(A/N: We're back, baby. Though the theme has changed, being that we're going to cover mostly TLaD missions with one tBoGT mission. Niko actually gets a bit of a break. A reminder that the bold text is Present Isaribi's thoughts.)
Cue Opening Theme: GTA 4 Lost and Damned - Pause Menu ~slowed~
TWG:R
~Endless Possibilities Arc~
Chapter 76: Liberty City Isaribi Chronicles 8
Liberty City, 2008. I would not be with Niko for a time given Francis McReary's mission to have some innocent lawyer killed. I refused to even help Niko with it. I did not blame Niko, I blamed that piece of human filth calling himself a lawman, McReary. Niko didn't even want to do it or have me involved in it either. But I'd have my fair share of shit to deal with myself with Tony, Luis, and the damn Lost starting from the night right after Goldburg was waxed out at noon.
[Final Interview Part 2/Chinese Takeout/This Shit's Cursed]
Isaribi was doing her makeup for tonight as she had to help Luis with the Maisonette tonight. She had also promised Niko to check on Roman…who was going there tonight.
Niko was invited, but he declined for obvious reasons. I stepped in to go to his place telling Roman that he needed some alone time after a rough job. I had gotten myself decked out as usual.
She looked at herself in the mirror, a black sleeveless qipao dress with slits along the sides accompanied by a zipper and gold lining, gold colored leggings, black kung fu shoes, black arm sleeves, and black painted nails. And over it all, she topped it off with a white mink fur-lined coat, like the cliche in the movies.
Top it off with dark makeup, slicked bangs, and some gold jewelry…I looked ready for a night on the town. Luis picked me up, who was suited up with the brown peacoat, and we went to the Maisonette 9 together.
"Tony, in?" Luis asked as Dessie confirmed that. "Thanks."
The two descended down.
"I'll meet you at Tony's office…I need to make sure that my friends here aren't doing something stupid." Isaribi said as Luis noted that he'd wait for her at the bar.
We would both witness Brucie and Roman acting the fool and I sighed as I approached them.
Isaribi cleared her throat as the two turned around.
"Well hello there beau-"
"Roman, what the fuck?" Isaribi said cutting him off.
"Shit, Isaribi! What are you doing here? I didn-"
"I work here." Isaribi explained.
"You do?" Brucie and Roman said in unison.
"Yes, I do. Look boys, I just wanted to make sure you're alright. And let you know that I'm the reason you got your membership." Isaribi said. "Anything for my high-roller friends."
I could see, the women went from not so interested to very interested in an instant. They were all over them.
"Now, Roman…behave yourself." Isaribi said before leaving. "And ladies, Brucie's free for doubles."
"Isaribi, you're the wingwoman of the year!" Brucie mused as Roman pouted.
I rejoined Luis and went into Tony's office with him. We were clearly in the shit as I heard Luis talking to Mori. What can I say about Mori? He's an asshole. I had heard of him from Brucie when he and I were hanging out. Luis had asked what was going on and apparently we had 'work' that he needed both of us for to go with him. As we were leaving, we met Yusuf Amir. For me, the first time.
"Oh and who is this lovely lady?" Yusuf asked.
"That's my dragon lady…" Tony said as Isaribi snickered.
"You are very lucky I actually like that trope." Isaribi said before turning to Yusuf Amir. "Isaribi. Isaribi Umi. Third in command of this club. I got stakes in too."
"A businesswoman, eh? At such a young age, well you got spunk." Yusuf said.
"Sorry we can't join you, but we have unfinished business." Tony remarked as they were leaving.
Yusuf still offered to franchise our club. I would say that he was a breath of fresh air, someone lighthearted and fun. As we got outside, I rode in the car with Luis and Tony in his car discussing the plan. Then Tony handed us a pair of P90s and a lot of ammo. Good thing I had my travel bag…but damn.
"Just in case? This is some sci-fi shit!" Luis remarked.
Isaribi whistled in appreciation, pleased with it and admiring the mechanics. Danica would like one, she thought.
"I know a guy who gave me a deal. What can I say, it helps to be prepared." Tony mused.
"Tony, man, we're going to Chinatown? Really?" Luis snarked.
"What? We got business." Tony said clearly trying to justify it.
"Tony! You know what you're like on the MSG. Those fuckin' headaches! You won't leave the house. All for a fucking egg roll? Ay Dios Mio!" Luis said as Isaribi coughed.
"And you get gassy as hell…" Isaribi snarked.
"Aww, I'm glad you care." Tony sniped as Luis sniped right back. "Well we're not heading out for dim sum. Rocco's asked us to talk to someone."
"The rent-a-guido pretending to be a gangster? Now I wish we were getting takeout." Luis remarked.
"And did he tell you who we're dealing with or what they wanted?" Isaribi asked.
"Hey, we're in debt to the kid and his uncle and he's got the ear of one of the most powerful families in the city. We got to at least pretend to play ball. But no…" Tony said as Isaribi facepalmed.
"Chikau yo, kono itariahito yarō ga wareware o korosou to shite iru nda!" Isaribi snapped. "I swear this is going to be a shitshow."
I was right on that end, but it got worse…much worse. As we arrived, I noticed Billy's Revenant not too far away. Then I got a text from one of the Lost members telling me that she heard from Jim that the H that was jacked from the Deadbeats actually belonged…to the Triad. I almost assumed it was Ashley telling me, but it wasn't the same number. Then they mentioned that maybe I should go down to Dragon Heist to help out. Not surprised by that, they assume because I'm Asian I can smooth shit over. Then the meeting went to shit. First, Billy was clearly making some kind of deal with the Triad.
"Boo." Billy snarked.
"Watch it, you greaseball fuck." Luis snapped.
Never was I happier that Billy passed me by. I thought he did not recognize me, but I would be proven wrong. But what the Triad wanted was not important…what was important was we could not give what he wanted. Then Luis punched that Triad in the face. Thankfully, I hung back so that idiot was focused on Luis and Tony. I would have shot him, but I got interrupted by a text from Billy. To my relief, it seems he didn't know he just passed me by and told me to go seek out Johnny. I did help Luis and Tony, but I split from them but before handing Tony by coat.
"Sorry, T. But I have to split…that biker you saw…something bad's going to happen. So I won't be coming back with you all. On the bright side, that bad thing is going to have the Triads busy with that instead of you and Luis. So get out and lay low." Isaribi said.
"Come back alive, Isaribi." Tony said.
"Tony, come on!" Luis yelled.
When Tony left, she got her Lost MC jacket out of her duffel bag before having to murder a few more Triad in the way.
I got out and got to my bike. I did always find it weird that my bike was near when I needed it, but now…I think that has some weird effect from hanging around certain people. Not that it mattered, I got out, meeting up with Johnny, Billy, Jim, and Brian Jeremy.
"Alright. Jim, Johnny, since you two were both so vocal in your support of this deal. You two are going to be the ones to hand over the brown to the slopes." Billy said as Isaribi arrived.
"What? What are you and your boy here going to be doing?" Johnny asked.
"We are going to watch your backs, because unlike this fat man here, I just don't trust those little yellow bastards. Good luck." Billy said as Brian assured they'd be looked over.
"Sure you will, you racist fuck." Isaribi said.
"Oh right, I forgot that you're Korean. Don't worry, maybe you can make this deal go easier." Billy said as Isaribi followed Johnny and Jim.
You didn't even have to guess that the meeting went bad. I didn't know whether Billy sold them out to be killed or he simply fucked up the deal via being a racist piece of shit. It would be moments later I realized it was the first one. The irony. The fight and shootout wasn't important, what was important was Billy getting arrested. Seeing that he was injured indicated to me that Billy was beaten up by the Triads. I was more than happy to take a photo of that with a shit-eating grin on my face.
"You set me up, Johnny. You set me up." Billy said.
Isaribi snickered watching this unfold from the scaffolding with Johnny and Jim. She was the only one smiling.
"Put your hands in the air. Now!" An officer said.
"Fuck you, Johnny. You're dead!" Billy yelled.
"Shut your Goddamn mouth, shut your mouth!" The same officer said before slugging Billy in the face.
"You're dea-"
He was cut off with a kick to the face by the annoyed officer as Isaribi was chuckling. That was something Johnny called her out on, but Isaribi rolled her eyes.
"Johnny, you do realize this was all this fault, right? Look, we need to get out of here as of yesterday." Isaribi said.
"Ok, let me call Brian." Johnny said, getting his phone out.
Isaribi happily deleted Billy as a contract knowing he was going to be in prison for a long time given his prior arrests.
"Brian, man. Shit's fucked. Billy's been taken down. Where are you?" Johnny said.
"Bill, yeah, he's fucked. No thanks to you and Miss Chinatown. I'm around the corner." Brian remarked.
"We're coming. Wait there." Johnny said before hanging up. "Come on, let's get back to the bikes."
We went back to the bikes and…Brian. As we rode back to the clubhouse, I kept silent listening to the conversation. The talk made it clear to me that Billy likely set up an ambush.
"You're gonna have to take over the chapter presidency, Johnny. Only thing for it." Jim remarked.
Isaribi spoke up asking who'd then take Johnny's position as vice president only to hear Johnny consider Hank.
That stung. Brian didn't like that, but really he and Hank hate each other. What made it stung was Johnny KNEW Hank didn't like me. He still picked him over me. I basically kept silent for the rest of the ride, and I didn't think Johnny noticed. I was basically inching closer to my breaking point. What did edge it back was Jim pointing out that I could be the Vice President.
"I take it back. Hank's fine, but Isaribi…the club would never be taken seriously to have a woman as vice president. We already have enough reputation in the hole with her as a full-on member." Brian said as they all arrived at the clubhouse. "Jesus. That was heavy, man. Fuck it."
"What was Billy's fucking problem?" Johnny spat.
"Drugs, racism, sexism, being a total fucking cu-"
Isaribi was cut off by Brian insisting nothing was wrong. Johnny argued against that only for Brian to glare at both him and Isaribi.
"Man, Billy was right about you and Isaribi. I knew you were a rat, now he's gone, man. I know that chink was a fucking snake." Brian remarked.
"He ain't gone, Brian, he's gone to prison. He's not dead." Johnny said.
"Are you just going to ignore that he called me a chink?" Isaribi asked.
"You ratted him out! You ratted him out! And Isaribi set up the deal between the Triads and the Lost MC, she was there at the meeting with him. That's why he jumped!" Brian mused. "She was there at the first meeting. You both set us up - you've always wanted to be the one - the man - you're a gimp, Johnny. A gimp and a fucking Judas. And Isaribi's a weasley cunt…I figured she had something to do with Jason's death. She never liked him."
Ironically, he was right on that. Johnny got in his face and then Jim did.
"Jim, you're wrong, man. I know you're a good guy - but this Jew prick and that yellow cunt. They both fucked us over, man. They set us up and he called the cops. And you know why? Because they're putting heat on him. They saw him and they've been calling him... I know, because they did the same to me, and they told me you ratted us out. And Isaribi's only trying to just save herself…why do you think she's out of Alderney most of the time? It's to make alibis!" Brian said darkly.
Looking back, it's kinda messed up that Brian was kinda right. In the end, Brian walked up and I knew even then that the club was screwed. Brian was a chickenshit, but he had pull. A civil war was the last thing the group needed.
"Okay, Jim. I guess I got to take over as Chapter President now. When people hear about Billy going down, there's gonna be more pressure on us than ever. We gotta get through it. Brothers for life, man. Lost forever. I'll see you soon." Johnny said as Jim left.
"So are you really going to let Hank be vice?" Isaribi asked. "Come on…"
"What? Don't worry about him. He's cool, and I'll keep him in line. I promise." Johnny remarked. "Now go get some rest…"
Given all that shit happens, he didn't help that promise. There was a real irony to the situation that while Johnny disliked Brian…he had his own 'Brian' in Hank. But like I said, Brian was an obvious brownnose. However, something I failed to realize back then was while they were alike, Hank…was manipulative.
[Hit the Pipe/Heavy Toll/Shifting Weight]
But I couldn't rest that night. No, I still had work to do. Johnny and I would meet up in Northwood where Johnny would meet with Malc and DeSean of the Uptown Riders. Unlike Johnny, I did know them and had rode with the UR at times. Worked on their bikes and I could appreciate a good sports bike. Not that Johnny could. Nothing of note happened aside from blowing up AOD vans. The next day was work from Elizabeta with Johnny…and Hank. Stealing coke from the Angels and later saving Marta. However, in the process, Johnny wound up ditching me…and I ended up earning my blue wings. No, it wasn't a pleasant experience…and Hank decided to make a joke about it.
Elizabeta balked, Johnny looked awkward, and Andreas facepalm as Hank shrugged.
"What…I…"
Isaribi smacked him over the head with a frying pan…one of Elizabeta's. Johnny pulled her head as Hank held his bleeding head.
I got 'suspended' from duty. Hank had threatened to confiscate my bike and jacket, but Elizabeta stepped in on my behalf and Johnny got that penalty dismissed. But I was still suspended because 'even if that wasn't cool, that wouldn't be good to do in front of our associates'. Wasn't allowed to fly the colors…but I didn't give a shit. Hell if anything, free vacation. And I think Hank realized that when he tried calling me later. But I ignored his call and blocked the number.
The next morning, Isaribi got ready for the day at her apartment, rather grateful that none of the Lost had any idea where she lived. After a shower, she got ready for the day opting for a dark sleeveless turtleneck knit, brown leather gloves, beige slacks, and dark low-heeled boots. She promptly chucked her leather jacket into the back of the closet and plopped herself in front of the television after a light breakfast to take most of the morning off.
I wound up taking one of Luis's jackets that I borrowed, one of his black peacoats. I'd meet up with Niko over at his place in Joliet Street minutes before noon.
"So I wanted to ask if you could come with me to Alderney. Could use a change of pace out of Algonquin and I do need to see about the other brother…Derrick." Niko mused.
"I can show you around. Where is he?" Isaribi asked.
When he told me some park in Acter, I practically looked horrified…and Niko picked up on it right away.
"Is he in trouble?" He asked.
"That depends if he's using it. There's a police station steps away from Acter Park." Isaribi said before facepalming.
[Random Character (Marine I)]
Moodkiller, I know…but Niko and I shared a look of 'screw it'. Niko flipped on his sunglasses and fluffed his suit jacket. I wasn't surprised he was spending time with Alex. I wanted him to be happy. Either way, we jacked a Manana. It was a cool autumn day, the kind to kick in a convertible with shades on. We ended up going through Algonquin before stopping for hot dogs at a stand at the corner of Liberty Lane and Diamond Street where we could have an encounter. It was awkward seeing Marnie…it'd have been three years since I saw her. She was a bright cheerful woman with dreams of acting…and it was clear that Liberty chewed her up and shat her out. It was awkward to see her hitting on Niko and it was then I stepped in.
"Marnie?" Isaribi said, taking off her sunglasses. "Is that you?"
"Holy shit, Isaribi…you know this guy? He's not your boy-"
"I know him, but he's not my boyfriend. But what happened to you…" Isaribi remarked.
"Niko, is it ok we go? I'm kinda jonesing." Marnie said sheepishly.
So the three left with Isaribi in the backseat as Marnie took the passenger seat with Niko driving.
I kept quiet as she and Niko talked. Thankfully, she was going our way.
"I dunno, it's something in your eyes. You look like you got a good heart." Marnie remarked.
"I don't know about that." Niko mused. "Besides, I have a girlfriend."
"You still do. Most guys would have fucked me and left me by the side the road already. Some of them had girlfriends…boyfriends. They didn't see me as something I was cheating, just empty their loads into." Marnie said sadly. "But you…you're actually nice. What's your name?"
"Niko. Niko Bellic." Niko remarked.
"Thanks, Niko. I'm Marnie." Marnie said. "And seeing you hang around Isaribi…you could be trusted. Isaribi…isn't one to get close to people at least from when I knew her." Marnie said.
"Marnie, of all the drugs they got you hooked on…it was heroin. Man, the fact that it doesn't completely destroy you is a miracle, but please consider trying to kick the habit. I don't want to sound like a broken record, but you still have a chance to turn your life around." Isaribi said.
"Are you really in any position to give me that advice? Didn't you want to be an actress?" Marnie asked.
"Yeah, but it didn't work out and now I'm walking the edge with several different jobs because I'm good at them. But life isn't all peaches and blossoms on my end. I got Russians wanting me dead, white supremacist bikers wanting, one of the groups I ran with for years is falling apart, my other friend is dealing with debts to the mob, and I found out that the one female friend I called a 'sister' stabbed me in the back by being undercover agent who has me and Niko by the balls." Isaribi ranted. "And some of the good things that happened I can barely enjoy. So I am in a position to tell you that a drug addiction is peanuts compared to having several dozen people wanting you dead. Because I have no choice, but to deal with it. I'm three years younger than you and I have no 'family'. Both my parents are dead, no extended family to my knowledge, and I'm losing allies…"
I didn't know she had parents herself…at the time. From what Marnie would tell me years later, my words had shaken her up. Her being silent the rest of the ride was her contemplating her life. We dropped her off and she thanked us as Niko gave her 500 bucks. Funny enough, from what Marnie told me…she never did use it to get drugs after all.
"What did you mean by losing allies?" Niko asked. "Is that about…"
"Yes, but I don't have any requests in siding with you. It gets easier when you realize that most of your old friends just see you as a novelty. When they don't fucking respect you and it's just getting worse by the day. Hell, I'm the envy of one of my few female friends because I'm 'in', but over time…we've been getting more and more distant. Mostly because she's got the glamorized view of shit when I live the reality. Fuck…no wonder I'm jaded." Isaribi said. "But let's not fret…we got a job to do."
[Smackdown]
To our relief, he was just intoxicated. Yeah, that was still bad, but he was likely not to face prison for lengthy periods of time. He wanted us to kill an old war buddy of his that made the stupid mistake of threatening the man's family. An act of cowardice considering…it's Derrick. Bucky could have just attacked him, but whatever. Niko somehow got an FIB Buffalo for us to find Bucky and do so in style.
A flash of the siren and Bucky was fleeing in his truck. To sell that it was the cops, Isaribi even fired shots at Bucky's truck. The moment they got to his hideout, Isaribi leapt with her Assault SMG firing bullets into his legs before he could even get inside the hideout. His associates came blasting and so did Niko with a carbine rifle. Bucky had to watch all his friends get killed as Niko and Isaribi walked up.
"What the fuck did I do?" Bucky snarled.
"Derrick McReary sends his regards." Isaribi said as Niko fired one into his head.
Sirens blared, but we just got back in the car driving away. Another job done. Derrick would call Niko and I called Packie. Packie would be the one to send payment for me before Niko dropped me off back in Algonquin. Walking down that street, I was slowly coming to some conclusions, but things really would not come together until I met Marnie again.
(A/N: In terms of progress, just a few more missions to finish off the Lost and Damned's story, but my swiftness through sliding on missions was really to show the rapid decline in loyalty she'd have to the Lost MC. But I do want to make a bit of announcement, I'm considering an original Naruto-centric story arc, a return to Bullworth for a bit of a reunion. Take into note, that chapters 31, 69, 72, 74, and 75 were edited for errors (especially if you're reading the FFN version))
