(A/N: A double feature for your viewing pleasure. But before you read onto the chapter, I do have a bit of an announcement. Parts of Chapters 10 and 14 were rewritten to fix a bit of issue now that I have a proper GTA IV mission guide. Also of note, most of the previous chapters were edited for spelling and grammatical errors. How many? Every chapter except 1, 6, 9, and 12 had to be re-edited for errors and such…so go back and reacquaint yourself before continuing.)

Cue Opening Theme: GTA 4 - Soviet Connection ~slowed~

TWG:R

~Endless Possibilities Arc~

Chapter 24: Liberty City Isaribi Chronicles 5

Liberty City, 2008. Niko and I had spent time laying low given the fallout at the abandoned hospital. I was spending time with Brucie at those studying those testosterone pills he was using. I had many talents…among them was modifying and making medicine, drugs, and poisons. College had it uses…access to advanced books and the like.

"Isaribi, what are you doing?" Brucie said, punching the punching bag as Isaribi smirked. "You looking like a scientist with those chemicals."

"I don't think you'd know this Brucie, but I studied plenty in college. Despite the chaos of this year, I'm still taking online classes. But I digress, I'm working on making a modified variant of your Bull Shark pills. An improvement over the original so you have to juice and it could at least heal up your body." Isaribi said as she carefully finished the process. "And there."

I was pretty damn proud of myself. The pills I made for Brucie were my biggest project. I could make poisons, basic painkillers, laxatives, and a few poisons…but this project was at the time, my magnum opus.

"These ones will put your body in a mood to repair what is damaged and improve it. Just one tiny thing…the side effects would mean you'll be purging all the crap in your body. Meaning gas and having the shits." Isaribi said sheepishly.

"So like superpowered diarrhea pills?" Brucie said.

"Superpowered is right, this will regulate your testosterone and make you a very virile man." Isaribi said. "You'll be able to ditch any steroids you use and you'll be 105 percent."

"Isaribi, you the woman." Brucie said excitedly. "So what's the dosage?"

"Twice a week. And I recommend you eat something with the pills." Isaribi said putting it in the container before marking a symbol on the label. "Here it is. By the way, Stevie got the Bitch."

"He did. He wanted me to let you know he wanted to thank you for your modification. He actually sent something for you, it's downstairs, under the sheet." Brucie said with a grin.

"Wicked. I'll check it out after I clean up and put this stuff away. Thanks for letting me use the spare room for studying these pills." Isaribi said casually cleaning up and putting away the equipment.

"No problem at-"

He was cut off by his garage door opening. We came down to see Niko had arrived on a Sanchez.

"Brucie, I got that Sanchez. It's a fun grippy bike to ride." Niko said, getting off it.

"You the man, NB." Brucie said as Isaribi found the covered car and removed the cover. "And there it is."

A pure black Karin Sultan RS with all the bells and whistles. Isaribi opened up the hood to look at the engine and was drooling a bit before closing it.

"It's beautiful." Isaribi said before getting in the driver's seat.

"Saved me the trouble of having to get a cab." Niko said getting in the passenger seat.

I loved that car. I was actually sad to have to leave it behind in Liberty given it ran like a dream. I drove Niko and myself out of Brucie's place which Niko and I had caught up.

"So how's things going?" Isaribi asked.

"I got into dating again…using Love-Meet and Craplist." Niko admitted as Isaribi raised an eyebrow.

"How'd that go?" Isaribi said.

"First one was a lawyer, but it didn't really click. Honestly, a bit too clingy. Friendly enough to hang out with it, not so much to date. She could use someone else." Niko mused as Isaribi chuckled. "Then there is this 'SoBoHoe' from Bohan."

"Oh fuck…you mean Carmen Ortiz?" Isaribi asked as Niko raised an eyebrow.

"You know her?" Niko asked.

"I know she's a fucking narcissist…and last I checked was 'dating' another guy. A friend of mine…but I'm not even surprised. She's fucked most of South Bohan…Elizabeta, some of my friends, and even me. Though she's probably the one lay I regret." Isaribi confessed as Niko looked surprised. "Look, she's good for a fuck…and access to medicinal stuff, but that's about it. So any more dates?"

"There was this posh girl from Algonquin. I actually just finished that date, it's why I'm in this suit. Perseus was not all that expensive to get one." Niko joked.

"So you went for charcoal and a floral shirt for your first suit. And beige oxfords…yeah, I guess. I do happen to know plenty of rich folk in Algonquin because of my work in the club. I might know her. What's her name?" Isaribi said as they were on the bridge. "Side note, I need to pass by my place to change. Where are we meeting up?"

"A pier near Castle Gardens." Niko said.

"Good, my place on Colony Island isn't far." Isaribi said, hitting the hit.

"And her name is Alex Chilton." Niko said as Isaribi raised an eyebrow. "So you do her?"

"I do. She's a member of the Maisonette 9. It's a members only nightclub, I work here on my down time when I'm not with you or running with the bikers." Isaribi said. "Last I checked, Roman was trying to get membership there along with Brucie. Alex and I are pretty friendly. She thinks I need an older friend to get 'good advice' from."

Niko had a dry laugh at that.

"Alexandra is an interesting case. On the surface, she appears like your typical white trust fund kid hitting the end of early adulthood. She even has the liberal arts degree, the shopping, gold-digging vibe, the high society vibe, and all that…but here's where the stereotype ends. She went to college to study writing, English, and psychology. I had classes with her…and aside from her sleeping with one professor, she's actually pretty intelligent. She pretends to be an airhead around most people. In a way, it's a shield to protect herself, but it's a mask." Isaribi mused.

Alexandra was many things. Fully happy with herself wasn't one of them. For what it's worth, she was comparatively out of the three…the best option. Plus, she did have the connections for discounts on clothes across the city. I will admit that was part of the reason I put up with her, but I did see the person under the 'mask' which got me to stick around. Considering how she was lonely at top, I basically gave Niko a bit of advice on how to get there. Honestly, it was better than seeing that skank from Bohan. We got back to my place and I quickly got cleaned up. Ironically as Niko was sliding to wear more from Modo and Perseus, as was I.

Isaribi came down in a gray collared top under a black ski jacket, a white scarf around her neck, black jeans, and her usual fingerless gloves and biker boots. Her gear bag was on her back as she applied a coat of red lipstick before getting in the car. The drive to Castle Garden was quiet save for Liberty Rock Radio playing to which they arrived at the pier. Niko and Isaribi slipped on their sunglasses as they approached the spot.

[Call and Collect]

"Were you followed?"

"Officer McReary." Isaribi said simply as she and Niko approached the railing.

"Hey... strange seeing you here, Officer McReary." Niko mused to the cop.

"I told you to come, fucking maggot. And your little backup dancer." Francis said simply as Isaribi glared. "I called you two here because I know about the both of you."

"Know what?" Niko asked faux innocently.

"I know you killed Mikhial Faustin with her, I know a group of Russians want you dead. I know you ain't no saint, boy, and neither is she with her interesting juvenile record." Francis said.

"That was supposed to be sealed when I turned 18. So as far as the world knows, I've got nothing on my record." Isaribi snarled.

"Sealed records don't mean shit anymore. But do you really think anyone in this town can keep a secret?" Francis said plainly.

Francis was basically trying to justify himself before getting to the point. He had a blackmailer he wanted killed and evidence retrieved. I was mostly listening along before he turned his attention to me as Niko was heading off to do his task.

"You. I have something for you to do." Francis asked Isaribi. "There's a PI prowling around Dukes trying to get intel on my family. Obviously, I can't have that…considering he's stalking my sister. Get rid of him."

"Aside from being paid, I want my juvie record torched." Isaribi said glaring at him.

"Deal." Francis said. "Call me when it's done."

I wasn't doing it for him. Packie would appreciate it more than him. Francis did give me a rough description. I did get in my car, drove over to Dukes, and pop the piece of the shit who was stalking her. Well, not really pop but more like stabbed. Having to dispose of the body using his car was a pain, but you do what you have to do. Considering the 'evidence' had a picture of Kate going into the bathroom…yeah, I don't really regret it.

Isaribi panted as she slumped in the seat of her Sultan RS. She figured that as far as everyone knew that PI drowned in the river after his car blew up. She drove off before calling Niko.

"Niko, I'm done on my end. You?" She asked.

"Yes, but the fucking cops are on me." Niko said sourly.

"On my way to you…where are you?" Isaribi asked.

"Near the Superstar Cafe." Niko said.

I picked him up, we lost the cops, and we got to Francis. He paid us, but he decided to dangle my past record over my head as 'a way to keep me in line'.

As Francis left, Isaribi wanted to be furious but instead smirked. Niko asked what she was so chipper about.

"Simple, I realized I know someone who has a bit more power than a mere bent cop." Isaribi said, heading towards her car. "So don't worry about me, I got this."

[Off Route]

I'd leave. Stubbs would call me citing he'd needed me to assist Johnny for a job and this time I was very much willing to do it for the congressman. Of course, considering the last job with him. I know I had to put my car in my garage and change clothes.

She had not worn her Lost MC jacket in a long while, but she fluffed it over her navy Spyde track top.

In a way, wearing that track top was symbolic of my true loyalties. Stubbs wanted us to free some people who were being sent to jail. White collar criminals. We were off to Leftwood and it was a shit show. Once again, Johnny left me behind to which I had to deal with a barrage of cops in Leftwood. Honestly, it was pretty bad. I had found myself hiding near Brian Jeremy's place.

Isaribi was not pleased. She had a few injuries, gunshot wounds that were mostly grazed, and she was panting heavily. It had not helped that she had been wigged in the leg.

"Fucking Johnny, what the hell?" She said as she hid in an alley before making a phone call. "Come on…come on…"

"Roman Bel-"

"Rome, I need some help." Isaribi said, panting.

"Shit, what happened?" Roman said worriedly.

"Job went a bit bad. I need a cab…I'm on Emery Street in Alderney. I don't know if your driver will get pass, but please try to." Isaribi said before hanging out.

It was agonizing and quite frankly while I was there bleeding…my anger was slowly festering within me over Johnny. Once again, he ditched me. It wouldn't boil over though, not yet. I was seriously considering drastic options only to see what was a simple miracle. Never was I more happy to see Mohammed.

Isaribi scrambled into the backseat of Roman's Taxi.

"Mohammed, you have no idea how happy I am to see you." Isaribi said, relieved.

"Well, at least you're not that freeloading dirtbag." Mohammed said. "Where to?"

"Joliet Street." Isaribi said, taking off her facemask and bandana she used to hide her face. "Shit…"

Mohammed saw how roughed up she was and wordlessly got to driving.

We got out of Alderney just fine. With the chaos about the police looking for the Prison Bus, the gate guards for the bridge out of Alderney were absent. He took me across the bridge to Bohan. I thanked him and lumbered into the apartment building to get up to mine there. Roman, Mallorie, and Niko were waiting.

"What happened?" Niko asked.

"A job gone bad…at least for me. We were supposed to hit the police station, we do…and I get ditched to deal with cops swarming all over while he flees with the Prison Bus." Isaribi said opening the door to her apartment.

Mallorie helped her in as Isaribi sat on the couch.

"Assholes fucked up by track top." Isaribi said, throwing off the jacket. "But thankfully, I did line my jacket with kevlar."

It was mostly kevlar swiped from dead cops, so while not the best…it did save my life so…I couldn't complain. They helped me with my injuries, not coaxing me about the job. I got lucky, I would heal in time.

Isaribi sat watching television before her phone buzzed with Stubbs calling and she answered.

"I noticed Johanthon didn't mention you while telling me about the job's completion." Stubbs remarked. "I didn't ask and I went to call you instead."

"Johnny got the bus, but ended up ditching me leaving me to be fucked up by the cops. I'm safe and recovering though, but I doubt I can show up in Alderney for a while." Isaribi mused.

"This is disappointing, but I am glad you're alive and well. I have your payment in Danica's hands. She seems to be growing into the role of arms dealer. I'll have something for you soon." Stubbs said before hanging up.

I was expecting a call from Johnny, but that did not come. Danica texted me and I told her where I was. I was just glad I was still alive, not arrested, and that I made my own painkillers. Danica would arrive to hand me the cash and she sat next to me where we chatted for a while.

"This is ridiculous. He up and ditched you while you were clearing the way for him to get the bus out…didn't even stop to get you. And he hasn't even called to see if you're alive. This is bullshit." Danica said.

It was a rare moment where Danica's emotions slipped out. She was angry for the right reasons, and I couldn't blame her.

"Honestly, I was lucky to make it out alive." Isaribi admitted. "I got winged in the leg."

Danica looked down at the injury and sighed with relief citing that she'll recover. The topic of Estelle was brought up again and Isaribi decided to call her.

"Hey Estelle, how have you been?" Isaribi asked.

"You haven't called me in days…weeks." Estelle said bitterly. "We've been doing gang wars without you."

"Estelle, I have nursing injuries…plus I haven't been able to go to Alderney lately because I've been either ditched or stuck on disposal!" Isaribi said fuming. "For fuck's sake, don't you realize after since Billy came back shit's been going off the rails."

"What? Because he wants to stick it to those deadbeats? To hell with those racist pieces of shit." Estelle said.

"First off, Billy and Brian Jeremy are just as racist, just not directed at blacks. Secondly, they have a bigger army than the Lost. I hate to tell you this, but starting that war was retarded. I didn't like the peace treaty either, but we should have spent time building up resources for war." Isaribi said sternly.

"Buck was right, you-"

Buck Cluck. Yes, that was his name. If anything, Buck and Brian were mirrors to each other, simping for their respective 'hero'. For Buck, it was Johnny. The key difference was unlike Brian, Buck would fight, but he was a scavenger about it. He went for those already on their way to death's door to finish them off…I would know because he routinely stole kills form the likes of me in gang wars while taking credit for it. He came off as energetic and enthused…but the man was a coward. The only major difference was he wasn't immature like Brian, being far more of a dirty cowardly lion. And while Brian and Buck hated each other…they both did not like me at all. I guess the only good thing I can say about him was that he didn't like me because of my race. He was just mildly sexist.

"Buck! Buck doesn't know shit of what I've been doing, and neither do you. I've been literally busting my hump to stay alive and keep the group together! Use your goddamn mind, the pigs are investigating the Lost because Billy decided to shoot a deadbeat right in front of the clubhouse! We had bent cops on our asses!" Isaribi screamed, losing her temper. "You and I both got patched, but you seem content to ride your dad's coattails. We don't all have that fucking luxury."

Hot tears came down Isaribi's face as she winced in pain that was dulled to the painkillers.

"What happened to you? When did you turn into such a bi-"

Danica snatched Isaribi's phone.

"Estelle, when you turn into an insensitive asshole?" Danica asked, forcing herself to be stoic.

"Danica's with you?! What the fuck is-"

"Isaribi's injured and I was just making sure she's all right." Danica said icily. "And you have the nerve to rag on her despite the shit she's been through. So calm down before you say anything you regret."

"I see how it is…goodbye Isaribi."

Estelle hung up. It was a good thing Danica had my phone as I would have thrown it at something. But that was the beginning of my crumbling friendship with Estelle…and I was fully aware of why at that moment. She and I were drifting apart. Estelle might have been patched…but she was more than willing to do support stuff. Tending to the bikes, making drinks, and grunt work. She wasn't like me or Danica…didn't have the stomach to do what we did. Estelle wanted to act tough, but couldn't walk the walk. With that sinking in, my anger faded and I slumped on the couch.

Danica returned her phone as Isaribi put it away. Danica asked if Isaribi was going to call her back, but Isaribi decided against that.

"I don't want to say anything I will regret, so I'll deal with her later. I'll put my energy into something more productive, like my voice modulator." Isaribi said, shuffling to her work table. "I've been trying to make one that sounds like Red X from Teen Titans."

"Does it work?" Danica asked.

"Yes, but I can't hold it and use it. So I need a motorcycle helmet to put it inside of. Something I can hide a headset setup for." Isaribi said.

"I got something that could help." Danica said, taking the voice modulator. "I can get you a motorcycle helmet. You'd want something black for it with a bit of customization. Leave it to me, but it'll take a week or two. I'm heading out…you need something?"

"Yeah, a few new navy Spyde track tops that Russian shop. Aside from that, I'm good."

Her creation would be the tool I'd use later to do something big, but for now I'd rest. Shit would pick up after a few days of rest.

(A/N: Timeline-wise, we're near the middle of Niko's story, the downward spiral of the Lost, and the start of Luis's story. The next Isaribi entry is going to cover Niko's final mission with Elizabeta and the two lead up missions to Three Leaf Clover which will have its own entry shared with TBoGT's 'I Luv LC'. Look forward to it, it'll be big. But now it's back to the present.)