For Whom The Bell Tolls
Part 3
End of the World
By Nick Maro
Before the shock of witnessing his mother's assassination had fully set in, David turned and looked out the window where the assassin's arrows had originated from. He spotted two red clad figures running across the opposite building's roof. Carefully, he tracked their path and then ran out of the meeting room. Yukio was close behind him with Kaori not too far behind. David turned to Kaori and spoke with no emotion in his voice. "[Stay here with Yuji, Kimber and Jerrica. Tell the police everything if they arrive before I get back. Most of all do not let Phyllis know what has happened.]"
Kaori just nodded then looked up at him confused. "[Where are you going? Your mother was just killed before your eyes! Why aren't you upset? Where the fuck are you going?]"
David pulled Kaori to the side of the hall and spoke softly. "[There will be time for emotion later. Right now I just need to focus on getting the men who did this. Right now my mind is focused on two things, revenge and the people responsible. I need you to be strong for the both of us and do what I said. This is a part of the life you've become a part of. This is the ugly side.]" He looked over his shoulder at Yukio who was motioning to hurry up. David kissed Kaori deeply. "[I love you.]" He then took off with Yukio after Kaori went back into the meeting room.
Running up the stairwell to the rooftop of the Misfits Music building, David stopped before the door to the roof and smacked a panel. The secret panel slid open and revealed an assortment of various weapons and ninja gear. He grabbed a long bow, a quiver of arrows and a grappling hook. Yukio took a katana and a wakizashi. Once ready, David slid the panel shut and opened the roof door with his code. He ran up to the side of the building where the meeting room was located. Already he could hear the sound of the ambulance and police sirens.
Scanning the rooftops he looked for the assassins. "[David-san! Over here!]" Yukio waved David to the northern side of the building. He notched an arrow on the bow and pulled the string taut. He tracked one of the two men Yukio had spotted on the opposite building rooftop. He let a soft breath out and released the arrow when the time felt right. The arrow flew through the neck of the man on the building.
Yukio took the grappling hook from David and shot it at the opposite roof. The tip of the hook dug its way deep into the rooftop and Yukio secured the other end. She quickly attached the skyhook and grabbed each handle. David ran over to her while notching a second arrow. He wrapped his legs around Yukio's waist as she slid across the wire on the skyhook. David took careful aim and shot the second man through his leg causing him to muffle a scream in pain.
Within moments of reaching the second roof, David let go of Yukio's waist and ran up to the injured man. He ripped off the red hood and slammed him against the rooftop door. "[Why did you kill her? Why did you murder my mother?]"
"[It wasn't us. It was the others.]" The Crimson Son bit down hard and smiled. He choked out a rasping breath and died in David's hands.
David threw the body to the roof of the building and looked at Yukio with a cold, burning rage. He knew what he would have to do. He would have to face Ryo, the Crimson Sons' leader, face to face and kill him. "[Call Tommy and tell him what's happened and that we need the cleaners. I need to get back.]"
"[Of course, David-san, I won't be far behind you.]" Yukio took David's bow and quiver.
"[You never are.]" David gave her a slight smile and went through the roof door. She saw him moments later running across the street and entering the Misfits Music building through a rear entrance. She then made the call to Tommy Arashikage, one of her clan brothers.
It was getting late and no one was letting Pizzazz know why she had to stay away from the radio, computer and television. She was getting worried that something might have happened to David. Kyoko was being very serious while trying to look like everything was fine. That worried her even more. She knew that Kyoko didn't act that way unless there was something seriously wrong. She continued to pace then finally turned on the television and turned on the DVD player. "Relax I'm just watching a movie."
Kyoko nodded and sat on the couch next to Pizzazz. They were halfway through the movie when David, Kaori and Yukio came into the living room. She stopped the movie and smiled. "So, how did it go?" That's when she saw the serious looks on each of their faces. Kaori's eyes were wet, red and puffy. "Wh-where's mom?" Pizzazz stood and took a step back, almost falling over the coffee table.
"Phyllis, let's go upstairs and talk," David said in a soft, soothing tone. A tone Pizzazz knew he only used when something had happened.
"N-no. Where is she, David? What the hell happened?" When he looked away to search for the words of how to break the news gently, she knew. "she's dead. mom's dead." A crushing wave of numbness washed over her as she fell to her knees. "That's why Kyoko wouldn't let me watch TV or anything. It's all over the news."
Pizzazz reached for the TV remote but David stopped her. "No. Its only right that you hear what happened from me." He reached out and sat her back on the couch. Kyoko motioned for Yukio and Kaori to leave them alone. David cleared his throat and tried to speak several times after feeling the words get stuck in throat. "She was…she was…" David looked up at his twin and felt his eyes begin to tear up. "She was murdered by the Crimson Sons. I watched helplessly as she was assassinated before my eyes."
David hugged his sister tight and he let go the flood of emotions he had held inside. Pizzazz slowly began to sob on his shoulder as she returned the hug. They stayed like that for a long time until she pushed away and wiped the tears from her eyes. "What about Yuji? He has no one here to comfort him and he is our step-father." David understood what she was getting at and nodded.
Together the brother and sister went up the rear stairs. They walked up to the bedroom their mother shared with Yuji. Pizzazz peeked around the corner and found Yuji sitting on the edge of the bed staring at a picture of Evelyn Gabor. "Um, Yuji?" He gave a slight jump at the sound of his name. Pizzazz smiled softly but felt her eyes begin to tear up again. She ran over to him and pulled him into a tight embrace. "You're welcome to stay here. You're family."
"Thank you." Yuji returned the comforting hug.
David watched Pizzazz and Yuji for a few minutes then left them alone. He made his way downstairs to the basement gym. Once there he proceeded to unleash the rage that was burning inside him. When he was finished the punching bag, the mirrors and the padding on the walls were all destroyed. He turned around and Kaori was standing behind him, looking frightened. He took a step towards her and she slightly flinched away. He hung his head and stared at himself in a piece of broken mirror. "[fuck. I'm sorry you had to see me like that.]"
"[It's okay, baby.]" Kaori took David by the blood covered hand. He didn't even realize he was bleeding. "[The way you acted in the hallway scared me more than this. You heard the police they said they'll catch whoever did this. Did you want to start calling friends and family? Or do you want me to do it?]"
"[I'm sure that Mary, Roxy and Sheila know. They're just keeping their distance for now. You can tell them along with Jerrica and The Holograms that it's okay to come by. I'm going to call Mariko and tell her the news. Then I have to find out what mom wanted as a funeral arrangement.]" David let out a sigh and let Kaori wash his hands off then bandage them. They went back upstairs where he was greeted by the remaining Misfits. They immediately ran up to him and hugged him in comfort. They did the same with Pizzazz and Yuji when they came down the stairs.
Deep down Pizzazz knew that her mother would have been moved by knowing how much she meant to everyone. It actually helped to lessen the pain she was feeling.
The next few days was split between arranging Evelyn's public funeral and her private funeral in Japan. Her last wishes were to have her body cremated and her ashes spread along the river where she and Yuji first met in Tokyo. The public funeral was only limited to the associates and people she met in the United States. The media would be there as well. That did not sit well at with The Misfits or David. They knew it would become even more of a circus.
The official status of Starlight Music was being kept secret until Jerrica was ready to make the announcement. She felt it was only fair in the memory of Evelyn to do so. Speculation was running wild that control of the company had reverted back to Jerrica. It was also said that control of the company went to either Pizzazz or David. Others were saying that the company would be dissolved as a whole. With each rumor the higher the stock for Starlight Music went up.
Misfits Music and the front gate of the Gabor Manor were both constantly swarmed with reporters and television cameras. The first night was the worse for David and Pizzazz. The lights from the news vans and stationary lights had kept them awake even though neither knew they would sleep that night. At one point Roxy and Kaori both went to the front gate and turned on garden hoses on the reporters and their equipment. They went running back to the house before the cops could be called on them for vandalism.
It was the morning of the public funeral, Pizzazz stood in the mirror adjusting her blouse. Her eyes were red and puffy from a combination of a lack of sleep and crying. She wore her glasses since it hurt to wear her contacts. She spotted Yuji standing in her doorway with an odd look on his face. She smiled in the mirror and let out a small giggle. "What is it?"
"It's nothing. Just how much like your mother you are. Always making yourself look perfect in the mirror." He entered her room and handed Pizzazz a small jewelry box. "I wanted to give this to you before. It was a gift I bought for you before I left Japan." She gave him a curious look then opened the box. Inside was a small guitar pendant on a chain.
"Thank you so much." Pizzazz unclasped the chain the pendant was on and put it around her neck. She then hugged him gently. "Listen, David and I have been talking. We really don't think of you as a step-father. In all honesty, you're still a stranger to us, but we don't want it to stay like that. We think of you as a long lost family member and we want you to stay as long as you want. Just like we said the other night."
Yuji smiled and looked Pizzazz over again. He straightened her dress jacket. "I'm just sorry I never was able to make it to meet you and David before. However, I think it would be great if we went on a trip together to get to know each other. My company has a nice cabin near Mount Fuji that we can use. What do you think?"
"I think we all could use a vacation after this." David entered his sister's room trying to tie his tie. Yuji took the tie from David and began to tie it for him. "Thanks. I never learned how to do one of those things. Just ask Phyllis about how much I hate wearing suits." Pizzazz just grinned in the mirror as she finished getting ready. "I just came in to tell you the limo is here. Kaori is going to ride with us while the other Misfits ride in a separate limo."
"Before we go David I have something here for you as well. It's just something I picked up for you before I came here." Yuji left the room and came back quickly. He gave David a finely wrapped box that was about a foot and a half long. David unwrapped the box and opened it. Inside was an ornate tanto. Yuji just looked at David with hopeful eyes. "I found it in an antique shop not too long ago. I hope you like it."
David pulled the small sword out and gave it a quick examination. "Thank you so much. I'll take great care of it." He put the tanto back in the case. "Come on, we should get going." Together David, Pizzazz and Yuji met Kaori at the front door. Yuji put his arm around Pizzazz's and walked her to the limo door. David and Kaori held hands and he helped her get inside the limo. The chauffeur shut the door and drove to the cemetery.
The funeral ceremony went by quickly for both David and Pizzazz. Their minds were both on other things than the funeral. They purposely kept their minds distracted so they could keep their composure. They were standing with The Misfits, The Holograms, all of their family and friends around the public grave of Evelyn Gabor. The Misfits and David each hated the fact that the media was covering the funeral. They kept their backs to the cameras as best as they could.
Pizzazz was brought out of her thoughts by Stormer tapping her shoulder. She motioned for Pizzazz to take the podium and make a eulogy. Pizzazz shook her head no and whispered in her half sister's ear, "I'm not saying anything sentimental in front of the cameras. I will not become a sound byte." She let her eyes scan the media around her. "Goddamn vultures."
The ceremony ended after Yuji made his eulogy. David and Pizzazz led their grandparents to their waiting limo. Pizzazz was helping her grandmother in when a microphone was stuck in her face. She snarled at the woman holding the microphone, Harriet Horne. Harriet spoke in a very condescending tone to Pizzazz, "So, what are you going to do when the police catch the killer of your mother?"
Standing up straight and getting closer to Harriet, Pizzazz just smiled and head butted the television hostess. David, Roxy and Stormer all ran up to hold her back. They eventually got her into the limo where her grandparents smiled their thanks. She sat back and let out a self-satisfied giggle. "I can't tell you how good that felt." Pizzazz looked out the back window of the limo. Harriet was holding her nose and pointing at the car. "Oh good, I broke her nose."
"You know she'll try to sue, right?" David got in and slid next to his sister. "This is one time I won't mind paying her off, if we have to. We can go anytime you're ready. All of our friends are meeting us at the mansion. I pulled some strings and the police have blocked off our street so the media can't bother us."
"Good idea. Mom wouldn't have wanted us to be all depressed and sitting around. We should celebrate her life as best as we can. It's the least she deserves for now." Pizzazz leaned against David for comfort the rest of the ride home. Once there, she found a place to sit and be by herself as her close friends showed up.
The memorial for Evelyn went on until late that night. Pizzazz excused herself and went up to her room to go to bed. She changed into her night clothes and looked out her bedroom window. She watched the people who loved her mother and she smiled for the first time in days. "And here's the funny thing. Next week most of those same people will be in Japan doing this all over again. Mom would blush."
Letting out a loud laugh Pizzazz slipped under her covers as David sat on the edge of her bed. "Yes, but she deserves it. I just want to make her proud." David nodded and agreed. He kissed her on the forehead and shut her door as she drifted to sleep.
It was a week after the public ceremony. The private ceremony in Japan had just finished. Every one of Evelyn's family and close friends told a story about her. Some were just short funny stories, others were very moving, but they all came from the heart. After the ceremony the group of friends and family all met at the home of Yuji and Evelyn. David was inside the room he was sharing with his girlfriend Kaori where he was pacing back and forth. Kaori was still at the party listening to the stories.
Kyoko and Yukio watched him pace and listened to him mutter under his breath. "[I made a pledge, Kyoko, a pledge that I would hunt down the assassins of my mother and I know who they are. It's the Crimson Sons. I'm going to their clan home tonight whether if you're with me or not. I will have my revenge and I will have it tonight.]"
"[You go and commit suicide then, David. I won't have any part of it. Going into the Crimson Sons camp alone is certain death. I barely made it out alive. So you do what you have to do. Just count me out!]" Kyoko stormed out of the room slamming the door shut behind her.
Yukio stood and pulled out her sword, she swiped the blade along her forearm. "[It will be an honor to go and hunt the honorless killers, David-san. I stand by you no matter what.]"
"[The Crimson Sons camp is about two hours away from here. So we'll leave tonight around midnight. I don't feel like putting up anyone's shit about going after this scum.]" David set his swords and clothes in a bag outside of his window. He left the room with Yukio a few moments later.
Jetta stood outside on the back deck alone. She thought about the funeral she attended for her best friend and former lover Stevie Blackwell during the week. Roxy had joined her and felt a bit out of place despite being reassured many times by Jetta and Katja. She sighed and looked out at the koi pond. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted Kyoko storm out of the house and sit on a bench near the edge of the pond. Jetta went down and sat next to the Japanese woman.
"Hey. You look like you're havin' fun." Jetta gave Kyoko her best smile.
"Hm? Oh. Its—its nothing. Just stressed out." Kyoko drew random patterns in the sand at her feet with a stick. "So what's up? You look like you have something on your mind."
"I've been meanin' to ask David, Kaori or someone somethin'. "Jetta reached in her pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. "The coppers in Germany found this etched in the walkway. What does Kakokuna Kyodai mean? The police wouldn't tell Katja or anyone." She crouched down and looked up at Kyoko.
"It means Brothers Caustic or Caustic Brothers. Sounds like a calling card. Like the name of a hitman team or something. Then again it could just be nothing." Kyoko patted Jetta's back and stood. "I'm gonna go for a walk. I just need to be alone right now." She began to walk down the gravel path that ran around the pond. She nibbled on her thumbnail as she thought about if she should tell anyone what David was planning.
Slipping in between the trees, David and Yukio slowly scouted around the perimeter of the Crimson Sons' stronghold. They searched for a way inside without being detected. Guards walked along the top of the walls while looking for any intruders. David crouched near the base of a tree deep in the woods. He pulled out a pair of nightvision goggles and began to scan the east side wall. Yukio stayed on guard next to him in case there were any Crimson Sons foot patrols.
David tapped Yukio on the upper arm and handed her the goggles. He pointed to a drainage pipe that looked to be rusted through. She gave him the goggles back and nodded her approval. Silently, they weaved their way through the trees to the drainage pipe. It looked worse than David had originally thought. He carefully inspected the whole opening. Yukio had her crossbow out in case they were spotted.
Carefully pulling the cover of the pipe loose David peeked inside and nodded to Yukio. She went in first while David put the cover back in place. They crawled through the drainage pipe until they reached the dead end. David turned on his mini-flashlight and pointed it up. There was another grate a short way above them. He pulled a mirror on a short pole out of his backpack and poked the mirror through one of the grate openings. The drain opened into a locker room of sorts.
Quietly, David pushed the grate up and stood up fully. The room was empty. He set the cover down and helped Yukio out of the drain pipe. He put the cover back afterward and drew his sword. David and Yukio now began their hunt for Ryo and Maiyumi of the Crimson Sons.
Kyoko lightly knocked on the door Hitomi was staying in. She opened the door and peeked in. Hitomi was talking with Ken, Eiji, Kimber and Kaori. They were discussing Suzaku's next album while Kaori leaned her back against the wall and worked on a sketch. "Excuse me, could I just grab Hitomi for a sec? I wanted to talk to her."
Giving a light shrug, Hitomi followed Kyoko out the door. "What's wrong? You look really upset about something."
"Its David and Yukio, they've got it in their heads to get revenge on the Crimson Sons for what happened with Evelyn. We don't even have concrete proof it was them." Kyoko wiped a tear from the side of her nose. "They're leaving at midnight to go to the stronghold. I feel like I'm betraying both of their trust by telling you this, but I think what they're doing is wrong."
"Personally I've never seen David like this. Not even when Hiroshi died." Hitomi leaned against the hallway wall and ran her hand through her hair. "I'm going to tell the others what David has planned. This way you've never completely betrayed his trust. They deserve to know anyway, especially Kaori."
Hitomi went back to the bedroom and slid the door closed. A few moments later Ken opened the door and stormed out of the bedroom. It was just about the only time Kyoko could think of when she had seen him truly furious about something. She heard him run up the stairs to where David and Yukio were planning their mission and began to yell at David. He suddenly stopped and ran back down the stairs with a concerned look on his face. He stopped at the bottom of the stairs. "We have a problem. David's gone Anakin Skywalker on us."
"What?"
"Neither David or Yukio are in the room. They've gone to the Crimson Sons stronghold." Ken tried to stop Kaori from running down the stairs. Kimber ran after her while the rest found The Misfits.
Stalking their way through the stronghold David and Yukio tried to get their sense of bearings of where they were. Neither one knew where they would find Ryo or Maiyumi. So far they had silenced five guards. David held his hand out as they approached a corner. He pulled out the mirror again and looked around the corner. He saw eight guards standing around an ornately decorated double door. Obviously, it was a main room and David wanted in.
David flashed Yukio a few hand signals telling her that there were eight guards around a doorway. She nodded and checked her swords after notching another crossbow bolt. David gave a silent countdown and they both rounded the corner. Yukio fired off the bolt, killing the first guard. The distraction was enough for David to attack with both of his swords, killing two more guards. Yukio and David quickly killed the remaining five without making much noise.
Kicking the door in David blocked an attack from a guard who was ready for him. David struck with his free arm and killed the guard quickly. Yukio threw three shurikens at a second guard. One of the metal stars lodged itself in the guard's head, blinding him. David took him down with a back swipe as he pointed his katana at the man who was his goal. "[Ryo! It ends tonight! You went too far when you sent your men to kill my mother! Tonight I end your life and our rivalry! Tonight you die!]"
Ryo stood from his chair and stared at the blood stained man and woman before him. He waved off the guards that began to swarm around and protect him. He spoke softly and evenly. "[Neither myself or the Crimson Sons had anything to do with your mother's murder. However, I do know who did kill her. All that I ask in return for this information is that I help you.]"
"[Yukio please let us help. These men who assassinated David's mother are dangerous. You will need the Crimson Sons help.]" Maiyumi came out of the shadows and stood next to her lover Ryo.
David lowered his swords but didn't sheathe them. "[Why should we trust you?]"
"[Because I can give you the name of the man who hired these men to kill your mother. Also, the men who killed your mother I once called brother. They have betrayed me.]" Rage flashed across Ryo's face at the bitter memories. "[I wish vengeance upon them as well.]" He held out his hand to David. "[For now I call a truce between us. We have a common goal. Let us work together.]"
After sharing a long look with Yukio, David shook Ryo's hand. "[Deal, as of right now a truce between me and you is declared. This truce extends between Yukio and Maiyumi as well.]" David sheathed his swords in their scabbards and Yukio put away her crossbow. He bowed in respect to Ryo, who returned the bow. "[After you have told me the names of the animals that have done this we will help you bury the warriors we have slain today.]"
Ryo nodded and motioned for David and Yukio to follow him to a table filled with freshly cooked food. "[Please, help yourselves, a gesture of friendship.]" He picked up a piece of sliced meat and took a bite. "[It's not poisoned, I assure you.]" He finished the slice of meat and took a deep breath. "[The assassins are known as the Kakokuna Kyodai. They were once my most lethal and effective assassination team. They liked to use acids in their assassinations. It was disgusting, but it got the job done effectively. They started to commit assassinations on their own and I had to let them go.]
"[Now as for who hired the Kakokuna Kyodai.]" Ryo stopped his pacing while he talked and looked directly at David. "[The man who hired your mother's assassins was none other than Kevin Ross. He also gave them free reign to kill and harm any loved one associated with your family.]" He stopped David from rushing out of the door. "[Listen to me. The two men you killed in Los Angeles were men I had following them. You're going to need my help in getting them.]"
"[My sister and my friends are very vulnerable then. They only have Kyoko protecting them. We have to get back to Yuji's home now.]" David and Yukio both followed Ryo and Maiyumi out of the room. They raced to the Japanese home of David's mother.
The early morning sunlight peeked through the blinds of Clashing VideoRats Studio. Eric Raymond carried a tray of coffee to the studio room The Stingers were practicing in. He went to look at his watch and almost spilled the coffee on himself. After a moment of acrobatic balancing, he stabilized the tray in his hands again. "Goddamn I need sleep," he mumbled to himself. He brought the coffee into the studio and handed the cups out to each of The Stingers.
Riot sipped his cup and nodded his head. "Thanks, Eric. Next time I'll grab the wake me ups. We figure we should be finished here in about an hour or so. We're already throwing out ideas that we thought of two years ago." He joined in on the tired laughter with Minx and Rapture.
"What do you think, Eric? Think the world is ready for The Stingers to return?" Minx set her cup down and stretched in the plush office chair she was lounging on.
"I think they are ready for a new Stingers, Minx. The ideas I've heard tonight are fantastic. Keep up the great work I'm going to give Chip a quick call. Let him know we're still here working on ideas for the new album." Eric pulled out his cell phone and moved out of the studio so he could find a spot with better reception.
The Stingers went back to planning when they heard the sound of a window breaking. They rushed out of the studio and ran into the front of the office. Eric motioned for them to get back. Two men in red hoods entered the studio. One of the men shot Eric in the chest. He stumbled back and finally fell backwards. The other man threw what looked to be a balloon at Riot. It hit him in the mouth and burst. He immediately began choking and gasping for air as he held his throat.
Minx covered her mouth and nose and tried to help Riot while Rapture just let out a yell of fury. It began slowly at first, a flow of light purple mystical energy crackled and wrapped around her body. She brought both arms up, palms facing out. The energy fired from her arms and struck the hooded man who had shot Eric. The second man threw another balloon at Rapture. She destroyed it almost as soon as he threw it. Rapture fired a third bolt of energy at the second man but missed.
Both men jumped through the broken window. Rapture followed with the energy leaping from her body and shorting out the street lights around her. She fired a final bolt at both men, but missed and hit a light pole. It exploded and fell over on top of the car parked near it. Rapture looked at her hands in amazement. She was certain she was stripped of her ability to channel the magickal forces. Finally hearing Minx's screams, she went back into the studio and called for emergency services.
Standing out on her balcony, Stormer enjoyed the night air in Japan. It relaxed her when she couldn't sleep and this was one of those nights. She was worried about her half brother David. She had a feeling something bad was about to happen to him. She also missed Chip, her boyfriend. Since both Clash and Techrat were in Japan someone was needed at Clashing VideoRats Studio to meet with clients.
Stormer peeked over her shoulder when she heard her room door open. Kimber walked up to her best friend and placed a cup of tea on the rail next to her. "I knew you wouldn't be asleep, so I wanted to talk." Kimber leaned against the balcony rail and crossed her arms across her chest. "I'm scared we won't ever see David again."
"He'll be fine as always, Kim." Stormer sipped her tea and sighed. "In all of the chaos and running around today I forgot to call Chip and let him know we landed." She checked her watch and did the time difference in her head. Almost on cue her phone rang and she gave Kimber a slight smirk. "I have to wonder if he's psychic sometimes." Stormer pulled her phone out of her suitcase. Before she could say anything she was cut off. A look of distress went over Stormer's face she then hung up the phone. "Eric and The Stingers have been attacked at the studio."
Kimber and Stormer rushed out of her bedroom and began waking the rest of the house. They all gathered in the living room and watched Stormer pace nervously. She was muttering under her breath quietly. No one could make out what she was saying. She finally stopped and looked up as if noticing everyone for the first time. "A, uh, a few moments ago Chip just called me. He was, ah, was enroute to the Ark. The Stingers and Eric have been attacked. Chip thinks it, ah, it might have been the same people who killed Evelyn.
"He told me that Eric was shot in the chest, but is expected to be just fine. Rapture had to be subdued and contained by Earth Defense Command officers. Apparently she was radiating some kind of energy. Minx is in a catatonic state due to everything that happened. He thinks it's due to what happened next. One of the men threw a balloon filled chlorine gas mixed with another possible chemical that has done unknown damage to Riot's throat and face. He may also be temporarily blind. It's thought that it was nitric acid that was the other chemical.
"Chip thinks its best that we leave for Autobot City as soon as we can. I have to agree with him. Even though we've never been on the best terms with The Stingers or Eric, we need to stand by them as they have with us." Stormer began to leave the room when she turned back around. "I'm just going up to pack." She turned and left the room after hesitating a moment.
"I think we should first wait to see where my idiot twin ran off to." Pizzazz chewed the inside of her cheek and looked around the room. She sighed and went to the backdoor. She slipped on her shoes and opened the door. "I'm going for a walk around the pond. Need to clear my head." She stepped out into the cool night air and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes, she let out a small gasp of shock then glared at her brother who had suddenly appeared in front of her.
David slapped his hand over her mouth before she could yell at him. "It wasn't the Crimson Sons who killed mom. In fact, they're helping me track down the animals that did." He removed his hand from her mouth. Ryo, Maiyumi and a few Crimson Sons warriors came out of the darkness. "We have a truce for now. The men who assassinated mom are known as the Kakokuna Kyodai or the Caustic Brothers. They betrayed Ryo and he also seeks revenge against them. So for now we treat them as allies."
Kaori came running out of the house when she heard David's voice. She stopped before him and saw the blood on his body. She didn't care as she hugged him tight then kissed him deeply. After she broke the kiss she slapped him hard. "[Next time you tell me when you're doing something like this! Do you understand?]" She smiled when David nodded. "[Gods, I love you way too much sometimes.]" She giggled and hugged him tight again.
"[I love you too and I'm sorry. I didn't want you to follow me.]" David hugged her again then turned to face the people who had gathered around. Pizzazz told him what had happened with Eric and The Stingers. He and Ryo shared a look of concern. "Ryo told me that there's more than two of these Caustic Brothers. They're a whole group of assassins. I think its best that we all get to Autobot City as Stormer suggested. I don't feel safe here."
David wrapped his arm around Kaori as they began to enter Yuji's home. Stormer yelled from her balcony for David and Kaori to run. They both looked up at Stormer then in the direction she was looking. What looked to be a rocket was coming at them. David pulled Kaori out of the way and tried to protect her. The rocket hit the ground and exploded where they just had been standing. He felt like his breath had been pushed from his lungs. He felt his body go numb while his family and friends gathered around him.
Ryo gently rolled David off of Kaori. They were both still alive. He began tearing his shirt into thin ribbons. David faintly heard him yelling for Pizzazz to hold a spot on David's leg to cut off the blood flow while he made a tourniquet. In his daze, he turned his head to see what Ryo was talking about. Panic washed over him when he saw most of his left arm and leg were missing. He turned to look at Kaori and saw that she was missing part of her lower right arm and leg. She had thankfully passed out from shock.
Before he passed out himself, David took her left hand in his right and held on to it. Unable to hold stay awake, he drifted into a dreamless unconsciousness.
Pacing the halls of the medical center at Autobot City, Pizzazz thought of what she was going to do. The last twenty-four hours were a swirling blur. She had been by to visit Eric and Riot while the Autobot medics operated on David and Kaori. She tried to put the image of her twin lying on the ground missing his arm and leg. She blinked and thought of the swiftness that Yukio and Kyoko moved after the attack. Yukio had effortlessly killed the Caustic Brother who had hurt her brother.
There were now at least two more Caustic Brothers on the loose. Ryo, Maiyumi, Kyoko and Yukio were all hunting them down. Deep inside Pizzazz knew what she had to do to deal with Kevin Ross. He had just crossed a line that should never have been crossed. She was waiting for David and Kaori to come out of their operations before she acted.
Stormer walked up to Pizzazz and gave her a tray of food. She gave her half sister an odd look. "Its breakfast, all you've been doing is pacing and bugging the hell out of the staff since you've got here. Optimus Prime said that he's allowing you to stay because of all we've done to help them in the past. But now I'm asking you, no scratch that, I'm telling you to sit down and eat. Then you're going to your room and you'll wait for Ratchet to tell you that you can see them."
Pizzazz handed the tray back to Stormer and looked into the operation room. A massive white and red robot crouched next to David. He was in the middle of amputating the rest of her brother's leg. Off to the side was a cybernetic prosthetic leg was waiting to be attached. Kaori was in the room next to his. Another, smaller red and white robot named First Aid was operating on her arm. Her lower leg was finished.
"I'm staying right here. I lost my mother already this month. I'll be damned if I'm going to lose my brother. If any of the Autobots have a problem with me staying here, then that's their tough shit." She angrily wiped the tears from her eyes while she kept watching the operations. She watched Stormer in the reflection of the window as she set the food down on a table and hugged her tight from behind. Pizzazz laid her hand and cheek Stormer's hand. "Stay with me for awhile. I just don't want to be alone."
"You bet," Stormer whispered in Pizzazz's ear. Together they watched the operations in silence.
Roxy set the bouquet of get well flowers next to the bed Minx was laying in a catatonic state. She decided to check on The Stingers and Riot while David and Kaori were in surgery. It was the best way she could think of to get her mind off of everything. Rapture was still in quarantine while tests were being performed on her. Jetta was visiting Eric and Riot in the room next door. Roxy took a seat next to Minx and held her hand.
She looked up when she heard the light squeaking of an IV tree. Riot stood in the doorway. He had a two inch wide band of gauze around his eyes. His mouth and throat were both still bright red. He entered the room and was followed by Kimber guiding him by his elbow. Riot smiled in the direction of where Kimber told him Roxy and Minx was at. He got close to Roxy and whispered hoarsely, "At least I can still speak. Maybe I'll become a motivational speaker. I also wanted to be with Ingrid."
Despite herself Roxy let out a soft giggle. "Yes, you do just that. How's Eric doing?"
"He's just fine. In fact, he's on his feet already and demanding to be discharged." Kimber guided Riot to a chair. "So it's same old Eric Raymond. Sheila went to check on Kaori and David." She walked over to the other side of the hospital bed and gently swiped a lock of hair from Minx's face. "Hey Ingrid, Rory's here. He's alive and for the most part okay. Just come back to us." Kimber sighed and looked up at Roxy. "Oh yeah, Sheila told me to tell you meet her in your room, Rox."
"I was about to ask where she had vanished to. I was going to ask her if she wanted to check on David and Kaori together." Roxy patted Minx's hand gently and stood. She gave Riot's shoulder a light squeeze then kissed his cheek and smiled at Kimber. "If Ingrid comes out of this while I'm gone, tell her I wish her well. I'm also going to try and see Phoebe. I'll talk to you guys soon." Roxy left the room and gently shut the door. She hurried to the quarters she and Jetta shared.
Waiting in her van, Pizzazz watched the man and woman approach in the side mirror. After David and Kaori were finished with their surgery, she had left Autobot City and went back to Los Angeles. She had found out it was Kevin Ross who was behind the attacks from Yukio. Tonight she was going to finish what Kevin had started. Tonight it was purely vengeance that was all she had in mind, vengeance for everyone that the Caustic Brothers had hurt or killed.
Pizzazz got out of the van when the man and woman were close enough. She tossed them each a small box and smirked. "They're cloaking fields. We used them once before to get into Ross' office. They'll only cloak you from being seen. Nothing fancy like sound dampening or heat detection. I only trust you to come with me because of the deal you made with my brother. It was my mother who was killed also."
"I understand perfectly, Phyllis." Ryo attached the cloaking box to his belt. "When David made the truce with the Crimson Sons, it was a truce for all of his friends and family. Mai and I agreed to help you because we understood that you didn't want to get anyone close to you involved in this. There is the possibility of something illegal happening." He smiled when Pizzazz nodded.
"So how do we get in?" Maiyumi asked looking the device over curiously.
"There's a service entrance that's always open around now. The Kross Medical Building is about four blocks west of here. This is my parking garage so no one will question my van being here. We have deniability in whatever happens next. Plus, I have some strings I can pull just in case." Pizzazz looked up from the ground, Ryo and Maiyumi finally saw the rage and vengeance burning in her eyes. "Motherfucker murdered my mother."
Quietly making their way up the stairwell, Pizzazz, Ryo and Maiyumi paused at a closed door. Pizzazz turned her cloaking device down so just a faint ghostly image of her could be seen by the other two. "Security is this level. All of the cameras, microphones, emergency systems and what-nots are here. I need you to wreck it. I don't want to know what you did. I can handle Ross on my own."
"When we're finished, we'll meet you on the floor his office is on. Good luck, Phyllis."
Ryo opened the door and slipped through and was followed by his lover Maiyumi. Pizzazz waited a few moments after the door closed to make her way up the stairwell. She reached the floor Ross kept his office and waited again. She took a deep breath and opened the door. She looked up and down the corridor; the exit was near a public bathroom. Pizzazz saw a sign on the far wall pointing the direction of Kevin Ross' reception area for his office.
Looking up at the security camera Pizzazz watched the light go out. She smiled to herself knowing that Ryo and Maiyumi had kept their word and disabled the cameras. Carefully creeping along the wall, she made her way to the reception area of Kevin's office. She stuck her head around the corner and saw that the secretary was gone. She sprinted across the waiting area to Kevin's office door. She lightly knocked on it and took a few steps back, waiting for it to open.
Kevin Ross opened the door and looked out with a confused look. "Ye—?" he was cut off by a solid punch to the jaw from Pizzazz. He looked around confused again only to be kicked in the side. He felt a few ribs shatter and break when, again, he was punched in the face. This time he saw his attacker. The cloaking device Pizzazz wore had fallen off. He saw her jump in the air and spin, her boot connected to the side of his head.
"Get up, you fucker!" Pizzazz kicked him in the knees. He fell down and looked up at her in pain. She yanked him to his feet by his hair. "Get up and face me like a man. It's the least you can try and do since you murdered my mother." She tried to kick him in the groin, but he blocked her leg. Kevin held her leg and backhanded her hard across the face. The coppery taste of blood was immediate in her mouth and she gave him a bloody smile.
"You stupid bitch! How dare you come in here and make false accusations like that!" Kevin went to backhand her face again but Pizzazz ducked and drove her shoulder into his gut. He gasped for breath as she backed up. When he looked up he saw that Pizzazz was pointing a gun at him. "What are you gonna do? Shoot me?" She brought the gun down and shot him in the leg. He held back a scream of pain. "I guess you are. Alright! I had your mother killed! But you can never prove it. I'm clean. I'm spotless. I'm Teflon!"
"You're shit! You took away my mother. Why? Why would you do something like that?"
Kevin hobbled toward his window and looked out at the skyline. Pizzazz fired over his shoulder and hit the window. He stopped and glared at her. "She was in my way. Starlight Music should have been mine. But no, silly little Jerrica Benton had to go and sell it under the table." He began to move to his desk, but Pizzazz fired once again, causing the window to start to spider web. "Would you please stop that? It's unbecoming of you."
Smirking and firing again, Pizzazz moved to his desk and blocked his way. "That's the whole reason? That's the reason why you took my mother from me? A woman who had never harmed you?"
"She took Gabor Industries away from me! Need we forget what your father did to mine? So don't get all high and mighty on me. Besides, as it looks, you're going away for a longtime for assault with a deadly weapon, trespassing, breaking and entering. I'm sure I can think of some other charges."
Pizzazz shot the window again causing Kevin to jump. The window started to spider web even further. She smiled and giggled to herself. "I don't think so. Your surveillance systems are offline, guards taken care of and phone lines cut. It's just you, me and my guests." On cue, Ryo and Maiyumi decloaked at the office door, blocking it. "Basically I was never here."
Kevin growled and lunged for Pizzazz, catching her off guard. She began to bring the gun up again but he slapped it from her hand. "I'm gonna kill you, you stupid fucking bitch!" She brought her knee into his gut and shoved him back. He hit the window that Pizzazz had shot. The window shattered. Kevin fell out into the night sky. He caught on to the ledge and began pulling himself up. "All of the Gabors will die by my hand!"
Casually walking up to where Kevin was trying pull himself up, she crouched and looked at him. "I should hate you, but I don't. I once had a crush on you. Now all I feel is pity." She stood up and glared down at him. "You're pathetic." She spat in his face, turned around and walked away. Half way to the door she heard him yell as he lost his grip and fell to his death. Pizzazz looked at Ryo with tears in her eyes.
Ryo put his hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll clean this up. You get out of here." He handed her the cloaking device that was on the floor. She just smiled her thanks and vanished after turning on the device.
Upon returning to Autobot City, Pizzazz was immediately assaulted by questions from each of The Misfits about where she had gone. She told them that she had to leave the city and think. It twisted in her gut that she had to lie. She sat in the hospital room that her brother and his girlfriend were sedated in. Ratchet felt that it would be good to keep them sedated a few days after the surgery. She watched her brother sleep. That's when she began to break down and cry.
TO BE CONCLUDED IN "NO MORE WORDS"
EPILOGUE OF FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS