Disclaimer- Again, own nothing but original characters.

This is the second part of chapter one for everyone. Enjoy!

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Chapter One: Continued

The door bell to Ryder's apartment rang at precisely seven-thirty... and then again two seconds later... and then rapidly in one long stream of impatient rings as Ryder fumbled towards the door.

She swung the door open with enough time to get out the h of a Hello before being literally pulled into a hug. Of course, the girl who pulled her into this rapid embrace was much shorter than her, and so Ryder struggled to retain her balance as her face was jammed into a mane of golden hair.

"Ryder!" The girl squealed gleefully into Ryder's ear.

Ryder replied through a mouthful of hair, "Hello Hope."

"Hiya!" Hope greeted, again squeaking in Ryder's ear before releasing her.

Ryder slowly drew herself back up, swaying a little as she attempted to get her balance again.

Hope stood giggling at Ryder's wavy motions, her sapphire blue eyes sparkling with laughter. She was a small girl, barely above five feet in height, and as thin as a toothpick but with wide hips. Her skin was fair and her hair a thick, straight mane of golden blond, the result of European ancestors. She had a charming smile, always so kind and loving and playful, the type of smile you could never doubt.

"You ok?" Hope checked, halting her laughter to express a small bit of concern.

Ryder blinked, "I'm trying to breathe again."

"Oh, sorry," Hope replied sheepishly, an innocent grin creasing her lips.

Suddenly the loud thudding of rushed steps came up the stairs, and from the stairwell another familiar face appeared. She was a girl about the same height as Ryder, complete with the same strong build and shapely muscles. She had long, thick, straight brown hair and the most vibrant blue eyes that stood in contrast with her unusually pale complexion. On her body she wore the close the most described her personality: black beach sandals, a blue shirt that read 'monkey butt', and loose black shorts that fell to about the tops of her knees. Oddly, upon her head sat a rather large, frilly, red hat that draped slightly over her eyes.

Hope instantly greeted the girl with a cool greeting of, "Hey Air. Long time, no see."

Surprisingly both Hope and Ariel were related to Liv in some odd fashion, Ariel her step-sister and Hope her married into the family cousin.

Ariel gave a small nod and a smile, but instantly turned a questioning look to Ryder and gestured over her shoulder towards the stairwell. "Uh, hey Ryder... your neighbor downstairs is pouring liquor over his flowers," She said with a small snicker.

Ryder shook her head, "That's Mr. Hunter.. he's only slightly crazy... but he has damn good petunias."

Hope smirked as she said, "Is that how they stay alive? I never would've guessed."

Ryder nodded. Her eyes then caught sight of Ariel's ungodly red hat and she asked in almost utter shock, "Air, what the hell did you kill and why is it sitting on your head?"

"It's Elmo!" Ariel said in total delight. She then reached to the front of the hat where a bright yellow flower was embroidered on, and within it a small, round black button lay. Air swiftly pressed it and then paused just in time for the silence to be filled with the odd voice of Elmo released from the hat, saying with a giggle 'Elmo want hug'.

Hope jumped in terror, "Oh dear God! It speaks!"

Ariel nodded and smiled broadly, "Liv'll love it."

Ryder nodded, glanced at her watch, and suddenly jumped with shock, "Oh crap! It's nearly eight! Yall get in here and help me finish setting up-there's pizza in the oven."

Eight o'clock had rolled around sooner than Ryder has expected. With the two clowns around time flew by in an instant, and before she knew it a short but polite knock sounded against her door.

"Oh shit!" Ryder spat as the other two girls began to run around in a frenzy trying to put up the remainder of the party banners that read 'over the hill'. Ryder pulled out the remainder of the preparations, throwing all the junk food that she owned upon her small kitchen table. Chips, chocolate, every kind of dip know to man, anything her rag-tag group would like. Sodas sat in a Rubbermaid tub of ice cooling by the munchies. Just as she placed out the paper plates and napkins, the door creaked slowly open, a pair of brilliantly brown eyes staring through the crack at them.

Liv's giggles were clearly heard before she asked with slight sarcasm, "Can I come in now?"

Ryder stared at her friend, and teasingly replied, "No, not till next week."

Liv quickly joined in the game and groaned loudly, "What! But I scheduled an appointment here over a month ago."

"I'm terribly sorry, but no such meeting is on the agenda. We have a very important surprise party here. And you were not invited," Ryder took on the nasally voice of an annoyed secretary.

Liv defiantly pushed the door open and entered, "Not invited am I? I'll show you!" With a sweep of her foot she shut the door behind her, and in one fluid motion was over at the snack table. She swooped up a chip with a quick hand and held it to Ryder's face as if it were a sword, "On guard you foul creature. Taste my salty wrath! Have at thee!"

Ryder simply looked at the chip, and bit it straight out of Liv's hand before grabbing a long neck bottle of IBC Root beer and extending it towards her. She made a jabbing motion and shouted with a well acted British accent, "Take that!"

"Ah! Not the Root beer! My worst enemy! Oh, I'm melting, I'm melting," With that Liv fell dramatically to the floor and kept a dead still.

"Finally," Ryder sighed with relief, twisting open the bottle and gesturing towards Ariel, "At last we can celebrate Hope's nineteenth birthday without interruption and unwanted guests."

Liv suddenly sprung as if resurrected and looked at Ryder with a well prepared pouting face, "But... it's my birthday. You... you... you don't want me here?"

Ryder looked at her coldly, "No, no not at all." Her tone warmed up with exaggerated annoyance, "I didn't spend all this time hording munchies and drinks. And hand making pizza, for you. And having these two clowns set up decorations." She gestured towards Ariel and Hope who were standing there with half cocked smiles on their faces, pieces of confetti in their hair and attempts of making clothes out of electric green party streamers draped about them.

Liv smiled broadly and rose to her feet, looking over her friends with gentle eyes, "Awww, you guys are so...so... ridiculous. Awww, I love yall."

"Ridiculous!" Ryder cried, "Is that all you see in us?" She fake sobbed. "I'm hurt, Olivia, hurt."

Liv sighed, and said playfully, "You'll get over it."

Ryder sniffled, "Oh ok." She took a swig of root beer, "Mmmm good."

"Ugh, I can't stand that stuff," Liv said, making a gagging noise and sticking her tongue out in disgust.

Ryder shrugged, "More for me."

"Hey! No hogging the goods man!" Ariel shouted whilst ridding her hair of confetti.

Ryder simply stuck her tongue out in Ariel's general direction and returned her attention to Liv, "So birthday girl. How was dinner with the folks?"

"Provinos," Liv cheered in a sing song voice, "I got my chicken parmesan, and.." She paused to run outside, pick something up that she had placed by the door, and come back with it hidden behind her back. Once everyone was looking at her curiously she pulled forth a large, closed left over box and cried triumphantly, "I got extra garlic rolls!"

"Woot!" Ryder yelled, seizing the box, "Mine!"

"Hey!" Hope and Ariel growled in unison, both launching across the room and cornering Ryder like a pack of wolves.

Liv laughed and chimed in with that motherly order of, "Now, now, there is enough for everyone. You all must share."

"Share? What is this...share?" Ryder smirked, opened the box, took one and handed it to Ariel. Ariel and Hope did the same, before setting the box upon the table for later munchies.

"So what's the plan?" Ariel asked after taking a mouthful of garlic coated bread.

"Yea," Liv perked up with eager interest, "What's my surprise?"

"You'll see. Mostly we'll hang out until Tracey and Asher get here. They had a Coheed and Cambria concert tonight so they'll be late and a certain number of people are needed for tonight. Until then though, I have X-box!" She gestured towards her large couch and TV- things from her old house before she moved, and her parents left for Seattle.

"Why a certain number of people?" Liv asked, her curiosity peaking.

"You'll find out!" Ryder said with a mischievous grin before vaulting over the couch and plopping down on the leather cushions.

Hope followed in the same manner, with Liv and Ariel gradually after her. From that point on the four of them consumed themselves in repeated games of Soul Caliber, Super Smash Brothers and indulged in massive quantum's of junk food until 10:30 rolled around.

Close to eleven there came rapid knocking on Ryder's door and obnoxious singing of the old Coheed and Cambria song 'Blood Red Summer'. From the echoing sound of a high alto and tenor voice singing in horrid unison, there was no doubt who waited on the other side of Ryder's door.

Ryder teased as she unlocked the door, "We don't want two carolers!"

From behind the door Asher retorted first, his thick tenor laugh ringing out as he said in a matter-of-fact tone, "Carolers are during Christmas. We are hard core rockers- if you are going to insult us, do it properly."

Ryder rolled her emerald green eyes. "Never!" She responded before opening the door.

Almost immediately she was pulled into yet another bear hug from both Asher and Tracey, the two shoving themselves inside in their normal blunt manner

Asher was a tall, broad boy, surprisingly taller than Ryder and equally as built. His hair was a shaggy mane of ginger brown that fell to about his shoulders, and his skin was a nicely even tan. Surprisingly he was clean and well kept, wearing well fitting jeans and a regular t-shirt, and lacking the greasy, fresh out of bed look that most boys their age had. His best attributes though were his dazzlingly suave smile and his brilliantly blue eyes, both of which gleamed beautifully whenever seen.

Tracey was a little taller than Liv, and just a slim but more shapely than Hope. Her hair was a dark, wavy black and drifted just a little below her ears. Her skin was a deep, delicious color of brown, resembling the color of milk chocolate, and her gorgeous eyes were only a shade darker. She wore well fitting dark blue jeans, and a Coheed and Cambria shirt that clearly displayed her love for the band. Luckily, Tracey's last name was ironically Cambria, and so for the love of the band she made sure everyone called her by that name instead of her first name.

Asher shut the door as Cambria came barreling towards Liv, opening her arms wide and saying excitedly, "Happy Birthday Liv Liv!"

As the two friends embraced Ryder slowly tried to regain her breath back from being choked by Cambria. Asher raised his brows at her deep inhales and asked with a tender concern, "Are you ok?

Ryder nodded slowly, then very awkwardly she paused, drew unusually close to Asher and sniffed him. For a second she mulled as if analyzing his scent, and then with a sigh of relief, finally backed off. "Good nobody's drunk," She commented, Asher relaxing once he realized what she had been doing.

Jokingly Asher breathed on her and dramatically slurred, "Am I free to go ocifer?"

"Yes, out the door, and fall down the stairs while you're at it," Ryder returned the jest.

Asher suddenly looked shocked. "You kicking me out already?" He frowned sadly, "Don't tell me it's another one of those 'girls only' gatherings."

Freed from Tracey's embrace Liv finally made her way across the room towards them, catching the last part and looking at Asher questioningly she laughed out "Are you female?" Asher went silent, pretending to be deeply pondering it before Liv ended his joke by commenting, "Physically, I mean- soulfully doesn't count." Again Asher frowned.

Ryder nodded and proceeded to rub it in, "Yup, there are all sorts of things a girl gets to do on her eighteenth birthday. Fortunately for us, none of them involve you."

Asher turned a fake vicious eye on Ryder and scowled. When that did nothing he switched to Olivia, putting on his puppy dog act and pouting pitifully. "Livey," He whined, "But...but..." He stuck his bottom lip out to look even more pathetic.

Liv laughed and gave his lip a gentle tug. "Sorry hun," She sighed, "Ryder's house, Ryder's rules. We will hang tomorrow though, ok?"

Asher growled but nodded, giving his best friend a bear hug and a happy birthday wish before sorrowfully dragging himself out. "Party pooper," He commented as he gave Ryder a hug and a light shove. Once out into the hall he gave a purposely loud sigh and slumped his shoulders, keeping the dramatic depressed act up until he disappeared into the stairwell.

Ryder looked after him and shrugged, "I was going to offer him cake before he left..."

Liv squealed, tossing her hands above her head in dramatic gestures as she shouted, "Screw cake! I want to know what my freaking surprise is! You've tormented me long enough! Let's get this thing on the role...please!"

Ryder laughed, "Fine no Death Via Chocolate ice cream cake for you!" She closed the door and locked it for safety purposes, then trotted across the foyer into her room near the back of the apartment. She returned with a large book clutched in her long fingers, a loud annoying bookmark marking a page about half way through. The bookmark was one of those that sang Happy Birthday in the worst robotic voice possible.

All the girls formed a circle on the floor in front of the sofa, all singing with the annoyingly scratchy bookmark song, with the exception of Liv who flinched as her companion sang along, purposely sounding just as bad.

The song ended and Ryder stepped forward, her arms outstretched to offer the book to her friend, "Liv, my present for you-quick open it before it starts singing again. I haven't been able to shut it up!"

Liv took the book with eager hands and peered questioningly at the cover. There were odd symbols placed about the leather binding, and a title in some language she was unfamiliar with. "What is it?" Liv questioned as she opened the book to the marked page. On the page were two paragraphs, one in the same language as the cover and another translated into English.

Liv swiftly read the English translation and looked up at Ryder as if she were insane. "A resurrection spell?" Liv's eyebrows narrowed in confusion, "This is a spell book?"

Ryder shrugged, "You were the one who was always interested in magic. I'm just the crazy one who makes it happen. I did however get all the ingredients needed to supposedly make that spell work."

"You're kidding," Liv's eyes widened. To her left, Cambria had shifted closer to stare at the book.

"Is it authentic?" Cambria questioned, giving it an odd poke.

"Probably some lame copy," Hope commented over her shoulder, "Where you get it, Ryder?"

"Probably E-Bay," Ariel answered for her, "They sell some rather rare and unusual things on there sometimes."

Ryder shook her head, "It's supposedly authentic. A new shop opened up in town, at the intersection of 78 and I-24, and I was poking around down there. So I slipped in..."

"That is something you would do," Hope laughed before pulling a bored gaze from the book.

"So let's do it," Cambria commented, leaning back on her hands. Liv laughed and lay the book open on the floor.

"What's the point?" Ariel asked, getting up to get more Sprite, "It's not like it would work."

"Pessimistic much?" Hope snapped Ariel's way.

Cambria laughed and casually asked, "So, it's like a resurrection spell? Who would you want to bring back Liv?"

Liv shrugged, "Never really had anyone I care about die before...except for a few of my dogs, but I doubt that's what they are asking for."

"How far back in time can you resurrect people from?" Hope asked, getting closer once more, "Think we could resurrect Berry White?" All the girls oooed and awwed at the suggestion, but Ryder shook her head no and halted that possibility.

"It doesn't work that way," Ryder said, clarifying the purpose of the spell, "It finds the person-from anywhere in the past-closest to the holder's soul."

"Holder's soul?" Ariel raised an eyebrow.

"You mean their most desired?" Liv asked, lifting a questioning gaze Ryder's way.

Ryder scratched her head, "That's what the lady who owned the Magic Store said."

Ariel scoffed and plopped back down beside her sister, taking the book from the floor and eyeing the open page. "Think it'd work?" She asked, reading the few passages scribbled upon the aged paper. All other three girls shrugged.

"Worth a shot," Ryder responded looking hopeful.

All but Liv nodded in agreement, and then all eyes turned to her. For a moment she sat contemplating and then said with a sigh, "Alright. Let's see if this baby works."

Ryder smiled. "I've got all the ingredients" She pulled a bag out
from behind her, opened it and dumped it on the floor. A red candle fell out
along with shredding of different passages on crisp paper. A small piece of black silk came also, followed by a few weird jars with labels in other languages.

Olivia reached out with an uncertain hand, swiping up a few shreds and bringing them to her faceShe read one of the shredded passages first. He loves me. He lays at my feet an immense and tragic love, Liv read with eager eyes. She recognized these words, knew them well. Christine Daae had said them while speaking to the Raoul in her favorite novel, Gaston Leroux's 'The Phantom Of The Opera'. She swiped up another shred and swiftly read a passage from J.K. Rowling's 'The Prisoner of Azkaban', and another from Anne Rice's 'The Vampire Lestat', and another from J.R.R. Tolkien's 'Return Of The King'.

Liv raised her gaze to Ryder and said bitterly, "You cut up my books?"

Ryder nodded "I went out and bought other copies to replace them.. The instructions say something dear to the castor, so they had to be yours, and I couldn't think of anything dearer but your books- and believe me I tried."

Liv nodded solemnly and then grinned. Her friend knew her well. She laughed, doubting the entire thing but willing to play this silly game. "Alright, so what do we do?" She asked, handing the book to her friend.

Ryder read it, and then instructed aloud, "The person to the left of the castor-that's you
Cambria-needs to place the candle in the center of the circle."

Cambria shrugged and picked up the candle, standing it up in the center of their little circle.

Ryder read more, handing Liv a lighter from her back pocket. "Now light the candle," She instructed.

Liv took the lighter and struck up the candle. A small flame caught the wick and began to burn vibrantly.

"The person sitting to the right-Ariel, take the shreds from her books," Ryder looked pointedly at the strips of paper that Liv held protectively in her hands.

Ariel had to pry them from Liv's fingers, but ultimately gathered the strands from her. Ariel looked up to Ryder, waiting for the rest of the instructions, "So I just hold onto all of these?

"You pick one," Ryder clarified, "But don't look at it."

"Why not look at it?" Ariel questioned.

Ryder sighed, "Because that's what it says to do... I don't know why."

Ariel shrugged, closed her eyes and shuffled the papers. Then without looking she pulled a single strip from the bunch and closed it in her empty fist.

Ryder nodded and continued, "Now place it over the flame and allow it to burn."

"What!" Liv protested, looking at Ryder in utter shock.

"Liv, it's needed for the spell. Besides, I bought you replacements. It's ok Liv, chill out," Ryder reassured her. Once Liv nodded to Ryder to continue, she look to Ariel expectantly and waited for her to finish her part.

Ariel sighed with boredom as she placed the passage over the small flame and allowed it to catch fire. Liv winced as the precious edges curled up into black ash and fell into the flame, but Ryder still proceeded.

"Now, I take one more thing that is dear to the castor," Ryder then reached into her back pocket and revealed a folded piece of computer paper. Being careful to not drop the book, she unfolded the paper to reveal a page slapped full of typed words.

Liv sprung suddenly to her feet, recognizing the parchment and shouted in protest "My book! That's from my book! Ryder, that is my own personal work- you can't burn that! I haven't even gotten a copy to the publishers yet- don't destroy what took me five years to create."

Ryder shook her head, "Liv, you gave me this copy to edit for you., remember? You have a saved copy at home on your computer, and another you saved on a CD, and about seven you printed out to edit in your spare time. I think you can spare one sheet from it."

"But," Liv fumbled weakly with her words, "It's precious to me."

"That's the point," Ryder said before she continued reading, "And now I place it in my left hand," She changed hands rapidly as Liv sat back down, "And then pass the paper through the flame- slowly three times." She did such, the paper starting to burn instantly. Once the paper was nearly completely scorched and ready to topple to the ground, she read, "Now, I let the ashes fall on the silk-symbolizing suave, beauty, grace, etc.," She did this, the ashes resting lightly on the black fabric, "Now the castor must complete the spell
and smother the flame with the silk." Ryder handed the silk to Liv, "Now, once it's over the flame you have to let go while the rest of us recite the incantation."

Liv took the silk and looked questioningly at Ryder, "There's an incantation?"

Ryder nodded as if it were a simple thing.

The other girls with the exception of Liv rose from the circle and gathered around Ryder, peering over her shoulder at the page Ryder held open. Her long finger was pointed at a small passage in a language that looked like gibberish to them.

"And how exactly are we supposed to read this?" Hope asked, in which Ariel and Cambria gave a small shrug.

"The shop keeper said to pronounce it as if it were Latin, or Spanish," Ryder said, eyeing the passage, "Shouldn't be that difficult."

"It's gibberish," Hope growled.

"Well we can give it a shot," Cambria said, saying a few words in her best Spanish, "It can't hurt to attempt it."

"Yea, why the hell not?" Ariel said, shifting closer so she could read better, "Let's try and see what happens."

With that the decision was made, and Ryder began. She recited in words that no one could understand, a strange mixture of Spanish articulation and French combined. Her eyes scrolled across the page, trying her best not to falter as she spoke the words. Gradually the three other girls followed her example and recited. Once they had gotten their bearing over the language, the words began to sound like some odd pulse, a drumming beat and tempo hidden beneath the terms. Their voices filled the room with an eerie air, dark and unnatural as life tried to spring from the repeated language. In the midst of the phrase Ryder looked down to Liv and nodded, displaying that now was the time to complete the spell.

Liv nodded and held the silk to linger limply over the flames, and then giving a soft sigh released the silk.

It fell upon the fire, bringing the flame to smoking embers for only a moment, then to everyone's surprise, the silk began to swirl around the flame, an elegant and seductive dance. Slow at first it twirled, like a leaf caught in the wind, and then gradually it began to pick up speed, spinning faster and faster until all it resembled was a black blur. Majestically the silk grew larger like small swirling tornado, and then for a split instant the silk held in air as if time itself had frozen. Liv stared at it bewildered, her hand shakily reaching out to grab the silk, but just as her fingertips graced its edges, the silk exploded into expansion, and every light in the room went out.

"What happened?" Hope cried, her voice shaking in the dark.

Ryder was heard cursing and she mumbled angrily, "Damn electricity. I bet we short circuited again."

"Did you pay your electrical bill?" Cambria giggled.

"Yes," Ryder growled with irritation.

Silence lingered for a moment as Ryder fumbled about trying to find the electric box, and then Ariel asked with slight concern to the darkness, "Liv? Are you ok?"

There was no reply.

Ryder's fumbling then became frantic, her search more desperate and in no time a small click confirmed she had found it. A few seconds passed before the lights flickered back on. All eyes fell to the center of the room then, and then froze, shock glazing across their gazes.

Liv was fine. She was still seated on the ground, her back pressed against the couch, but her gaze was fearfully staring towards where the candle had been. In the center of the room was no longer the brightly burning candle or it's twirling silk, but instead in it's place stood a man of enormous height. His hair was a slicked black, and what skin was visible was soft and pale. His broad shoulders encompassed by a white shirt and black cloak, that moved like the silk's current. A man entirely dressed in formal wear, entirely out of place, and with a violent white mask that disguised half of his face.

All any of the girls could do was stare in utter disbelief, their mouths hanging limply open, with the exception of Ryder who muttered absently, "My land Lord is so going to kill me for this."

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Oh, I give you all one guess of who it is... Alright, so there we go for the first chapter of this parody. Hope you enjoyed. If you did, let me know. I enjoy reviews -hint hint- -wink wink-. Ok everyone, thank you for reading and reviewing and I will be back with an update soon. Ciao!