At the prison, June and Emily were being searched by some officers, as they were about to step through.
A female officer said, "Please place all objects in the tray, and make sure you do NOT have firearm with you. If you have any weapons, whatsoever, please place them in the tray."
June was clean, as Emily went next. She was searched by the female officer. Emily blushed in arousal, as she moaned, "I always wanted to do this… but an American custom from such a built constable…"
She giggled, as the officer said, "You're clean, ma'am. Also, check on that nosebleed."
Emily giggled, as she said, "Yeah, yeah. I will, constable."
June glared at her and thought, "How can you get easily aroused, after only being searched?"
The gate opened, as the officer said, "Miss Koumoto told us everything. Popo's cell is in Cell N-28. You can't miss it. Reinforced glass keeps him inside, but you can still converse. You have fifteen minutes. DO NOT exchange anything from the prisoners or yourself, unless it's needed."
She said to June, "You're turn, kid."
Emily growled, "Lucky…"
June asked, "So, no special room, but rather outside her cell?"
The officer said, "Are you kidding? No. Don't you know who he is?"
Emily remarked, "I don't even know, either…"
Episode 1 – Chapter 3: Meet the Capo!
June Nevins' Entrance Exam!
June and Emily walked down the long corridor, as a few male prisoners were ogling them, behind their backs. June sighed, "Is it because we're that fetching? I take Mom's side, after all…"
Emily smirked, "Let these perverts wolf whistle me."
She asked June, "So, any idea who or what this guy looks like?"
"Koumoto said that he's in Cell N-28. From what she told me, his name is Popo."
"Popo… Papa?"
"No… I think it's just Popo."
"Oh. Well, that's different. We have fifteen minutes to find this guy, and then… we leave!"
"Well, yeah. It's my task, after all. You're welcome to join in."
"You do that. I'm very busy."
June said, "Here it is. Cell N-28. Isn't that quaint? A huge throw bed, hotel bar, and even a cute couch."
Popo's cell was huge, with a bed, a small fridge, and a white couch. Emily said, "Even a place to take a loo… Cells are like that. At least you don't piddle your prison attire."
A voice called, in a demonic tone, "That left arm of yours… Is it injured?"
Emily shrieked, as June saw the bed. The bed started to bulge and grow, as it turned into a huge figure with spiky hair, with the spikes shaped like arrowheads. June whispered, "Whoa… The bed, it's not a-."
Emily gagged, "He's huge…"
A huge obese man, taller than the girls, sat up and yawned, "But your hand, the right hand, looks like it's red, like you were holding something… You, the girl in glasses. Yes… You were holding a suitcase, just now."
June replied, "Uh, sir, you implicated about my left hand. My right hand did hold a bag, but you thought it was the left. And I did injure my left arm, recently."
The huge man nodded, as Emily asked, "Pardon for asking, sir, but are you Popo?"
Popo replied, reaching for some wine, "I do appreciate that sort of thought. Would you like some wine? I do enjoy Chianti Classico, with Scamorza cheese and crackers, often times."
Emily giggled, "Uh, no, thanks…"
She thought, "How the hell did he get fancy foods?"
June asked, "Em asked you…"
Popo replied, "Yes. You're the girls Miss Koumoto met, huh? What people say and people do are vastly different."
He opened a wall, revealing weaponry, and added, "And that's the best and worst thing about it from people. The only downside of it is being in this cell, and well…"
June thought, "Popo… It's not that he doesn't need to leave this prison… It's like he's king in his cell. Things wouldn't be the same, whether he does or not. With that body, he'd be an open target, so the jail cell is sheltered safe. But what I wanna know is how the hell he got into the door…"
Emily whispered, "June, I'm scared of this guy. I'm leaving…"
June said, "Quiet."
Popo stated, "Koumoto told me about you… Both of you. I understand the shrew in glasses wants to form her own gang, as a part of our familgia."
June nodded, as Emily said, "Uh, she's doing it. Not me."
Popo smiled, "Nonsense! You two are more than welcome… Uh, it was… June Nevins, Emily Maynard, was it? I know your names, from Koumoto. Well, why don't we get this interview started."
He eats his cracker, as June was a bit disgusted. But then, Popo devoured it, while munching on his right middle and ring finger off. Emily gagged, "WHAT THE HELL?"
June whispered, "No way… This guy just ate his fingers…"
Popo drinks his wine, as his fingers were still there. Emily gasped, "Eh?!"
"Did my eyes play a trick on me?" June thought.
Popo held a lighter, as June thought to herself, "No… Popo has mysterious powers, like Kana. But what? And I still have no idea what a Stand is… but in my guess, this cazzone is another one of them."
She spoke to Emily, via ESP Perk, "Em, don't let him know that we have these powers. I have a hunch, but Popo may have the same type of powers, as does Kana."
Emily nodded, as she kept quiet. Popo asked then, "Tell me… What do you think is the most important thing when it comes to choosing someone, June Nevins?"
June asked, "Is it what they're capable of?"
"Ohhh? And what is it that you're capable of, ragazzo?"
June smirked, as she released a couple items inside, including the wallet and watch, from her hands. Emily gasped, "HUH? Where did you?"
June said, "I borrowed a few things from the officer, when she was frisking me…"
Emily shouted, "YOU THIEF! WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU DO THAT?"
June stated, "Well, I thought it's important for a test, since it's an interview. I am returning them, after we leave, though."
Emily snarled, "Alright, just how did you do that? Don't tell me you're going your father's dark path, too!"
June said, "I'm not. Sadly, this is all I can do."
Popo smiled, "Molto Interessante. And that's a pretty neat trick, kiddo! There's something else that's far more important… and that's trust! The most important thing, when it comes to choosing other people is trust. You and your friend, you trust each other, I can tell. In comparison, being smart or being talented means as much as this piece of cracker, stuck between my teeth… This test will see how trustworthy you are."
He held up a lit lighter and said, "June Nevins, this is your test… WITH THE LIGHTER'S FLAME!"
The lighter, still lit, is presented to June and Emily, as Popo continued, "Take it. Make sure that the flame does not go out."
Emily barked, "Are you nuts? We can't take it! If we did, the officer will take it away from us!"
June reached for the lighter, but Popo called, "Aspetta! Be extra careful with that, kid! Make sure that this flame doesn't go out, at all. It is said, from the 17th-century theologian, Fuller, He's my friend that speaks will of me, behind my back. You do well to remember those words. If you are to join us, you'll have to show your trust, whenever we cannot see you. Know this, child. You must keep this flame lit, in order to join our organization… for 24 hours… And don't worry, there's enough fluid to hold the flame lit."
They gasped, as he continued, "If you can do that, you're more than happy to join us. If that flame goes out, however, then you'll know… All you have to do is return the lighter to me, at 3PM tomorrow. Keep tabs in your room, and make sure that the flame doesn't go out. If you're a careful person, and the flame stays lit, you're in… and that means you are someone we can trust. However, let's just say you would take it too lightly, and you'd fall asleep, sneeze, or knock it over, or if a windy gust blows out the flame, then… it means you're not trustworthy as a member of the familgia."
Emily said, in fear, "So… If June keeps the flame lit, for a full 24 hours, we're in? What about me?"
Popo glared at her, "YOU'RE much of a trustworthy person, as you are, cucciolo. Nevins, however, she is nowhere near trustworthy, and has to earn her way in our organization! But rest assured that the lighter has enough fluid to stay lit for a whole day. She holds the key to our familgia."
June takes the lighter and said, "This isn't good…"
Emily growled, "I know you're skeptical, but… Do you realize that you're going to fail, even if we leave?"
June asked, "What do you mean? I know that we're going to get searched again."
Popo called, "Good! I'm looking forward to your next visit. Feel free to come alone, if you'd like. See you tomorrow!"
Popo laughs, as June and Emily leaves, with Emily saying, "Come on. Our time's up. We gotta go."
June whispered, holding the lighter in her hand, and covering the flame with her free hand, "This is my plan… but I don't know…"
They left the cells, as June covered the lighter in her back. Emily asked, "What now?"
The officer called, "All visitors must proceed through the gate, for a final pat down." June & Emily gasped, as the officer continued, "Once we give you permission to exit the premises, you will retrieve your belongings in the next room."
The officer approached her, but June asked, "Hey, wait up! Didn't Popo say anything to you about this?"
They armed themselves, as Emily shrieked, "BLABBERMOUTH!"
The officer called, "You two! What are you hiding?"
They gasped, as she called out, "Let me remind you that it's punishable by law for you to accept anything from prisoners! Assume the position!"
Emily gasped in horror, "Shit! Not good!"
June whispered, "If they find out about the lighter, we're toast!"
Emily groaned, as she said, "Me, first!"
She stepped forward, as June sighed, "Grrr… The test has started, but here I thought that the police were bribed by the organization. Guessing not…"
Emily was being frisked, as she was blushing. The officer said, "Seriously, Miss, hold your blood pressure…"
Emily walked off, as June clutched the lighter in her fist. The officer called out, "Attenzione! You're next, you in the glasses! Step forward now, nice and slow!" She patted her down, but then said, "Miss, open your right hand. Must I repeat that it's prohibited to take anything from the prisoners?"
Emily gasped, "Oh, pooh…"
June calmly opened her hand, as Emily growled, "Damn it, June! You idiot!"
June opens her hand, showing a white flower. Emily was stunned, "Wha-?"
The officer asked, "A flower?"
June said, "He gave it to me as a gift…"
She giggled, as the officer said, "Once again, it's prohibited to-."
Emily shouted, "CONSTABLE! It's just a sodding flower! What are you, blind?"
The officer explained, "Ma'am, be quiet! I was saying that it's prohibited to take anything from the prisoner, but… Since this is a real flower, it's acceptable. Miss, you are permitted to leave now. Stay safe, okay?"
Emily sighed in relief, as she nodded, "Thank god…"
XXXXX
June and Emily walked down the street, hours later, as Emily said, "Well, Kana said that she already left. And so am I. I don't know how you did it, but I ain't sticking around. You're on your own!"
She marched off, as June asked, "Wait! You're leaving me?"
Emily said, "I have better things to do. Besides, I have to go see Okuma, back at Hane City."
"What for?"
"Well… Something personal. Look, I'd help you, but you got this. We're both family blood, since we're from different worlds."
"Especially since your mother's a hero, and my father's a traitor…"
"Oh, grow up. Listen, lemme know what happened between you and the lighter."
She walked off and waved, "See ya."
After that, June walked all the way home, holding the lighter in her hands, preventing the flame from going out. Wind started to blow, as June covered the flame with her hand. She whispered, "That was close."
XXXXX
She made it back home, as she was up to her room. She sighed, "Thank goodness, I made it home."
She sighed in relief, but the flame started to wave frantically. June panicked, and then cried, "Not good!"
The flame went bigger. June then created a small platform for the lighter, and surrounded the lighter with objects, blocking the air. The lighter was placed on the platform, made of an old bread roll.
"Good. Now the light won't fall over, even if the air moves it, and the flame stays put. Popo said I just need to watch over it for the next 23 hours…"
She turned to the window and locked it. She said, "Well, since it's only a day, I'll make sure that the wind doesn't blow in here."
She sighed in relief and said, "That's better… Now, all I have to do is wait. Moreover, none of my stuff is able to catch fire. That's fine, since I wanted to make sure nothing happens."
Suddenly, the door opened, as she thought, "Huh? What the-? Why is my door opening?"
June hid, as a figure stepped into her room. She called, "Hey, Sis? You got a minute?"
It was Beth. June hid outside, hanging by the metal railing, avoiding any contact. Beth looked around the room, as June thought, "It's just Beth… But why is she here now? This is bad. I can't tell her about the light-."
She gasped, "FUCK! The lighter!"
She whimpered, "Beth can't know about the lighter or my exam! No, she would, since she's psychic!"
Beth looked around, as she groaned, "Man… How hard is it to find a textbook? June owes me one, since she gets to go to college, soon… She's no different than Mom…"
She griped, "OR MY BASTARD FATHER! It's not like I'll have both brains and brawn… to begin with."
June thought, "Oh, boy… She's looking for one of my books. Cazzo, I was gonna lend her one of them, but it's in one of the compartments, near the lighter. And if she sees the lighter, she'll blow it out. Moreover, she thinks that I'm hiding something from her."
June growled, "Damn! Think! I have to retrieve that lighter, before Beth thinks I am doing something shady!"
She summoned her dark powers and cried, "DEVIL PRINCESS!"
SOCK!
She socked at a small chrome box, which was connected to a ceiling lamp, above the lighter. The lamp turned into a snake, as Beth was turned away from the moment. June used the snake to pull it up, as she said, "That snake from the lamp will bring the lighter up. Now, all I need is to get the bread roll towards me…"
But then, the snake was caught in the tip of the flame, and hissed. It let go of the bread roll, and June cried, "SHIT, NO!"
The roll dropped back in place, as Beth suddenly saw it. She asked, "Eh? What the devil is this?"
June thought, panicking, "Not good! SHE FOUND IT!"
Beth reached for it and said, "Weird contraption… Why is there a-?"
She noticed a small stream of smoke, and looked into the compartments. She then found a study book and gasped, "There it is! Blasted Sister! She just hid it from me and-!"
She blew the smoke out of the corner and extinguished it. Beth sighed, "Thank goodness. Well, it's a good thing this weird thingy jus-."
She looked at the bread roll and was confused. The lighter is gone. Beth asked, "Eh? Was there a lighter on here? No… I must be imagining things. Sis must be into pyrokinesis, or something."
Outside, June was rushing down the stairs, panicking in fear, with the lighter in hand. June sobbed in panic, "Another close call! Beth almost saw me, and almost extinguished the flame! I, June Nevins, will not let this dream go away! …much as the flame I'm going to protect."
SPLASH!
June nearly was doused with a splash of water, as the janitor was finished cleaning. He called, "Oh, sorry, Miss. I was just about to clean the stairs. It's a good thing it only misted at you."
He resumed cleaning, as June was a bit enraged. Her hands were soaking wet, as she grumbled, "You're kidding me-? This old fogey just-?"
June squirmed, as she whispered, "Do I dare need to look?"
She opened her hands and saw the lighter. The flame was extinguished.
"Awwww…" She groaned, "And it only lasted two hours, too!"
The janitor said, "Oh, what you got there? A lighter, at your age?"
June explained, "Oh, this? This was my father's."
"Is it broken? Sorry if it was my fault."
"No, it's not…"
She placed the lighter down, and he picked it up. He said, "Well, it's not broken, but there's still gas leaking out."
He stated, as he was about to relit it, "See? Nothing broken. A mighty fine craftsmanship on this lighter. Here."
WHOOSH!
The flames sparked up, and he gave the lighter back to June. June thought, as she was confused, "Something not right… This lighter cannot be fixed. And that flame, it came out of nowhere…"
She suddenly saw a figure with a blue hat and robe, in a spectral form. June followed it, but the phantom vanished. She whispered, "What the hell? What was that-?"
"YOU!" The phantom cried out, "YOU RELIT THE LIGHTER!"
It grabbed onto the janitor, by the soul, and roared, "I offer you two paths! But you must pick the one that leads to salvation!"
"That's-?"
"You're first choice is to be chosen, and have the right to live… The only other option… is death!"
June thought, "What the hell is that? A ghost? No, it's something way different! But what is it?"
Its mouth opened wide, and showed a golden arrow. It stabbed onto the head of the janitor, as June was shocked in disbelief.
"BASTARDO! How dare he kill that guy! He did nothing wrong!" She shouted.
The ghost bellowed, "This soul… his soul does not belong to the chosen."
She gasped, "What is that supposed to mean?"
It threw the janitor's corpse off the stairway, and June caught him. She growled, "He's dead… That ghost killed him… No, it wasn't a ghost… That's…"
She called, "HEY! What are you?"
It turned to her, as she hollered, "How dare you kill an innocent life, you monster?"
She thought, "I have to be careful. This ghostly being pulls out souls, and kills them, with that arrow. Hang on… "This soul is not chosen"… What did he mean by that?"
She suddenly stepped on a shadow. The being said to her, "YOU! You relit the lighter, too? Salvation awaits!"
It lunged at her, as she cried, "He came out of my shadow, and grabbed my soul! The old man died, because of the arrow… What happens if he pierces me? I'm no norm or anything!"
The spirit called, "Before you lies two paths! Will you accept and be one of the chosen, or will you die in the arrow?"
The ghost grabbed her by the soul, as it prepared to kill her. It unleashed its arrow, again. But she grabbed the arrow and groaned, grabbing it with her left hand, "AAAAAAAAAAAAGH! WHAT IS WITH THIS ARROW? If it drives into my throat, there's no way I'll survive!" She then roared, "AGH! Screw this! Even if it is Popo, and one of the capos, I got no choice! If that bloated bedroll thinks I'm going to stand idly by and let this nice old man die in his cold malice, think again! He can die by my hands!" June socked it in the face, and roared, "STAY BACK!"
She landed a rapid-fire of punches and roared, "MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA!"
It fell to the ground, but suddenly vanished. She cried, "He's gone! How did he disappear?"
She looked around, as she thought, "Where did it go?"
She felt a tug, and the ghost emerged from the shadows, grabbing hers. She gagged, "The shadows? Merda! He grabbed me in the darkness!"
The ghost leaned closer and prepared the final blow. But it let go, and vanished. June stumbled down and moaned, "Ow…"
The ghost returned from another shadowy spot, and prepared to fight at her. But it walked away, without touching her. She touched the shadows, but she jerked away, as soon as he popped up. June figured it out.
"So, this is one of those phantoms that hide in the shadows… It can only move within the shadows, but at an amazing speed… And it cannot go near the sunlight. But it's almost getting dark soon… so, there's a chance that he'll get me in the evening. Clever… If I can force it into the sunlight area, who knows what could happen? But that won't be easy…"
They stared down, as June said, "This ghost thing is creeping me out. But I can't wait long to strike. At this rate, the sun will go down!"
Beth called, "JUNE! There you are! What happened?"
Beth appeared, as she saw June, fighting the ghost. She called out, "I saw an old guy fallen to the ground! What the hell did you do?"
"Sis?!" June gasped.
Beth called, "Also, where did you get that lighter?"
June shouted, "Don't get the wrong idea! Go back inside! Can't you see that this ghost is-?"
The ghost vanished, as Beth shouted, "Wrong idea? You were talking to that old fossil, were you? I saw you out in the window, this whole time, and you were holding that lighter! Where did you get that?"
June whined, "BETH! I TOLD YOU, IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!"
She then gasped and asked, "Hang on! You saw everything?"
Beth nodded, as June panicked, "GET AWAY FROM THE RAILING'S SHADOW! THAT GHOST WILL THINK YOU RELIT THE LIGHTER!"
But Beth touched the shadows, and the ghost remerged. It grabbed Beth's soul, as it shouted, "YOU! YOU saw the reignition of the lighter, didn't you? Before you lies two paths!"
Beth gasped, "WHAT'S GOING ON?"
June shouted, "YOU LEAVE MY LITTLE SISTER ALONE, YOU ASSHOLE! INTERCEPT HIM, DEVIL PRINCESS!"
She grabbed onto the arrow, before it could kill Beth. She griped it, but was in pain. June held the arrow by the head, and blood started to leak. June thought, "Searing pain... unbearable... Enough time… But I saved Beth, only…"
The railing turned into vines, as it drooped down. June giggled, "So much for your game of hide-n-seek. I even turned the railing into vines and Morning Glories. Serves you right!"
The sun shone onto the ghost, as he screamed in moans. He vanished into nothing, as Beth was shocked, "Okay… What the hell was that, anyway?"
June sighed, "Damn it! So close… There were more shadows nearby. But luckily, we're safe for now. If I can pull him into a huge patch of sunlight, I can off him, for good."
Beth whined, "June Nevins, tell me what's going on! You never told me about your lifestyle! I had my experience, fighting vampires and what-not, but you had this hidden for long?"
June called, "It's nothing, Beth! I told you before!"
Beth cried, "Bullshit! Where did you get the lighter? Just why are you hiding this from me?"
June said, "It's too late to explain... even so, I was hiding it from you, for you own safety, only we're both targets for that damn thing."
She sighed, "The lighter was because of my careless actions... the old man came along and made it worse, and now he's dead. It makes me sick... Ever since Dad left, I wanted to fend for myself, ever since the moment in East Townsend. I believe in what I set out to do, unlike you. It's terrible, but I can't stop it now. A dream's in my heart, and I'm seeing it through, no matter what!"
Beth moaned, as she was sad, "Mommy... Ever since she returned from Egypt, she needed time to think. I haven't heard from her, lately... But I know for one thing... Memory serves me, if you are given an arrow, you gain special powers. I believe I met one, back in India, assisting Auntie Michelle, a year back."
June gasps, and thought, "That's it! One of the chosen... That is how they use the arrow. The chosen are those whose powers are awakened. That's what Popo meant!"
She spotted the ghost and barked, "THERE HE IS!"
Beth said, as she spotted the ghost, "Oh, no way! What is that thing?"
She thought, "So, it hides in shadows? Weird being…"
She then stated, "It looms in the shadows… I bet this creature is a weird psychic ghost… or as Mommy calls them Stands. I don't believe in that physical manifestation of the soul bullshit, but I so do know is that this is a controlled psychic energy, from afar."
"Huh? Faraway ghost?" June asked.
"Indeed. While it is only controlled from far away, it's only suitable for limited commands."
"So, we're stuck in a rut… Even if it is a Stand, the user is far away… And my gut tells me that he's in a jail cell, controlling the action, from behind the scenes…"
She growled, as her eyes shone purple, "A ghost of psychic energy… controlled far away… Popo. He killed the poor man, and nearly tried to kill us…"
June explained, "Sis, I will need your assistance. If we can head off to some huge sunlight, we can be able to corner him. Though, since the sun is about to go down, we have to make it fast. If any obstacle is in our sunlight area, we get rid of it. This ghost travels in shadows… so our best bet is to burn the jerk alive in sunlight!"
Beth called, "Got it!"
June ran off, as she thought, "If I can just get to enough sunlight for him to expose himself, this battle is won!"
But suddenly, the ghost grabbed onto her ankles. It called out, "Preso!"
June gasped, "Wha-? NO!"
She slammed down, as the ghost called, "YOU! YOU witness the relighting the lighter, didn't you?"
June gasped, "Bastardo! How did he get here, so fast?"
Beth shone in purple, as her eyes turned purple, and roared, "HEY, UGLY! SHUT THE FUCK UP!"
POW!
"Choujin Technique – Ty Ko Ky Overdrive!" She landed a right to the ghost's arms, and they started to sink into the pavement.
Beth called, "The crows! They were the reason why he moved fast enough! It's like a shadow cargo trip, towards you!"
June sighed and said, "Thanks, Sis."
Beth said, "Thank me later, after we extinguish this spirit!"
The ghost held the grip of her ankles, as it opened its mouth. Beth cried, "What the-? How the hell did he-?"
June cried, "I appreciate the assistance, but it seems this bastardo's not letting go, no matter what! Merda!"
The ghost said, "Once more! You witnessed the reignition the lighter, did you? Before you lies two paths!"
Beth thought, "Shit! At this rate, June's ankles will snap into two!" She cried, "JUNE! I'm going to try and hold him off! You run as far away as you can! I'm going to set you free, and then run!"
June stayed and said, "No! Sorry, but I'm not letting you die, just for me. In fact, no one is dying today. Sis, you gave me the assistance that I needed. It's no wonder why you defeated Kagura Sohma and lived to tell the tale! That's because we're family!"
A tree branch snapped off from behind June, as Beth gasped, turning to the tree. June said, "You're not the only one with powers, Beth. Devil Princess has the ability to give life, and then take it away. Unlike Golden Experience, my powers can inject life force into any living organism, and continuously increase from within. This tree is growing to its fullest life, and then wither away!"
Beth cried, "That's your power? But… that tree is ten meters away!"
She looked down, "Of course… She got to the tree, by through the ground, straight to the roots!"
The tree collapsed and died, as sunlight emitted onto the shadow. The ghost moaned in pain, and reached for the crack on the ground. June stomped onto the hand, and sealed the crack away. The ghost screamed in pain, and started to melt away.
"You told me that I have two paths to choose… Sadly, you only have one! Beth, let your older sister take this one. OH! Uh, could you step to right, while you're at it?"
Beth moved and said, "Oh, sure..."
June prepared to punch, and called, "YOU HAVE ONE CHOICE! The only choice you can make… IS REPENT, MOTHERFUCKER!"
POW! POW! POW!
"MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
The ghost flew upwards into the air, and exploded into nothing. June called, "Bask in the sunlight and repent! That's only your path you've taken! Enjoy the ride, stronzo."
She picked up the lighter and sighed, "Phew… That did it. Still, though, I have to wonder if I'm able to join a gang, after this calamity… Oh, well."
June walked off, as Beth asked, "A gang? Hang on! June? Is there something you're telling me?"
June said, "Oh, what I said? Well… I'll explain, when it's right. But if I do, promise not to tell."
Beth said, "Believe me, I know what you're going to say, and I know what's going on. But I can't always know what you're thinking."
June smiled and said, "Thanks."
Beth sensed something, as she gasped, "Hold on. We'll discuss this later. Right now, I have something to take care of."
June nodded, "Right." She left with the lighter, as she saw a girl in light purple hair, wearing her causal wear. She dashed off in the shadows, and went to a payphone. She thought, "This happened before. Why again? But that arrow's existence… I recognize that design! The arrow in Italy and America means one thing!"
She was about to dial, but Beth stopped her, placing the fingers onto the phone. Beth glared at her, "I'm sorry, but being that you have this BS power, too, from what I guess, you wanted to call my Mommy, huh?"
The girl gasped, "AAGH! You again! UH… Wait… You're the blonde's sister…"
Beth smirked, "Beth Nevins, at your service."
XXXXX
Minutes later, Beth talked with Tsukasa, the girl that spied on June and Beth, during the battle, as Tsukasa told her everything.
"Look, as much as I want you to act heroic, just because your sister destroyed that Stand." She explained, "The sun only stopped the Stand! The user's perfectly fine, wherever he is!"
Beth said, "Well, I don't think you need to worry. Sis wouldn't hold a grudge, but doesn't forgive anybody who kills."
Tsukasa said, "Maybe so, but that was a long-ranged Stand that you fought. It has almost no effect on their users. You should know that once a Stand is destroyed, you cease to being. He probably had no idea that the fight took place."
"Say what? You mean the guy who wields this Stand is oblivious? Man… This world is shitty! But… Sis and I are NOT Stand Users."
"You're relentless. If anything, he felt a little heaviness in his hands. But he has no idea about your powers, despite that you're not Stand Users."
Tsukasa then said in disdain, "Look, I appreciate what you and her have done, but I have to report this to your Mother's friends, here in America."
Beth replied, "Sorry. But I cannot let you do that. It's not one guy. It's an organization. June said something about a familia, or whatever. I'm still too young to learn Italian, but I can sense what she's trying to do. I don't always know my sister, too much. If you contact The Gang, word can contact to the enemy. If you do decide to call, tell them to stay out of this. June's fighting this battle, by herself."
"Enemy? Organization?!"
Beth said, "This stays between us, Tsukasa. This is something my sister has to learn, alone."
The next day, June returns the lighter to Popo, as Popo was amazed. He said, "So, you managed to keep the flame lit, for 24 hours?"
June said, "That I did. There were issues, but I made sure that the flames stays lit…"
Popo was eating a pizza, as he said, "Sorry, I got me a specially-ordered pizza today. I was rather hungry. Anyways, lemme a minute… You're… Jun… Jun…"
June explained, "June Nevins, sir."
"Oh, yes. I forgot. My head goes black, whenever I have a snack. I slip into a coma, after I eat big. All the blood goes right into my stomach."
He kept eating, as June was annoyed. "This might sound sudden, but you're very religious, Nevins."
"I'm not sure… But I'm not very passionate about it." She said.
He held up some wine and said, "What I'm about to say may contradict God's teachings. So, listen carefully. If the most important thing in the world is trust, the most despicable thing you can do is insult someone. To injure of betray trust, not only it hurts their reputation, but it puts them in a very sticky situation. We will not fight others or risk our lives over the greed of money, power, respect, and in this case, having our seats taken at a theater or on a bus. Fighting is truly foolish. Only idiots bother with it."
He pointed at her, "But… I will risk my own life, over being insulted. When me or my men get disrespected, all bets are off, pivello. I believe God forgives even murder, even when disrespected. Do not forget that."
He cheered, "And that said, you've joined the organization, as duly promised! Bravissimo! You did brought back the still-lit lighter, as I trusted you would. You passed!"
He threw a golden button to June, and then said, "Here. This is a badge to acquire admission to the Alternativa Syndicate. It proves that you're one of us. You and Miss Maynard will be working under Miss Koumoto, for the time being."
June reached for the badge, but through the crack of the cell, she viewed the fridge. She glared quietly, as Popo enjoys his wine. She took the badge, and Popo called, "Well, listen, child! What say you share a swig of my-?"
June was walking away, as he sighed, "Eh, kids today. No respect for their elders. But still… Did that little moccioso actually protected that flame, for 24 hours? Or did she relit it, and become a Stand User? Oh, well, I don't care less. Either way, she's ours, and no one will know that we're using her. The young can be so easy to use. She's clueless, like all the rest."
After June left, Beth watched on from afar, seeing June leave the prison, to avoid being caught.
"Sis… When our ESP Perks were awakened, I wasn't sure about us. I'm usually using my powers for my own good deeds, but I never suspected her to have such lofty aspirations. But now, I know for sure… She doesn't have a wicked soul in her, but my sister is not like my bastard father or Auntie Michelle… All my life, I was given the knowledge of three generations of my family, and all of them were for good, all the way back to my great-grandfather, Birchum, and to today, with us. It's as if our righteous hearts were our life energy, handed from generation to generation, that motivated to carry on. I have experienced that same passion, years ago, when I fought Kagura Sohma and the Jewel Women, back in Switzerland. I have no doubt, my sister has a heart of gold, and I'm absolutely sure of it. And that's why, out of confidence, I'll keep this secret from everyone else. Only those who deemed to earn June's trust, like I have. She's my only family left, other than my mother and my bastard father. She deserves that much. I promise to help protect June Nevins's Golden Dream, with every ounce of my young being!"
Beth runs off and giggles, "Okay! I better head for school! I don't want to be late again!"
Beth agrees to keep June's dream a secret. But only Emily knows, also. What lies ahead for the Nevins Sisters, as June joins the Alternativa mafioso?
Minutes later, June showed Emily the badge, as she said, "This is our entry to Alternativa."
Emily said, "You did it, huh? Beth told me everything. She knows that I already know."
June said, "It wasn't easy, though…"
Emily walked off, "Hey, listen, you got a minute? I was thinking I'd show you something, near my place. I promise that it won't take long."
June asked, "How was Hane City?"
Emily blushed, "Uh… Not so much… Tanukichi was nice enough to show me around. Plus, his place is filled to the brim with cloned strippers!"
June griped, "EW, EM! Do you have to be this facetious?"
She grumbled, as Emily smiled, "Well, he did offer me to stay in Club Tundra, for a while. When you get older, I want you to visit there. It's a strict rule against minors."
"I don't wanna, so there." June huffed.
Emily said, "Maybe someday…"
"No."
"Come on! You gotta come by this place, it's heavenly!"
"I'd bring Mom, but she'd scold me!"
"Do it for Tanukichi!"
"And make him a fall guy, again?"
XXXXX
Meanwhile, in Popo's cell, he was enjoying a banana. June narrated, as a gun click was made, "When someone insults you, even murder is forgivable? What you told me was very important, Popo… which makes sense, since you insulted that innocent old man's life."
BANG!
Popo inadvertently killed himself, with a banana, which was actually one of his pistols.
"So, I turned one of your weapons into a banana… Enjoy your last meal, as best as you can."
His body collapsed, and fell to the ground dead, bleeding out a bit. Beside his hand was a broken arrow, with the same gold tip, similar to the ghost.
XXXXX
June asked Emily, "So, where are we going?"
Emily said, "My time in Hane City's strip club taught me a lot. And because it inspired me, I have finished my project!"
"Huh? Project?!"
Emily winked, "You'll see…"
Inside Emily's house, meanwhile, a woman in long green hair was standing straight, inside a glass pod. Her eyes were closed and her face was emotionless.
Act V – Episode 1: The End
So begins the adventure for June Nevins and her crew. A lot will be answered, as they have a dream together. How will June get along with her newly-bonded organization of Kana Koumoto? What is Emily Maynard working on that was inspired by Tanukichi Okuma? And just what are everyone's plans, joining June's NEW Gang?
Act Five has just begun! Stay tuned to the next chapter!
To be continued…