Pushing The Limit

Part 1

Illegal Acts

By Nick Maro

Pizzazz laid a local music magazine on David's desk, she pointed at the headline. "Well looks like Starlight Music is about to expand a bit. I think it's great that Jerrica is finally looking for a new band to sign. I was starting to think we'd have no friendly competition." She smiled and sat on the edge of his desk.

"Kimber was saying something about an audition last night. Mary joked that she and Kimber should go solo again and tryout." David smirked and ran his fingers through his hair. It was the beginning of March and a week had gone by since The Misfits wrapped up their small tour. David was now planning a big global summer tour with Techrat and Clash.

The Misfits were still adjusting to normal life. The past couple of months were less than ordinary for the entire United States. Cobra had almost succeeded with taking over the United States. But with the help of David and The Misfits, G.I. Joe was able to stop the terrorists. It was kept secret that the band had any role in it. They were thanked properly in private at the end of their tour.

David looked at his watch. "Dammit, gonna be late in picking Yukio up. Last thing I need is an ex-Cobra ninja pissed off at me. Did you want to tag along or do you have plans?"

"I dunno, David, I know she swore a blood oath to you and all but she makes me nervous. It's that stare she has it's like a damn predator searching for its next meal." Pizzazz shuddered to herself. "To make matters worse she's going to be living with me and Mom until the addition to your place is finished. You're lucky Kimber and Mary understand. I'd kick your ass if you asked to do something like that. Hell, I want to do so now." She playfully punched her twin's arm.

"She's not so bad. You just need to get to know her. The Gods know you weren't always Little Miss Sunshine yourself." David walked out of his office and headed to the stairs, Pizzazz walked beside him. "Yukio was telling me on the phone before she left, that the Arashikage Clan has accepted all the members of the Matsuura Clan. They're letting the Matsuura Clan members train at their stronghold under Arashikage masters."

Pizzazz followed David through the doors leading to the skywalk. "That's great and all, but are you sure she's not still bitter about everything? I mean, you and the Arashikage Clan did almost wipe them all out."

David snorted a laugh through his nose. "Nope, she says that the clan is now pure and without evil influence, her words, too. I have to agree with her. So are you coming with or not? Be a good chance to get to know her better."

"Fine I'll go. I might as well make a friend rather than an enemy today." David smiled at his sister's words of wisdom.

Roxy stared at the computer screen blankly. She'd been staring at it for the past five minutes. "Y'know Sheila, I'm really bored. Here we are two famous and sexy rock stars and what are we doing on a Saturday night? Staying home and doing nothing. What the hell has happened to us? We should be out partying."

Jetta looked up from the novel she'd been reading. "Trust me luv, we need the downtime. I know I'm enjoyin' it. Just think of it as a vacation from your life. Not everythin' has to be excitin' twenty-four seven. Even the rich and famous need a breather."

"That may be true for you but I'm getting cabin fever. I'm going to head out and seeing what's exciting. If I come across anything, should I call?"

"Nah, I'm really enjoyin' this book. You go out and have fun. Just don't go gettin' arrested on me. Last thing I need is to bail you out of jail. And if you do get arrested call one of the Gabors." Jetta smirked at her best friend.

"That settles it. My one call is to KBST saying how much of a bitch you are," Roxy said laughing while putting her jacket on.

Jetta shook her head and chuckled. "You really are a pain in the arse. Now get out of here and let me read me book in peace!"

Roxy stuck her tongue out and left through the front door. She got into her car and drove towards to the freeway. While driving she mentally made a list of clubs to visit.

Kimber shrieked in pain as she shook her hand in the air quickly. "Hand me the oven mitt, Mrs. Gabor. I forgot to put it on again." She looked over shoulder at her best friend Stormer and her fiancé's mother. She pulled the tray of cupcakes out after Evelyn Gabor gave her the mitt.

"Kimber, you can call me Evelyn. You're going to be my daughter in law after all. I want us to be friends." Evelyn slid another tray of cupcakes into the hot oven. All day the three women had been baking for the arrival of Yukio Matsuura. They wanted to surprise and make her feel welcomed. Evelyn began putting the frosting on the cupcakes that had cooled.

Sitting at the table, Kimber watched Evelyn prepare the cupcakes and smiled. "I know, Evelyn. I just keep forgetting. Good manners and all. Anyway, did you tell David that we were having a kind of surprise party?"

Stormer and Evelyn exchanged looks and began laughing. Stormer smiled at Kimber. "We figured it would be better if David didn't know. That way Yukio would be completely surprised, too. I noticed that when I tell you about something that should be a surprise for David it never is. He's good at reading people's body language. I just figured that Yukio would be the same way. Clever, huh?"

"Well, it's about damn time someone figured out a way to surprise him. He always knows when I'm trying to surprise him. Really gets annoying after awhile." Kimber popped a piece of hard candy into her mouth.

"Hey! Cupcakes!" Ken said entering the kitchen with a smile. His hand was immediately slapped by Evelyn as he reached for a frosted treat. "Ow." He exaggerated his pain by shaking his hand in front of himself.

Evelyn glared at him. "Not until Yukio arrives. Didn't you just eat dinner?"

Ken gave the older woman his best innocent look. "Yes, but I didn't have dessert."

"Come on, Ken," Kimber said grabbing him by the arm. "Let's go play Street Kombat, Mortal Fighter or what the hell ever you play, while Evelyn and Mary get the baking done."

Quickly, Ken grabbed a cupcake and followed Kimber out of the kitchen. He unwrapped the pastry as he walked took a bite and put some in Kimber's face. "Take a bite, it's good," he said around his mouthful and smiled.

Kimber lightly pushed it away and tried to hide a disgusted look. "No thanks. I had one before." She quickly changed subjects. "So what made you decide to grow your hair out again? Tired of having a cold head each time you went snow boarding?"

"No. Well, yeah now that I think about it. I just got sick of shaving my head every morning. Plus I miss my hair. Also I think I heard fan complain that I blinded her with the glare from my head." Ken smirked when Kimber laughed. "I was just tired of being teased by just about everyone. One more Buddha joke and I would've gone nuts."

Hitomi moved over on the couch to let her friend and brother sit down. "So Kimber don't you think you should call Sheila and Roxy? David should be on his way to get Yukio."

"Yeah, I guess should let them in on this. I only kept it a secret from them so it would stay secret." Kimber sighed as she stood up. "No rest for the wicked, huh?" She picked up the phone and called Jetta.

Roxy pushed her way to the front of the crowd. She had decided to stop in the Le Club Cool while driving around. A new band was playing there tonight and she wanted to check them out. So far she was impressed with what she heard, but she didn't know the name of the band.

Finally reaching the front of the crowd, Roxy looked at the band before her. It was an all woman band. The gray haired lead singer sang as hard and as passionately as she could. There was a woman with light purple hair playing bass. Roxy noticed that the bass player was watching her like a hawk. The other two members caught her eye right away. They were identical twins. One played the guitar and the other played the drums. She found it odd that their heads moved in sync.

Roxy watched the band for a few minutes. The whole time the bass player stared intensely at her. The vibration from her cell phone caught her attention. It was from the Gabor Estate. Roxy pushed her way to the back and left the building. She returned the call. A small sly smile came across her face when Kimber told her about the party. "Okay I'm on my way, Kim. See you then." She hung up the phone and walked quickly to her car. At last she had something fun tonight, but she couldn't get the look the bass player was giving her out of her head.

Pulling up to the house, David, Pizzazz and Yukio noticed the lawn lights were out. David and Pizzazz exchanged shrugs as he pulled through the gates. Lightning arced across the sky, illuminating the yard and house. Yukio pointed to a tree branch that had knocked the electrical wires down. David parked his car and called the electric company.

David and Pizzazz got Yukio's luggage out of the trunk. Yukio pulled a small animal cage out of the back seat with her. The three walked up to the main door of the large mansion. Pizzazz opened the door and let David and Yukio enter first, she then entered herself and shut the door. Once the door was shut, flashlights of varying sizes came to life. "Surprise!" yelled both Misfit and Suzaku members alike. David was surprised as much as Yukio.

"The fuck!" Pizzazz swore quietly under her breath at being startled.

Yukio automatically went into a defensive stance but relaxed when she saw it her new friends. Her face heated up as she blushed and she bowed her head slightly. "I'm sorry for reacting like that. I'm not used to having friends surprising me. Thank you all." She held up the cage she'd been carrying. "Mrs. Yamada, do you allow pets at all? I couldn't leave my cat behind."

"Of course I allow pets. My name is Evelyn and I'd like for you to call me that."

"Mom, do the generators work? David called the electric company they said they'd get here in the morning. I don't think Yukio wants to spend her first night here partying in the dark."

Evelyn and Pizzazz walked together to the basement to get the emergency generator started. Kimber knelt before the cage and looked up at Yukio. "So what's the cat's name?"

"Nekobaka."

David's eyebrows shot up in amusement. "Idiot Cat? You named your cat Idiot Cat?"

Yukio smirked as she held the cage up to eye level to check on the animal inside. "Well, wait till you see him. You'll understand why then." The lights slowly flickered to life and a quiet cheer went up from the guests. Yukio put the cage on the coffee table in the living room. She opened the door and pulled out a small animal. It looked slowly around and yawned. "This is Nekobaka. He's a lynx. I found him when I was training one day. He was barely two weeks old. So I brought him back home and raised him. He's perfectly tame and housebroken. I trim his claws regularly so he won't scratch up the furniture. Here, hold him, David." She held the lynx out for him and the lynx jumped into David's arms right away.

"He's so cute, Yukio. Can I hold him next?"

"Of course, Kimber."

The rest of the evening went by without any problems. Yukio began to feel at home almost instantly. Evelyn fell in love with Yukio's lynx right away and set up a litter box in the basement for it. Yukio got to know each band member and became friends with them all. She stayed close to David out of her bond with him. Evelyn showed Yukio where her room would be and Eiji helped in bringing her bags up.

After everyone had gone home, Yukio carried Nekobaka to her room. She changed into her night clothes and crawled into bed. Nekobaka curled up against her purring softly. Yukio put her arm around his back. "[I think I'm going to like our new home, Neko. David-san's family and friends are just as he had said, friendly and supportive.]" Nekobaka yawned wide and laid his head on his tail. Yukio kissed the back of his head. "[Good night Neko, sleep pleasant dreams.]" Yukio closed her eyes and was asleep within moments.

Jerrica shut the door to the studio audition room and sat next to her lifelong friend Shana. Aja and Raya sat on the other side of Shana. Aja pulled out a roll of antacid tablets and slowly chewed them. Jerrica looked around Shana at Aja concerned. "Are you sure you're okay, Aja? You've been popping antacid tabs all day."

Aja rubbed her temples and tried to smile. "I'll be fine, Jerrica, just feeling the after effects of dinner last night. Shana makes great spaghetti but it plays holy hell with my stomach."

"I'm not surprised, Aja. You had three helpings. That would give anyone a bit of heartburn." Shana tried to keep her laughter quiet.

Raya glanced at Jerrica. "I think Rio is signaling us to shut up and get this audition moving. Are you going to remain as Jerrica or transform into Jem?"

"Jerrica is the head of Starlight Music so she should be the one heading the audition selection, but I don't see why Jem couldn't be here." Jerrica pressed the right earring and whispered, "Showtime, Synergy. Give me a solid light Jem hologram." The air next to Jerrica glittered with pink lights and seconds later a tangible Jem appeared. Jerrica smiled at her friends, and then motioned for Rio to send in the first band.

A group of five young women entered the room. Each woman ranged from the ages of sixteen to nineteen. The young lady with a red pigtail set up their microphones. She flashed a small smile at Jem, The Holograms and Jerrica. She then set up a karaoke machine. All five women sang their audition song. Once the song was over they bowed together.

Jerrica smiled at the young girls. "That was wonderful but I'm afraid it's not what Starlight Music is looking for. We're looking for a band that can play their instruments as well. I'm sorry."

Each girl slowly nodded looking disappointed. Jem and each of The Holograms gave them a signed photo, which seemed to have cheered each girl up. They walked to the door Rio was standing near and exited the room. Jerrica called for the next band.

Four women in metal costume suits entered next. They at least had their own instruments. Quickly they set up and waited for Jerrica to give a nod to begin. The four women broke into a loud rock song. Half way through the song the redhead keyboardist screwed up. The blonde lead singer threw her wig off and started yelling at her. The other two women hung their heads down and packed up their instruments. Without being told they didn't qualify, the women left the room.

The next audition was a young woman who looked to be a man in disguise. No one was quite sure if they were a man or a woman. Everyone agreed that he or she was very good but again not what they were looking for. The young woman graciously accepted the rejection and left with a smile.

A woman who looked to be in her late twenties or early thirties entered the room. She stumbled to the stage and tested the microphone by blowing into it causing earsplitting feedback. It was obvious that she was extremely drunk. The drunken woman sang in a very slurred voice about her time to be a star. Jerrica and Rio escorted her off the stage.

Aja lightly banged her head on the table top. "Just which deity did we offend to have to endure this kind of Hell? This is worse than when we searched for a new drummer." Raya and Shana glared at her. Aja gave them an innocent look. "What?"

Before either woman could say anything another group of four women entered the audition room. The woman with the gray hair introduced themselves after setting up. "Hi my name is Madison. This is our bassist, Thorn and the twins are known as Gemini. We're Illegal Limit." Madison turned and gave the cue to start. The band known as Illegal Limit played hard, loud and without any mistakes. Once finished they waited for Jerrica's approval.

The women at the table and Rio applauded the performance. Jerrica stepped forward and shook Madison's hand. "Madison that was wonderful and by far the best today, I want to invite you to a concert we're holding on Saturday. It's a playoff of sorts for the bands we like. Congratulations, Illegal Limit. You just may be part of the Starlight Music family soon enough."

Each of the members of Illegal Limit thanked Jerrica and everyone else. Aja and Shana couldn't help noticing how the Gemini twins moved and talked in sync. They each found it very eerie. Jerrica took her seat and the auditions continued.

Yukio slowly woke to Nekobaka licking her face. She shielded her eyes from the sunlight and groaned. It took her moment to remember where she was. Nekobaka continued licking her face with his rough tongue. "[All right, all right I'll feed you. I swear you have a black hole for a stomach, boy.]" She scratched him behind the ear and put her robe on.

Heading down the stairs, she heard activity in the kitchen. Nekobaka ran past Yukio and into the kitchen. She picked up her pace and entered the kitchen to find that Pizzazz was making herself some breakfast. She smiled at Yukio. "Ohaiyo gozaimasu. I said that correctly, didn't I?" Yukio nodded with a slight confused look on her face and Pizzazz sighed. "Good, David taught me that not too long ago. I was hoping that I'd remember it correctly. Want some breakfast? I'm not the best cook but you'll live."

"Arigato. Do you have a dish I can put Neko's food in? I forgot to pack the one I normally use. I'll pick up a new one today." Yukio took the bowl Pizzazz handed her. She then went to the cabinet and grabbed two cans of cat food. She opened both cans and poured them into the bowl. She set the bowl in front of Nekobaka. He sniffed the food and looked up at her. "[I know it's not what you're used to, but it'll do for now. I'll buy you some steak later.]" Nekobaka sniffed the food and cautiously tasted it. He then slowly started eating mouthfuls of the wet food.

Pizzazz set a plate of food in front of Yukio. "Did you sleep well? I honestly thought you'd be up at the buttcrack of dawn like David is. Then again jet lag is a bitch for me, too."

Yukio stopped eating for a moment and looked up at the other woman. "What time is it?"

"It's almost nine-thirty in the morning."

"Shimatta," Yukio cursed under her breath. "I wanted to get up at dawn so I could do my morning kata. I'd still be sleeping if Neko hadn't woken me up. I'll do my kata after this wonderful breakfast."

"Wow, just like my brother." Pizzazz smiled and laughed quietly.

Yukio finished her breakfast and set her plate on the side of the sink. "Do me a favor, Phyllis? When Neko is finished eating go up to my room. There should be a thick protective arm sleeve in my gray bag, put that on and play with him. He doesn't attack or anything just plays rough. He is a lynx after all, just a domesticated one."

Pizzazz looked at the feline and arched her eyebrow. "Are you sure he won't tear my arm to shreds and feast on it?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Just don't piss him off."

Yukio exited through the backdoor and began doing her morning exercises. Pizzazz scratched Nekobaka behind an ear. "I won't piss you off and you don't tear me to shreds. Deal?" Nekobaka gave a light mewling of agreement.

The audience watched the darkened stage. The sound of an electronic voicebox quieted the crowd almost instantly. Seconds after the voice began a loud explosion lit up the stage. Kimber jumped out of a wall on the set and began banging her head fiercely. Her red and gold hair danced like wildfire. She held a mic stand out to the side and was wearing a silver trenchcoat. After a few moments of dancing she started singing her cover of Troublemaker by Nanase Aikawa. The crowd went wild at the fast paced hard rock song.

After the song ended, David greeted Kimber and the rest of Suzaku coming off of the stage. Kimber smiled at David. "So, did you like my tribute to your favorite Japanese rock singer?"

David laughed loudly and handed her a towel. "Yeah, I did. I knew you were up to something but I wasn't sure what. It was nice for Jerrica to invite us to perform at the audition. Kind of a warm up act for the participants."

Kimber finished taking a long drink of water from her sports bottle. "I heard a few of them tuning up tonight. They're really good. You might want to look at the losers. Just because they lost tonight, doesn't mean they weren't chosen for a reason."

"I didn't think of that." David and Kimber walked past The Misfits dressing room. The door was open a crack. They both saw Pizzazz sniffing some flowers she had received. David opened the door and smiled at his sister. "Someone you forgot to tell us about? Not like you to get flowers before a performance."

Pizzazz giggled lightly and pulled one out. She handed it to Kimber with a smile. "This isn't the first time. I got a few from the same guy on the tour. Just didn't show you because I knew how'd react and tease me. He always signs the card the same by saying he's my biggest fan. I'm starting to believe him, too." She put the flowers down when she saw a familiar woman out of the corner of her eye. "Kimber, David please excuse me, I just saw someone I haven't thought of in years."

Pizzazz rushed past the young couple before they could respond. She slowed her jog as she approached the gray haired woman. "Madison!" The woman turned around. "So it is you. How have you been after all these years?"

"Pizzazz. I've been well and yourself?" Madison answered a bit coldly.

"I'm good. Listen, I know I should've said this a while ago, but I'm sorry for being a bitch and saying those horrible things when we were younger. I was just lashing out at the world for my own problems. I'm sorry." Pizzazz held her hand out.

Madison looked at the hand with an upturned nose. "Yes, well. Thank you. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to talk to my band. We're going to win this audition. Nice seeing you, Phyllis." Madison turned and walked away without saying another word. Pizzazz stood there a little shocked by her old friend's attitude.

"Nice seeing you my ass!" Madison mumbled in the Illegal Limit's dressing room. "Thorn, Gemini, it's time I got back at Miss Phyllis Gabor."

Thorn smiled wickedly. "What do you have in mind?"

Madison smirked as she sat closer and lowered her voice. "You're gonna love this. First Gemini, you two are to distract the effects guy. Thorn, you pour extra powder in the pyro under the stage near Pizzazz. Here are the pyro plans for The Misfits." She handed the bassist the blueprints.

"Won't that hurt Pizzazz?" the twins asked in unison.

"Nah, I don't want to hurt her. Just scare the shit out of the bitch." Madison opened a can of beer. "I'm going to control when the pyro goes off. I'll need you to distract the guy who controls the pyro as well, Gemini." The twins nodded in unison. "Well, let's get a move on. The Misfits are up next."

Pizzazz sang with the passion she'd had since their new album had been released. It truly was a rebirth for the band. Stormer was losing herself in playing the guitar again. She was in the middle of a chord when she felt a familiar twinge in the front of her forehead. She looked around and stopped her gaze on Pizzazz. She then had a sense of Pizzazz being in danger. Stormer flung off her guitar in mid-stride towards her. "Pizzazz! Get out of the way!" She shoved her startled half sister out of the danger.

The other Misfits stopped playing when they heard the explosion and looked in its direction. Stormer was at the epicenter. She took a step back and opened her mouth to talk but was engulfed by flames that had erupted from below the metal grating. Quickly Stormer collapsed backwards with fire covering her body.

TO BE CONTINUED IN "BREAKING THE LIMIT"

PART 2 OF "PUSHING THE LIMIT"