A Tragic Affair

A/N: Alright, the last chapter in my 3 chapter update. So everyone, REVIEW! If you are reading this then tell me what you think. I don't care if you love it or think it's so bad you wouldn't wipe your ass with it, just tell me. Anyway, to the chapter.

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I jumped to my feet, nearly knocking over the candles. But they'd all gone out and the room was dark. "Who's there?" I demanded. "It is I. My how you've grown Varla Marie." That made me pause. It was a woman's voice, and only my mother ever called me Varla Marie. But it wasn't her. "Declare yourself." I replied. The lights in the room came up, and my jaw dropped. The door was open and there was a woman in a brown taffeta Civil War era ball gown. It was her, Melissa! She smiled serenely at me, saying, "Do not fear me child. I knew you as a toddler, and guided you at that time."

I blinked, then rubbed my eyes. "This is so funky... What are you doing here?" Her dressed made a swishing noise as she looked around the room. "I am here to help you stop the Ringmaster, once and for all." "How?" She turned to me, smiling again. "My power, you have it but do not know how to use it. Have you guessed --" "That I can literally bring the Grim Reaper to me and make him take the whole Parade to the underworld? I figured that bit out from the prophecy. I also know I gotta dress up like you to scare the shit out of them."

"You always were a clever child. Yes, that is what you must do." Melissa gestured to two overstuffed armchairs in the corner of my room and we sat down. "How and I suppose to immobilize them though? And how the hell am I going to make sure that Moth, Stokes, Mikey and Gerard get out safely?" "Aren't you worried about yourself as well?" She asked calmly. I scoffed and shook my head. "Hell no. After what I saw today? I'm more worried about getting them outta there than saving my own skin."

"Then you truly are one of us. Immobilizing them will be easy, there is a spell and a potion you can use. But getting to the heart of the compound will be difficult. You and Michael will need to fight." I thought about that and shook my head. "He's kinda scrawny, and he sucks as a fighter. There a potion to fix that too?" This time Melissa laughed. "There is a short incantation... Do you speak French?" "Yes." "Then that will not be a problem my dear."

"I need a plan though, I know the layout of Cortis but without a basic idea of what I'm up against this is gonna suck big time." "You must get to the central building, the old city all. That is where your friends are, and where the Ringmaster will be. The marchers will have the same strengths and weaknesses of any human so they will not be difficult to fight. But the Ringmaster has the power to put people in thrall so you will need to protect yourself."

I sat back and thought a minute, then asked, "Would clover ointment work? I read in one of the books yesterday that rubbing that around your eyes will make you temporarily immune to glamours and enchantments." Melissa nodded, saying, "Yes, that should do nicely. I do not have much time, so I will be brief. It will take days to prepare the necessary spells and potions. But you must launch your attack before Halloween.

"You must make sure the others are out before you call Death, or they will perish. And though it will be hard to fight in, you must wear this." She gestured to her dress and I sighed. "I don't have anything that looks like that." "It is in the attic in my trunk. And the spells and potions you need are in my journal, the last 20 pages should do." She paused, she seemed to be debating over something in her head. Finally she said, "This conflict may claim your life. I do not want our line to end with you."

I smiled sadly. "If that's the way it's going to be, then I'm not gonna do shit to change it. Stokes and Moth are very dear to me, and they're being fucking tortured right now because of their loyalty to me. I can't let them die for me." Melissa fixed me with a questioning look, then sighed. "I am not worried about them. I am worried about Gerard Way. He has been in the Ringmaster's grip for many months now, and I believe he will be the one who will bring you down. It is most unfortunate."

"Gerard's been fighting him, Moth made him realize he's still good. It's why he was being punished earlier." I said without thinking. Melissa blinked, then smiled. "I see your clairvoyance is serving you well. But he is at a crossroads. I am not even sure that learning he is destined for you will be enough to sway him to our side." I stared at her and, hoping she didn't mean what I thought she meant, I asked, "Destined for me? What do you mean by THAT?"

Melissa gave me a sympathetic look, then said, "He is your true love, and you are his. Ironic but true." I shook my head again. "No, absolutely not. It is NOT fucking possible and it's not true." I told her emphatically. "it is the truth, and if you look into your heart you ill know." I got up from my chair and started pacing the room. "But he's a rock star! He's traveled the world and written some of the most brilliant music I've ever heard! And I'm just some silly fan and what have I done with my life? I run a shabby little store and live in the middle of fucking no where!"

"But you two would be good together." I looked up and saw Mikey in the doorway. "I know my brother better than anyone, and if he'd met you before this shit went down he'd have fallen hard for you." "Bullshit." I replied, stopping in my tracks, "Fate and destiny may apply in alot of areas in my life but they're not gonna rule over my fucking love life." Melissa sighed and stood. "I am sorry my child, but please, at least think on it." She looked at Mikey, then nodded. "My time has run out. I wish you luck and many blessings on your endeavor. I fear you will need them." Melissa smiled again, then vanished.

I sank down onto my bed, I was still fairly shocked. "Can't be, just can't fucking be..." I muttered to myself. I don't know what creeped me out more, the fact that fate had decided I needed to hook up with Gerard or the fact that I'd fucked his brother only yesterday. God would THAT ever be awkward if he found out. But in the same breath, he was being repeatedly fucked by his own ancestor so maybe me sleeping with Mikey wasn't so bad. Mikey sat next to me and asked, "Are you alright?" "Not really, but we've got alot of work to do. C'mon, let's get started."

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