My Cosmical Romance

Chapter 15

"Right let's get moving" said the Doctor, twisting and pressing the buttons on the controls, the timewarp still playing in the background.

"Where where?" Mikey jumped up and down "Are we gonna meet Richard O'Brien?"

"Not right now Mikey" said the doctor "we've got unfinished business in the Victorian era remember"

"But-" began Ray "but you said-"

"Doesn't matter what I said Raymond" the time lord grimaced "we have to get that Krankiek out of there!"

The tardis landed with a hiss and the Doctor and his companions hurried out into the bright sunlight. They were on the bridge over the Thames where they'd defeated the Krankiek. It was early morning, they could see smoke from factories in the distance rising over the city.

"Right" said the Doctor, clapping his hands suddenly "this shouldn't take too long. Tell you what, how about yous all go off and explore while I handle the Krankiek, should be fairly easy"

"Are you sure Doctor?" Rose bit her lip

"Yeahh, I can handle this, you guys go enjoy yourself?

"Fine by me" shrugged Frank "coming guys?"

"Sure" the others followed him through the city.

There seemed to be some sort of loud commotion on Oxford street. They could hear people cheering and clapping and what sounded like...

"Drums?"

They turned the corner onto the big street and all gasped.

"A marching band!" Exclaimed Ray

They looked around, everyone seemed to be happy and waving flags at the procession marching solemnly down the road.

At the front of it was a huge float, adorned with black bunting, on top of which stood the main marching band.

Behind it was many other people, all wearing the same style of black marching uniform, there was black confetti everywhere. And even a black blimp flying overhead.

But not everyone was enjoying the festivities.

"That man's crying" said Mikey, pointing at a young man, standing at the back of the crowd, his head in his hands.

"We should help him" said Rose determinedly, walking towards him, the guys followed.

"Scuse me sir" she said, tapping the man on the shoulder "are you okay?"

He looked up from under his flat cap, his eyes glistening with tears. He looked wonderingly at Rose and the band in silence.

"Why are you crying?" Whispered Gerard, searchingly at the man.

He wiped his eyes and murmured apologeticly. Then he told them something that would stay with Gerard for the rest of his life.

"When I was a young boy" began the man "my father took me into the city, to see a marching band. Just like this one"

He recollected the childhood memory to them, telling them of his fathers wise words as they watched the parade.

"He told me- he said that one day he'd leave me, phantom to lead me in the summer and join the black parade..."

"That's a beautiful story" said Gerard sombrely, once he had finished "why didn't you join?"

The man bowed his head.

"I don't know... I couldn't bring myself. The memories too painful. He died of a disease called cancer and every year since his death I've come out here to watch it." He sighed "Oh he'd be so ashamed of me"

"No he wouldn't" said Rose softly, putting a hand on the man's shoulder. "But he would have wanted you to join. We can help you if you want?"

The man wiped his eyes again, confused.

"Why would you help me? You don't even know me"

"Because that's what we do" said Rose and Frank nodded.

Gerard smiled kindly at the man and stretched out his hand for him to hold.

As the ending of the procession passed them they joined on, marching slowly at the end. All six of them, Gerard, Mikey, Ray, Frank, Rose and the young man.

"See this isn't so bad" Ray smiled reassuringly at the man, who smiled back.

"My father always said that this parade was different, spiritual than the other parades. He said when you march here you're marching alongside a million different phantoms, all dead and gone. But here, their memories will carry on..."