Nothin's Gonna Stand In Our Way

Part 2

Brothers Under The Bridges

By Nick Maro

The Misfits tour was currently in its second week. David was pleased there were no incidents that would derail the tour. The Misfits were relieved when the second tour bus caught up to them before they had reached Chicago. Clash and Techrat joined the bands with the second bus. One bus was for the band to practice and relax, the other was now the bus for Suzaku. Having the two bands and eight performers in one bus was a nightmare.

David sat in the back of The Misfits bus talking with Yukio on his satellite phone. The bus was parked in the hotel parking lot. The Misfits and Suzaku had just finished up their concert in Cleveland. David looked at his watch and covered his mouth as he yawned. He listened to Yukio give him an update of her search for Maiyumi and Ryo. The worry in Yukio's voice was something David hated to hear. "[Yukio, you'll find her. She's a resourceful woman and she has Ryo with her. They're probably just in a spot unable to contact anyone.]"

"[For almost three weeks? They're in trouble, I know it.]" Yukio tried to hide her crying as she talked. She needed to show that she showed no fear. Even to David. "[This isn't like her at all.]"

"[I know, but all we can do now is search and hope for the best. And thinking negatively doesn't help anyone.]" David started to pace the length of the bus. "[Take a few days off from searching. You need to relax and go in with a fresh mindset. We have others searching as well. This is an order, too.]" He hated saying that, but sometimes it needed to be said to get her to listen. He loved and hated her stubbornness.

Yukio let out a sigh and wiped her eyes. "[Yes, David-sama, I'll return to the Arashikage home and meditate. You—you are right about my mind being clouded with doubt. My fears got to me. Thank you.]" She cleared her throat, her voice cracking slightly as it started to sound more confident. "[You always know what to say to me.]"

Sitting in the driver's seat, David chuckled quietly. "[Hey, sometimes we just need to have someone there to remind us what to do. You've been there for me countless times.]" He looked at his watch again and groaned to himself. "[Listen, it's late and we have to get an early start if we're going to make it to New York. Call me if they turn up or when you're ready to start searching again.]" Saying their farewells, David and Yukio ended the call.

"And I thought the Starlight Girls were addicted to talking on the phone," Kimber joked as she sat on the single stair near the driver's seat. "I couldn't sleep and I saw that the lights were on in here. So how's Yukio?"

David ran his hand through his hair and made a loud groan. "She's very worried about Maiyumi. They grew up as sisters. Yukio was the little sister that Maiyumi always looked out for, now Yukio feels that she owes Maiyumi for the years of looking out for her." He gave Kimber a tired look and smirked. "Fucking ninjas, I swear." He joined Kimber in her loud laugh.

Kimber stood up and went to the mini-fridge in the bus. She grabbed two bottles of beer and opened them both. She handed one to David. "She's a great woman, you know that right?"

"Yeah, I know. I'm so glad I was able to turn her from Cobra. She's been a great friend and confidant. I can tell her almost anything and she won't judge me." He took a sip of the beer and sat back in the chair. Closing his eyes, David leaned back in the chair. He opened them when Kimber sat on his lap. "Comfortable?"

"Yup!" Kimber put her beer in the cup holder next to the seat and rested her head on David's chest. "Despite everything that went on between us and where we're at now, I miss moments like this. You've always been there for me and I will always be there for you. You're one of my best friends." She hugged him close and kissed his cheek, then rested her head on his shoulder. She looked up at him and made a quizzical face. "Kaori would kick my ass if she saw me like this, right?"

"Only if you kissed my husband on the mouth and not on the cheek." Kaori flopped back in the chair opposite of David and Kimber. "You're fine, Kim. I know you two are close and I trust David not to do anything stupid." She gave him a wink and giggled. Kimber joined the Japanese woman after David did. The three friends spent the next hour talking and drinking. David knew deep down he'd regret staying up so late.

Pulling up to the gate of the Fort Wadsworth Military base, Stormer rolled down her window and spoke softly to the guard on duty. "Hi, I'm Mary Phillips here to see either Sergeant Franklin Talltree or Captain Carl Greer. I don't have an appointment to see them. Just say that Mary Phillips of The Misfits is here." Stormer snapped her fingers and started digging through her purse as the guard moved his hand to his sidearm. She pulled the card out and showed it to the young private. "Forgot I had this on me."

The private looked the blank card over he gave Stormer a shrug and handed it back. "I'm sorry Ma'am, but I have no idea what that is. You're going to have to turn around and leave."

The door on the other side of guard's booth opened. The new guard spotted Stormer right away and moved the first guard to the side. "Ms. Phillips, it's so good to see you again. You'll have to forgive Private Jenkins, he's new. Take this badge and you can park by the motor pool. An escort will be there waiting for you."

Stormer took the badge and thanked both of the guards. She pulled through the gate when the bar went up. She found the motor pool with no problems and parked in a free space. A redheaded woman was waiting for her when she got out of her car. Stormer smiled wide as she immediately recognized Scarlett of the G.I. Joe team. Putting the pass on her blouse, Stormer walked quickly up to Scarlett and gave her a hug. "Oh it's so good to see you!"

"You as well, Mary." Scarlett returned the hug then arched a curious eyebrow. "What brings you by anyway? I overheard you in the monitor room asking for Doc or Airborne. Everything okay?"

"No, it's the headaches. They're back with a vengeance and I was hoping if either one could help me." Stormer walked with Scarlett to the elevator that would take them to the bowels of The Pit, G.I. Joe's secret headquarters. "We're playing Madison Square Garden tonight so I figured I'd stop in. I even rented a car to get here."

Scarlett rubbed the young musician's back gently. "Well, Doc isn't here right now. He's on personal leave. However, Airborne is here someplace and he could help you better than Doc could." When the elevator stopped, she led Stormer through the labyrinth of corridors and rooms. She stopped in front of the security room. "Wait here, I'll find out where he is." Pressing a series of buttons, the doors opened and then closed behind her. She came out a few minutes later shaking her head. "Beach Head is such a pain in the ass at times. Airborne is in the mess hall, you can have a crappy lunch, too."

Stormer giggled and followed the redhead. "The Pit looks different than how I remember it from the last time." She looked at the metal walls as they walked. Each wall seemed to be in sections. Almost as if they could be moved easily.

"The Pit is modular. We can change how it looks when we want. Protocol says that we should do it every six months." Scarlett gestured at the walls as they walked. "We do it in case Cobra or anyone else gets our floor plans. Only problem is that we have to learn where everything is at again."

"Sounds like a nightmare."

They walked in silence before arriving to the mess hall. Scarlett spotted Airborne right away and called out to him. He looked up from his datapad and waved to the two women. Stormer sat opposite of him and smiled. "How are you, Stormer? You look good."

"I'm okay right now, I just was in town and needed some advice from you." Stormer chuckled when Airborne gave her a confused look. "I'm having the headaches again. They're worse than the last time. Your techniques on how to control them help but not much. I was hoping you'd have any advice or advanced techniques."

Airborne turned his datapad off and sat back in thought. He looked at her and gave a small shrug. "This really isn't my area. I just have a small amount of psychic ability. It's my brother who really has the talent in the family. My best advice is to meditate and learn how to focus the pain. Maybe talk to David, I know he meditates and can focus things. Scarlett and Snake-Eyes have told me about him." He gave her his best sympathetic look.

Sighing to herself, Stormer stood up and nodded. "Well, it's not what I had hoped for, but thanks for talking. I was in town otherwise, I would have just called."

"Oh it's no problem. I'm just sorry I couldn't have been more of a help."

Stormer found Scarlett by the doorway. She gave the guitarist a disappointed look. "Wasn't much of a help, I take it?" Stormer shook her head and Scarlett put her arm across the woman's shoulders and led her back down the hallway. "You'll be fine. I overheard what he said and I agree. Talk to David about it, I'm sure he can help out."

"Thanks, it's just that the headaches feel like they're building up to something. I can't exactly describe it." Stormer walked while she motioned with her hands. "It's like building to a bigger event. It's so damned frustrating." She sighed loudly and let her shoulders slump. "By the way, I noticed that the Pit is lacking a lot of key members. Where are they?"

"You haven't been watching the news?" Stormer gave her a blank look. "Right, because you've been on tour. They're heading to Autobot City for the first meeting between the G.I. Joe team and Autobots. The official ceremony is in a few days. I'd be there now, but I'm in command of the Pit until General Hawk returns. Beach Head isn't thrilled that a skirt is in charge, but fuck him." She smiled when Stormer let out a laugh that echoed down the corridor.

Finishing up the sold out concert, each of The Misfits made their way back stage. Roxy high fived passing stage hands and grabbed a bottle of water that one gave her. Jetta felt the adrenaline that still coursed through her veins as she caught her breath. Stormer took a bottle of water and drank it all quickly. Her body was burning up from playing under the stage lights. Pizzazz took a towel that was waiting for her and wiped her forehead and face. She smiled and thanked the stage hands who gave her compliments.

Pizzazz opened the door to Suzaku's dressing room. "Great show tonight! We'll be heading for the hotel in about an hour." She was about to close the door when she saw Jerrica standing by Kimber. "And who let you backstage? Didn't you know that this for performers only?" Pizzazz went into the dressing room and winked at her friend.

Jerrica rolled her eyes and chuckled while hugging her old rival. "Love you too, Phyllis. I had some business in New York, figured I'd stop by to see my little sister." She tousled Kimber's hair who just playfully glared at Jerrica. "Also, I wanted to talk to you about something."

Hitomi looked at Eiji and her brother Ken while sliding off of the small table. "And that's our cue to go load up the bus."

"You don't have to leave, Hitomi. I have no secrets from you." Jerrica smiled as the young Japanese drummer gave a curious look and sat back down. She turned back to Pizzazz and took a deep breath. "I'm retiring as Jem. I love being her and performing, but my passion isn't there anymore. I look at you, Phyllis, and I see a woman who still loves performing with all of her heart. I don't have that anymore." She stopped pacing when she realized she was doing it. "I just felt like you should be one of the first to know."

Pizzazz closed her mouth when she realized it was open from the shock of the news. She looked from Jerrica to Kimber and back to Jerrica. "I honestly don't know what to say here." She sat down in one of the chairs and took a beer that Eiji handed to her. She took a long drink then looked at it confused. "Jerrica, when did you decide this?"

Glancing at her sister Jerrica gave a shrug. "A few weeks ago, I talked it over with Kimber, Alan and Rio. Like I said, I don't have the passion you do. It's just my time to step down as Jem. I mean, Shana left the group to become a fashion designer. Kimber is now in Suzaku. That's two of the original members who have left the group. And they're actual musicians, I'm just a singer." Jerrica wiped a tear from her cheek that she didn't realize was there.

"So what's going to happen to The Holograms?"

"That's why I'm here to talk to Phyllis, Eiji." Jerrica turned back to Pizzazz. She took The Misfits' lead singer's hands in hers. "I need your help. I don't want the Holograms to break up. Aja and Raya still love performing, so I can't take that away from them. So I was hoping you knew anyone who would love to fill in the holes of the band. You're more connected to the music community than I am."

Pizzazz finished her beer and looked at the floor in thought. The rush of the concert was fading from her body and she was starting to feel the aches of the show. Her mind was racing but still slightly dulled from her energy levels waning. She finally snapped her fingers and stood up with a wide smile on her face. "I know someone who would be perfect. Stay right here, she should still be here." Pizzazz rushed out of the dressing room door.

Dodging the working stage hands Pizzazz began her search. She opened the door to The Misfits' dressing room, quickly scanned the room and shut the door. Running into one of the backstage bathrooms, Pizzazz checked for shoes under the stall doors. She smiled when she found the pair she was looking for and banged on the door. "Hey, hurry up! I have to talk to you about something!"

"What the fuck, Phyllis! I'm trying to pee here!"

"Pee faster, dammit! There's someone I want you to meet." Pizzazz paced as she waited. The toilet finally flushed and the door opened. She smiled wide at Madison, who just looked at her with a mixture of annoyance, curiosity and anger. "Wash your hands and let's go."

Running her hand under the faucet Madison looked at Pizzazz in the mirror. "This had better be a guy." She barely had time to grab a paper towel as Pizzazz took her by the hand and rushed her back to Suzaku's dressing room. Madison finished drying her hands and glared at Pizzazz. "I'm so not hooking up with Ken."

"Hey!" Ken yelled from packing his luggage.

Pizzazz rolled her eyes and looked excitedly at Madison. "Jerrica here is retiring as Jem and she's looking for a replacement. She asked me if I knew anyone who could take over as the lead singer of The Holograms." Pizzazz let out an excited giggle. "So I thought of you." She lightly slapped Madison on the back. "Madison Carmichael, how'd you like to be the new lead singer of The Holograms?"

Madison couldn't hide the shocked look with her eyes going from Jerrica to Kimber and back to Pizzazz. An electric chill went up her spine as she listened to Jerrica's offer.

Taking off his sunglasses, General Hawk shielded his eyes from the morning sun. He folded the sunglasses up and put them in his uniform pocket. He turned to the First Sergeant of his G.I. Joe field team. "Take the sunglasses off, Duke. This is a historic moment for America and the entire planet." He gave his old friend a smirk. "Wouldn't look right to be so casual. We are the first to sign the peace treaty with the Autobots."

Allowing himself a chuckle Duke removed his sunglasses and remained standing at attention. "Well, General, we could all still be in our fatigues. Then we'd just look downright goofy in history." He looked down the line of his follow Joes and smiled. Each was in the dress uniform of their individual military branch. "But I'd say we clean up pretty good."

"That we do, Duke. Now eyes front, soldier, the ceremony is about to begin." General Hawk snapped to attention when the opening fanfare for the Autobots started. It made him proud to hear each G.I. Joe member do the same in unison. He kept his eyes straight forward as the doors to the Autobot command center opened. He was also thankful for the perfect August day in Autobot City. It was bright and sunny but not too hot, he secretly figured that the Autobots had control of the weather.

The silhouette of the Autobot leader, Optimus Prime, turned to reality as he and his most trusted fellow Autobots followed him. The varying sizes of each robot threw General Hawk off at first. Even more amazing was how graceful each alien robot moved. Optimus Prime and the Autobots who came with him stopped in front of the G.I. Joe team. He crouched before Hawk and held out his hand. "In the name of the Autobots and our home planet Cybertron, I welcome you and your G.I. Joe team to Autobot City."

General Hawk shook the hand of Optimus Prime as best he could and broke out into a wide smile. "On the behalf of my G.I. Joe team and the United States of America, I thank you." Hawk could feel the cameras on him as he spoke. He knew that history was made in this moment. He relaxed his stance and was followed by the rest of the Joes. "And might I say this is the proudest moment of my life, Optimus Prime."

Optimus Prime stood to his full height and stepped aside. He gestured with his arm for the G.I. Joe team. "Let us take this inside, General. Our city is at your disposal." He followed the G.I. Joes as they walked into the command center of Autobot City.

Watching the ceremony on the view screen a smile came across his face as he contacted his own generals. Plans were to be made and history would again change. Revenge would be swift and terrible. He left his private quarters and went to the command room to wait for his generals.

Meditating with the other Arashikage ninjas Yukio let her mind relax and settle. David was right in the fact that she needed time away from searching for Maiyumi and Ryo. She was in the middle of one of the gardens that Arashikage used for meditation, she was almost certain that David had one at his new home. Opening her eyes, Yukio stretched and stood up. Her stomach rumbled its hunger. She checked the time and noticed that she had meditated for the last six hours.

Going back to her room Yukio smiled and greeted passing students. She was stopped by one of the senior Sensei's of the clan. They made small talk about how she was enjoying her time at the clan's home. After a few moments, they bowed and went their separate ways. Yukio entered her room, which was the size of a small apartment, and was greeted by Nekobaka. He let out his loud meowing, letting her know he was hungry as well.

"[Okay, okay, shut up, you stupid cat.]" Yukio scratched the lynx behind its ears and went to the refrigerator. She pulled out a piece of raw meat for Nekobaka and began to make herself some dinner. Sitting down at the kitchen table, she booted up her computer and checked for messages on her cell phone. There was a text from Kyoko asking how she was and how the search was going. She replied and checked her email. David and Pizzazz had each emailed her pictures of the concert. She really missed them.

Yukio ate her dinner quickly and played with Nekobaka for about an hour before leaving the apartment. It was a nice night for a walk and she wanted to see how the new students were progressing. Making her way to the training grounds, Yukio listened to her music player. If she couldn't be at The Misfits' concerts, she'd just listen to them and pretend.

One of the newer classes of students was just starting in the practice grounds. Yukio leaned on the railing and watched from the second story balcony. She watched with her headphones on, but the volume on low. An out of breath messenger ran up to her and she turned the player off. The messenger bowed deeply and Yukio returned the bow but not as deep. "[Yukio-sama, I was told to come and find you. Follow me to the infirmary.]"

The messenger ran off before Yukio could ask any questions. They ran past fellow clan members and jumped over low walls. The messenger knew all of the shortcuts through the stronghold. Some of which that Yukio didn't know. She arrived at the infirmary to find the messenger waiting and holding the door for her. She went inside without further question, but with a confused look on her face. Inside it was mass chaos and confusion. Medical staff running back and forth between two beds, she looked at the occupants of both beds. Her heart jumped into her throat and she fought the urge to panic and run to them.

Ryo and Maiyumi lay in the beds battered and bleeding heavily. Yukio started to take a step to them, but stopped herself. She knew she needed to let the medical staff take care of them. Sitting down in a chair that was out of the way, but still in view of the chaos, Yukio noticed that the man the Arashikage Clan called Uncle was watching over things. She got up and slowly made her way to him. He turned with a slight frown but waved her over. His voice was low and quiet. "[They just arrived at our main gates. It looks as if Ryo carried Maiyumi to the gate.]"

"[Will they be okay?]"

Chuckling and putting his arm around Yukio's shoulders, Uncle smiled wide. "[Yes. They're much tougher than we know. Their will to live is very strong. All we can do now is let the doctors help them and wait for their recovery.]"

Yukio absentmindedly wiped the tears from her cheeks as she watched with the wise old man. She made small talk with him as they waited. The doctors finally finished and left the room. Uncle patted Yukio on the shoulder and left as well. She barely noticed as she sat in silence. She sat between Ryo and Maiyumi's beds. Taking Maiyumi's hand, Yukio gently stroked it and whispered in the scarred woman's ear, "[Please be alright, my sister.]"

The coughing behind her made her turn around slightly. Ryo was sitting up a little, he motioned her closer. Yukio kept a hold of Maiyumi's hand as she turned fully around. Ryo smiled as best as he could. "[Maiyumi will be just fine. She just needs her rest. She was beaten and cut up pretty badly, but she'll recover. It looks a lot worse than it really is.]" He coughed again and cleared his throat. His voice sounded stronger than before. "[I carried her back after she fell and injured her ankle. Our girl is so clumsy at times.]"

"[Yes she is,]" Yukio giggled then sat back in the chair looking at Ryo. "[What happened? You both were gone so long. And are you okay?]"

"[This?]" Ryo gestured at the bandages he was covered in. "[I hurt a lot, but I'll be fine.]" He went quiet for a long time and Yukio felt his demeanor change. When he turned back to her, his face was a mixture of sadness and regret. "[We found the Caustic Brothers and I found my brother. He's one of the leaders of the clan and he's helping train Soun Matsuo's men. Maiyumi and I discovered them, only to be taken prisoner. My brother wanted me to join him. I refused naturally.]" Ryo took a sip of the water that next to his bed.

"[When I refused, my brother began to beat and torture us. Neither one of us spoke.]" Ryo gave her a proud smile and then gave her a sad look. "[We have to save my brother. He's not a bad man, just misguided.]" He took another sip of water and relaxed in the bed. "[Let Uncle know that I'm feeling better and have information about the Caustic Brothers.]"

Yukio nodded, took Maiyumi's hand and kissed it. She ran out of the infirmary and told the Arashikage leader to come in. Sitting next to Maiyumi again, Yukio listened to Ryo tell the clan master everything he knew about the Caustic Brothers and the Bayushi Yakuza's plans.

Sitting in the hotel lobby, David hid his yawn from the phone call. Yukio had called him in the middle of the night to tell him about Ryo and Maiyumi showing up at the Arashikage home. He was relieved that they were alive. A weight was lifted from his shoulders. He hadn't heard Yukio talk this excitedly in a long time. "[Yukio, you said that Ryo's brother is one of the leaders of the Caustic Brothers? Like an actual brother or martial art brother?]"

"[He's Ryo's older brother. They started the Crimson Sons together and Ryo had to force his brother out when started using chemical attacks. Ryo firmly believes that use of chemicals is cowardly and without honor. His brother actually interrogated him while they were captured by the Caustic Brothers.]" Yukio paced as she spoke to David. It was a habit she picked up from him. "[Ryo said that he didn't know his brother was one of the leaders of the Caustic Brothers, but he feels he can save him.]"

David nodded as he listened to Yukio. He would make sure he'd visit the Arashikage stronghold when the tour reached Japan in two weeks.

Sitting in his office Soun looked up when he heard of fighting in his hallways. The doors to his office opened as he stood up, pistol in hand. A man clad in a soft blue uniform, wearing a helmet with a silver mirrored mask walked up to him casually. There was a stylized cobra symbol on his chest. He walked toward Soun showing that his hands were empty of any weapons. "Mister Matsuo, forgive my manners. My name is Cobra Commander and I was the one who sent you the letter. I believe you and I share a common enemy in David Gabor and the Arashikage Clan. I propose an alliance between us."

Soun studied the man for a moment then put his weapon away. He pressed a button on his intercom and spoke in English. "Stand down, everyone stand down." He then turned to Cobra Commander with an amused smirk. "Please, have a seat Commander. You and I do share a common enemy."

TO BE CONTINUED IN "THOSE WHO FIGHT FURTHER"

PART 3 OF NOTHIN'S GONNA STAND IN OUR WAY