Austin was practically glued to his computer screen, refreshing the page of his new favorite browser, Chrome, with the fervor of someone trying to summon a miracle. For the past few days, he had been doing this every few hours, hoping that somehow, somewhere, a stray ticket might appear.
"Leave it," Marissa said from beside him, lounging on the couch with her phone in hand. "It's no use. You just weren't lucky enough to get the seats. Accept it."
Austin shot her a glare sharp enough to cut glass. "I hate you! You just had to book tickets to the biggest concert in the world without considering me, didn't you?"
Marissa rolled her eyes, setting her phone down. "Babe, I told you, I'm going with my sister. I would've booked three tickets if I could, but the new rules only allow two per person, and only from one IP address. My hands were tied. And even if my sister agreed to give hers up, which she won't, the tickets are non-transferable."
Austin clenched his jaw. He knew she was telling the truth, but it didn't make him feel any better. Getting a seat at most concerts wasn't this impossible, but this wasn't just any concert. This was the concert. Troy and MJ performing together was history in the making: the greatest artist of the 20th century sharing the stage with the biggest name of the 21st. It was the kind of collaboration people would tell their grandkids about.
The madness began after Troy introduced new ticketing rules for his shows. Scalpers had been reselling tickets for twenty times their face value, taking advantage of the fair pricing Troy had set to make his concerts accessible to everyone. To combat it, each buyer now had to register individually, and present valid ID at the venue.
If someone wanted to resell, they had to do it directly through the official site, and even then, refunds were conditional, only processed if someone else bought the returned ticket. Not that cancelled tickets of such a concert would go unsold for long.
"In a way," Marissa teased, "it's your fault for not doing what you're doing right now on the first day of booking."
"Shut up," Austin muttered. "Just shut up and let me—"
He froze mid-sentence. The number in the "Available Tickets" column had just changed from zero to one.
His heart kicked into overdrive. He didn't even blink as he slammed the "Buy" button. It was a golden ticket, one of the front-row seats. Normally, that kind of ticket would cost a fortune, but thanks to Troy's decision to keep prices fair, Austin could actually afford it.
His fingers trembled slightly as he navigated the next steps. Luckily, his details; banking information, contact, and everything else, were already saved on the site.
Marissa, noticing his sudden silence, leaned over his shoulder, her curiosity piqued. The moment Austin clicked "Proceed to Pay," the screen changed to a loading page, a small spinning circle taunting them with every rotation.
A message appeared at the bottom of the screen: Please do not reload this page.
The seconds stretched like hours.
When nothing happened for a long time, Marissa sighed and placed a gentle hand on Austin's shoulder. "It's okay, babe. You tried your best. Some things are just not meant to be."
Austin's jaw tightened. He was seconds away from snapping at her when, suddenly, the page flickered and loaded.
Your ticket has been booked!
A physical copy of the ticket, if selected, will be sent to your preferred address within 3–5 working days. If not received for any reason, tickets can also be collected from the venue: Madison Square Garden.
"Yeaaahhhh!" Austin jumped to his feet, both fists raised in triumph. "I got it! That too in the front row!"
Marissa blinked, momentarily stunned, before muttering, "Who in their right mind would resell a front-row ticket?"
Austin grinned, still buzzing with excitement. "Someone else's loss is my gain. This is probably the best day of my life. The concert's in two days, so I'll just collect the ticket from MSG. Totally worth it."
Marissa's expression softened as she stepped closer, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Wrapping her arms around him, she said sweetly, "I'm so happy for you, babe. Say, would you like to exchange seats with me? I know how much you hate being alone at concerts. You can enjoy it with my sister. I mean, once we're inside, who's really going to check where we sit, right?"
Austin stared at her, incredulous. Then he stepped back, shaking his head. "Hell no. Not a chance. I've spent hours, no, days, trying to get this ticket. If Jesus himself came down and asked for it, I wouldn't give it up, let alone you."
Marissa's smile faltered. "Can't you do one small favor for your girlfriend?"
"No," Austin said flatly. "And if my girlfriend thinks she can manipulate me that easily, then maybe she shouldn't be my girlfriend anymore."
Before Marissa could reply, he turned and walked out of the room.
"Hey! I was just kidding!" she shouted after him, but the door had already closed behind him.
(Break)
Finally, the day arrived.
Austin stood outside Madison Square Garden, waiting in a long, snaking queue for his physical ticket. Judging by the number of people in line, he clearly wasn't the only one who had managed to snag a last-minute ticket.
His theory was that many buyers had initially purchased extra tickets intending to resell them at higher prices. But when Troy's strict anti-scalping measures made that impossible, they had no choice but to return the tickets through the official site, creating rare openings like the one he had seized.
To Austin, all that mattered was that he was here.
Troy and MJ's performance together at the Grammys last year had already sent the world into a collective meltdown, but their announcement of a full tour had turned that excitement into global hysteria. Every music fan on the planet wanted to be part of history, to see the King of Pop share the stage with the modern legend who had inherited his spirit.
The energy outside MSG was electric. People held banners, wore matching shirts, and exchanged stories about how long they'd waited for this night. Even reporters and paparazzi were everywhere, their cameras flashing as they captured the massive turnout.
Once he got his ticket, he moved inside quickly, where his ID was checked and then he was shown the way that led to his seat.
"What would have happened if my ID and name of the ticket didn't match?" He asked curiously.
The guard pointed towards the side, where already a group of people were arguing with a pair of different guards.
"We have been told strictly to not let them come in. When the concert is about to start, those seats, along with any shortfall would be resold to people still in that line."
Austin turned to look in the pointed direction, only to see a long line already forming for people who couldn't get a ticket.
Soon he moved inside, and the star power there was dazzling. Austin caught sight of George Clooney chatting near the VIP entrance, Justin Timberlake laughing with Lady Gaga, and dozens of other celebrities filling the front sections. Then of course, there was Scarlett Johansson, and Troy's parents and brother as well.
Those prime seats, of course, had never been released to the public.
For everyone else, tonight was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and Austin was lucky enough to be part of it.
"I can't believe I'm here!"
Austin turned toward the girl beside him. She was extremely beautiful with grey eyes, a small button nose, rosy cheeks and full lips. Most importantly, her face had this innocence that Austin couldn't help but smile.
"Yeah," he said, nodding. "It feels unreal."
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and asked, "You're alone too?"
He shrugged. "Only one ticket was available for this row."
She laughed, her excitement bubbling over. "Same here. I thought I'd hate being here alone, but right now? I'm just thrilled to even be inside."
"Who said we have to be alone?" Austin said with an easy grin and a handshake. "We can be friends. Austin."
"Martha." She shook his hand.
The moment their hands touched, the LED xylobands on their wrists flickered to life in a wave of brilliant color, rippling through the crowd like a living ocean. The arena erupted in cheers as the lights dimmed.
A deep male voice echoed across the stadium, reverberating through the floor beneath their feet.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the show is about to begin! The concert is being streamed live on YouTube, and a recording will be available later. Now, put your hands together for Troy Armitage!"
Austin and Martha turned toward the stage, their hearts pounding. A second later, the unmistakable opening beat of 24K Magic thundered through the arena.
The stage split open down the middle, and from beneath it rose Troy Armitage himself, bathed in gold light, framed by plumes of smoke, like a deity ascending from the earth. Despite the grand entrance, his outfit was refreshingly casual: a white open jacket over a white tank top, loose black cargo pants, and the same brightly colored Crocs that fans loved to roast online. He accessorized with a bunch of thick gold chains around his neck.
Tonight
I just want to take you higher
Throw your hands up in the sky
Let's set this party off right
The crowd exploded in unison, tens of thousands of voices joining Troy's as he sang. The entire arena pulsed to the rhythm, and Austin felt his throat tighten. The international superstar was just a few feet away, singing his heart out, and it felt as if Troy were performing just for him.
As the music swelled, Troy broke into the signature dance moves of the song effortlessly. Even as he moved across the stage alongside his backup dancers, his voice never faltered. Every note hit perfectly, every motion synced to the beat.
When the song ended, the applause was deafening. Troy walked to the edge of the stage, grinning as he raised his mic.
"Thank you all for coming tonight! But I know full well you're not just here for me," he said, his voice playful but reverent. "So please welcome the greatest superstar of all time, the best dancer in the world, the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson!"
The lights dimmed. A hush fell over the audience. Then, from above, a metallic capsule descended, glowing silver and blue. It opened slowly, and there he was: Michael Jackson, dressed head-to-toe in gleaming gold, like a robot come to life.
The moment his feet touched the stage, the music shifted. The beat kicked in, and MJ began to move with the rhythm.
The crowd went absolutely wild.
Austin felt goosebumps race down his arms as he watched MJ glide, spin, and kick with precision that defied belief. Every motion seemed to exist in perfect rhythm with the universe itself. He hadn't even started singing yet, and the entire arena was already entranced.
"I was never really a fan of MJ," Austin whispered, unable to tear his eyes away. "But now I am."
"Me too," Martha murmured beside him, her voice filled with awe.
The concert went on for what felt like no time at all. Troy and MJ took turns performing their biggest hits, their voices blending in stunning harmony during their duets. The crowd swayed in waves of color as their xylobands shifted hues in sync with the music, painting the arena in mesmerizing patterns of red, blue, and gold.
For Austin, it wasn't just a concert. It was an experience, one that would stay etched in his memory for the rest of his life.
Austin was having such a great time that he didn't even realize it was already halftime. His voice was hoarse from singing along, his hands ached from clapping, and yet he couldn't stop smiling.
"This is definitely the highlight of my life," Martha whispered, her voice full of wonder. "I'm already sad that it's halfway over."
"Look on the bright side," Austin said with a grin. "We still have half more to go."
Before she could reply, the noise around them suddenly dropped. The cheering, the laughter, the energy, it all quieted in an instant. Austin frowned and looked around, confused.
Then he saw it.
Their faces were plastered across the massive screen above the stage, framed by a floating pink heart. The bold text above it read: KISS CAM.
"Oh, hell no!" Austin blurted, shaking his head vigorously. "I just met her!"
The camera didn't move. If anything, it zoomed in a little closer, as if taunting him.
"Come on, man! Just kiss her already!" someone yelled from a few rows behind, earning a roar of laughter from the crowd.
Austin froze, completely mortified. But beside him, Martha didn't seem nearly as fazed. She was smiling, amused by the whole thing.
Before Austin could explain that he already had a girlfriend, Martha leaned in.
He turned toward her at the same moment, and she took it as an invitation. The next thing he knew, her lips were on his.
For a few seconds, Austin forgot where he was. The sound of the cheering crowd, the flashing lights, even the music that still played faintly in the background, all of it faded away. There was only the warmth of the moment, the softness of her lips, and the surge of adrenaline that made his heart race.
It was… incredible.
Better than any kiss he could remember. Even better than Marissa—
And that's when it hit him.
He pulled away instantly, guilt crashing down on him. The camera had already moved on to another pair, but that didn't matter. Somewhere in this massive, packed arena, Marissa was sitting, and she might have just seen everything.
"Hey, relax," Martha said with an easy smile. "It was just a kiss."
"Tell that to my girlfriend," Austin muttered, pointing vaguely toward one of the upper sections. "She's somewhere around there."
Martha's smile faded. She looked away, her face suddenly uneasy. The two of them stood in awkward silence for several long minutes, the volume of conversation around them slowly rising again as the stage lights flickered in preparation for the next act.
Austin closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and decided to push the thought aside. Marissa will understand, he told himself. And if she doesn't… well, I'm not letting one stupid mistake ruin the best night of my life.
The crowd hushed again as the lights dimmed. This time, MJ walked onto the stage alone, a single spotlight following him. He wasn't dancing, and there was no music, just him holding a microphone, dressed in his iconic black-and-gold outfit.
The silence that fell over Madison Square Garden was profound. It wasn't often that fans got to hear the King of Pop speak to them directly.
"I know I haven't given my fans as much as I should have these past few years," MJ said, his voice calm but filled with emotion. "But I couldn't be more thankful for the love and support you've continued to show me."
Applause erupted instantly, echoing through the arena.
MJ smiled, waiting patiently for it to fade before continuing.
"I've been thinking about making a comeback for a long time," he said softly. "But I could never find a reason to step back into the spotlight, to face the cameras, the tabloids, and all the vultures waiting for me to fall."
He paused, then smiled again, this time brighter, warmer. "That was until I met this amazing human being we all know as Troy Armitage. Please come out here, Troy, so I can say this next part to your face."
The audience exploded. The cheers were deafening.
From the wings, Troy appeared, looking visibly confused. He jogged toward MJ with a half-smile, clearly unaware of what was happening. Judging by his expression, this wasn't part of the planned program. MJ had just surprised him along with everyone else in the arena.
After a moment, MJ continued, his voice steady yet warm. "When I first heard Troy sing in this movie called [The Sixth Sense], I was shocked. He was about ten years old, and he was singing a song from Les Mis. A song I have heard hundreds of times. A song considered one of the toughest songs ever. Yet, Troy nailed it perfectly. I knew right then and there that this young man would go far. No one was happier than me when Troy released his first album, and he more than delivered."
He paused, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he looked at Troy. "Hearing him sing assured me that the future of music is safe in the hands of people like him. I could finally leave behind the world of music and maybe retire in peace. And then, I met him. He exceeded every expectation I had, and today, I'm proud to call him my true friend. He inspired me to get back into music, and because of him, I'm working on a few original songs again. If everything goes as planned, I might even release an album soon."
The crowd erupted in disbelief and excitement. An album from MJ? That was beyond anyone's imagination. His last album, [Invincible], had been released nearly a decade ago, and most had assumed he had quietly retired.
"But that's not why I began this heart-to-heart session," MJ said, cutting through the cheers with a chuckle. "Tonight is all about this young man here, who is, I daresay, even a better singer than me. But he's not just that, he's also the best actor of his generation, a great dancer, a film producer, music composer, and has even directed a few of his music videos."
MJ's lips curved into a teasing grin. "God must have created a specimen like him with great care."
Austin laughed, unable to help himself at the embarrassed expression on Troy's face beside MJ.
"I've been called a lot of things over the years," MJ went on, his tone softening. "But one phrase that has stuck around is 'King of Pop'. I don't think I deserve that title in front of a genius like Troy. But then again, calling him 'King of Pop' would be a disservice to everything else he's achieved at such a young age."
He took a deep breath, letting the silence build around him before speaking again. "Today, I want to give a new title to Troy. For he's not just the best pop singer out there, but the best entertainer. Even during our rehearsals for this show, his only goal was to make sure his fans were entertained. So, Troy, my dearest friend, today I dub thee 'The King of Entertainment'. May you rule over the world of show business for decades to come."
For a long moment, no one moved. The air inside the stadium seemed to still. The audience, caught between awe and disbelief, sat frozen as the weight of MJ's words sank in.
Austin's mind was already racing. MJ giving Troy a title like that was monumental. If any other celebrity, even a rising A-lister, had said it, people might have brushed it off as flattery. But this was MJ, the King of Pop himself, saying it live during a concert broadcast to millions on YouTube. This was history in the making.
All eyes turned to Troy. He stood rooted to the spot, eyes glistening, lips slightly parted in disbelief. His chest rose and fell as he tried to process what had just happened. Then, with trembling hands, he wiped his eyes quickly and stepped forward to hug MJ tightly.
The two held on for a few seconds, saying something to each other off mic—words only they would ever know, before MJ handed him the microphone.
"Wow," Troy whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I've received so many awards over the years that I've lost track. Yet, I can say without a doubt that I haven't received a greater honor than this. Thank you, MJ, for inspiring me and millions of people around the world with your work. I wouldn't be half the dancer or singer I am today if it weren't for you."
They hugged once more before Troy turned to face the audience, smiling through the tears. "Now let's get the sappy stuff out of the way and focus on the rest of the concert. Shall we, MJ?"
"We shall," the older man replied with a grin, just as the opening beats of [Starboy] filled the stadium.
What followed was pure magic, a stunning duet between Troy and MJ, a once-in-a-lifetime performance that would go down as one of the most iconic moments in music history.
____________________
AN: Check out my second story, 'Swimmer to Superstar (A Hollywood SI)', which is now publicly available.
Link: www(dot)fablefic(dot)com