Gang's Follies


Part 9


The Gang was in the middle of the play. They have finished off the space alien Mambo, but then…

Out of nowhere, Mayura, dressed as Miss X of Planet Mambo, found her way in the act. Why? The Best Student Council budget was used… again! Mayura couldn't stand it anymore! So, why on earth would she go through this?

The play continued, with Mayura fighting The Gang, as the Earth Heroes.

Mayura socked Farra in the gut and shouted, "Kneel before me!"

She gave Steven a backhand to the face, "You cannot win!"

Heather got lambasted, though she was injured, as Mayura elbowed her in the chest. Peter and Mizuki stood tall, even though they were hurt.

The crowd was astonished. One girl cried out, "WOW! I never knew they used realism!"

Another shouted, "Never give up, Earth Heroes!"

A third called out, "Defeat Miss X!"

Mayura stood tall and laughed, "That will teach you to destroy my Space Mambo!"

"Showed you, asshole," Mayura thought aloud, referring to Nanaho.

She charged at Peter and Mizuki and delivered a double head-butt.

The Gang fell to their knees.

Kanade narrated, "All hope is lost… Miss X may have defeated the Earth Heroes!"

Percival called out, "Not ALL of them!"

He held up his kendo stick and shouted, "I will end you! You take the alien, you hurt my friends, and now you want retribution?"

He then threw the sword down and whistled at Seina. She threw two fencing swords towards him. He grabbed them and handed one to Mayura.

"A sword fight… to the death!" He cried out.

GASP!

"So be it!" Mayura cried, "Let out battle be decided!"

"Have at you!" He screamed.

They began to clash swords. They continued on, knowing this battle will be decided. Everyone, including the members, gasped and watched in awe.

"Mayura, how would she go through such lengths?" Kuon asked.

Nanaho growled, "End this now, Percival! Stop her at once!"

Seina was on the other side of the stage, comforting Minamo, who was crying.

"Big Sis Seina, this isn't how I pictured it!" She wailed.

Seina cried, "But, Minamo… everyone loves it! This is your dream script!"

Minamo looked, as the crowd was cheering on, while Mayura and Percival continued to fight.

"Sis, you're right," she said, "Everyone loves it. Even if it's been revamped and longer, I… I don't know what to say?"

Seina giggled, "You've asked for it, and you got it. Minamo Katsura, SUPER Writer!"

Minamo smiled and watched the rest of the show.

As Percival and Mayura continued clashing, they exchanged words.

"So, you heroes have one final equalizer?" Mayura jeered.

Percival snapped, "What you're doing is wrong, Miss X! You cannot take her away from this planet!"

Mayura cringed, "This has nothing to do with her, or you!"

Percival growled, "Oh, I know it! Your race doesn't need this kind of treatment!"

"You don't know shit! Planet Mambo is taking this planet, once we resurrect the Mambo ship!"

"Oh? Well, how about we kill you first, before you even try?"

"Shut up!"

"Make me!"

Kanade was rather amused, "My, my, this is very exciting."

Rino was astonished, "Mayura…"

Nanaho then remembered, "NO! I get it! She must've…"

Kuon sighed, "We used the budget. We've gone too far…"

Nanaho cried, "She's gone too far!"

Kanade then said, "Control yourself. Mayura was doing this out of playing. She is obsessed over Percival that she wanted to try it out. I guess she wanted to have one time with him."

Nanaho groaned, "But…"

Kuon nodded, "The play continues as planned."

XXXXX

The sword fight nearly ended. Mayura tried to swing at him, but Percival was ready. He swung up and threw Mayura's sword off her hand. Mayura staggered back and was scared. The Gang stood up and was preparing to finish.

"No… you cannot do this…" she stammered.

"And don't you ever make us do it again…" Percival sneered, as he held his sword at her.

"Or it'll be your last mistake," Mizuki said.

Mayura stepped back, nearly being stabbed, "This isn't over. You'll pay for this."

She stepped back, in front of Rino. Rino and Pucchan shoved her forward and then.

STAB!

Mayura was stabbed by the sword.

Remember: THIS is all an act!

Mayura began to play dead. She let out some tears and fell on one knee.

"Thank you," she thought, "It was an honor to play with you guys."

She then dropped her other knee and cried, "You've defeated me, Earth Heroes. I'm… bested."

She dropped to the ground, face-down, and was croaked, "Tell my mom and dad… that… I love them…"

She fell dead… (Not really)

The Gang stood in a pose and was victorious. Rino approached Mayura and was sad.

"Miss X, how could you do this? All I wanted was to find my sister…"

Mayura then got up and was coughing, "Little space alien, I'm sorry… that I put you through this horrible dilemma."

Pucchan thought aloud, "Treasurer chickie sure put on an act."

Mayura then gasped, and collapsed. Rino stood in front of Mayura and cheered.

"Miss X won't bother me anymore. Now I can continue to find my long lost sister!"

Pucchan added, "Let us hope no one else interrupts us."

The scene turned black, as Kanade narrated:

"Despite the sudden appearance and death Miss X, the Space Alien and the Earth Heroes saved the day. Thank you, Earth heroes. And now, at last, we have ended this story."

The spotlight showed everybody on stage, in a curtain call. Everyone waved to the crowd, who was applauding for the entire cast.

"ENCORE!" One girl cried.

"That was beautiful!"

It continued… the cheers and cries.

"That was better than before. The last one was dumb!"

"Miss Ichikawa's death scene was flawless! Not a bad move!"

"The Gang had heart! They never gave up!"

"Whoever wrote this story deserves high cheers!"

Then they chanted, "MINAMO! MINAMO! MINAMO!"

Minamo was in tears, knowing it was amazing.

"It… it came true…" she sobbed, "I'M FAMOUS!"

Seina and Minamo went to the stage, as everyone took a bow. The Gang, somehow, was very confused.

"Well, as much as I deserve the applause, Steven Cooke is befuddled," Steven griped.

Peter sighed, "I never knew this ended that way."

Farra smiled, "As long as we can entertain them more, later."

Heather giggled, as Mizuki smiled at her.

Rino and Pucchan waved to the crowd, but Pucchan stopped.

"At least it's over now," Pucchan said, "Kid's play finally got its recognition!"

Rino looked at the crowd again, as was ecstatic.

The crowd continued to cheer, as they all bowed one more time.

And thus ended the curtain call…


Later that night, The Gang was on stage, performing their concert. Everyone, including the Best Student Council, was cheering on… everyone except Mayura, who didn't show up.

The Gang played a series of their songs, including some originals, like "I'm Here", which was played earlier. They also did some Beatles renditions, like "Nowhere Man", "I Want to Hold your Hand", and even "You Can't Do That".

Everyone had a share of lead singing, in fact: Heather sang "I Want to be your Man", just like The Beatles. Mizuki sang "Something", while Peter sang "If I Needed Someone" and "Here Comes the Sun".

The Gang, however, had a brand new song to sing, which was similar to "Let it Be", but different.

"Miss President, Steven decided to write to you a song about you?" Kuon asked.

Kanade remarked, "It's something I asked him. Maybe someone will recognize me as a legend, before I leave soon."

Kuon then turned to Nanaho and stated, "Seina & I have finished up the problem. What else should we do now?"

Nanaho replied, "We'll just enjoy the show."

The Gang began to play, as Steven approached the microphone.

A phony at the mic: Steven Cooke.

(Percival plays the piano)

(Steven): What I find, I can't remember
What was the great school you want to be?
I found a place that's called "Miyagami"

It's heavenly and paradise
and even great girls that you want to see
But one girl is famous, as you shall see

(Steven begins the chorus, as Peter, Farra, Percival, and Mizuki harmonized; Mizuki played the tambourine and Farra played the bass)

[Chorus] (Steven): Jinguji, Jinguji,
Jinguji, Jinguji,
Her name was Kanade Jinguji

And when I'm sad and lonely
The President cheers me up constantly
She's the very smart Jinguji

Now, will I be unhappy?
No, I won't, because she's so heavenly
She's the brave and bold Kanade Jinguji

(Heather begins playing the drums; Peter and Farra play their guitars)
(Crowd cheers loudly)

Jinguji, Jinguji,
Jinguji, Jinguji,
She's the president; Jinguji

(Music continues)

(Music stops; Percival plays piano)

(Peter plays solo, as music resumes)

(Heather stops; music continues)

Jinguji, Jinguji,
Jinguji, Jinguji,
She's the president, Kanade Jinguji

(Heather starts, as music continues)

Jinguji, Jinguji,
Jinguji, Jinguji,
Bless Kanade Jinguji…

(Music continues)

(Music ends)
(Crowd cheers)

NOTE: If you're reading this, and know the song "Let it Be", that's how the tune goes.

Rein and Sayuri cheered on, "Yeah! YEAH!"

Everyone in Miyagami was cheering for the Gang, as the bowed.

Just then…

A small drop of water dropped on stage, in front of Steven.

"Is it raining outside?" He asked.

Percival responded, "No. Now shut up and get back on the ivories."

Farra approached the mic, "Thank you very much! You know, tomorrow, we're available for autographs and such, except for Best Student Council members, who'll get it after the show. We have to leave that day, so be ready by then."

The crowd booed, knowing they cannot wait.

Farra continued, "Well, we have time for one more. This will be the last song of the night."

Percival approached the mic, "Folks, we want to thank you for everything that happened. Even though it was very weird and amazing, we want you guys to know that we love you guys."

The crowd cheered.

"Don't tell me it's…" Nanaho gulped.

Farra added, "And no, it's not papaya."

Nanaho griped, "It's PAYAPAYA, morons!"

The band set up the final song. Farra then approached the mic:

(Farra): You tell lies, so that I can see!
You can't cry, 'cause you're laughing at me!

I'm down… (Peter & Heather): (I'm really down)
Yes, I'm down… (Down on the ground)
I'm down… (I'm really down)

How can you laugh, when you know I'm down?

(Percival & Steven): How can you laugh…
(Farra): …when you know I'm down?

As they continued, Rino went to see Kanade.

"Miss Kanade, this whole experience was kind of fun, right?" She asked.

"Well, yes," Kanade said, "Even though it had problems, we managed to settle things."

Pucchan added, "Not to mention some demons removed from each Gang member."

Kanade giggled and said, "Did you the concert?"

Rino nodded, but then asked, "I wonder if what Mayura did to me at the play was right?"

"Huh?"

"She told me to shove her, after she lost the sword fight?"

Rino remembered:

Mayura stepped back, in front of Rino, and whispered to her, "If you can, push me towards him."

"You fools! This isn't over!"

Rino then nodded and shoved her from behind. This led to her death scene.

"It seems she felt bad about ruining the play," Rino stated.

Kanade shook her head and replied, "No. She just wanted to make it livelier, since she's obsessed over Percival."

Totally the WRONG reason…

Rino then said, "So… at that time…"

She and Pucchan were confused.

"I thought it was something else," Pucchan remarked, "Chickie's always a stressed-out babe."

As The Gang finishes "I'm Down", they bowed to the crowd on stage.

Rino then asked, "But wait… where is Mayura?"

Where indeed…

Up above the stage, Mayura was tied up, in a cocoon, on the rafters, with Kotoha guarding her.

Recognize this scenario…

"But I said I was sorry!" Mayura sobbed, "I want to see them on stage."

"THAT'S what you get for ruining this play," Kotoha remarked.

Mayura started to cry from above, which explains the sudden drop of water.

"Why me? Why do bad things happen to me? I'm the Treasurer!" She wailed.

Kotoha snapped, "Put a lid on it, Ichi."

My guess is that Kanade pardoned her, but Nanaho said otherwise.


The next afternoon, The Gang was outside the gate and thanked Miyagami Academy for the hospitality.

Percival thought, "Maybe next time I could build a project for the school… without a member to help."

Farra thought, "Well, I wonder if Kanade will be in my dreams."

Peter thought, "Man… I'm hungry."

Kanade then asked, "So, how did you guys enjoy it?"

Percival explained, "Well, we want to thank you for all the fun we had."

Kanade said, "I'm glad to hear it."

Nanaho said, "Feel free to come back to Miyagami Academy, whenever you go on tour again."

Steven smiled, "Sure. Steven Cooke had lots of fun!"

"YOU!" The Gang cried.

Kanade then exclaimed, "You know, aside from all the second-side crush, past demons, bizarre motives, and athletic skills, you guys are okay. You should be happy that nothing happened to any of you…"

Heather then responded, "Well… there is one thing we don't like…"

Nanaho asked, "And what is it?"

Just then…

The Gang is like The Beatles. Not for the songs, but there is one thing that they are like them.

A huge group of girls were shrieking from far away. The girls were all of Miyagami Academy's 8th thru 12th grade.

They all pointed at the girls and cried out:

"THEM!"

The Gang ran off, as the riled-up students chased after them.

Nanaho cried out, "We have to stop them!"

Kanade said, "Leave it. I suppose it would bring memories to us."

"Miss President! How ca-?"

Kanade shook her head and smiled, "I think these guys love to have this treatment."

Maybe not…

The Gang continued to run from their fans.

"Well, for one thing, it was fun to be with these girls!" Peter cried out.

Mizuki gasped, "And you four had it easy!"

Steven cried out, "Steven Cooke wouldn't take this kind of behavior, even if I am adored by fans!"

Heather shouted, "What makes you say that, ducky?"

Percival shouted, "Keep running and don't stop!"

Farra called out, "See you guys in Liverpool!"

Percival added, "I get it…"

The screaming students continued to chase after them, all around Miyagami, until they left the place, altogether.

Well, they DID leave with a lot of memories, but I guess they got the same appreciation back in the U.S., and let me tell you…
Popular band + screaming fans = rowdiness.

Do the math…


Next act: That's it; the show's over…


Meanwhile, in Miyagami Academy, Rein, Sayuri, Mayura, and Kaori began playing instruments, in the music room. Mayura was singing "I'm Here"… very badly. The others were playing their instruments… very, very badly.

"WHAT ARE YOU FOUR DOING?" Seina shrieked.

Mayura grinned and announced, "Hey, Seina, how did you like our rendition of The Gang?"

Seina was confused, as she asked, "What do I think?"

I think you know what she would say.


Meanwhile, Kanade was listening to a CD of The Gang. Kuon stepped in and saw her being preoccupied.

"I think I give her her Magical Mystery Tour," she said, "I'll leave her be."

She left. She then saw Nanaho, who was very concerned.

"Where's Miss President?" She asked.

"She's in Pepperland," Kuon said, "Listening to the LPs."

Nanaho, in confusion, asked, "Huh?"

Do you think we used too many Beatles references?


At Minamo's room, she was busy drawing her next play.

"Yeah! This calls for a huge sequel! This will feature the space alien's continuing search for her long lost sister, with the Earth Heroes on their side. However, they are confronted by many bad monsters."

It seems Minamo Katsura has planned a sequel to her now-successful play.

And I'll bet it'll bomb, after one performance…


Thanks for reading!