An American Girl

Part 3

Night Rainbow

By Nick Maro

Gathering up their baggage, Roxy and Jetta got off the train at the station the woman at the information booth told them. Roxy looked at her watch and adjusted in her head for the time difference. It was just after ten in the morning. People in comic book t-shirts and costumes walked past them into the convention center that was about a quarter of a mile ahead of them. The hotel where Pizzazz and the rest were staying was next to the convention center.

"Why did we bring so much damn luggage?" Roxy pulled her wheeled carry on and adjusted her backpack. "It's not like we're staying a week or anything."

Jetta chuckled and shifted her duffel bag on her shoulder. "You just need to know how to pack for short trips, luv. We're only staying a few days, so pack a few days worth of clothing. Also, you can figure that Phyllis or Mary will have deodorant and shampoo you can use. Do you know which room they're stayin' in anyway?"

Roxy cursed under her breath and glared at Jetta who just chuckled. "Not one word, Britannia. As it stands, you're on my no sex list for making me sound like I can't pack for a quick trip. Now where did I put my cell?" She started checking her backpack and was unable to find it. "Hey hon, call my phone and we'll see if we can hear it." Roxy started to unzip her carry on when she realized it was in Jetta's duffel bag. "Forgot I gave it to you for safe keeping."

"Happens to the best of us, luv. At least you didn't lose it this time." Jetta turned her phone off and handed Roxy hers.

"Thanks." Roxy hit the speed dial for Pizzazz and waited a few moments until she answered. "Hey, Phyllis, what room are you guys in? No reason. Sheila and I are here and wanted a place to store our bags. Yeah, we drove up here in two hours time." Roxy chuckled and smiled at Jetta. "We just got in on a cheap quick flight. We'll talk when we get to the room. Okay, bye." Roxy flipped her phone shut and put it in her pocket. "They're in room seven twelve."

They slowly made their way to the hotel. On the way, Jetta couldn't help but notice how dedicated the comic book fans truly were. There were people dressed up in costumes of their favorite hero or villain. She really admired the detail some of the costumes had. She may not have known who the character was, but she knew that they took time to make. A few of the people in the costumes posed for pictures and Jetta wished she had her camera.

Roxy grumbled under her breath about the weight of her backpack while they waited for the elevator in the hotel. A young man with dark curly hair and glasses pressed the up button rapidly and muttered under his breath about the elevators being slow. He turned and gave a kind smile but still looked annoyed. "I swear these are the slowest elevators in the history of man. All I want to do is get my stuff out of my room and get home. I'm tired and my feet are killing me."

"Your feet are killing you? My back is killing me because I've been lugging this damn backpack around." Roxy got on the elevator car with Jetta and the young man. She hit the button for the seventh floor. "Which are you?"

"I'm on nine." Roxy hit the button for him. He took off his badge and handed it to Roxy. "Here. I got the three day pass and today is the last day. Hope you don't mind being known as Rick Murphy for half a day." Roxy thanked him and exited the elevator car when it reached their floor. She and Jetta both waved to him as the doors shut.

"Room seven twelve right?" Jetta looked at the directional signs and followed them to the room Pizzazz shared with Kimber, Stormer and Hitomi. She knocked on the door and slipped her bag strap off of her shoulder. Stormer opened the door a few moments later and smiled wide. Jetta hugged her friend tight and entered. She waved to Hitomi who was packing her suitcase.

Jetta flopped on a bed next to Roxy after Hitomi moved her suitcase. "So what are you guys doing here?" Hitomi asked after cracking her back.

"We figured we might as well come because we knew that once you told us all about it, we'd wish we would've come along. Plus, I figured we'd miss something cool, it's how it always goes." Roxy sat up on the bed and propped her back against the headboard. "I thought Kimber was here too. Is she staying over also?"

Smirking at the other women Pizzazz leaned against the wall. "She's with her new boyfriend." She giggled with Stormer and Hitomi. "I shouldn't say that. She's just really smitten with this guy she met yesterday." Pizzazz thought for a moment then glanced at Stormer. "How did they meet anyway? Kimber never said."

Stormer hesitated before answering her half sister. "I-I think Kimber should tell you that."

Pizzazz shrugged her shoulders and grabbed her badge. She waved for Jetta and Roxy to follow her. "Come on, we'll get you your badges for the con." She opened the hotel room door and held it for her friends. Down the hallway she spotted Kimber with Alan. "There's Kimber, now we can get some answers." The Misfits and Hitomi walked quickly to catch up to Kimber. "Kim! Wait up! Look who's here!"

Turning at her name being called Kimber broke into a wide smile. "Roxy! Sheila!" She ran up to the two women and hugged them each. "How was your reunion, Rox?"

"It was great! So many old wounds are now healed up." Roxy chuckled and looked at Alan and paused for a moment. "I don't fucking believe it! Alan? Alan Ellis? I haven't seen you since you quit Tone Deaf. What the hell are you doing here?"

"Oh my God, it is you, Roxy!" Alan gave Roxy a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I gave up playing the guitar and moved here to Chicago." He looked at her convention badge. "Now you're Rick Murphy? Now you're doing identity theft?" He gave the rest of the women a slight smirk. "Sorry, inside joke. Roxy and I go way back as bandmates. I always told her that we were better than everyone else in Tone Deaf." He hugged her again and just smiled.

Jetta elbowed Stormer. "I told you we would've missed somethin' cool." She turned to Alan. "So how did you and Kimber meet? We've been dyin' to hear about she and her new object of affection met." Kimber shot Jetta a withering glare and Alan just chuckled.

"There's not much to tell, Mary and I were walking along the hall here. Some guy came up behind us, shoves me over the side of the walkway and grabbed my backpack. Mary grabbed my arm before I fell all the way over the side and Alan helped her pull me up. He then chased down the guy and got my backpack back." Kimber gave a slight shrug. "It's no big deal. I'm fine."

"No big deal?" David said as he joined the small the group. "Kim, you were almost killed. Again I might add. And you say it's no big deal? You're lucky that Mary and Alan were nearby to help you." He nodded his hello to Roxy and Jetta.

Kimber turned to face David and poked him in the chest. "Don't you fucking dare turn this into one of your I-should've-been-there-to-save-you speeches. I can take care of myself just fine. I don't need you watching over me all the time. I'm over that type of heroic bullshit from you. I have my own life and you're just a footnote in it now." Kimber wiped the tears from her eyes and walked off without saying a word. She went into the room she shared with Pizzazz.

David looked at Alan and sighed. "I'm sorry you had to see that. I guess I overreacted a bit. I just have to ask what the guy looked like though." He noticed that Stormer and Pizzazz were both giving him warning glares.

"Yeah. He was just a guy in blue jeans, a black t-shirt and a purple Mohawk." Alan shook his head and looked at the carpet in thought. "That's it. He was just some punk that was easy to catch. I knocked him out and called security. I don't know what else to say."

"Thanks." David avoided looking at his sisters and his friends. "I owe Kim an apology." He walked off to the room with Kaori while Pizzazz and Roxy took Jetta to get her convention badge. Hitomi and Stormer went down to the convention floor to do some shopping. Alan slowly walked back to his room to think things through. He liked Kimber but wanted to take it slow, but things with her just seemed complicated. He waited a few minutes before going to see how she was doing.

Tapping her foot in time with the music, Roxy looked up at her friend and fellow guitarist, Alan of the band Tone Deaf. She enjoyed her time alone with him. There wasn't any expectation for a physical relationship with him. She thought of him as an older brother even though they were just a couple months apart. He understood her better than anyone else did. He knew that music was Roxy's way of life and her expression of emotions.

Reaching into the cooler, Roxy grabbed two bottles of water and handed one to Alan when he was finished playing. He wiped the cold bottle across his forehead and smiled. He put the guitar on his stand and stretched, popping his shoulders. "So, Little Sister, now what? The rest of the band is out partying as usual and here we are practicing. No wonder why we suck."

"I want to go out and party myself, but getting this song down is more important. Just watch, one day people will see that we were the true talent." Roxy mindlessly played a few chords while listening to Alan talk.

"Can I ask you something, Rox?" She nodded and he lowered his voice. "I've been thinking that maybe its time we ditched these jerkwads. I'm sure there's a band out there somewhere who needs two talented musicians like us. I just hate feeling like I'm holding myself back staying with this nowhere band." Alan slumped against the amp next to Roxy and sighed. "I just wanted to make the offer of coming with me."

Roxy stopped playing and leaned her back against his arm. "I dunno. What if we don't find anyone else? What if we get a better offer by staying with the band rather than just leaving? I'd rather have the feeling of being held back than not having anyone to play for. If you want to leave, I'll understand. I can't keep you here, but I can ask you to stay just for a little while longer. Right now you're the only one who is keeping me sane with these idiots." She let out a soft giggle.

Alan sighed and took a sip of his water. "Alright, I'll stay for a few more gigs then I'm leaving, but I want you to think of coming with me. I know you're much better than this." He picked up his guitar again and they began practicing the new song from the start. They played well into the night until Roxy fell asleep with her back against the amp.

When she woke up, she found a note in her guitar case. It was from Alan saying that he couldn't leave with her knowing. He wouldn't have been able to do it to her face and that he was sorry. He told her she was now the only talent in Tone Deaf and wished her luck. Roxy hid the note before the other members of Tone Deaf found her. She played dumb in knowing where he went. Inside she wished him well and understood his reasoning.

"And that was the last I saw Alan." Roxy explained as she stood in line with Jetta and Pizzazz. They were waiting in the line for Jetta's badge. "He was one of the few people in my life that I completely and totally respected. I wasn't angry that he left without saying goodbye to me face to face. I understood why he did that. We each had trouble saying no to each other." She chuckled to herself. "We even told people who didn't know us that we were really brother and sister."

Jetta walked up to the ticket counter, handed the guy her information sheet and paid for her badge. She stopped at another table and grabbed a bag full of free stuff. She put her badge on and shrugged. "Well, I just wished you told us about him sooner. He seems like a very nice guy, especially if you thought of him as a brother, luv." She entered the main lobby of the convention with Pizzazz and Roxy. The two musicians stood with Pizzazz looking around and grinning.

Pizzazz motioned toward the entrance with a slight jerk of her head. "Come on, you gotta see this. It's actually kinda cool in its own way. I found some rare videos and CDs in there. Kaori should be at her booth by now, too. Before I left on Friday for that meeting, I stood off to the side where she couldn't see me. I just watched her talk with the fans. It just made me so happy to see for some reason. She's so easy going and friendly."

"Ken told me how these things are, but I don't think he's ever been to a convention this large." Roxy followed Pizzazz to the entrance and stood there impressed. "Whoa. Now I'm glad I have my credit card." Jetta smirked and the three friends entered the chaos before them.

The knock at his front door caused Eric to look up from the morning paper. Riot and Minx were about ready to call it quits and declare The Stingers officially broken up. Eric needed to get his mind off of everything. He looked at the door when it knocked harder a second time. He stood up and groaned slightly as his knee acted up from where Roxy had hit him with the wooden sword. He slowly limped to the door and unlocked the deadbolt.

Eric opened the door and a scared looking blonde stood before him. He recognized her immediately. "Phoebe?" The woman smiled and nodded. She didn't look like she did when she left all those months ago. Now she looked malnourished and gaunt. He took her in his arms and hugged her gently. He felt her start to cry softly against his chest. Eric just stroked her hair and whispered softly to her. "Just come inside, have a cup of coffee and talk when you're ready."

Rapture followed Eric inside his home and sat down at the kitchen table. He brought her up to date on everything that had happened. He cooked her a big breakfast which she ate very quickly and quietly thanked him. Rapture cleared her throat and stared off at the carpet. "After I left Stinger's Sound, I just wandered around aimlessly. I was very drunk and very angry at myself and the world. I was just sick and tired of being used and manipulated like a pawn on a chess board. Riot did it. You did it. Kevin Ross did it. Tolliver did it." Rapture wiped the stray tear that was running down her cheek.

"I eventually wound up hanging out with this band that was going to Europe. I went with them and took off at the first chance I had. I was able to reflect on my life as I hiked across most of the European countries. Often times I literally sang for my supper." She looked up and smiled again. "I knew deep down that Riot, Minx and you would be searching for me, but at the time I didn't give a shit. I was finding myself. I was finding the real Phoebe Ashe. Not the selfish bitch that everyone thinks I am."

She rolled up her shirt sleeve and showed Eric some healing burn scars. "I saved three children from a burning building in Prague. None of the firemen would go in despite being able to hear the screams. I've been reborn, Eric. I'm a new person. I'm doing the best that I can and that's all I really can do." Rapture rolled her sleeve back down, brought her legs up on the chair seat and hugged them to her chest.

Eric sat in silence not knowing what to say. "Phoebe, you've always been a good woman deep down. You've just brought it to the surface. I think Rory and Ingrid need to hear what you just told me. But first, I think you need a hot shower and to freshen up. I've got some old jeans and t-shirts you can wear." Rapture hugged Eric tight and kissed his cheek. She ran off to the bathroom while Eric went to his closet and pulled out some of the old clothing that didn't fit him anymore. He felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders with her return.

The convention was a whole new experience for both Jetta and Roxy. Pizzazz had adjusted quickly to the atmosphere in the previous two days. She noticed that the crowds had thinned out a bit since it was the last day. People were trying to make deals and doing impulse buys. They eventually found Stormer and walked around the dealer's room floor as a group.

While watching some of the wargamers play their game, Pizzazz felt someone tap her on the shoulder. She turned to find a girl in her mid-teens holding a camera. "Excuse me, but I just wanted to say that you guys really look like The Misfits. It's a shame I didn't get to see you in costume. I'm sure you looked great." She smiled and let out a nervous giggle. "Can I get a picture with you?"

The four Misfits looked at each other and shrugged. "Sure, but we really are The Mis—"

Stormer put her hand over Pizzazz's mouth. "You'll have to excuse Pizzazz here. She's really in character. Is your friend going to take the picture?" The girl nodded and The Misfits all posed around her. Her friend took the picture and Stormer suggested that her friend get one taken also. After they were finished the girls took off smiling. Stormer spoke in a low voice. "I don't know if you've realized this, but we're in the middle of pop culture fandom. If word gets out that the real Misfits are here, we'll never get anywhere. So from now on we're cosplaying."

"Cos what?"

"Costume play, that's what Ken was calling it at least." Stormer shrugged and gave a small smile. "I'm not thrilled with deceiving the fans, either." She waved the three others on and back into the dealer's room. They made their way to the artist's alley to see David and Kaori. Along the way they were stopped several more times to have their pictures taken. Inside they each were beginning to enjoy it.

Pizzazz and Stormer led Roxy and Jetta to Kaori's table. David wasn't around and Kaori was hunched over sketching on her pad. She looked up and smiled. "Hi there! David went to get me a bottle of water. I never knew how dry the air could be here. So how are you enjoying the insanity?"

Jetta chuckled with Roxy who was looking through Kaori's portfolio. "It's been different. Sheila and I have been going along with Phyllis and Mary in saying we're cosplayers of The Misfits." She paused looking through the art book. "When did you do this picture of us?"

"A couple months ago, I was just getting rid of some what's it called?" Kaori thought for a moment. "I was getting rid of some writer's block. David had a picture of you four on his dresser so I used that as a reference." She gave a slight shrug and pulled the picture out of the sleeve it was in. "It's not my best work, but I liked it because you guys looked so happy. Many of the pictures I see of you as a group one of you isn't happy."

Pizzazz took the picture from Stormer and studied it for awhile. She missed painting. She hadn't done anything since the original mansion was blown up. Pizzazz reached for her wallet and started to pull out some money. "Are you willing to sell it, Kaori? I'd wanted to buy something of yours, but nothing spoke to me. This does."

Kaori pushed Pizzazz's hands away and smiled softly. "You don't have to pay for it. I didn't know you'd want something like this. Take it. It's a gift from me to you."

"Then think of this as me paying for your hotel stay." Pizzazz gave her twin's girlfriend fifty dollars. "I don't care if your comic company paid for your stay. They didn't pay for David's." She gave her a wink and handed the picture back to Kaori. "Could you hold on to this until I get back to L.A.? I don't want anything to happen to it." Kaori giggled and nodded. She put the drawing in her briefcase for safe keeping.

"Oh great, as if Kaori didn't make enough money selling sketches to her regular fans, she's now milking money from my sister?" David sat down next to Kaori and kissed her cheek. "Listen hon, the jet is ready to go anytime you're ready. So far it's everyone but Phyllis and Kimber going with us. Ken is exhausted, so I'm hoping this will make him bearable until the next convention. Roxy, Sheila, are you two staying or coming with?"

Roxy and Jetta both turned to the side and started to whisper softly. They both turned back to him and said they were staying for a few days. Stormer also agreed to stay behind too. It had been awhile since the four women had been able to be together and feel like a real group. David smiled and agreed with her. He was happy to see them all together.

It was nearly dawn, adrenaline surged through Kyoko's legs as she ran through the forest. Her muscles burned with fire as she swerved back and forth through the trees. Behind her she heard the footfall of her pursuers. She refused to panic as they got closer to her. She jumped a fallen log that was barely visible in the dim starlight. The ancient rope bridge was just ahead. She knew her way back from there.

Kyoko was half way across the bridge when a handful of men in red uniforms appeared at the end of it. She turned around to find men in the same uniforms behind her. They had her trapped. She drew her sword and spun it around a few times and stood in a defensive position. She had a back up plan in case of an emergency such as this.

The men on both sides refused to move toward her. Kyoko waited to see who would make their first move. She was more than ready to die today. She carried with her vital information for the Arashikage Clan. She would not become a prisoner today. She looked the way she just came and turned to face the man and woman that stood at the end of the bridge. The man chuckled softly. "[Put that away before you hurt yourself. You're not going anywhere tonight.]"

"[Oh really now?]" Kyoko brought her sword down on one of the supporting ropes for the bridge. "[Tell me, Ryo. Did you ever see Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom?]" She smirked sliced through the second supporting rope. Kyoko disappeared into the darkness of the ravine as the bridge split apart.

Ryo stood at the edge of the blackness and stared in disbelief. He turned to his soldiers. "[I want her body found!]"

Sitting in her office at home Jerrica waited for Shana to arrive for the impromptu meeting. She tried her best to look strong and as if everything was okay, but her friends knew her better. They knew something deep inside was wrong. Jerrica wished that Kimber could have been there to hear everything first hand. Shana finally entered the office and shut the door. She locked it just in case one of the Starlight Girls entered.

"Okay we're all here. What's going on, Jer?"

Jerrica looked up at the three women she considered sisters. "Starlight Music is almost broke. Stocks are plunging rapidly even though our music and video sales are fine. I did some checking and it looks like while the whole time we were at the Ark, someone had hacked into the company bank account. It's doubtful that we'll get that money back." Jerrica sighed and stood. She leaned against her desk taking a deep breath. "I decided last night to sell Starlight Music."

The expected gasps of shock didn't faze Jerrica. She just looked up at the three members of The Holograms. "Evelyn Gabor is buying Starlight Music. There's no conflict of interest since Phyllis herself owns Misfits Music. Evelyn is buying the company under her married name. I talked with her about this for four hours last night. I'll still run the company. She's also starting a separate fund for the Starlight Girls. I just now have to break the news to Kimber."

None of The Holograms around her knew how to react to this news. Shana cleared her throat and smiled as best as she could. "I have fun news myself. I've been given a major offer to head a new fashion line by the Countess. The only thing is that it would require me to quit The Holograms." She looked at the other women and unconsciously rubbed her right forearm. "I said yes. It's my dream to do something like this and how many times will I get the chance? Besides, The Holograms as a band aren't doing anything."

Shana left the room before anyone could stop her. Aja, Raya and Jerrica all exchanged sad looks. "You know we can't stop her. It's her dream."

"Aja's right. We can't, but we can throw her the best damn going away party." Raya hoped that idea could lighten the already depressed mood. Aja and Jerrica both grinned and agreed with their drummer. Jerrica decided to wait until Kimber was back to break the news to her about Starlight Music.

TO BE CONTINUED

IN FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS PART 1