Ignition Episode #13: If It Breaks... By Ewen "Blackbird" Cluney EXT. STREET - EVENING AYAKO walks by herself through a seedy-looking part of town, looking irate. She wears a long coat. She pauses in front of a group of THUGS. THUG #1 Well well well... What would a cute little thing like you be doing out here so late? THUG #2 Shouldn't you be with 'yer mommy right now? AYAKO (twitch) I'm looking for a man called Joey Numbers. Tell me where I can find him, or get out of my way. THUG #1 Joey Numbers? What would a little girl want with a guy like that? THUG #2 Yeah! If you want a little fun, we'd be more than happy to oblige ya'. THUG #3 Yeah! ... What's an "oblige"? THUG #1 Shaddup. AYAKO Do NOT trifle with me. THUG #3 We wasn't gonna trifle wit' you... we's gonna OBLIGE ya'! THUG #1 Shaddup! Ayako gestures, and Thug #1 suddenly finds himself suspended in mid-air -- by his throat. AYAKO _Tell_ me. WIPE RIGHT TO: INT. WAREHOUSE Ayako stands before JOEY NUMBERS, a short, skinny, unshaven man in tacky clothes. JOEY NUMBERS Yeah, I'm Joey Numbers. What can I do for you? AYAKO I want a gun. JOEY NUMBERS A gun? This is Japan, little missy; those are pretty hard to come by. AYAKO Hence I came to you. JOEY NUMBERS (grins) I can help you out, but it won't be cheap. Ayako reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small bag, which she hands to Joey. He opens it, spilling some sparkling gemstones into his palm. His eyes widen, and he turns to her. JOEY NUMBERS (CONT'D) So... What did you have in mind? INT. KENJI'S HOUSE, KITCHEN - MORNING KENJI, CIVIKO, TOASTY, KYOSUKE, and KIMIKO are having breakfast. Kyosuke and Toasty are sitting very close, and Toasty seems to be blushing. KENJI No toast today? TOASTY I... I'm sorry, but now that I'm human I can't make toast by myself the way I did before... KIMIKO (sly grin) Seems to me you were a little too busy having fun with Kyosuke anyway. Toasty turns bright red. TOASTY Kimiko! I... umm.... I-- KENJI It's fine. You're human, so you have to make your own decisions. (beat) Including whether or not to date my loser brother. INT. EXTREME CD VISION NAOKI rolls his eyes as he looks at a depressed MIMI slumped on the counter. NAOKI Pft. Look, Kenji has his good points, but overall he's just another jerk, just like me and every other guy around. Mimi says nothing. Naoki sighs. He leans down so he's face to face with her, and pulls her glasses off. NAOKI (CONT'D) Can I tell you something? MIMI mm. NAOKI I'm not the most charismatic guy in the world, but I know some other guys, and let me tell you, any one of them would KILL just to be able to talk to a girl who's as pretty as you are. MIMI Yeah, right. NAOKI I'm dead serious. MIMI You think so? He shrugs and sets her glasses on the counter. NAOKI Of course; I'm too blunt to lie to you just to be nice. Mimi smiles a little. EXT. KENJI'S HOUE, BACK YARD - DAY PINKY is playing in the tall grass with her CAT friend. DREAMY is sitting on the back steps watching. Pinky suddenly hops up onto the steps next to Dreamy. PINKY Whatcha' thinking about? DREAMY Becoming human. PINKY Okay! ^_^ DREAMY Have you thought about what you're going to do when that happens? PINKY I tried, but I think even when I become human I'll still be an idiot -- it's just that I'll have to use an eraser to erase things. DREAMY For me it's not that simple though. PINKY 'Cuz you're not an idiot like me? DREAMY (chuckles) Partly. I also have to decide which game disc to leave in before I turn into a human, because my personality gets changed by the game. PINKY Ohhh... Then just pick whichever one makes you happy! DREAMY What? PINKY That's what I'd do. Cuz... I mean... It's like...... You have a long, long time, and you should use it to have fun as much as you can! Dreamy smiles and tousles Pinky's hair. DREAMY Sometimes you're just a little bit of a genius. Dreamy smiles and looks up at the clear blue sky. PINKY Are geniuses good to eat? INT. AYAKO'S ROOM Ayako sighs and flops onto her bed. AYAKO It's done. Now he'll be dealt with once and for all. EXT. KENJI'S HOUSE, FRONT DOOR A person's shadow can be seen on the door. A moment later the door opens to reveal Dreamy. The camera pans around to reveal NATASHA. She is a tall, muscular woman with very short blonde hair. She wears a jumpsuit made of gray plastic and metal, with red stars on the . DREAMY Um... hello... NATASHA Where is Kenji Asakawa? DREAMY He's not here right now. Can I-- Natasha suddenly grabs Dreamy's arm and twists it around into a painful behind the back arm lock that brings Dreamy to her knees. NATASHA Where? Dreamy scowls; her eyes light up with a blue inner glow for a moment and she flips sideways and frees her hand. DREAMY (sounding positively demonic) Saa... Kakatte koi! DREAMY (SUBTITLE) (CONT'D) So... Bring it on! Natasha frowns and loudly cracks her knuckles. EXT. BACK YARD Pinky is romping through the grass with her cat friend when a battered Dreamy is hurled through a window to the ground. Pinky gasps in horror. A moment later the back door flies open and Natasha steps out. Pinky runs to Dreamy's side. PINKY (panicked, on the verge of crying) Dreamy! A-are you okay?! Please be okay! NATASHA Where is Kenji Asakawa? PINKY (defiantly) I'll never tell you! NATASHA Then you will die. A chilling wind sweeps over them. PINKY Who are you? Who said you could make people die!? NATASHA I am Natasha. Killing is my only purpose. PINKY (crying) Y-you're bad! If someone dies then... then they can't have fun and be happy! INT. AYAKO'S ROOM Ayako sits by herself. RICHMOND climbs in the window. RICHMOND A-ayako-sama? AYAKO Go away. RICHMOND What? Why? AYAKO I don't need you anymore. Soon, he'll be taken care of. Permanently. RICHMOND (shocked; gasps) Ayako-sama... You can't seriously mean that you...? Ayako slowly nods. Richmond looks at her for a long moment, looking very conflicted. Suddenly he opens one of the drawers of her dresser and pulls out the Valkyrie Stone. RICHMOND (CONT'D) You've done nothing but misuse this. AYAKO (angry) What?! RICHMOND Whoever gave it to you should not have given something so powerful to someone so immature. AYAKO How DARE you! Richmond scowls and points the Stone at something on the bed, and then hurls it out the window. A faint cracking sound can be heard outside. RICHMOND As of RIGHT NOW I am no longer your servant! He goes over to the window, then stops, smiles for a moment, shakes his head, and leaves through the door. AYAKO'S MOTHER (O.S.) Oh, hello there Mr. Richmond! You really should watch your step on the-- There is a sound of someone tumbling down the stairs. AYAKO'S MOTHER (O.S.) (CONT'D) --stairs... EXT. KENJI'S HOUSE, BACK YARD Dreamy slowly opens her eyes to find Pinky watching over her. DREAMY Where... is that woman? PINKY She left. DREAMY You told her where he went?! PINKY (shakes her head) No way; I told her he went to the beach. DREAMY (smiles) My little genius. INT. AYAKO'S ROOM Ayako is still watching the door where Richmond left. Meanwhile one of her plush toys glows red and re-forms into BUNNY. She is a short, slender teenager, dressed in a "thong" made of white fur, plus matching pawlike boots and gloves. She has long, furry bunny ears, and shoulder-length brown hair with a big pink bow on one side. Ayako barely turns around in time to see Bunny hugging/tackling her to the ground. BUNNY Ayako! Bunny is more or less laying on top of Ayako, and wears a wide smile. AYAKO What're you doing?! BUNNY I wuv you! ^_^ AYAKO Who are you?! BUNNY You mean you don't recognize me? Even though we've been together forever and ever? AYAKO (shock) Bunny...? Bunny nods enthusiastically. She sits up, and somehow manages to trap Ayako again with a hug from behind. AYAKO (CONT'D) Why are you doing this? BUNNY Because you always took good care of me and loved me and I wanna do the same for you now. Ayako hangs her head so that her bangs obscure her eyes. AYAKO Let. Me. Go. Bunny numbly lets her go. BUNNY What... happened to you? ... Is it something to do with your sempai? AYAKO How could you know about that? BUNNY Because... I remember everything you ever told me. AYAKO It doesn't matter now. He'll be dealt with. Permanently. Bunny looks at Ayako in abject horror. Finally, Bunny gathers her courage, pulls off one furry glove, and slaps Ayako. Ayako holds her cheek in disbelief. Bunny hugs Ayako again. BUNNY (speaking slowly) You've been changing. Ever since your mama and papa went away... Tears begin welling up in Ayako's eyes. FADE TO WHITE. INT. BEDROOM - EVENING YOUNG AYAKO (about age 7) stands over her MAMA who lies in bed, as her PAPA walks into the room. PAPA What's wrong, Ayako-chan? YOUNG AYAKO (crying) Mama won't wake up! PAPA (suddenly about to panic) What?! FLASH-CUT TO: INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT Papa and Ayako watch as a PARAMEDIC walks out of the bedroom; he takes a deep breath, and slowly shakes his head. FLASH-CUT TO: INT. BEDROOM - AFTERNOON Light streams into the room through the open windows, and a soft breeze blows at the white drapes. Papa hugs Ayako. PAPA From now on, it's just the two of us. We'll take care of each other. YOUNG AYAKO (sniffle) O-okay. FLASH-CUT TO: INT. FAMILY ROOM - EVENING Papa enters the room with AIKO, a tall and attractive woman with long black hair. Ayako (age 8) looks up from the TV. PAPA Ayako-chan, this is Aiko. AIKO (smiles; to Papa) She's adorable. FLASH-CUT TO: INT. KITCHEN - MORNING Ayako frowns as she stares across the table at Aiko. YOUNG AYAKO You're not my mama. AIKO (sigh) You're right. But I love your father very much, and if I can't be your mama, then at least let me be your friend. YOUNG AYAKO Friend? AIKO Please? FLASH-CUT TO: EXT. SCHOOL GATE - AFTERNOON Aiko pulls up in her car just as Ayako (age 10) is walking out of the gate. AIKO Get in. YOUNG AYAKO Huh? But-- Ayako looks up and her eyes widen as she realizes that Aiko has been crying. AIKO It's an emergency. We have to go NOW! FLASH-CUT TO: INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY Aiko and Ayako watch apprehensively at what's going on through a window. The distinctive beep of a vital signs monitor can be heard, but suddenly the rhythm stops and the continual tone of a flatline can be heard. Aiko begins crying and Ayako starts sobbing and pounding her fists against the window. AYAKO Noooo! You said we'd take care of each other! FLASH-CUT TO: INT. FAMILY ROOM - NIGHT Aiko stands opposite Ayako's UNCLE. He is a very tall, imposing man, clad in an expensive suit and a trench coat, all in black. Ayako is watching fearfully from around a corner. UNCLE She will go with me. You are not a blood relative of hers, and it is not your concern. AIKO I don't care! She's all I have now! Blood or no, I _won't_ let you take her away from me! Ayako's uncle glares at her for a moment, and there is an odd gleam in his eye. He pauses, then smirks. UNCLE Very well. But I will visit from time to time. I have much to teach her. FLASH-CUT TO: INT. AYAKO'S ROOM (THE PAST) Ayako (age 11) looks up to see Aiko has entered the room. YOUNG AYAKO Hi mama! Aiko stops short and blinks, then smiles. AIKO Ayako-chan, dinner's almost ready. FLASH-CUT TO: INT. AYAKO'S ROOM (THE PRESENT) Ayako is sobbing uncontrollably in Bunny's arms. BUNNY Just because someone makes you cry doesn't mean that you hate each other. Ayako sniffles a bit, then takes a deep breath. AYAKO Then Kenji... (gasp!) BUNNY (nods) Sempai would be sad if something happened to him. But it's not too late, is it? AYAKO I don't know. BUNNY Try. That's all anyone can do. Ayako slowly stands up and wipes her tears. BUNNY (CONT'D) I'll be waiting for you. Ayako opens the door to reveal Aiko (formerly listed as "Ayako's Mother") standing there. AIKO (surprised) Ayako-chan? A-are you all right? AYAKO Aiko-san, I have to go out. I'll be back later. Aiko watches, a little surprised, as Ayako walks past her and down the stairs. Aiko looks at Bunny for a long moment. Bunny smiles and waves with one paw. AIKO You know... You look sort of familiar. BUNNY There was this bunny rabbit stuffie that Ayako's mama gave her when she was little. AIKO (nods) I remember. Once I asked her to get rid of it, but she held on to it no matter what I did. BUNNY (smiles) She's a good girl; she just needs to find her way again. EXT. STREET - DAY Natasha strides down the street; she towers over everyone else, and the crowd invariably parts around her. The sky above is overcast, and the threat of rain seems imminent. Natasha reaches out and grabs a random guy (who happens to be KEIICHI) out of the crowd by the collar. NATASHA Which way is the beach? KEIICHI Huh? Why d'you want to go there on a day like this? NATASHA I am looking for Kenji Asakawa. KEIICHI H-he'd be at college today! NATASHA I see. You will tell me how to get there. EXT. STREET OUTSIDE EXTREME CD VISION Mimi is leaning against a wall and sighs. Suddenly her cell phone rings. She pulls it out, looks at the display and hesitates for a beat before answering. MIMI Hello? (beat) Uh, hi... What's up? (2 beats) What?! What do you mean?! (3 beats) He should be at college today... And he doesn't have his cell phone anymore! I'm going to go find him! (beat) Yeah, of course! Bye! She hangs up. As she pockets the phone, she turns and realizes Naoki is standing over her. NAOKI What's going on? MIMI (sigh) He's in trouble. I have to go warn him. NAOKI (rolls eyes) Why do _you_ have to go warn him? MIMI Because... I'm his friend. NAOKI (nods) Gimme a minute to lock up and I'll come with you. EXT. COLLEGE PLAZA Kenji and Civiko are walking together; Civiko looks happy, and Kenji is about as close to it as he ever gets. CIVIKO I was wondering... KENJI Hm? CIVIKO Do you think that maybe some time you could... teach me how to ride a bicycle? KENJI (blink) Um... Sure. CIVIKO Thank you. KENJI So... What do you think of this place? CIVIKO It's not as great and grand as everyone makes it sound... KENJI Yeah; college is pretty overrated these days, except for helping you get a better job. CIVIKO (shakes her head) Some people think that way, but others come here to realize their dreams for the future. KENJI Since when did you get so philosophical? CIVIKO (chuckles) You were born human; I'm still new to it. I used to just think about how fast I was going and where my next tank of gas would come from, but now... KENJI Now? CIVIKO Now I can't help but think about the future. There's so many possibilities, but we can pick a happy path if we try. KENJI (clears his throat, blushes a little) Someone once told me that there isn't any one path through life, except for the one that appears behind as we move ahead. Civiko smiles and leans her head against him as they walk. CIVIKO I'm just glad you're here to walk with me. EXT. COLLEGE WALKWAY Natasha walks along with a dejected Keiichi leading the way. He looks up to see KAORU and ANGEL walking together, along with a metal cart with some car parts. KAORU Hey Keiichi! What brings you here? Angel stops short and looks at Natasha, who glares right back. ANGEL (quietly, to Kaoru) Honey, stay away from her. She's dangerous. KAORU What? NATASHA Where is Kenji Asakawa? KAORU Why do you want to see him so badly? NATASHA That is not you concern. Tell me. ANGEL Honey... KAORU No! Natasha frowns slightly. She takes a step forwards and backhands Keiichi in the temple so hard he's thrown to the ground and starts bleeding. Kaoru and Angel look on in horror. NATASHA She said, "Kill him, and kill anyone who gets in your way." Whether you get in my way is your choice. Angel pulls Kaoru out of Natasha's path. ANGEL Look, he's at school today, but we don't know where he is exactly. Natasha glares at them and continues walking. EXT. ANOTHER COLLEGE WALKWAY Naoki and Mimi are running full-tilt. They come to a halt in front of Kenji and Civiko, who are sitting on a bench together. NAOKI Dude! Thank god we found you! KENJI (sigh) What is it now? Mimi takes a deep, shuddering breath. MIMI Someone's coming to try to kill you. CIVIKO You can't be serious! MIMI I got a call from Pinky -- Dreamy left your house in an ambulance! Kenji's expression darkens. Civiko gasps. KENJI (standing up) It's her. That little *freak*! NATASHA (O.S.) Don't concern yourself with that now. Everyone turns to see Natasha. Civiko stands up, placing herself in front of Kenji with her arms spread wide. CIVIKO I don't care who you are! I won't let you touch him! NATASHA Then you die. Civiko suddenly finds herself jerked to one side; Kenji is pulling her arm and the two of them start running. Mimi and Naoki follow suit. KENJI (to Mimi and Naoki) Guys, I appreciate the gesture, but unless you happen to have some mad kung fu skills I don't know about you'd better get the hell out of here before you get hurt! NAOKI No way dude! We're not gonna' abandon you! MIMI We're you're friends. Kenji blinks as he looks ahead; a patch of ground up ahead has started glowing blue, and lightning begins to crackle. KENJI Aw shit... The blue glow coalesces into a magic circle with a hexagram in the middle. A blue haze coalesces into Ayako's form; her eyes flash blue for a moment, and the glow around her fades. KENJI (CONT'D) (angrily, to Ayako) What, sending that goon after me wasn't good enough?! Ayako looks up, and steps past Kenji & co. Kenji and the others halt. AYAKO (to Kenji, while watching Natasha) I caused you a lot of trouble and I'm sorry. KENJI (blink) What? What the hell brought this on? Ayako smiles sadly as she glances back at Kenji. AYAKO An old friend. Natasha stops in front of Ayako, and the two face off. NATASHA Get out of my way. AYAKO As your mistress, I command you to stop. NATASHA I do not obey you. AYAKO (angry) What did you say? NATASHA There are many guns in the world, and they are used for many things. Soldiers think they protect their homelands and ideals, hunters hope to put food on their plates, and common citizens think a gun can make them safe. But you had to have a weapon that kills people. And here I am. KENJI (to Ayako) You used a *gun*?! AYAKO (to Natasha) Stand down. I _made_ you, and I can UN make you! NATASHA Then you will have to. CIVIKO Why? You don't have to be like that! You can become human and find happiness! NATASHA I must fulfill my purpose. Ayako frowns. The air around her crackles with power, and she levitates a few inches off the ground, her hair and cape whipped about by an unseen wind. AYAKO You think too highly of yourself, and you underestimate my power. Natasha steps forward and grabs Ayako by the throat. NATASHA It seems you underestimate mine. You have interfered in my mission, so you will die. MIMI No... We have to do something! Kenji clenches his hands into fists, and is about to step forward when Naoki suddenly barrels into Natasha head-first. Natasha is knocked to the ground, but she keeps her grip on Ayako, who feebly struggles against Natasha's iron grip. Although still prone, Natasha lands a vicious kick in Naoki's midsection, and he staggers back. CIVIKO Naoki! (to Kenji) She's gonna choke! KENJI (darkly; shakes his head) Her neck will be broken first. Suddenly the sound of a roaring engine can be heard. The white corvette screeches to a halt in front of the scene; Kaoru hops out of the car. Ayako's struggles are becoming weaker and weaker, and she is crying now. Natasha turns to look at the car; meanwhile, Kenji steels himself, then jumps and lands with both feet on Natasha's arm. Her hand spasms open and Mimi takes the opportunity to pull Ayako to safety. As Kenji hops off, Natasha does a kippup to get to her feet, then swings a powerful kick that takes Kenji in the back of the head, throwing him to the ground. Kenji rolls onto his stomach, face down on the concrete. Mimi is trying to help Ayako recover as Civiko runs to his feet, placing herself between Natasha and Kenji. CIVIKO No! I won't let you hurt him! KENJI (weakly) Civiko... Kenji begins to force himself to his feet as Natasha moves closer. She looms over him and glares at Civiko. NATASHA You have chosen your fate. Now you will die. Natasha swings at Civiko with her right hand. CLOSE UP of Civiko, as Kenji jumps into frame, his back to the camera. Natasha connects to Kenji's back and sends both Kenji and Civiko sailing through the air a few feet away. Kenji holds onto Civiko, shielding her with his own body as the both fall to the ground. CIVIKO Kenji, Please! You'll die! Let go! KENJI ...no. Civiko starts to cry and fight Kenji just as Natasha looms overhead. Natasha's reflection can be seen in Civiko's eyes, as she rears back for another blow. Tears streaming down her face, Civiko sobs to Kenji. CIVIKO Kenji... I... KENJI I know. Natasha swings and the camera flashes red. A loud crash is heard before the red fades to reveal Ayako, who has recovered. She is glowing red and gestures at the ground. Natasha is laying on the concrete which is riddled with cracks, before she is thrown into the air by an unseen force and slammed down into the ground. AYAKO You've gone too far. As Natasha is picking herself up, Ayako gestures again and Natasha is hurled into the side of a building. Close-up of Ayako's stern expression as she gestures again and again, each time eliciting a crashing noise. Finally, a hand catches Ayako's arm to prevent her from continuing. Ayako turns around to see Angel standing there. ANGEL Enough. If you kill her she won't be able to learn anything. Ayako looks at Angel for a long moment, then sighs. AYAKO I suppose you're right. Ayako gestures with the other hand, and a gentle blue mist falls over Natasha. AYAKO (CONT'D) There. I'll let her sleep for a while. Ayako turns to where Civiko is helping Kenji up. KENJI Damn that smarts... AYAKO I... I can heal you... KENJI Thanks, but no; I'll be fine. CIVIKO I don't know who your "old friend" is, but I'd like to meet them. Civiko grabs hold of Kenji in a large hug as Kenji winces in pain. Civiko's tears can be seen, still glistening in the sunlight. FADE TO WHITE. EXT. KENJI'S HOUSE - MORNING Kenji comes out of the garage with his bicycle. KENJI (calling into the house) I'm going to work! Bye! He hops on his bike and starts pedalling. CIVIKO (V.O.) After Natasha stopped trying to kill Kenji... things quieted down for us, but they never really stopped. Kenji's still working and going to college... INT. CELLULAR PHONE STORE Nokia stands behind the counter wearing a dark blue dress, showing a phone to a CUSTOMER. CIVIKO (V.O.) Nokia got a job selling cellular phones, INT. MOVIE THEATER Nokia smiles and Naoki looks positively blissful as the two of them sit watching a movie. CIVIKO (V.O.) --and she and Naoki are still dating; INT. LIVING ROOM Nokia and Naoki sit on opposite sides of a table, going over textbooks. CIVIKO (V.O.) She's even helping him study to get into college. EXT. KENJI'S HOUSE, FRONT YARD - DAY Pinky relaxes on the grass with her cat friend asleep beside her. CIVIKO (V.O.) Pinky... well, she's still not very smart, but on the other hand she made a new friend! INT. AYAKO'S ROOM Ayako is trying to study some arcane tome, but Pinky and Bunny are holding hands in the background and jumping up and down. PINKY & BUNNY (happily) Boingy! Boingy! Boingy! Boingy! Boingy! AYAKO Grr! Enough already! EXT. SNOWY STREET - DAY CIVIKO (V.O.) Dreamy had an offer for a contract as a professional wrestler! But at the last minute she decided to turn it down. According to her last letter, she's in Hokkaido, Dreamy walks out from around a corner; she's wearing a heavy blue coat and a small backpack with angel wings. She looks up at the sky and holds out her mittened hands to catch some snow. CIVIKO (V.O.) (CONT'D) And she said she's met a really nice boy there. A teenaged boy in a school uniform (with his head just out of the frame) walks up next to Dreamy. She turns to him and smiles brightly. EXT. MOUNTAIN PASS - NIGHT An assembled crowd waits in anticipation at the finish line. CIVIKO (V.O.) Angel and Kaoru are still together too; Angel's been practicing really hard at racing. A white Camaro pulls past the finish line, followed narrowly by a black Skyline GT-R. As the Camaro stops, Angel gets out and smiles. Cheers and camera flashes rise up from the crowd. Kaoru walks up to her and she kisses him, making him turn bright red. CIVIKO (V.O.) (CONT'D) ...And I've heard that the "White Angel of Mount Sakurai" is causing quite a stir. She told me that she wants to eventually become a professional racer! EXT. DUSTY AMERICAN HIGHWAY - AFTERNOON CHASTITY and a tall, burly BIKER walk out of a bar. CIVIKO (V.O.) We even got a postcard from Chastity! She found the man who was her owner when she was a motorcycle, and the two of them moved back to his hometown in America! The biker climbs onto a large Harley; Chastity kisses him and climbs on the bike behind him. CIVIKO (V.O.) (CONT'D) (sighs longingly) They're in love and living it up together on the open road. The biker revs the engine and starts off, with "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC playing in the background. INT. BOARDROOM - DAY PANTHER II, dressed in expensive business attire, is ranting and raving at the BUSINESSMEN in the room. She pounds her hands on the table and shouts and points accusingly. CIVIKO (V.O.) Panther II... She went a little crazy after losing in the battle against Dreamy, but she decided to use that motivation in a positive way; she got a job at the Soltari Corporation's Computer Entertainment division, and is working hard to make sure that the Panther^3 game console is the best ever. EXT. OUTSIDE GARAGE - AFTERNOON Civiko pauses working on a car when another MECHANIC shows her a magazine. CIVIKO (V.O.) It was a while since we heard anything about Natasha, but the other day this guy I know from work showed me the gun magazine he likes to read; "Natasha Torakev" has been writing really good articles, and some really controversial editorials on gun control, so I guess she's doing okay. INT. NIGHT CLUB CIVIKO (V.O.) Kyosuke and Toasty have been having a lot of fun together; Kyosuke, Toasty, and Kyosuke's BAND MEMBERS walk onto the stage. CIVIKO (V.O.) (CONT'D) And thanks to Toasty's singing, their band has finally come together. The crowd cheers. CIVIKO (V.O.) (CONT'D) They're even going on tour, which is good because Kyosuke's parents weren't too happy when they found out that he'd been staying at the house. INT. KIMIKO'S ROOM - AFTERNOON Kimiko lounges on her bed with an unidentified BOY. CIVIKO (V.O.) Kimiko's still in high school, though she's had four boyfriends in the past six months... (nervously) Although Kenji said that that's nothing new for her... EXT. PARK - DAY Mimi, with her hair unbraided, takes her glasses off. Civiko and Naoki nod in approval, and the three of them start walking. CIVIKO (V.O.) As for Mimi... she's doing good in college. Naoki and I are still trying to help her find Mr. Right, but she seems determined to keep trying. They lead Mimi to a park bench where Keiichi is sitting nervously. INT. AYAKO'S ROOM Ayako glances at the floor, where Bunny and Pinky are passed out from playing and sleeping contentedly. The door opens and Kyoko walks in; Ayako is startled and starts bowing deeply. CIVIKO (V.O.) From what I've heard, Ayako apologized to her sempai the first chance she got; Kyoko forgave her, and they've both resumed their normal lives at school. Kyoko is planning to go to Todai -- Tokyo University -- after she graduates, and Ayako is hoping to get a scholarship to a prestigious school of magic in Europe! INT. FURNITURE STORE RICHMOND is talking to some CUSTOMERS. They leave, and he bows to them as they go. He smiles, and looks around him. CIVIKO (V.O.) Remember Richmond, the dresser guy? I saw him the other day working in a furniture store. He says he really loves his work; I'm glad he's so happy with his new life. EXT. SIDEWALK - DAY Civiko and Kenji are leaning against a wall. Civiko leans against Kenji and smiles. CIVIKO (V.O.) And me? Well... Kenji and I finally started dating for real, Civiko takes hold of Kenji's arm and kisses him on the cheek. CIVIKO (V.O.) (CONT'D) I'm really enjoying working at the garage, since I get to help out broken cars all day. Kenji blushes a bit. She gently pokes him in the side, and he rolls his eyes at her. CIVIKO (V.O.) (CONT'D) Thanks to some help from Kyosuke I was able to get my official identification; She pokes him a few more times and turns to face him, grinning. CIVIKO (V.O.) (CONT'D) My name is listed as "Civiko Honda"... Kenji looks at her for a long moment, and a smile slowly spreads across his face. CIVIKO (V.O.) (CONT'D) But... If things go well... then in a few years... Civiko puts her arms around Kenji and smiles contentedly. CIVIKO (V.O.) (CONT'D) ...In a year or two my name's going to be changing to "Civiko Asakawa." FADE TO WHITE. Thank you for coming along for this ride. I want to thank everyone who supported and encouraged me, but especially Suichi, Red Eye, and everyone else on the Nekobox forums. As always, until next time. ^_^ -- Ewen "Blackbird" Cluney. 3/12/2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Ewen "Blackbird" Cluney blackbird@blackbird.nu Blackbird's Domain http://www.blackbird.nu/ The Official Thrash Home Page http://thrash.blackbird.nu/ Knight Kevlar of the Immortal Frog Silver Knight of Mihoshi "Be nice to me; I might just develop psychokinetic powers and destroy Tokyo!" ------------------------------------------------------------------