Last time, Farra Stevens and Asahi Sakurai, alongside Sena Aoi, enter a mysterious department store, Casa de Muñecas, the same name as Farra's old job, from long ago. But trouble stirred, when Parker Andrews, the manager, was stealing innocent girls, turning them into mannequins.

To make things worse off, he subdued Sena, then Asahi, and then, after easily defeating her, he obtained Farra, who was dubbed "The Perfect Mannequin". After failing to land a punch, a bewildered and shocked Farra became one of Parker's mannequins.

Meanwhile, a mysterious woman was watching the store, outside, learning the awful truth. Coco, the man who hired the three girls, is named Luther Montrose Martinez. The girl outside is Cassandra Juliet Martinez. They are both related to the late Polly Anne Martinez, the founder of the Casa de Muñecas franchise. Upon learning that Parker is giving the brooches away to MIO, the Martinez Siblings seek action.

That night, Parker left the store and said, "Hey, lock up for me, Coco! I have to leave earlier, for an important meeting."

Luther said, "Sure thing, boss. I'll watch those pretty mannequins for you."

Parker smiled and said, "Thanks. Sorry that Miss Stevens thrashed you…"

Luther said, "Oh, she thought I was jumping to conclusions… You go on ahead."

Parker left, as Luther waited. After ten minutes, he went to the back and carried the Farra mannequin to the backroom.

Episode XXV – Chapter 1: Infiltration!
Cassandra the Fool!

Minutes later, Farra was stripped naked, as Luther admired her body, "For a mannequin, you're still sexy as you look."

The vent on the wall started to unscrew itself. Cassandra appeared from the vents and hopped out. She then leapt onto her feet and said, "Infiltration complete."

Luther smiled, "You're just in time, Cassandra…"

Cassandra said, "Where's Miss Sakurai and Miss Sena?"

Luther said, "Never mind them. But… can you do me a favor and examine her?"

Cassandra held her glasses and looked at the mannequin. She nodded and said, "Uh-huh… Just as I feared…"

She replied, "All life signs show none… She's gone… Farra Stevens' life energy is diminished to zero…"

Luther said, "No… Something must've drained her life away."

She said to him, "Luther, you can't think such things. Miss Stevens… She's a mannequin…"

She knocked on her head, making a hollow sound. She added, "Even so, I wish I knew what…"

Luther realized, "The… The brooches… Wait a minute… I created the brooches for cute designs… but…"

"Qué?"

"The brooches of the fruits? He said that he'd borrow my pins… Could he-? He wouldn't!"

"Luther, brother, it couldn't be so…"

"Maybe not… But Parker may have the brooches in his office. Cassandra, search his office."

She said, "Understood."

She walked off, as she stated, "I saw a glimpse of him, on the phone, the other day, sitting his office. I know exactly where he is."

Luther said, "You do that… In the meantime… I'll return Farra to her display podium."

He redressed her in blue lingerie and said, "That perverted freak… He ruined her identity… and now she's a mannequin… I knew I would've sued, but-."

Cassandra stopped and said, "Luther. Mi madre wanted her dream to be renewed… not depraved… Do not deny that mama left it to you, and be secondary owner… This isn't her dream."

She went to Parker's office, as Luther felt uneasy.

XXXXX

Outside, at the dead of night, Parker was waiting for a woman in pink hair, wearing a black hood. She said, "Parker Andrews?"

He said, "You came…"

She replied, "I only come for proof, for my Lady MIO. My name Yuno Gasai. I am of the pink topaz of the Fuji Gems. It's nice to finally meet you, Temperance of the Tarot."

Parker gave Yuno a folder of pictures, showing the three mannequins of his victims, including Farra. Yuno smiled and grinned, showing her vampire fangs, "Beautiful… So perfect in every way… I believe that Farra Stevens, The Gang's firebird, has been turned?"

"Indeed. Casa de Muñecas is the store she forever hails from. Now, no longer a part of the problem to your boss. I also have Asahi Sakurai, the Diamond Ace."

"You did good. You defeated Mech-Asahi… Now, I come for the deal."

"Yes. I have what you wanted, and they're back in my office. Why don't we go together and you can retrieve it?"

He smiled, but she said, "No. If I go, right now, they may cause suspicion. I will head to Casa de Muñecas, tomorrow, for the pick-up. You sure they are all there?"

"Three brooches, made for your boss, and more…"

Yuno smiled, "Splendid… See you tomorrow night…"

She vanished in the darkness, as Parker smirked evilly, "Thank you, my friend… Shame that you won't become a mannequin, too… with such a posture."

He walked off, returning to the department store.

Meanwhile, at Casa de Muñecas, Luther and Cassandra were outside, as he locked up. Luther said, "Now, remember, if we can use the brooches you found, then we have Mr. Andrews on the ropes."

Cassandra said, "Do not worry. I have located his fruit brooches. However, unlocking the display case is tough. I want to reach for it, but I noticed that his security is tighter. I will have to decode the display case, before trouble begins."

Luther said, "Indeed. We have until tomorrow to get the brooches back… and also save Asahi and Farra…"

"And Miss Aoi."

He saw Parker coming, as Luther whispered, "You better leave. Parker's coming back."

Cassandra said, "See you tomorrow…"

She rode off in her Vespa, as Parker walked by. He asked, "Who were you talking to?"

"No one. Just a visitor that wanted to shop. But I said that we're closed for the night…"

Parker looked on, and thought, "It's her, isn't it? Cassandra Martinez, the snooper…"

He said, "Well, anyways, big day tomorrow. I have a friend coming in, tomorrow night, for a delivery. Those brooches you made for me, well, someone was interested in buying a set."

Luther said, "Which ones? The apple, strawberry, and blueberry?"

Parker asked, "How did you-?"

"Oh, lucky guess. I make a sweet lemon and banana brooch."

"Okay… weirdo. I'm going to retire in my office. See you tomorrow."

"Sure thing, Mr. Andrews."

Parker went back inside, as Luther walked home. He whispered, as he was angry, "It's time… Señora Farra will be rescued…"

Later on, in Egypt, Steven Nevins was viewing the crystal, with his hawk on his shoulder. He growled, as he saw the Farra mannequin.

"Knowing Farra's pure heart… She doesn't realize that her heart and soul is not synced. Farra, now a wooden figure, with a forced smile and painted on with makeup, could this be the end of one of The Gang's original members of the Modern Era?"

Yuno bowed to Mr. Nevins and said, "Lord Nevins, the delivery is made… Tomorrow, I, Yuno Gasai, will retrieve the souls of the three victims: Sena Aoi, Farra Stevens, and Asahi Sakurai. Lady MIO has won this battle."

He said, "Do as you must… But I sense trouble within your range, dear Gasai. The cards viewed of your success on retrieving the souls of my former friends… but this one…"

He saw a vision of Cassandra. He then said, "Methinks that there is someone wanted to close down Parker Andrews' business. Keep aware, and bring me their souls, right away. Go tomorrow. Dawn may approach, right now…"

Yuno bowed and said, "Yes, master…"

Meanwhile, across the seas, Team Nevins is aboard a boat, heading to Singapore.

If you remember the last time Team Nevins was involved, it was the loathsome curse of MIO, which is inside Mizuki Takase. Even the Speedwagon Foundation, with their cutting-edge treatments, led by their expert physicians, was powerless to stop it. To save Mizuki, Team Nevins, consisting of Michelle Nevins, Chazz Princeton, Peter Giese, Rook Hadigan the 3rd, Heather Dunn, and Yamabuki Suou, head off to Egypt. With air travel now deemed impossible and too treacherous, they board a boat, sailing to their next stop – Singapore.

Michelle said, as they were on a huge white boat, "To get from Hong Kong to Singapore, we'll be on the waters, for three days. Well, until then, let's relax, and keep our spirits up."

Michelle, wearing only a striped shirt and jeans, relaxed in the sun, as Peter was sitting in the shade. She said to him, Chazz, and Heather, "But first, I have a question for your three blokes… WHY THE HELL ARE YOU SODDERS SITTING IN THE SHADE?"

Chazz was relaxing, as Heather sported a pink parasol. Heather said, "Well, it is ridiculously hot down here… but we are agents, after all… Big Guy and I don't like the heat, since he's usually near me, like I'm an air-conditioner. Ice Shard does chill one's body temperature, and is immune to frostbite."

Peter added, "Hmph."

Michelle sighed, "These blokes are such stiffs."

Rook asked Yamabuki, "So, this is what Japan calls it Bushido. Clear your mind, and even flames keep cool."

Yamabuki said, "That's all well and good, but that really won't get you any props."

As they relaxed, a shout appeared on the boat, as a child in a red shirt and denim overalls was being manhandled by a sailor in blue stripes.

"LET GO OF ME, YOU JERK!" The boy cried.

"Shut your trap, you brat!" The sailor shouted, restraining the boy.

Michelle called, "Oi, there! Who's that? I thought we agreed that we had no other passengers on this ship, but us!"

The sailor called, "Sorry, ma'am, but tis a stowaway! This little punk was hiding in the storage rooms, below!"

Michelle asked, "Huh? Stowaway?"

The boy shouted, "GET OFF ME, YOU PUNK! I OUGHT TO KILL YOU RIGHT NOW!"

The sailor jeered, "Tell it to the police, you little shit! I dare you!"

The boy broke free and pleaded, "NO, PLEASE! Just let me go, please! I just wanted to see my Dad in Singapore. That's all. I'll do anything! You can even put work for me, for my ticket!"

The sailor pinched his cheek and said, "No way I'm letting you go. I ain't falling for your childish antics. But first, I'm going to let the captain know-."

The boy bit his arm, as he screamed in pain. He broke free and jumped into the water.

"WHOA! That kid's got guts!" Yamabuki cheered, "Into the drink he goes, and he still shows tenacity!"

Heather stepped out of the shade and asked, "Is he planning to swim to shore, from out here?"

Peter joined in, and sighed, "I'd normally punch that sailor, but Michelle's right."

Chazz said, "Just leave him. He wouldn't have dived in, if he wasn't a good swimmer."

The boy swam away, as the sailor gasped in horror, seeing a shark fin stick out, heading towards him. He cried, "NO! He's dead! That ocean is infested with sharks!"

Michelle gasped, as the shark went closer. Heather said, "Not good."

Michelle called out, "HEY, KID! COME BACK! IT'S DANGEROUS! YOU'LL DIE!"

Yamabuki called, "Listen to us! There are sharks out there!"

The boy saw the shark and screamed. The shark appeared and lunged at the boy, devouring him with his razor-sharp teeth!

POW!
"ORA-ORA-ORAAAAAAAAAAH!" Peter's Phantom emerged from the water, before the shark would feast on the boy, landing a massive right to the body. His Phantoms started to pummel and beat up the shark, dropping its carcass into the water, bloodied and battered.

Miz-K NOTE: Miz-K Productions would like to apologize for the cruelty towards animals, including the sharks.

Chazz emerged from the water, as Peter was swimming back to the ship. He grabbed the boy by the clothes and said, "Good grief… Let's go, you little brat."

He stopped, and let go of the boy. He began to pat his chest, only to realize…
"Wait a second…"

He removed the child's hat, showing long black hair. The child was a girl.

"A girl?" Peter viewed it, and huffed, "And a runty one at that… Just my luck…"

Chazz growled, "Of all the bad luck… you devil man…"

The girl shouted, "HOW DARE YOU FEEL UP MY CHEST, YOU BASTARD?"

She slapped him, but Chazz blocked her arm. He sighed, as he grabbed her arm, dragging her back to the ship. He said, "Good grief, kid…"

As they were swimming to the boat, a fish monster appeared from inside the shark. It showed a huge twin fins, swimming towards them. Chazz noticed it, as Michelle called, "Hey, Chazz! BELOW YOU! Something's coming at you, from underwater! It's not a shark, but it's racing towards you! You have to get out of here, now! HURRY! SWIM TO THE BOAT!"

Chazz started swimming, as the monster went closer. Rook cried, "He won't make it! He's too far away!"

Heather held her ice staff and cried, "In that case, leave it to me! Chazz, grab onto my icicle! ICE EMPRESS!"

She produced a very long icicle, and faced towards the water. Chazz grabbed it, with the girl in his arms, and hopped upwards. The monster destroyed the life preserver into pieces. And then, it sank to below.

"IT JUST DISAPPEARED!" Yamabuki cried, "I KNOW OF THIS! IT'S A SPIRIT CALLER!"

Rook said, "Fascinating… An aquatic Spirit. In all my dealings with the occult, I never heard of such a thing."

They stared at the girl, in a menacing glare. Michelle said, "This girl… You don't think she is…"

Yamabuki gasped, "Is she the Spirit Caller?"

Heather asked, "Did she try to lead Chazz and Peter into shark-infested waters, on purpose?"

The girl looked on, only to be befuddled.

Meanwhile, back in New York, Luther and Cassandra were sitting in their room, together. Luther said, as he was brushing her hair, "I had to ask Parker that I may take the day off. He said we have enough mannequins, for now. That's a stretch, since he's got enough victims, already."

Cassandra said, "You're very hostile towards Mr. Andrews, are you? The guy banned me forever, for no good reason."

"There was. You knew what he was up to, were you?"

"Yes. And even so, if I were to go to the police, they'd never believe me."

"Knowing Parker, he'd try to ruin mi madre's business… What's his deal, anyway?"

Cassandra closed her eyes and said, "I'm a fool, brother… I deserve to be punished for this… Go ahead… Hurt me…"

Luther said, "Night's still young, hermana. Besides, we have to prepare for tonight. Wear black, only…"

"No. You said that it's a fashion disaster… and also, my outfit will do fine…"

She unzipped her scuba dress and said, "But… Will you please fix me up?"

Luther nodded, "Certainly… We can't have you go out in Casa de Muñecas, at below 85%, now can we?"

She giggled, as Luther opened up her back panel, showing wires and circuitry.

She said, "Please be careful, hermano…"

Luther held up a pair of pliers and said, "You also need to recharge, too. Now, this won't hurt a bit…"

Cassandra yelped, as he tweaked a wire, "AY-AY!"

She breathed heavily, "That's ticklish… and painful, brother…"

He asked, "Would it be fair if I deactivated you?"

She said, "Please. This will save me trouble. Shutting down system unit… Apagando la unidad del sistema…"

She bowed her head and was powered off. Cassandra Martinez is an android, while Luther is her brother and repairman. He began to work on Cassandra and said, "I hope I'm not too late… Parker said that he has an 8 O'clock meeting with a visitor… Farra… Asahi…"

Returning to the ship, in the ocean near Ho Chi Minh City, The Gang stared down at the girl, who was soaking wet.

"What? What are you idiots looking at? It looks creepy, you know?" She barked.

She brandished a pocket knife, as she called out, "If you got a problem, I'll shiv each of your six losers! I'll take all of you on, one-by-one! Don't underestimate me, you jerks!"

Yamabuki thought, in annoyance, "Ehhh? Is she playing us? Maybe we should toss her back in the ocean."

Heather responded, "Calm down. If she is a Spirit Caller, and she gets eaten by sharks, it'd be bad."

Michelle said, "We've already checked the 11 people on this boat… The captain, 4 crewmates, and us… I'm positive that they're all in the clear."

Peter replied, "I don't know who she is, but she's pissing me off. Either she's one of MIO's gynoids, or just a bratty child that wants blood…"

Rook asked, "Young lady, not that I may ask this question, but… How's MIO doing, these days?"

The girl replied, "MIO, huh? Who the hell is that?"

Yamabuki answered, "Don't pretend like you don't know, kid!"

The girl prepared to fight, as she yelled, "Hey, I warned you punks! Now you're gonna get it! My demon blade is ready for its 340th victim, and you all look like prime cuts."

Heather chuckled, "I can assure you, we're not…"

Peter sighed, "Good grief…"

The girl shouted, "WHAT'S SO FUNNY? Stupid jerkhole!"

"Jerk hole?" Heather thought, as she responded, "You know, now that I think about it, this girl… I don't think she is the Spirit User…"

Michelle said, "Yes… But who, then?"

While in New York, Yuno Gasai is about to take Farra and Asahi away, making them permanent mannequins… Near the shore of Vietnam, Team Nevins has problems of their own.
Next chapter, Team Nevins's trek to Egypt continues onward…

To be continued…