Deep within the territories of New Jersey, Steven Cooke and Mundy Gooden were traveling alone, together, after Enzo bailed on them, in an emergency run in New York, assisting Big Cass.

"Nice that he let us do this mission, alone." Mundy smiled.

Steven huffed, "Hmph. Didn't have to abandon us."

"No. But he did give us a briefing. We need to find someone in this area, who's a Spirit User. Scarlet gave us the Intel: Farra and Asahi are fine in Casa de Muñecas, while the rest have embargoed to India."

"Obviously… It's been eight days, and already, we're running out of time."

They walked together, searching for the fiend in New Jersey.

Welcome to scenic New Jersey, the Armpit State of the USA; also known as "The Garden State"; the 3rd State of America. Its motto is liberty and prosperity. At nearly nine million in population, this state is home to many a historic legend, as one of the original 13 colonies of the United States, dating back to 1776, when it revolted from the British, and is the third and final US State to be established in December of 1787, before Georgia, which was established in January of 1788. Our duo has arrived in Trenton, New Jersey. Trenton is one of the Big Six in Jersey, which includes Camden, Paterson, Newark, Jersey City, and Elizabeth, during the Industrial Revolution.

As they continued to walk, Steven noticed something, "Over there."

They dashed off, heading to another part of the city. What are they finding? Steven cried, seeing a figure, as he called, "HEY! What the-?"

The figure was female, and she vanished from the area. Mundy asked, "What the devil?"

Steven said, "No idea. But I believe this is what Enzo was looking for… Something weird is going on in Jersey… But why here?"

He thought, "I don't like this, at all… From the looks of it, we're all doomed, if we do not stop it."

Episode XXVII – Chapter 1: Beyond the Grave!
Kajou Returns, with Dire Warnings!

Mundy said, "Whatever the case, we better find this person. She's a real beaut."

"She?!"

"Female. I may have keen eyesight, but I can recognize a beauty when I see it."

He held up his machete and said, "Nothing will stop me, even if she is evil, so long as I have me rifle, machete, and my Hierophant Sniper on my side."

Steven said, "So I guessed. I'll lead the way…"

He walked behind Mundy and shoved him. He said, "I got your back, of course."

"You're leading the way, and you're cowering behind my back?"

"Steven Cooke isn't what he is. And does it look like I'm scared? No."

"Oh, right… You're emotionless, whenever on a mission."

"Emotions aside, I won't be fooled. We have bested missions before, but I won't let it get to me. Steven Cooke is the strongest of The Gang, and #1 in the World Government's Top Agents."

"And also #1 in the World Government's Most Wanted List."

"That's Triple H's problem… Not mine. He blames me for the death of his wife, and that succubus stolen her corpse."

Mundy nodded and said, "I see… I heard about it from Michelle, before we left. Stephanie McMahon's body is now MIO's body. And we know that Chazz and Asahi are linked to it… But not me, of course…"

"I worry about you, seeing you're not of pure heart, huh?"

"Oh, I am… It's just…"

He spotted the woman, and said, "RIGHT THERE!"

They chased after her, as the woman ran off. They continued onwards, leading to a small area in the city, full of gravestones and dead leaves, with a few trees swaying in the breeze. Steven said, "Drat! That girl…"

They arrived at the cemetery in Trenton. Mundy whispered, "Watch your arse, Cooke. She's a sly one."

"Indeed." He flexed, as he looked around, "I am not afraid of any ghosts. But you stay on your guard."

Mundy asked, "But why are you always behind me?"

Steven said, "There's two of us, and someone may attack from behind. While you have hindsight and great accuracy in firearm, my sensory skills have increased, tenfold."

"No wonder you bested Akame and Anna Nishikinomiya." Mundy chuckled, "You're the regular savior to the world."

Steven hushed him, and heard leaves crunching. He whispered, "It came from over there. You head over there… I'll head here."

Mundy said, "Right. Split up and find our woman."

They traveled to different parts of the graveyard, as the female figure was appearing from behind the tree. She whispered, "Wow… A-Fist-Job and Big Black Guy came? I never knew they were that serious or brave…"

The woman has long black hair and big breasts, wearing only her gray uniform and black skirt. It was… … …Ayame Kajou?

Meanwhile, back in New York, Farra and Asahi entered the warehouse, filled with mannequins. They were nervous, as Asahi said, "Scary… Two ghosts… one love… and they are here in this place."

Farra said, "Just stay behind me. I ain't scared. But having to experience mannequins in front of me… Total bizarre moments…"

"Like when we were mannequins, too?"

"Of course. But if it's to take one for the team, so be it."

They walked down the warehouse, as Asahi held up the files, given by Sena. She said, "Harada… A former member of the boy band C.H.A., or "Cross Heart Attack". He's our male mannequin. Our female mannequin is Mayu Arita, a lifelong fan of C.H.A."

"What the hell's a C.H.A.?"

"Oh, there was a boy band called C.H.A., but disbanded, after Harada died."

"How'd he die? Accident?"

"Unsure. I chose to avoid the scandals."

"Ah, so she says. Anyways, you know the layout, since you were in the warehouse. Do you sense them?"

"Farra! I was just a mannequin! I couldn't even move or hear!" Asahi complained, "Besides, Parker siphoned everything out of me, because… I'm a mannequin…"

Asahi stopped and moaned, "Ungh… Drat this relapse."

Farra asked, "What's wrong?"

Asahi was kneeling down, holding her head, "Grah! No… I can't be a mannequin, again… My body is somehow rejecting back…"

Farra said, as she looked at her chest, "Huh… No brooch…"

She looked into her pocket and growled, pulling out the strawberry and blueberry brooches, "Asahi… did you take these haunted brooches from Luther and Cassandra?"

Asahi said, confessing, "Yes…"

"And why?"

"Because… … …It may track down the people that were here in this place… And I'm only a mannequin… I'm made of wood…"

Farra cried, "SNAP OUT OF IT! You can resist!"

"But… I can't." Asahi moaned, "What went wrong, when I was turned back to normal?"

Farra looked around and said, "I don't know… but someone is trying to revert you back to your given form. My advice: try to focus. You're you, Asahi."

Asahi smiled, "Thanks."

She stopped and whispered, "Farra… I…"

She reverted to mannequin form, as the strawberry brooch flashed. Farra gasped, "ASAHI!"

She cringed, as she held the frozen stiff Asahi Sakurai. She cried out, "ASAHI! ASAHI! Come on, damn it! Wake up!"

Farra growled, "Fuck! Looks like I'm on my own…"

She then said, "Rest easy. And do not worry… I can handle myself. I can handle a relapse, but NO ONE relapses Farra Stevens to something that she was once, and doesn't want to be, again… unless it's for an emergency."

She held the blueberry brooch and said, "I wonder…"

She boomed, as her aura flashed, "PHOENIX SUN!"

She then shot out a fiery spirit, and said, "Okay, can you use this as a sort of GPS to find Harada and Mayu?"

The spirit resembles Farra, only in her avian form, with flowing blonde hair and a beak, and wearing a light blue tunic. She said, as the Spirit held its hand over the brooch. Farra replied, "Whoa… Really? So… In order to find the two mannequins, one must become a mannequin?"

The Spirit motioned that it'll find Harada and Mayu, as long as the brooch is still planted in Farra's chest. Farra knew it's tricky, but it's worth the shot. She replaced Asahi's strawberry brooch back on her wooden chest and said, "Well, I may need help, if this works…"

She looked at her left arm and asked, "Huh? Her bracelet looks funny…"

She then removed Asahi's arm and said, "Huh? No wonder she reverted back! Her identity is back in place, but it's upside-down!"

She replaced the gold bracelet back on Asahi's mannequin arm, and reattached it. She then said, placing her brooch on, "Now… we have no worries. We'll find our mannequins, before the night is through… and then some… We're running short on time."

Farra's body reverted back to mannequin form, as her Spirit was wandering through the warehouse. Mech-Asahi suddenly appeared, in spirit form, as she called, in Asahi's voice, "Huh? Where am I? My body…"

Farra's Spirit spoke, "Thank god, you're okay. I'm glad you're you, again… Also, it worked!"

"Huh? All I remembered was that I was a mannequin."

"Your bracelet was upside-down."

"WHAT?"

"Remind me to throttle Cassie, later, since she placed it on for you. Now, come on. We'll find our mannequin spirits, together."

They wandered around the warehouse, like ghosts, as Asahi asked, "Uh, are you sure this will work?"

Farra said, "If we're to find them, we must become one with the wooden display dolls. However, seeing we're both of the Spirit State-."

"OH! Like Stands?"

"Exactly! Almost like Chazz's Ojama Star. However, the brooches we wear will remain into our old bodies. If they remained attached, our souls will stay intact. In short, while our bodies are mannequins, we are still alive, with our souls still in place, near the body."

Mech-Asahi nodded, "I see. So…"

They heard voices, as some girls were crying, still trapped in their mannequin bodies. Asahi moaned, "Do you hear that?"

Farra replied, "Yeah, I do… Mech-Asahi, let's find our girl…"

Asahi said, "Don't forget Harada…"

Farra barked, "I know! I'm aware of that! In any case, find one that is male… We may have found Harada, if we do."

They continued to search, as Asahi groaned, "Yeah… but finding Mayu will be extremely hard."

The girl mannequins were pleading for help, as the Spirits of Farra and Asahi looked around.

We'll check back with them, later…

Back in New Jersey, Steven and Mundy searched the area, as Ayame was trotting around, playing games. He called out, "I'm not amused, you woman!"

Mundy said, "Hello? Miss? We mean you no harm!"

Ayame called, "Find meeeeeeeee… Find meeeeeeeeee…"

Steven called, "Where?"

She thought, as she was nervous, "Oh, shit. Where? Think, Ayame! Think! What should I use for a gravestone, to find me? I have to tell them…"

She then looked around and said, "Man, I wish I had a powerful laugh to make… But I'm just a phantom… and I'm not into necrophilia… Eugh!"

She searched around the cemetery, and then found a grave stone. She then said, in a haunting voice, "Find meeeeeeeeeee… Find me in the graaaaaaaaaaaave…"

Mundy called, "Where, spirit?"

Steven said, "Follow me. I know what."

He walked passed him and said, "I think I know that voice."

"Huh?" Mundy asked, "Who?"

XXXXX

They found the gravestone of where Ayame is, as the stone said "Here Lies Harry Nutsach". Steven nodded, "Obviously…"

Mundy huffed, "Seriously? Harry Nut-Sack?"

Ayame laughed, as she was floating down, "AH, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HAAA! Oh, man! That was perfect! Hairy nut sack! So OG on lewdness! I still got it!"

Steven nodded, "Hello, Ayame Kajou."

Ayame sat on the tombstone and said, "Ah. Steven Cooke, we meet again. And you brought along the big black and beautiful…"

Mundy huffed, "Okay, enough already!"

He asked Steven, "Excuse me, but… How did you know she's Ayame Kajou?"

Steven said, "I've had my suspicions. Who would harbor a gravestone with a lewd name? And who else would love dirty jokes?"

Mundy added, "I see… Bugger! That was smart! Kajou is a fan or lewd jokes… … …except… she's dead."

Steven replied, "True. But her spirit haunts New Jersey… as she is trying to tell us something…"

Ayame smiled, "Actually, I wanted to hit the Jersey Shore and see these Guidos and Juicers do their dirty stuff. It's my kind of town and porn shots."

Steven said, "It's good to see you again. We're sorry that you died…"

Ayame said, "I know… Heaven's great! I get to enjoy the heavenly delights of the world of dirty jokes. Of course, St. Peter hates my dirty mouth, but he believes me, since my beliefs are to save the world from humanity's end."

Steven said, "You're so right. Steven Cooke believes in a peaceful world."

Ayame said, as she stretched a bit, "Well, he said that he knows of what you guys are doing, so I offered to help you guys, before I go back. The pearly white gates are too kinky for my hot vagina."

Steven replied, "And you didn't even use your phone, this time?"

Ayame stated, "Well, I am dead. In Hell, they bleeped me. And Satan said, at first, my heroics to stop the Nishikinomiya Family's laws were mentioned. Plus, he liked how I voiced. But I hope to maintain my status quo, before I can go back. Besides, angels need private sex stuff."

Steven huffed away, grumbling, "Reminds me of someone I know of… from heaven, at least."

Mundy replied, "Uhhhh… Yeah. Anyhow, what brings you here, back to the living world? Any news you want to give us?"

Ayame explained, "Well, I did bring you here, for a message from Heaven… You see, I heard about your big-tits cyborg, and how she's being imbued by MIO's control… And I overheard that your friends are in Asia, heading to Egypt."

Mundy replied, "Even more. We were wondering if you know-."

Ayame said, "About MIO? Yes. During my brief visit to Hell, I talked to Anna, and she told me everything about what the vampire did… including how she harbored a sexy body to hypnotize all of us to do her bidding. Anna was not of pure heart, but MIO was… However, she wished for a perfect world, free of smut and lewdness. Sadly, her real story was to eliminate the human race… and replace it with her own brand of darkness. Anna wished that Tanukichi was coming – ha, ha, ha, cumming – back to her, but he can't, since Anna's dead… and she knows that he can't come back to her… and neither will I, to come back to Tanukichi… as I was gunned down… It's too late to bring me back, since my body is now buried deep, and lifeless. Unfortunately, no one can be brought back. I wish for a law-free world, free of Decency Squad Rules, and to be myself. I'm saddened by it, only to realize that it's a reality. But I cannot enjoy myself, without a life… and a life to live…"

Steven said, "I apologize for that action. Also, we will avenge you, since the future is on the line… Not for Mizuki's, but for everyone that fell."

It was during those three years, since The Gang returned from their 27-month training, that many an ally had died, including Ayame Kajou, Kyo Sohma, Tohka Yatogami, and Kosuri Onigashira. It was a hellish three years, leading to today, as The Gang has about 40 days left to save Mizuki.

Mundy asked, "So, what can we do? We cannot return to New York, or go to Egypt…"

She responded, "No. Not yet, boys… I wish for a favor, first… Please… Tell Tanukichi that I'll be waiting for him, when MIO is destroyed, once and for all. He wants me back, so… I'm going to enjoy this moment, once it's over. Also, the girls in New York, I want you to go to another area in town… I know of a friend who works there, and he's red as his cock and balls."

She drew the name of the place, as Ayame said, "Here. V-I-G-I-N-T-I. Vagina~!"

The boys huffed, as a woman in dark plum hair barked, "YOU IDIOT! I SAID Viginti, NOT (BEEP)!"

Ayame snorted, "Oh, party pooper. You can't have loose lips, without sucking your lips on a throbbing clitoris."

The girl roared, "AND QUIT IT! I CANNOT BE MARRED BY YOUR INANE MOUTH!"

Mundy asked, "Eh? Who's the Sheila?"

Tohka barked, "Huh? You don't know me? My name's not Sheila! It's Tohka."

It was the ghost of Tohka Yatogami, as she bowed, "It's an honor to meet you, gentlemen. Forgive my friend's gutter language, but she and I have one thing in common: we all want MIO dead, and to rest in peace. Her time with Tanukichi will come, real soon… But I have fate in The Gang, meaning you… Steven Cooke and Oscar Gooden."

Mundy asked, "How did you know our names?"

Steven said, "She's the one that Michelle met, long ago… She's the Ty Ko Ky girl that helped her stop MIO, first time around."

Tohka bowed, "Tohka Yatogami, at your service, gentlemen. As you see here, my body is that of a spectral form, as my original body was destroyed. You see, once I was human, learning Ty Ko Ky, the next, I became a slave to the vampire, MIO, upon my death. The young Beth Nevins made me see the light, and realize that I should help protect the future… But in order to do so, you must stop MIO."

Steven replied, "I understand. Also, you know of what goes on in Egypt?"

Tohka said, "Yes, I do. You see… The gems that were brandished in Mount Fuji… they are linked to the Ty Ko Ky gem, located in Egypt. A powerful fluorite gem that only the head of Ty Ko Ky can truly harness. It's under my grandmother's care, Lady Vega. The gem is created and forged in Egypt, the very same place that the vampire calls home… And yes, I knew of her evil doings, and how she harbored the faire McMahon body, and claimed it for her own, only to set you all up. MIO is playing all of you, like pawns in the chess board. But your services were next-to-nothing impressive, despite your reckless nature."

Steven said, "Go figure. You did help Michelle awaken her Ty Ko Ky… and to sacrifice her love, for life."

Tohka nodded, "I know… and I'm sorry that I'm missing this. You see, in another universe, you were to be slain, but future sights hold dearly to the brave and daring adventures that you seek to find, gentlemen. With your powers now stronger than I expected, only you and all of them will end the vampire's evil rule, once and for all!"

Mundy asked, "We understand. But tell us… Why did Kajou write Viginti?"

Tohka said, "Well, in my universe, Viginti is a bar, located here in Jersey. The bartender is named Ginti. And in the other universe, he was an ally against the demonic vampire, who wants to rule the world, turning it into darkness and chaos."

Mundy whispered, "Holy doody…"

She said, "But over the course of the time we had, Ginti would later be turned, making him MIO's loyal slave. In this universe, it hasn't happened, yet. But methinks that Ginti has something in him, which makes him purely evil."

Steven asked, "Purely… evil? What are you saying?"

Tohka said, "Go and visit him. He runs the bar "Viginti". You will find him, and you will have your answers. Since this future is changed, he's gained newfound abilities. He is of the tarot card, Judgment."

Ginti's tarot is that of Judgement. It means rebirth and inner calling.

Mundy said, "OI! So, do we have to stop him, or…"

Tohka nodded, "Snap him out of it. However, he has a Stand, which resembles his ex-girlfriend, Mugi Kotobuki. She goes by the name… Memine."

Yet the boys agreed, as Tohka added, "And as for Kajou's message, I believe that is the message we wanted to warn you about. Enzo Amore's departure back to New York was no fated drawback. As a matter of a fact, I was the one that brought him away, so you two can stop Ginti from making a huge mistake."

Steven said, "Understood. We'll head there, right away."

Mundy added, "And we'll head back to New York, as well, to see the girls… and to maybe learn more of the others' whereabouts."

Tohka smiled, "I'm glad Michelle has great friends, like you… You will do it, right?"

They nodded, as Ayame sighed, "Fine… But no more favors, from here on out. I have to get my masturbating fix on."

Tohka sighed, as she smiled, "I believe in you, guys… Save the world… from… mioooooooooooooooooo…"

Her voice slid to a baritone, and her entire body melted into a puddle of decaying mulch. Ayame gagged, "Gross…"

Mundy shivered in fear, "Wha-wha-whaw-hwaw-haw-haw-ha-wha?!"

Steven showed no fear, as he said, "Kajou… Once MIO is killed, you, Tohka, and the others that died in this battle… will rest in peace…"

Kajou nodded, "Tanukichi will see me again, someday… Goodbye, you guys…"

She gave out the Fig gesture, and then vanished into the heavenly light. Her voice echoed from above:
"This is not my dirty joke… May the future shines upon you… as freedom and happiness is all you can do for us, now… Live on, for the sake of the future… I can no longer side by you, everyone… but I promise… someday… I'll come back…"

Kajou's final words were, as she was crying, looking up to the light, floating away, never to be seen again:
"I love you… Tanukichi… I'll come back… if you want me to…"

Steven prayed, as he said, "Ayame Kajou… Everything about MIO will be erased, forever. For this battle, it's all or nothing."

Mundy sniffled, "Well, we better get to Viginti, at once. Getting there will be easy…"

Steven said, "You and I have wandered."

"This is different! Me, it's the outdoors. And we left the BattleVan in the garage."

"We'll walk it, then. Finish here, then go. Let's go!"

They left the cemetery, and headed off to find Ginti. Will it be enough to stop him? And what sort of abilities that Ginti possess, with his Stand, Memine?

Of course, we'll leave them alone, until the next chapter. Moving on, we'll see how Farra & Asahi's trip down Casa de Muñecas' mannequin warehouse is doing…
Be sure to tune in to the next exciting chapter!

To be continued…