The Mall

Where are you going, son?"

"I'm going to the Mall, get a shirt, and perhaps a pair of cargo pants. With all the books I carry, I need pockets for my pens."

"Take the credit card and get a few more items."

"I can't; it’s too much, the car was more than enough, never mind." There was no point in continuing; I would be lying if I said I don't like my car. I love it.

"It's only a Volkswagen bug," replies my dad.

Second Part of my first ever CD fic. Taylor, along with his new friend have a run-in with an obstructive staff member, and further seeks to wriggle from the effects of the clerical error

Thanks for those who reviewed Part 1

This is it folks. My final chapter which I wrote for Badasses Of the Multiverse. And I hope it has been as fun a ride for you, as it is for me.

This is Part Four of Population Badass.

Will Matthew and Pedro be able to save Pedro's home Earth from Nechla?

And if so, how are they going to get back home to De La Plata Podrido?

Also, find out what happens to everyone else. And see how things finally pan out.

For this is not only the epilogue of Book Six of Badasses Of the Multiverse. This is the end of my part in directly writing for this Anthology of Insanity.

For after this chapter, Whatever Will Be, Will Be...

Before every great attack. There is proper planning and preparation. And Chang's plan for a counterattack is no exception.

As the people of De La Plata Podrido clean up after the battle, Chang calls a meeting with his friends and allies, at the casino. With Chang and those with him, planning what happened when someone attacked him and his, without provocation. With this army of badasses preparing for the reprisal against those that attacked them.

And what they have planned will not be pretty.

All this in part two, of the climax of the Badasses of The Multiverse anthology.

Pedro, Matthew, Fabiola, Matt, and Leigharch, get some downtime. And the used it to visit a sci-fi convention, so Matt and Leigharch can learn more about their realities. With some interesting events learned, and opinions formed.

Also, things finally start to converge, while a gang of multiverse biker hit the town of De La Plata Podrido. And with them, is a very interesting man whom has taken his old job of exploration of new civilizations, with even greater boldness, than before.

And they are not the only ones to come to town.

With the visitors being just as much surprised, as those whom they meet.

In addition, Pedro, Matthew, and their team come full circle. With revelations reveals. Including, who has been chasing them through the multiverse.

All in this chapter, titled, Bikers, Babes, And Hoverbikes.

Two groups of two individuals have come to De La Plata Podrido for very different reasons. But, both pairs actions will ripple out, and have a profound effect the lives of De La Plata Podrido. Especially, the lives of two women whom each prefer the blades to the pistols.

Also, things are moving along at the Last Resort Diner.

Later, Inara finds out that Jayne has been keeping secrets from everyone. And what she finds out, is surprising, to say the least.

All in Book Six, Volume Two, Chapter Two, “Pirates and Robbers.”

Unfortunately, Pedro, Matthew, and Matt, find themselves in a bind, in the next place they go too.

Though, luckily, they find some help.

But, this help is in the form of a lunatic. A real speed demon, in more ways than one. And the only things crazier than this lunatic, is where the lunatic requests to go, and those they meet, at their next destination.

And this lunatic is clearly gambling that he has, Another Nine Lives.

Several things are happening in De La Plata Podrido.

Melanie introduces some of her friends to one of the more interesting people living in De La Plata Podrido.

Those of the Last Resort Diner are hiring. And who they hire may be as interesting at those that already work at that diner.

And Hernan is still coming to terms with his connection to Roberta.

Meanwhile, Pedro and Matthew accident jump to a reality, place, and time, they should not have. And they have attracted the attention of unsavory, that can follow them across the multiverse.

But, not before they attend one of craziest Mardi Gras parties of their lives.

With Matthew finally have some closure on the life he left on Mars.

Hernan Pena is a kind family man, and auto mechanic, whom has left his troubled past far behind him.

Unfortunately, Hernan is about to learn there is more to his past, and himself, than even he realizes.

The past two years, in the island city of De La Plata Podrido, have not been very kind to Pedro Del Soto and Matthew McCormick. And while they, and those they have cared for, have not been seriously harmed. Things have gone downhill for them. And after they both have one bad, stressful night, too many, the both decide to leave the city. The catch is them figuring out how they are going to escape, and not get caught.

Meanwhile, the local mechanic, Hernan Pena, will have to navigate his own problems.

It has been a month and a week since Lee returned to De La Plata Podrido, and things have settle down for Lee.

Chang asks River and Lee for some ideas to help business with his casino. And their ideas are nothing, if not inventive.

Unfortunately, later on, people that Lee knows intend to through a party, which River and Chang intend for Lee to attend.

As one can guess, Lee does not want to attend this party, and hilarity ensues.

And that is only just the beginning.

Lee is now back in Plata Podrido. And in a good situation in her life. Now, she is going to touch base with her friends in town. And see what is going on. And maybe even have some fun, while she does so.

For Lee, it is time to pay the piper, with interest.

Though, River has other ideas to help Lee, and herself.

But, Lee is about to find out some sides of those that are after her, that she did not know about.

Now, River has to get them both out of this mess. And her plan is creative. Unfortunately, River's plan will take time, and so Lee will still suffer. But, River is there to mitigate the situation, until her plans come to the forefront.

It has been a few days for some. And years for others. As those after Lee have lost track of Lee. With the maids eventually returning to Lagoon Island, in defeat, at having lost Lee.

Though, that does not the hunt is over. Not by a long shot.

Ranma realizes there is one group she knows of that are possibly better trackers than even the maids.

Ranma then goes to meet with one of her former teachers, Cologne. In the hopes of enlisting trackers from the Chinese Amazons, to help find the maids.

For, if anyone could find Lee, it would be them.

Though, whom Cologne picks for this hunt, may bring the Badasses Of The Multiverse's prey closer to them, than they realize.

Meanwhile, River is waiting in the wings, waiting to take advantage of the situation, in her search for Lee.

This is final chapter of Volume Two of Book Five of the Gambling Man.

Those after Lee regroup on Lagoon Island, as they figure out what their next move will be, as they plan out how best to capture Lee. While sorting out some more immediate problems.

As this goes on, Revy and Priss will finally have it out, over Priss damaging one of Revy's cutlasses.

Meanwhile, the past finally catches up to several people.

Including Lee. With Lee being forced to face one of his most innocent of victims.

But, though this victim is innocent. That does not mean this person is harmless.

And Garibaldi is becoming increasingly distrustful of Lee. Especially, after the multiverse takes one more swing at both him and Lee.

For this will be Lee's Folly.

After Lee's daring escape from those after him, at the factory complex, Lee finds himself in a police station. With the police asking him questions, and they want Lee to give them answers.

Though, Lee knows he has to convince the police to let him go, as soon as possible, before those after him, catch up to him.

And Lee's idea of escape could land him in the funny farm.

Unfortunately, Lee has finally fallen into the sights of the two maids. This will cause an ensuing, running battle, that will lead Lee to the one man on Mars that could save him, or throw him to the wolves.

Meanwhile, Revy, Rock, and their friends, are having a few beers in a bar. As they have a casual conversation, about their lives, and their future plans. With a few surprises there, as well.

And from within his casino, Chang plots his next moves. With River by Chang's side.

Lee has lead those after him, to a large factory complex.

While those after Lee regroup and head in to capture Lee. They expect Lee to be preparing to make his last stand.

What they do not realize is Lee is instead planning to play a game, the multiverse's most extreme form of hide and go seek.

It is a game of wits and violence, where those after Lee learn what Lee is capable of, when he is forced to stand and fight.

Lee begins his escape into the multiverse, by jumping to another time, place, and reality.

Unfortunately, Lee quickly realizes his foes are onto him. With Lee trapped on a large passenger liner spaceship, with two very cunning adversaries.

And Lee is beginning to regret that he did not take the opportunity to learn Russian, during his experiences in the time loop.

Though, this does not mean that Lee is not going to have a little fun in the situation had has found himself.

Because what lunatic does not laugh in the face danger?

Meanwhile, Pedro has found the deepest, furthermost rock, he knows up, to hide under. Now, he hopes that he can stay hidden.

Just after Lee was revealed to be the writer, Lee was able escape into the multiverse. With all the hard work and planning done by Rock, Revy, and their crew, coming completely undone.

Now, these women must all each have a plate, from a buffet of crow, as they come to terms with their momentary defeat. While they review the information, and plan their next moves, in capturing their elusive foe.

All the while, River will get her chance to present Lee's defense, to their proverbial jury of the damned.

The Rats Nest Bartender has figured out that the person that Revy and the others are after is Lee. And she will have her answers as to why.

And should Lee handle this problem, he will still have a couple of more very serious problems to deal with.

Time has finally grown short. Secrets are revealed. And Lee soon realizes he has stayed one day too late.

Though, Lee is not out for the count. This just means he may have to take it all the way down to the wire. But, for a true gambler, it is all about playing the long odds, for the big payouts.

And Lee is about the place his riskiest bet ever, when a couple of notorious maids come to town.

Thing have finally started crashing down for Lee.

The government of Lee's home nation finally tracks him down. Fortunately, Lee is rescued by some people he did not expect to see so out in the open.

This leads to Lee having a heart to heart conversation with Chang.

Lee just has to make sure than Chang does not take Lee's heart out, during their conversation.

Still, if Lee makes it out of that conversation in one piece. He will have to face the fact that he is alone, with no options, and no way out. With all that is left for him is the waiting, and the crying, until he hears the bell tolls for him.