Remember last time? Farra chases after a mysterious woman that is eyeing the department store. Meanwhile, Asahi is in the backroom, wearing a mysterious brooch that fell the same fate as Sena Aoi.

Farra called, "You're under arrest, bitch! AAW-New York!"

The woman spoke, hiding in the shadows, "I know who you are, Farra Stevens…"

"Huh? How did you-?"

"Miss Pollyanna… She never had a son, she had an heir… And her name is not Andrews!"

"I know it's not! But… Wait… Who are you?"

"You'll know, soon enough… If I were you, I won't let Asahi Sakurai be a mannequin, too. Think about it!"

She leapt upwards, over the steel fence, and dashed away, disappearing into the night.

Farra then thought, "Who the hell was she-?"

She gasped, as she thought, "Miss Pollyanna has a-, wait… Her name wasn't Andrews, beca-. Oh, shit!"

She cried, as she turned to the building, "ASAHI!"

She ran back to Casa de Muñecas, only to realize that she's too late.

XXXXX

At the department store, moments later, Coco was searching the lockers, and found Asahi's wallet and badge. He gasped, as he thought, "These girls… They're detectives?"

Episode XXIV – Chapter 3: Farra's Inescapable Past!
A Phoenix Mounted!

Farra raced back to Casa de Muñecas, as she growled, "Shit! Shit! Shit! NO! ASAHI! If that is true… then… NO! I won't believe it! That creep, Coco! HE did it to Sena, like what he'll do to Asahi! I would fly, but MIO's henchmen are usually around!"

She raced back to the front door and bust in. She cried out, "ASAHI!"

Coco appeared, as he giggled, "Ahhhh, my dear Farra Stevens… Just the cute girl I will meet, tonight."

Farra cracked her knuckles and barked, "And just the asshole that I want to beat up!"

"Huh? What are you say-?"

POW!
She landed a swift right to his face and roared, "I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT, YOU COCO!"

He dropped to the floor and was moaning. She kneeled onto his stomach and roared, "TALK, YOU BASTARD! What have you done to Asahi?"

Coco asked, "Who?"

Farra yelled, "Where's Asahi? Don't tell me you did it to her, like you did Sena!"

Coco pleaded, "Please, do not hurt me! I am innocent! My boss, he was in need of new-."

"Mr. Andrews is innocent! YOU did this to obtain cute women, as mannequins, you pervert!"
"WHAT? What are you saying?"

Farra slugged him in the chest and said, "Start talking, you son of a bitch!"

Coco moaned, "I… ungh… I had no idea you two were cops… And I… was aware of… Casa de Muñecas being open, again…"

Farra yelled, "Quit lying! I smelled it in your hair… and it's cheap!"

Coco pleaded, "No! Miss Pollyanna would want you to be that vicious!"

She asked, "How do you know her name?"

Coco sobbed, "That's because… … … That's because Polly Anne is my mother…"

Farra seethed, as she revved her fiery fists, "YOU'RE FUCKING DEAD, YOU COCKSU-!"

"NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO! I MEAN IT! YOU HAVE ME ALL WRONG!"

"What's Miss Pollyanna's real name?"

Coco sniffled, "Polly Anne… ungh… uh… Polly Anne Martinez!"

Farra gasped, as she whispered, "My god… … … You're right… But why? Who are you?"

Coco confessed, "My… I didn't want to harm Parker Andrews' merchandise, only because of mi madré's business… My real name is Luther Montrose Martinez. I was Miss Pollyanna's son. She gave me the rights to own the Casa de Muñecas, upon her death. She died, seven years ago, after undergoing leukemia. She gave me the rights to reopen Casa de Muñecas, as a small outlet shop, but the economy was going down… But then… one day, Parker Andrews came into my call, and offered to reopen for his business."

Farra got off and said, "Miss Pollyanna is dead? I'm so sorry… But why? Why work for Mr. Andrews, if you're the proprietor of this establishment?"

Luther said, "I'm not… I own only a majority of the company. Parker purchased the company, and wanted to be co-owner. Sadly, it was only worth 60% of the company, making him the majority owner."

"You can't get away with that! Why wouldn't you sue him?"

"I know what he did was wrong for the sake of my business… but don't you get it? This is what my Mama wanted… To bring Casa de Muñecas back to life… and the return, a part of the 21st century's future of modern times. And then, you showed up, The Perfect Mannequin, in which Mama admired you for… But in your age now, you still got it… You'd never leave Casa de Muñecas, but you abandoned the dream, once it opened."

"I never did abandon it. I wanted to stay, but money was the problem. I know it was fun, because I was perfect as a model, but The Gang, my rock band and my friends, is now my true calling. My life as a living statue was long over… but I never missed it. Miss Pollyanna was a nice woman… and she taught me everything about holding still and showing a sex appeal… but I can't lose everything, because she made me what I am, today! I have changed, since… and I'm still a beautiful woman… But…"

She stood up and said, "It's only because I have a future… Miss Pollyanna never spoke to me, since the store closed… and I went on to bigger futures. But she said that if I were to perform as a pro model, again, it has to be something like this… Casa de Muñecas… This was my home… But I'm happy being NOT Farra Stevens, the Perfect Mannequin… I'm happy being Farra Stevens, rock star and detective…"

She helped Luther up and said, "I'm sorry, Luther… I didn't mean to be this mean… but I had a hunch on what became of Asahi and Sena…"

Luther said, "It's alright. I had no hand in it. I washed my hands on helping Mr. Andrews…"

Farra thought, "So… If it wasn't you… then, that means…"

She gasped, as she was furious, "Oh, my god… THAT SON OF A BITCH!"

She rushed to the backroom, as Luther cried, "NO! WAIT! DON'T GO NEAR PARKER! IT'S A TRAP! FARRA! FARRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAA!"

XXXXX

She busted the door down and called out, "PARKER! WHERE ARE YOU, YOU SON OF A BITCH?"

She looked around, "ASAHI? Where are you?"

Parker appeared, as he smiled, "Ah, Farra Stevens…"

She snarled, "Don't play nice to me, you bastard… I QUIT! And also, you're under arrest…"

Parker asked, "Why are you making a citizen's arrest?"

She held up her badge and said, "Because, sucka… The girls disappearing, turning them into mannequins… Cute women as mannequins… on display in Casa de Muñecas… from Coco's ownership… IT WAS YOU, WASN'T IT?"

He grinned evilly and said, "Yes, it was…"

Farra said, "Who are you? You own this place, only to take the dream away from Miss Pollyanna!"

Parker asked, "And my mother gave me rights to own it, my friend…"

Farra smirked, "No… Miss Pollyanna… You said that she's Miss Pollyanna Andrews, because she's your mother… However, Coco claims that he's related to his late mother, calling him Mi Madré. Do you know why? Because Polly Anne Andrews is actually Polly Anne Martinez! I know her, because I worked for Casa de Muñecas, the first one, long ago, when she was sole owner and manager of the place! You're not her son! You just did it to achieve your evil plans, whatever it is! So, I'm going to make things clear on you, Parker Andrews… if that's your real name!"

Parker grinned, "Well done, Farra Stevens, the Perfect Mannequin… Or should I call you, Farra Stevens, the Heart Ace of The Gang?"

Farra stepped back, as she snarled, "You son of a bitch…"

She growled, "You're going to pay for this, you asshole! What did you do to Asahi?"

He said, "Her? Well, she's-."

"NO! Don't answer… I want to know… What did you do to Asahi and Sena?"

"You want to know? You're the bitchy little mannequin, are you? Perfect in every fiber inside you, your joints are exact, and your body is slimmed and well-shaped… You're curious about me? You should know…"

"Fine… Do you know of MIO?"

"Who?"

"MIO!" Farra barked.

Parker smirked, "Oh… MIO, the vampire queen… I've heard legends about her. And when this Ty Ko Ky warrior is now a mannequin, forever, we can deliver her soul, to MIO's collection…"

"Soul?"

Parker hissed, as he said, "I am of the power core of Temperance! I am Parker Andrews, and my Spirit Caller is… Model Temperance!"

Farra gasped, "Temperance? No… So it's true!"

Temperance means a moderation of action, thought, or meaning; it is also meaning restraint or control; and is the 14th card in the Tarot deck. In ancient times, Temperance mostly means to control restraint towards alcohol, abstinence, and sobriety. Farra's is The Sun, the nineteenth card in the Tarot, which means enlightenment, innocence, and hope for the future. She has recently reached enlightenment, three years ago, in the Avian Village, earning her new powers.

Parker smiled, "Do not worry, my dear… For I, Parker Andrews, will make you a permanent employee to the Casa de Muñecas family… even for an experienced snooper like you…"

"I don't snoop. I fight. You have a problem with me, take it with the powers of… PHOENIX SUN!"

Her fiery aura boomed out, as Parker smiled, "Oh, believe me, you're such a fireball… It's no wonder you're that explosive… Not like your precious Polly Anne Martinez, your former mentor."

Farra snarled, as she charged at Parker, "DAMN YOU! LEAVE MISS POLLYANNA OUT OF THIS!"

She landed a barrage of punches, but Parker avoided them, easily, "Damn! He's avoiding my fiery barrage! He's still calm, like a mysterious pervert! If he's supposed to be a doll collector, why take it out on me? He's…"

She dropped to the ground and panted, "Ungh… Son of a bitch… How are you that calm?"

Parker said, "You're graceful and of beauty, and the perfect mannequin… And for this reason, mannequins are not like humans… All they do is stay still… Whereas you, are calm in your heart, but you cannot grasp your inner control of your anger. That is why… YOU FAILED!"

She kneeled down in anger, and growled, "You're a fucking lunatic!"

He smiled, "Am I? I told you… Your self-will and self-discipline makes you a perfectly build doll. Like your friend, over here…"

She gasped, as a spotlight is shone onto a lone mannequin in black hair, wearing a pink two-piece swimsuit. Farra shouted, "NO! Asahi… What have you done to her?"

She roared, as he smirked, "YOU BASTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARD!"

She swung her fists towards Parker, but he kept dodging them. She thought, as she was shocked, "No… What's… wrong with me? I… I can't hit him… I… can't… strike…"

He said, as he was avoiding her fists, "Pitiful… You're just a statue, slow and immobile. I have my self-restraint from hurting you, since you're delicate. And all mannequins… ARE FRAGILE!"

A male figure appeared from within his body, as it was wooden and with golden eyes. Farra gasped, as the Spirit Caller lunged his legs onto Farra's body.

BOOT!
He kicked her in the ribs and she dropped to the floor. She moaned, on all-fours, "Why? Why is he… that… calm?"

He smiled, "You're a poor pitiful girl, Stevens… It's no wonder you abandoned your true calling, for those immoral rockers… This… Farra Stevens… is where you belong… Casa de Muñecas… Remember that name… For your Pollyanna… Casa de Muñecas…"

Farra seethed, as she was spitting out blood, "Go to hell! I cannot… go back…"

Parker smiled calmly and said, "It's easy that you're a woman of age… But me, I lived long to see this place reopen, under my image… and for your mentor's favor… Living Mannequins… and you're a part of it, likewise Asahi Sakurai and Sena Aoi…"

Farra grumbled, crawling to his feet, "Bastard…"

She was hurt, as she was standing up, "Ungh… It's not true… What's wrong… with me? I can't… fight him…"

Parker laughs, as Farra's eyes went blurry. She moaned, as she was thinking, "I… what's wrong with… Ungh, my… my body is… it's burning…"

His Spirit Caller picked her up and Parker said, "Now… It's time to end this moment… Yes, it was me that got all these beautiful girls into my store. Yes, I was the one that turned them into mannequins. And yes, I have already taken your friends, and YES, I knew you were a cop, from day one, Farra Stevens of AAW-New York! Even if you DO fight back, I have no weakness! Temptation draws within you, doesn't it? And the place that you once called home, before you reached womanhood, you can't resist going back! My Spirit Caller is not a fighter, but assists me in capturing beautiful girls… including one who's still young as she looks. You're still too beautiful to stay on as the perfect model."

He hissed, "Face it, Stevens… Temperance has no weakness. And you have no self-restraint."

She was standing straight, as steam emit the entire backroom. She gasped, as she was looking around, "It… It can't… be…"

Parker smiled, "Welcome home… Farra…"

He laughed, as Farra was slowly stiffening. Parker held up a blueberry brooch and said, "Also, I noticed you're into blue… It's a good thing that I looked through your needs. And do not worry… Once you become one of your own kind, again, you'll thank me, later…"

He removed Farra's shirt, showing her bare skin. He placed the blueberry brooch on her chest, and Farra was resisting to the temptations.

"NO… I… I can't… It's… not… true…" she moaned, slowly turning into a mannequin, "I'm… Help me… Steven… Help… me… … … Miss… Pollyanna… For… give me… I… … … … I… … …"

Her body was completely wooden, with her smile shown and her eyes blank. She was completely a mannequin, as Parker held the blueberry brooch in his hands. He smiled, "Beautiful… The perfect mannequin, now belongs to me…"

He stripped her into naked, as he locked the door. He then held up a protective mouth mask and said, "Now… It's time to begin… Sena, Asahi, and Farra… Let's begin the makeover…"

He started to remove Farra's head, detaching her head from her body, and placed it on the table. He then removed her arms from her body, and separated her upper body and lower body. He then started to repaint her skin, using an airbrush and a swatch, to match her normal skin color, all over her bare body parts. He then attached a small peg into Farra's head's neckhole. He placed the head up straight and said, examining her hair, "That hair has got to go… Your blonde hair is beautiful… But your blue highlight… not so much…"

He held her blue streak and re-dyed the blue streak to her blonde color. He left the head to set, overnight, as he turned to Asahi. He added, "Well, while we let our perfect mannequin dry her skin and her hair, it's your turn… All we need is your hair groomed to a wavy style, and your skin a polished alabaster shine. But first…"

He removed Asahi's mannequin head, twisting it off. He turned her upper body around, showing her bare back. He then smiled, holding up the airbrush, and painted in Asahi's flesh color. What he also did was paint over Asahi's diamond scar, covering it completely. He then smiled, and removed her upper body, and placed it on the table. He reattached her head and removed her bikini top, with her long black hair covering her breasts. He then turned off the lights and said, "Sleep tight, my dear mannequins… Tomorrow is your time to shine… forever…"

He left the backroom, leaving a cold dead silence in the room, as Farra Stevens and Asahi Sakurai have become permanent models for Casa de Muñecas, in Parker Andrews' display show.

The next day, Steven Cooke was on the phone, trying to pick up Farra.

"Come on… Farra, where are you, you idiot?" he growled, as he waited, "Farra… Damn it, pick up!"

He slammed the receiver and roared, "FUCK HER!"

Mundy said, "It's been two days… And they haven't left the department store?"

"No… Now, I'm worried…" Steven said, "It's not like the girls to be absent."

Mundy replied, "We might as well go to Casa de Muñecas, despite that the fruity bloke doesn't want us to join."

Steven agreed, and they prepared to go. But Scarlet appeared and called, "And where do you two think you're going?"

Steven said, "Casa de Muñecas."

Scarlet huffed, "That place? This is Agent Stevens' bag. She and Asahi have this. I got the memo, last night. They'll handle this job."

Mundy asked, "But, ma'am… It's not like them to be late… Do you think they have fallen?"

She replied, "No. Knowing The Gang's Aces, they can get the job done. In the meantime, a mission came up, and since Mizuki's being treated, Stevens and Sakurai busy, and the others in god knows where… You two are the only ones for the job. Here."

She gave them a folder, as she replied, "Aside from the old department store of Farra's past, trouble has endured in New Jersey. Enzo Amore needs your assistance on the job. A helicopter is on waiting, as trouble in Jersey continues…"

Steven said, "What about Farra and Asahi?"

Scarlet barked, "Shut up about those two, for once, and think for yourself!"

She comforted him and said, "Look… I'm worried, too… But they'll be fine. I promise. They won't fail this mission… I hope…"

Mundy said, "You say that like it's a bad thing…"

Scarlet barked, "Oh, shut up!"

She left, as Steven felt worried. Mundy said, "It's alright. Farra's fine. She does care for you."

Steven replied, "Yeah, right… She does love me, but she's already loyal to Percival."

"It's not that. You did battles, without her. But now, you got me, since the others are heading to Egypt, while Farra and Asahi are holding their own."

Steven replied, "You're right… She'll be fine. I'm going to be going to New Jersey, and then check and see what she's up to…"

They departed to their transport, as they were headed to New Jersey.

XXXXX

The next day, at Casa de Muñecas, Parker returned and reattached Asahi whole, leaving her only naked, and wrapped in clear plastic. He then turned to Farra and said, "You're now perfect… NO blue streak… NO movement… NO faults…"

He placed the blueberry brooch on her and said, "But just to be sure…"

Farra returned to human form, emotionless and with her body immovable. He jabbed his finger onto her face, poking her skin. He then said, "No response. Perfect… You're beautiful now, with no faults… You're what you are now… just a mannequin. But a perfect one…"

Farra spoke in an emotionless voice, "I am a mannequin. I am made of wood. I am a mannequin. I am a mannequin."

Parker hugged her and whispered, "Yes. With who you really are now gone, you're a new Farra Stevens…"

Farra spoke, "I am not Farra. I am a mannequin. I am made of wood."

He smiled, "Oh, right… No soul inside you, and your body now different, means you're a whole different person now."

He kissed her on the lips, and Farra's eyes suddenly water. She then said, as she was still stiff-moving, "I am a mannequin. I am not Farra. I am not Farra. I am a mannequin. I am made of wood…"

She then trailed off, "I am… made of… wood… I am a mannnnnnne… quinnnnnnnnnnn…"

She changed back to her mannequin form. Farra's body remained with a smile, and he smirked, "Goodbye, Farra Stevens, and hello, the perfect mannequin."

He unscrewed her head off and placed it into a box. Her body was taken apart. He placed all her parts into a cardboard box and sorted them out. He said, as he was about to close the lid, "The Perfect Mannequin… is finally home…"

As he shut the lid, a woman in a mauve dress called out, "OH! We need that mannequin, sir!"

Parker asked, "Huh? Her?"

"The blonde one."

Parker said, "Alright, fine… Make sure she's in the lingerie section, on display. This one, in plastic, will be in the warehouse."

He carried the Asahi mannequin away, as the woman picked up the box.

XXXXX

Minutes later, Farra was whole, as the woman was brushing her long blonde hair. She was wearing a white bra and panties, with a white garterbelt and stockings. She was posed with her left hand on her hip, and her right arm down. Farra was beside Sena, in her red lingerie, posing with her right hand on her head, and her left arm on her hip, posing in a sexy pose. They were on a white pedestal, being displayed for the newest lingerie.

Meanwhile, as the woman was finishing up with the display, the same woman that called to Farra, last night, was outside the building, seeing the aftermath.

"I was too late…" she said, "Farra Stevens is doomed. She's a mannequin, forever… Miss Pollyanna… Why?"

She turned away, as Coco, or Luther, appeared to her. He said, as he was annoyed, "Parker didn't like you, because you're snoopy… So close to finding out, too…"

She huffed, "I don't care. I failed my mission…"

Luther said, "No. It's not over. You can save Farra, without Parker knowing."

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine… He still keeps me, because of my wildish charm to the cute girls…" Luther said, as he held the girl's hand, "I'm lucky he never fired me. I would resign, but he needed me."

She sighed, as she turned away, feeling unhappy. She then asked, "Luther!"

He stopped by the doors and said, "If… you really want to save Mother's legacy of Casa de Muñecas, you have to stop Parker. Just save Farra Stevens… and Mother will have her legacy back."

The woman said, "I… I do not understand, Luther…"

He winked, "You'll find a way… Cassandra…"

He went inside, as Cassandra sighed, "Farra… Mother will understand… Pollyanna Martinez's legacy… will not be besmirched… I will free you of your porcelain shell, and return you to the land of the living…"

She waited outside, as she smiled, "Farra, you are a mannequin, forever… But not for long. I, Cassandra Juliet Martinez, will see to it that he will not succeed. I have to get in there… but how?"

XXXXX

At a warehouse, blocks away from Casa de Muñecas, Asahi was placed in a line of mannequins, on a wall, and remained in plastic. Parker said, as he looked at Asahi, holding up her gold bracelet, "You won't be needing this, anymore, Asahi Sakurai… Welcome to your new life… From Gynoid of Legends… to Mannequin of Beauty…"

He walked away, as the silence resumed, leaving Asahi all naked and alone, in a warehouse full of extra mannequins needed. Asahi remained stiff, lifeless, and silent.

XXXXX

Parker was in his office, as he placed Asahi's bracelet in his drawer. He turned to a wall, and viewed the brooches of the apple, strawberry, and blueberry, with the cute eyes. He then nodded, and dialed the number. He was delivering the brooches to an exclusive customer.

"Hello? Operator? Give me a directory to Egypt…"

Parker is about to send the souls of Farra, Asahi, and Sena to MIO. If they get delivered to Egypt, Farra and Asahi will remain mannequins, forever. Will he succeed at the delivery?

That night, Luther looked at the Farra mannequin, and then stroked her long blonde hair. He then said, as he was upset, "You blamed me for this heinous act, and now you're forevermore made of wood… But I won't let Parker Andrews have his way… For mi madré… for mi familia… and for Casa de Muñecas…"

He held up a cellphone and dialed Cassandra, "Cassandra, it's Luther… We have to rescue Señora Stevens. Do as I say, and we'll get her out… Come by to the store, tomorrow… alone…"

Episode XXIV – End

Steven Cooke and Mundy Gooden are heading to New Jersey, unknown to the tragic outcome of Farra Stevens and Asahi Sakurai. And what of Cassandra Martinez, and her role in this story?
Find out in the next episode!

To be continued…