In his world of worlds
every step meets the rest!
(Gotta
make your own way)
Where one is all!
In this world (His
world)
(Life is just a game you play)
Never fear the fall!
In
this world (His world)
(Nothing's ever here to stay)
Where
compromise does not exist!
In his world of worlds every step meets
the rest!
Ulrich jumped into the bridge with gusto, feeling his arms burn and reveling in the feeling. Raven and Merilise were now sweating freely with spots of darkened fabric all over the collars of their shirts. Rebecca, who sang the echo, was hot, but not sweating yet, much to the others' annoyance.
"Light
the fuse on his rocket and he's ready to go Intergalactic, continental champ, running
things (In his world)
'Cause now the
countdown has started and he's ready to blow (In his world)
(Where
one is all)
Hyperactive, instrumental and pulling strings (In his
world)
(Never fear the fall)
The only
way to break free is to break the mold
He can't stop now, lock and
load (His world)
I said he can't stop now lock and load (His
world)
Don't stop now, come on and rock and roll!"
The crowd instantaneously stood up at the same time to give the band a standing ovation. Ulrich shook out his arms, which were hurting badly due to the multitudes of chords that he was playing. However, that was nothing compared to what the next song would bring. That was techno. Merilise wiped the sweat out of her eyes and off of her forehead. Then she wiped the sweat off her drum heads. Raven took a drink of water from a nearby water bottle, and Rebecca stood to the side, laughing at them inwardly. After draining half the bottle, Raven began the next song, letting the others know it was time to play again.
"In
the night-light, do you see what you dream? And I might know of our
future, (In
the night-light) In the night-light, do you still feel your
pain? And I might know of our future, Cause every night I will save your
life! Cause
every night I will make it right! (In the night-light) In the
night-light, do you see what you dream? And who knows what of our future? Cause every night I will save your
life! 'Cause
every night I will make it right! "Cause every night I will save your life, Cause every night I will make it
right, And
you'll see (And you'll see) And you'll see
(And you'll see) And every night
All your troubles, are
they all what they seem?
Look around you, then you may realize
All
the creatures saw with the light.
But then, you still control the past.
Only you know if
you'll be together.
Only you know if we shall last!
For the valor you waited, never came!
If you were able,
would you go change the past?
There's a furball with one last
chance!
But then you
still control the past.
Only you know if you'll be
together,
Tonight!
And every night I will be with you!
Cause every night I
still lay awake,
And I dream of an absolution!
And every night I will come to
you!
But every night it just stays the same,
In my dream of an
absolution!
All your triumph, and all
you'll ever be?
Look around you, then you may realize,
Happiness
lies trapped in misery!
We
can all try to change the past.
Only you know if you'll be
together,
Tonight!
And every night I will be with you!
Cause every night I
still lay awake,
And I dream of an absolution!
And every night I will come to
you!
But every night it just stays the same,
In my dream of an
absolution!
And every night I
will be with you!
Cause every night I still lay awake,
And I
dream of an absolution!
And every night I will come to you!
But every night it
just stays the same,
In my dream of an absolution!
What you'll be (What you'll be)
And
you'll see
All you can (All you can)
And every night (And every
night)
And every night (And every night)
And every night (And
every night)
I will dream (I will dream)
That this is my dream (What you'll be)
And
you'll see
Every night
I will always dream (Cause every
night)
And every night
I will dream (I
will dream)"
If Ulrich thought the crowd had been crazy before, it was nothing compared to what they were like now. They were screaming so loud, Ulrich was relieved as the curtain closed, damping their sound somewhat.
"I think they liked us!" Ulrich remarked, shaking his arms out.
"No kidding!" Rebecca agreed.
"I need a shower!" Merilise commented, wiping the sweat off of her forehead again.
"Hmph," Raven muttered. Ulrich grinned at this. Raven still didn't change, even during the concert.
The group left the stage, avoiding all of the crowds. They weren't in the mood to be surrounded by people, who were all sweating and screaming. They all just wanted to rest now.
"Ulrich!" Ulrich turned as he heard his name. He smiled as he saw Gabrielle.
"Did you like it?" he asked her.
"Like it? I loved it!" Gabrielle cried, hugging Ulrich warmly. Ulrich, who still wasn't used to that, flinched. "And now I want to sleep."
"That goes for all of us," Merilise muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear. Her cute voice still sounded out of breath. Everyone chuckled and they all headed towards the dorms.
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"Goodnight, Ulrich!" Gabrielle said, entering her room and shutting the door. Ulrich grinned again. Today, nothing could go wrong.
The group walked down the hallway, hearing cheers and claps from people who were already back at their dorms. The group would wave back and smile as best they could.
They had just reached Ulrich's and Raven's dorm when they heard a scream. Ulrich stopped dead. That was…
"GABRIELLE!" Ulrich yelled, running back the way he came. The others, just as worried, were not far behind.
Her door was locked, so Ulrich kicked it down with all of the force he could muster. The sight that greeted him was the last and worst thing he could have expected.
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Anyone who can guess the names of all the songs and who they are by gets kudos and a slice of cake. Lol.
OUTTAKES
1.
Ulrich jumped into the bridge with gusto, feeling his arms burn and reveling in the feeling. Raven and Merilise were now sweating freely with spots of darkened fabric all over the collars of their shirts. Rebecca, who sang the echo, was hot, but not sweating yet, much to the others' annoyance.
All of a sudden, the music stopped with an ear-wrenching screech as the band members dropped their instruments and pulled out hammers. They advanced upon Rebecca with murderous looks on their faces. Rebecca turned to run but was quickly overtaken and borne to the ground. They band members immediately began to beat her up with their hammers.
"TAKE THAT YOU NON SWEATING FREAK!"
"THIS'LL TEACH YOU TO LAUGH AT US MENTALLY!"
"ARE YOU SWEATING NOW?! HUH? ARE YOU SWEATING NOW?!"
2.
In
this world (His world)
(Life is just a game you play)
Life's an
open book!
In this world (His world)
(Nothing's ever here to
stay)
Where compromise does not exist!
In his world of worlds
every step meets the rest!
For
some reason unknown to the band, the crowd was beginning to laugh.
Ignoring it, they continued to play. However, in a few seconds, the
crowd was laughing so hard that tears and other assorted liquids were
starting to flow forth.
That did it. Ulrich stopped playing and turned to view the stage. Randomly, Sonic the Hedgehog was standing in the corner of the stage dancing to the music.
"WTF?!" WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IN THIS FIC!?" Ulrich hollered. Sonic shrugged.
"The author is a nerd for my games? I dunno," he replied, grinning. Ulrich would not stand for this nonsense.
"This story is not in the cross over section for a REASON! COME HERE, YOU!" Ulrich stormed over to the blue hedgehog and promptly pushed him offstage, much to Sonic's annoyance. From offstage, Ulrich's voice is heard.
"And don't break the fourth wall!" Then, there was a grunt, and a loud scream as Ulrich was tossed out from backstage, over the audience, through the forest, over the creek, through the street, through an ice cream store, through the Apple store, through Paris, under the Eiffel tower, over the yachts in the port, across the ocean, over a random cruise ship where ladies played shuffleboard, past a beach where snakes ran rampant, through a portal in space-time, through Jonathan's office building, over Metral forest, through Jason's house, and somehow ended up on top of Stone Mountain.
Okay, this is a long outtake.
AS he was getting up to count his broken bones, he heard another loud voice.
"HOW DARE YOU LAY A HAND ON MY SONIC!!!" Ulrich turned with horror to see a very very very very VERY VERY VERY VERY mad pink hedgehog. In her hand was a very big hammer.
"No, Amy, no! Don't do it!" he yelled.
"HAA!"
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There's a moral in that last outtake…