She moaned, as she felt Saya's cold energy. She whispered, "Option #3: life is cruel… She's going to end me, at the final turn…"

She bowed her head and closed her eyes. She whispered, "Rookie, I failed you… I failed to avenge you…"

Saya was almost there, as she went closer. Yamabuki stared at Yoko and smiled, "Sayonara, Yoko…"

SLASH!
After that, Saya went through Yamabuki. All that was left of her was a small orange cloth of her shirt. Yoko was in complete shock, as she witnessed Yamabuki Suou die, by Saya Kisaragi.

Episode 40: MIO's World (Part 2)
Chapter 2: No More Running!
Yamabuki Suou's Final Stand!

Michelle and the others were where Saya and the others were, recently, as they viewed the entire area, full of holes.

Michelle said, "Judging by these holes, the enemy made a mess there."

Farra said, "And perfectly spherical circles, too… Is it the work of a Stand User?"

Heather replied, "I don't know. Judging by the destruction… it spread into the other room, too."

Michelle said, "It's safe to say that Rook and the others made contact with the enemy. The others should be close-by! We're going to find them! Big Lad, break down that door! We're going in!"

He revved up his fist with Darkness Devil, and roared out, "ORAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

SMASH!
He broke the door down, and they traveled onwards.

Saya dropped onto her feet and held her sword. She said, "I sensed the ninja girl's energy… no more… She's dead. She and Hadigan dies… After the android and cat, the next target is Scarlet Riley. She comes this way, as I sense her. They will die next."

She prepared her sword, but then felt sand on her shoulder. She groaned, "What? So, the cat has more up her sleeve…"

She then sensed it, "No… It is not Yamabuki that dies… but Rook that knocked you away, scarring me even more! The minute I came closer, he pushed you away. Normally, under the present situation, one would focus instinctively on protecting themselves. Though, I am injured, it'll take some time before death takes me. I'll kill EVERYONE in The Gang, if I have to! NOW WHERE ARE YOU, YAMABUKI SUOU?"

She looked up, and saw Yamabuki, on the wall, coated with Desert King's sand. She was stamped onto the wall, as she groaned, "Damn you, you stupid pussy! I told you NOT to use your Stand!"

She started to cry, "I told you not to… and now look at you… Acting high and mighty…"

Saya snarled, "So, you're alive, already… Even if ninjutsu is all you have left, you're still no match for me, you underhanded assassin."

Yoko, on the other hand, was covered in sand, struggling to get up and badly injured, bleeding heavily. Though she is not human, Saya Kisaragi said earlier that a mere cat could not have resolve. Cats do not have souls, but a Stand is a soul manifestation. Yoko's soul moved on its own! It moved on its own!

Yoko smiled, as she was dying, in her last words, "Don't worry… Cats can come back… You'll understand… one day…"

Yoko coughed out blood and collapsed. Yamabuki started to fall, as the sand started to deteriorate from the wall, with her in it. Yamabuki felt the sand, as she whispered, "This cold annihilation… The destruction of life… Yoko… The sand is fading… Her spirit is gone! How could this happen? DAMN IT! I'm the one who survived! It's nothing more than an empty shell of a Stand; her Stand! NO! Yoko's Spirit Caller… was the one that saved me…"

She looked at a dead Yoko and sobbed, "…and that furball saved me… Three times I was saved… by Rookie, by Cassandra, and by Yoko… Why am I the only one who survived?"

Saya prepared her sword, as Yamabuki was coming down, tears flying. She raised her sword high, and Yamabuki roared out in complete anger, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

STAB!
Yamabuki's Ninja Chariot stabbed into Saya's head, impaling its katana into the forehead. Saya groaned in pain, as Yamabuki yelled, "YOU SON OF BITCH! HOW MANY MORE LIVES, YOU DAMN WOMAN?"

She grabbed the Stand's katana and snapped Saya's neck, twisting it. Saya dropped to the ground, as she died. Yamabuki panted, as she whispered, "You were right, Kisaragi… I have bad luck with friends… Yoko was supposed to be saved by me, but instead… I was the one to be saved by Yoko!"

Yamabuki nearly crawled to Yoko and sobbed, "How could this be happening? I just realized how much I liked her… Yoko…"

Cassandra crawled towards her, as she regained consciousness, "Yoko… Yoko?"

Yamabuki was sobbing, "She was the only person that cared for that cat… It only understands it this way, only after I am gone… Why does everything around me, lead to death, like Ju & Rookie?"

She remembered everything about Yoko, "You were just a shitty little cat, but I loved how ferocious you were, and refused to be friendly to anybody… I realized that your refusal to show affection for anyone proved just how proud you really were."

Cassandra wept, "No…" she clutched her collar, and cried, "NO! YOKO, YOU CANNOT DIE!"

She was crying, as Yamabuki said, "I told her not to save me… and this is what happens… She… She died, saving me… just like how Rookie saved us… Damn that fucking fleabag! If she wasn't that stubborn to pull it off, she would've lived on! I call BS on her nine lives!"

Cassandra was sad, as Yamabuki was on all-fours, very disheartened. However, Saya, from behind, sat up and hovered towards Yamabuki, from behind, and prepared to savagely murder her, slicing her to ribbons.

"Even if you're dead… Kisaragi… Ninjas always know an attack from behind…" Yamabuki hissed, without looking.

Saya's Stand swung down, but Ninja Chariot appeared, jabbing onto the Stand with katana strikes. Saya felt the attack, as she was bleeding heavily. Saya jumped on her feet and lunged with her sword. Yamabuki, in complete seriousness and anger, continued to jab and stab at Saya's body and stopped her offensive assault. Saya stood back up and held her sword up high.

Yamabuki then said, "So, I see that there's no way that we can beat you… You are an immortal. MIO did something to you, did she?"

Saya opened her mouth and showed her vampire fangs. She dashed towards Yamabuki, sword in hand, but Ninja Chariot was ready. It slashed the door into pieces, and opened the doorway, exposing bright sunlight from the windows in the next room. Saya ran towards Yamabuki and hollered, "DIE, YOU MISERABLE WENCH! GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

She swung at her neck, but her right wrist suddenly hit sunlight. It started to crack and deteriorate in ashes. Saya dropped her sword in the middle of the sunlight, and cried, "WHAT? NO! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Yamabuki nodded, "I knew it… You are indeed immortal, and you cannot be beaten. Isn't it obvious what you have done? YOU RECEIVED HER BLOOD, DID YOU? You think I didn't know the stories that I hear about? Guess she forgot about the part about turning you into a vampire!"

Saya seethed in pain, as Yamabuki continued, "You are immortal. That's the good news. And you cannot die, that's great news! But the bad news is… YOU'RE LIKE MIO! And even worse news is this… You are immortal… Nothing more than a disgusting soulless vampire!"

Saya roared, "YOU SHUT UP!"

She dashed forward, but her right leg suddenly emitted into the sunlight, and was destroyed. Saya hopped back, as she growled, "No… What is this?"

Yamabuki said, "HAH! I knew it! It's no wonder we killed you, and yet you suddenly rose back up from the dead! And if I figured it out, it was the moment that Cassandra stabbed you through the mouth, your body changed!"

She taunted at her, "SO GO ON! Indulge your obsession to the fullest, and obey Lord MIO! DO SOMETHING! You want to protect that undead vampire whore?"

Saya gasped, as she was appalled and pissed, "You… Shut up about Lord MIO!"

Yamabuki jeered, "Ohhhhhhhhh, is that right? Well, come at me and say it to my face! I'm right here! BRING IT! Your MIO is nothing but a trash bag slut with big boobs! What's wrong, Kisaragi? Did I hit a nerve in your undead mind? NO, I didn't, because you HAVE no nerves! COME AT ME!"

Saya hollered, "YOU WILL NOT…"

Yamabuki kneeled up, "I dare you… You killed Rookie, you killed Yoko, and NOW… I'm going to kill you! But I'm helpless, as we speak, and if you want to talk to that reject of a supermodel, I can erect a statue in her honor, as the stupidest vampire in the world! Lord MIO deserves better from her followers, and not you! So, you have anything to say, say it to my face!"

Saya hollered, "You… YOU DON'T… INSULT… AND TALK BACK… AT LORD MIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! I WON'T LET YOU DEFEAT MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Yamabuki let out a cold glare, "…says the vampire who sucks. You already suck, asshole."

Nudge!
Ninja Chariot shoved Saya on the back, and she stumbled onto the sunlight. Saya gasped, "NO! NOOOOOOOOO!"

She started to crack, as Yamabuki whispered, "… … …Go to hell… Kisaragi…"

Saya's body exploded into dust, engulfed in the sunlight. It was over… Yamabuki survived Saya Kisaragi… but unfortunately…

She sniffled, "I did it… Cassandra… I did it…"

She steadily walked to Cassandra, who was crying over Yoko's collar. She wanted to see Yoko again, but Yamabuki said, "It's alright… Even if the story about nine lives was true… I wish I knew how she'll return…"

Cassandra sobbed, as she was upset, "Yama… buk… ki… I… Yoko is gone…"

She hugged her, as she said, "It's fine. Yoko's going to come back. I don't know why, but… She's going to return, somehow…"

Cassandra sniffled, "Why? My cat… I loved her, since the day we met. Not once she attacked me… because I was part-human…"

Yamabuki whispered, "To be honest, I liked her… and yet, she doesn't show it. Was I-?"

Cassandra wiped her tears and said, "I'm alright… We have to fix you, and head off to find the others… Your hand, it was damaged… Luckily, Saya never took your fingers to the dark dimensional void. I'll analyze it, and locate them, so I can sew them back on."

Yamabuki smiled, "Thanks… Cassie…"

She giggled, as they shared a hug. Dust suddenly hovered out to the open window, and flew off into the mid-afternoon sky. Yamabuki and Cassandra saw the dust fly by, as Cassandra said, "Saya Kisaragi… She can now rest in peace… Her ashes are flowing away, into the heavens…"

Yamabuki gasped, as she saw a huge cloud formation. She saw an image of Rook, with Yoko perched on his shoulder. He nodded, as they disappeared into the heavens. Yamabuki crawled towards the window, but dropped down. She cried, "ROOKIE! YOKO!"

Yamabuki moaned, "Ungh…"

Cassandra helped her up and said, "It's fine… Come on… Please… No more tears…"

Yamabuki said, "You're right… It's best to do something about this. There is no time to cry! We're going to go see MIO, and end this! She's up the stairs, and where the finale of this war takes place!"

Cassandra and Yamabuki walked off, but Cassandra stopped, as she dropped to one knee. She started to sob. Yamabuki suddenly stopped, and she was holding her tears. Yamabuki sniffled, as tears rolled down her face, "R-r-r-r… Rookie… Yoko…"

She dropped to her knees, and bawled loudly. Cassandra hugged her, and they both started to cry together. Losing their friends hurt them the most. They lost what was important to them, and they continued to cry.

[Saya Kisaragi: Deceased]
[Reginald Hadigan the 3rd and Yoko: both have died]

Meanwhile, in New York, hours away from Egypt, Percival & Cy were driving off in the streets of Targus City. Percival was carefully driving, as Cy was sitting in the front. Percival said, as he was heavily hurt, "Eri… How can I talk to her now? I know she's gone, but…"

Cy said, "Iz alwight, onii-chan… I'm sure nuttin' will happen, again…"

He parked by the corner, and stepped out, "I have to make a call. AAW HQ is what I need. We'll make it there, right? You know the way there?"

Cy nodded, "Indeed. I have GPS navigation."

He smiled, "Right…"

He went to a payphone, and then said, "I hope Superball knows me… Joanna's still recovering in the hospital, after what happened to her. I was such a fool… Why do my misdeeds and mistakes make things worse off?"

He calmed down and said, "NO. I have to overcome it. I saved the world, partly on The Gang's behalf, and I cannot let it ruin me."

He called AAW HQ, as Cy waited by the car, outside. She then thought, "New Yok is such a big pwace. So many people and buildings… So, this is wut iz like, after the Moshi Mi-ja-cha made a mess of it… Weird people, too… Well-dwessed, but so fearful."

She looked at a huge man in a suit, "Huh… Analyzing… This man's got no fac-chun sense…"

The man halted, "HUH? WHO THE HELL ARE YOU, PIPSQUEAK?"

Cy said, "My good man, pwease do not yell."

He yelled, "I should teach you a lesson, you little brat! How dare you say whatever you just said to my face?"

She pleaded, calmly, "We shall not wesowt to violence, sir. Please, compose yerself, or there will be twouble."

He grabbed her shirt and roared, "Trouble? You're the one in trouble, you little shit!"

Percival appeared, and then said, "Let go of Cy, right now."

He let go, as he continued, "Sir, if you just carry on, move along. I'm in no mood, today, so get lost."

The man roared, "Oh, yeah? Who the fuck do you think you are, defending your rugrat of a brat? I should smash that pretty face of yours!"

Percival sighed, and then said, "Cy, get in the car…"

She went in, as Percival said, "Violence is not the answer. Besides, I'm already injured, as it is. Do me a favor and move the hell on, or else I will regret it."

He grabbed his collar, and then smirked, "Nothing but a prissy rich bastard, huh? I could smash that face of yours right now, if I have to! Or better yet, I'll break your wrists off, so you don't bother striking back, you wuss?"

Percival glared, as he asked, "Would it kill you to ask me nicely?"

The man growled, "Oh, I'm sorry… May I beat your fucking ass into a bloody pulp, in front of your brat of a child?"

Percival held his wrist, and then hissed, "Fuck you…"

KAPOW!
He landed a right Muay Thai kick into the solar plexus, and then he dropped to the concrete. Percival held his badge up, and then said, "But I am going to have you come with me. You're under arrest."

The man gagged, "Urk… You're a cop?"

Percival growled, "Field agent. And ON-DUTY, of all places! NOW GET YOUR ASS IN THE BACK SEAT! Cy, you're driving! We'll make a pit stop to Prison Island, first!"

The man cried, "WAIT! You're letting this little shit drive your car?"

He asked, bluntly, "What's wrong with an android driving my car?"

The man was shocked, as he was crushed heavily. Cy stepped out, as she cuffed the man, and lifted him up in ease. He sighed, "Seriously. You don't see an android, when you see one?"

XXXXX

After dropping off the huge thug, for assaulting an active field agent, he and Cy were heading to AAW. He groaned, as he was in the wheel, "These past three years… heavy… While I am amazed that we learned so much of the Moji Mikisa, and the truth behind its origins, I'm still unsure about myself."

He arrived at the front of the building, and then said, "Still, I can't put it off, for much longer… I was at fault for causing this mess, in the beginning… But what would've happened if I had killed Chris McLean, and not spare him? What would happen then?"

Cy was watching, as she was worried, "Onii-chan? You alright?"

Meanwhile, in the dark corridors, Steven, Chazz, Mundy, and Scarlet were running, heading to where the battle between Yamabuki and friends faced Saya Kisaragi was going on. However, unbeknownst to them, a mere small person appeared, wearing beige clothing, was sensing from the floor. He hissed, "Dr. Irie… Kisaragi… Tokizane… They all failed…"

He leapt off onto the ceiling corner and giggled, "Keeeee, ke, ke, ke, ke, ke, ke, ke! It's so wonderful to emit misery, pain, torment, and woe among others… Now I see what the jerks will get, and I will laugh at their corpses, for no good reason! Call me a nimrod, if I'm not a moron! I have a name, you know! At least I didn't get myself killed. I'll be the one… to finish off Chazz Princeton and Steven Cooke! They're on my radar, as we speak…"

Before their apparent defeats, the scrawny vampire was with Saya, Tokizane, and Irie. Irie said, "Watch yourself, loser. Don't let The Gang near MIO's room."

Saya said, "That pathetic power of yours could not possibly defeat The Gang."

The vampire screamed, "But I'm on your side! I'm in the fight to make them suffer!"

Saya stated, "No. You'd just be in the way, being an ordinary vampire."

Tokizane added, "Just do as you're told, and we might not kill you, next time!"

They departed, as Irie said, "Good luck, loser… because if we fall, you're on your own."

The vampire cackled, "Knowing they got what they deserved, that makes it so satisfying! They will suffer that said misery, along with The Gang! But at least we know that I'm NOT a loser, after all~! SERVES THEM RIGHT!"

He leapt off the ceiling, preparing to fight.

The group ran up the stairs and made it to the next floor. Scarlet stopped, and then said, "WHOA! STOP!"

They stopped, as Scarlet sensed it. She said, "There's something over there."

A woman in black hair, in a pink and purple dress, walked towards the doorway, and was helpless in fear. She cried, "Please… Help me… Please spare me."

Mundy asked, "Oi, it's a beaut."

Steven said, "One of MIO's victims, or one of Mr. Nevins's bitches?"

Chazz glared, "Hmm…"

The girl pleaded, "NO! Don't drink my blood! I'll do anything!"

Scarlet said, "Hold on, Miss… We're on your side. We're not vampires. We're friends, after all."

The girl started to cry, as Mundy said, from far away, "It's alright, love. Me Scarlet's friendly. So's these two mates. We are not vampires, we're friends."

The girl said, "Friends? Oh… Are you really my friends?"

Mundy nodded, as he went closer, "Aye, love. Friends of Justice."

The girl smiled and cheered, "Oh, thank you. Thank you so mu-."

POW!
Steven and Scarlet landed a huge punch onto the woman's face. She dropped to the ground, as Steven hissed, and everyone else glared, "We're here to help you, dear lady…"

Scarlet said, "Yeah… Sending you straight to a one-way trip to hell! You think we're that stupid?"

The girl revealed to be the same scrawny nimrod from earlier, as Mundy said, "Aye, lad. Nice try on the disguise. Me Scarlet can sense an evil source from a thousand miles away."

Scarlet smirked, "My premonitions… aided by that bastard, Broken Matt Hardy, have been very useful to me. You think I'm going to let you aide us, you scrawny neck obsolete mule?"

The guy cried, "IM… IMPOSSIBLE! THEY FIGURED ME OUT, ALREADY?"

Steven said, "Your powers are infallible, but also failable."

Mundy said, "That's right. We can see your nose off the back of the woman's head. How two-faced can ya get?"

Scarlet said, "For future references, remember to match your hands, at least, when switching faces."

Chazz sighed, "Dead giveaway."

He looked at his hands, as they were turned the wrong way, and gasped in fright, "Aw, shit! I didn't realize! Damn it all! I'm an idiot!"

Scarlet huffed, "No. You're a loser."

Steven went closer to the guy and said, "Hey, Nimrod…"

Nimrod gasped, "Urk! Not you, too! How did you know my name?"

Steven said, "Lucky guess. Where's MIO's room? Show us to her, or else. Now we cannot kill you. That's obvious."

Scarlet said, "Go easy on him. I want this joker alive. He'll guide us there, even if we have to burn his hair off!"

Nimrod hollered, "HOW DARE YOU! Okay, my name is Nimrod, and that was a stupid name to be given birth to! You're just like all the others guys, so you'll meet the same fate! But I'm not human anymore! I am a walking deity of misery and woe!"

He lunged at Steven, and then roared, "And now, YOU WILL SUFFER BY MY EVIL HANDS OF DESPAIR AND PAIN AND SUFFERING, FOREV-!"

SMASH!
Chazz caught Nimrod with a huge punch by Ojama Star, by the neck, as he sighed, "Good grief… Do you ever shut up?"

Scarlet gasped, "Eh? OH, MY GOD!"

Chazz sensed it and said, "You offer pain and torment because you're cold as ice!"

Nimrod gasped, "N-No… You're… You can't do this! You will NEVER kill me! It's futile! I am immortal! NO ONE KILLS ME, AND YOU'RE FAILURES!"

He laughed, but Chazz healed his wounds. He said, "You're right. So, I guess that means you're a vampire, right?"

Nimrod stopped laughing, as Chazz said, "We'll see how immortal you REALLY ARE!"

Ojama Star landed a barrage of punches onto Nimrod, "DORARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARA-DORAAAAAAAH!"

Nimrod was sent flying through the walls, about four walls forward, and then Steven grabbed onto his shirt, as he landed. Steven glared at him, "Now… What are you going to do? Hmm?"

Nimrod moaned, battered and bruised, "Ungh… I… am going… to lead you… to Lord MIO…"

Scarlet said, "And soon! The sun's going down, and we are not wasting ANYMORE time! You make one false move, and you're burnt ashes."

Nimrod then asked, as he pleaded, "Wait… One question, before I do as you say… … … How the hell did you guys even guessed that my name was Nimrod? The Stand Users before me used to call me loser, but my name's actually Nimrod."

Scarlet sighed in disgust, "Because… … …You're a nimrod…"

Back in New York, Percival and Cy returned to AAW HQ. Superball saluted, as he was by the entrance door, "Good afternoon, sir, little lady. I'm sorry, but no kids allowed, without parental supervision."

Percival said, "Shut up, Agent Superball."

"Yes, sir."

"This kid's my partner."

Superball asked, "But your partner, an E.R.I., Experimental Robotic Intern."

Cy replied, "She's deceased."

Percival explained, "It's a long story. I wish to see Mizuki."

Superball said, "Yes, sir. She's in the medical bay, as we speak. Doctors from the Speedwagon Foundation have already left, as they have finished treatment. Her health is rapidly fading and-, oh… pardon me… I must take a break, for no good reason."

He started to sniffle and cry, and ran out of the building to pour out his heart in tears. Percival sighed and said, "And that break was a pretty good reason. You're not the only one, Superball."

He said, "Cy, come on. What do you say we visit Mizuki?"

Cy asked, "Miz-kee?"

They walked into the medical area, as Mizuki was lying on the cot, still unconscious. Percival said, "This is Mizuki Takase. She's an agent of AAW-New York, and a close friend of mine. As you can see, she has a Power Core implanted in her back. However, in her unwavering skills and stamina, she is resisting the power. Unfortunately, we have reports that she is to die in 50 days, since the gem imbedded into her spine, and that her Robot Gene, one of her powers, is uncontrollable. Right now, she is close to dying… Cy, I need you to sense her. I want to know how much time she has left."

Cy analyzed her life source, and the concluded, "Miss Miz-kee Ta-ga-say, she has until tomowwow, before she dies…"

Percival gasped, "Huh? Tomorrow?! Wait… How many days has she been planted a Power Core?!"

Cy scanned her again and said, "She haz been im-pwan-ded widduh Power Co for foe-dy-zeven days. Her body's alweady losing duh badduh."

Percival growled, "47 days? And no reports if whether or not they stopped MIO? And Mizuki's going to die tomorrow? FUCK!"

He growled, as he pounded his fists on the table, "Damn it! Why does life seem cruel? She's… She cannot die…"

Mizuki started to slowly breathe, as her breathing was failing. She then opened her eyes, and then heard Percival's anger. She held his hand and said, "Percival…"

Percival gasped, "M-M-M-Mizuki?!"

Mizuki whispered, "Where's Peter?"

He said, "Egypt… They're going to save you. I promise…"

Mizuki can barely talk, as she whispered, "Thank… you…"

She smiled, as she closed her eyes. Percival bowed his head and said, "Now… all we can do… is have faith…"

Cy nodded, "Have fade… widdou fail… I failed before… and I wund fail again… Have fade, Miz-kee, have fade!"

Mizuki chuckled, as Percival turned away. He then thought, "Peter, I'm sorry… I tried to help, but something came in the way. I failed you… all of you… I couldn't save her!"

Though he was cleansed of his past sins, he never forgave himself for leaving Mizuki alone, while he battled Eli Ayase. Time was running out, as Mizuki's health started to cripple, slowly and surely.

"You can stop pretending, Agent Gaynes… Failure led you to guilt."

Joanna appeared, with her bare chest wrapped in bandages, as she said, "I don't understand what is going on… But I know Farra and her friends will save Mizuki, and I know they're going to find a way. The death of MIO is the ONLY way to end this."

Mizuki moaned, "Is… that…?"

Percival asked, "Joanna? I thought-."

Joanna said, "Listen to me very carefully, Percival Gaynes. Your wife, my sister, is fighting a life or death battle in Egypt. The one thing we can do now is have faith. The Gang is putting their lives on the line, in order to save their fallen ally and friend. I know the power of friendship is strong, since we believe in them. She's never failed me! Once Farra's made up her mind to do something, nothing in this world can stop her!"

Joanna approached Mizuki and said, "I know my sister and her friends… They'll save you, and god knows what they'll do to try and end this nightmare."

Percival whispered, "Joanna… I didn't know…"

She held her hands, and said, "Mizuki… I have faith for my sister and your husband, and all the rest. You get some rest, and I know you can fight this…"

Mizuki smiled, "Thank you… Joanna…"

Percival and Cy watched on, with little faith regained. They knew The Gang will succeed. But they're running out of time…

Meanwhile, back in Egypt, Cassandra mended Yamabuki's hand and foot, and then said, "Here… You're good to go. Try not to push pressure into that foot. And your hands are bandaged up, so you won't lose any more fingers."

Yamabuki said, "Right… For Rookie and Yoko, I'm going in… This dark miasma around me… we have to fight MIO…"

Cassandra held herself and said, "I'm badly hurt. My anger over Yoko's death… was too much for me… and I lost a lot of blood… being I'm an android who was once human…"

Yamabuki said, as she helped her up, "You've had enough experience, Cassie… I'm proud of you. Don't let her death be in vain… Promise me."

Cassandra sniffled, "Yeah… Okay…"

Farra suddenly appeared, as she gasped, "Suou! Cassie! What happened?"

Yamabuki cried, "Farra! What the hell-?"

Cassandra moaned, "Ungh… Señora Stevens…"

Farra approached her, as she asked, "What happened?"

Yamabuki said, "A vampire did it… She was a Stand User, and she assaulted the both of us. But I, your friend Bookie, wasted her away…"

Cassandra nodded, "But… Since what she said is true… she left out that Yoko and Rook… they… They perished…"

Farra bowed her head and said, "I see… I'm sorry, Cassie… about Yoko…"

Cassandra sniffled, hugging Farra, "YOKO! Why? Why did you die? YOKOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

She cried on her shoulder, as Yamabuki said, without tears, "I'm going to make a beeline to MIO's room. Get Cassandra out of here."

Farra nodded, "Right. Do it for Rook and Yoko. Make Cassie proud, Suou."

Yamabuki asked, "Wait… Why are you here, too?"

Farra said, as she helped Cassandra out, "I sensed danger, so I went on ahead, without the others. Perfect timing."

Yamabuki smiled, "Right… See ya around."

Farra winked, "Hey, Suou… Don't die, alright?"

Yamabuki gave the thumbs-up, and then giggled, "I won't, Farra…"

She raced off, as Farra carried a forlorn Cassandra out of the mansion.

[Cassandra Martinez – Android Fool: Unable to continue, due to minor injury]

Upstairs, Steven Nevins watched from the window, in the balcony, as he groaned, "Kisaragi failed me… This is what I get for hiring mixed-breed humans."

He flexed a bit and said, "That's fine by me… If you want something done right… DO IT YOURSELF!"

His aura boomed in a red aura, and unleashed a shadowy figure from behind him. What is it?

To be continued…