Meanwhile, back in New York, Mizuki was treated to doctors in the Speedwagon Foundation, in a small hospital bed, near the headquarters. As she was being treated, Steven, Farra, Mundy, and Asahi decided to take a drive around the city.

Aboard the BattleVan, The Gang's custom-made tour van, Farra was driving down the street, sitting in the driver's seat. Steven was sitting in the back, as Asahi called shotgun, again.

Steven huffed, "Next time, I get the front seat."

Farra groaned, "Quit your bitching…"

As they drove, Asahi then asked, "Now that I think about it, since the others are away, we have battled many a villain… and we learn of MIO, the DNC, Night Raid, and others… But when we came back, Broken Matt Hardy never showed. Did he change his gimmick?"

Around the time, The Hardy Boyz, Matt & Jeff, returned to WWE, and became a popular tag team legend. Of course, Broken Matt's alter-ego remains hidden, showing few hints of awakening.

Farra said, "Well, that's not the case. Wherever he is, he's probably busy… and out of our radars…"

Mundy replied, "I'm just glad I can't see his ugly kisser, after what he did to Night Raid and Scarlet."

Steven turned away and sighed, "I know… I also wonder how Akame is doing… She's still torn over Najenda's death."

Farra said, "Greed ails her. That is why Najenda chose to be dead, by Scarlet's hand. If she'd let her live, then this nightmare would grow."

He sighed, "Obviously… Steven Cooke longs for a rematch with her… among others…"

Farra barked, "GET IN LINE!"

She parked the van, as she looked to the window, "Hm?"

Asahi asked, "Why did you stop?"

Farra said, "Look. I sense an unknown figure…"

They saw a girl in a tan blazer, white shirt, and a blue skirt, with long dark purple-blue hair. She was having a blue ice pop. Farra said that she senses a disturbance inside her.

Mundy used his sniper rifle and looked through the scope. He said, "I won't hit her… Just examine her…"

He boomed in a greenish aura, "Hierophant Sniper!"

His view from the scope turned into a green wireframe vision. This is Mundy's version of his Sniper Vision, thanks to his upgraded abilities. He is able to sense a person who has unusual powers. He examined the girl and said, "Aura color – purple. Who is she?"

Episode XXIV – Chapter 1: Casa de Muñecas!
The Past Life of Farra Stevens!

Farra said, "She's obviously no one important. But we can't see her now… Let's drive off and use stealth…"

Asahi said, "But Farra, wouldn't that spook her?"

Steven stepped out and said, "Asahi, you and I will take Stealth Mode. You two head back."

He and Asahi left the van, and went into Stealth Mode, coating themselves in a purplish barrier, turning them invisible. They snuck towards the girl, as she was walking off. Asahi whispered, "She's walking away…"

Steven replied, "Unusual girl… Come on."

He asked Farra, via radio, "Farra, any idea who this girl is?"

Farra replied, "No. I don't think she's on AAW records… Maintain radio silence…"

"Roger."

Steven and Asahi continued to follow the girl, as she was walking down the street. They traversed onwards, as Farra whispered, "Any luck?"

Asahi replied, "Just no luck… She walks alone… and that ice pop is delicious…"

Farra sighed, "Me, too. Stay on your guard."

She asked Mundy, "Mundy, you see her?"

He said, "Far off. But we may lose her."

Farra drove the van slowly, as she whispered, "Stay on target. I don't trust that woman… Purple aura… is dark aura… likewise black."

"What would you call blue auras?"

Farra scoffed, and didn't answer. She turned the van around, following Steven and Asahi's signal.

They traveled onward, into the night, as the girl suddenly disappeared into a dead end. Steven and Asahi were concerned, as Steven called out, "Farra, bad news. We turned to this dead end, and she's gone."

Farra thought, "A dead end… Crafty girl… Could she be-?"

She gasped, as she sensed her, "STEVEN! ASAHI! GET OUT OF THERE, NOW! IT'S A TRAP!"

They gasped, as the girl swung her huge sword down and yelled, "TO ACTION!"

She slammed her sword down, as they dodged it. The girl yelled, "You phantoms! Where are you? I can sense you breathing, while you're invisible!"

Asahi gasped, removing Stealth Mode, "How can she know? She knew where we were? The Stealth Belts Mizuki created improved our hiddenness!"

The girl said, holding her D-Sword up, "So, you're not ghosts! You're nothing but spies!"

Steven growled, "Gimme a break, kid!"

She swung her blade towards Steven, but caught it with his bare hands. The girl gasped, "NO WAY! This man… He's evil! He caught my D-Blade, with ease!"

He huffed, "Hey, dumbass… I'm on the side of good."

The girl kicked him down, as Asahi pressed the red button on her bracelet, "Idol Justice – Strength!"

Her aura coated in a red shield, as her strength and speed increased. She tackled the girl down and barked, "STAY DOWN!"

The girl stumbled to the wall, dropping her sword. She was on the ground, in disbelief. Asahi signaled to her, as she said, "Forgive me for hurting you. But if you want to fight, go ahead."

The girl said in fear, "Who are these freaks?"

She thought, "If that's the case, I have to go all out! I have to stop these two! They look familiar…"

She recognized them and said, "I knew it! The WANTED posters… They said that they're on our side, well, think of how much money I'll get!
Steven Cooke – A-Fist – Bounty of $500 Million.
Asahi Sakurai – Gynoid of Legends – Bounty of only Five Million."

She stood up and prepared her sword, "If I can capture these crooks, I bet Mother will be pleased with me. That, and think of the money… $505 Million… This will be enough for home, and for the memories of Tohka and Shiina. All or nothing!"

Her aura boomed out, coating herself in a purple aura. Her eyes emitted a purple glow, as Asahi gasped, "Huh? She's a robot?"

He barked, "Wrong canon, idiot…"

She blushed, "Sorry… I thought she was Purple Girl, or something…"

"You need to stop reading doujinshi, Asa…"

The girl yelled, "ENOUGH! You demons from hell! I shall eliminate you! You have divine powers, but you can't stop the art of Ty Ko Ky!"

Asahi asked, "Taco-huh?"

The girl charged at them, as Steven roared, "HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

JAB!
He jabbed at the girl's chest, with only two fingers. She gagged, as she was moaning, "N-N-No… How… did he-?"

He said to her, "You're of pure heart… but your emotions cloud your judgment…"

Sena dropped to the ground, faced down, as her aura faded. Steven landed his foot onto her back. She was handcuffed, as he asked, "What's your name, girl?"

Sena replied, "Sena… Aoi…"

He lifted her up, as her hands were behind her back, in chains. He said to her, "You're under arrest."

Sena pleaded, "ARREST?! What did I do?"

He said, "Do your talking in jail, lady… And, FYI, you attacked us first… Assaulting an active AAW agent! And we were on-duty, until you showed up!"

He carried Sena over his shoulder and roared, "LET'S GO, PUNK!"

Asahi apologized, as she whispered, "Sorry. Law is the law."

Sena groaned, "Let me go! I'm innocent! Wait, you're criminals! How can you be cops?"

He huffed, "Long story… Now, shut up and tell it to the judge, bitch!"

Asahi argued, "Steven, that's enough! She gets the point!"

He replied, "I'm sorry."

Asahi contacted Farra, "Uh, bad news, Farra… We got her, and Steven's arresting her…"

"Why is it bad?" Farra said.

Asahi replied, "He insulted her…"

Farra growled, completely pissed off, "That asshole…"

Mundy saw Farra's aura rise in a fiery flame, as he shivered, "Ah, piss… She's burning up, again…"

Asahi said to Steven, as they were walking, "I get the feeling that Farra's gonna kill you, now…"

He said, "Let her."

Sena asked, "Huh? You're not afraid of your ally, about to throttle you?"

He replied, "SHUT IT, BITCH!"

XXXXX

At the BattleVan, Sena was sitting in the van, still handcuffed. Farra said to Steven, "Who's she?"

He replied, "Sena Aoi. She attacked us, first. We confiscated her weapon, after incarceration."

Farra asked, "I sensed your aura, Miss Aoi. Apologies for my partners going rough on you… I'm Farra Stevens, an A-Squad agent of AAW-New York. Exactly what were you doing in the streets of New York, at this time of day?"

Sena didn't respond, as she turned away. Farra said, "Alright, may I ask where you're from?"

Sena didn't respond to that, either. Mundy said, "This is one stubborn girl. She won't talk."

Sena huffed, "Can you let me go? I'm innocent! Mother will hang me for this, if I am in jail! Do you know who I am?"

Steven huffed, "Shut up! Your face makes me sick…"

Farra stated to her, "Ignore him. He's in the zone, and shuts off his emotions."

"No emotions?" Sena asked, "Is he-?"

Farra replied, "He's usually emotionless, when in battle, which focuses his strength. The guy doesn't look like much, but he's a strong bastard…"

She whispered, "He's strong, brave, and daring… and I love him…"

She blushed heavily, as Sena glared at her, "Oh… kay…"

He asked, "Leave her alone, Farra! She's not to talk to!"

Asahi said, "Please, you two!"

Farra stated, "Well, he shouldn't have assaulted her, with one punch."

Sena sighed, "May I have a say?"

Farra and Asahi said, "No."

Asahi replied, "Well, for all we know, she could be under MIO's control!"

Sena gasped, "MIO?"

He replied, "It's true. She's of the Power Core kind."

Sena cried, "I'm not a robot! I'm not one of them!"

Steven held her uniform and barked, "Where's your gem?"

Farra pushed him back and said, "Pervert! Step back! We can't be so sure…"

She grabbed her school uniform and opened it, "Lemme do it~!"

Farra opened her white shirt, as Sena gasped in horror, showing a dark purple bra. Farra smiled, "See? No Power Core…"

She gasped, "Eh?"

Asahi said, "That means one thing…"

Mundy sighed, "She's human…"

Farra giggled nervously, "EH, heh, heh, heh, heh… Uh, sorry about that, Miss Aoi… but-."

Sena roared, "GRAAAAAAAAAAH!"

SOCK! POW!
"YOU FUCKING PERVERT!" Sena hollered, as she assaulted Farra.

Farra fell to the ground, badly bruised and beaten up. She moaned, "Ungh… She… gotta good… left hook…"

Steven snuffed, "Idiot."

Mundy barked, "Wait… How can she strike you, with her hands, behind her back?"

Sena huffed, "I was going to help you… But I changed my mind…"

Asahi said, as she helped Farra up, "Forgive Farra, Miss Aoi… We thought-."

"I'm a slave to MIO? Hardly. I'm human…"

Steven said, "Obviously…"

Sena said, "But when you said her name, it made me recognize you, right off the bat, before you had to arrest me. You're whom my mother referred to… The Saviors of the Multiverse… Or, in this fashion, The Reckless Bunch."

Mundy said, "That's their moniker. I'm one of the newest members."

Sena smiled, "I knew it… Michelle told me much about you guys…"

Asahi asked, "Michelle? As in our Michelle? Hold on… You don't mean… Michelle Nevins?"

Sena nodded, "Yes."

Asahi was crushed, turning white, as Farra moaned, "Man… Who knew we run into her friends?"

Sena barked, "That's all and well, but… CAN YOU UNCUFF ME?"

Steven said, as he walked to her, "If you are against MIO, then I have no problem. But I don't trust you…"

Farra stated, "Long story."

Sena said, "Oh. So, you knew about Mr. Nevins, as well… I'm deeply sorry."

Steven replied, "More than that. So, what's your story?"

Sena said, "Well, I was on my way to stop a fiendish mall that just opened… and few girls were disappearing… I figured it's something to do with the department store called "Casa de Muñecas"."

"Casa de Muñecas?" Farra asked, "That was the place I used to work in, long ago!"

Sena asked, "Huh?"

Farra said, "But… That place has been closed for years, after it went out of business…"

Mundy asked, "Uh, what are you talking about?"

Asahi said, "Eh?"

Farra blushed, "Uh… AHEM! Well, we'll talk, after we head to Casa de Muñecas. I'll drive, and Asa, you get shotgun… because someone has to watch her!"

He nodded, "Good call. But next time, I get shotgun."

He added, "But not after you tell me about this Casa de Muñecas, Farra!"

Asahi said, "I'm so curious…"

Steven called, "Sena, you hop in the back, and follow us. Gang, to the BattleVan!"

They raced off, as a woman in shadows was watching on, from behind the corner. She whispered, "Casa de Muñecas… She's going back…"

She disappeared into the shadows, as the others head to the van.

XXXXX

As they were driving, Farra explained her story of the department store she worked in, long ago.
"Well, Casa de Muñecas is a department store, and they're best known of their employees to stand still, much often. See, they are talented pros, but they don't pose still, like me… I can hold still for four to six hours. I'm what you call "A Living Mannequin". When I was only 16, I wanted to work part-time in New York, and I found an ad of a new place that is opening… I did it on rare occasions, if not sorting boxes, selling perfume, and fixing displays. When the boss saw me, I was the perfect mannequin… and she gave me a full-time role as display mannequin… But that lasted until eight years, and left… Bad economy was the reason. I was a bit unsettling, but at least I had a great job… Since then, before you came along, I was unemployed."

She thought, as she was unhappy, "But… It's not the job, in which I enjoy… It's actually the boss… Miss Pollyanna… I wanted to quit, earlier, but… Something felt my way back to it… Casa de Muñecas… I wish I knew…"

Steven asked, "You alright?"

Asahi said, "Wow… I never knew much about you, Farra. Can you teach me how to pose like a statue?"

Farra said, "Well, once this whole ordeal with MIO is over, I'll be glad to."

Asahi giggled, as Mundy asked Sena, "So, curious… The store closed, when Farra worked there for eight long years… Why are you investigating it?"

Sena said, "I happen to be a Ty Ko Ky agent… I saw some weird stuff going on, since the end of the Decency Nation Capital, long ago. I inspected the place and learned that about nine girls went in the store, but never came out…"

Farra replied, "Well, we should visit this Casa de Muñecas cover… If she is here…"

Mundy asked, "Who? MIO?"

Farra whispered, "Someone like that…"

They continued to drive, as a woman in long black hair and eyeglasses, and wearing a red and blue two-tone one-piece scuba dress, black leggings, and a white jacket was following them, riding a purple Vespa. She quietly followed them, as Farra saw her on the rearview mirror. She said, "Uh, guys…"

She stated that someone is behind them, and she is riding on a scooter. Farra looked at the side mirror and asked, "Eh? Is that-?"

She then shook her head and said, "No… It couldn't be…"

They continued to drive to Casa de Muñecas, with the mysterious lady following them.

Minutes later, The Gang (Team A-Fist) arrives in Casa de Muñecas. It was a huge department store building. Farra said, as she was worried, "Hunh… Not what I expected from the olden days… I never knew they reopened to a modernized version of it… But it's been over a decade, since last time. Let's visit the place…"

Sena said, "No. We'll enter the back door. Even if you would, this is no time for shopping."

Farra replied, "Right… I wonder… Do the girls that used to work here, long ago, remember me?"

Steven barked, "Focus, you Barbie Doll! We're on-duty! You can reminisce, later!"

Farra pouted, "Assholes…"

They walked together to the back, as Sena said, "Well, unfortunately, I'm perplexed by this store… How can Casa de Muñecas, also known as the Dollhouse in Spanish, open up and take innocent lives?"

Mundy replied, "Well, the store is well-groomed and very sterile. Besides, how bad can it be?"

The door opened, as a man in a thin body, wearing a velvet suit and a pink coif, was admiring himself. He said, "Oh, you beauty… I want to know if anyone else is hiring…"

He saw the three girls, as he said, "OHHH! Look at you, you cutie~!"

Mundy asked, "Who is that?"

Steven sighed, "Please tell me we're not in a movie from the 1980s…"

The man admired Asahi, as Asahi blushed, "Uh… Thank you…"

He turned to Sena and replied, "And oh, what a cute girl, in dark hair… And such a build…"

He then turned to Farra, and saw her wearing her blue long-sleeved shirt, jeans, and red sneakers. Farra turned away and blushed, shrugging herself. He smiled and said, "Oh, YOU! You're perfect! Such a woman, of your age, to be that young and sexy!"

Farra moaned, "Uh… thanks…"

He said, "I don't need your interviews… You three are hired! Welcome aboard~!"

Steven cleared his throat and said, "AHEM! Sir, we do not mean to be rude, but… we're not here for a hiring…"

He was about to introduce himself, as the man scoffed, "Ew! Me no likey the bold and daring look… and that black guy, in his rugged outdoors style… You're ick, but then again, I only hire women… No need to be rude, but I am not sexist… I'm for style~!"

Sena cried, as she was pulled in, "Wha-, WAIT A SEC-!"

SLAM!
He pulled the girls inside, as Steven asked, "What was that about?"

Mundy said, "This guy… This bloke thinks he found new employees! And he turned on us, saying we're "ick"!"

Steven glared at the door and said, "Sena said that girls are disappearing in the store… because of this place… Casa de Muñecas… Casa de Muñecas… What is the key to this?"

Mundy said, "Never mind… We'll wait for Farra and Asahi to come back…"

Inside, Farra, Asahi, and Sena were in a locker room, as they were embarrassed. Farra blushed, "This is embarrassing…"

Sena sighed, "I don't know…"

The man returned, as he said, giving out uniforms, "Here you are, my dear ladies… This is what you're wearing…"

The uniforms they are wearing are two piece maid outfits, all colored in pink. Farra asked, "Uh… Pink doesn't clash with my hair… Do you have one in blue?"

The man said, "Oh, you wanted a blue sexy outfit?"

Farra shivered, "Uh, I…"

The man smiled, "Sorry. Fresh out. Wear what we give you, and don't worry… We'll get you a blue sexy outfit. Ladies, get dressed and show yourselves!"

He walked off, as Sena sighed, "Do you realize that this is a creep?"

Asahi changed, as she said, "Well, I don't mind it… I mean, we are investigating this place…"

Sena asked, "Eh? You're still convinced this is safe?"

Farra said, "You said do, yourself. Something's weird about this damnable place. We'll play along, and then we'll punch out."

Sena replied, "Well, yes. If you say it's true, then I'll trust you guys…"

As they were changing into their maid outfits, Farra asked, "So, lemme get this straight… You actually an agent of an organization called Ty Ko Ky, and you knew Michelle… Our Michelle… How did you guys meet?"

Sena explained, "Well, it started in Wind Knight's Lot in England… I arrived, along with my sister, Shiina, to assist Tohka Yatogami, another sister of ours. Miss Nevins, along with Hotaru Speedwagon, was traveling the doomed city to find MIO…"

Sena explained the time she had, in the first encounter with the vampire gynoid, MIO, in England. Sena said that she, her sisters, her mother, Queen Tia, Michelle, and Hotaru were fighting MIO, and even Steven Nevins, who sided with the vampire. During the battle, Shiina died in Steven Nevins' wrathful attack, and Tohka was killed from a poison blade to the back, saving her mother. However, Michelle, with a Power Core in her pocket, gave her ultimate power, and she defeated Steven Nevins and MIO.

"Whoa… Michelle did all that?" Asahi said, "And all it took was the love of a girl she cared for…"

Farra sighed, "I thought it was something else, being she's gay…"

Sena replied, "True, Miss Nevins had a lesbian love for Yui, but she was considered Yui's guardian angel… right before the incident… in the Atlantic Ocean."

She asked Farra, "So, it's true… MIO's still alive?"

Farra replied, "Horrible experience… MIO regained a brand-new body… Stephanie McMahon's body…"

Asahi added, "She was one with a pure heart, with a crown on her back…"

She showed her diamond scar and said, "I have the same thing as MIO, only mine's a diamond. My boyfriend, Chazz, has a star."

Sena whispered, "Wow… How did you earn it?"

Asahi said, "Well, I am of pure heart, like Farra, only she holds the Precious Stones… I don't. Right, Farra?"

Farra said, "Yep. Mine's the Flare Cell and the Bird Wing. I use it as a powerful element in the art of Ho-Oh Sairen Ken."

Sena nodded, "I see… And you lived up to your name. I've heard of your great stories, since the Imperial Lobby incident, which was, around the same time, as MIO invading Wind Knight's Lot. You stopped X Prohibition, you saved cities, you even helped out on certain allies… But it's no wonder why they credited you as criminals."

Asahi said, "That's Triple H's doing. We let Miss McMahon die, and he slaps bounties on us, out of anger and spite."

Sena replied, "I see… Asahi Sakurai – Mech-Asahi – Bounty of only $5 million… Steven Cooke's worth a hundred times more than you. And you, Farra Stevens, Bounty of $120 million…"

Farra said, "You felt his power… You've never seen him in his destructive side. This guy, unlike Mr. Nevins, is a pure harbinger of death. Why else did he kill Anna Nishikinomiya?"

Sena adjusted her maid outfit and said, "Well… I admit that her family's laws are somewhat corrupt, but how you stopped the world from wearing those horrid panties… Top notch."

Asahi stated, "If X Prohibition was to have passed, MIO would've taken the world… and the multiverse, along with it."

They prepared themselves, as Sena sighed, "Well… If you guys are experts, I guess I cannot stop you…"

They walked together, as they were getting ready for work.

XXXXX

Hours later, Steven and Mundy went to a window, as they saw Sena, Farra, and Asahi posing as mannequins, in a display window. Steven said, as he groaned, "I guess this is her true calling…"

Mundy said, "Nah, they'll be back. They know what they're doing. Come on. Let's go."

Hours ago, before Farra went to the window, she told Steven, "Well, this is pretty much a girls-only mission here, so, you and Mundy tell Scarlet that we got this, right here. I mean, you can handle it, on your own, right?"

He smiled and said, calming himself down, "Good luck, old friend…"

They walked together, returning to HQ, as Farra looked on, still in a pose, "Thanks, man…"

As they were posing, a man in a white shirt and brown slacks, wearing glasses, was viewing the action, from inside the store. He smiled, as he said, "They're beautiful… They may be perfect ones…"

He looked at the clipboard and read the names. He noticed Farra's name, and said, "Hmm… Farra Stevens, 37-years old… Says here that she used to work in the old Casa de Muñecas, long ago, when she was 16… Eight years, closed down due to budget issues, and a pro-mannequin."

He grinned, "I like her…"

As they continued to pose, the same woman in black hair and glasses watched on. She had a calm look on her face, showing no smile. She nodded and said, "Indeed. Something is up."

Casa de Muñecas… a beautiful shop… Or is it?
Stay tuned to the next chapter, as mysteries surround the store!

To be continued…