Rezo stared on from the bleachers, looking to Zelgadis in his robe and mortarboard. The graduation ceremony was going without a hitch, and by some grand miracle the detentions Lina and Zelgadis had endured had not barred them from graduation. In fact, due to Zelgadis' heroic actions, he had suddenly become more popular than before. Valgarv and Martina had stopped bothering the group, and things had returned to being rather peaceful. Though he didn't wish to admit it, he kind of missed the excitement of before.

"You're proud, aren't you," Naga asked as she hugged his arm, the new ring glinting softly in the light, "When do you think we'll break it to him?"

"Well, I don't think we'll see him this evening, so it will have to wait for later." Many colleagues didn't see in her what he did, but it mattered little. He loved her, and that was all he needed. However, this was Zelgadis and Lina's big day, and his day would come soon too. He could just imagine the look on their faces when they found out.

"Do you think that he and Lina will?"

"I'm not sure," Rezo shrugged, "As long as they don't end up killing one another, I think there is a good chance. But then again, we'll just have to wait and see."

Zelgadis looked across the seats. Because of his efforts, the graduation committee had made a special exception and allowed not only Lina, but Xellos, Miwan, Valgarv, and Martina to sit with him. Everyone looked so proper and proud in their robes, even Xellos, a tear forming in his eye.

"Getting misty Xellos?"

"Yes I am," Xellos remarked as he squeezed Miwan's arm, "But only because I'm so happy."

"Graduates, as I call your name, please come up and receive your diplomas," Filia stated. Being the valedictorian, it was traditional for the head of the class to impart diplomas to their fellow students. As it turned out, the relationship between Filia and the transfer student was a little more than friends, and it had been the talk of the school for a few weeks after they'd finished carrying on about Zelgadis' big hero act. Somehow though, the sudden attention he'd been receiving for his actions didn't feel too out of place. He looked to Lina, the hoop still glinting; he had overheard her fighting with her parents about it, very obvious now that she'd won the argument.

After the first few rows had been called, Filia called, "Zelgadis Greywords."

The graduates fell silent as Zelgadis walked from his seat and approached Filia, "Guess I earned it, huh?"

"You did great," Filia said as she hugged him They separated, and Zelgadis held the diploma high, causing the crowd to cheer. He returned to his seat and smiled at his friends, "I made it."

"Yes you did," Miwan noted cheerfully, "congratulations."

"Lina Inverse," Filia called. A series of voices cheered and yelled to her as she approached Filia, "Miss Inverse, congratulations."

"On getting through or not killing anybody?" Lina smiled, then reached out and hugged Filia, "You take care."

"You too," Filia smiled, then returned to the podium, "Xellos."

Xellos sprang to his feet and made a dead run for the stage, skidding to a stop in front of Filia.

Filia frowned, "You always have to draw attention to yourself, don't you?" She shrieked as Xellos planted a kiss on her cheek, and she shoved the diploma into his hands.

"Thank you, Miss Filia. It was a beautiful 4 years together, but now we must part ways."

"Much to pity I'm sure, "Filia remarked.

"Of course, this wouldn't be complete without..." Xellos threw open his red graduation robes to the audience, revealing the white boxers with red hearts, pink socks tucked into formal black shoes and powder blue shirt with a rainbow stretched across the chest, "Thank you Cepheid Memorial!"

Before the laughter died, Xellos ran back to his seat and planted himself next to a deep red Miwan, who got up quickly as his own name was called.

The rest of the ceremony took around an hour, and all 630 graduates were set free into the world.

"Zelgadis, I have barbecue stuff at home so we can celebrate," Jiras grinned, "Hot dogs, hamburgers, and enough potato chips to make you sick."

Zelgadis laughed. What a day! How was it ever going to end?

"Greywords," Valgarv called, and the group stopped. Valgarv sighed and wrapped an arm around Martina, "We just wanted to apologize for everything we put you guys through."

"Yeah, and we're very sorry about that," Martina added.

"Well, the way I see it, you two paid your dues when you went into the river. All is forgiven."

"Hey, isn't that Milgasia?" Jiras piped up. The group turned and watched the familiar blond approach, dressed in a formal suit and tie, his designer sunglasses glinting in the sun.

"Hey, how are you doing," Milgasia asked, "Did everything go well?"

"As well as could be expected," Zelgadis asked, "What brings you here?"

"I remember when I graduated. It seems like it was so long ago. Well, you guys have your entire lives ahead of you."

"I seem to remember we had this problem the first time we spoke," Zelgadis shook his head, "Still refusing to get to the point."

"Very well," Milgasia said, "I would like to take all of you out to celebrate, all on my bill, and to talk of your band's future. The limo's waiting."

"Free meal and a ride in a limousine?" Lina asked, her eyes beginning to sparkle.

"As if you could resist," Zelgadis poked, which received a firm punch in the arm, "Ow, okay, we'll go."

Thirty minutes later, the group found themselves eating at Ashford's Pizza Parlor, three pitchers of root beer, three pitchers of cola, and enough pizza to feed a small army.

Milgasia looked on with shock, "When you mentioned pizza, I thought you guys would be a cheap meal, not a bill a foot long."

"Well, you did offer," Zelgadis smiled as he took another bite of sausage pizza, "But you didn't take into account Lina's fierce appetite. You had mentioned wanting to discuss the future of Lord of Nightmares?"

The entire group seemed to perk up at the mention of this, and Milgasia cleared his throat, "Yes, well, as you are both aware, the whole incident with the last concert made it a tad harder for the agent to consider your band's potential, but I talked with him at length."

"And," Lina asked, the tassel from her mortarboard swinging in her face, a piece of Dragon Pizza hanging from the corner of her mouth. Zelgadis' suspicion was rubbing off on her.

"He was impressed with your music; he admitted to me he hadn't heard such a young talent since the purple-haired twins formed the band Dance. However, he was a little bothered by your irresponsibility. I changed his mind by reassuring him that you were young and still needed some growing up."

"So, what's the story then?" Jiras inquired.

"Dragon Valley Studios wishes to offer you a chance at recording an album. In light of what's happened though, they only want the first album until they can be sure of your integrity as a band."

"No deal," Vrumugun suddenly spoke up, "Unless you're guaranteeing a welcome aboard."

"There is no guarantee that will happen," Milgasia said, "But I am confident they will once they get your album recording."

"I don't find that acceptable," Vrumugun retorted, "That would allow the company to profit off our album while keeping us from additional royalties, since we aren't an 'on board' group. You had best reconsider what your offer is, or Lord of Nightmares will take their music somewhere else."

Everyone was agape with surprise; even Lina had stopped to stare at him.

"Holy damn, when did you learn music bylaws and policy?"

"I just picked it up from here and there, Zangulus," Vrumgun replied, then raised an eyebrow to Milgasia, "Well then, are you going to call them up now and let them know we want a better deal, or are you paying our bill and calling it a day?"