Inside M's building, in Daten City, M, or whoever she is, was watching on, all angered and frustrated, as she witnessed both Klotzenstein and Rei Tachibana, destroyed by The Gang.

"DAMN! DAMN! DAMN IT! DAMN, DAMN, DAAAAAAAAAAMN!" She hollered.

She sat up and growled, "This is terrible! That fucking blonde has wings? Now everybody in The Gang has powers! THAT IS IT!"

She held up her phone and said, "All units! This is M! Disperse, at once, and wait for further orders! Repeat! STAY OUT OF MY BUSINESS!"

She slammed the phone, destroying it. She glared with her eyes at infrared.

"Now I have all eight on my danger zone…" she said, "It looks as though I will have to play Devil's Advocate on this one and face them all, myself. I swear it! I, M, will NOT back down from this, lightly! Steven Nevins… Steven Cooke… Farra Stevens… Peter Giese… Percival Gaynes… and the rest… THEY WILL SOUFFRIR!"

She saluted, "VIVA LE FRANCE!"

Chapter 22
Daten City Rock-Out
(Daten City ロックアウトの巻)
(or "The Gang's Evaluation)

Percival viewed the streets of Daten, as the black van arrived. He called out, "They came! Just in time…"

The van stopped by the church, as they all stepped out.

"DUDE! Hello, Daten City~!" Peter cheered.

"Daten~!" Farra laughed.

"YEAH!" Steven cheered.

Mizuki and the Sisters stepped out, as Percival welcomed them.

"We wouldn't miss this, for the world," Mizuki said, "And, as long as we survive, we'll endure anything."

Percival then asked, "Uh… What happened to you guys?"

Yakumo said, as she stepped out, "They had a run-in with groupies and a huge ghost. They destroyed her, and have neutralized the city."

Percival gasped, "WHAT? You ran into Rei Tachibana?"

Farra nodded, "We did. Peter and I stopped her. You don't mind, eh?"

He said, "No, I don't. But I'm glad that you're safe."

She then said, "You mind if you examine me, since my body felt weird?"

Percival said, "Wait in line. I need to examine Heather. Something about her powers seemed odd."

Mizuki said, "We saw. Who knew Heather was fast."

Percival asked, "Uh, Steven, who is this young girl, behind you?"

Steven introduced Yakumo to Percival, "This is Yakumo Tsukamoto. We met her, down at Luna Cove, being hunted down by a woman named Lyuze."

Yakumo blushed, "Hello."

Percival giggled, "So, I've heard. You must be his new flame."

Yakumo stuttered, "Uh… Well…"

Peter, Farra, and Mizuki said, "We don't want to talk about it…"

They still remember Project Yamo. He asked, "Well, why do you come?"

She bowed, "It's simple. Steven Cooke saved my life. And it's good, since he had such bravery in him. He saved me from Lyuze, went to an island inhabited by Puuchus, and even sailed together in the ocean. I never felt so alive…"

Steven smiled, "AND… if any… We're getting married!"

They all gasped, as Yakumo said, "It's not official, yet. Once they have protected me, and being rid of the evil, I may consider it."

Percival said, "Well, you guys had it rough, Steven Nevins and the rest were exhausted, going through hell."

Steven asked, "Is he here, now?"

Percival said, "He's at the ER, with Michelle, Panty, and Stocking. You recall that she was severely hurt."

Farra said, "I hope she feels better, in time for our show."

She then gave him the 12 Heaven Coins. She said, "Here. This is from Rei."

"Huh. A dozen. Thanks, darling."

They began to walk to the hospital, as The Gang thought in confusion, "HUH? Who's Panty and Stocking?"

At the hospital, The Gang reunited with each other, sans the Nevinses. The angels, demons, and androids watch on, all confused.

Panty asked, "So, you must be Stocking's Kliq, huh?"

April said, "We are Percival's adopted daughters, 2 of the 11 Marciano Sisters."

Panty snuffed, "Oh, those little whores in Goth Loli? Please…"

April aimed her gun and Panty and barked, "You berate us again, and your life may depend on it! Understand, moron?"

Panty said, "Try it, anyway, but it won't work…"

Scanty smirked, "Such poise."

Stocking said, "Now, now. Don't get up in Panty's ass. She was just joking."

Panty retorted, "Fuck yeah! These girls try to one-up me! Don't fuck with me, robo-bitch!"

January asked, "May I kill her, please?"

April said, "You may not. These girls, along with the red-skinned girls, helped our Father Dear."

Kneesocks smiled, "They have some trust issues, do they, Sister?"

Scanty said, "Of course. We hate these toilet angels, but we like the android maids. And hey, we are all pairs of sisters, are we not?"

Stocking nagged, "Yeah! Well, you guys are evil, we are the good guys, and those two are dark horses!"

April asked, "Dark horses?"

Kneesocks said, "Well, let's see if we can put them to the test, comparing each other to a comparison of academic proportions. We bested you angels in all classifications… now we have Percival's gun-slinging despatchers and well-dressed automatons."

January said, "We're Father Dear's favorites… out of 11."

The angels were confused by Kneesocks' speech, as The Demons compared with the Marcianos.

They all stood in podiums, comparing each other. Scanty said, "We'll announce the first event, comparing each of us. But we'll let you pick the first challenge?"

Jaunary asked, "Like what?"

They both chanted, "Manners… Beauty… Gracefulness… Physical Proportions… Status… Education… Hindsight… Audibility!"

The Demons aced every event, since the Marciano Sisters were excellent in beauty, but they lack of manners, gracefulness, and hindsight. Their audibility was so-so, since the sound they use were their guns.

Scanty smiled, "Pathetic… How did this happen? You have such body height, but you lack of any girth. Oh, wait. I forget. You're androids. You don't shape up."

April remarked, "That's fine. You guys have beauty, but we still have knowledge of shooting an AK-48."

Kneesocks said, "By the way, we win, by default. Why fight, when it's one of our rules?"

Scanty barked, "You guys don't like to be programmable… Right?"

Kneesocks yelled, "YOU TWO HAVE WASTED OUR TIME! Just because you're adopted to the most biggest buzz-killer in the world, we still respect him! Our time is pilfered, and you have NOTHING to show forth!"

Percival appeared and asked, "I'm sorry, but I wonder why you two losers are examining my adopted daughters. Are you comparing that you are better than them? ARE YOU?"

He snapped, as the Daemons were trembling, "ARE YOU? BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE IT! YOU BITCHES GET TO WORK SETTING UP THE GANG'S PREPARATIONS FOR OUR GIG, TONIGHT! And if you two slackers so much as to fight, bitch, harass, or tease my daughters, one more time, YOU'RE FIRED!"

He stormed off, "Unbelievable!"

January scoffed, "Well, well, well. WE can handle Father Dear's constant yelling, almost as Mother Dear's strangling to others and Peter's jovial attitude…"

April said, "But you guys don't. What is wrong with you demons? At least, we're better in the shooting range."

Kneesocks held her ears and groaned, "Sorry. We better get to work."

Scanty asked, "You guys coming?"

Stocking said, "In a flash. I need to know more of the robot Goths. These guys are my kind of skanks."

April said, "We're not like that."

Panty smiled, "This is tedious. Taste of your own medicine, huh, bitch?"

Scanty barked, "SHUT UP! LIKE HELL WE'D LISTEN TO TAWDRY ANGEL WHORES LIKE YOU!"

Kneesocks pleaded, "Sister! Your language!"

She dragged her away, as she said, "We better go, before we are incarcerated. We owe a debt of gratitude to AAW, and we cannot blow this."

The Angels and Sisters followed, as April said, "If that's how I want to act, as a sisterly figure, I want NO part of it."

Panty said, "Amen, chica."

XXXXX

At the hospital room, Heather and Farra were being examined by Percival, who was confused by the sudden powers the girls had.

"So, how did it happen?" He asked Heather.

Heather said, "Well, my muscles and body seemed in harmony with the fit look… Plus, that Bugzzy almost hurt Michelle. I trampled him and suddenly said I am like Sonic the Hedgehog."

Heather Dunn's Congregated Control – Increased Suplex

Percival asked Farra, "And you?"

Farra explained, "During the battle with Rei Tachibana, I was about to die, until a spirit inside my chest started to awaken. And then, my wingspan, no pun intended, suddenly grew feathers. It was like… I am a blue hawk."

She added, "Of course, I think it was that hawk I grabbed onto, just for leverage."

Heather gasped, "NO WAY! You killed Rei Tachibana?"

"Peter did. I did the work, and he gets the credit. Targus City has some clingy fembot fans of his."

"Oh. Disregard, then."

Percival said, "You two look like you're still in shape to perform. Michelle, however, seemed a bit in pain, since we faced Doctor Klotzenstein. She told me that Joanna was watching over her."

"Wait! Sis was there with her?" Farra gasped.

Heather smiled, "What great guys."

Percival said, "That's what she said. But, I didn't believe her. Nonetheless, we have ended the nightmare in the alternate worlds, with just one more threat left, before we report to Kanaka – Project Yamo. For some reason, Michelle told me about this myth of a cyborg that escaped a lab, but in reality, she was an evil supercomputer."

Farra nodded, "I know. I met her."

She said, "It was Yakumo! Steven's girlfriend! I mean, this Lyuze woman was after her, and we had learned of the trade, knowledge of the robot's mysterious past."

He asked, "Who told you this?"

She said, "First, April and January heard of it, after Steven Cooke escaped with Yakumo. Then, Lyuze slept with Peter, whispering the words of Yakumo's unconfirmed origin. And then, Mizuki eavesdropped the moment in bed, while she was, somehow, in a closet, tied up. She didn't know who did it to her. And finally, Mizuki told me, before the gynoids began to chase after the big guy."

He said, "Fascinating. Michelle told me everything about her, after she heard it from Klotzenstein, back at ER. But I never knew it was Steven's girlfriend."

She stated, "So… The only people who don't know it… are Steven Cooke, Steven Nevins, the angels, and the demons."

He replied, "Don't forget Heather. She's here, but she doesn't know."

Heather pleaded, "Until now! Heather wants to know about Project Yakumo!"

He ordered, "Yamo! And NO!"

"Aw, why not?"

"You might blab about it!"

"We're all AAW Agents, right? If any information, we forward it to Kanaka Nanase, our boss!"

Percival sighed, "Fine. But… under NO circumstances that we tell anybody, especially Steven Nevins."

Farra added, "And Steven Cooke. If he finds out, he'd be devastated."

Percival said, "That's a risk we're willing to take. But the secret's safe with me… Plus, I'd love to see him squirm, if he knows."

Farra shouted, "PERCIVAL! How mean of you to do that to him?"

Heather shouted, "I WANT TO KNOW!"

Percival griped, "If you'd just SHUT UP, let me tell you!"

Heather sat up and listened, as Percival told the story of Project Yamo, like he heard it from Michelle. Heather was astonished, but when it came to the truth, she was completely shocked.

"You're shitting me!" She gasped.

She then grew sad. She then thought, "If I tell about it, no one would believe me… That's one gossip I won't tell."

XXXXX

Outside the auditorium, Steven C presented a diamond ring to Yakumo and said, "Here. Garterbelt, the guy in the afro, lend me some money. So, I figured that this engagement ring will work. Steven Cooke spared no expense… for the girl I love."

Yakumo blushed, "It's beautiful. I just hope it's real."

She held the ring and said, "I'll accept it, after your show. When it is done, I shall give you my answer."

She kissed him on the cheek and pranced off. Steven C blushed and was in happiness.

Steven N appeared and said, "Son, you got one lucky cat. No bigger than a catfish on Fry-Day Friday."

Steven C said, "Like you'd understand love, you Southern Fried Hick."

Steven N smiled, "Thought you'd say that. So, I was wondering if the Nevins Family, like old times, would perform in your show. I figure we do Beatles songs, plus, I cannot wait to blow the trumpet, again."

Steven C said, "What? Ska Music?!"

"Trust me, son. Michelle and I will take the horns, Mizuki will handle the keyboard, and the rest… Well, you guys have it covered."

"Steven Cooke is shocked! Why are you so generous?"

"Well, I overheard of your bravery, and I figure that you need to be leader of this group."

"Oh, not that you care…"

"Just curious to know. But I am puzzled that your leader, Percival, is somewhat on your shit list. Why do you hate him?"

"Why? I'll tell you why… He's a jackass! He's like the intellectual Epstein of the group, but he yells at us, over the budget! The guy is nothing but a jerk! That's the thing… He's dull."

"Damn, son. I guess you have beef on him."

"Well, if he asks me why, I'm telling the WHOLE story. My friend, Percival, is fine, but he's an asshole! Unlike you, you're a savior! And that's the thing… You left Heather, when Peter & Farra picked on you."

"You don't want to know how I left…"

"Fine, then."

Steven N then asked, "Permit me to ask, but you think maybe we try this song for the Daten City event?"

Steven C read the lyrics and said, "Okay. I'll tell the guys. We'll need to fix the lyrics, for another time, to make it like it's our track."

Steven N then asked, "And by the way, try to tone down your arrogance level, just a tad bit. Peter may be popular with robot women, but you need a huge fan base, just like us. Because the way you act, sounds uneven. Ya dig, son?"

Steven C said, "I get ya. Steven Cooke will try, but I won't like it. Thanks, man. It'll be wonderful to perform with the MAIN leader of the Original Gang."

He dashed off, as Steven N smiled, "Oh, glad I do, son. That I do."

Michelle appeared, with just her jeans and jacket on. She had her chest and abdomen wrapped in bandages and said, "Was that Steven?"

"Yeah, Sis. It was." He said, "So… You set to play the saxophone?"

Michelle smiled, "It won't take a jab to the heart to stop me. I'm ready!"

She then requested, "OH! Uh, Steven… I forgot to say something about recently. It's about Proj-."

Steven N said, "Not now, Sis. We have to get ready for rehearsal. You and I better get on stage."

Michelle pleaded, "WAIT! Brother, hold on!"

He left, as Michelle grew worried. She said, "I was gonna say something about Yakumo… whatever she is."

At the stage, Panty and Stocking were in the seats, watching the rehearsal with Scanty, Kneesocks, April, and January.

"Man, this blows… This'll be the first time we see The Gang in action," she said, "Plus, whatever song they have, let's hope they don't blow it."

Kneesocks smiled, "Now, we can see these guys, on-stage."

Scanty asked, "I know we just met, but maybe the six of us can form our own The Gang, with just us. Sure, we may not get along, but it's a start."

Panty said, "I can sing."

Stocking said, "I play the bass."

April said, "I'll play a mean keyboard while January gets on that Lead Guitar."

Kneesocks said, "Suppose we need to practice, when this is over. I say we can set our differences aside and-."

Panty snuffed, "Girlfriend, just because we're enemies, we cannot stay friends. This is until the fucking mind fuck is un-fucked."

Stocking said, "And the sooner, the better! I'm itching for some cakes!"

Scanty smiled, "I just want to go back and lather in a luxurious bubble bath again."

April said, "And we want to go back to being the assassins that we are."

Panty said, as everybody sighed, "This is fucked up, guys. We're better off working for what we do. Hanging with these c(BEEP)s and douches is fun, but it's all boring."

January said, "Well, at least we were well-fed and pampered by Percival. I miss my real Mom."

April said, "DO NOT bring it up!"

Stocking asked, "Hey, I was wondering, can you set me up with some of your old Goth Loli clothing? You got major chic!"

April smiled, "Totally. I would set you up with Nielsen. He's a Loli fanatic."

Panty huffed, "Ew, yeah. Another perv."

On the stage, Steven was on the microphone, as they began rehearsal. Heather arrived late, helping Michelle up, who was now wearing a white shirt. Steven waved to Heather, but she ignored him. It seems that the truth about Project Yamo got to her, too. Peter asked her, "Lemme guess… Yakumo?"

Heather nodded and whispered, "Poor Steven…"

Steven C barked, "Guys, if there's something you're hiding, say it! Steven Cooke can understand."

Yakumo arrived, as the others gasped, "URK!"

The Gang, except Steven C & Steven N, were ignoring them, as they turned away from Yakumo. Steven N remarked, "Something tells me that your bravado has rubbed off on them. Can ya dig it, boy?"

Steven C said, "I wish they'd tell me."

Yakumo called, "Uh, Steven, am I interrupting your rehearsal?"

April whispered, "Keep your mouths shut."

Panty asked, "Why not?"

Scanty asked, "Is she a weird demon?"

January said, "Just don't tell anyone, but…"

The Sisters turned away, as they said, "We'll explain later."

Stocking asked, "What's the big deal?"

Panty sighed, "Bitch. If you have anything to say-!"

Kneesocks pleaded, "Please, no. Don't act this way…"

The Gang was about to begin their music.

Heather called out, tapping her sticks, "1, 2, 3, 4!"

The music begins, as the others were watching on.
We'll see their brand-new song, in the next chapter…

XXXXX

Back at the huge building, M, in the guise of Rebecca Miyamoto, was talking to the huge HD screen, talking to a mysterious figure. It was… Tohru Honda?

Honda asked, "So, you have beef with The Gang of AAW? I understand, Miss M. Sometimes the beef can be fish or fowled up, as the grains of justice will bury in hot oil. In other words, taint the flock, take down the whole city."

M responded, "I understand… eh, sort of. But, The Gang has ruined my schemes, again and again! Ever since Chris McLean died, thanks to you, The Gang has reunited!"

Tohru said, "No. Not all of The Gang. You're forgetting. There were ten members in all. Some Canadian and New England woman."

"I heard. They were named Julie Saunders and Steffi Matheson, respectively. They paired with Giese, Stevens, and Gaynes, before the band broke-up in 2003… but returned in 2005, leaving the group, after Dunn took a maternal leave, years before."

"You have knowledge of The Gang… You're awesome, when it comes to them."

"I have knowledge of every member… in spirit, Madame Onigiri. You know the old saying, "Connais ton ennemi et de le saboter!" If you know it, it's French."

Tohru smirked evilly, as she said, "Remember… Do NOT fail me. If The Gang defeats you, you are done for. I brought you back to the living world for a reason. You fail, you're through… until then, you shall get your revenge on the Original Gang member and the prodigy of Black Dynamite!"

She then giggled, "Oh! And if you get a call from Yuki or Kyo, please forward it to me. It's under Tohru-underscore-Onigiri."

M bowed and said, "I will. Adieu donc. À bientôt."

She signed off, as she glared, "Rei Tachibana was a miserable bitch! I'm glad she drank my orange juice that I poisoned with. And thank you, Rebecca Miyamoto… for the opportunity of taking your form, after I slaughtered you, in the abyss…"

She shone in a spotlight, "Of course, it'll be wise to get revenge on the Nevins family, then those miserable little AAW rejects, including Mizuki Takase. She has such girth, but M works in mysterious way. I had class, beauty, and even intelligence, unlike those gaudy Daemon Sisters. Daughters of the mayor? They cannot fit me in my category of "Regal". Somehow I had hotness, but in a way, they call it "côté sexy". Of course, those were the days, since my life ended in 1995… after a freak accident. But the spirit of Moi lives on.
Like I said… M works in mysterious ways, even if others disagree…"

Something is off… VERY off…
If that's not Becky, and she killed her, and… she was talking to Onigiri… then…

WHO THE FUCK WAS THAT?

To be continued…