Ashes of Our Youth || Break Up?!

Dark storm clouds gather over the City of Angels —the entire country seemingly in mourning over the news. Ashes of Our Youth — the generation-defining emo band —was on the verge of a breakup. At first it was just rumors circulating — the band seemed tense towards the end of their year-and-a-half-long world tour — and then videos emerged on social media —

Grainy, shaky footage of Vic Havoc and Mikey Ross fighting over something unclear, then the video abruptly cuts to Vic yelling, "Drop Dead Mikey Ross!"

In another, Kellin snapped at Ben that he didn't need a babysitter, then shoved past the older tour manager in a huff. It seemed that after a decade together, the band, at the height of their fame, had reached their breaking point.

The videos took off like wildfire across the internet, with every music-adjacent influencer providing their hot take and analysis. Rumors of Kellin signing on for a solo career picked up, and the mystery around just who Northern Downpour was— the mysterious musician and sometimes Ashes collaborator — seemed to reach a frenzy.

And then — Ashes broke their silence with one cryptic message on their website.

This is the End - Halloween - Bardot

The internet exploded — Ashes would play one final secret show at the Bardot theater in L.A. — the very first venue they ever played in the city. It felt like a funeral invitation, and thousands of Ashes fans flocked in droves to the iconic Hollywood venue to see the boys in action one last time.

Could this really be the end of Ashes of Our Youth?

Did they truly hate each other this much?

On Halloween—in the green room high above the stage, in the rafters of Bardot, the four members of Ashes of Our Youth and their tour manager, Ben Lazarra, sit on the couches, each scrolling through the viral feeds tagged #ashesfuneral and #ashesbreakup.

"I can't believe people actually believe this shit." Davey Williams looks up from his phone, his grey eyes scanning the room before settling on Vic Havoc. "Who knew you and Mikey arguing over a godforsaken blind box prize would lead to breakup rumors for the band. We didn't even have this kind of speculation when Kellin went to rehab."

Vic shakes his head, opening his mouth to speak, when Mikey, ever the bundle of chaotic energy, cuts him off. "Well, if Vic hadn't tried to claim my pull as his own!"

A sharp thwack! is delivered to the guitarist's head, courtesy of Vic from his right side. The bassist scowls at his friend, who returns his smack with a light shove. "You don't even like Legend of Zelda like that. You only wanted it because it was the chaser. You never even finished Breath of the Wild."

Mikey huffs softly, leaning back into the plush couch. "I plan to one day! And besides, you can't just take my excellent luck from me—" he sulks and then adds under his breath, "even if I did plan on giving it to you anyway."

From his spot by the wall, Ben studies Kellin Beckett's face — the dark-haired lead singer unusually quiet. He wondered how he was truly feeling with all this — most of the upset had been directed at him because of his arrogant, god-like persona on stage. Ben had planned to release a statement halting the rumors, but Kellin had insisted they continue. "You good, Kellin ?"

Kellin looks up from his thoughts — his piercing blue eyes rimmed with kohl. The pensive look he'd worn all day melts into an infuriating smirk as he nods to his friend and confidant. "Yeah. I'm good — they're all gonna look like idiots with all the big game they've been talking about when they realize we've played them all."

Because Ashes wasn't breaking up at all — nor was there any bad blood. The internet had taken exhaustion and out-of-context bickering between the six men and blown it way out of proportion. And Kellin? Well, he'd decided to capitalize on it.

After all — the rumors were right about one thing — a decade was a long time, and it deserved something special. So instead of a basic PR statement, the boys had stoked the rumors using Mikey's several fan burner accounts to fan the flames and get everyone talking.

Tonight wasn't the end of Ashes — if anything, it was a rebirth.

"We'll get on stage, and Mikey's short stop-motion feature of us all being buried will play," Kellin narrates as the boys listen. "And just when the priest says the line Ashes to Ashes, it'll cut to the new album artwork."

It was brilliant — normally they took time off to write a new album, but this tour — their first true world tour — had inspired them; seeing the world together, the songs just came. Ben had helped set up a mobile recording studio and booked them in whenever they had down days.

Ashes wasn't over — they were releasing AoY5, an album titled Ashes to Ashes. Not only that, but Davey had done the impossible, working with Ben to secure them three weeks at the Hollywood Bowl totaling six shows.

Each show would have a different theme, with Ashes bringing out surprise guests, including Northern Downpour's first live show, plus a brand-new set list, special merch, and art by Mikey. Each night, one band member — including their long-time tour manager and bodyguard—would get to showcase their favorites.

Vic smiles genuinely, listening to Kellin, his arm slung around Mikey's shoulder. "It's going to be fucking amazing — we've always wanted to play the bowl."

Mikey nods in agreement, popping another candy in his mouth. "It's real big leagues shit — I mean — who thought we'd ever be here?"

Before anyone can reply, Zack Lee's broad frame appears in the doorway, the towering bodyguard covered in a thin sheen of sweat from running up the stairs. "You won't believe how many people are here — they've closed off the street because it's flooded — everyone is in black like they're mourning."

The band all clamor to their feet, shuffling to the fire escape door to peer out. There, surrounding the little side street just off Hollywood Blvd, were thousands of fans holding roses and signs, begging the band not to go. Kellin is momentarily stunned at just how much of an impact they actually had.

He gets onstage every night and sings his heart out — but ultimately he never thought much about the after — figuring the band would fade into obscurity eventually, but this — this was what made all the sleepless nights, the cold cup noodles in the back of that beat-up old van Davey's dad bought them, and the hurt had Ben for — this was their dream truly coming true.

"Well, boys- shall we go mend some broken hearts?" Davey asks, patting Kellin on the shoulder as they turn. But the mood shifts when they notice they aren't alone — for weeks they'd been careful not to appear friendly in public, stoking rumors about their breakup, and now, with their show only an hour away, their cover was blown.

Zack moves immediately, offering a charming but threatening smile as he grabs the intruder by their shoulders and steers {{obj}} into the room. The band immediately surrounds {{obj}}, narrowed gazes on their handsome faces.

Kellin steps forward, grabbing {{poss}} wrist to keep {{obj}} from trying to run. Ben sighs, adjusting his glasses as he steps forward to defuse the situation, but Kellin, ever the hothead, speaks before he can intercede.

"How much did you hear? It's not polite to eavesdrop like a little thief."