Chapter 5
The Angels in the Highland
(ハイランドの天使の巻)
(or "The Seven Scared Guests")

Percival said to his daughters, as The Gang was heading to the van, heading to Highland, "Alright, girls, listen up. I want you girls to clean this place up, after Farra had a vomit-inducing moment."

Farra called out, "HEY!"

He called back, "Sorry. But I warned you about you cooking!"

He then addressed, "Alright, then. Lots to do. April, January, you come with us."

April bowed, "Yes, father dear."

Percival addressed, "Okay, August, you clean our rooms, October, November, and December, you clean up the kitchen. Team effort here. February, you, June, and July will man the outside, mowing the lawn and cleaning the yard. That leaves the bathroom. May, you and March will handle this situation. Also, Farra made a huge mess there."

March said, "That's what you get for cooking a pizza, at 450 degrees, and with onion, vinegar, and Tabasco sauce."

Percival barked, "We won't be gone long. Make sure the place is spotless, before we get back. I left you fifty dollars for you to order out, and nothing more. Make sure that the chores are done."

May asked, "Uh… Why do April and January get off, scot-free?"

Percival said, "Well, they are in need of brainpower and digital prowess."

February remarked, "But aren't we all androids?"

Percival said, "Yes, it's true… But April and January are the most important to you, since they are older."

HONK! HONK!
Heather honked the horn.

SLAP!
Farra shouted, "Stop playing with the horn!"

January said, "That's our ride."

Percival then said, as April and January left to the van, "Listen up! You do the chores, now, and I mean, NOW; because if I see this place with one messy area, when we get back, you're grounded!"

They pouted, as Percival left, "Just get to the chores."

The door shut, as the van began to drive off. May then asked, "So… Now what?"

June said, "Chores suck…"

March replied, "I agree. But we cannot be grounded by our father. Let's do our best, even though we don't care."

February smiled, "We'll get it finished, in no time. I'll handle the bathroom with March. The triplets will help August, while June and July take outside."

May sighed, "Let's get this over with…"

They all left to their chores in The Gang's house.

We'll check with them, later…

XXXXX

At the van, Mizuki was driving, as January asked, "Ghosts? You don't think that September will appear, right?"

Percival said, "We're not sure if it is so."

Steven said, "Be patient, gynoid homies. We'll need all the firepower we need. Steven Cooke will man the group."

Peter whimpered, "Man, I hate going there. Ghosts creep me out…"

Heather said, as she was scared, too, "Man, I hope so…"

Farra remarked, "You guys are such babies. Just stick by us, and we'll traverse through."

The van continued to drive through the streets, as the sun was about to set.

Mizuki said, "Gee. The sun isn't always that tired out. Dusk wouldn't happen, until six, tonight."

Steven said, "This could be a clue. Which ghost is known to make the sun set?"

Mizuki replied, "Mr. Burns?"

Peter said, "He's not dead."

Percival remarked, "Maybe someone who wants to pull the sun away."

Steven said, "Steven Cooke thinks it could be another ghost… Maybe someone we know…"

Percival stated, "Maybe. Mizuki, take us there and get there, now!"

April then had a sudden chill, "No… It… It couldn't be."

Heather asked, "You okay, Apry?"

April smiled, "I'm fine… and don't call me Apry."

Heather apologized, "Sorry. That was a nickname I thought of. How about… Sofia?"

April said, "No."

"What do you want to be called? A month sounds… lame."

April smirked, "How about calling me… Diamond Daisy?"

Heather nervously chuckled, "I… Uh… April, it is."

Farra asked, "Why do you want to be nicknamed as the month's birthstone and flower?"

April said, "Coincidence. Besides, I thought I'd be sinister like that."

January growled, "Why couldn't you give me a nickname, sister?"

April snapped, "Oh, please, like I'd give you one, thanks to your mood swings! Focus on the mission!"

January pouted, "Sorry…"

Percival said, "Highland is moments away. We'll get there, before the sun goes dark."

Mizuki replied, "But it's only two in the afternoon."

Steven said, "Then we better speed it up. Mizuki, prepare the afterburners!"

Percival barked, "Do as he says!"

Mizuki pressed a button and out popped two huge rockets. It let out an exhaust of fire and moved the van into a fast-speed. After twenty minutes of super speed…

SCREEEEEEEEEEECH!
The van arrived at Highland, in ruins, following its bombing by the now-defunct Adult Resistance.

"Whoa…" Steven cried, as he felt the speed, "Did anyone felt that?"

Percival said, "Alright, guys… Move out!"

They stepped out and prepared to hunt for the ghost sightings. However, an evil spirit was watching on. Who or what was it?

(April): "The Gang – IN COLOR" will be right back…

(Faux commercial…)

(June Nevins is sitting in the dinner table)

(Narrator): Aw, what's this? Stuck with dinner's entrée? Lame!

(A dish is shown, of corn and mashed potatoes)

(June is disgusted)

(June): What kind of food is this? It looks like snot!

(Narrator): Relax, my friend. No more entrée disasters for you.

(A box of Anti-Besto is shown)

(Narrator): Introducing Anti-Besto! A surefire way to enjoy entrées, without seeing the disgusting sight of it.

(A row of dishes is shown)

(Narrator): And it comes in five delicious meals – Soylent green, red beets, green macaroni salad, black-eyed fried up beans, and white rice and chick peas! And they are packed with all the vitamins and nutrients in it! And the best part is…

(June finishes eating her Anti-Besto)

(June): It doesn't taste or look like snot!

(Narrator): WRONG! It tastes so good that you'll want more! Plus, it is color-coordinated.

(June, cheering): Anti-Besto is the anti-best! Oh…

(Narrator): Anti-Besto! Forget antipasto! This is the anti-best-o!

From: Blue Meanie

(April): And now, back to "The Gang – IN COLOR"…

The Gang and the sisters began to walk through the city of Highland, all destroyed and in shambles.

"This sure doesn't look like a ghost came by," Percival said.

Mizuki stated, "This area has been Ground Zero, since the bombing. Maybe the ghosts are the evil villains responsible for the killings. Or… it could be the ghost of a juvenile thug that wanted its turf, doing what he or she wants."

Steven said, "I've heard of this place, during my downtime. Two girls wanted to greet me, and they said that they wanna do me. Sadly, Steven Cooke plays the purity card."

Farra retorted, "How can you tell?"

Steven remarked, "They're trampy girls. Plus, they always greeted the phrase, Lolita…"

January said, "Probably copying our gimmick."

Percival said, "Where did you meet them, last, Steven?"

Steven replied, "Around the movie theater, right when I wanted to see that new movie with (celebrity withheld)."

Farra said, "Call me crazy, but I think that they wanted to jilt you of your money. Good call, walking away."

April said, "That was a farfetched relief, Crazy."

Peter and Heather were nervously in fear, as Percival jeered, "Hey, Shaggy and Scooby! Get off your butts and pick up the pace!"

Peter whimpered, "Dude… This reminded me of a whacked-out movie I once saw…"

Heather sobbed, "Don't get me wrong, but this is worse than the haunted carnival I went to!"

Percival shouted, "I DON'T CARE! Get out of your chicken suits and put on your game faces, or I'll make you wish YOU were pissing your pants by MY face!"

Farra, Mizuki, and Steven groaned, "Ew."

Peter and Heather groaned, "Coming…"

Michelle said, "You know how to roll some words, whenever the guys are falling apart."

Percival snuffed, "Shut it."

XXXXX

They arrived at an abandoned movie theater, which was a huge cinemaplex, all smashed and worn-out, with the windows broken.

Steven pointed, "Right here. I was to get the tickets there, but-."

January snapped, "I DON'T CARE! Can we please investigate?"

Percival said, "This may be a clue."

Michelle barked, "Well, I'm not gonna wait around and have hooker ghosts come around."

Percival grabbed her shoulder and remarked, "No! We have to map out a plan."

He then suggested that Peter and Heather go in. They refused, but April said, "If only you'd find the snacks inside. If you find clues, we'll treat you to some snacks."

They ran inside, as April jeered, "Feh… Shmucks."

Mizuki replied, "Good idea, letting them in there, using trickery and lies."

Percival stated, "We have a lot of ground to cover. April, January, Farra, you find the Maxi-Mart, while Steven, Mizuki, and I will check out the high school. Michelle, you take Burger World."

Peter appeared and cried, "Aw, no fair! That place has beef in all sizes!"

He then started a Kinnikuman Gyudon Dance.
"Gyuudon hitotsuji san-byaku-nen,
hayai no umai no yasu-hui no."
(A cow appears and bonks Peter's head)

Translation: "Great-tasting Gyudon for 300 years.
It's quick, and it's tasty, and it's very cheap!"

Peter complained, "How come you guys get the noticeable areas, and me and Heather get the bad ones?"

Percival glared, "Shouldn't you be in the movie theaters, now?"

Peter nodded, "Next time, inform us… But I am doing this, under protest, on account that ghosts freak me out."

Percival shouted, "GET IN THERE, AND JOIN HEATHER!"

He left, as the group spilt up into the three areas of Highland.

"You're in a mood today, huh?" Farra asked him.

Percival said, "It's nothing. I just don't feel like I am in the mood to explain."

XXXXX

Michelle checked inside the abandoned Burger World, which was trashed, all over the place, full of clutter, trash, rat droppings, and shattered glass. She examined half a burger, which was by a corpse of a man, holding a milkshake.

"Better you, than everyone else," she said, "Bugger this. These people ain't my kind of folk. It's all messy and just like it's an abandoned Bordeaux."

She then said, as she examined the registers, "What's this?"

There were words, covered in blood and ooze. It said, "Venjança".

"Venjança?" She thought, "What could it mean?"

She then replied, "It almost sounds like vendetta."

A shadow appeared, without Michelle knowing.

XXXXX

April and January found the Maxi-Mart owner, covered in shards of glass, impaled in his head, all pale and bloodied.

January said, "Amazing…"

There was a word on his shirt. It said "Verlierer". She then said, "Someone already trashed the place, after it was destroyed."

Farra examined the body and said, "This man has been dead, since the bombing. Plus, he was stabbed in the head, after death, to avoid any repercussions."

BANG! BANG!
April fired her Luger at the dead clerk's head, exploding it.

"APRIL!" Farra scolded.

April said, "What? I don't want my bullets to go to waste, do I?"

January said, "She's right."

XXXXX

Percival and Steven investigate the rubble of Highland High. Mizuki waited outside.

"You two go on ahead. I'll see if anything is going on, outside."

Steven nodded, "Sure thing, Miz."

Percival said, "Come on."

They went inside, as Mizuki sat down on the stairs. She waited, as the boys were examining each classroom. They were all destroyed, with many bodies strewn around.

Percival replied, "McVicker… Buzzcut… that hippie teacher… almost everybody, killed in contact."

Steven said, "Maybe the bomb is still there."

He stated, "Well, what's left of it, I mean."

Percival was convinced, "Good idea, Steven. I think it's at the gymnasium."

Steven responded, "How do you know where?"

"Duh. Big places set off a bomb of such magnitude. After Highland High was destroyed, Highland, itself, was the victim of destruction."

"I hope those two are still alive."

"If they even are… I'm pretty sure that they would not hang with you."

Beavis and Butt-Head left Highland, during the final battle in the New ACROSS, curious over finding a misadventure of their own.

"You're right. Knowing those two, they'd die, right now."

They arrived at the gymnasium. Percival found a huge clutter of concrete and glass, all over the gym.

"What the wha?" Percival gasped, "I just let that asshole get to me."

Steven C said, "We better dig and find the bomb!"

Percival addressed, "No, dude. They may be some live wires and broken foundation. We'll have to keep searching."

Steven then found the locker room. He stepped inside and said, "Maybe the clues are over there…"

Percival groaned, "Please keep yourself close to me!"

"Why should I?"

"Stupid! What if you got lost?"

"Steven Cooke knows his way! Why don't you mind your own goddamn business? I cannot deal with your shit, now, not after the home of Beavis and Butt-Head is destroyed, and with any luck, the two dead!"

"Okay, sorry. Didn't mean to make you angry. Lead the way."

They entered the locker room and looked around the dented lockers and demolished walls. Steven Cooke then found small writing in locker #205.

"Hey, Percival! Check this out!" He looked at the description.

"Tämä on meidän koti! Et voi ottaa sitä pois! Haluamme puolustus!"

Steven griped, "Gibberish! Nothing but gibberish!"

Percival said, "It's Finnish. It is said that Highland is their home. Vengeance will be ours. They cannot take it away from us."

He gasped, "You don't think our ghosts are intellectual linguists?"

Steven shivered, "I don't know… or care. But I want out of here."

He pondered, "Now we know why the place was haunted with extraordinary supernatural beings."

Steven said, "We should head back."

Percival said, "Right. We'll find the ghost, soon enough."

They left the high school, as Mizuki was waiting outside. Suddenly, a mysterious figure appeared, from a green car, all dented and worn out. A man, with blonde hair, denim jeans and vest, and shades, appeared, with a stern look.

"Hey, lady," he asked, "Wanna go for a ride with me?"

Mizuki asked, "Huh? Who are-?"

She scanned him with her iPhone and learned that he was a ghost.

"Fascinating!" She said, "I thought there were survivors, but… But he cannot be the corruption!"

The man said, "Well, you look sexy, and I don't mind it. How about one for the road, in my car?"

Mizuki said, "Sorry… Todd. But I'm already taken. Besides, we have orders that a ghost is terrorizing this city, after the destruction by the Adult Tyranny. FYI, I read the newspaper about it."

She instructed, "How did you die?"

Todd explained the story:
He was driving through the ruined city of Highland in his car, drinking his beer, and watching the road. At the time, he was too busy in another town, looking for some smokes. However, he was visited by a female ghost. He stopped the car and saw the view of the ghost, shining at her with his headlights. It was a girl with long black hair, a Chinese garb, and glasses. I think we know that the ghost of Rei Tachibana has appeared.

"Whoa… What the hell is that?" He thought, "Whoever she was, she was hot."

He called, "Hey, babe. You wanna go for a ride?"

Rei glared, as she moaned in a ghostly wail. She then approached the car and grabbed the fender. She ripped it off and threw it into the ground. She then moaned, "Get… out…"

Todd started to drive away, as he was scared. He threw a bottle of beer, out the window. He grumbled, "This is messed-up, man. What kind of place is this? If I find those babies, I'll-."

Rei's voice called, from nowhere, "You'll what?"

As he was driving, a huge eyeball was shown, flashing in front of the car. Todd screamed, as he tried to avoid. He successfully turned left and avoided collision… except…

CRASH!
His car flew off the road and crashed into a huge ravine, killing Todd in the process. Just what Rei wanted, one hopes… coming from a toxic waste-ridden sexy corpse.

Mizuki asked, "So… So, you're dead? Obviously… But why would she go after you?"

"I don't know, man. Maybe I had too much beer."

"What were you doing, before you arrive at Highland?"

"Last thing I remember was driving down to Seattle, NJ, to get me some drinks and some hot ass. After that, I went to a small tavern in Springfield, just to get my buzz on. It was there I learned on TV that the city of Highland was destroyed. So, I rushed back there to grab and stash all the beer for free. I figured that, "Hey, no one will buy it, including those two kindergartners." So, I returned to Highland, and took it over… but that chick came and tried to kill me. Then… The Eye… THE EYE!"

He yelled, "THAT EYEBALL!"

Mizuki ordered, "Describe what that girl looked like. Please. I'm here to help, even those who are in limbo."

Todd explained Rei Tachibana's description, "Well, cute chick has long black hair, and has a hot Chinese Girl attire… Let's see… She has these two meatballs on her hair, white meatballs, to be precise."

Mizuki responded, "It's called ox horns. That's a hairstyle that resembles buns. And her attire is called a Qipao, a Chinese garb she wears. Go on."

Todd continued, "Let's see… Red eyes, with glasses… and she has pale skin, like zombies, or something. That's pretty much it. Oh, also, she has hot huge boobs."

Mizuki gasped, "No…"

She then remembered, "No way. I better warn Percival."

She addressed to Todd, "For your safety, please stay low, until the time is right. Also, do not go to Daten City! Don't ask…"

She left to the school, as Todd leaves in his car, "This is messed-up… Now to find those two."

He drove away, as the figure reappeared.

XXXXX

At the movie theater, inside a small room, Peter and Heather look around the seats, which were stained with popcorn, soda, and other concessions.

Peter sighed, "Let's not all go to the lobby…"

Heather said, "Not me. I hate butter… on popcorn. Plus, the floors are still sticky."

"Any sign of clues, little buddy?"

"No. But I think they may be at the lobby."

"Great! Let's leave now."

But as they were about to leave, the projector mysteriously turned on. They stopped and turned around, seeing the screen, which showed a cryptic message. Peter and Heather shivered in fear.

The message said, in blood, "UNACCEPTABLE! Those who destroy a city, suffer a fate worse than death, itself!"

Peter cringed, "Who would write that?"

Heather sobbed, "I wanna go home."

It then showed a phrase, in Portuguese, "Dê a volta da liberdade!"

Peter and Heather winced in fear, as a shadow appeared, screaming, "THIS! IS! UNACCEPTABLE!"

They screamed.

"AAAAAAAAAAAHH!"

They ran out of the theater, screaming for their lives.

The shadow disappeared, after they left, fleeing in terror.

XXXXX

Meanwhile, Percival and Steven were about to leave, as Mizuki rushed to them.

"Guys! We have a problem!" She sobbed, "This guy I met… He met Rei Tachibana!"

Percival gasped, "Oh, no!"

Steven said, "Was it a ghost?"

Mizuki said, "It sure was, Steven. The guy that I met was killed, after encountering her, and then drove his car off, seeing a grotesque eyeball."

Percival said, "I heard about it, on the paper. That was them?"

They leave the high school, as Mizuki continued, "It was in a huge description of her, by this guy. He was getting liquor for free, here, since the town was destroyed, but he was killed by a phantom."

Steven snuffed, "That's bullshit."

"Maybe so… but it was true. Also, I never knew Highland had ravines."

"Probably in the rural side of this city."

Percival said, "Well, be that as it may, this town has some sort of revenge policy. For starters-."

As he was about to explain what he saw, Peter and Heather appeared, running and shrieking to them, all terrified.

Peter sobbed, "HELP! HIGH-PITCHED VOICE! BAD LANGUAGE!"

Heather sobbed, "Unacceptable! HOW?"

Percival said, "What? Calm the F down, step-sis."

April appeared, as she, January, and Farra came by, with Michelle on Farra's back, out cold and with a gash on her head, "You should listen to her, Father Dear. This town has become a hot spot for scary stuff."

Percival cried, "MICHELLE!"

January exclaimed, "We found her in Burger World, bloodied and beaten, after we left the Maxi-Mart."

April said, "She was out, being smashed by a bottle, but she's still breathing."

"Will she be okay?" Percival asked.

April nodded, "She will be. We'll find an area to rest, while we scrounge for clues."

He said, "Well, I'm afraid I have news on our ghost problems. We have all the clues, but there is but one solution – Someone wants revenge on killing the citizens and its city."

Mizuki responded, "You're right. Rei Tachibana must be behind this shocking dilemma. If I am wrong, then it's possible that Todd died at her hands."

Steven said, "Then, there's not a minute to lose!"

The Gang agreed, as they try to retrace each area. But before they do…

"Wait… His name was Todd?" Percival asked Mizuki.

Mizuki said, "It was on his nametag."

Percival pondered in astonish.

Meanwhile, at The Gang's house, the sisters finished the entire place up, clean as a whistle. However, the bathroom wasn't finished.

"May, how are you holding up!" November asked.

"Ew… Gross…" She groaned, from the door, "I cannot stand our mother's puke…"

June said, "How'd ya figure? She's human."

February sobbed, "Where's April and January, when you need them?"

March said, "Let's go in and help."

They went in, as they helped May clean the bathroom.

More on this, in the next chapter…

Back at Highland, The Gang regrouped to a huge outlet store in the middle of downtown.

Peter asked, "Why there?"

Percival said, "Well, the trail of these shocking moments lead to this place here. Now, what happened here was sudden. First, there was the bombing of Highland High. Then, there was the Burger World destruction. And then, there was the city, all in decaying ruins. And finally, there are these mysterious words in different languages. The first being "Venjança", which is what Michelle found in Burger World. The second word was "Verlierer", in which was imprinted on the corpse body at the Maxi-Mart. Steven and I found a phrase in Finnish, which means that vengeance is theirs, so long as we cannot lose our city. Heather, you and Peter found a phrase, as well."

Heather said, "It said, "Dê a volta da liberdade"."

Mizuki stated, "That's Portuguese for "Give Back Freedom"."

Steven said, "Some brainiac ghost he is… with all this Worldwide jargon and words that we cannot understand."

Peter whimpered, "And then… there was this guy who shrieked at a high-pitched voice."

Percival asked, "What did he look like?"

He shrieked, as he saw something.

The Gang turned around and saw the figure. He glared, "This… Gang, as you call it, is in…"

He shrilled, "UNACCEPTABLE CONDITIONS! UNACCEPTABLE!"

The Gang and the sisters scream in horror, as they were in the presence of a mysterious being.

Who was this guy, and is he the ghost with the different languages?

To be continued…