I'm gonna try to keep all my stories going. Happy belated New year to you all!


Melody waited outside with her friends and Andre. Sonny left after telling Melody to text and call whenever she wanted or if she couldn't make it to next session. She kept thinking about his gorgeous smile and grey eyes that twinkled whenever he looked at her.

Elbowing her out of her daydream, Athena said, "Hey Mellow, your rides' here."

"Must be caught thinking about dreamboat!" Margaret laughed out, giving a goodbye hug to her a blushing friend.

Andre said loudly crossing his arms and leaning by the front door, "Whatever happens that you can't make it next session let us know ASAP."

"Okay, sure thing!" Melody responded curtly, getting sick of Andres attitude. Walking to the car door she turned around and waved a final goodbye to her friends. Smiling she got in the backseat with Toki. Driving off silently Skwisgaar asked as they made it down the street, "Who ams that guy?"

"We thoughts you only had 2 gorl friends." Toki asked curiously after Skwisgaars question.

"Slows down Toki lets her answer mines first." Skwisgaar said.

Melody broke into a cold sweat being surprised at the questions they asked her.

What about Andre?

The familiar look in their eyes told of either possessiveness or concern. Either way she had to mediate quick.

"Oh, thats Andre! Margaret's cousin, she has kind of a big family. But they've all been spread out place to place ever since her grandparents got put into hospice care a couple of months ago. It's just her and her cousin living in that house now." Melody responded, "And yeah, those are my only friends. I don't consider Andre much of a friend. He's kind of an asshole."

Toki frowned, he didn't like hearing about Melody dealing with asshole guys, "Is hes means with yous? Ams we gonna haves a talks with him?" He asked in a serious but obvious angry tone.

Melody chuckled nervously seeing at how quick Toki's emotions shift which prompted Swissgaar to calm him down, "Aghhh Toki! Yous knows teenage boys cans be mean. Boys don't knows they has a hearts until it ams brokens... but is hes means to yous?" He asked quietly.

Laughing awkwardly at the situation she couldn't help it, but Melody responded, "No, no! See - he carries himself in a certain way since he has to step up to take care of Margaret and all. Like a strict parent would. They're not exactly mean but they're not exactly nice either."

Everything then made sense for Toki, his mood shifted and was calm again as he relaxed into his seat, "Oh!... Okays I understands haha! Boys ams be Boys things."

Skwisgaar took the exit for Mordehaus as he asked Melody, "So your friend ams living by herselfs? With that cousins raisings hers? Oh boys..."

Melody shrugged off the concern to avoid further embarrassment, "It's nothing really, we just stay out of his way and he stays out of our way."

Toki gave Melody a pat on the back, "Wes just concerns is all. But ams glad you ams okay." Toki said with a kind smile.

Even though she was wary of Toki's sudden mood swing, Melody gave him a smile back.


Making it to Mordehaus, Toki walked Melody back to her room and gave his small friend a hug goodnight. He was glad she didn't mind hugs as Toki really liked to show his affection, even though the rest of the band thought it was "gay."

Whatever, those guys ams dildos.

Reaching to his room, Toki saw how late it was and decided best to get ready for bed. After settling in, he started talking to a picture of his Deddy Bear on his nightstand. Destroyed a long time ago - the last time he felt screwed up inside.

"Hey, uhms, its mes again. I'm worried about Melodys. I hope she ams getting adjusteds living here. I hope she ams happy. I hope her feelings don't gets hurts by dumb idiot dildo boys..." Trailing off, Toki remembered how much he was bullied as a young child for being too nice and coming from a poor isolated village. All the kids saw was different and he didn't belong.

Staring up at his ceiling now he felt as if the job to protect her was more serious now than ever, " If what Nathans says could be trues, I most of alls hopes you don't get hurts in the crossfires... I hope they don't hurts you like they haves hurts me..."

Looking back at the Deddy Bear picture on his nightstand, Toki made a vow, "I swears to you, in your honors Deddy Bears, nobody ams hurting Melodys...nobody"

Turning off the light, Toki tossed onto his side and drifted to sleep with a strong feeling of responsibility weighing heavy in his heart.


He could still remember how Abigails hands felt against his face. Even through the room was dark and their captor was cruel, Abigail kept Toki calm and didn't let him sink into the darkness.

He knew he was back in that pit of torture again.

Only this time he knew it was a dream. He felt every whip, every spike, and fire that burned his skin. The taste of his own blood and of Magnus leather boot but most of all he remembered the disparity he felt in his soul. Looking up in his dream, Toki saw a light peeking through, and in a blink of an eye he was standing in a arena. It reminded him of the colosseum of Rome and in the middle of it was him and Murderface with his hands behind his back. Toki saw his arm pulsate and turn black as it then imploded, oozing out a thick black substance that seemed to drip and move on his own. Terrified, Toki tried to yell but it only provoked a demon-like Murderface to turn around and start to scream and ungodly roar. Crouching down now with his arms over his head, Toki shook with fear until a soft pat tapped his shoulder. Turning around stood a being in light, dripping in bronze and gold from the neck down. She was floating in the air and was shaped almost like a ghost.

Looking into her eyes, she gave him a wide smile that radiated bliss. A sense of euphoria touched Toki's heart and it intensified as the aura surrounding the being got brighter. Toki reached out his hand and was jolted awake.

Taking gulps of air in a panic filled state, Toki got up from bed and fell to his knees holding himself while sobbing quietly. "It's just a dreams, it's just a dreams, it's just a dreams..." He repeated over and over to himself. After a while of taking deep breaths he got up slowly and made his way down the hall to Murderfaces room.

"Pssst, Moiderface." Whispered Toki, nudging the bassit awake from a deep sleep.

"W-wha.. what the hell are you doing in my room fucking Toki?!" Groaned a half-awake Murderface.

Softly, Toki said, "I had that dreams agains... of your arms."

Sitting up Murderface eyes opened, "The one about usch fighting in the arena?"

"Yups..." Toki answered in a shaken tone, "Only this time we didn't fight, but an angel stopped my dreams."

Murderface studied Tokis expression, he could tell the Norwegian was scared but knew the only way to console Toki would be to "man up."

"Look... oh man Toki, eguhhhh... You've had that schame dream for a while now it can't hurt you. And Melody being there, sche's a new person here so itsch normal foryour dreamsch to change or whatever. Now, schtop being a pusschy about it. If the Tribunal wanted usch dead they missched all their chancesch. And beschides look at my arm itsch totally fine! No black goop oozing out, the only goop I'll ever have oozing out is for the ladiesch!" Murderfaced let out a perverted cackle.

Being disgusted Toki dropped the subject and cringed. At the same time the image of his vivid dream stayed on his mind while walking his way back to bed. Looking at his Deddy Bear picture one last time before drifting off to sleep again, Toki's confidence grew back.

"I stills keeps my promise. Nothing woulds hurt Melodys."


The following morning, Nathan and Pickles sat in the studio to record the new Dethklok tracks for their upcoming tour. As Nathan described before about his intro, main album, and outro albums it was going to prove difficult for both Abigail and Knubbler to produce. So the band had to be as serious about making music more than ever before.

The whole transition of time after what happened and getting Toki and Abigail back put Nathan in a state of self-reflection. He was learning more about the prophecy from Charles and staying on track for the most part what they needed to do. Mainly, it had to do with what the band does best: making music. But Nathan never liked the pressure of having to release music by certain deadline no matter how much money could be invested or at stake, he hated being rushed and having a lot of creative freedom taken from him time after time. This time, he thought, it was his way or nothing at all.

Pickles felt the bands relationship became closer than ever, and wholeheartedly agreed with Nathan about taking the album(s) more seriously. Every early morning he would be in the studio with Nathan, Abigail, and Dick to get a good standing in their parts. As for the other band members...it was still a struggle to get everyone on the same page.

Scoffing as Pickles tuned his new drum set, he kept dwelling on the rest of the bands lack of attention, "Yknow, you'd think that they would catch on now. We're in this studio evrry fucking day. And they can't be bothered to come down here to at least check out what we're up to." He muttered to Nathan.

Nathan grunted putting down an extra PA system, "Knubbler should be wrangling those assholes in today...they have to anyways since Murderface still hasn't done shit. I also invited Melody for today's session so she can get a better sense of making music."

Picking up his sticks and testing his drum sounds Pickles responded, "So lemme get this straight now, Charles so far told us she *could* be a part of what we might be destined to do. But he still doesn't know, right Natan?"

"Uhhhh...yeah pretty much...I already talked about Melody making some music of her own to keep her occupied, if something happens at least she'll have skills of her own to fall back on either singing or playing an instrument." Nathan had to lie that the music idea was for her hobby not a prophecy that needed to come true. He knew the band wouldn't be willing to go through with involving a child at this time but Nathan, Abigail, and Charles knew it needed to happen. Even if it was morally unsound to use her as a key.

It needs to be done.

He thought about how Charles would be calling Knubbler soon to fill him in on this plan. Already Melody agreed to the idea of making music but they needed Knubbler on board to help her find her direction as Abigail and Nathan can't do it on their own. Knubbler knew how to get things done authentically.

"I know its something different for all of us having to get along with this kid, but I dont know. It's Charles family not just any random kid." Nathan finished. He then thought about how the rest of Dethklok would want to know eventually about Melodys role in the apocalypse, but as the Oracle put it, "Her voice may be a key. However, disruptions if forced or contrived so deeply it will affect the metalopocalypse. There's little we know now but that could change. Keep her close as she may be the perfect interloper."

Taking it at face value, Charles had to get Melody on board with singing and others must play an influence. Abigail dutifully obliged, however after talks of it being morally right or wrong to have her involved as something so deadly the prophecy came into question.

"Uhhh Nathan? We're yew listening bud?"

Blinking back his thoughts Nathan was surprised that Pickles was right next to him with a hand on his shoulder. "Uhhhh, no what about?"

Rolling his eyes, Pickles hated repeating himself, especially now as he was stressing over getting just his parts done for the intro album, "I was saying that I know we aren't the worst people but I don't know how we should be acting now that we have a kid anyways hanging around, I mean I'm not a cutesy guy like Toki is."

Shrugging, Nathan replied, "I think it best if we just be completely honest with her but remembering basic boundaries and decency. We don't have to be cutesy but we don't wanna patronize her."

Just then, the studio door opened revealing Abigail and Melody in tow, "Hey guys, mind if we girls join you?" Abigail said smiling.

Melody waved a hello to Pickles and Nathan. A little bit excited about singing some more today. Abigail talked with her about keeping up the singing lessons, and thought if she would see Dethklok at work she can draw some inspiration from it.

"Not a problem," Pickles answered cheerfully, "Nathan told me you sing Melody, hope I can hear some talent soon kid."

Melody replied, "It's nothing special, I honestly need to practice more. I was also thinking maybe either Toki or Skwisgaar could teach me guitar."

Pickles laughed, "Have fun trying to get both of those guys to teach you somethin rather than bitching at each other. Hey Abigail, where are those goofballs at? It's been an hour since the rest of them should be here by now."

Abigail shrugged, "Knubbler takes his time. If they're not in by 10 minutes I'll give them a call."

Nathan grumbled, "Ehhh, I wouldn't sweat it. Knubbler knows what he needs to do."

Coming down the elevator crammed in Knubbler, Skwisgaar, Toki, and Murderface. It was taking a lot of patience to not snap at the three of them while they argued.

Murderface groaned. "Ah jeez can thisch elevator go any faschter?!"

"Yous telling us, gahhd Murderface you stinks, have you showered at alls?" Skwisgaar yelled back moving himself away from him uncomfortably in the elevator.

Murderface replied arms crossed, "Fucking schuck it Skwisgaar, its my natural B.O."

"Its smells like yous rolled around in trash and flushed yourselfs down the toilet Moiderface. Takes a bath soons!" Toki yelled out angrily.

Knubbler had enough, "OK, OK, people we're almost there! Please shut the fuck up!...But jesus fucking christ Murderface please shower soon you smell bad."

Murderface sneered, "Alright! Alright! Fine whatevers gonna schut you all up!"

As the elevator dinged and the doors opened they joined Nathan, Pickles, Abigail and Melody.

Seeing the scowl on their faces Pickles asked, "Oh lemme guess why you guys are pissed off, Murderface hasn't showered in 3 days?"

"I don'ts even knows if its been 3 days, maybe 3 months!" Skwisgaar snapped.

Nathan pinched his nose, "Murderface you need to take a fucking shower what the hell dude you better not be going through this phase again for the love of god."

Murderface exhaled loudly, "If you would all schtop talking schit for a sec and recognize I'm trailblazing an important causche!"

"An important cause to not...showering?" Abigail asked disgusted.

"Oh please ladies wouldn't underschtand the game here. I recshently heard about water running out scho I decided to not schower in protest. It showsch I care about the environment, chicksch dig cuck soyboys caring about the environment."

Smirking Toki replied, "Soooo yours ams latest attempts at the ladies, but wonts you just drives thems away smellings like thats?"

"Its unlike your dedicationsch on guitar, why you cant any better than Schkwisgaar." Murderfaced jabbed.

"Its ams not true, I can bes way better at guitar than Skwisgaar!" Toki shouted.

Skwisgaar cringed, "Toki wes been over this yous cant be any betters than me. I bets whatever yous teaching Melody on Guitar must be wrongs."

Toki replied back, "Its not likes you do Murderfaces bass music that sounds like crap!"

"It does sound like crap to be honest." Nathan said.

Murderface said smugly, "Itsch cause fucking Skwisgaar knows guitar well not bass well enough like I do."

"Who else ams gonna teach this guys?! Last time Toki tried helps Murderface, they gots in a fistfights!" Skwisgaar snapped at Nathan.

In the midst of watching the band argue with each other, Knubblers phone rang. He turned away from the spectacle and answered his call in another booth.

"Hello, Knubbler here."

On the other end spoke Charles, "Hey Dick, you got a few minutes? Please sit, there's something I need to discuss with you."

Sitting down Knubbler started getting a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach, "Oh God please don't tell me the Oracle wants me dead I swear Charles I-"

"Slow down, slow down, this call is about Melody. I've already gotten Nathan and Abigail up to speed about all this but I need you to be on board too." Charles calmly said.

Relaxing a bit but still concerned, "Oh okay whats up bro what's happening?"

"Let me cut right to the chase," Charles started, "The Oracle has confirmed my suspicion...she an interloper to the metalocalypse. But not just any, similar to myself being the deadman she is only known as a "key." From what the cult has gathered is her involvement is something rare when these cycles happen. And it is important that we seize this opportunity as it probably won't happen again. One in a million. But in order for our "key" to help start the cycle again is to unlock a shorter detour sort of speak. They have given me some directions, the first being she needs to find her voice. That's where Nathan, Abigail, and you come in, and eventually the rest of Dethklok- teach her how to sing and/or play certain instruments...it's a little unclear which would help her unlock her potential. After that theres some more elements coming into play, I don't want to say for sure who these 'elements' are but its at least 2 other people in her life that will help the key turn and unlock our way. Once these elements are revealed we must closely guard them as well. All that the majority time is is just maintaining Melody's and the other elements path in life towards succussion. They have warned me this path ,or paths, are riddled with dangers and can reproduce multiple unwanted outcomes. There's no telling how badly this will affect us, but the Oracle will keep in touch to advise. Finally, Melody's last direction will dictate if there will be life after death. That last part remains most unclear."

A long pause of silence drenched the booth Knubbler was in. After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke up, "You want me to creatively manage her, right?"

"Yes," Charles responded, "But, regrettably, you have to pay particularly more attention to her than the band. I know that will be hard right now considering the bands upcoming intro album and tour planning. But it's more of "studying" her kind of."

"Mmhm," Knubbler said bluntly, "Relay everything that she says or what's going on in her life to you? Sounds like parent spying if you ask me."

Charles responded, "Well if you'd rather see it that way. I don't mind being a nosey guardian. In the end, its for the benefit of this world."

Sighing, Knubbler tried to contain his panic and overall anxiety of the situation to get some sense of control. He knew in his heart steering Melody in the direction they wanted sounded unethical but logically it made sense. She was put on the world for a purpose, the same way everyone else was. She needed to fulfill her role no matter what the cost. Knubbler thought back to his past when working with artists of all types. In particular, the times he had to manipulate, gaslight, deceive, lie, and cheat these people for the sake of his job and the almighty dollar however this time the purpose was different. He had to use what he knew best on Melody, even if cruel, for the future of everyone else.

"Copied and noted Charles. See you soon." Hanging up, Knubbler stood and took a few breaths to muster up composure to be the best music producer and sound engineer he was meant to be. Opening the door back to where the rest of the band was turning on Murderface for the upteenth time about how he doesn't do shit.

"-And thats why yer fat!" Pickles yelled at Murderface, "You litterally dont do anything! How about walking yer fucking cankles in here and put in some bass werk sometimes!"

"And this doesn't just go for Murderface, Skwisgaar and Toki too! I know you guys can put in work better than Murderface so it's no more excuses anymore." Nathan added before Knubbler loudly cleared his throat.

"Uhh if you all wouldn't mind," Knubbler said aloud, "I got some great news for our star Melody! Your career starts today! Got off the phone with Charles, Abigail and I are gonna be helping you out from now on with all of your musical talents, and I promise you, I have a feeling you're gonna make something big!"

Smiling in disbelief, Melody knew it was all set in stone now that Charles gave everyone the greenlight, "Does this mean singing and guitar playing too?"

"Whatever you want babe the world is your oyster!" Knubbler proclaimed proudly.

"We'll help you with anything you'll absolutely need," Abigail added grinning, "You have our word on it."

"You think maybe you could start playing bass too? We're gonna need a replacement." Nathan laughed. The rest of the band laughed on as Knubbler and Abigail made eye contact, she knew who called Knubbler and knew now he was in on it. Looking away sadly, Abigail knew it felt wrong, but just like Charles, they had no choice in the matter. They had to forget their feelings.

Looking over towards Melody, she saw Toki showing her notes on his guitar, teaching her a simple riff while the rest of the band forced Murderface into the booth. She wondered if the elements or the other paths Melody was destined to take had anything to do with Toki. Seeing their connection made her think back to the time they spent together in torture under Magnus. She knew Toki's role was far more sinister than the rest of the band and felt he might become a danger to Melody even.

She had to keep her word to Charles. She had to keep Melody alive.