(A/N: Here it is, the other wedge between Isaribi and the Lost. One could see the line crossed by Ashley and by extension.)

Cue Opening Theme: GTA 4 - Pause Menu


TWG:R

~Endless Possibilities Arc~

Chapter 83: Liberty City Isaribi Chronicles 12


Liberty City, 2008. The day started so promising, but then Ashley called me. I would have told her to fuck off, but she was shaking the entire time talking to me. I should have taken that as a bad cue, but I didn't. As much as I disliked Ashley, I didn't think of her capable of doing something like this.

[Roman's Holiday/Photo Shoot/Hostile Negotiation]

Isaribi arrived at the Governor Greg Housing Projects through her Revenant. She put her hood up before going into the building on the left.

Frankly, had I not had to use the toilet…I might have not ended up walking away with my life. Some chode was using the women's bathroom to clap some skank's cheeks so I had to use the men's restroom.

Isaribi entered the stall before hurriedly getting on the seat ready to empty her bladder. She grumbled about having that extra latte before hearing the door open and Russian speaking.

"Итак, вы думаете, что Исариби появится? (So you think Isaribi's going to show up?)" The first goon remarked as he went to the urinal.

"Конечно, она это сделает. Джанки заверила нас, что так и будет… а маленькая щель не понимает, что ее заманили в засаду. Дмитрий хотел, чтобы она была жива, но, эй, мы могли бы с ней немного развлечься. Я слышал, что азиатские девушки настоящие визгуны… и мы можем заставить ее подчиниться. Я встаю на позицию, тороплюсь и уже обоссался. Я же говорил вам, что пить энергетические напитки — глупая идея. (Of course, she will. Junkie assured us she would…and the little chink doesn't realize she was being lead into an ambush. Dimitri wanted her alive, but hey we could have some fun with her. I hear Asian girls are real squealers…and we can force her to comply. I'm getting in position, hurry up and piss already. I told you all that guzzling all those energy drinks was a stupid idea.)" The second guy said before leaving.

The first guy gave a groan of disgust over it.

If I was still in the Lost, I would have quit then. Ashley sold me out to fucking Dimitri…and I don't doubt Johnny knew. The second mook and I finished my business. I casually go out, wash my hands, and lock the door.

The click of a gun behind him got the pissing Russian to freeze.

"It's ironic. We both had too much to drink and we ended up in the same bathroom. It's fate…" Isaribi said as the Russian groused.

He realized I understood Russian. I expected him to resist as I had half a mind to kill him, but he basically spilled his gut on everything going on. Compared to the other mooks, he was younger….looking back probably about my age. I think it helped his case…he wasn't hardened to criminal life…not like his 'buddy' was…not like me. Ironically, Anatoly wanted out.

"How do I know you're not full of shit?" Isaribi said.

"Look in my wallet…" He said as she fished it out to see a photo. "See that photo? That prick you heard left is that girl's father and the love of my life. If I could leave, I could…but not without her. Help me and I'll help you…as soon as it gets that prick dead…and me and her out of his city."

Given he didn't exactly like the idea of violating me, I was willing to trust him…so I made a call to Danica for some firepower. So I walked into the 'ambush' apartment and we started blasting with a carbine rifle. I will admit I'm kicking myself for not taking note of her telling me to come alone and unarmed.

Russian mooks were either dead or bleeding out in pain as the first guy that Anatoly was on his stomach.

"Time's over, old man." Anatoly said before doming him in the head. "That's for Polina."

I collected the ammunition and he took some of the cash.

"Deal's a deal, now talk." Isaribi said.

"Not until I get to Polina and get us to the airport. Or unless you have a boat you can give us." Anatoly remarked as Isaribi had an idea.

To my relief, the boat I had used in the race was still here abandoned in Westdyke. Either way, I got him and Polina over there.

"Ok, I got you a boat." Isaribi said, throwing over the keys.

"Deal's a deal. When Dimitri's goons were at the junkie's place, they had her biker boyfriend go after Roman Bellic. And before you freak out on me, I don't know where he's being held. All I know is that the biker guy delivered him to the Russians with help." Anatoly said as Isaribi tensed.

"Go. And unless Dimitri's a dead corpse in the water, don't come back." Isaribi said, turning away. "Live your life…you're clearly not cut for the underworld."

"And what about you…" Polina asked.

"I can't walk away even if I wanted to…because part of me doesn't." Isaribi said getting on her Revenant.

Last I knew, Anatoly broke his burner phone and tossed it into the sea before driving the boat away. I wished them the best, but my thoughts were on pure rage as I raced back into town. I would have called her…but I was so pissed off that I went to confront her. That was a mistake on my end, but I wasn't thinking straight.

"Johnny, I-"

Ashley's face fell to see Isaribi there, but she kicked the door in Ashley's face as she let herself in. Ashley tumbled onto the floor, clearly panicked. Isaribi closed the door behind her and locked it.

"So you are going to explain to me why I nearly got gangbanged by a dozen Russians?" Isaribi said as Ashely got up. "And why you stabbed me in fucking back?"

"You stabbed the Lost in the back first." Ashley said.

She was right, but she didn't know that.

"No, I haven't." Isaribi partially lied. "I left because they treated me like shit. Someone who actually puts in the fucking work unlike you so can only fuck up people's lives. I just want to know why."

"I had debts." Ashley said weakly.

"I'd ask why you borrowed from the Russians, but considering the circumstances, I see why. Fuck you by the way." Isaribi said.

"So what? You're here to kill me?" Ashley asked.

I wanted to, I had the gun to her head. I really wanted to at the moment. Just pull the trigger and splatter the bitch's head on the wall. But the only reason I didn't kill her was because even if I did…it'd be way too obvious that I did it. I didn't want my ties to Niko and Roman to be uncovered. Which considering what happened in the near future…was ultimately for the best. I wanted to at least hit her with the butt of the gun, but then she was pleading for me to put it down.

"I want to know everything about that little encounter you had with the Russians." Isaribi demanded.

"I might have gotten a bit high after they and Johnny left…so it's a bit fuzzy." Ashley said before Isaribi grabbed her by the collar and pistol whipped her. "All I remember is them mentioning a warehouse…on Lompoc Avenue! I swear…"

I punched her in the face, letting her go tumbling into the table. I simply left her to wallow, because I couldn't waste time. I called up Mallorie as I was making my way back across to Liberty.

"Isaribi, have you seen Roma-"

"He got jacked by the Russians as a hostage in a warehouse in Lompoc Avenue, Bohan Industrial. Tell Niko about it, I need to get some equipment and some backup." Isaribi said tersely.

"Oh god…Roman!" Mallorie said before Isaribi hung up.

I immediately called up Danica to let her know what's going on and ask for her help. She was more than happy to agree…it was then I called Niko.

"Isaribi, I-"

"I know, Roman got snatched. The Russians got him, and I know where. I'm on my way there to go on a rampage to save him." Isaribi said heatedly.

"Not without me, you're not." Niko said.

"I'll meet you there." Isaribi said.

Niko was waiting for me as Danica arrived shortly after. I made introductions before Danica popped the trunk to reveal some real firepower. We armed ourselves. I had attempted to hand Danica cash for it, but she refused.

"You're my friend, Isaribi. Friendship is quite rare in this world, but you always had my back. So let me have yours." Danica said.

"Danica, was it? Thank you, you have my gratitude for this." Niko said, loading his carbine rifle.

"I didn't encroach on you as a customer because you already have a guy from what I hear. But let's not talk, let's put some fuckers in the ground." Danica said with a manic smile.

It was nothing short of chaos. Niko was a one-man army, but I never really mentioned that Danica was pretty damn close to that level when she fights. Me and Niko were raging…screaming. But Danica was fucking silent…cold…and focused.

"No one fucks with my family!" Niko said nailing another Russian.

"So you all thought I was some low-rent bitch!" Isaribi said, firing rounds in one guy's crotch before Danica blew his head off. "FUCK YOU!"

One charged at Isaribi, but he tripped him before stomping down repeatedly on his neck before shooting him. It was nothing short of merciless as Danica hurled a Russian off the railing to let him fall into the ground floor headfirst. They tore their way up floor after after before finally getting the room Roman being held.

Of course, one guy was holding Roman hostage with a gun to his head.

"A coward to the end, what about your Russian pride?" Isaribi asked.

That distraction was enough for Niko to pop the fucker.

"Thank you cousin, you saved me." Roman said getting up. "And you too, Isaribi."

We both hugged him. Damn it, Roman….was someone I'd burn the city down for.

"And…who…"

"Friend of Isaribi's. And you're welcome…either way, my job's done. Catch you later." Danica said before leaving.

"We need to go." Niko said.

"Let's go home." Roman said.

Roman would get called out on his gambling habits and to be fair, I did help call him out too. Not that I fully blame Roman given Dimitri's a snakey fuck with fingers in place their shoulder. It was when we got back to the apartment, I opened up.

"They tried to get me too." Isaribi said. "They set a trap for me…and well…if not for dumb luck, I'd be their bitch. Literally."

The look on Niko's face was stony as he asked me for details. I didn't bother to tell him about Ashley, but everything else about that trap. Roman even looked peeved by this.

"Fucking Dimitri." Niko said.

"Isaribi, they didn't…"

"No, Roman. I didn't get raped. Like I said, a stroke of dumb luck prevented me from walking into that trap. Instead a bunch of Russians are dead in a rat trap apartment…two got a way to start new lives." Isaribi said calmly. "But I am going to admit, I need time off. And Roman, if you insist on gambling…you should at least learn how to do it better. I got some tips and honestly, I could use some days off doing something."

I took most of that day off, spending it with Roman, Mallorie, and Niko…recuperating. There was the occasional hangout with Dwayne. If there's one thing I know best about gambling is the deadly sin is to mistake bad play for bad luck. Something I had to beat into Roman's head…to Niko's dismay. I was livid at Ashley, but the anger faded. I guess it helped that I didn't get sexually assaulted…in part, but there was the matter of I just couldn't be bothered to be angry at her for long. Mostly because I had bigger fish to fry, and Ashley was just a small annoyance. Like I had other problems.

[No. 3]

Mori wasn't one of them after his last job which is kinda sad because once again…his jobs were exciting…but Mori sucked the fun out of it. But I rode it out with Luis to the end. But it was beyond satisfying to see Brucie deck Mori that evening.

"Well, Brucie. Congrats on standing up to your brother…how do you feel?" Isaribi asked.

"Bad. I don't like Mori treating me like shit, but damn I didn't want to hurt him." Brucie said, helping him up.

"Then that just shows you have a heart. And Mori, I believe you have 50 Gs for me." Isaribi said as Mori forked it over. "Pleasure doing business, or not…considering all the time around you. But hey, today's word of the day is humility."

Luis and Isaribi took their leave with Luis snickering.

We'd get the hit up from Henrique that he could get us Bullets and F620s now. We'd go our separate ways to which Niko called up as night fell.

"Niko, what's up?" Isaribi said.

"It's X, he's called. Says it is important." Niko said.

"Say less. I'm on Obsidian Street, but I'm getting a cab down to my apartment to get some fresh clothes. You can come get me, because something tells it's going to be real shit." Isaribi said getting in a cab.

I went home, changed up to one of cheongsams as I was feeling fancy tonight. It was the black and gold one that went with a pair of dark heels. Niko picked me up in the Comet and as we made the drive to X's loft. We were both suited up.

[The Holland Play]

"Wassup, monies?" Playboy X said.

"The fuck do you want?" Isaribi snapped.

I was hostile. And ironically, it'd be justified after what this prick was asking us to do. It took all of my restraint to not smash the bottle over his head as Niko and I left the loft.

"Niko, we're not killing Dwayne. Fuck the money…" Isaribi said as Niko's phone rang.

He answered to hear it was Dwayne basically telling Niko that he'd have to go after X.

"Well, let's kill X already. I've been wanting to shoot that bastard since we met him. I tolerated it, but he crossed the line." Isaribi said.

That actually seemed to spark something as he nodded. We went right back up.

"You back already? I didn-"

"Trey, I'm going to be blunt. We're not going to kill Dwayne. Unfortunately, you fucked up when you though we'd backstab our friend for pocket change." Isaribi said.

"Maybe Dwayne's not the problem, it's you." Niko said.

"Motherfucker, you think you can touch this shit? You think I got here by letting little bitches like you fuck with me? I own you, nobody owns me." Playboy X said.

Because we came back so quickly, he didn't have backup and he ran. Niko chased after him while I took the elevator down to get down faster. I winged him in shoulder as he was coming out of the other building.

"Where you going, X?" Isaribi said giving chase.

"Dust theses-"

BOOM! Niko blew that car full of goons up as Playboy X ducked into an alley…only to find a locked door and find he was out of ammo.

"Not so much of a big man, are you?" Niko said as he and Isaribi had X's back to the wall.

"You cold, man, you could. Taking a cat down in his prime. I was an innovator." Playboy X pleaded.

"Not really. I mean for a drug kingpin, you're kinda dumb. You didn't even invest your ill-gotten goods in assets. You let Dwayne's club be taken by the Spanish Lords. And you tried to appeal to Yusuf Amir…but you weren't worth his time. It's funny, I actually know the guy…worked for him. I coulda helped, but you sidelined me." Isaribi said. "You claimed to change the game…"

"But you didn't change the game, Playboy…the game changed you." Both Isaribi and Niko said before shooting him in the head.

Isaribi snatched out the roll of cash that was clearly for them had they killed Dwayne which was a mere 25k along with the house keys.

"You know, if there is one thing I have learned, it's that we must obey the rules of the game. We can pick the game, X, but we cannot change the rules." Isaribi said before dropping a pipe bomb in his lap.

We left nothing but a mess for the rats to clean up, but I think Niko was a bit irked by me repeating Dimitiri's words. He was a psychopath, but those words carry that weight. We'd walk away with Dwayne being called, on speaker.

"Dwayne, I dealt with Playboy. You should know that he asked me to end you first. He was going to pay me a lot of money to do it." Niko said.

"Which I snatched off his body. He only figured you were worth 25k…" Isaribi said.

"Shit, man. He was a good kid back in the day. Always hungry though, always wanted more. Maybe I shoulda seen it then. Kept a closer eye on him." Dwayne said.

"But was he a good kid back in the day?" Isaribi asked. "Maybe he was, maybe he wasn't. He changed, thought he could leave you to wallow and take everything. The game changed him…and he made the mistake of trying to change the rules."

"You right. I can't give you no money for helping me, son. But I got the deed to Playboy's fancy silk sheet loft. You can have it." Dwayne said.

"Hey man, I seen where you're living, you should take it." Niko remarked.

"Nah. It'll make me remember the kid too much. Maybe you'll stop by my place sometime though? Hang out with me? I don't have many friends left, you know." Dwayne said.

"I'll give you a call sometime soon, Dwayne. Later-"

"Wait, Dwayne. I want to assure you my word that I will get you a new place. You're my friend, and I owe you one. Not going to have my friend living in squalor if I can do something about it. I did get that 25k from the dickhead formerly known as X, I'll put it to use looking for a place for you." Isaribi said. "And no, I'm not taking no for an answer."

"Isaribi, you're a real one. You know that…" Dwayne said.

"Yeah, just looking out for my people. People are only as good as their word…" Isaribi said. "Later on, Dwayne."

I felt pretty damn good that night. Playboy X's loft was real nice…Niko even found an outfit in the closet that was very much familiar. To the Reaperman of Liberty's past, of course, I realize that now. I would keep to my word and get Dwayne a new place the next day, ironically on the same street as the loft in a nice apartment building. Roman would use my tips to get a real hot streak. They could all move to Algonquin with him getting both himself and Niko their own apartments in Middle Park East of all places. I was pretty shocked he kept winning…and won that much. I wasn't complaining because Niko let me have Playboy X's loft, mostly. Niko would still have stuff over there, but in terms of residency…all me. And man did it feel good….


(A/N: Damn, it was five missions in one false swoop. For those curious, the building Dwayne's living in is the same one that Huang Lee would live in just a year later. Just like Isaribi's Colony Island apartment building. So in terms of safehouses, Isaribi has the one in Bohan, Playboy X's loft, the Alderney apartment, and Colony Island apartment. Yes, this will be the last one she has in Liberty. And as for the F620? It was in Brucie's hands, and she'll get it back in the present day soon enough. Oh? And would Isaribi get the Claude outfit? Sure, why not.)