New World Tales
Ep 2: Getting to Work
A few hours later, Ichigo stands with his family in front of the Trade Gate leading to the World of Light.
"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?" Orihime asked. "I can handle myself in a fight, you know that."
"Yeah, well, I know," Ichigo began. "But I need you to stay with Kazui. After everything that's happened…I don't want him without some familiarity."
"Dad," Kazui said. "Do you think…you can get me Luffy's autograph?"
"Sure thing, little guy," Ichigo smiled, ruffling his son's hair. "Just promise me you won't get into trouble, 'k?"
"You got it, Dad!" Kazui said, throwing a salute.
"Well, I'm off. I'll be back as soon as I can." Ichigo said, walking into the Trade Gate. "I love you both."
The Soul Reaper then disappeared, fading into the Gate as his family looks on. Barry approaches the two.
"I'm sure he'll be fine." Barry said. "He's handled enemies far worse than Alabastar. For now, maybe you could lend a hand in keeping the other refugees in order?"
"Oh, of course!" Orihime said. "Lead the way, Mr. Flux."
Later…
Barry figured that with all this extra help, it was time to really start getting the ball rolling. With two cities to get up and running, the Flux family member decided to organize the heroes as best he could. To that end, he brought everyone together and started up a plan.
"Right then," Barry said, getting everyone's attention. "First of all, thanks for taking the time to come here. I know that this is a bit unexpected…"
"Yeah, that sums everything up." Griff said in a flat tone.
"Ahem!" Barry vocalized. "Yes, but right now, you guys are pretty much the only help I have, so I need you to cooperate. I've divided up your work schedules in order to suit your talents. Morale shouldn't be too hard to handle; the live footage of the heroes' progress is helping to keep spirits (heh) of the people up. That leaves a few positions I need filled. Sarge, you're in charge of security. If someone tries causing trouble, you take them down…non-lethally."
"Fine, ya big softie," Sarge said.
"Try and get some recruits from the refuges if you need to. Simmons, Carolina, Wash, Tucker, you're with him. Next is…Medical Division. Orihime, I'm putting you in charge of that sector. Think you can handle it?" Barry asked, turning to the healer.
"I'll do my best." Orihime replied.
"Okay, Doc will assist you. Caboose, Penny, Lopez, you three are the Engineering Division. I'm sending you to the underwater city to help the team there get it up and running." Barry addressed them.
"I will help to the best of my ability!" Penny replied.
"Me too! I will help make the city a boat!" Caboose added.
"Me niego a ir a ninguna parte cerca del agua con este idiota (I refuse to go anywhere near the water with this idiot)." Lopez finished.
"Lopez, be nice." Penny replied in a disapproved tone. "And don't worry, Caboose is a good engineer."
"¿Por qué pones mucha fe en este hombre (Why do you put some much faith in this manchild)?" Lopez asked in an surprisingly annoyed tone for a robot.
"Okay, you two please stop!" Barry said, regaining control. "Right, that leaves Donut and Griff. You guys are on Portal Patrol. All I need you to do is check the portals twice a day to make sure they haven't been used without authorization. After that, you have the day to yourselves. Can you do that?"
"Sure thing!" Donut said.
"I guess I can take some time off being lazy for that," Griff said.
"Alright, then get out there. Good luck everyone!" Barry said as the meeting ended.
Meanwhile…
The portal to the Standard Universe turned on as a group walked out of it. The group is made up of rotting corpses dressed in clothing typical for a gangster film.
"Say boss, why'd we have ta do this anyway?" One of the corpses asked. "I mean, with Team Go-Go outta the picture, we could rob Las Vegas ta our heart's content! It ain't like the cops can stop us."
"Ya ain't seeing the big picture, Tombstone," the pone in the front replied. "What we got here is a golden opportunity. With all these refugees stuck here with no place ta run and no place ta hide, and with those goody-two-shoes off fighting that lightshow, there ain't nothing standing between us and a massacre. And since anyone we kill becomes part'a our gang…"
The boss lets the sentence hang in the air until the others get the point.
"We could get ourselves' an army!" Tombstone finished. "Boss, that's brilliant!"
"Yeah, well, Al Cor-Pone didn't get ta the top by being a dumbbell." The boss replied. "And when those heroes get back, we'll pump 'em full'a lead! We'll be famous! Ain't nobody gonna mess with the gang that offed the heroes of the Arzan Prophecy! Come on boys, it's time for Bloody Sunday Gang ta go on a recruitment drive!"