For Whom The Bell Tolls

Epilogue

No More Words

By Nick Maro

Parking the Jeep near the trail that was in the directions, Pizzazz gathered up her backpack and bottle of water. She unconsciously set the alarm on the Jeep out of habit. She then flipped her sunglasses down from her forehead to the bridge of her nose. She looked around the forest. Most of the leaves had fallen and there was a chill in the air. Pizzazz zipped up her jacket and looked up the trail before her.

It was late November, well over a month after the death of her mother and the chaotic events that had shattered the lives of her friends and family. She took a sip of her water and started up the leaf covered path. Along the way she found a fallen branch that served her as a walking stick. Pizzazz was enjoying her hike through the woods. Her mind drifted to Roxy and Jetta. She left while they were asleep. Maybe later she would bring them along, even though she knew Roxy would whine about the trail being boring.

Pizzazz smiled to herself at the thought of Roxy. She knew how she could either be really lazy or really energetic about something. She knew that Roxy loved to race her mountain bike back home. She just wasn't sure what Roxy would think of a hike through the woods. She had a feeling that Jetta would enjoy it. But this was something she would address later. For now Pizzazz was happy to be by herself. She needed the time to think.

An hour passed before she saw a thin plume of smoke coming from around corner. Pizzazz smiled knowing she was almost near her destination. She broke into a run along the trail and rounded the corner within moments. The cabin she was told about back at the Arashikage stronghold was right where they had said. Pizzazz slowly walked up to the cabin door, she hesitated before knocking.

A few moments passed before the door opened a crack. Pizzazz saw a familiar coppery brown eye peek out. It went wide with surprise before the door swung fully open. Kaori jumped up and hugged Pizzazz tight. She kissed the green haired woman on the cheek and grinned. "Phyllis! What the devil are you doing here? How did you find us?" She pulled Pizzazz into the cabin and shut the door. "David isn't here right now."

Pizzazz nodded. "It's so great to see you, Kaori. I came to see how my brother and his girlfriend are. All I knew is that you left Autobot City and came here to Japan as soon as you had recovered. I found out where you were through the Arashikage Clan. Roxy and Sheila are there now. I wanted to see you both alone first." She took her backpack off and sat on the couch next to Kaori. She glanced at the Japanese woman's right arm.

Kaori flexed her cybernetic right hand and gave Pizzazz a small smile. "It's okay. You can look at it. I don't care." She held up her hand for her boyfriend's twin. The hand looked real. No one could tell it was artificial. She pressed a spot on her arm and a panel opened so that Pizzazz could see inside. She had never seen anything as complex in her life. Kaori smiled again. "It's a good thing that I'm ambidex—ambidix—" she stumbled over the word for a moment then thought, "that I can draw good with both hands."

"I didn't know you were ambidextrous. That's the word you were looking for by the way." Pizzazz felt Kaori's hand and it was warm to the touch. "That is just amazing. I noticed you weren't limping. Looks like you adjusted to that quickly." She hugged Kaori again. "I'm sorry you were hurt. It just seems that being a Gabor sometimes brings pain to everyone around you."

"Don't ever say that, Phyllis. You're a wonderful person that comes from a wonderful family. Just unfortunate things happen to you. I don't blame you or David for what happened." Kaori looked down at her hand and foot. "I've accepted it."

Pizzazz took a sip of water from her bottle and looked around the modest cabin. They were in the living room that doubled as a dining room. There was a small kitchen area next to the bedroom doorway. Through the bedroom doorway Pizzazz saw the doorway for what she assumed was the bathroom. Opposite of the kitchen and bedroom was a fire place. A medium sized fire burned inside, warming the cabin. Pizzazz could see why David and Kaori stayed as long as they had.

"So, where did my brother get off to anyway?"

"Oh he went down the trail a bit. There's a small lake down there and he likes to watch the water and reflect on everything. I really don't mind because it brings him inner peace. Also, I get to work on new manga ideas with him gone." Kaori smiled and handed Pizzazz an art book filled with her ideas. "I love him, but I cannot stand it when he's around and I try to create. He is a distraction at times."

A soft but deep chuckle came from the cabin door. David stood silhouetted in the doorway by the sunlight. "Well, it's good to know that I'm wanted and inspire." He batted a paper ball away that Kaori threw with his right hand. Pizzazz got up and hugged her brother tight. He returned the hug with just his right arm, then slowly with his new artificial left arm. "Its great to see you, Phyllis. I'm sorry we vanished like that. But I felt it would be better if we just weren't around for awhile. You know, learn to adjust and accept our," he paused to search for the right term, "conditions."

Kaori rolled her eyes at David and poked his side. "We don't have a condition. We have prosth—prosteti—," she looked at her boyfriend for help with the word then at Pizzazz, "prosthetic limbs. It is something we cannot change, David. We have to learn to live with them."

David grumbled softly under his breath. "I'm trying, you know that. I'm just having trouble forgiving myself for letting you get hurt, Kaori. Your safety is my responsibility."

"[Your happiness is mine, my love.]" Kaori kissed him on the cheek and looked up at him lovingly. She stood and went to the kitchen so that David and Pizzazz could talk more privately. She'd gotten the sense that the reason for her visit was for a private chat.

Pizzazz looked her twin over for a few moments. His hair was longer and even more unkempt. He had a couple of day's worth of stubble on his face. The one thing she did notice was how he tried not to use his artificial arm and leg too much. She took his left arm in her hands. "We all miss you, David. I know you're not out here just for the fake limbs. It's about mom isn't it?"

"Yes and no. I dunno." David scratched the back of his neck. "I just needed to get away from everything. I was feeling very claustrophobic and that the walls were closing in on me. I just couldn't breathe. Kaori suggested that we just leave and take some time away from everyone together. It's been helping."

"Well, I'm just glad you're both okay. By the way, I hope you don't mind if I stay the night. I don't want to drive back to the Arashikage camp in the dark. I don't trust the gravel road in the darkness." Pizzazz picked up her backpack and pulled a padded bottle of sake' out. "I brought this along for after dinner. I figured with everything that has happened we needed to celebrate a bit about what we have and all." Kaori and David shared a small smirk. Pizzazz arched her eyebrow. "What?"

Kaori smiled at Pizzazz and started to blush a bit. "We can also add a celebration to that." She ran from the kitchen to the bedroom and returned to the living room with her hand behind her back. She knew right away from Pizzazz's reaction that she knew what Kaori was talking about. She brought her hand out and showed Pizzazz the engagement ring on her finger. "I said yes."

Pizzazz didn't say a word. She just hugged her brother and future sister-in-law tightly. She was happy that her brother had finally asked Kaori to marry him. They spent the rest of the night talking and laughing.

Sitting in the tattoo parlor, Roxy listened to the whirr of the needle as the tattoo artist moved it along the outline on her arm. She tried to block out the pain by looking through a music magazine, but quickly discovered that it was in Japanese. Jetta sat across from her girlfriend and chuckled as Roxy looked around for something to distract herself. She looked at the outline that the artist was finishing.

The tattoo began at the back of Roxy's right hand. The design was of a classic dragon. Its tail began at the back of her hand and wrapped its way up her arm to just above her elbow. The main body of the dragon was on her upper arm, the wings spilled over to her shoulder blades, the dragon's head rested on her shoulder. Roxy knew this tattoo would take a long time to complete. She was just happy to get it started.

The artist wiped the excess ink from where he just finished and then gave her a final inspection. He bandaged up her arm and shoulder lightly to soak up the blood and ink. "You're all done here. Keep the bandage on for a couple of hours. When its healed rub baby oil on it every so often. That helps sun bleaching." He handed her credit card back and thanked her again.

"You could've gone out shopping, you know, Sheila." Roxy put her jacket on carefully then slid her sunglasses down from the top of her head. She wrapped her arm around the English woman's waist as they exited the tattoo parlor into the busy Osaka street. It was cold but not freezing out.

"I know, but I wanted to see you get your tattoo. I'm thinkin' of getting' another meself." She stopped in front of a music store and tugged for Roxy to stop as well. "Check this out. They have some of our albums on display in the window. What do you say we stop in and sign a few?" Roxy smirked at the idea then nodded.

Together they entered the music store and made their introductions to the store manager. He quickly agreed to let them sign as many as they wanted. Afterwards, Roxy called Pizzazz and told her what they just did. The lead singer of The Misfits chuckled. Jetta and Roxy couldn't but help feel good about themselves.

Stormer closed her cell phone as she re-entered the recording studio. She hooked a lock of her hair behind her ear. "Well, that was Roxy in Osaka. She, Sheila, Yukio and Phyllis will be home on Friday sometime. Hopefully we'll have our tracks finished by then so we can have something for them to hear." She threw a ball of crumpled paper at Kimber who was cuddled against her boyfriend. "Hey! Are you listening?"

"Yes. The Terrible Foursome will be back on Friday sometime." She leaned her back against her boyfriend Alan Ellis's chest and rested her head on his shoulder. "I have a great feeling about this album. I think it'll be better than our first. Did Rox say if Phyllis found David and Kaori or not?"

"Yep. She found David and Kaori deep in the forest. They're doing well and adapting to their new limbs and coming to terms over them." Stormer leaned against the wall next to Rio. "So are you ready for us again?"

Rio adjusted a few dials on the console and swore under his breath. "Why don't we call it a day. I have to recalibrate everything again. I think Jerrica is still planning the farewell party for Shana. I know she could use some help in that department." He looked over his shoulder at her and smiled. "If you don't mind."

"Oooh! That's code for Jerrica is going insane planning something and needs help before she completely loses her shit." Kimber giggled as she and Alan started toward the door. "Are you and Chip coming with, Mary?"

Stormer shook her head. "Nah, Chip and I are going to my mother's gravesite." She let out a soft laugh. "It's about time they got to meet."

Kimber gave a slight shrug while she searched for her keys in her purse. "Well then I guess it's just Alan and I to help Jerrica and her newest headache." She hugged her best friend and then her future brother-in-law. "I guess we'll see you at home, Mary." Kimber and Alan left the studio.

Rio smiled to himself at Stormer. "So Mary, planning Jerrica's wedding shower without Kimber? Isn't that against some kind of female rule?"

"Oh please! Not when it's a blabbermouth like Kimber is! Remember how she spoiled Phyllis and David's surprise birthday party? Aja and I decided that it would be best if we kept her distracted with Shana's going away party. We're having the shower the weekend before Shana's party. That way Shana can be here for it."

Stormer took the headphones off after listening to what they had recorded. "By the way, this is a heads up that you didn't hear it from me. Roxy and Sheila are plotting a bachelor party for you. Roxy figured they should do it since you don't have that many male friends." She gave him a knowing wink.

"Wonderful," Rio mumbled. "Wait! I do to have male friends!"

"Name five." Stormer crossed her arms across her chest.

Rio thought for a moment. "Okay. There's David, Chip, Alan, Techrat and uh," his voice trailed off as he began to think again, "Eric isn't really a friend. Nor is Riot." Rio shot Stormer an annoyed glare "Okay fine, you made your point. I think I liked you better when I didn't like you."

Pouting her lower lip out, Stormer looked up at Rio in mock hurt feelings. "You didn't like me? But I was the likable Misfit when we didn't get along." After a few moments they both began to chuckle. "I'll see you tomorrow, Rio." She gathered up her backpack and went out the front door of the studio.

"Hey! Wait!" Rio called after her. Stormer turned around but kept walking slowly to her car. "Eiji and Ken bring it up to six male friends!"

"Okay. Now think of the ones who know you well enough to throw a bachelor party." She shrugged and grinned. "Just David and he's in Japan. Have a good night, Rio." She opened her car door and got in. Stormer beeped her horn as she drove past Rio, who swore under his breath knowing she was right.

Getting her footing as the private plane hit turbulence, Pizzazz walked to where Yukio was sitting. Her eyes were shut in a light meditation state. She opened her eyes as she heard Pizzazz's approach. A friendly smile came to Yukio's lips. "What can I do for you, Phyllis?"

Pizzazz sat opposite of the young woman who was now her bodyguard. "I just wanted to talk. When I got back from talking with David and Kaori, you looked anxious to know what happened." She took a small breath and sighed. "Basically we just talked about why he left and about what the future holds without mom around. Obviously he and I are survivors, so we'll be okay. It's Gabor Industries that we mainly discussed. We think Yuji should take over until David returns. Which brings me to his return.

"He's just doing some soul searching right now. Trying to find his place in the universe and junk like that. I can completely understand his reasoning and thinking after a tragic accident like he and Kaori went through. I just wish he wasn't so impulsive at times. Really drives me up the damn wall." She went to the mini-fridge near their seats and pulled out two bottled waters. She handed one to Yukio.

"I'm just happy he's safe and everything. I was very worried that he could've hurt himself since he didn't know how to operate his prosthetic arm and leg very well." Yukio cracked the seal on the bottle top and smirked at Pizzazz. "You know, he isn't the only one who's impulsive in his family." She lowered her voice and leaned in closer to Pizzazz. "I know that you went to Kevin Ross' office on the night he jumped out of his office window. I also know he didn't jump."

Pizzazz tried to hide the soft gasp, but Yukio heard it and chuckled. She patted Pizzazz's leg reassuring her. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone you were there." She got up and pulled the privacy screen close and locked it. She kept her voice low. So low that Pizzazz could barely hear her. "I have something I need to tell you. Kevin Ross didn't fall like you think he did. He did and he didn't. Just before he fell I grabbed his arm. I was outside of his office cloaked as well. I knew you would do something like that to him. Also, I know you're no killer.

"Right before the pain of the glass cutting into his fingers caused him to let go, I grabbed him. I told him that this death was a merciful way to die and that he should be relieved that I didn't get to him first. When I was with my former clan, I was taught how to keep a man alive for weeks without killing them." Yukio looked up at Pizzazz with a deadly menace in her eyes. It wasn't directed at her, but it was brought out from the retelling of the story. "I then let him go and watched Kevin Ross fall to his death. What I did I did for your family. I owe you all my undying loyalty."

Unsure of how to respond Pizzazz just turned from Yukio and looked out of the plane's window. She had never heard a person describe how they killed someone so coldly and without emotion or remorse. Deep down she wondered if that's how David described the things he had done. She let out a small yelp of surprise when she saw Yukio move in the reflection of the window. "I'm sorry, Yukio. You just startled me. Thank you for telling me that."

"I just felt like that you should know the whole truth. I could see in your eyes that it was eating you up inside with guilt knowing that he had died from your actions. You can trust me with keeping what you did a secret." Yukio sat back in her seat and grinned at her friend.

"Someone unlock this damn screen before I tear it down!" Roxy screamed from the other side. "I don't know who decided to put the bathroom at the back of the plane and then have an optional barrier there, but they should be flogged! I gotta pee like a pregnant woman!"

Laughing to herself Pizzazz unlocked the privacy screen to only be almost knocked over by the urgent platinum blonde guitarist. Roxy rushed into the washroom and slammed the door shut. She didn't bother to lock the door. Three minutes later she came out with a relieved look on her face. "I had Sheila's sleeping head on my bladder for the past four hours. I had to go for the past two. She better be glad I love her." Roxy looked at Yukio and Pizzazz. "So what were you two talking all hush-hush about back here?"

"We were just talking." Pizzazz secured the privacy screen so that it stayed open. "I was telling Yukio about how David and Kaori are doing. He said that he'll be back before we know it. At least I know this time I won't have to wait fifteen years like I did the last time." Pizzazz looked at her watch quickly. They would be landing in about two hours. "Rox, I didn't get a chance to tell you that I love the tattoo you're getting. It looks great so far."

"I think it's great, Roxy. I've been wanting another tattoo myself." Yukio got up and studied the tattoo that ran along Roxy's right arm. The three friends sat in the back of the private jet while Jetta slept in the front. Two and a half hours later they landed in Los Angeles. Roxy was relieved to finally be on the ground.

Opening her eyes for the first time in an unknown amount of time, she looked around the room she was in. It was a medium sized room with electronic equipment all around. The walls, ceiling and floor were a pale orange in color and solid metal. She looked down at her hands as best as she could. They were encased in a dark gray metal. Her whole body was being restrained including her head which limited her field of vision.

Panic began to rise in her chest. Her vision began to blur to a slight reddish-purple hue. The energy that was inside her body exploded outward, freeing her body. Falling to one knee, she looked around freely. She was in a cell. A wave of rage flowed over her as energy ripped through her arms. She brought them up in an arc, destroying parts of the floor, ceiling and wall. She heard muffled alarms as she ran down the hallway while looking for the way out.

Men in heavy security uniforms ran toward her. She unleashed her pent up rage through her energies. The men flew back through crumbling metal walls. As she ran past them, she noticed they were still breathing. Deep down she felt a wave of relief. She had a vague recognition of the red face that was on the arm of the security guards. It was so hard for her to think straight, but she knew that she needed to get out and where to go.

After running down what seemed to be endless corridors, she finally found her way out of the building. Using the energy that was lancing out of her arms, she threw the security guards around as if they were a child's rag doll. She finally ripped the doors to freedom open only to find a giant metal man in her path. She brought the energy field back and pushed it at the giant robot before her. The robot remained where it stood. Instinct once again took over and she used the energy field in a way no one could have anticipated. She vanished from sight.

Astral had just sat down for another lonely dinner when the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. She wasn't alone in her home. Putting her fork down, Astral cautiously tried to sense who was there. She immediately grabbed her temples and groaned in pain. Whoever it was they held massive amounts of magickal power in their body. In fact, they were leaking eldritch energy everywhere. It was almost overwhelming.

It only took Astral a few moments to find the naked blonde woman half conscious in her living room. She recognized her right away. "Phoebe!" she yelled as she ran up to the woman. Phoebe Ashe, Rapture of The Stingers, laid naked on her floor with the reddish-purple eldritch energy flowing around her. Astral knelt next to her. "Phoebe, are you alright?"

Her mouth was dry and her throat felt like sand. "Wh-who am I? Wh-what am I? I ca-can't remember. I remember a name." Rapture turned slowly and looked up at Astral. Tears of confusion rolled down her cheeks. "Tolliver. But-but I know that name doesn't mean anything anymore. The man it belongs to is dead. What's happening to me?!"

Putting a calming hand on Rapture's forehead, Astral softly chanted. The eldritch energy around Rapture dissipated. She then helped Rapture to her feet. "I've got some clothes you can wear. We need to talk to a man named Richard Xanthos about this. Does that name ring any bells?" Rapture started to shake her head no, but then nodded and Astral smiled. "Excellent. Let's get you something to eat first."

She led the partially amnesiac Rapture to her seat and let her have her dinner after getting her some clothing. Astral did the best she could to hide the concern and worry that she had for the woman.

Flexing his cybernetic hand quickly became David's new nervous twitch. Kaori sat at the cabin's table with her hand hiding the smile on her face. The visit from his twin really helped David put some of his issues with his artificial limbs to rest. She looked at her right hand and flexed her fingers. Her own robotic lower arm and leg were starting to feel very natural to her. It took her a bit of time, but she had learned how to control how much pressure she used.

David looked up at her and stood. He walked into the bedroom and came back out carrying their backpacks. They were already packed. Kaori got up and David slipped her pack on her arms for her. He kissed her deeply then put on his own. His smiled at her with his eyes. "Let's go home."

The End of For Whom the Bell Tolls

TO BE CONTINUED IN "FINDING MY WAY PART 1"