(Heads Up: Check out chapter 46 of The Geist Within.)

[Opening: Project M Theme]

FusionFall Infinite

Season 7

Chapter 48: Ballad for your Birthday, Ryker


[Bravo Beach, Downtown, the Core]

"Annabelle, thanks again for hosting my birthday party here." Ryker said as the Morebucks heiress nodded.

The lavish home was decorated for a party, but the mood was far from completely festive. Instead, there was an air of worry and bittersweetness. Pearl and her family leaving, Tatsuya being put in the hospital, and now the terror attack just now had Ryker in a dour mood. All of Jade Company was here save for Maylene was out investigating. Peridot could not show up because of the terror alert.

None of his family could show up given the drama with the Roundtable or visit Tatsuya in Planet Creavity's hospital. At this point, he would even take Joshinari showing up.

The door opened to show his anti-villainous cousin waltzing in.

"Yo." Ryker remarked.

"Happy birthday." Joshinari said with a sigh. "I wish I get good news, but I got shit news. I just cleared of any wrongdoing. I don't know why the first person they point to is me…despite the fact that terrorism isn't my thing."

Maylene followed in before plopping on the couch.

"Well I figured it out." Maylene said tossing a folder on the coffee table. "Roundtable of Black Air Force. They're a group of assholes don't give a shit about anything other than being a force of chaos. They're a recent group…and they've formed Negi Mementos as their PMC/gang."

"So…they are Nigga Moments: the company." Joshinari said dryly before facepalming. "Well it explains a lot. They're not targeting us for any real reason other than stirring shit up. Do you have a pin who blew up the building?"

"Dennis the Menace and Kevin Maccallister. Junior members of the Roundtables." Maylene said as everyone raised an eyebrow. "I don't even care it was two kids. What matters is how they escaped. Portal gun. The vapor was traced to some Evangelion world with no warpers…meaning they gave us the slip. Peridot tasking us with hunting down those two to bring to justice."

"From what I've gathered, this Roundtable is coming after each major member of the Blackthorn family. You and I need to hide out from our homes. If they're going to come other us, it's for the best we distance ourselves from our teams. I don't think they'll expect us to be working together." Joshinari said concerned. "Also got Kaze involved."

"Where do you have in mind?" Ryker asked.

"Vice. These assholes want to be jackasses, let's make them work to find us." Joshinari said darkly.

"You know what, I agree. Kaze meeting us there?" Ryker asked as Joshinari texted.

"I've already texted you the location. Enjoy your party and meet us there after. And happy birthday, cousin." Joshinari said before leaving the house.

With him gone, Maylene cleared her throat.

"These guys got several shell companies and they're trying to inch on turf all over the multiverse." Maylene said as her phone rang. "Excuse me."

She stepped out to answer hearing it was Eclipsa.

"Eclipsa, hey. Now's not a good time." Maylene said.

"It is considering the Roundtable." Eclipsa said getting her attention. "I think one of their shell companies has set up shop in Tokyo-3. It's a Binco clothing outlet, but I think it's both a distraction and a front."

"You tell Bishop about this?" She asked.

"Because I used my magic on one of the employees to read their mind. I got a hint that your dad is one of the targets of the Roundtable." Eclispa said as Maylene's heart sank. "It's for more than the Blackthorns, it's much more. Bishops' name is on their shitlist, and I have to tell him in. You as well. Stay safe."

Eclispa hung up as Maylene fall on her behind leaning against the wall of the house in shock. Saki overheard the conversation…and his thoughts immediately drifted to Mandy, who had already left for her appointment off-planet.

"Maylene, don't worry about your mother. I'll handle it." Saki said before going inside. "Oi, Kevin. Ready the Rust Bucket 3? We need to go pick up Mandy."

Kevin and Gwen noticed the concerned look on Saki's. Both have worked with him too long to not know something's up and that look was a gesture for 'he'll explain on the way'.

"Look, we need to go. Happy birthday and all that jazz, Ryker." Kevin said as the trio left.

Garnet sat next to him hoping to cheer him up considering it was his birthday, putting an arm around his shoulder which got him to have a look of relief.

"Where would I be without a love like you?" Ryker said as Pink Diamond handed him some cake. "Even in the bad times, at least I can be happy I still have people in my life."

Ryker stuffed that cake down before ruffling his son's hair with his free hand.

"Which is why I'm going to personally bury the bastards who's coming after me and Joshinari." Ryker touted getting up.

"It's just your family. The targets of the table extend not just to your family, but a few associates and outliers. Desmond, me, my father…they're on the Roundtable's shitlist. My uncle Naruto as well." Maylene said.

"But not me." Jasper said.

"Jasper, not the time." Amethyst snapped.

"If you need me to arrange protection for Rai, I can do it." Annabelle remarked.

"Do it. As far as I'm concerned, Rai's safety is my primary concern. The Metsu Emeralds right behind him. Annabelle, get him to the Hidden Ghetto Village. It'd for the best, Rai stays with his cousin." Ryker said before turning to his son. "I need you to stay strong, kid."

"Yes, papa." Rai said as he floated up to hug him. "Please come back."

"I promise." He said with a lone tear coming down.

"We'll go with him." Ruby said as Sapphire crossed her arms.

"I assume Joshinari's Aces could use some added backup." Sapphire said. "And Rai could use his grandmothers."

[-]

[Vice, Outer Towns]

[Cues: Final Fantasy VI OST – Slam Shuffle]

That night, Ryker had opted to go low-key for journey to the safehouse, and he was rather glad that he had plenty of rides he had won in the pink slip races that he rarely used. He raced down the street in a silver Liberty City Cycles Innovation wearing a black two-tone track top under a brown leather jacket, black and white track pants, brown round-toe boots, a duffel bag, and black fingerless gloves. The location Joshinari had given him was what used to be the Elmore Police Station. He parked and returned the bike to it's capsule form before pocketing it to go inside.

[Cues: Metroid Fusion OST – BSL Ambience 1]

The place was dimly lit and a hollowed shell of it's former self. He was wondering if the people of Vice just like their abandoned buildings and grungy air. He followed his cousin's instructions and went to the evidence locker entering the code for the way in to open. Inside, the interior looked new. Ryker was impressed that Joshinari had a base in Vice…one that was better than his own Vice hideout. Ryker practically walked into Joshinari's batcave.

"Beats squatting in the Watterson's house." Joshinari said as Kaze sat in his chair.

"Are they still alive?" Kaze said. "I noticed this place is clearly Elmore, but what the hell happened? I never got around to asking."

"Long story. Save it for later…but I can say yes…the Wattersons bar Richard are alive. Last I heard, they left for V-2406 like the others." Joshinari said before blinking. "But why didn't you use the wiki? We have a wiki for CN-Zen Kuro, Kaze."

Kaze facepalmed before Joshinari sighed.

"I got a text from Delia. You sent Ruby and Sapphire to come with Rei. That's good. Safety in numbers." Joshinari said before sighing. "I'm sorry you have to spend your birthday like this."

"I'm alive, and my family is still together. All that matters. We need to make a plan…and Kaze…is the Roundtable…" Ryker said before Kaze groaned.

"Yeah, after me too. Just me in my family at least." Kaze said determined. "But this is a reminder of how much I need to train. I'm planning to obtain the Super Saiyan 4 transformation. The God forms ain't me…I need something more primal."

"Well then…let's get to work." Joshinari said.


(A/N: Happy birthday, Ryker. It's four days since I started all this with 'Steven Universe Blackthorned', and I'm sorry for the rushed author's note, I was in a hurry to get this chapter out before the 20th ends. Yes, I haven't realized who's coming after who. I'm leaving it a mystery save for Battle Beast facing off Dimentio. Look forward to more content…soon.)