(A/N: We're back to Liberty once again. In terms of missions left: five more for TLaD, eighteen for tBoGT, and a whopping 43 missions in Niko's story. No, I won't cover all of Niko's missions as I said Isaribi wouldn't be there for all of them.)

Cue Opening Theme: GTA 4 - Pause Menu


TWG:R

~Endless Possibilities Arc~

Chapter 82: Liberty City Isaribi Chronicles 11


Liberty City, 2008. I hated worked for Rocco Pelosi, the racist fuck. I know that not all Italians are like that, but he embodied their worst traits. And after that incident with Triads, I didn't trust the fucker and every job I did for him with Luis just made me fell slimy. So after some 'golfing' and helping Luis basically do a terrorist attack, I joined Niko for our first job with another slimy fuck, Playboy X.

[Deconstruction For Beginners]

"Isaribi, you ok?" Niko asked.

"Not really. I just had to work for one weasel fuck earlier this morning." Isaribi said as they went up the elevator.

X had two girls on his arm when we got there. He got me and Niko out to the balcony to talk. Honestly, what he said wasn't important. What was important was the return of Dwayne Forge. Now Playboy didn't know I was doing my research on Dwayne. Hell, I sent him some cash for his commissary.

"Motherfucker got out. Damn! My dude!" Playboy X said fist bumping Dwayne.

"Wassup, son? What's going down?" Dwayne mused.

"You didn't tell me you was getting out! Man, I would have laid on a party, got some freaks out... shit…" Playboy X as Isaribi scoffed at him.

"I called. A couple of times." Dwayne said, looking out at the city.

Playboy X looked nervously aside before introducing Niko, Dwayne, and Isaribi to each other while saying Dwayne taught him everything he knows.

If there wasn't a reason to not like Playboy X, him just dismissing and treating Dwayne like crap didn't help. Then he has the gall to SIDELINE me to grunt work for his bitches! Dwayne and Niko could even see the displeasure on my face before Niko left with X.

"Motherfucker must think you and I are idiots." Dwayne said as Isaribi sighed.

"Yeah, he's a real piece of work. And then there's you…by the way, that 150 that was in your commissary. That was from me." Isaribi said to his surprise. "Yeah, when X first mentioned you when I worked with him. I did my research."

"Prison's a fucking cesspit. I don't know if I can say the same for women's prisons." Dwayne said as Isaribi laughed.

"Hey, you going to talk or-"

Isaribi pulled a gun out asking if she wanted to talk some more shit. The woman wisely backed off.

I'd get a call from Tony asking me to go with Luis down to BAOBAO to deal with someone who Tony owed money to. I was more than happy to bolt, but I did tell Dwayne if he needed anything to call. I gave him my number before I left. In turn, he covered for me. I'd end up meeting Luis over at Brucie's where I met another motherfucker who pissed me off the moment we met him.

[Kibbutz Number One]

Here's the thing. Brucie, for all his flaws, was a good dude to be around. I'd call him a brother as he aided me when I needed it. Mori Kibbutz was all of Brucie's flaws with none of the redeeming quality. Ironically, meeting him kinda made me realize why Brucie is the way he is.

"And who's this?" Mori said, turning her attention to Isaribi.

"Isaribi. The only stakeholder for Maisonette 9. Tony called and said I could be of help." Isaribi said.

Brucie looked surprised to hear the first part as Mori snickered. He doubted that at least until Brucie vouched for her.

"She's capable. She's got a body count and I don't mean people she slept with. She's been working with some real badasses and she got them skills." Brucie insisted.

"Is that so? Well, I'll be the judge of that." Mori said.

After some more posturing, me, Luis, and Mori were off to Chase Point. Frankly, I'll spare you most of the details and make it to the point. He scammed some drug dealers and had us do a hostile takeover. When you can look at the threat of a rocket launcher and instead of worrying about it, you're wishing the guy that you're doing the job for got hit…you might be a bit crazy. But we got the job done.

"Luis, I don't blame that I am essentially this guy's bitch." Isaribi said as Luis was driving the boat back to BAOBAO.

"If it makes you feel better, I want to hit him too." Luis said. "But how do you know his brother?"

"Common friends. Brucie's a good dude. He has some of Mori's faults, but he's far more reserved. One to respect good work and be loyal to those he calls friends. Hell, he's kinda like the brother I never had." Isaribi said. "Considering Mori, him and I having a sibling vibe makes way too much sense."

"That's kinda sad." Luis said. "But good on you for having people who have your back."

"I know Armando and Henrique give you shit, but they'd ride for you when you need them. I think they just need to realize that with these Drug Wars, they can put the profits towards buying legit businesses." Isaribi said. "I was thinking I could explain this to them next time we all hang out together."

"I'll keep that in mind." Luis said.

Luis dropped me off back over at BAOBAO's docks and I'd hang out at Brucie's place. I had just wanted to make sure he was all right. Then Dwayne called me to ask me to pay him a visit. I was more than willing to do so, racing over on my Hellfury. I met up with Niko…and we would meet Dwayne at the projects. Considering where X lived, I was furious that he didn't set Dwayne up someplace better.

[Ruff Rider]

"Oh, it's you. You alone?" Dwayne said, answering the door.

"Aside from Isaribi. How you doing?" Niko said as Dwayne let them in.

The apartment was a damn wreck…but considering Dwayne was in jail for years…it made sense.

"Fucking great. What you think?" Dwayne said.

"Yeah... it's hard living with the past. Eh?" Niko said sympathetically.

He could see the pain in Dwayne's eyes, something that reflected in him.

"Yeah. Especially when the present has turned into an asshole. Fucking bitch... nobody wants to roll with me no more. It's like I'm tainted." Dwayne said as Niko asked for context. "Playboy don't wanna hang no more. He pays for you to come over instead. My girlfriend, the love of my fucking life... man, I was pulling moves in the joint so this bitch could pay the rent. Now, she won't answer the phone. Man, I gave her everything when I was inside. Cars, houses, apartments, bank accounts. Everything. I heard she hanging with Jayvon now."

When Niko asked, Isaribi spoke up.

"Javyon Simson. He's a small-time yeyo dealer in the early 90's, who avoided jail by being an informant and putting several bigger dealers away. Including you." Isaribi said knowingly as Dwayne's grip on his Micro-SMG tightened. "And before you asked, got the info from a police computer. I have a cop car stashed away to get the lowdown."

"I knew the punk fucking talked. I knew his ass was lying. Now motherfucker's fucking my girl? For real? Shit is fucked up, man. Sometimes I just wanna end this shit. Just... bam. But I ain't there yet. Not quite." Dwayne said as Isaribi stood by him.

"We'll handle it. For one, Javyon's a fucker in need with an overdue bullet." Isaribi said.

"And I'll ask for your money back... and if they don't agree, I'll make them. Where do they hang out?"

"At some arcade in Chinatown. Uh, look, man, don't bother." Dwayne said.

"No. I'll bother. I'm getting paid. And besides... you remind me of me." Niko said as Dwayne looked back at Niko.

"And Javyon's a snake acting like a proud member of the Hustlers. And that's unacceptable." Isaribi said before leaving with Niko.

I had Niko drive my Hellfury as I rode on the back. Funny enough, he's the reason I wore a helmet more often. I had him drive the bike because I knew Javyon was a biker. We'd get to the place to confront them.

"Hey, are you the two snakes who played Dwayne Forge when he was in the joint? He wants his money." Niko said glaring at the two.

"What? Dwayne musta finished his bid. Shit, he going to be mad angry." Cherise said as Javyon shoved her aside to fire rounds of Micro-SMG before running to his bike.

Cherise was pleading for her life but I stopped her.

"We're not going to kill you. Waste of a bullet." Isaribi said as she got on the back of the bike. "C'mon Niko."

"Dwayne don't need to worry about having that girl's blood on his hands on top of everything else." Niko said as he drove off.

You expected a chase? So we did, but the idiot ended up wiping out a few away. Even Niko had to laugh at the irony but hey he got Javyon's Hellfury and the cash. Niko just had to dome him and we were done. We'd meet up at Cluckin' Bell with Dwayne.

"Thank you. Both of you.

"They are, I got rid of Jayvon for you but I let your ex go." Niko said.

"That fool Cherise? She just couldn't help herself. She always told me she'd burn me good. I guess I shoulda listened. I'm happy she ain't dead, though - she's just an idiot. Peace, man." Dwayne said, pocketing the rolls.

"Knowing her, she'd probably end up finding some other hood dude. But hey man, you can do better. You're out of prison and you got some cash to get things going. Quarter mill ain't much but…" Isaribi said.

"Yeah, it's a start…but I could use some help from you both, tonight." Dwayne said as Isaribi and Niko left.

[Undress to Kill]

I didn't get paid for that job, but I would for the next later that night. Dwayne was still in his funk, but despite his faults he knew the game well. Investing the money in property. I actually had not known The Triangle Club was his, but he put the details together. And considering Playboy X, he did Dwayne dirty again by handing the club to the Spanish fucking Lords.

"If we're going to get this back in your name. Not only are we going to need management dead, but we need the paperwork. You got any forms of ownership here?" Isaribi asked. "I got a friend who to get ownership shifted back to you, no issue. Her father's a lawyer…with a not so clean track record so he owes favors."

"I can do some looking around." Dwayne said as Isaribi and Niko went to the door.

"All right, we'll be back." Niko said.

The Trunchez Brothers were using the place as a front for a drug operation. We take out the brothers with tactical swiftness. Jose was knifed in the private room. I did help myself to a good chunk of the cash he was counting before disabling the security backups. We got the body out. We wanted to prevent a shootout, but ended up with one. Apparently, security and the other two brothers mistook Niko for being one of the Russians. I promptly duck as all hell breaks loose. As Niko fought security off, I crept past snatching one of the guns belonging to the fallen. I threw a pipe bomb through the back of their Cavalcade window before opening fire at the tires.

Niko came out running.

"There's an explosive in the back, so hit it hard." Isaribi said.

I didn't expect a rocket launcher. But I wasn't complaining. We got them gone and what he came for. So we fled into the night as the club was clearing out. Everyone would come through and Dwayne got his club, I had a nice payday, and Luis would have a few easy 'drug runs' with me and the boys. I had taken advantage of the fact I had snatched one of the brother's keys to get that intel on the drug stashes. After getting the last one, we'd have that talk.

"Investing?" Armando said as Luis was driving them back.

"Yes, investing. We're making money and that's good. But you can't just hoard all the money and use it for lavish purchases. That raises questions, questions the IRS will beat the fuck out of you for answers. Maybe not now, in the very near future. We can set a goal for when we can start on this…half a million sound good." Isaribi said firmly.

Henrique looked at Armando who sighed.

"Well as much as you sound like a nagging mom, I'm not going to hoe you like you're wrong." Armando said as they arrived at the drop. "We'll talk more on it when we get there."

I'd get a cab to the shared apartment with Niko. The next morning would be when Niko got an e-mail from Alex citing her leaving the city. Had I thought about it more, I could have realized she was doing it because she was pregnant.

"Looks like she's got plenty feelings for you. If she wanted a breakup, she'd just block you and ghost you." Isaribi said as she sipped her latte. "I think she might come back for you."

The two were at the internet cafe, getting both breakfast and internet access for checking e-mail.

"If she's getting her life together, maybe she shouldn't." Niko said as Isaribi punched his shoulder.

"You think too poorly of yourself." Isaribi said, fluffing her black flight jacket. "You changed my life for the better…like Roman…and Brucie. Speaking of Brucie, you should go see him. Take him out for food or something…let's just say some family of his is in town…and it's not too pleasant."

Isaribi's cell buzzed and she looked at it.

"Looks like work's calling." Isaribi said before leaving.

[This Ain't Checkers]

Mori. Honestly aside from his bullshit with Brucie, this was a far more pleasant visit. Why? Well, because the cocky short shit wanted to wager Tony's debts…and other things in a bit of fair sport on the way to the spot.

"And I want to include that I get a piece of Isaribi's ass." Mori said.

Before Luis could say anything, Isaribi agreed to the terms with an added stipulation.

"But I want a 100 grand if me or Luis beat you." Isaribi affirmed. "We going all in."

"Just be prepared for the monster when you lose." Mori said with a cocky laugh.

Insult to injury. While I had landed in second place…Luis landed in first. If it was a raging bet, I'd say it was fun. Parachuting, boating, and racing cars with nitrous. Mori, of course, made excuses for his loss, but I didn't give two flying fucks. He lost, we won. Hell, I even got a snazzy F620 in the process.

"Deal's a deal, Mori. Pay up." Isaribi insisted.

"Tell you what. Keep the car, knowing my brother he could tune that shit. Consider it half of the 50k, you'll get the other half on that last job I need you and Lou for." Mori said.

I wasn't complaining so I left. Of course, I had the car stored with Brucie, it did brighten his mood to see me and Luis kick Mori's ass in something. And I was feeling pretty damn good that day. We celebrated, and Brucie even gifted me a new fancy phone. But the day would be fucking ruined when SHE called.


(A/N: Yeah, we're getting to the midpoint. In terms of number of missions left, counting everything (and merging the direct crossover missions as one), we have 54 missions left. And we're breezing through most of them at this rate. Yeah, this was a good point for Alexandra to dip. Considering what Dimitri does to Roman…and what's going to happen to Isaribi, you'll see it too. But let's get into it…the real meat of the matter. And I think it's obvious if one was paying attention to the order of the missions, but Brucie giving Isaribi a new phone is a bit of a mirror to something Niko will be dealing with later.)