Following the end of Haruhi Suzumiya, in Rome, Emily was back at Club Tundra Snow, a couple days later, making repairs on Nanao. After the adventure that they had, Emily Maynard is now at peace… away from all the adventures that she endured, since it all started, months ago.

"Well, since it's almost finished, I need one more job…" she whispered, as she was fiddling into her circuits, "Uh-uh… No… Ah, good!"

Nanao was lying on the table, deactivated, with a tarp over her naked body, and with her stomach exposed.

My name is Emily Maynard. I'm the daughter of Miranda Maynard, the Great Hero of Argos. As you can guess, despite the injuries I endured, I'm home. Back in America, I was able to finally shake off the famiglia and its ties. After the battle, Nanao Kashima, my robot, suddenly was damaged. I wish I knew what happened. But it's just a minor injury, like her jaw was almost unhinged.

Emily sighed, rubbing her head, "Well, good as new. Man, what a day… I'm just glad that it's all over."

She turned to her body and pressed a button. She replied, "Now that you're fixed, Kashima-san, we should have you booted up, and leave Hane City, for good. Since June Nevins had finished her dream…"

June Nevins is back in Italy, becoming the new Boss of the mafioso. Beth, on the other hand… Well, she decided to wait for her father to come home, to apologize to him. I don't blame them. They got closure, and that's all there is to it. By the way, I kept the VMP with me, as a gift from Hijiri, who said to me that I get to keep it, anyways, since it wants nothing to do with the famiglia, anymore. Even so, I still haven't gotten the bugs fixed on this device.

She paused and whispered, "June…" She then smiled, "No matter… It's time to move on. Koumoto's dead, June's happy, and I'm relieved… And to think it all started with that one thug that wanted my VMP."

The phone rang, as Emily went to the phone, "I'll get it!"

She left the lab, to answer the phone, as Nanao was on standby. Her amber eyes dimmed, as she was loading. She suddenly beeped, "Kana. Koumoto. Kana… Kana… Kana…"

She went into a quiet loop, as she started to recover a portion of her memory data.

Hello. My name is Nanao Kashima. I'm an android, built by my master, Emily Maynard. It was finally over. Haruhi Suzumiya, the boss, was finally defeated. Though, I cannot fathom what June Nevins did, but it is best not to process it. Even so… I am saddened by the deaths of Kana Koumoto, Man Motoyama, & Tomomi Hetada. Hijiri Yajima was still crying, when she learned the horrible truth. As I go into standby, my memory tracks are discovering a lost file that I once kept, long after we made Kana Koumoto a capo. It all happened, before Kana Koumoto's death. Way before.

After Kana Koumoto was a capo to the Alternativa, June Nevins and Emily Maynard left for America to recruit Beth Nevins and Tanukichi Okuma. However, for about a day or so, I chose to stay with the others, to get to know them. Kana Koumoto was pretty nice, when you get to know her.

She was dressed in her ninja outfit, sitting at the table with Pets, Mossan, and Hijiri, as she said, "Uh, it's nice to get to know each other."

Pets smiled, "You said it. How about we treat you, since you're one of them that helped save Kana-bun's ass?"

Nanao smiled, "That can be arranged. Thank you, Tomomi Hetada."

They whispered to each other, as Nanao waited. Pets whispered, "This robot… I don't know why, but… O-M-G! Look at her boobs. They're huge."

Mossan growled, "Still, for a rookie, she does know when to make robots that are… ugh… Slender."

Hijiri said, "I don't know… I would say she's a B, no, C… But she's not as firm and slim like me. If Kana does make a big deal out of it, she'll whine about it, like before."

Mossan snarled, "Please… June and Emily brought her here because we wanted to make her feel like she's at home. But still, despite that she and those two made Kana a capo, we can trust her, for now. The blonde's annoying, and acts like she's in charge, and her nerdy friend, well… I accept her word, but-."

Pets giggled, "Come now, Mossan! Don't say that. New Girl did save us, and Maynard's robot stopped Kunikida, after we stopped Asakura. Couldn't you give her a break?"

Mossan growled, as Hijiri said, "Well, what's done is done. We'll see what happens next, once Kana returns. We'll trust her… for now."

Nanao watched on, as she thought, "Strange. I wonder what they are talking about." She asked, "Excuse me, ladies? Are you girls talking Girl Talk? Perhaps I may join you in your conversation. We are all ladies, since you are talking about personal issues."

They gasped, "URK!" And apparently, Nanao's friendship with Kana Koumoto's friends bloomed slowly but surely.

Act V EXTRA: Life is but a Rolling Stone!
Sleeping Slaves!

As they were sitting at the table, Nanao explained, "So… I had a thought, last night. If you were to be human, and you suddenly have a taste for flesh, would it be enjoyable? YES or NO?"

Pets gagged, as Hijiri said, "Come now, Kashima. Don't say stuff like that, that may ruin our appetite."

Pets cried, "Why the fuck would you say that, you inorganic doll? Get out of this table and eat by yourself!"

Nanao said, "My apologies. I am sorry if it sounded squeamish. But please hear me out. Taking time to really think about what you are eating, it is connected to whether or not you are living a happy life."

She munched on some meat and said, "That is why I think it's really important… being I am an android and all… I am not into cannibalism, but… Animals are considered carnivores, creatures that eat meat, such as lions, cats, and vultures, but you don't expect any of these animals on your local eatery's menu. But do you know why? It's disgusting. Cats are cute, but they taste and smell terrible. Dogs, on the other hand, well, you can say that the Chinese can eat dog meat, in their cuisines."

Pets stated, "Even if it was a cat, I'd never eat anything like that, if someone with expertise said it would be delicious!"

Nanao said, "There is also a fish called Sweetfish. They are simply aquatic herbivores, since they eat fresh algae. Usually, all fish guys are bitter rather than tasty, but sweetfish guts, they're delectable. So, to summarize, all meat you eat are from herbivores, and not from carnivores. You heard the expression "dog eat dog", but we don't even eat dog."

Mossan muttered, "Where's the OFF switch on you?"

Nanao continued, "So, that is why we eat food that is usually the right brand – fish, fowl, pork, and beef. The better the feed, the better they taste. Conclusion: Human flesh is NOT edible, because it tastes horrible, no matter what they eat. Do not believe the term "tastes like chicken". It does not."

Mossan said, "That may be, but it's surprisingly coherent."

She bowed and sat down, "This concludes Nanao Kashima's lecture on food and human anatomy. Any questions?"

Pets asked, "Why say this now? I, uh, rather eat fruits and vegetables, than meat…"

Nanao said, "You are rather tasty, then."

Hijiri cried, "PETS! Don't encourage her, she'll not shut up!"

Mossan growled, "God, I hate her, already!"
Hijiri & Pets added, "What a motormouth!"

Kana returned, as Mossan said, "Thank god. Kana, you came late. What happened?"

Kana said, "Well, the minute Nevins and Maynard left, I found more info about Leaky-Eyed Lucca… You know, our man at the airport?"

Nanao said, "Ah, you do? Oh, what a shame… He is in peace."

Kana explained, "Emily Maynard told me her story, and she's clean. Though, it was a shock that Lucca came to her at the airport, the other day."

At the airport, Emily lied, saying that it was a freak accident. Kana said, "Very well. I am a bit upset that this happened. Anyways, I will be needing your services again, soon."

Emily smiled, "Yes, thank you." She bowed frantically, "Take good care of Kashima-san."

She added, "Though, I am confused why Emily Maynard was sweating bullets, over Lucca's murder."

Hijiri giggled, "Sounds as though she did it, huh?"

Nanao barked, "Illogical! Emily Maynard would never hurt a fly!"

Kana said, "As Kashima says… Lucca was murdered. Kashima, perhaps you heard about it? I had the capo Popo order me to check it out."

Nanao said, "I have, yes. Emily Maynard never told me this, before. But it was a shame that he died, suddenly."

Pets sighed, "I hate that jerk. He is always trouble. That asshole weeps always in his left eye, sells drugs to children, he has no qualms tormenting the weak, and he's a creep! Glad he deserved every bit of what came to him!"

Kana said, "Pets, it's too late to make a threat to your own ally in Alternativa. You may feel like saying it from inside, but never say it!"

Nanao said, "That kind of toxic tongue will lead you to trouble."

Kana nodded, "She's right."

Pets barked, "HOW AM I TOXIC, YOU ROBOT?"

Hijiri asked, "Should I look into it? You don't need to trouble yourself in this matter. You are a capo now, and capos don't do grunt work."

Kana said, "Thank you, but this is my job." She turned to the doorway, seeing a stout man in black hair, in a black suit, holding a cane. She asked, "Oh, Hijiri, who's that old guy there?"

Hijiri said, "Oh. Right, he's a guest for you. He's been waiting for you, all day. He's a normal civilian who runs a flower shop in Monsanto Plaza. From what he told me, he had an only daughter, but six months ago… she died."

XXXXX

Kana was in a meeting with the florist. He said to her, "Miss Koumoto, as you can see, my legs are not working well. I usually come here, alongside my wife."

Kana said, "Do you pay your taxes, sir?"

"Yes, I do… Fully, and never late."

"Then why would I waste my time on a civilian like you? You should be talking to the police, to assist in your affairs…" She glared at him, "But the moment you talk to me, you will end up in far deeper debt that you can count!"

The florist said, "I worked so hard, paying my taxes, assisting the law, and have worked hard for the family, and raised my children with such love and honesty…" he wept, "But she was my only girl… She'd turn 17, back in September… I am sorry if I caught you at a bad time, ma'am. But I wish to speak to you, in private."

Kana said, "These people here are the ones I trust, so I trust them back. We speak in public… including her."

Nanao waved, "Hello."

Kana continued, "And you asked me to stop their meal and tell them to go outside? That I cannot do. Please, I want to know the full story."

The florist explained, "Well, it all started, a few months ago… My wife told me about my daughter having a boyfriend. From what I hear, he was a famed sculptor who was just new in the art world. That was fine, but he was actually an older gentleman than her. Yet, he never introduced himself to me, and neither of his parents… and it came into me, like a bad seed. Then, all of a sudden…"

A woman in brown hair, leapt off a building, clutching a huge round boulder in her arms, and fell off fifty stories.

"She jumped off a roof of his apartment, holding a strange boulder he made, and plunged her body into the courtyard…"

He was bawling, as Kana comforted him. Nanao whispered, "My goodness…"

The florist wept, "I'm sorry… It hurts me so much… She was my only pride left… And to have this horrible man take her life! I want justice!"

He showed her a bag of cash, in Lira, and shouted, "I want you to find that man that took her life! Avenge my daughter, and make that scoundrel pay!"

Kana and the others gasped, as they saw a huge payoff for them. But Kana replied, "Hang on a sec. Are you saying that you want a man dead, because he committed murder? Are you implying that your daughter died, by being pushed off the roof? If a murder happened in this town, I'd be the first to hear of it."

The florist sobbed, "But the police… They did not help me. They concluded that it was suicide… EVEN MY OWN LAWYER! But I know in my heart that my daughter would never kill herself, via suicide. My wife and I agree to that conclusion! Please! You're my last hope! I want to have the bastard suffer, for taking my only daughter away! Please! Make him experience the despair that I suffered!"

"Life is full of hardships." Kana said, "But I cannot accept this. Any assassin would come and lynch anyone, out of the blue. Don't mistake us for a band of thugs, hired to kill people for money."

"Everyone in this town looks up to you! I'm saying that I want justice for my departed daughter!"

"You want Justice? Signore… Not long ago, you said that we could have this conversation, privately. You knew how dangerous your inquiry would be, right?"

He gasped, and then sobbed lightly. Kana sat down and said, "Still… what you said about your famiglia hit a soft spot within me. It's my weakness. In addition to that, to think that no one with the law would assist you, over the past six months. I find that rather suspicious. This might be curious to investigate. I accept your offer, but we can ONLY accept your payment, if he is confirmed to be guilty. We'll hear his side of the story, before we can seek justice onto him. Does that work?"

The florist held her hands and bawled, "God bless your soul, signora!"

She called out, "Kashima! You're up. I want you to analyze this situation."

Nanao nodded, "Yes, ma'am."

Kana said to the florist, "Forgive the girl in green hair. She's new."

She sat up, but suddenly saw a stone on the chair she was sitting on. "What's this? How did this get here?" She reached for the rock, but suddenly, lettering appeared onto her fingers. It said "Never Knows Best".

She gasped, "Eh?! Never knows best? What does it mean?"

Mossan said, "Hey, robot! Pick that stone back up!"

Nanao asked, "Oh? Did I knock that off the pedestal? I am not so sure. But I should. Wait, I don't recognize that rock."

Mossan said, "Well, be careful where you're standing. Seriously, your arms are that flexible and loose."

Nanao looked at her arms, as Hijiri said, "Kashima, Kana said that we can drive you, part of the way."

Nanao grabbed the rock and said, "Understood, Hijiri Yajima." She placed the rock back up.

Outside the restaurant, Kana, Hijiri, and Nanao were at the parking lot.

Kana explained to Nanao, "Kashima, let's see if you're useful here, rather than a moving target. Here is the apartment of the boyfriend that killed the florist's daughter."

She gave her the address and picture, "This is the home address of where he lives. And with it, the photo of our man."

Nanao nodded, "Coordinates confirmed. Scanning facial recognition of boyfriend murderer."

Kana said, "Make sure to rough him up, enough for him to talk. But do not kill him, yet… Have a clear confession from him. Do you have a tape recorder on you?"

Nanao said, "No. But I am installed with a recording device inside me. May I ask this question? How far should I go to kill him? If he actually ends up being what the nice florist says, killing his girlfriend, what then? I am programmed for Ninjutsu, the Japanese art of assassination."

Kana stated, "Remember, we're NOT assassins. Make sure he never walks again, for the next five years or so… and leave the rest to the police. I'm sure that will be closure for the old man's revenge."

Nanao nodded, "Understood."

She turned and saw another rock, lying by a car. She thought, "That rock… Like from before…"

Hijiri called, "Kashima! Get in the car! Are you going to get in?"

Nanao peered to the corner of the car and saw a pile of boulders being rolled in. She thought, "Strange…"

Hijiri called, "Hey! What are you even doing? Are you getting in, or are your batteries low?"

Nanao stated, "My battery power is 98%! And yes, I'm coming over. I apologize for my curiosity."

She kicked the rock and snarled, "Agh!"

They were driving off, as Kana asked, "Kashima… You seemed upset. What happened?"

Nanao said, "Well, something about the florist's story seemed off… He mentioned that the daughter jumped off the roof, and she was holding a huge rock. Does he know the shape or weight of said rock?"

"Shape?"

"Yes. The boyfriend in-question was a sculptor."

Hijiri said, "He said it was a strange-looking rock."

Nanao stated, "But what shape? Strange-looking seems insufficient."

Kana said, "He only said that it looked strange. It was the only adjective he gave us. What's on your mind?"

Nanao sensed a disturbance, as she saw a rock sitting on a bench. She gasped, "WAIT! That stone from before!" She barked, "Hijiri Yajima, stop the car!"

She gasped, seeing another rock, near the lamppost. Hijiri asked, "What's wrong? Why did you want me to stop?"

Nanao cried, "I swear! Something is going-!" She squeaked, "On?"

She was seeing bushes and lamps on the fence, resembling a round shape. She sat down and sighed, "Ugh… Forget it…"

Hijiri asked, "You sure you're alright? You're not overheating or anything."

"My engines and servos are perfectly fine, thank you. Emily Maynard gave me a routine check-up, before they left." Nanao stated, "But I am sorry that I was acting weird, suddenly. Stop the car."

They stopped, as Nanao pointed at the five-story building, "There it is. I'll be doing the job here, and give you a call, if anything comes up. Please excuse me."

She left the car, heading to the apartment building, as Hijiri said, "Oh, brother… You want me to accompany her? She needs company, and someone to fix her. She is still the new girl here."

Kana said, as she stepped out, "It's fine. I'll watch Kashima's back. She needs my company, after all. And I owed Maynard, for helping me out, recently. Better to err on the side of caution: I just heard rumors of the outbreak of Stand Users gathering in this area… and Kashima, being an Android Stand User, is rare to me. Hijiri, return to Alternativa. Contact Maynard and Nevins, and tell them that Kashima's coming back to America, tomorrow."

"Understood."

Hijiri drove away, as Nanao & Kana were heading to the apartment building.

Nanao was at the lobby, as she stated, "The boyfriend is named Gilbert Sullivania… black hair, green eyes, 185 centimeters… His apartment is on the 7th floor. And above the seventh floor is the roof."

She peered out the window and viewed the courtyard, "This is the courtyard, where the florist's daughter was killed."

The elevator opened, as Nanao turned to the car. But when she walked in, she saw another round boulder. She was shocked, and then held her arm out, "DAMN IT!"

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
She destroyed the rock, as a tall man was peering from behind the elevator door. She saw the tall man, as she thought, "What the-? Is that… Is that what I think it is? I don't know what kind of rock is that, but that's Gilbert Sullivania, peering behind the elevator! This incident was involved by… this man's power…"

This was before Nanao learned about Stands. Gilbert killed the daughter, using a Stand.

Gilbert Bougainvillea from "Violet Evergarden"
Reason: 1) We changed his last name to Sullivania, since I cannot say his last name. And 2) this is a character from KyoAni. We figured we add him, as a sort of tribute to the KyoAni Tragedy, not long ago.

Nanao shivered, as she saw the rock take form, showing a face. She cried, "KANA KOUMOTO?!" She whispered, "Impossible… That rock…"

She held her arm out, aiming at Gilbert, "Attention! Are you Gilbert Sullivania? I would like to ask you a few questions. What is this rock, and are you responsible for this? YES or NO?"

Gilbert beckoned to her, but she fired an arrow to his left hand. She called, "Not another movement! The facial scans are accurate. I am ordered to kill you, after I want answers. I want to know about this bizarre power that you possess! The girl you killed, why did you do it? I'll ask that, but first… Kana Koumoto! How do you even know her, and even me?"

She reloaded her ammo and cried, "Now start talking, or it'll get worse!"

He moaned, "You're… an android police officer? There's no way-."

PUNT!
Nanao kicked Gilbert in the stomach, as she roared, "I'LL ASK THE QUESTIONS!"

She restrained him and said, "Now, come clean. Why did you kill that florist's daughter? And I want answers, not actions! No funny stuff, like what you're about to do! That also includes lying to me! I'm programmed to examine a lie!"

She pressed the button to the 7th floor, as the door closed. Nanao grinned, "Now, one last time… Are you the man that killed the florist's daughter? YES or NO? If YES, are you with a rival gang or mob organization? That I understand, since I work under Miss Kana Koumoto."

Gilbert moaned, "You got it wrong. I'm just a sculptor. Not well-renowned, but I still survive, when I make enough. I don't work for anyone."

Nanao asked, "That rock… What kind of power is this?"

He barked, "I'm sorry, but I don't even know! If you mean this ability there, it was just like that, when I was a kid."

"How old are you?"

"29."

"That long?"

"Why ask me about my ag-?"

Nanao roared, "HEY-HEY! Enough! Next question! Why did you follow me from the restaurant? And how do you even know who Kana Koumoto is?"

He asked, "Koumoto? Is that her name? Let me speak to her. Please, she came with you and-!"

She threw him to the wall and cried, "OH, NO! You didn't even answer my question! NO DICE! NO KANA KOUMOTO!"

"But it's not an answer that you'll like."

"I'll be the judge of that, you stone cold sociopath!"

"This rock… It moves on its own independent will. I can't control it, regardless of how I feel or think. It's been like tha, as far I know. Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do to raid it in. However… The rock… didn't follow you… You're not the person it wants; suffice if you are even a human. It followed her… Koumoto."

"You… Are you bullshitting me?" Nanao barked, "If you are, I'll see to it that you never sculpt again! Sorry to tell you this, but for her safety, Kana Koumoto is far from here. Believe me. I am not an idiot."

"You are an idiot… Koumoto is coming to this apartment, as we speak! The stone says all! Once again, please, let me see her! Her life's in great dang-!"

BANG!
She fired an arrow to his right hand and hollered, "I SAID DON'T BULLSHIT ME, YOU MURDERER! NOW COME CLEAN! Why did you kill the florist's daughter?"

She paused, and suddenly, the Stand disappeared. Nanao grabbed Gilbert by the neck, and then aimed around the elevator shaft, looking for it. She yelled at him, aiming her shooter at his face, "WHAT DID YOU DO? I told you not to make any funny stuff!"

Gilbert pleaded, "It left. It wants nothing from us."

"WHAT?"

"Please, allow me to tell you a little history. One of the great artists in history, Michelangelo, once said… I don't have any thoughts when I take hold of a marble slab. Every block of marble that was cracked has a statue inside, and it is the task for the sculptor to discover it, from inside. And to that end, my hands are tools. They simply deliver the medium, but never shape it."

Nanao complained, "What are you saying? I know who Michelangelo de Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni is and was! That still didn't explain my answer! Where the hell did the rock go?"

Gilbert moaned, "Michelangelo was saying that the ultimate statue was not created with an idea, but it dwells already inside the stone, as its fate. He was an artist that can sense fate, when he creates. Do you understand now? It's not that I sculpted Koumoto's shape, and neither did your arrowheads, but that is the shape of fate's doing. That statue has a hole in her chest, and blood was gushing out. I don't know if it'll be a few days or months, but this Koumoto girl, that's how it is… Because in that allotted time… she'll meet her end."

She gasped, as he continued, "We're all slaves to fate. This is a power I dubbed it as… Prophecy Stones, or THE Rock."

"The Rock?"

Nanao slammed Gilbert down to the wall, as she snarled, "Bastard! I'm warning you! Return your Rock, or else! You die, your powers are gone forever! Understood?"

He explained, "If she touches my The Rock, I promise that she'll die without despair. So please. I wanted to see her, so she could hear those last words."

Nanao thought, "What is with this guy? How can he be so calm? He hasn't flinched, this whole time! Fine! You want me to show you despair, then wish granted, pal!"

She unloaded her ammo and loaded three arrows, "Look! I have three shots left!" She aimed her arrow gun at him and stated, "This is how I paint fate. I'm painting your rocks red with your blood."

Click!
She fired, but it was a clicking sound, and she continued, "You are apparently trying to do something to Kana Koumoto, just like the florist's daughter. You're the one without any chances! You've had your chance!"

"I told you! There's nothing I can do!"

Click!
She fired a blank again, as she snarled, "I MEAN IT! BRING IT BACK NOW, YOU BASTARD!" She sighed, "Aw, screw this… Forgive me, Kana Koumoto…"

Click!
She fired again, at the mouth, but this time, no luck. She jeered, "Whoops. Thought it'd be a shot. Last chance, sir!"

He said, "Listen to me! The florist that came to you… his legs were no good, which is why he had a cane. He doesn't know it yet, but it's an early symptom in a disease in one of his internal organs, one he won't overcome. He'll most likely survive… His daughter died, with her organs healthy and fresh… She was a donor… He'll receive them as transplants, saving his life…
The girl found out about her father's ailment, and she would learn, in a few months, that she, too, would contract the same disease. She understood me, and she accepted her revelation. She decided to die, all for her father's health and sake, and to avoid suffering, later. That's the reason why she chose to accept the rock… and she died… without suffering… The Rock is able to allow people to die, without suffering… and in a way, all of her organs were not crushed."

Nanao seethed, as an arrow loaded into her cylinder. She hollered, "You… YOU WOULD LET A GIRL DIE, WITH THAT FUCKING BULLSHIT LIKE THAT? YOU BASTARD! I HATE YOUR FUCKING GUTS! DIE!"

Click!
She fired, but…
CLANG!
"AH! JAMMED!" She cried, as she let go.

Eros 5 cried, "It's a misfire!"

Eros 6 called, "Looks like that bullet was a dud!"

Nanao beeped, "Error! Arrow is dud! But my arrows are not bullets!"

Eros 6 yelled, "That's Number 5's fault! He loaded it!"

Eros 5 bawled, "Aw, why me?"

Gilbert said, "It's no coincidence. It's not my fate to die, just yet." He explained, "Koumoto's face is carved on the rock. Not mine."

Nanao snarled, aiming at Gilbert, "Asshole! You think I would fire another dud at you?"

"You already caught a glimpse at my destiny… You've lost any intention to shoot me, anymore. Do you feel it?"

POW!
Nanao socked him in the face, as the elevator arrived at the seventh floor. She stepped out and calmed down, "Who is this guy? He's a freak! He acts lackadaisical about mercy kills, and he doesn't show any evil side. Gilbert Sullivania, one of these days, you're going to get it… but this guy is nuts, talking about fate and destiny."

She contacted Hijiri, "Hello? Hijiri Yajima! Nanao Kashima, reporting. Tell Kana Koumoto that Gilbert Sullivania is a magical rock maker, or something! I have no clue on what it is, but it's the same power as my Octo-Eros."

"Wait, what?"

"This bastard keeps calling his rock The Rock, and he knows Kana Koumoto, by coincidence. But I am at error to process what is going on here."

"I'd say the same for you. Isn't she on her way over, Kashima? Kana's on her way over. She's decided to assist you at the apartment building. She followed you, the moment you stepped out of the car."

Nanao gasped in shock, as Hijiri called, "Hello? Kashima?"

Nanao shrieked, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"

She rushed to the balcony and looked outside. Kana was already inside, as Nanao cried, "Get her on the cellphone! Kana Koumoto needs to get out of here! Give me her number, Hijiri Yajima."

"I can't! You just dialed her number, you dumb-bot!"

Nanao's jaw dropped, "URK! Wha-? WHAT?!"

"Kashima? What's wrong?"

She fired her Octo-Eros and cried, "HURRY! EROS! FIND KANA KOUMOTO!" She dashed off, as Hijiri called, "Kashima?! HEY! KASHIMA? HELLO?"

She went in the elevator and tried to wake Gilbert up. She called, "HEY! WAKE UP! I need to stop your Rock! TELL ME!"

She panicked, as he was coming to, "PLEASE HURRY! BELAY YOUR ROCK, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! I cannot let that rock get to Kana Koumoto, no matter how crazy your story is!"

She was sniffling, "I understand… I know… what you are… processing… Please, just tell me… I now understand your powers… but I cannot let that rock kill Kana Koumoto, no matter what! I owe June Nevins and Emily Maynard that promise, since I'm assisting them, for her… I just can't break that promise… Kana Koumoto cannot touch that rock, no matter what you say."

Gilbert groaned, "I suggest that do not resist. Acceptance is the easier path. Still, if you wish to defy The Rock… there might be a way. If you're able to destroy it, or change its shape… then…"

Eros 7 called, "Master, we found Kana Koumoto!"

Eros 6 added, "Kana Koumoto is on the seventh floor, via the stairs! Number 1 just saw her!"

Nanao gasped, as she hollered, "SHE USED THE STAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIRS?!"

Eros 1 viewed from the sky and wailed, "Not good, not good! Kana Koumoto's found the rock! It beat us to her! Holy crap, what'll we do? She's on the 7th floor!"

"Calm down, Eros 1!" Nanao cried, "Tell her to not touch that rock!"

Eros 7 called, "It's no use! Number 1 hasn't got enough speed to get there!"

Kana saw The Rock and reached for it. Nanao screamed, as she fired, "KANA KOUMOTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

BANG! BANG! BANG!
She fired three Eros, Eros 2, 3, & 9, as they flew upwards to the seventh floor.
"YEEEEEEE-HAW!"

They arrived and shot at the huge Rock Stand, sending it down the stairs. The rock rolled down the stairs, but the shape remained.

"Octo-Eros?!" Kana gasped.

Eros 9 cheered, "YES! We pushed it away from her!"

Eros 3 added, "And it looks like we dented the thing."

The Rock started to ooze grey goo from its wounds, as the Eros were scared.

Eros 2 sobbed, "Uh-oh…"

Eros 3 sniffled, "I think we might've made it worse…"

Kana barked, "Octo-Eros! What is the meaning of this? Are we dealing with a Stand?"

Eros asked, "What's a Stand?"

The Rock hopped up the stairs, as Kana gasped, "And its shape… Why the hell does it look like this?"

Eros 5 cried, "OH, NO! KANA KOUMOTO, GET AWAY!"

She unleashed her Stand and cried, "ALT R.C., GO!"

Eros 7 yelled, "NOOOOOOOOOOOO! DON'T ATTACK IT! IF YOU TOUCH IT, YOU'LL DIE!"

BANG! BANG! BANG!
The Eros pushed the rock back, as Kana whispered, "Why is Kashima pushing it back?"

Nanao called, "Kana Koumoto, run down here!"

She was calling from below. Kana cried, "Kashima!"

"Please, I beg of you! RUN! If you touch that rock, you die! Trust me!"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm sorry, but I cannot explain now!"

The Rock jumped up and dove towards Kana. Nanao dove in and intercepted the Rock Stand, clasping onto it. Nanao smiled, "GOT IT!"

"Is that stone supposed to be a Stand?"

"I don't even know what you're talking about, but damn it, I said hurry and run downstairs! Get out of this building, at once!"

The Rock suddenly phased through the floor, as Nanao gasped, "That rock! Not again! It's just like back in the elevator shaft!"

Kana asked, "Kashima, I want to know…"

The Rock escaped, as Nanao sobbed, aiming around, "Okay, exiting via the stairway is now impossible! That rock thing is everywhere! Our best bet is upwards, to the roof!"

She looked around and panicked, "Where is it? That damned rock! Where did it go?"

Kana asked, as The Rock was above her, "Kashima, are you alright?"

Nanao gasped, as she saw it, "OH, SHIT! IT'S ABOVE YOU! LOOK OUT!"

She retreated to a portal, as The Rock bounced off the wall. Nanao ran upstairs, as she cried, "KANA KOUMOTO!"

Kana was hanging on the wall, outside, as The Rock slowly went into the portal, heading for Kana. Kana gasped, "What is this? That face… Is that…?"

Kana was trapped! The Rock plummeted down, towards her face, about to crush her to death.

CLASP!
Nanao clasped onto The Rock, from above, as she groaned, "So, if we change its shape or destroy it…"

She and the rock plummeted down. Kana cried, "KASHIMA!"

Nanao cried, "If I can smash it into the pavement from here, it should smash apart!"

The Rock wriggled free, but Nanao slammed it onto the brick wall, across the way. She cried, "NO, YOU DON'T! I WON'T LET YOU!"

"KASHIMA! YOU'RE INSANE!"

SMASH! SMASH!
The Rock crashed onto the pavement below, likewise Nanao. Luckily, a black car drove by and she slammed onto the roof, breaking her fall. The car stopped, nearing the corner. It smoked from the car, as Nanao was badly hurt.

"That sculptor…" she beeped, as smoke was spewing from her mouth and wounds, "He said… Gilbert Sullvania said… was all true… If your appearance doesn't appear on the rock, then it is not your turn to die… Thank goodness…"

Hijiri's voice called, "Kashima, you didn't die, but you almost killed me. Idiot!"

She was in the car, as Nanao slinked down, "Oh, Hijiri Yajima. What a surprise."

Kana safely slid down, as she met with Hijiri and Nanao. She viewed the debris of what was The Rock, Gilbert's Stand, and said to herself, "What was that Stand? What on earth were you, in the end? Kashima, what is your status report on this?"

Nanao moaned, Hijiri crawled out of the car, "Damage sustained, Kana Koumoto… but I am fine. You should be, too… But about the florist's daughter's death, I cannot say in detail, fully… Gilbert Sullivania, well… he did kill her, but technically, it was not out of bloodlust. Well, not exactly what I mean, but… I don't know… Maybe I got severely damaged that my memory tracks were acting up. But don't worry. His hands are so severely wounded that he'll be in the hospital for at least a few months."

Hijiri moaned, "Recklessly useless to the very end… Classic. Was he the enemy? And was it suicide or not? Explain it all fully!"

Nanao said, "I wish I could… but that's really everything that he said to me. I'm still injured from that scuffle, but it doesn't matter. Simply put, that rock over there, it was the cause of her death, so everything's fine now. Job's done."

She instructed, "Hey… Kana Koumoto… Are we done? I'd like to be repaired now, back home with Emily Maynard."

Kana said, "No, I think Hijiri will patch you up, before we send you home. Maybe fixing your memory tracks will confirm more intel about today." She then instructed, "Hijiri, our florist friend should get a detailed story. Have Kashima repaired and have her explain properly of what happened here."

Hijiri said, "I will do as you ask, Kana… except… How am I going to repair such a delicate machine, who speaks weirdly? I don't think I understand what she is saying…"

Kana stated, "I'm sure she may."

Kana left, as Hijiri said to Nanao, "Alright, stop! You'll overheat, if you think too hard! And you're damaged enough, already. We'll ask Mossan to use Prog Tech to investigate what happened."

Nanao said, "Oh. My apologies."

Gilbert watches on, from the window, and he thought, "Everything is over, you say? No… It's not…"

The Rock dissolved and formed three heads of Kana, Mossan, and Pets. He explained, as they were leaving, "If only you had just accepted The Rock's mercy, everything would've ended peacefully… But you chose to remain enslaved to fate. We're all slaves to fate. That which is carved in stone cannot be changed. I don't know who they are, but they're going to face this difficult path. For some of you, you will walk down the road of survival, and for some of you, it will be your last one. I wonder… are all of you like this?"

He looked up to the sky and nodded, "The android jumped from the roof to grab and destroy the rock, all for a chance to save her friend, Koumoto… Perhaps… This path is filled with hardships that they're about to walk might have meaning. Their hardships may end up being someone else's hope, and perhaps, it might be the beginning of some greater purpose… Wishing for their safety will do nothing, but I pray they are the sleeping slaves. That's it. Sleeping slaves who will find some meaning in their suffering, once they're awakened."

After that, back to the present, Nanao was dimming her eyes, as a tear started to leak from her left eye.

Kana Koumoto… Now she's gone. I can never be happy, knowing that Kana Koumoto is dead. If I had not saved her, she would have died, sooner… But…

Emily returned, as she moaned, "Great… Why of all days, now?"

She saw Nanao, as she was crying, without making a noise or movement. Emily asked, "Kashima-san?"

She turned her on, and asked, "Kashima! What's wrong?"

Nanao sat up, and suddenly started to blubber. "Kana… … … Koumoto…"

She grasped onto Emily and was crying, "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Emily held her and whispered, "It's alright… Kashima-san… It's alright…"

Nanao was crying, as she suddenly had a memory of one of Alternativa's missions, with Kana Koumoto, moments before she died. Emily whispered, "It's alright… Nanao… Please, don't cry. Kana's in a better place now. We won, and that's all that matters. June's right… We move on."

Nanao nodded, as she sniffled, "I missed her… Man Motoyama… Tomomi Hetada… Why did they have to die? Why?"

Emily sighed, "I don't know… to be honest." She then stated, "When Mum's friends die, she often wonders why… That's something I just don't understand… like she wouldn't understand, in her days."

She then said, "Anyways, get dressed. Okuma's coming over."

Nanao asked, "Eh? Tanukichi Okuma? I hope he can forgive me for being in his body, the other day."

"I'm sure he's forgiven you. Now get dressed and hurry! He's due to arrive in ten minutes."

"Right. I cried so much I felt uneasy. But I'll get on it, master."

"Good. And this time, wear a bra."

"Master, you know my boobs are that shapely, with or without a bra."

"Ugh! Bloody robot! Put on some damn clothes, already!"

(Emily): I know it, in my heart… Fate is but a sleeping slave. That's what June told me. And we survived fate.

(Nanao): While our friends are gone, the memories are still etched within us. June Nevins, Beth Nevins, they helped us out, to achieve our goal.

(Emily): I'm just happy to have great friends.

(Nanao): For as long as I am functional… I'll follow my own dream.

(Emily): For as long as I live, I will continue the Family Birthright.

Emily and Nanao shared a brief moment, and headed off to meet with Tanukichi Okuma… … …in what was hopefully their last time together.

Emily said, as they were dressed, "He said to meet at the front gate. Let's go."

Nanao nodded, "Understood."

They left the strip club, through the back door, and went to go see Okuma.

(Emily & Nanao): But… What does OUR future bring us?

"Come on… I don't have time for this!" Emily grumbled, as she was with June, Beth, Nanao, & Tanukichi, prior to everyone going their separate ways.

"Trust me, Em. We did our duty, but we have to move on… and we have to remember the moments." June said, holding a camera. "I believe our newfound friendship has led us to victory."

Emily said, "I guess…" She asked, "Well, we are still beaten up from our trip to Rome… I hope we never do something like this, again."

Beth smirked, "Oh, don't you believe it. Adventure is where you find it."

Emily sighed, as she calmed herself, "Why bother?"

Nanao said, "Tanukichi Okuma, a little memento, before we go?"

Okuma said, "Sure. You girls are great. Thank you for everything."

They smiled, as Yamabuki called, "Yo! We have ta get this photo taken right now! I should be going soon."

Emily said, "Sure. We'll get ready! Everyone, positions!"

Beth called, "I CALL THE FRONT!"

June said, "You can be at the center with me, Sis. After all, you and I are related."

Emily said, "Well, I can't argue with that."

They posed for the camera, as Yamabuki took the picture, "Okay, guys. Say Cheese!"

CLICK! Whrr…
The photo developed, as it showed June sitting in the center, holding Beth, whose in front of her. Emily was standing near June's right, and Okuma stand by June's left. Nanao was holding Okuma's shoulders and smiled.

Moments later, as Yamabuki was leaving, she held up the photo of her friends, and ran into a man in glasses and a black suit. She smiled and said, "Excuse me… I have reports of our success." She gave him the photo, "There were casualties, but… June Nevins is indeed like her father."

The man said, as he held the photo, "June… I'm proud of her. She really helped us out, after all these years, even Beth & Emily…" The man was Percival Gaynes, The Gang's ally, "Somewhere… … … Heather is watching on… proud of her daughters. They ended a drug-ridden world, ended despair… and made new friends."

"Curious, fam. Where do we go from here? Emily did give me repairs, before I can get this soul back into my original body, but-."

"Who knows?" Percival smiled, looking up, "But… Knowing that we won the battle… is all that matters."

Meanwhile, far away from America, Heather Dunn, June & Beth's mother, was walking down the snowy mountainside. She felt a small pulse, seeing some golden snow flowing down the pathway. She smiled and then whispered, "June…"

Heather watched the snow fall, knowing that her daughters are all right. And for Heather Dunn, that's all that matters to her.

Peace had been restored in this world, once again, thanks to June Nevins and friends. But… for how long?

The End

And thus, we officially end Act V of "The Gang IN-ACTION"…
Thank you for reading! And stay tuned, as everything will change for our heroes, returning back to our main cast. What lies ahead, now that the shadows of Despair have finally subsided? What new evil awaits them? And WHO will stop this demonic force, this time?

Stay tuned, for the adventure is now coming to a close. Don't miss the Final Season of…

The Gang! IN-ACTION!

To be continued…