Nothin's Gonna Stand In Our Way

Part 4

Darkness On The Edge Of Town

By Nick Maro

Grunting as he hit the ground, David looked up at who had tackled him to the ground. Kaori helped him to his feet. He looked where he had been standing. There was a smoking crater from an explosion. He looked at his wife and smiled then turned back to the battle before him. Cobra and Decepticon forces had teamed up with the Caustic Brothers, who were now attacking the Arashikage Clan's home. David took a step toward the battle then stopped. He looked back at Kaori and the dojo. He saw his friends and family watching.

David took a quick glance at the battle before going back into the dojo. Kaori followed behind him closely. He walked along the edge of the dojo's floor, counting softly to himself. He walked up to a square on the floor. Giving it a quick, hard stomp with his foot, the panel opened up to reveal a staircase. "Everyone get inside. These dojos were designed for attacks just like this. Kyoko will lead you to where the Arashikage families are hiding."

"[My duty is out there, David! It's my uncle's men out there hurting my brothers and sisters!]"

"[Yukio, you show them where to go. Kyoko is right. Join us when they're safe.]" David strapped the scabbards to his back, then hugged and kissed Kaori. "[I'll be safe and so will you.]"

Kaori gave David their special smirk and nodded. "[Yeah, I know. But you'll understand if I'm scared out of my mind, right?]" She kissed him again. She pulled Kyoko into a tight hug and kissed her on the cheek. "[Protect my husband and yourself. I love you, Kyoko. You're one of my best friends.]" She hugged them both again before joining the others at the bottom of the stairwell.

"[Keep them safe at all costs. I know these passages are hidden and all but take no chances.]"

"[You have my word.]" Yukio started down the stairs before she stopped and turned around. She gave David and Kyoko each a tight hug. "[Both of you stay safe as well. I love you and I'll see you soon on the battlefield.]" She then ran down the stairs, telling everyone to follow her.

David closed the panel and made sure it was secure. He turned to Kyoko and let out a sigh, clearing his mind of his worry. Kyoko took David in her arms and kissed him passionately by pinning him against the dojo wall. She whispered in his ear when she broke the kiss, "[Just in case we don't make it, I've always loved you.]"

Looking at her fully understanding what she had meant David rested his forehead against hers. "[I've always loved you, as well.]" He kissed her again before breaking their embrace, knowing he may never get the chance to do so again. He drew his swords and spun them around, ready for combat.

Kyoko regained her composure and focusing her mind at the battle to come. She unsheathed her weapons and spun them in hands. "[Now, let's go kick their asses.]"

Taking a last look at the secret entrance, David then rushed out the door after Kyoko. He quickly caught up to her as they ran through the trees together attacking Cobra soldiers quickly and without effort. He gave Kyoko a quick hand signal and they each split off. David made his way to the center of the Arashikage home. This was where the heart of the battle was taking place. The Arashikage ninjas were overrun three to one by the combined might of the Caustic Brothers trained Bayushi Yakuza and Cobra soldiers.

David cursed under his breath and noticed that the Decepticons were now holding back in the attack. He dodged an attack from behind, flipping the man over and driving his blade into the attacker's chest. David ran into the battle helping out his Arashikage brothers and sisters when he could. He finally found Tommy who was protecting a wounded Arashikage ninja. "So what's the plan?"

"We just have to hold out for a little while longer. The Calvary is on its way." Tommy's smile could be seen through the blood splattered white fabric over his mouth. He helped the ninja up and put him in a building while David covered them. "Everyone got to safety alright?" David nodded as he fought side by side with him. "Good. Uncle was near his home the last I saw him. Go to him. I'll cover you."

"Good luck!" David took off running through the chaos. He dodged the attacks with ease. The Bayushi Yakuza wasn't as well trained as he thought they would be. It was the Cobra soldiers he had to worry about. They knew how to fight in hand to hand better than he expected. David reached the Stone Master's home to find it overrun with Caustic Brother ninjas as he rushed inside. Slashing and parrying the attacks he found the Stone Master defending his granddaughter. He saw the Arashikage leader smile in relief when he saw David.

"[We have to get her to the shelter, David!]"

David picked up the Stone Master's granddaughter as the older man cut a path through the new wave of attackers. "[Tommy said help is on the way. We just have to hold out until then.]" He took a step back as a panel opened in the floor. He handed the young woman to one of the Arashikage ninjas. David then joined the Stone Master in defending his home. He was relieved when Kyoko found her way to the home. She had a few minor cuts but nothing serious.

The three ninjas kept defending the Stone Master's home. David noticed that Kyoko was beginning to tire out from fighting a combination of exhaustion and blood loss. She saw the concern in his eyes and just smiled. "[I'm fine, just a matter of time before we're rescued.]" She smiled wider and dodged an attack barely in time. She let out a scream of agony as a blade slid her through her abdomen.

The Stone Master and David rushed into action. Together they lunged at the attacker who stabbed Kyoko. David's blade sliced easily through the man. The Stone Master cradled Kyoko's head in his lap. He helped her keep pressure on her midsection. David kept defending the two behind him. He noticed that the Bayushi Yakuza members were parting. A man that David and Kyoko recognized immediately came forward. It was her uncle, Soun Matsuo. There was another man that followed Soun, one in an all red uniform, the leader of the Caustic Brothers.

Soun walked up slowly to where Kyoko was laying on the ground. "[Ah, there's my ungrateful niece. Finally lying in the pool of her own blood as I always pictured.]" He turned his eyes to David who was now standing in front of both the Stone Master and Kyoko. "[This has been a long time coming, Ikari. All of this death and destruction is on your hands. All you had to do was teach my men your martial arts style.]" Soun pulled a gun out of his pocket and fired at Kyoko. It struck her in the chest, just missing her heart.

The Stone Master got his feet and made a move toward Soun. The Caustic Brother leader was quicker as he brought his twin blades up through the Stone Master's chest. The Arashikage leader's eyes went wide in shock. David stood in horror as the Stone Master was murdered before him. He turned when he heard Kyoko cough wetly. She barely clung to life. David knelt next to her and put her head in his lap. He watched helplessly as Soun and the Caustic Brother walked away. Every fiber of his being wanted to chase and strike them down where they stood, but David knew he couldn't leave Kyoko.

Kyoko looked up at David and weakly brushed his cheek with her bloodstained fingers. Her voice was just a whisper, but to David it was a shout. "[hey, I'll be okay. you'll be fine too.]" She coughed softly and foamy blood appeared at the corner of her mouth. "[I'll always be right here.]" Kyoko tapped toward David's heart. She turned her eyes from David's and looked toward where the fighting was ceasing. "[look, its Shin –]" A smile crossed Kyoko's lips before she went limp in David's arms.

David looked up to see Yukio standing over him as he held Kyoko's body in his arms. Yukio held the body of the Stone Master. He could see the tears running down her cheeks as she put the Arashikage leader next to Kyoko. She knelt down and closed Kyoko's eyes then hugged David tightly. He returned her embrace and felt the hot tears stream down his cheeks. In the distance he heard the battle cry of the G.I. Joe rescue team and Autobots. Yukio broke their embrace and looked out of the hole that was once the Stone Master's wall. The battle was won but with a heavy price.

The Autobots and G.I. Joe forces were rounding up the rest of the Cobra and Caustic Brothers yakuza. The Decepticons were nowhere to be seen, but there was a third party helping. The uniform had the initials EDF on the right arm and a patch of the planet Earth on the left. David and Yukio stayed by the bodies of the Stone Master and Kyoko. Neither Yukio nor David heard Tommy enter the house. David looked up sadly at his friend. "[I'm sorry, I tried to stop him.]"

"[It's not your fault, David. Uncle knew what he was doing. He saved your life and Yukio's. He died doing what he knew what was right.]" Tommy crouched down with his hand on David's shoulder. "[The G.I. Joe team I called arrived about an hour ago. They're here with both the Autobots and the newly formed Earth Defense Force. I'm not sure who they are yet. General Hawk is here, I plan on asking him later.]" He looked down at Kyoko. David had wiped the blood from the corners of her mouth. She looked peaceful.

Yukio spoke softly to break the silence. "[What are we going to do about a new Arashikage leader? Is there a vote? Is there an heir?]"

"[I'm not too sure. I need to discuss things with the Council.]" Tommy stood up and moved to his uncle's side. "[I'm one of the only remaining members of the Arashikage bloodline. They might just name me the head of the Clan.]" He let out a groan at the thought of doing so.

"[Whatever they do, I'm sure it'll be best for the Clan. Quite frankly I'd be honored to follow you.]" Yukio nodded her approval of David's statement. David stood when he saw Kaori and The Misfits coming their way. He jogged up to them with tears starting to form in his eyes. "You don't want to go in there. Its – it's Kyoko and Uncle. They gave their lives saving mine." David looked behind himself, Tommy and Yukio had covered the bodies.

Kaori didn't say a word as she pulled her husband into a tight embrace. David buried his face into her shoulder let out a sobbing cry. Pizzazz put her arms around her twin. Slowly each of his friends hugged David as he grieved over the deaths.

The doorbell rang at the Starlight Mansion. Ashley ran and answered the door. She opened the door a bit and looked at the three women standing before her. One of the women had grey hair and the other two were twins. She'd rarely seen identical twins in her life. Ashley opened the door a little more and put on her best smile. "Hello. How can I help you?"

Madison looked down at the young blonde girl and smiled. "Hello there. I'm Madison Carmichael and these are my friends Andrea and Amanda. We're here to see Jerrica Benton. Is she available?"

"You mean Jerrica Pacheco?" Ashley kept a straight face as Madison started to look nervous. She then let out a small giggle. "Jerrica still goes by Benton for business. I was just messing with you." She opened the door wider and let the women inside. Pressing the intercom button, Ashley cleared her voice and spoke in a mocking professional voice. "Ms. Benton-Pacheco, you have guests." She let out another giggle as Jerrica came out of her home office and glared at her.

Jerrica playfully swatted at Ashley's butt. "Go help Cyndi clean the pool." She turned to Madison after Ashley made a face. "Sorry about that, the girls are thankfully going back to school next week. They're now seeing how quickly they can get on my nerves." She stood to the side a bit and let the women inside. "My office is down the hall on the right." She followed them into the room and shut the door behind herself. "Now, I take it you've thought about my offer, Madison?"

Madison took a seat in one of the chairs and let out a nervous breath. "I have, Jerrica. My answer is yes. Yes, I'll become the new lead singer of Jem and The Holograms." She felt the adrenaline rush through her veins as she committed herself to the band. "I also talked things over with Amanda and Andrea they will fill in the holes of The Holograms. Just tell us where to sign to make this official." She nervously bit her lower lip in anticipation.

Pulling out three contracts from her desk Jerrica just grinned. "I had a gut feeling that you'd all say yes. I had these made when I got home from talking to you." Madison, Andrea and Amanda each looked over the contracts and then quickly signed at the bottom. Jerrica took the stacks of paper and signed below each signature. She then stood and hugged each woman. "Welcome to the Starlight Music and The Holograms family!"

"Thank you so much, Jerrica." Amanda looked at her sister. She shared the same radiant smile. They both knew it wasn't from their connection. "So when did you plan on starting the new album? We're just kind of anxious to start playing again."

"It's been a while since we got to perform. It's like an itch that you need to scratch for us." Andrea finished her twin's thought. "Especially when you get to record and play new music. We didn't get any sleep last night. We were way too excited about this meeting today." She let out an excited giggle.

Jerrica put the contracts away and opened the office door where she led the women to the backyard. Aja and Raya were playing with some of the younger Starlight Girls. "Raya, Aja, let me introduce you to your new band mates and lead singer. I have some work to finish. I'll join you in about an hour or so." Jerrica went inside and paused at the backdoor. She turned around and watched Madison, Andrea, and Amanda talk with Aja and Raya. She broke out in a wide smile as she watched them play with the Starlight Girls. Deep down she knew that these three women would be perfect Holograms.

Finding rest impossible, David left the house he was staying in to get some answers. The question of who the EDF was, was bugging him. That and the grief he was repressing made it nearly impossible for him to calm his mind. No matter how much meditating he did he couldn't focus. He felt the urge to hit something or someone. He hadn't felt this frustrated since his mother was killed before his eyes. He kept telling himself that no one should live their life this chaotically.

After walking through the wreckage and debris of the attack on the Arashikage home David spotted General Hawk. He jogged his way up to the commander of the G.I. Joe team. He mind raced on what he was going to say and do. He wanted answers for what happened to his friends. "General!" David yelled. Hawk turned to only get punched by David in the jaw as hard he could. The General went down to one knee and looked up confused at David.

David felt hands begin to grab him as he stood over General Hawk. More hands tried to grab him, but he dodged and ducked their grips. He then heard guns and rifles being aimed at him. The sound of safeties being released made instinct kick in for David. He began disarming each soldier with ease. Ducking and weaving making him impossible to aim at. He smiled inwardly as he easily defeated each soldier. He started to strike each soldier with palm strikes, knocking them back. He didn't want to hurt them, just frustrate them.

"That's enough!" General Hawk yelled. "Stand down men!" The soldiers stopped attacking and David stood in a ready stance. His eyes flicked back and forth watching each soldier. He finally looked at Hawk. "David calm down, son." He rubbed his jaw where he was struck. "Now just what in the hell was that all about, David?"

"You're in a shit ton of trouble, Gabor!" Beach Head grabbed David's arm and bent it behind his back. "You just struck a General in the United States Army! That's treason in my eyes, you sack of shit!"

"Stand down, Beach Head! That's an order! Or you'll be scrubbing each latrine in the Pit with your toothbrush!"

Beach Head looked from Hawk to David back to Hawk. "But sir, he struck you! He should be in the stockade for that!"

General Hawk walked up to Beach Head and looked him in the eyes. "You let this young man go. Now, soldier!" He stared at Beach Head until the man let David go. Beach Head saluted and walked off muttering under his breath about what had happened. Hawk turned his stern gaze at David. He let it soften a little when he saw the pain of loss on David's face. "David, what's going on? You should be resting."

David sat down on a section of broken wall and looked up at the General. "I'm sorry, Hawk. I felt you were to blame for Cobra attacking us, as if you could have prevented this." He looked at his right hand and flexed it. The pain somehow made him feel better, like he was alive. "Kyoko died in my arms no more than six hours ago. She was one of my closest friends." He wiped away the fresh tears that were starting to form. "Funny thing is she was my first real wife." Hawk gave him a confused look. David waved his hand and chuckled. "Oh, it's a long story."

Sitting next to David, Hawk looked at the pile of firearms in front of him. He didn't realize how easily David had disarmed his men. "Grief is rough but it's also a part of life. And from what I understand you've had your fill of it. So this time I'll take the brunt of your grief. But next time I won't be so kind." He put his hand out and David shook it firmly.

The distinctive sound of one of the Autobots transforming made Hawk and David look in Optimus Prime's direction. The Autobot leader walked over and knelt down so he was at a better angle for the two humans to look at his face. "David, allow me to express my sincerest condolences on the death of your friends. It was in our every intention to save as many lives as possible. I feel as if we failed you."

"It's fine, Optimus. You had no idea what was happening here. I already took out my frustrations on Hawk's jaw." David felt himself begin to blush at his actions. He looked around and spotted one of the EDF soldiers that were walking around. "I do have several questions, though. The Earth Defense Force, who are they and where did they come from?"

"They're a product of the pact that the Autobots and G.I. Joe team made a few days back," Optimus Prime began to explain. "The Autobots have given the countries of your planet access to some of our technology. We agreed that it was time that Earth should be able to defend itself from galactic menaces like the Decepticons. Or any other threat that comes its way. In return, we're allowed to stay on Earth. It's more than a fair deal."

David thought about what the Autobot leader had to say. He knew that when the Autobots revealed themselves that he'd witnessed true history being made. Starting to pace, David ran his hands through his hair. He turned to Optimus Prime and Hawk. "Why were Cobra and the Decepticons working with the Caustic Brothers? What were their motivations?"

"Cobra teaming up with the Decepticons does concern me."

"I as well, David, the Decepticons are not known for working with others unless they have an ulterior motive. The last time they did they brought our home world of Cybertron into the orbit of Earth." Optimus Prime's voice was full of concern.

"What concerns me is that Kyoko's uncle Soun Matsuo was with the Caustic Brothers." David stopped pacing and rubbed the bridge of his nose in thought. "We knew that the Bayushi Yakuza was working with the Caustic Brothers, but now it looks like they're also working with the Decepticons and Cobra. Perhaps they just wanted to test how they each worked together?" David gave a slight shrug.

General Hawk stood and dusted his pants off. "Gentlemen, I suggest we start planning a counterstrike as soon as possible. This is beginning to sound like a nightmare come to life." Optimus Prime and David each agreed with him.

Walking through the corridors of the hidden Terrordrome, Cobra Commander was flanked by Destro and the Decepticon Rumble. Rumble carried a datapad that Megatron was using to communicate to Cobra Commander. The Baroness and Major Bludd each followed behind their Commander. Megatron's voice echoed from the data pad as they walked. "The assault on the Arashikage camp was a success. I have thus far held up my end of the bargain."

Nodding as he walked, Cobra Commander put his arms behind his back. "And I am grateful, Megatron. For far too long those ninjas have been a thorn in my side." He stopped before a pair of closed doors. Cobra Commander waited for Rumble to turn the pad toward him. "And now I pay you back with the energon you seek." He opened both doors wide without turning around. Megatron gave an approving smirk when the doors opened to reveal stacks of energon that went twenty feet in the air.

"The plans you gave me was adequate, Megatron." Destro came into view for the Decepticon leader. "But I was able to make a few improvements in the production. I have given those improvements to Soundwave. These cubes are just the first supply batch. I gather they meet your approval?"

"Yes, yes they do. Rumble, hand the pad to Destro and take a sample of the energon."

Rumble obediently handed the datapad to Destro and picked up one of the cubes. He pressed the cube to his lips and absorbed the glowing pink liquid inside. He drank half the cube and turned to Megatron on the pad. "It's perfect, Megatron. These humans made a great mix." He finished off the rest of the cube and took the pad from Destro.

Cobra Commander and his command team turned when the bay doors began to open. The dark sky and stars silhouetted Megatron and his waiting Decepticons. Megatron watched as his Decepticons gathered up the waiting energon cubes. "Cobra always keeps its promises, Megatron."

"So I see, Baroness." Megatron turned his gaze back to Cobra Commander. "Now Commander, what can the Decepticons do for you? You have proven you are a man of your word."

"It has come to my attention that you have technology that we once used." Cobra Commander paced slightly in front of Megatron. "I speak of synthoid technology. The ability to make duplicates out of protoplasm not found on Earth. We have tried to recreate this protoplasm formula with failed results. It's a required element for our ultimate goal of global domination."

Studying Cobra Commander for a long moment, Megatron finally nodded. "I know what you speak of. This technology is indeed Cybetronian in nature. It was on my battle cruiser known as The Nemesis. It must have fallen out as it crashed to Earth all those millennia ago." He looked at the cubes that were being gathered and loaded up by his men. "The technology is yours. I'll contact Shockwave on Cybertron and have the formula and a few sample batches sent to you." He turned to leave but then stopped. "Just one final matter, what of the men who helped you sack that ninja stronghold?"

"They have served their usefulness and are being taken care of as we speak." Cobra Commander watched the Decepticons gather their payment. Once again, he could taste victory.

The doors to the Arashikage Elder's meeting room opened, Tommy walked out last and let out a sigh. None of The Misfits or Yukio and David could tell if that was good or bad. He looked up at his friends and gave a weary smile. "Well it's been decided that I'm the only living true descendant of my uncle. And having decided this, I'm the new leader of the Arashikage Clan: The Resurrected Master." He smirked and walked past his friends. "Don't be too shocked, I knew this was coming. Just wasn't expecting it this soon."

"Congratulations later, right now we have an assault to plan against Soun Matsuo." David spoke in a tired, rough voice. "He and his Caustic Brother assassins will pay for what happened to Kyoko."

Pizzazz had only seen David like this a handful of times. She knew to stay out his way. There was no way that he'd listen to anyone, but she still had to say something. "Maybe you should get some rest first, David. Tommy, the Autobots and the Joes can plan things without you." She looked her twin in the eye when he spun around to glare at her. "You're obsessing again. Nothing good happens when you do that." She pulled her brother to between two buildings. "Get some rest. Your body and mind need it. I can see, Kaori can see it, everyone can see it."

David opened his mouth to argue when Stormer interrupted him. "Phyllis is right and you know it. You're not going to be any good to anyone in the state you're in. I'm pretty certain that they can plan things without you." She crossed her arms across her chest and stood in his way. She was joined by Roxy and Jetta.

Kaori walked up to David and gently wrapped her arm around his waist. She looked just as tired as he was. She hadn't slept since the attack either. "Let's get some sleep. We both need it. And I'm sure no one is going to start a fight without you." She put her finger under his chin and looked in his eyes. "I know you want to help, but you need to help yourself first."

"Tommy, I'm going to get some sleep." David walked between Stormer and Roxy. "Tell Hawk and Prime I'll be ready in three hours. I just need to get some rest and get my head together. My sisters are right in that I'm in no shape to think straight."

"You take all the time you need. I think we all need some rest to be honest." Tommy gave his friend a brotherly hug. "I'm going to tell General Hawk that we should wait twelve hours and that we should gather satellite intel first." David nodded in agreement and left with Kaori to get his much needed rest.

On the walk to the house they shared, David cleared his throat getting Kaori's attention. He spoke softly, unsure of how to word things. "[Listen, after Kyoko and I left you in the shelter, she kissed me. It wasn't a peck on the lips. It was a fully passionate kiss. I returned it.]" He looked away and wiped the returning tears away. "[We admitted our true love and feelings before we left the dojo. It's not the kind of love you and I share. It's something completely different, if that makes any sense.]"

Kaori stopped walking and pulled him aside to between two damaged buildings. She looked up at him lovingly and smiled. "[I get it. She was your battle wife. I'm not angry or jealous. Kyoko and you had a bond I could never understand. Of course, you loved her. Why shouldn't you have? It wasn't the kind of love you and I have. She protected you and you protected her. You both knew that one could possibly not return. You didn't want anything to go unspoken. I'm glad you got to tell her and you got to hear it from her.]" She hugged her husband tight then kissed him as passionately as she could. She rested her head on his chest and listened to heartbeat.

After a few moments, David nodded and Kaori wrapped her arm around his waist. She leaned against him in silence back to the house. Once inside, he started a hot bath that he desperately needed. Kaori joined him part way through. After the bath, she bandaged his various injuries and lay next to him as he finally got his much needed rest.

The Decepticon known as Octane pulled up in front of Cobra Commander and Destro in his tanker mode. Destro watched as Cobra soldiers quickly hooked up hoses to Octane's tank and emptied its contents into the waiting containers. "The new synthoid formula as promised, Commander. Shockwave has just sent the formula recipe to Destro and your computers. You can now make as much as you want and need."

Cobra Commander turned and looked up at Megatron with his approval. "And as promised I have sent a battalion of Battle Android Troopers to your undersea base. Feel free to use them at your disposal." The Commander turned on his datapad and looked over the formula for the synthoids. "I always knew that Destro never invented this goop. It was way too advanced for his abilities. I just thought he stole it from a government think tank."

"Commander, the tanks are filled with the new synthoid protoplasm." Destro stood to show Cobra Commander the filled containers. "We may begin making new synthoids any time you're ready."

"Well then, let us begin." Gesturing to his soldiers, Cobra Commander made his way to Dr. Mindbender's old laboratory. Waiting there was a newly modified synthoid machine. He motioned to an awaiting Tech Viper. "And with this starts the beginning of our world domination." A blank human form started to take shape in the reflection of the leader of Cobra's silver faceplate.

TO BE CONCLUDED IN "CARRY ON MY WAYWARD SON"

PART 5 OF NOTHIN'S GONNA STAND IN OUR WAY