The Climax; or, lots and lots of guns, action, drama; or, Good-bye, L.A. (for now)

To make a long story short, the girls discovered that the Bounty Hunters did no put much gas in the jeep, and now they were stuck on the road yet again. However, according to a map that Ellis found in the glove box, there was a town about two miles away, so the girls decided to walk it. They were pretty close to Mexico now, and Nadie estimated that after they rested at the town, it should only take them a day to get to the border.

Lirio, still tired, was being carried by Ellis. Nadie led the way, but only by about a foot or so, not willing to let the girls out of arm's reach. Nadie heard a growling.

"I'm hungry."

This time, the growling came from herself.

"Yeah, me too. I wonder if there's anything to eat at the town nearby."

"Tacos, tacos, tacos, super tasty tacos, ooh."

"Hey, if there's an Amigo Tacos, we might be able to contact Blue Eyes! Then perhaps this little nightmare of ours may be over!"

Just then, a large, black truck came careening down the road and came to a screeching halt after passing the girls. The front door opened, and out stepped the last person any of the girls expected to see that day: Ricardo.

"Lirio?"

Lirio, upon hearing Ricardo's voice, immediately woke up, jumped down from Ellis' arms, and ran to Ricardo, a mix of smiles and tears of joy.

"Lirio, it's alright now, I'm here." He said as he held Lirio to his chest.

"Ricardo! Pleasure seeing you out here. How'd you find us?"

"Long story. I'll tell it to you later. For the moment, let's get off the road. Jump on in."

Lirio got in the front with Ricardo, and Ellis and Nadie sat in the back. Normally, Nadie would have sat up front, but she thought that Lirio needed the contact with Ricardo after being separated for several days.

"So what exactly happened to your girls?"

"Long story. I don't really feel like talking about it right now. However, I'll go and mention for the record that if it weren't for Lirio and her spiffy little boomerang, we'd all probably be in hot water right now."

"Really? Did you help save the day, Lirio?"

"Eh heh!"

"That's amazing! You're shaping up to be quite the tough little girl, aren't you? I'll tell you what: next time the opportunity present itself, I'm going to buy you a sundae!"

"Aaaah!" Lirio's eyes widened at this.

After driving for a bit, they arrived at a gas station.

"I'm going to try and get in contact with Ms. Hayward. She may want to know that you girls are safe."

Ricardo got out of the truck and walked to the payphone, Lirio trailing behind.

Nadie took the opportunity to speak with Ellis.

"Well, you've sure been the quiet one lately. What's up?"

"I'm… thinking."

"About…?"

"About… what happened two days ago at the compound…. that Bad Man… he was picking apart my personality. He was trying to get under my skin. He… he was trying to make me doubt you, doubt myself."

"Ellis, that's terrible. Why was he trying to do this?"

"He said something. About awakening Mankind. That I have a role in it… and so do you, Nadie."

"Awakening…? Sounds like some weird New Age stuff."

"Yeah. He mentuined how witches have powers, and thus, it's possible that Humanity also has that power, and it just has to be awakened. He mentioned something…. About a Mentor. His name was Friday Monday."

"Friday… Monday? Wow, now this really is starting to sound like some loopy spiritual stuff."

There was a brief silence, and then Ricardo motioned to her and Ellis to come on out.

"Ms. Hayward, I've found the girls. They're safe, if in need of a shower."

"Hey!"

Ellis then heard something, and turned towards an area of the sky.

"What is it, Ellis?"

It was a helicopter, coming in quickly, flying low above the treeline.

"Bad men."

Just then, several guns came blazing alive from across the road.

"Lirio, duck down!"

Ricardo scooped Lirio up and ran towards a nearby truck, hiding behind it. The helicopter came in, and hovered above them. Several men ran across the road and fired net guns, snagging Nadie. A rope descended from the helicopter, after which one of the men hooked Nadie to it and was pulled up by it.

"Hey, put me down!"

Ellis ran underneath Nadie, not knowing what to do.

"Stop it! Stop!"

"Ellis!" cried Nadie as she was pulled up higher into the air.

"Nadie!"

The helicopter began moving away, and a jeep came screaming down the road, picking up the men who had fired on them.

"Nadie! Nadie!"

"Ellis, get in the truck, now! Let's chase down those guys! They may know where they're takin- huh?!"

Ricardo was stunned as Ellis began running down the road herself, but at about 40 MPH.

"How… is she doing that? Ellis, you're seriously going to try and chase down that helicopter?!"

Ellis, however, was too far away to hear by this point.

Ellis was now leaping into the air, going about 20 meters each time.

Nadie… you've always come for me… now I'm going to come for you!

Ellis hardly ever used her abilities to enhance her physical strength, and she still did not know the limits of what she could do. However, she did know what if she didn't quicken the pace, she was going to lose Nadie.

After getting near the helicopter, she put all of her focus into one, large jump.

Ellis was just barely able to hang onto the landing gear, and so she hung there, trying to figure out what to do next. Just then, the side-door opened, and a man with a large gun popped out.

"Ellis, look out! Get away from here, now!" came Nadie's scream from inside.

But it was too late: the man fired the weapon, which revealed to have been a bean-bag gun. The bag hit Ellis square in the face, and she lost her grip, and fell. As she was falling, she looked up at the helicopter, and felt her soul fall with her as well.

Nadie… I'm so sorry…

"Ellis… Ellis… Ellis!"

Ellis woke up, and felt like immediately falling asleep again.

"Where… what happened…?"

She opened her eyes, and was surprised to see Jodie.

"Blue Eyes…"

"Ellis, thank Gods you're alright! You fell down at least 40 meters. It's amazing you're just bruised."

"Bruised... fell…"

Then she remembered.

"Where's Nadie?" she asked as she bolted upright from the cot she was on.

"Nadie… Nadie's been captured, Ellis. They're holding her at their main base.

"Oh…" Ellis just laid down again.

"Right now, we're on route for it. We're in a plane right now. Unfortunately, it's the only one we've got. In addition, we got three helicopters, only two of which are equipped for assault. We got some heavy machine guns and anti-tank missiles, but beyond that we just have standard automatics. About 100 men and women as ground troops. We're going to be in for a rough fight… they got about 150 men there, and they also have a tank."

"And… what should I do?"

"Ellis… I know that you want to rescue Nadie, but it won't do any of us good if you get captured, too. Or worse."

Ellis just sat there and looked at the ceiling.

"Ellis, I-"

"Can I be left alone right now?"

"Ah… oh. Alright."

Ellis turned to her side, facing the wall she was up against.

"…how does she benefit from your existence?"

"In truth, you are only with her to give meaning to an existence that you cannot find meaning in, an emotional crutch!"

Maybe… maybe he is right. Maybe I do find no other meaning in my existence. I…

Just then, she heard the sound of a flute. And then she turned around herself, and saw that she was in a sea of shining grain. An old man dressed in white came out.

"Mr… Weisman?"

"Ellis. It's been a while."

"Where are we?"

"Well… Nowhere, exactly. If anything, it's the place I go to think, and to help others to think.

"Oh…"

"Ellis, I think I have somebody here who wants to speak with you."

Ellis turned to look, and nearly dropped from the sight of it.

"Pro… fessor?"

There stood Heinz Schneider, next to the man Ellis knew as Weisman.

"Ellis."

Ellis took several steps forward, and then ran to him, hugging him.

"Professor…" said a now-teary-eyed Ellis.

"Ellis… listen to me. I only have a few moments I can speak to you." He put his hands on her shoulders.

"Listen, Ellis, there's something you need to know. And that's the fact that I believe in you, Ellis. Look, don't let this one defeat stop you from doing what you know you have to do."

"But Professor… I don't even know where to begin. I don't know how to save people. And now Nadie…"

"Nadie's fine, Ellis. And do you want to know why?"

"…why?"

"Because she also believes in you, Ellis. Just like how I do. And Mr. Weisman over here. We all believe, especially Nadie, that you have within yourself incredible bravery. You can save people, Ellis… you just got to believe you can, and what comes next will come to you naturally."

"Professor…" she hugged him again, even tighter.

"Ellis, it's time for me to go again."

"W-why?"

Because I don't belong here, Ellis. I live in the world of the dead now, Ellis. But remember… I'm always watching.

Ellis began floating away, and as she looked down, she saw the figures of the Professor and Weisman get smaller and smaller.

"Ellis… you got to believe! I know you can do it! For me! For Nadie! Go!"

Ellis felt like she was falling through space, and when she did not feel that way anymore, she opened her eyes, only to see the pale face of a young bald man with deep, dark eyes and piercings down the bridge of his nose.

"Greetings, Ellis!"

"W-who are you?"

"Who I am is not exactly important right now. Where I am, though, is what matters! It allows me to be able to talk to you as you fall through dimensions! Now know this: Nadie's destiny does not lie with Gyrfalcon… and neither does yours! When you see him, say this: He whom gazes into the Abyss, the Abyss stares back into! See you later, and good luck!"

Meanwhile, a squad of Gyrfalcon's troops had set up a check point near the fortress. One of them spotted a figure walking towards them.

"Identify!"

He heard the sound of something being pulled out, like a string or something.

"You people… are in my way. And nothing gets between me and my darling Ellis!"

There was gun fire, shrieks of pain, and was over in less than a minute.

L.A., now covered in blood, began his way again towards the fortress.

"I'm coming, my beloved!"

Nadie sat along in an empty room, save for a single bulb and the chair she was tied to.

Great, this crap again.

She heard movement outside the door, and in came Gyrfalcon.

"Ah, Nadie. At last, we get a moment to talk."

He closed the door behind him.

"Look, you creep, I don't know what the hell you want, but I'm warning you now: do anything to Ellis, and you can kiss your sorry ass goodbye."

"Oh, feisty! I love it when women act brave."

He grabbed the chair he brought in with him and sat down in front of Nadie.

"Let's talk."

"Okay. Shoot."

"Why is it, Nadie, that you always seek to travel? What is it that you're looking for?"

"Well… if I were to guess, I'd say freedom."

"Freedom? From what?"

"Well… I guess in everything. Why should I tell you?"

"Because, my dear, I am offering you a chance to learn about your true purpose!"

"My true purpose? Okay, I'm sick and tired of hearing that phrase by now, so would you kindly explain to me what this 'true purpose' is?"

"In time, my dear! All you need to know for now is that when your village was unfortunately destroyed, you lost a good portion of your identity!"

"Look, pal, I don't know how you know about my past, but don't go bringing it up."

"Oh, I know everything, my dear! Including what your poor mother was unable to say to y-"

"Don't you dare bring my mother into this!"

"But my girl, she is the very reason why you are here! The very reason why I am offering you this marvelous opportunity!"

"Look, pal, you can take your opportunity and shove it!"

"Oh, and why is that?"

"Because I don't need it."

"And why is that?"

"Because… I already have what I need."

Gyrfalcon laughed at this.

"Oh, don't tell me! Is your answer going to be the same as Ellis'?"

"Huh?"

"You already have Ellis, so you don't need anything else. Is it along those lines?"

"I'm sorry to say it, but you're correct. Now that you have your answer, would you kindly let me-"

"Elda Taluta!"

Nadie felt paralyzed all of the sudden. Everything seemed to become dull and numb, and terrifying.

"W-what did you do to me…"

"Simple, I just made things easier for me! Now, search! Search inside your memories! Seek your true purpose!"

"My… true purpose…"

What is my true purpose? Why do I live?

…

…

…

…that flute.

Yes, that is what I live for…

"Well, do you now know?"

"Sorry, man, but… I do know it."

"Go ahead! Tell me!"

"My true purpose…"

"Yes?"

"…is…"

"Yes, go on! Tell me!"

"…to always be by Ellis' side. Always. Forever."

Gyrfalcon gave a deep sigh.

"Well… it looks like I'm going to have to…"

The building rock and shook with explosions.

"Huh… what is… going on?"

Outside, Jodie's forces were readying their attack. Jodie turned to Ricardo in her command vehicle.

"We're severely outgunned. If it looks like things won't turn out good, I want you to book it. It's more important that you survive for Lirio's sake."

Ricardo snorted.

"I will. And I'll save Nadie, too."

"That's the spirit. Okay, we'll commence our attack in five minutes."

I hope I'm not too late.

Unbeknownst to them, Ellis was creeping along outside the landed plane, and made for the jungle, hoping to avoid detection.

I'm going to save Nadie… even if I have to do it myself…

Just then, the unexpected happened: from the sky came a barrage of missiles and bombs onto the compound.

"What? What the hell's happening?" Jodie yelled into the radio.

"Unidentified planes, Ma'am. Several helicopters coming in quick!"

Indeed, the helicopters appeared, and out from them poured the last things Jodie thought she would ever see pour from helicopters.

"Demons…?"

Out running from around them in the jungle came more of them. By this point, the compound was alive with fighting, as the demons fought against Gyrfalcon's men.

A tall, red-headed demon approached Jodie.

"Sister Hayward, we have come to annihilate Gyrfalcon. Your assistance in this endeavor would be greatly appreciated."

Jodie turned to Ricardo, who looked just as confused as she did.

"I take your lack of no for a yes. Let's go."

And with that, the assault on Grey Rock began.

"Well, unfortunately, it seems we'll have to carry this on somewhere else. Now, let's just get goi-"

Suddenly, the door turned to ice. After several hard bangs, it cracked, and in came the most pissed off Nadie has ever seen Ellis.

"My! What a pleasant surprise! Welcome, El-"

"Shut up."

"Gh… uh..."

"Listen to me now: I've said it once, I've said it again, and I will say it always: I'm with Nadie because I want to be by her side. And I know that she's with me because she wants to. That's all that matters."

Gyrfalcon just gave out a low laugh to this.

"I cannot believe that you two… would just so easily... give up like this!"

He pulled out a gun and aimed it at Nadie.

"Ellis!"

"You… you weak-minded, pathetic idiots… I'm offering you both something great, something you were born to do! And you just turn it down? Do you understand one god-damn ounce what you're doing? Are you so blinded by your damn, pathetic, asinine feelings for one another, that you can't see the big picture?"

"Oh, I see the big picture. And I know what it is: 'He whom gazes into the Abyss, the Abyss stares back into'"

"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that I've figured you out. It means that you're just a sad man that looked for too long at the darker part of life. Because if you hadn't, you would realize that there was no need for a 'True Potential'. You lack complete and utter faith in yourself. So you go about life, holding onto the one thing that gives you hope… your belief in Mankind's ultimate destiny."

"And what exactly are you implying by all of this?"

"It means: that that belief is the only thing that gives meaning to your life. It is what you depend on. It is your crutch."

Gyrfalcon changed upon hearing his own words thrown back at him. He wildly pointed the gun at Ellis, then at Nadie, then at Ellis again, then back at Nadie.

"You… you!"

He pressed a button and twenty men came pouring into the room.

"Do as you please! Maybe, then, will they accept my most generous offer!"

At this he turned to exit the room.

Down the hall he ran, and up a flight of stairs to the top, where a helicopter would have borne him out of there. However, when he got to the top, he halted when he saw someone standing there. Wearing a green hooded cloak, the figure stood there, dark, faceless, but full of purpose.

"Who the hell are y-URK!"

Next thing he knew, a thin, white knife was sticking out from his throat. A moment later, he knew nothing more.

Just a second after, L.A. appeared at the bottom of the steps.

"Well, it looks like I have you to thank for removing one more obstacle between me and my Ellis. Now, if you ex-" suddenly, L.A. stopped.

"Huh… I can hear you… yet you don't… I see… I understand… well, then, this sure is a change of plans, isn't it?"

"Nadie."

"Yes, Ellis?"

"I came for you."

Nadie smiled at this.

"I know."

Just then, the men who had poured into the room began to grow confused. From behind, an unseen assailant was picking them off one by one: a slice there, a knife there. The goons completely shifted their focus on the imminent threat, but it was too late: at the end of it, after only about a minute, stood just a cloaked figure in the room, the same one who had brought down Gyrfalcon. Without saying a word, it left the room, and in its wake, Ellis saw in the shadows a smiling face.

"Was that…"

"Hey, Ellis."

"Yes, Nadie."

"Could you please untie me?"

"Oh… oh! Yes, sir!"

Nadie unbound, she and Ellis proceeded down the hallway, and went up the stairs, hoping to catch up to Gyrfalcon.

"Woah."

What they did not expect was for someone to beat them to the punch.

"Who do you think… did it?" asked Ellis.

"Who knows. Come on, to the roof."

On the roof, they saw several planes and helicopters fly off.

"But… Jodie mentioned that we only had one plane."

"Were they… different people?"

"Nadie! Ellis!"

The girls looked up to see Ricardo sticking out of a helicopter side-door.

"Come on in!"

Reaching his hand out, he took on Ellis and Nadie, and they flew off.

"So… am I going to have to wait to hear about this one also?"

Ellis smiled, Nadie smirked.

"As soon as you get around to telling us yours."