This is a story of discovery. Finding one’s place in the world is no easy task. Everyone goes on an adventure in search for their true purpose. Everyone embarks on a journey seeking answers. However, not everyone ends up reaching that adventure’s conclusion.
This is a story of discovery.
Chapter 01: Shizuka Joestar! The Next Inheritor!
The year is 2012. It’s been 13 years since peace was brought to this wonderful town, after its lifelong nightmare had been brought to justice. For most people, the years passed like any other decade.
For some though, their unusual lives continued at a steady pace.
This is the town of Morioh.
Located in Japan’s M Prefecture, S City. A town off the coast, home to many admired landmarks, and a place with rich history.
This is where our story begins.
ABBA High School, Principal’s Office – 11:40 am
A peculiar figure is seen sitting on their computer. Seemingly busy, the tall person is seen signing papers and printing copies of something. Perhaps examination report papers? This is a school after all.
In the same room, in the corner, a similar figure, though noticeably shorter, is seen punching values into a document in the computer. Seemingly dedicated to his work, he doesn’t even notice the frantically moving person, obviously being worked up about something, instead focusing on carefully carrying out his task.
Suddenly, loud steps are heard from the hallway, catching the attention of the two individuals, who look at the door, as it is suddenly opened by another person, a teacher. His glasses seem to be broken, still on his face, almost shattered. His business suit is a mess, and he is wet from head to toe. Wearing an angry expression, he remains at the door, until moving towards the taller person in the room, clenching his teeth.
Teacher: Mr. Gimme! Principal Gimme: Let me guess. Again?
The Principal sighed, his strange hair moving along.
Teacher: Indeed. That little twerp can’t give me and the others a break! I am confident it’s high time you took action! Time you saw to it personally, sir!
Principal Gimme sighed again, quieter this time, realizing he had to deal with an angry teacher. Again.
Principal Gimme: Can’t you see I’m busy? If I don’t have all the papers printed out by next period, the students won’t have enough time to complete their test because of schedule restrictions! Teacher: Well, if she isn’t taken care of though, then perhaps there might not even be a test at all! Principal Gimme: …Hey you look awful. Want a towel? Teacher: … Principal Gimme: ...? Teacher: Sir, with all due respect, I don’t think you realize the gravity of the situation. Principal Gimme: I’ve been overseeing the students’ education since elementary school. I believe I know well enough how truly important the situation is, taking everything into account. Teacher: Still, this can’t keep happening! I’ve lost two costumes this week, sir! This is the second one. Principal Gimme: Again, I can ask Mr. Hirose over here to tend to your problems as soon as he finishes evaluating the grades!
The figure on the computer, hearing this, turned his chair enough to be able to look back to the two men.
Koichi Hirose: That’s not a problem, I can help out now! Principal Gimme: Thank you, Mr. Hirose! Koichi: Actually… why don’t you take a break, sir? I’ll replace you in the lecture until further notice, Mr. Fernando. I’ll keep the kids in check, they know me well. Principal Gimme: Ah, excellent! Mr. Fernando: Very well… thanks for the consideration, Mr. Hirose!
Koichi Hirose left his duties to attend Mr. Fernando’s classroom lesson. Always willing to help, it’s not a surprise the students greatly respected him.
What was the issue the teacher was talking about though? Whatever it was, there was never a task too hard for Counselor Hirose to deal with.
Class 1-A. A nostalgic sight for Koichi, this is where his old friends used to attend class. "It sure takes you back…" the counselor thought to himself.
Not to mention how it had barely changed facility-wise since 1999, it was Koichi’s favourite place in the whole school.
As he pressed his hands onto the door for it to open, he could sense something was not right, instinctually. Not like a shiver or a chill in his spine, but an off-putting sensation. What is it that makes him feel uneasy right now?
The door opens.
Nothing.
Koichi: (Must have been my imagination. Whatever it might have been, I need to take care of this for Mr. Fernando.)
‘’Good morning, class!’’ said Koichi in a cheerful voice to an orderly class of about 20 or so students. With joy in his speech, he and the class exchanged greetings, which Koichi then returned the favour to with a smile.
Koichi: Unfortunately, your teacher, Mr. Fernando had to take a break. I’ll replace him for the remaining time in this period! No need for a rollcall, I’m pretty sure everybody is here…
The counselor picked up the rollcall notebook to check what Mr. Fernando had written on it, just to make sure that all students were present.
Koichi: Hm? It says in the notebook that everyone was present at rollcall, all 21 students, but I see just 20. Was one of you excused? Student: No, Mr. Koichi! Everyone is here, alright!
A giggle was heard among the students upon that statement.
Koichi: Weird, if everyone is here then… oh... Students: *muffled snickering* Koichi: Let me guess--
A bucket of water fell on Koichi’s head, from the top of the writing board, soaking him, much to his discomfort.
Koichi: …
The entire class burst into laughter. "NICE HAT, MR. HIROSE!" said one of the students, leading to the increase of laughing. In Koichi’s mind, he was pretty happy to see all the students enjoying themselves, but the feeling of embarrassment and slight frustration couldn’t be neglected.
Koichi: Shizuka Joestar.
The empty student seat at the very back of the class suddenly wasn’t so empty. A figure started to form, seemingly out of thin air, slowly bleeding into existence. The form was of a girl, laughing harder than all the other students in the classroom, with a smug expression worn on her face, accompanied by a triumphant smile.
‘’Ms. Joestar, I don't mean to show disrespect but don’t you find this a little insulting?‘’ said Koichi, his voice attributing a more serious tone than before.
Shizuka: Hey, this is a record! I’ve never pranked more than one teacher this way before; can you really blame me for an honest attempt?
The class broke into even harder laughter, but that was where the line was to be drawn.
Koichi: That’s enough!
But the class couldn't shake off the joyous laughter.
Koichi: I said [THAT’S ENOUGH!]
Suddenly the entire class went silent, feeling Koichi’s loud command echo inside their ears, as if he was right next to them.
Koichi: This is the last time you do something like this, Shizuka. For some reason you’ve been repeating your offences over and over lately! Are you asking to be expelled? Not to mention, endangering the use of your... Shizuka: Of course not, Mr. Hirose! I just thought… those pranks were the right thing to do. It’s not our fault Mr. Fernando’s lesson is so booooooriiiiiing~ Koichi: No matter how you see it, the truth is that you’re crossing the line with your offences. I’ll be forced to call your parents if you keep this up. Shizuka: Okay, Mr. Hirose…
Shizuka obeyed Koichi, her smug expression still not leaving her face as she lowered her head into her palms on the desk.
Koichi: Very well, let’s continue the lesson now--
And the doorbell rang.
*R I N G !!*
Koichi: Alright then, I guess that was it. Have fun, everyone! Dismissed!
Shizuka swiftly ran out of the class faster than anyone, jumping out of her seat excitedly, as if she was running a marathon. She ran past the counselor with fleeting precision and went for the yard to meet with her best friend, an exchange student named Bonnie Tyler. The only one she entrusted everything to, and a faithful and loyal companion since elementary school.
As she finally came face to face with Bonnie who was waiting outside of her class at the lower floor, The only thing on Shizuka’s mind was how she was going to get her next prank in play, ignoring Counselor Koichi’s orders.
Her name was Shizuka Joestar.
Bonnie Tyler: Shizu-chan! That was real mean of you, from what you're saying…
Age 16, foster daughter of Joseph Joestar.
Shizuka: Oh c’mon! You have to admit that was cool though! I managed to drop 2 buckets in one day, hell, one period! Bonnie: Hmm.......You know what? You’re right, that was pretty cool!
Real name is unknown, and all attempts to find who she belonged to when she was found in 1999 resulted in failure.
Bonnie was Shizuka's best friend; she had been her closest one since elementary school. A regular teenage girl sporting a single hair bun and vivid eye pigment. Even though her almost too normal looks and behavior for a schoolgirl is something Shizuka disliked about people, Shizuka really treasured her.
Shizuka and Bonnie giggled together on their way outside, exchanging comments about the latest period as they had a stroll.
Bonnie: …But aren’t you a little worried? You might get expelled, up until now your pranks were far and few in between, but you seem to be asking for a punishment… Shizuka: Nah, you know me! I would never do something too risky. Bonnie: If that’s the case, then I must not know you, cause you always go for the riskiest possible approach, haha! Shizuka: So what? If I can’t enjoy my life in this school, then what’s the point? All I wanna do is have some fun, that is all, hah! Bonnie: I’m a little jealous to be honest… you are so carefree, don’t your parents lecture you about all of this? You even got that silly-looking tattoo a month ago, is such rebellious behavior just--
Shizuka suddenly stopped walking and stayed still, putting her hands on her sides, looking at Bonnie straight in the eye through her black shades.
Shizuka: Hey. Don’t you tell me anything like that about my tattoo again. You know how much it means to me, don’t you? Bonnie: Fine, fine... sorry...
The young woman rearranged her school uniform, to proudly show her tattoo. She really did treasure it. A pink star located on the collarbone area of her left shoulder.
Bonnie: But, well… you do seem to at least be getting more popular because of this! I heard that 12th grader, Billie Joel, is liking your attitude lately~ Shizuka: Billie Joel? Really?! HAHA! YES! I… uh…
Shizuka wiped a droplet of sweat from her forehead with a finger before letting out a deep breath. ''No it’s okay, I understand, Shizu-chan!'' said Bonnie as she blushed with a smile.
============================
ABBA High School was a great place to be. The facilities hadn’t changed a whole lot since 1999, other than more treelife being planted and pathways between elementary, middle and high school decorating the school’s atmosphere. A beautiful place for teachers and students alike, with unique opportunities for all interests, such as sports activities, reading, acting, a multitude of clubs to take part in and even a swimming pool. The environment was great for everybody.
However, even wonderful places like this have some ugly features hidden underneath.
Somewhere close by, someone was watching the two girls. A tall figure, dressed in black, lighting a cigarette. Wearing a school uniform under the large black trench coat, it looked like a student, a 12th grader. Behind him hide similarly-dressed boys, all of who looked like really tough delinquents.
The taller of the bunch, probably the ‘’boss’’, finished his smoke before leading the bullies, stepping forth from the dark corner from the school yard’s back and going for a closer look at the two girls. His intimidating charisma inspired some members of his gang to follow along, while others calmly observered them from a distance, very carefully.
After a little bit, the leader had come forth, menacingly reaching the two girls.
Shizuka: … Bonnie: What are you looking at? Shizuka: Hey, Bonnie… Bonnie: Yes, Shizu-chan? Shizuka: You know those guys? Bonnie: Uh... no, I don't… Shizuka: Then why are they coming over here?
Bully: Hello there, freshmen. Shizuka: Hey.
A silent moment deafened the atmosphere before the leader of the delinquents decided to speak.
Bully: How are you liking the transition to high school so far? Is everyone treating you well? Shizuka: You kidding me?! Everything’s so fucking cool! Bully: Really? Is that so… Bonnie: Shi... Shizu-chan, I think we should get going… next period is about to start and we’re really gonna get in trouble if we’re late… Bully: Oh, really? That’s ok then, don’t let us occupy your time. Responsibility is the number one priority, after all. Shizuka: Whatever you say, I guess. Bully: However… as far as responsibility is concerned...
Suddenly, the bullies grabbed Shizuka and Bonnie in one fell swoop, before quickly dragging them into the dark corner where they were hiding, meeting the rest of the gang. In the vast main yard of the school, no one really noticed this awful act.
Bonnie: Shizu-chan!! Bully: You are also ‘’responsible’’ to explain yourself to me!
Bonnie was panicking, being pinned on the wall by two of the bullies, hurt by them because of their strong grip and scared for her friend’s and her own life.
Shizuka, managing not to lose face, remained adamant, as she showed an annoyed face to the delinquents.
Shizuka: Hey! You guys are pissing me off now, what’s this? Bully: I’ve been hearing a lot about you lately, little girl. You’ve been taking attention away from me and my pals over here… Shizuka: What? Oh… oh I get it, you don’t like me being the hottest thing in ABBA right now, huh? Bully: Good, you’re catching on, perhaps we’ll end this faster than I thought. Bonnie: …*gulp* Shizuka: So? Bully: So… how about a deal? You decide to know your place and cut that prankster crap, and I don’t bash your head and ruin your pretty face. Then, balance will be restored on our turf. Shizuka: Bash my head in? Wow, no respect at all. What did I ever do to you? Bully: Yeah, alright. Just answer me. Do we have a deal? Or…
The bullies behind started pulling out knives from the pockets of their coats, and their leader pulled brass knuckles out of his left pocket before putting it on his dominant hand. Bonnie was shocked beyond belief, left panicked and speechless as one of the bullies pointing his knife towards her face, coming closer and closer.
Shizuka: How about we let the people decide? After all, everyone seems to be enjoying me more. I am just more entertaining. Isn’t that a sign you should… you know. Move along and accept the times have changed? Bully: You tryna fuck with me, you little shit?! Shizuka: But don’t get me wrong, I do think you’re pretty funny too. I mean, this entire time it's been difficult for me not to burst out laughing just looking at you! Bully: Bitch! I’ll show you your place!
Shizuka, unafraid of the punch coming straight to her face, kept smiling.
Bonnie: …! Shizuka: ARA!!!
Bully: AUGHHH!!!
As if an invisible punch, many times stronger than the brass-knuckled one of the delinquent, punched him straight in the face, a loud cracking noise was heard and he fell down, bleeding intensely from the nose. Immediately putting his hand on his face in pain, he started to wonder what had just happened to him, and why there was blood on his clothes.
Bullies: What the fuck!!? Bullies: HOLY SHIT! Bullies: You little...!! Bullies: Wait a minute?! Where did she go?! Bonnie: Huh…!!! Bully: Where did your bitch friend run off to?! I was going to end her!
The brass-knuckled delinquent made his underlings back off as he approached and threatened Bonnie, getting blood on her from his nose, resulting in Bonnie being even more paralyzed, struggling to even make a noise.
Bonnie: I-I… I… Bully: Where is she, answer me! Or I'm gonna splatter your head all over-- Bullies: Boss! Bully: What the fuck is it now?!
The bully’s clothes had flown off, leaving him only his heart-patterned underwear.
Bullies: Boss! Y-Your clothes!
‘’What?!’’ he exclaimed, too pissed off to feel embarrassed about getting humiliated.
Bully: How did this happen... ???: Now THAT'S not appropriate school uniform… Bully: Where are you!? ???: ARA!!!
A glow started to shine from the bully’s pants, and suddenly, blow after blow of the buttons keeping the bully’s underwear together flew with extreme force into his face, hitting him forcefully out of nowhere on his weak nose. The bully fell unconscious as his brass-knuckled hand loosened up.
Shizuka: He-he-hey…
Shizuka’s figure started to form again, in front of the bullies, out of nothingness. Between the incomprehensible event they had just witnessed and their boss' unconscious body on the ground, they weren't left with too much to say.
Bullies: DUDE WHAT THE FUCK!? Bullies: PLEASE DON'T HURT US! Bullies: LET’S GET OUTTA HERE!!!
The delinquents, horrified at what they had just witnessed, made a run for it, exiting the school premises, using the dumpsters to jump off the wall and the fence gate as fast as possible.
Shizuka: Eat shit, baby.
Bonnie: Shizu-chan!!
Bonnie shouted loudly before falling into her best friend's embrace, bauling her eyes out. Before being able to utter a word, the shock got to her as she fell to the ground, unconscious, just like Shizuka’s latest trophy.
Shizuka tidied her school uniform and left the bully unconscious in the back of the school yard, where he would get noticed... eventually. She didn’t spare the bully another look or thought.
Taking Bonnie in her arms, the young woman noticed they were late for class, and made her way towards the nurse’s office with a cartoony sprint.
This is Shizuka Joestar, a foul-mouthed, ill-mannered girl, foster daughter of Joseph Joestar. She is a rarity among other people. She can become invisible. You see, she possesses what is known by very few people as… a ‘’Stand’’.
‘’This is my story. A story of discovery…
This might sound a little cheesy but…
I think it’s pretty cool.’’
Just like an invisible hand, pushing you forth when you need it most…
Like the ever-glowing Sun lending you its bright light to move forward…
Like a disorienting vertigo, waiting for you to utilize it to your advantage…
Our story begins.
Morioh, a town of brilliance. It is in a town like this, where people from all walks of life can be found. The funny, the curious, the majestic… and the eccentric, as well.
It is in a town like this, where ‘’weird’’ doesn’t quite cut it. That remains especially true for a special kind of people.
It is at a town like this, where Shizuka Joestar’s life doesn’t seem to be getting a break right now.
ABBA High School, Principal’s Office – 12:35 pm
Principal Gimme had just entered the room. At first glance, he was happy to see everything was still in place. The painting he had brought from home still on the wall, the computer opened to the website he had left it at last period, his little bag of walnuts he snacked on left untouched, delighted at the sight of a stress-free welcome into his office.
That is, until he looked at the chair in the right corner of the room, on which Shizuka Joestar was sitting. Letting out his loudest sigh of that week (so far), he sat down in front of his desk. In that moment, Koichi Hirose opened the door, an angry expression on his face, much to Principal Gimme’s dismay, realizing the very real possibility of more work.
After a brief moment of silence, Koichi decided to break the quiet atmosphere.
Koichi: Mr. Gimme?
Principal Gimme: I know. At this point it’s routine, just tell me what you deem appropriate. Detention? Suspension? A formal warning? Koichi: Mr. Gimme, this is… um… a little more complicated.
Principal Gimme snapped a quick glance at Shizuka who was gazing off into the void, and stared for a few seconds, before coming up with his reply.
‘’Very well’’ the Principal said, taking a more serious expression to talk to Koichi. ‘’Fill me in, Mr. Hirose’’.
Koichi: I’m sure you’re aware of the incidents of last period. Mr. Fernando had to come here to inform us of the… predicament. Gimme: Yeah, yeah. He was soaked. That alone is not enough, you know. Koichi: Indeed. And that’s why I’m here to inform you of 12th Grader, Kamikuro Yami’s horrible condition. He was found beaten up, his nose broken, and his clothes torn off. Not to mention, a knife was found close to him.
Taking a quick glance at Shizuka once again, Principal Gimme looked back to Koichi, starting to sweat nervously.
Gimme: Hey! You’re not implying that... Koichi: Well, unfortunately I can’t confirm otherwise. Ms. Joestar refuses to speak. Me and the council were hoping you could talk to her. Gimme: …Understood. However, if all of you couldn’t convince her to talk, I don’t think I’m gonna have an easy time getting to her. Shizuka: Principal Gimme-- Gimme: Oi! Koichi: ... *sigh*
As Koichi saw that the situation was finally under control, he returned to his post back on the computer, filling in more paperwork and printing a brochure.
Shizuka looked at the Principal and smiled. Shizuka had known Gimme for a long time, since she was in Elementary School. Since Gimme was hired as principal and Budogaoka was expanded and dubbed ABBA, also known as Associated Budogaoka Board Academia, things for the school really turned out for the better. As ABBA had opened its grounds for more accessibility to Elementary and Middle School soon after 1999, Shizuka was familiar with the principal from the beginning.
Having known him almost her entire life, she knew that the one with the upper hand was none other than her, as she perfectly knew what buttons to push to get what she wanted.
Principal Gimme also knew that, and so, after taking a sip of water, he decided to lower his head to make perfect eye contact. Contemplating on his action, he realized it’s been a while since he got serious with this student.
Shizuka: So… are you going to yell at me? Gimme: Not today. Dealing with way too much stress. The most likely result will probably be your temporary expulsion, considering your deeds. Shizuka: But why? I really don’t understand, I was merely acting in self-defense! Gimme: According to Mr. Koichi, the evidence says otherwise. A knife, torn clothes and a broken nose, not to mention you being here safe and sound doesn’t really convince me otherwise. Shizuka: Oh c’mon! Bonnie-chan can testify for me. Gimme: You mean Ms. Tyler? She’s currently at the nurse’s office, still unconscious. Shizuka: But when she wakes up, she’ll surely tell you the whole truth! Gimme: Are you truly that certain that a testimony from her will completely reject all the evidence against you?
‘’Absolutely!’’ Shizuka said, rising her voice’s volume, instantly after Gimme had finished his sentence.
Shizuka: I can tell you with certainty the only bad thing I’ve done today is dropping two buckets of water in a single period. Gimme: … Gimme: But wait… I thought it was just one bucket… Shizuka: … Gimme: … Gimme: Noooooo.... haha! Tell me how you did that. Koichi: I can still hear you.
Principal Gimme responded by fixing his tie, wiping off some of his sweat and nodding positively at his precious counselor.
Gimme: But of course, Mr. Hirose! I was just… attempting to assess the whole scope of the situation. You see... that's what I was trying to do. Koichi: … Gimme: I’ll just continue. Shizuka: Y'know…
Shizuka sat more comfortably on her chair as well, adjusting her position.
Shizuka: No matter what happened, you should realize that bastard deserved it. Gimme: What? Shizuka: That damn delinquent. He tries to act like he’s great, but in the end he’s nothing more than an insecure little guy. This school can do so much better than that. Gimme: What are you trying to say? Shizuka: What I’m trying to say is…
The young woman looked straight at the principal.
Shizuka: I’m very glad he’s out of the way now.
SLAM!
Principal Gimme, pounding down his fist on the table, made a very loud noise that seemed to drown the sound of everything else in the room.
Shizuka, admittedly startled, slightly jumped and then spoke no other word.
Gimme: Ms. Joestar… you know me very well. I will absolutely NOT tolerate this kind of behaviour in my school. Shizuka: … Gimme: If you’re truly the one responsible, I will have no other choice than to expel you until next Tuesday. Shizuka: Tuesday!? But that’s 5 whole school days! I will lose so many absences! Gimme: I am very much aware of that, Ms. Joestar. Shizuka: …
"Were you planning on playing truant, Ms. Joestar?" asked Principal Gimme, a question that got no response rather than the girl looking down on the ground.
Silenced filled the room for a little bit. Koichi observed from his position, contributing to the silence, no longer typing anything. The sound of incoming e-mails broke the sound of nothingness, and gave way for Shizuka’s next response.
Retaining her confident expression and looking back up, Shizuka’s tone of voice lowered, as she replied to Principal Gimme.
Shizuka: Mr. Gimme… you’ve never given me such a penalty before. Gimme: Sorry, Ms. Joestar. But I’ve come to the conclusion that this needs to be stopped now. Ever since the term started a couple of weeks ago, your ‘’pranks’’ have only been getting worse and worse. Your middle school behaviour doesn’t even compare to some of your latest offences. Shizuka: … Shizuka: But... I... Gimme: Listen to me, Ms. Joestar. I know very well that deep inside, you are a good person. Have no doubt about it, I wholeheartedly cherish many of the moments we’ve shared since you were this small. However… Shizuka: I understand.
The Principal, retaining his serious expression, suddenly raised his brows in surprise.
Gimme: …You really do? Shizuka: Yes, I’m serious.
Gimme stopped thinking for a moment. ‘’Very well.’’ Is the only thing he could muster to say at that moment, opening his mouth to speak without a second thought.
Without a moment’s passing, Principal Gimme nodded at Koichi to stand up.
Gimme: Mr. Hirose… go to the teacher’s lounge. Call the Joestar household. Koichi: Shizuka, is Joestar-san at home?
The penalized student, refusing to talk at first, thought ''screw it'' and declared;
Shizuka: No. Koichi: Anybody else? Shizuka: Today… is Uncle Josuke’s day off. Koichi: Alright, I shall call and see if Josuke-kun answers.
As the room was filled with silence once more, Shizuka decided to leave Bonnie a missed call on her phone, and then leave. As she stood up, tidying her outfit once more to show off her tattoo and went to grab the door handle, Principal Gimme also stood up.
Gimme: Ms. Joestar… no, Shizuka. Shizuka: Yes, Mr. Gimme? Gimme: I want you to know something… No matter what happens, you can’t lose your way. I know you, Shizuka. I know you’re a good person inside. And I know that can’t be changed, no matter what falling-outs we may have sometimes. Shizuka: … Gimme: You were, are, and will be who you’ve always been; a good person. That can’t be changed. This particular little inconvenience can and will be fixed. It can’t come between us. Don’t let this bring you down. Stay true to your nature. Shizuka: …Understood. Gimme: …Have a nice week.
Shizuka quietly locked the door to the principal’s office, as she picked up her backpack and headed for an exit to the school premises. Seemingly without even noticing it, she was out of the school in no-time, as if time had skipped ahead. Probably because she was recollecting the sincerity in the Principal's by-the-numbers, mechanical words of advice.
Shizuka: …’’I’m a good person.’’ Shizuka: … Shizuka: Of course I am. I am… Shizuka: A Joestar.
===========================
Higashikata Residence, 13:45 PM
*ring ring*
*ring ring*
*ring ri-*
???: Higashikata Household, good afternoon.
The Higashikata Residence. Oddly dark, no lights were on and the curtains blocked any sunlight. As the afternoon had just begun for everybody else, it looked like the day had just started for this modest house.
At that moment, a phone call broke the monotony of the atmosphere, and the call receiver was prompted to open the window, the sun finally due to greet the house.
???: Hm? Yes, this is Josuke Higashikata.
… Josuke: Ah, Koichi-kun! Good afternoon.
… Josuke: I see.
... Josuke: Roger that. I’m on my way.
=======================================
Shizuka Joestar was on her way to the Higashikata house, knowing her dad wouldn’t be home until the evening, and that she didn’t have keys to the house. In a melancholic mood after leaving the school, she wasn’t pleased to know that rain was on the way.
Not having packed an umbrella in her school bag, she didn’t really enjoy the atmosphere, to say the least. All she had was her sunglasses, which she pulled out of her bag and wore on her face, blocking just a little bit of the rain.
Thankfully, the Higashikata house wasn’t very far away, and she arrived just in time before the first thunderous roar was heard from far, far away.
As she was getting anxious from her clothes being drenched, taking it as somewhat of a divine intervention for her shenanigans on her teacher, she forcefully knocked on the door.
…
And did so again.
5 minutes passed.
5 minutes full of quiet anger and forceful knocking.
As Shizuka was filled with more and more frustration, displeased at how her day was going, the pent-up aggression needed to be released.
That’s what she was thinking, as she broke down the door to the house, with an otherworldly barrage of swift energy.
Shizuka: Uncle Josuke, I’m home!
No response.
Shizuka: Uuuuuuncle JOOOOOOOsukEEEEEEEE!
As nobody but the rain outside responded to Shizuka’s words, the young woman quietly moved upstairs to Josuke’s room.
Upon the realization that nobody was in the house, and noticing the motorcycle, from the window, missing, Shizuka felt even worse. The man of the house had probably left for the school to pick her up. Knowing she won’t be able to relieve her anger, she just sat on Josuke’s bed, resting her head on a pillow.
Shizuka: This day is fucked.
====================================
Higashikata Residence, 15:00 PM
The sound of a motorcycle could be heard from outside. As the rain was getting worse and worse, the rider wasted no time in getting off the vehicle, taking off his helmet and going for the door.
Only problem was… the door wasn’t there.
Absolutely shocked to see the main entrance to his house demolished, the rider quickly stepped inside, leaving his helmet on the couch next to the entrance and beginning to search the house.
‘’Damn…’’ he began saying to himself, internally. ''I need to make sure whoever is in here doesn’t leave the house… that scumbag has the cheek to go directly for the head of the police force!’’
Upon finishing his thoughts, Josuke Higashikata gained composure and walked behind a few steps, to where the door lay, broken in many pieces. ''Looks simple enough'' he said internally... and then an aura enveloped his surroundings.
Josuke: Crazy Diamond.
With just the saying of those words, Josuke put the door back together in less than a second, and made sure it was locked, like magic. Anxious to discover the perpetrator responsible for breaking into his own house, he started scouting the first floor.
As soon as Josuke was done with checking almost the entire house, he realized only one place remained to look; his own room. Josuke didn’t suspect anybody breaking into his own room, but wanting to make sure, he started turning the handle.
Josuke: …!!
Much to Josuke’s surprise, there was only Shizuka Joestar, who was watching a movie on TV, covered in Josuke’s bed blankets, rain water staining them.
Curious as to what was going on, Josuke panicked and looked at the young woman, sweat rolling down his face. Entering the dark, unlit room, he approached the young woman and talked in whispers.
Josuke: Shizuka-chan… Shizuka: Oh… hey, Uncle Josuke. Josuke: Shizuka, you can’t be this calm right now! Shizuka: What? What’s going on? Josuke: SHH!!
Josuke, looking around and outside the window, took a step back and then moved closer to whisper into Shizuka’s ear, with a worried expression on his face. Josuke's bizare hair moved along with him.
Josuke: We might have an intruder in the house! Don’t move, I’ll keep searching for them. Shizuka: An intruder?! Josuke: SHHH!!!! Shizuka: Wait… how do you know we have an intruder in the house? Josuke: Someone broke down the door, and I think I even saw some wet footprints that weren’t mine upon entering the house! Shizuka: Broken door? Footprints? Josuke: Yes, now stay here, close the TV for a little bit, cause the less noise we make the better off we’ll be-- Shizuka: I broke that door. Those were probably my footprints from outside. Josuke: … Shizuka: ...tee-hee...? Josuke: Shizuka-chan? Shizuka: Yes, uncle Josuke? Josuke: WHAT were you THINKING!? Shizuka: What!? You weren’t here, I was getting soaked outside in the rain, and I had been knocking on the door for so long until I just decided to break it down! Josuke: And you broke down the door!? Shizuka: Right, like you can’t fix it with your Stand. Josuke: That’s not the point! Shizuka: Then what IS the point!? God dammit, all of you today! Josuke: …?
Shizuka kept watching TV, as Josuke took a moment to read the atmosphere. He then left the room, the room illuminated by the blue-ish mixture of light from the weather just outside the window and the television.
10 minutes passed before Josuke came back, having put on more ordinary clothes and made Shizuka a quick snack.
Josuke: Shizuka-chan?
But the girl was not very responsive. Her expression staying the same and her eyes glued to the television, blocking all outside communication.
Josuke: …Had a rough day, didn't ya? I brought you a sandwich, maybe it’ll cool your nerves. I made it as special as you like it. Shizuka: … Josuke: …Reservoir Dogs, huh? You really like that movie. It’s one of my favourites too, actually. This torture scene in particular is the highlight of the whole thing for me!
Shizuka wasn’t responding, and Josuke could feel her mood. Knowing it would be hard to break the ice, but determined to do so, Josuke remained in the room and put the plate with the sandwich on the lamp stool next to his bed. Squatting down to meet Shizuka closely, he looked at her for a little bit.
Josuke: Shizuka-chan… do you want to tell me about it? If you don’t, then that’s perfectly fine. Shizuka: I beat the hell out of a guy today. Josuke: ... is... is that so? Shizuka: He attacked me and Bonnie, what was I supposed to do? Josuke: Koichi told me you also played a prank today. I won’t judge you for defending yourself, as you say, but it is a fact that you’re not doing very well at school. Shizuka: But everybody likes me! Even the losers from other classes! Josuke: I wasn’t talking about that. I mean your behaviour. I’ve been hearing from dad that you’ve not been getting many good grades. Shizuka: Speaking of Papa Joseph, is he at home? I came here because I knew he was outside with mom. Josuke: No, he’s not home. I called him on his cellphone, he said he’ll be back as soon as he can.
Shizuka smiled faintly, taking the blankets off of her as she adjusted herself on the bed and turned down the volume of the TV.
Shizuka: That’s good news. Josuke: Yeah… but you didn’t answer me. What’s going on with you and your behaviour at school, recently? Is there a problem? Shizuka: No, I’m just my usual self. Unfortunately, that's the same for everyone else too. I don’t get why I’m being scolded all the time, just for doing what I want. Josuke: …I’m probably not the best guy to tell you this… to tell the truth, Joseph is much more fitting to lecture you. I... god... I'm sorry sweetie, but... Shizuka: ...yes? Josuke: You need to get a grip, Shizuka.
Shizuka seated herself more upwardly on the bed and looked at Josuke with a clearly displeased glare. That was the last thing she expected Josuke Higashikata to say.
Shizuka: Excuse me? Josuke: Listen, Shizuka-chan. I know you’re a teenager, I was in your place once too. I was immature too. But, that is no excuse for what you’ve been doing. You’re being... extra immature. Shizuka: Then what else should I do, Josuke?! Josuke: Please look at this from a point of view other than your own, Shizuka-chan. Shizuka: All I’m trying to do is live my life the way I want to, I want to have fun! Hell, I believe this is destiny! …Papa Joseph used to be like me. Josuke: Oh… so this is about Joseph, again.
Shizuka, pissed, stared at Josuke, dead in the eye. Josuke didn’t respond to her expression however, simply staring back at her how he had been doing the entire time.
Shizuka: …What do you mean again? Josuke: You should know that Joseph-- Shizuka: WHAT ABOUT HIM!? He lived his life just like me, he used to tell me about it all the time! If anything, you should know better, you’re his son, and me, I’m…
The head of the Morioh police force stayed there, like a statue.
Shizuka:He used to tell me about himself all the time! He was awesome, YOU were awesome! What am I doing wrong?! Josuke: That doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. Don't you know that we... wh-why do you want to keep up that attitude?! Shizuka: I’M A JOESTAR, DAMMIT!!! Josuke: …
Shizuka took a moment to cool down, enough for her breathing to resume a normal pace once again. Taking no more than a single glance at Josuke, she took her school bag from the floor and didn’t look back, leaving the room, the blankets falling on the carpet.
Going down the stairs, Josuke quickly started going after her. Worrying about where she was headed, he came to the door, to see it broken into pieces once again, this time many more of them.
In the rain, only her silhouette could be seen, walking casually in the distance.
‘’Shi… SHIZUKA!!! WHERE ARE YOU GOING!!!’’ is all that could be heard, except the rain dropping. Josuke gave it his all so that Shizuka could hear him. But neither could hear the other.
Shizuka: (I’m tired of all these god damn lectures… damn it all…) Josuke: SHIZUKA!!! ANSWER ME!!! Shizuka: (Don’t worry about me… I’m a Joestar, I’ll know what to do.) Josuke: …That girl…
Josuke stepped back inside the house, a presence forming behind him, putting the broken pieces of the door back together while he picked up his cellphone to make a call.
The rain had come to a close. Though truly a weather phenomenon of massive proportions for this time of year, for outside observers it seemed to pass and go almost instantly, in just a couple of hours. But for Morioh’s residents, the storm’s halt was nothing short of a joyous event.
For most residents, at least.
Joestar Residence, 16:05 PM
Suzie Q: When I get my hands on that little brat…!!
Suzie Q, wife of Joseph Joestar. Also known as Suzie Q Joestar. His lifelong partner since the start of the 1940s, she’s currently living with Joseph in Morioh, for both of them to be in contact with the rest of their family.
Right now though, no sort of such happy intentions were anywhere to be found in her thoughts.
Joseph: Calm down, Suzie. I’m sure Josuke must have just exaggerated, Shizuka wouldn’t just do all these things! I’m sure it’s one of her typical shenanigans, yet again.
Joseph Joestar, foster father of Shizuka Joestar. Having grown less melancholic since 1999, he decided to enjoy his life in Morioh a long time ago, and is currently residing here with his family.
A long time ago, in 1999, Joseph Joestar came to Morioh to meet Josuke Higashikata and help solve a bizarre mystery. While there, he and his illegitimate son, Josuke Higashikata, found an invisible baby. After many hijinks, Joseph took the baby under his wing and grew her as his child. Naming his foster daughter Shizuka Joestar, the rest... is history.
However, he, too, isn’t in the most pleasant of moods at the moment.
Suzie Q adjusted her glasses and turned around, looking at her husband straight in the eyes, with a more-than-apparent expression of anger.
Suzie Q: It seems you’re forgetting we’re talking about the same girl that tattooed your family’s birthmark without telling us, last week! She is more than likely to have done all of what Josuke told us, perhaps even worse! Joseph: I trust Shizuka. She wouldn’t be so reckless. Whatever the case, we’ll learn as soon as we find her!
The elderly woman seemed like she was about to reply with yet another lecture to her husband, but as she was about to open her mouth, she just sat down on the couch, letting off a sigh. Closing her eyes to calm down for a little bit, she opened them rather quickly after a few seconds, once again directing her attention over to Joseph.
Suzie Q: Well, at least we know for sure she isn’t heading over to us. If she was, she’d be here already. I say we go right now, perhaps she’s at Bonnie’s as usual. That poor little girl, getting wrapped up into such unorthodox farces…
‘’Not a bad idea!’’ exclaimed Joseph, smiling faintly at his wife, and slowly getting up from his armchair.
Joseph: I’ll go get the car keys, you get ready, put something good on, Bonnie-chan and her mom haven’t seen us in a long time, after all.
Joseph's beloved wife couldn’t help but feel a little offended, thinking he didn’t appreciate her fashion taste, as he usually does. But her feelings towards Shizuka were vastly superior, repressing anything else. As such, she ignored her husband’s comment and got up, heading for the door.
‘’I swear to god…’’ she thought to herself, internally.
Suzie Q: (I swear to god… this is all Joseph’s fault. We don’t seem to be getting a break, at all…)
Suzie, continuing her inner monologue, contemplated Shizuka’s current state, hoping for the best.
Suzie Q: (…If she isn’t at Bonnie’s though, there’s only one other place she’s bound to be. She always goes there…)
===========================================
Shizuka: Are you for real!? Mikitaka: Yes, I am confident that this is the truth.
Shizuka Joestar had found herself at Mikitaka Hazekura’s house. Shizuka used to go out of the house a lot as she was growing up, whenever she made a mess or just felt guilty about something.
She’d always go to her friend’s house, Bonnie’s place. However, when she was not able to find comfort in her best friend, she always had a back-up plan. Someone who she always knew was free, at all times.
Mikitaka Hazekura.
Shizuka had known about Mikitaka from Josuke, heard stories about him. After the first time she visited him, there was no turning back. A friend who was always there. A rather… ‘’otherworldly’’ idea for a friend, however.
"That sounds so cool! I wish I could go…" exclaimed the penaltized student, browsing through pictures of a stylish looking young man in her cellphone, a folder titled "Billy".
Mikitaka: It would be most beneficial to you, truly. However, I have already mentioned the flight has been booked, 3 days ago. Father Arthur cannot afford to bring another passenger along, especially this late, when the plane leaves off early tomorrow. Shizuka: I don’t get it… it’d be the most fun thing ever! I always wanted to go abroad… and it is the best way to spend my boring week of expulsion too… Mikitaka: Father Arthur made it clear; his religious trip to the shrines of Mexico is a 2-person offer only, excluding the rest of the passengers of the plane that will bring upon said religious trip. Shizuka: What’s so special about his companion anyway? Who even is his companion? Is the pope going with him or whatever? He is, isn't he? I knew the Pope sucks but damn… Mikitaka: Not exactly. Kojiro, son of a local Morioh family, is going with Father, because of his devotion to the church and the religious practices he has been keeping up his whole life. He is still very young. Shizuka: Pffft…
Shizuka’s expression turned from interested to disappointed in a matter of seconds, as she shrugged and turned her head the other way, losing herself in her phone once more.
Shizuka: All this church nonsense is making me angry, they’ll just look at old shacks, that’s all. At least if I was there I’d actually have fun. Sounds like that poor kid is going there for a chore.
Mikitaka, gazing into the distance, standing on top of his bed straight on his feet for a while now, answered back to Shizuka.
Mikitaka: I am sorry to give you sad news on this day, Shizuka. It really is not my intended action, but I thought it would be good to know the facts. The flight has been booked, so perhaps you should spend your week otherwise.
Shizuka slowly raised her head up to Mikitaka, who was sitting up on his bed. With a smug expression, she looked into his eyes.
Shizuka: Yeah, but… wouldn’t it be funny if… you know, I went anyway~? Mikitaka: I seem to not be able to pinpoint what exactly constitutes as ‘’funny’’ about that. Your intentions are not the most correct in my eyes. You told me about today. I don’t think your close ones would be content with this decision you propose taking, judging from past experience.
With a swift response, Shizuka declared ‘’Who cares about THEM?’’, much to Mikitaka’s surprise, who still kept the same expression he had for the entire time since the young woman came to his house.
Shizuka: Papa would surely understand at least, I bet he’d do the same. Plus, Bonnie would totally cheer me on if she wasn’t resting her head at home right now… I hope.
Mikitaka turned his face towards Shizuka, with a seemingly stricter but still neutral expression.
Mikitaka: I still do not agree. Now if you’ll excuse me, I am too busy. Perhaps you should head back to your home? According to what you told me, your parents should have arrived by now. Shizuka: Yeah, but I am… wait, what are you busy with? Mikitaka: I am in the state of being ‘’tired’’. I would like to sleep. Therefore it is what I am going to do. Shizuka: …Standing up? On your bed? With your shoes on? Mikitaka: I do not understand the question. Shizuka: …With a school outfit on? Mikitaka: This is my ordinary clothing. Shizuka: But you’re not even in school anymore. Mikitaka: Yes. Shizuka: … Shizuka: Okay.
Shizuka got up from the ground, shoved her phone in her bag and opened the door to Mikitaka’s room, making her way towards the exit, at a nonchalant pace.
Shizuka: Goodbye, Miki-kun! See you later!
As Shizuka headed outside the door, having opened it, she quickly stepped back inside, as if she had remembered something at the last minute.
Shizuka: Oh! Also! You’ll help me out with the flight, right? …Miki-kun! You’ll help me, right? We’re not done yet!
…
The young woman received no reply, being met with just the sound of her friend snoring, still up on his bed from what Shizuka could glimpse of the bedroom view.
Ignoring this, she exited and closed the door behind her.
Turning the handle, she raised her hand towards her face, looking at her wristwatch and gaining a surprised expression. Seeing as how it was getting late, almost 5 in the evening, she headed for Bonnie’s house, wondering if she had woken up by now.
Shizuka: Papa will have to wait, just a little bit.
From far away, behind one of the houses down the street, a careful observer was located.
Tall, with a black trenchcoat and a butterfly knife in hand, he took his cigarette out of his mouth, threw it on the ground and stepped on it, with calculated movements. Still in the shadows, he suddenly stopped doing hand tricks with his knife, and put it back into his pocket.
???: Eyes on the prize, you dumb broad.
=======================
‘’Bonnie! See who’s at the door, please!’’
‘’Okay Mom!’’
Tyler Residence, 16:20
Bonnie Tyler had only woken up an hour or so ago, her sweet mother having taken care of her and placed her on the bed, to make sure she would heal as soon as possible. Still recovering from the shock, she remained in bed, contemplating if her best friend was fine after what happened that morning at ABBA.
Bonnie had only regained her will to move again a few minutes ago. The first thought on her mind was to answer Shizuka, who had texted her, but was disrupted by a bell ring.
With a quiet sigh, she shrugged, clipped her hair to be more comfortable, put her pants on, all the while making her way towards the door awkwardly.
The bell rang once more, a couple of seconds before Bonnie placed her hand on the handle and opened the door to be met with unexpected visitors.
Joseph: Good afternoon, Bonnie-chan! Suzie Q: Oh, look at you! You’ve grown a lot since the last term! Bonnie: …Uh… h-hello! Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Joestar!
‘’Who is it, Bonnie-chan?’’ Bonnie’s mother shouted from the kitchen, where she was making a meal for her dear daughter, the smell of healthy chicken soup decorating the household atmosphere.
Bonnie: It’s Shizu-chan’s parents! Should I let them i--
‘’Hold on!’’ Joseph exclaimed suddenly, in English, before Bonnie could finish her sentence. Bonnie turned to look at him with a curious expression.
Joseph: We’re not here to stay; we just want to know if Shizuka is here. She hasn’t returned home and we thought maybe she was hanging out with her friend. Suzie Q: Is Shizu-chan here, sweetie? Bonnie: No, but she texted me, that she’ll be coming over here soon.
Bonnie took out her phone and looked at her messages quickly, curious to find out what her best friend had been up to.
Bonnie: She says… ‘’@ Miki-kun’s, r u awake?’’ and apparently now she’s coming here. Suzie Q: I suspected she might have gone to Mikitaka’s house, that rascal is all too generous with her. Oh well… the important thing is that she’s coming here now. I can’t wait to see her.
Joseph slowly turned his head towards his wife, a little worried at her choice of words, knowing his foster daughter was in for a lecture.
Bonnie: Umm… so… would you like to come in? Joseph: OH! Oh right, yes, if you don’t mind we’d like to wait for Shizu-chan to come here. Bonnie: MOM! Mr. and Mrs. Joestar will wait for Shizu-chan here for a little bit!
‘’I guess I’ll have to make meals for our lovely guests as well!’’ spoke Bonnie's mom from the kitchen, the aroma of the wonderful fragrance leading the noses of the household’s guests towards the food's direction, before they sat on the hall’s couch in an orderly manner.
Bonnie took a glance at Shizuka’s parents and then went to her room, secretly planning to text Shizuka about it. Once she was out of view, she ran into her room fast and awkwardly like before, and locked the door. With a swift motion she fell on her bed and took out her phone. "Alright then…"
Bonnie: ‘’Shizu-chan, where are you right now?’’
The teenager, waiting for a notification beep, pressed her head on her pillow, looking at the ceiling.
‘’Please be safe, Shizu-chan… ‘’ she thought to herself, nervousness possessing her, not only in worry of her best friend’s safety, but also dreading the lecture she was probably gonna get from her parents.
Her bedroom was stripped of urgency, as Bonnie rested on her pillow and sound vanished, leaving her thoughts as the only active presence in the room.
=======
Shizuka was heading to her friend’s house. The dark clouds still decorating the sky from before, she was getting anxious that the storm would resume, but kept her hopes up, as she opened her schoolbag, to drink from her bottle of water, and looked at her wristwatch once again, retaining her steady pace towards her destination.
Morioh was unusually quiet, even a pin dropping could make a noticeable sound. For Shizuka, this was a peculiar change of atmosphere from the intense weather from just half an hour ago. But also because she wasn’t ever as well-accustomed to any lifestyle as the loud kind.
…
Shizuka: OH!!!
Shizuka shouted in the middle of the street, as if surprised by a horror movie jumpscare.
Shizuka: I FORGOT!!! MY SUNGLASSES!!!
Shizuka kept panicking, speaking her thoughts out loud, breaking the unusual silence of the town in a ‘’captivating’’ manner.
Shizuka: I can’t go without my sunglasses, it’s like macaroni without cheese! Spaghetti without meatballs! Ravioli without eggs! IT JUST DOESN’T WORK!
Shizuka’s eyes looked as if they were ready to pop out of her head, as she placed her hands on her head with a strong grip, still panicking.
‘’That’s it, I need to run back!’’ she shouted aloud, as she did an almost military-like 180 degree turn, ready to run back to Mikitaka Hazekura’s house, making a runner pose as she was about to take off.
But just about 30 centimeters away from her face upon her turn, stood a towering 2-meter tall man, seemingly waiting for her to turn so their face-to-face meeting could initiate.
Shizuka: …woah.
The tall man tidied his trench coat, combed his eye-popping spiky, dyed hair back with his thick fingers, and scratched his nose, where 3 nose rings could be found. His left hand still in his pocket, the man lowered his head down to make eye contact with the young woman, all the while not speaking a single word.
‘’Name’s Everblack.’’
That’s all the tall, coated person said, looking straight into Shizuka’s eyes, with a less-than-holy intent, to say the least. Shizuka was still retaining her runner position.
Shizuka: …Boy… are you a big guy or what… Everblack: … Shizuka: What? You wanna chat? I can’t right now, I have to be somewhere, but we can talk in a little bit. If you wanna wait here I’ll meet you again when I come back, see you later!
Shizuka went to run from the man’s right side, to make her way to Mikitaka’s house, as she had intended. However, she could only get one step ahead of him before the large man swiftly grabbed Shizuka by her school uniform’s back, and raised her in the air with just his one hand, the young woman’s senses of dread slowly increasing.
Everblack: … Shizuka: …Strong. I see. Everblack: My boys… Shizuka: Eh?
The man lowered his head, not looking at the young woman, slicking his hair back again with his hand, and adjusting his nose rings once more.
Everblack: How dare you do that to my little brother… to my boys… Shizuka: I don’t think I know… what you’re talking about-- GUUUGH!!
Upon Shizuka finishing her sentence, Everblack swinged her away extremely fast, the force of his fist pressuring and hurting the former, before she landed behind a house, in a dark corner where no one could notice the two.
Shizuka landed on her sides, on a trashcan, and without being able to speak a word because of her pain, her eyes again seemed like they were about to pop out of her head. Only this time, it wasn’t out of spite for having forgotten her glasses.
This was more serious.
Shizuka: ….a-….ack- !!
Everblack: There’s no point fighting back. Accept the consequences and I might just let you live… in the end.
Shizuka was still lying on her sides, her head pointing at the ground, as she seemed unable to move.
Everblack: Good… someone’s got a brain.
The bulky man lowered his head as a morbid grin slowly started to form on his lips.
‘’Here goes…’’ Everblack exclaimed, as he took off his trench coat to reveal his awe-inspiring muscles in one single movement, as if the coat moved on its own. Cracking his fingers, he formed a fist with his right hand, and moved quickly towards Shizuka, his fist going for her head, within the brink of a moment.
‘’Eat it, bitch!’’
…
Suddenly, his fist stopped.
Just a few inches away from Shizuka’s head, Everblack’s fist had come to a halt.
Everblack: …!!?
Shizuka slowly raised her head, and stared into Everblack’s visible eye, her expression from before having completely changed.
Shizuka: Hitting a student… outside of school… I think I’ve discovered a new low in human dignity… Everblack: …What did you...!!?
Shizuka slowly regained her balanced and stood up, the tall bulky man remaining in his halted position, against his will. Slowly, a fist started to form around Everblack’s arm, as if it was there all along, having gripped his hand before it hit Shizuka. Everblack moved back, creating distance between him and his target.
Shizuka: Everblack… was it?
Shizuka, completely regaining her balance and standing on her two feet, turned her head to her right, her left eye still pinned on the thug’s face, as if it was a matter of life and death whether she’d keep looking or not.
The man’s fist was let free, as he quickly pulled back, grabbing it forcefully with his other hand, his attention silently shifting from his hand to the young high schooler, at a periodic pace.
Bleeding into existence seamlessly, two arms formed around Shizuka, still invisible to the attacker. Muscular arms, nd soon enough an entire figure, a new presence, had emerged, standing behind Shizuka. The form of this figure was different to anything else on planet Earth. This was it.
Shizuka’s Stand.
Everblack: …What the...!!?! Shizuka:ACHTUNG BABY.
The figure passed through Shizuka’s body, basking in glory, menacingly.
With one fell swoop, the figure quickly moved from behind Shizuka, jumping forward, putting all of its power into a fist directed at the man’s chest, smiling confidently.
Everblack, as if he could hear the voice of his instinct 100% accurately, crossed his arms and tried to block the force coming towards him.
Despite it, the man was pushed back even when putting his whole strength into his block. He felt as if nature itself released its intensity through that motion, the wind from the impact gaining a force of its own.
Now pushed back, the man was bleeding on his bruised forearms, which he used to block the assault. Slowly losing his composure, his arms trembling and his eyes twitching continuously, Everblack grabbed his arms, each with the other, his eyes pinned on his attacker.
Everblack: …HNGHHH!!! BITCH!!! Shizuka: Looks like I didn’t make myself clear before, but I’m really not interested in taking you on. So I’ll try to be as clear as possible this time around… Shizuka: Fuck off.
Shizuka kept glaring at her attacker, wearing her determination on her sleeves. Her carefree attitude from before seemed to have completely vanished, now replaced with something completely different.
Everblack kept panicking, gripping his arm in silent pain as he couldn't take his eyes off his feisty victim.
Everblack: ….I…!!! I- I! I… Shizuka: Yes? "I" what? Finish your sentence already. Everblack: You… Shizuka: Me? Everblack: ….NGH!!! Shizuka: Sorry, they don't teach us that at school.
The young high schooler shifted her position, now standing completely straight and upward, with her hands in her pants' pockets, and called her Stand back as it proceeded to slowly dissolve into nothing. With a quiet sigh, she looked carefully at her attacker, who was now kneeling in pain. She gave him a sarcastic look as she rose an eyebrow.
Shizuka: Good, then it seems we’re done here. I think I’m starting… to piece this together. You’re the boss of those school thugs huh? I’m not one to judge, but being a typical school bully OUTSIDE of school is dumb as all hell. Everblack: …!!! Shizuka: Ok, silent treatment. Anyway, ya wanna hear this right now; tell ‘’your boys’’ to leave me alone, and all this can be water under the bridge. We’re not cool, but at least we can settle this. I’m busy right now. Everblack: … Shizuka: …I’ll take that as an ‘’ok’’. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to be somewhere.
Shizuka picked up her school bag, wore it tightly over both shoulders and cleaned a tiny droplet of blood from her school outfit. Soon, she started to move from the dark corner towards the street, setting off for Mikitaka’s house.
All the while, Everblack stayed silent, sweating nervously, irises twitching, his arms still gripped tightly as his head remained squashed against the ground. Shizuka pulled a bottle of water from her bag to quench her thirst and quickly clean any leftover blood off her face. Just as she closed the bottle cap, she was surprised to be met with something other than the street she was heading towards. Abruptly, she had found herself facing the grey and cloudy sky.
She had been pushed to the ground by an obviously fuming Everblack. Her head squelched against the cold and wet grass.
Shizuka: AA- Agh-!
Her neck was being forced downwards, clenching tighter with every passing moment, rendering her unable to speak or do anything. It had all happened too fast just now. Everblack’s expression was completely blank. Blood was dripping from his injured arms down to Shizuka’s face.
Shizuka: NNN-!
Shizuka’s expressions of anguish failed to stop Everblack, his squeeze only growing stronger with each second.
That was it.
In an instant, a huge concentration of force was pressed with intense speed against Everblack’s face, pushing him away from Shizuka.
A punch.
With intense wheezing, Shizuka grabbed her throat and started breathing heavily, attempting to recover. Her breathing was fast; on closer inspection, an onlooker would assume 10 breaths were inhaled and exhaled each second.
Meanwhile, Everblack was in the middle of the street, splattering blood in the cement, suffering in silence, grabbing his face with both of his hands, as the pain he had felt before vanished before an even greater punishment.
Half a minute had passed, and Shizuka was still grounded, in an upward position, trying to calm herself down and hiding her anguish from her facial expressions, in case Everblack had not given up yet.
The dreadful moment came soon afterwards, however. Everblack stepped up.
Shizuka: … Everblack: Fucking bitch… Shizuka: (Has he not learned his lesson yet!? Fuck… Fuck…) Everblack: I will…
Everblack formed fists with both of his hands. All of his focus was put into those two fists; so much so, Shizuka noticed he had made both of his hands bleed by pressuring his fists so much into his palms. "That's so gross" she thought to herself.
Everblack: I will… Shizuka: …? Everblack: Destroy you. Shizuka: That line… *cough* Everblack: ?!
Shizuka slowly raised her head up to her attacker, one eye closed, the other piercing into his own eye.
Shizuka: Sucks. Everblack: AAAAAAARGH!!!
Everblack moved towards the young woman, both of his fists aiming for her face.
A mere second later, his fists were full of blood. A perverted grin stretched across his wicked face indicated the success of his punch.
But something was off. Soon enough, Everblack started to notice his hands were bloody… not because his target had bled out on him… but because he had striked the hard cement street Shizuka was once laying on. As if she had completely vanished from existence, Everblack found it hard to comprehend what had just happened. Suddenly, a huge force of energy came in contact with his head, similar to before.
A punch.
Everblack refused to fall down, mad with anger, his expression giving all of his inner thoughts away. He quickly turned his head towards where the punch came from, but couldn’t find anyone there.
A punch.
Everblack was pushed towards the ground, gripping his right side where the strike was directed. Stepping back up, momentarily numb of his pain, he took a second to collect himself. Awkwardly running to the middle of the street seconds later, his balance was nowhere to be found. Soon enough, he began looking all around him to find the young woman, his teeth clenched in anger.
Everblack: ….!!! …!!
Gasping intensely, so hard that every other sound stood puny against the gasps, Everblack started to go into blind rage. Punching the air around him with no coordination for a lengthy period of time.
‘’Hey.’’
That was what could be heard from behind the tall thug, who turned around swiftly upon hearing it.
‘’I thought I told you to fuck off.’’
Another sound, from behind him again.
The tall man put all of his strength into his punch, as he quickly turned and punched what was behind him, thin air once again.
Everblack's irises still twitching, his whole body shivering and his arms moved as if he was about to have a seizure. Like a wild animal feeling in danger, his spasms led him nowhere as he continued to punch the air around him. The commentary did not help his condition at all.
"Okay, now I'm worried." Everblack: AAAAARGH!!
"Hey, ol' redface lookin' guy. Don't you know you'll pop a vein if you push yourself further?" Everblack: SHADDUUUUUUUP!!!
"Worst case scenario you go number 2, so please mister, cease." Everblack: NGAAAAAAGH!!
Getting tired of punching nothing out in the middle of this terrible weather, the man took out a knife from his pocket. He pointed it everywhere around him, in hopes of hitting something. Anything.
But nothing happened.
"ARA!!!"
Another punch.
The man’s nose must have definitely been broken now. A loud cracking noise was heard, while Everblack squinted intensely in silent anguish.
‘’This is getting pathetic.’’
Out of nowhere, right in front of the man, who was now down in the ground, tears coming out of his only opened eye appeared a figure. Bleeding into existence out of thin air, feet, legs, a torso, and finally a full silhouette had formed.
This was Shizuka Joestar. Besides her, floating, stood a large, purple and majestic figure. It was indescribable... and only its user could see it then. That was her Stand, Achtung Baby.
Shizuka: I’ve messed you up REAL good. WE’RE. DONE. Capiche? Everblack: ….NGHH!! Shizuka: You must not be right in the head if you continue after this. I don't want to feel guilty over this stupid exchange, so I’m calling an ambulance for you. If I remember right, Nijimura-kun is working part-time today, so you will be okay. Never cross me again and I can guarantee your safety. Even for someone as pathetic as you. Everblack: … Shizuka: Let’s hope this is the last time we meet.
Shizuka had put her right hand in her pants, and was already searching to find her phone among all the other stuff she had absent-mindedly kept in her pockets, such as a wallet, candy wrapping, stickers and a couple of pens.
Her fingers making contact with the phone’s screen, Shizuka tried to remember the home number for the local hospital instead of just dialing emergency services. Before being able to complete her thought however, suddenly...
Everblack jumped towards Shizuka.
Before being able to reach her though, an uppercut from a swift punch, coming from Shizuka's side, sent the tall thug flying upwards, suspended in mid-air from his perspective.
Shizuka: You…
Both of Everblack's eyes opened, as he was still being pressured upwards. His attention focused on the young woman when he started to sweat intensely.
For this one time… fear was the only feeling and thought running in his brain.
Shizuka: You deserve this. Everblack: I’m- Shizuka: AAAAAH!
Achtung Baby instantly formed out of thin air in front of Shizuka.
From all directions, with immense speed, a barrage of powerful blows surrounded Everblack. The battle is over!
With a final, powerful blow, the man was pushed far away, flying many meters away, with immense momentum. What was just about 3 seconds felt like an hour-long constant stomping sensation.
The moment the loser of the fight hit the ground, a droplet of rain fell on Shizuka Joestar's face. Hearing thunderous growling from beyond the mountains, it was not long before a sudden cloudburst concluded the scene.
Shizuka spit blood from her mouth into the ground as she proceeded to get her phone out, as she was planning to.
Shizuka paid little attention to the body of the man far away from her, all of it was focused on the buttons of the phone screen she was pressing to call the hospital.
Shizuka: This day… more and more bullshit by the minute.
======================
DELINQUENT THUG: EVERBLACK
STATUS: R E T I R E D
======================
About 15 minutes had passed; the ambulances had already arrived and examined Everblack, ready to send him on his way to the hospital. Shizuka was just sitting on the pavement. She had already decided she would tell the ambulance’s hospital staff who were picking up Everblack that she had just ‘’found him like this’’ and was sure she had no incriminating evidence on her like blood, which she hid using Achtung Baby, or her lightly bruised neck, which she hid by appropriately positioning her uniform top.
However, even if that were to work on the nurses… it surely wouldn’t work on Joseph.
And that was correct.
===============================
Currently at the dimly lit hall room of the Tyler household, Shizuka was sitting on the couch, looking at the ground, hands formed into fists put against each other, while her best friend Bonnie stood back, letting Joseph and Suzie Q lecture her, obviously anxious, her own mom uninvolved.
Suzie Q: WHAT WHERE YOU THINKING!? Joseph: We made it clear multiple times to never use your abilities on other people! And here we come to find out you did it twice today? Suzie Q: Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? Shizuka: …
Shizuka recollected her memories of her actions that day… thinking back to when she was found out…
===============================
Shizuka: He’s gonna be fine, right? Nurse: Not sure… he must have broken more than just a couple of things. But if it was too serious, he probably would have… already… Shizuka: Died? Nurse: Y-yes.
The nurse was surprised at the young woman’s quick and morbid response. She continued, curiously staring at her with widened eyes.
Shizuka: Good to hear he’s gonna be fine. Nurse: So… thanks for reporting this so fast! It’s a busy day today at the hospital; thanks for letting us know as soon as possible, injuries this serious need to be taken care of with the utmost priority! Shizuka: Sure. It was my pleasure.
As the nurse started to move back to the ambulance, to help carry the injured and unconscious Everblack into the vehicle, Shizuka was pleased to finally be able to go back to her friend Mikitaka’s house and pick up her forgotten glasses. She also felt comfortable enough to remove Achtung Baby’s effect from her clothes, which were still slightly blood-stained.
Making a turn using only her one foot, she was on her way.
Walking alongside pavements and house overhangs to avoid the rain, she was at least glad that the worst event of the day- by far- was over. The young woman opened her phone again to check the time, it was getting noticeably late and the last thing she wanted was an even quieter Morioh around her. Soon, she checked her notifications to see if she had received any messages from Bonnie Tyler.
Shizuka: (Bon-Bon… I wonder if she’s responded, or even woken up…)
*DUH-DING!* Shizuka: (Oh! There she is...) Shizuka: (‘’Shizu-chan, where r u right now?’’, ‘’Shizu-chan r u ok?’’ aw… that’s so nice of her. Well then. Wait... ‘’Shizu-chan ur parents r here’’? Why?)
Shizuka looked up and then back into her phone again as she was making her way to Mikitaka’s house patiently.
Shizuka: (Shit… well at least… oh, another message. ‘’Ur parents are coming to see u Shizu-chan! Hope ur ok )
…
Shizuka: I better hurry or-- Joseph:SHIZUKA JOESTAR! Shizuka: …
Joseph and Suzie Q had arrived by car, stopping just behind Shizuka, as the latter slowly turned around in dread, facing them, sweating harder than even during her confrontation with the thugs’ boss. Joseph looked at Shizuka and smiled, ready to pick her up.
"Where have you been? Y o u n g L a d y?" said Joseph in a gleeful tone, using his Engrish accent.
Shizuka was fast in her reply, trying her best to hide her guilt behind a forced façade, which would hopefully convince her guardians. Putting on a grin, she replied to her precious dad.
Shizuka: Oi! I was… just going to Miki-kun’s house! I forgot my glasses. Suzie Q: Why is there an ambulance here?! Did you get hurt?! Shizuka: No! Don’t worry. Suzie Q: Are those… bloodstains on your uniform?! Are you ok?! Shizuka: No? What stains?
The doubtful mom looked into her daughter's eyes.
Shizuka: I can explain.
Joseph’s smile from before slowly vanished, as he seemed to have noticed something important…
Joseph: No… Shizuka: … Joseph: You… did that, didn’t you?
Joseph pointed to the person still being carried by the paramedics, as Shizuka looked back and very swiftly turned her head back again to face Joseph, her fake smile now lost.
Shizuka: …Papa Joseph, I REALLY have a good reason for this. Joseph: I knew it! Get in the car right now! Suzie Q: Surely you don’t mean… Joseph: …
Looking at her foster daughter in shock, Suzie Q’s expression very quickly changed to that of a very angry one, as she locked her eyes on Shizuka, a guilt trip that definitely seemed to work at the moment.
Suzie Q: Shizuka Joestar, step inside the car RIGHT NOW! Shizuka: But mom, I need to go to Miki-kun’s house! I swear I will explain it all when-- Suzie Q: NOW I SAID! Shizuka: YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND!
Shizuka’s temper had reached a high, which was quickly halted by a simple stare. Her dad's stare.
Joseph stared into Shizuka with an obviously displeased expression, the last straw for Shizuka’s confidence. Slowly, without any further convincing from her parents, the young woman came closer and opened the car door to the backseat of Joseph’s car.
Shizuka: …
Everything was quiet. Nothing except the car’s engine and the droplets of rain hitting against the road could be heard until the family arrived at the Tyler house. Silence, behind which Shizuka knew was hiding a lecture that was going to keep her down quite significantly.
She hated those.
=================================
Suzie Q: Look at you! You made us come here and become a burden to the poor Tylers…
Suzie looked back at Bonnie’s mom, who was quick to reply, after taking a look at the soup which seemed to be almost ready.
Ms. Tyler: Oh no! Don’t worry about me; it’s been a while since we’ve dined together anyway.
The room went silent, as Shizuka slowly turned her head up, facing Joseph directly.
Shizuka: I didn't make you come to this house at all... Joseph: Shizuka-chan. Shizuka: … Joseph: Let’s talk.
Shizuka put on a bold expression and stared back into Joseph, prepared. Not only did she make it obvious she felt uncomfortable by not talking, being at her best friend’s house, but also because she knew Joseph well, he would never come to her with stuff like ‘’we need to talk’’ unless it was something big.
And so, Shizuka placed herself more comfortably on the couch, putting her hands together and pointing her eyes to Joseph, determination prevalent in her expression. This was going to be an important talk.
‘’Here we go’’ thought Shizuka to herself. Despite determination written on her face, she was known to have a particular displeasure for coming to arguments with her beloved step-father. She admired him and for her idol to scold her, it meant that Shizuka would need preparation of astronomical proportions. And in a situation such as this, openly arguing with him in front of her best friend, Shizuka felt like a fish out of water. She was continuously taking different stances on the couch.
Bonnie on the other hand kept quiet and didn’t try to force happy input, unlike her shy mom. She was always trying to be honest with herself and her friend, which is why she was also looking all around the room, relating to Shizuka’s feelings at that moment. As if their feelings were intertwined and connected by an invisible thread.
Soon enough, Joseph decided to break the silence.
Joseph: Have you nothing to say? We’ve told you many times before you shouldn’t use your abilities! What are you getting out of this?
Shizuka, obviously displeased, finally snapped out of her silence and looked at her father, ready for a heated argument. The only thing going through her head was ‘’just do it’’ and nothing else. It was now or never.
Shizuka: WHY?! I’ve had it up to here with that! You and the others like Uncle Josuke used to do it all the time, why am I not allowed to? Hell, you even used your own Stand to find me! Joseph: That’s different! No harm was done, while you’re using your ability to disrupt our peaceful town. Shizuka: My point still stands; you used to use your Stands all the time! What do you have to say about that, dad? Joseph: Shizuka… look at this beautiful town, there is no reason to disturb its quiet atmosphere. Why do you feel the need to act like that? Not to mention, what would happen if others were to find out about us? Shizuka: …
Joseph was ready to lecture his daughter when the latter decided to cut him off, feeling as if her point was more important than an apology and explanation.
Joseph: I’m sorry, Shizuka, but-- Shizuka: This is the problem, actually. Exactly that. This town is way too quiet... I feel suffocated, I want to be able to be who I am. Back then you didn’t care whether or not you or Uncle Josuke or Hirose-sensei or anyone else was-- Joseph: Ah, now I get it.
Joseph’s interfering line seemed to make Shizuka snap for a second, as she sat more upright in her position on the hall’s couch in a flash. She no longer felt like being comfortable on it.
Shizuka: Oh? What do you get? Joseph: This is what it’s about, every time… I guess… here we go again. Shizuka: Here we go again? Are you fucking serious?! Suzie Q: LANGUAGE, YOUNG LADY! Shizuka: Oh COME on, mom! Are you for real right now?! Joseph: Are you unhappy, Shizuka? Shizuka: What? Joseph: Are you unhappy, Shizuka? Shizuka: Well… no, I... Joseph: Then why do you feel the need to do all of this? Shizuka: Because everything sucks! The amount of things I enjoy doing here I can count on my fingers, in just one hand!
Suzie Q was taken aback for a second, only to be brought back to reality almost immediately, quite heated up.
Suzie Q: You disrespectful little…!! Shizuka: Oh what? What? You and dad are never doing anything remotely interesting! Neither is anyone else! Why does everyone have to be so boring? Suzie Q: Now listen here, Shizuka Joestar. We have come so far to ensure that you live a peaceful and happy life because we love you. And you… you seek exactly the opposite! We can’t… we just can’t fathom that... Shizuka: Well you better work on that, because that’s just how things are, so deal with it. Joseph: You talk to your mother like that?! She’s right, we didn’t raise you like this! Shizuka: OH-HO-HO-OH MAN I was waiting for when THIS would be brought up. Again, like always. This is exactly what you did! I grew up with your stories and lived through some of them! What happened to you, dad? What happened to the ‘’bizarre adventures’’? Joseph: ...Really...? Shizuka: Yuh? Joseph: If there was one thing I could wish for and make it so that it was real… it would be for you to NEVER go through anything that I went through. Shizuka: …What?
The young woman’s face wore a perplexed yet eager-to-get-angry expression; the words coming out of her step-father’s mouth came out of left window for her. She took a quick look at the direction of Bonnie, who couldn’t help but glance back and then quickly look elsewhere, her feelings of guilt still strongly resonating within.
In the meantime Joseph looked at Suzie Q and held her hand, letting her lean on him until Shizuka turned to face him once more, turning her head at an angle to express her curiousness.
Shizuka: Say it already! What did you mean by that? Joseph: You don’t understand the true meaning behind those times. They might have been as enjoyable and as entertaining as nursery rhymes to you but they should never become an aspiration, love. Shizuka: Because? Joseph: Pursuit of adventure… is that what you seek? Shizuka: Oh! HELL YEAH! Finally, Papa; you seem to get it now. Are we on the same level now? Joseph: I’m afraid not… Shizuka: And why is that? Joseph: It is exactly because of such daydreaming that incidents like today happen. You do not understand that— Shizuka: I don’t understand why you’re such a— Joseph: SHIZUKA JOESTAR!!! Shizuka: NO! LET ME FINISH! And-- Shizuka Joestar!? HUH!? Where is the ‘’Joestar’’ in all of this!? No Joestar leads such a life! You, Jotaro-san, Uncle Josuke, you all share something in common, but where is that in me? If I’m a Joestar, I can’t live like this. I shouldn’t have to! Joseph: And because of that you go and beat people?! Shizuka: GOD DAMN IT!!! FOR THE LAST TIME, THEY STARTED IT! Joseph: And you finished it! What about you getting expelled for an entire week?! Shizuka: Mhm, so you know that too.
Shizuka looked at Bonnie quickly who seemed to be on the verge of tears. Shizuka’s stare however was not a hostile one. Instead it embodied reassuring relief; Shizuka knew how to display to her best friend what she was thinking perfectly. She was visibly telling her that it was fine. That she liked her presence.
This honesty of Bonnie’s had proven to be her biggest weakness many times in the past as well, having filled Shizuka’s guardians in on the events of the day, it was a most difficult situation for her. She felt guilty for having done this to her friend, even if she knew Shizuka held their lovely friendship extremely valuable. Once more, she made way for the argument to continue much to her dismay, as she left quietly. Ms. Tyler was left there, playing the role of an idle, mute viewer of the conflict as Shizuka looked at her friend exiting the room but was brought back to reality when she heard Joseph talking to her. But at this point she had had it.
Joseph: You have been getting into trouble lately, but today was the last straw. We expected some things from you, knowing your recent behaviour, but not sending people to the hospital! Shizuka: Oh for fu-- Joseph: Your behaviour was unacceptable and I will see to it that you won’t repeat such a thing again. Shizuka: You won’t do shit. Joseph: Why you-- Shizuka: Like you always do nowadays.
Dead silence filled the room. A fleeting sensation of shock struck everyone except Shizuka who stood up to face Joseph, displaying a mundane and disinterested grimace.
Shizuka: I’m a Joestar. Right? Joseph: Shizuka: I'm not for this life.
Joseph was almost on the verge of tears as he took a step back. Clutching his fist, as soon as he returned, it was obvious he was about to exhibit a fierce comeback.
Joseph: You… if it weren’t for us finding you 16 years ago, you’d just be a lost nobody! We gave you all we have! How dare you just… Shizuka: … Joseph: …Just…
Dead silence devoured everything yet again. Shizuka’s face was at its most expressive in that one moment, lit by the chandelier’s dim light, accentuating her conflicted feelings. She first sat down once more, calmly, her mouth hanging slightly open as her eyes were hardly able to focus on Joseph’s face, her hands trembling, just a little bit.
This was not something she expected to hear.
This was all finished when Shizuka clenched her fist and hit the wooden handle of the couch, which took Joseph and Suzie Q by surprise.
Shizuka: I… I thought that you of all people would understand me. But this… this is…!!
The young woman was unable to finish her sentence.
Joseph collected himself.
Joseph: Shizuka, please. That’s not what I-- Shizuka: No. Stop. End it there. Better nip this in the bud.
Suzie Q, placing her hands on her face, visibly shook, moved closer to Joseph as the latter couldn’t bear to look his awe-struck daughter in the face and held his head down.
Shizuka: Let’s just go home.
Shizuka went for the door handle slowly, her mind probably going through many emotions and making many thoughts. But as soon as she turned the handle, she pulled away suddenly, turning around and walking through the hallway, looking at Ms. Tyler. She took a moment to think again, before asking the woman if it was okay for her to go to Bonnie’s room and wish her good night. Ms. Tyler forced a plastic smile and approved her request. Shizuka thanked the lady, making her way up the stairs to her room, leaving everyone else behind.
In the meantime, Joseph and Suzie Q were left alone with Ms. Tyler, not uttering a word, facing the silence of their own design and embracing in the middle of the soundless, painfully illuminated hallway.
====================================
The door in Bonnie’s room was heard creaking. The young woman, softly cozy under her bedsheets, looks to the door to see her bestie standing in front of the now open door, lit by the light of the moon, coming in through the window curtains like a ghostly apparition.
Shizuka: Can I come in? Bonnie: …Yeah.
The young woman entered the room and closed the door behind her, adjusting her nape-length hair to be more straight. Approaching the bed, she took a seat down on the floor next to the mattress, to reach an eye level with Bonnie.
Bonnie: Shizu-chan… I-- Shizuka: Shhh… I know what you’re going to say. Your next line is ‘’I’m sorry for the trouble I caused you’’, right? Bonnie: …Well… Shizuka: Heh... It’s fine, you needn’t worry about this. You know how it is. It’s all cool, girl! We’re tight! And that’s not gonna change even when hell freezes over.
The shy girl started feeling butterflies in her stomach, also sensing tears starting to form.
Bonnie: *sniff* but… but still… Shizuka: I’m having none of that, Bons! You heard it here first. No matter what, it’s gonna be okay. Please never forget that… alright?
Bonnie stayed quiet for a second before taking her bedsheets a bit more off her face to wipe some of her emerging tears in order for her best friend to see her slowly forming smile. Using her forearm to wipe the rest of it, a brand new expression was revealed behind it. A bright smile.
Bonnie: YES! Shizuka: Oh, Bonnie! That’s what I like to see!
The two best friends leaned closer to each other and embraced in a tight hug. Perhaps they felt that this inconvenient event was just another testament of their ironclad friendship and how much it could withstand.
They were proud of it.
Shizuka: Bons… this is gonna be… a bit hard for me to say to you and also a bit sudden but… are you gonna to be okay if we don’t see each other for a week? Bonnie: Eh? Well… well you won’t be at school but we can still meet outside of it, right? Shizuka: No, no. I mean… not at all. Not in school, not out of school. Would that be okay with you? Bonnie: Shizu-chan… what are you talking about?
Shizuka made herself comfortable on Bonnie's bed, as she lay on it upwards, sitting at the edge of it, completely fixated on the daughter of the family.
Shizuka: Well, you see… I think I might not be in Morioh until next week. I will be back for school so we’ll see each other again then, though! Bonnie: What? …I don’t understand. Where are you going? Shizuka: Well, no offense, I love you so much, but I am afraid I can’t tell you. I don’t want anyone to find out. Bonnie: But… I’m gonna be concerned without you. Who will I talk to? What will I do? Shizuka: Oh don’t worry! We can text and video chat each other whenever you need! Literally just call whenever; there is nothing so important that can occupy me when you’re in need for some chatting, Bons. I’ll drop everything. Bonnie: ...Are you going to do something dangerous, Shizu-chan? Shizuka: Of course not, dude! Just you wait, I’ll be back before you know it. Say, when I’m back, how about we talk about it over some pizza? And I’m buying. Bonnie: I don’t know…
The nightly breeze crept its way inside the dark room, as the tone of the conversation turned hollow.
Shizuka: If you want me here though, I will stay.
Bonnie thought to herself, while Shizuka sat down once more and crossed her legs, stretching her arms and letting out a huge yawn, letting some steam off from her time on that uncomfortable couch. Soon enough, Bonnie turned to her friend and the latter did so as well, smiling.
Bonnie: Will… that make you happy? Going to wherever you’re going, I mean. Shizuka: Yeah, I’d like it! Bonnie: Then… I guess you can go? I guess so, so many years of friendship is going to be enough to keep me going for a week, right? But it’s going to be lonely, even with texting and stuff… Shizuka: You mean it? Thank you! …
Shizuka felt her reply was a bit too fast, as she slowed down and gave her next words some more thought before exclaiming what she was thinking to this precious person of her life.
Shizuka: Though I understand… if I were you I’d be a bit upset as well. But please… put your trust in me. If there’s any time that I was 100% truthful and serious about something, it’s this time. Bonnie: …Do you promise to be back next week for school? Shizuka: Yes. I do. Bonnie: Pinky swear. Shizuka: Oh, but of course. How could I forget, duh~
The two girls smiled to each other, both bearing a wonderful grin of reassurance to each other, as they came together for a pinky promise. Bringing their hands up and down three times, they then pulled back, this time their eyebrows forming a jokingly evil expression to accommodate their smiles.
Bonnie: Hahaha! Hah... oh... you’re awesome, Shizu-chan. Shizuka: Shut your pie hole, it’s you.
The two girls then fist-bumped each other before pulling away their arms in a wavy way. It was their honored signature gesture. Bonnie, as fragile and humble as she was, couldn’t help but adopt the same feelings and expressions as her best friend during these beautiful moments.
Shizuka: Well then… I guess I shouldn’t keep your mom or my folks waiting. Sorry I was not able to spend as much time with you today as I wanted to… Bonnie: Don’t sweat it, Shizu-chan. Every moment is appreciated. Today you saved me from those bullies... that's more than enough, fufu! Shizuka: Would ya say I've filled my quota? Bonnie: Hmmm... maybe for this week. Shizuka: GAHAHAHA!!
Bonnie shut her eyes and laughed along, while her best friend felt her cheeks hurting from all the smiling and laughing. It was the best kind of pain to be in.
Shizuka: Wow… Then… Good night, Bons. You’re epic. I’ll be seeing you later!
Shizuka sat up and winked at Bonnie before facing away from her and towards the door.
Bonnie: Wait a second, Shizu-chan! Shizuka: Yeah? Bonnie: The place you’re going to… what are you doing there? Shizuka: Well…
Shizuka slowly walked to the door and exited the room, preparing to close the door behind her, looking at Bonnie Tyler through the small gap between the door and the sill. With a feisty nod, she confidently responded.
‘’I’m going on an adventure.’’
================================
Shizuka walked down the stairs and came to the hallway, where she noticed her parents sitting there with Bonnie’s mom, having a talk of their own. Shizuka told the lady good night and glanced at her parents.
Shizuka: Are we going? And can we at least make a stop somewhere? I forgot something. Joseph: We’re sorry for the inconvenience, Ms. Tyler. Fortunately, we shall leave you alone from now on. Good night. Ms. Tyler: Oh no, don’t worry about it! Good night, I wish you all the best. Joseph: Thank you very kindly. Suzie Q: Much obliged, good night. Shizuka: Later.
As they were ready to go, a knock was heard on the front door. Catching them by surprise, Suzie Q looked back at Bonnie’s mom.
Suzie Q: Are you expecting anyone this late? Ms. Tyler: Not really…
Ms. Tyler moved towards the door and turned the handle, opening the door slowly. A figure quickly hopped into the picture, surprising everyone briefly.
Mikitaka: Salutations! Shizuka, I acquired your glasses and brought them to your nearest possible location, since I couldn’t find anyone at your abode. Knowing you wouldn’t want them harmed, I put them on, so as to…
The bizarre man slowly quieted down and then stopped, observing his surroundings. Everyone’s attention was directed at Mikitaka. Putting on an expression of curiosity, looking at every person in the room at a time, he curiously inquired.
Joseph Joestar and his wife, Suzie, had just left home together. Having work to do on a weekday, they made haste and entered their car, leaving their suburban home completely quiet. Shizuka’s parents decided that since she didn’t have to go to school, and her friends were occupied with going to school instead, she was not really able to do much, other than just stay at home.
A lack of worry that fueled Shizuka’s real intentions.
Shizuka Joestar was alone at the house, with no one there to see her. Nothing but the sunlight penetrating her room through her windows and curtains was there to wish her a good morning. As the engine of a car roared before it disappeared into the distant road, the young woman got up from bed and looked out the window, squinting her eyes to combat the sunlight rays assaulting her vision, only to find out nobody was outside. It was probably late in the morning and everyone had already gone to work or school. ‘’As if the town of Morioh couldn’t get any quieter’’ Shizuka said aloud before sighing audibly.
After laying on her bed upright for 2 whole minutes trying to fully wake up, she noticed how she was truly alone and unmonitored, deciding it was time. Picking up her phone from the stool next to her bed in order to text with Mikitaka, Shizuka must have yawned about 4 or 5 times while typing out a single message to her friend, tears still in her eyes from the recently-halted rest. Contrary to her state of being at the moment though, it only took one second for Shizuka to jump from the bed to the closet in her room, dismissing the need for her flippers or all of her morning routine. She did not exactly consider brushing her teeth or brushing her hair a priority.
Shizuka wore a smug expression as she opened her closet, phone in hand. She felt a vibration and stopped for a second to check her device.
‘’Are you sure you want to do this? I am unsure of whether or not your parents would allow such a sudden expedition to the airport.’’ responded Mikitaka. Shizuka took a bit of her time in front of the closet to message the weird man back.
‘’Chill bro, were gonna b ok ’’
Throwing the phone on the bed to examine the closet more carefully, Shizuka springed back into position in front of the closet, investigating her wearable belongings. Observing many wonderful jeans, she didn’t hesitate taking all of them out instead of picking just a pair or two. There was a reason behind this, surely. Feeling as if there was not enough variety in her choice of legwear, she picked up some very casual pairs of pants she thought she had grown out of, a hypothesis debunked by her trying out some of them.
Then came the shirts. From flamboyant-albeit-fancy 80’s-inspired strass-filled pieces to regular typography-only T-Shirts or single-coloured bland shirts, the teen did not exactly care much for keeping one kind of clothing style for her venture. She took as many shirts as she thought could fit into the largest sac-voyage her family owned and threw them on the bed, the hangers still in.
Shizuka: I can just take 'em out later. It's easy.
As far as jackets go, Shizuka did not much care for loud designs; most of the ones she owned were dark in colour and made of leather or were extremely puffy for the Winter season she dreaded with all of her being. Not sparing much of a thought, she took out 5 of them she thought were appropriate enough and threw them on the bed as well.
Finally, she was able to close her closet and look in the cabinets next to it. Realizing no one was there to see her, she took a sniff out of the drawer and inhaled the freshness of her underwear. Suzie Q was an absolute pro in freshening clothes and Shizuka appreciated that extraordinarily so. Time had come to stop daydreaming about putting on fresh underwear however and instead just grab a bunch of them. From striped panties to baggy briefs, she picked one of each type she had and carefully placed them on the bed. As far as bras and socks were concerned, only a couple or so would suffice. Once more, not sparing much of a thought, she placed them on the bed as well.
Preparing a couple of pairs of socks and shoes and judging her sac-voyage-destined wardrobe was ready, the young woman put on a new shirt, new underwear and new pants to start her day proper, as she was about to exit her room and start her morning routine proper, also to look for the bag. Before being able to do so though, a thought came to her which hit her as hard as if a hammer had just landed on her head.
She had forgotten something. But what exactly?
Shizuka briefly looked around her small room. Looking at her bookshelves, she didn’t think she was too keen on taking something to read along. Her large collection of manga was already read by her, she was the type of person to order a manga volume and read it the same day it arrives in the mail. "I gues... I can grab the first 2 volumes of this... I've wanted to re-read this for a while." she thought, taking and shoving two manga volumes into the sac-voyage. But that wasn't what she'd forgotten.
Glancing at her diary, she doubted she needed to occupy herself with it when she would have more exciting things to do than write by hand. The teenager was puzzled until her eyes met with her bedside table. On top of it, a family picture.
Shizuka, still barefoot, slowly reached for the picture and held it in her hands, as the world seemed to go silent, the morning breeze mute. It was a picture of Shizuka along with her friend, Bonnie Tyler. Joseph and Suzie Q were also in the picture, standing behind the two girls, placing their hands on their shoulders with proud smiles on their faces. Bonnie’s mom was also in the picture, sitting next to Suzie. This picture seemed to have been taken years ago, while Shizuka was still in elementary. Perhaps 4th grade? The girl quietly smiled as she thought what crime it would be if she didn’t take it along. ‘’How sacrilegious of me. Barbaric, even.’’ she said to herself out loud as she placed it next to the clothing.
The young woman then looked at the clock. It was 10:00 AM exactly, something that seemed to make Shizuka jump, as she quickly made haste to the bathroom to start off.
================================
It was 10:33 AM, putting on her shoes at last, Shizuka thought she was good to go. She felt a sudden vibration in her pocket that caught her off-guard. Taking her smartphone out, she started chatting a bit with Mikitaka.
‘’I am ready, however I still disagree with this particular venture. Please communicate with me from a closer distance when we meet each other.''
‘’Dude I said dont worry about it lol u know me ’’
‘’I shall not lower my guard. You know better than to initiate reckless ‘’foolishness’’ as you humans call it, correct?’’
‘’Yea whatever but when did u say the plane leaves? 12?’’
‘’That would be a correct calculation.’’
‘’Good Ill c u at ur house in a few’’
Shizuka felt her phone vibrating, however she did not care as much to answer after making herself clear as much as she did about getting her sac-voyage to fit. Stuffing bags of junk food and a surely superfluous amount of water bottles must have been the reason behind it, but the young woman still considered their inclusion a necessity of utmost importance.
Barely managing to get the zipper to close, Shizuka was sweating as she let out a huge gasp of pain.
‘’Achtung Baby.’’
A ghostly figure behind her emerged, which picked up the heavy bag for the girl. Shizuka properly did her hair with a brush on the way out after messing it up with her continuous bag struggling and wiped off sweat from her brow, finally stopping after putting on her glasses on top of her head in a careful manner. Looking at her Stand, which was carrying the bag, she smiled at it, something it returned back. Exiting the room and going into the hallway, she noticed the left-open and ransacked fridge which she closed with her foot as she walked past it. Coming to the living room, she looked back and took a moment to observe the unlit house and spare some final thoughts for it. She did not exactly love her home, but she definitely had a special place in her heart for it.
Finally, Shizuka took out her wallet from her pocket that didn’t have the phone in it, checking if she had taken the right amount of money. Having plundered Joseph’s second wallet that he didn’t know she knew about, the girl decided that 70 thousand or so yen would be fine, doing the dollar calculations in her head.
The young woman was ready to go until she felt something eerie. She wondered what that sudden feeling that made her heart pound painfully for a second was.
Regret.
Shizuka could not dismiss a feeling of uneasiness. She had done many things behind her parents’ back before. Leaving home when grounded secretly, getting a tattoo, she had even stolen her dad’s car once to go to Akira Otoishi's annual Morioh concert event. But this striked her as crossing the line for a moment. After a little bit… it was no longer a fleeting thought.
‘’This is what I want. And I don’t belong here. That should be enough.’’ She thought to herself before rendering her thoughts negligible. She couldn’t spare any time for second thoughts, not now. The pent-up discomfort and lack of satisfaction stirring up inside the girl for years had driven her to do this. For once, an opportunity had presented itself and she was just going to stop chasing it?
Shizuka: I'm a JoJo. We don’t let shit slip by.
Killing her doubts and without further ado, she set off, climbing out the window along with her floating bag and a bottle of water in hand. As she walked out of the window and into her porch’s pavement, she turned right and started strolling, her bag accommodating her from behind. The teenager took out her phone, dismissing Mikitaka’s missed message and browsing her contacts. With a sketchy move of raising her hand high before selecting a contact with her finger, she put on her glasses and hit the profile titled ‘’Bonnie’’.
‘’Hey its me. U wont see this probably cuz ur @ school but Im going now. Call or text me whenever Bons ’’
Shizuka resumed casually strolling down the quiet town, heading for her valued Miki-kun’s place, while browsing the internet on her phone.
It was time.
==================
Mikitaka: I need to confirm, it is highly important. Shizuka: God damn, for the last time, YES!
Mikitaka was visibly concerned but still kept walking along with Shizuka towards the airport near the pier. Shizuka had grown tired of his continued questioning, inflicting undesired doubt she was better off without.
Mikitaka, still not fully approving of his friend’s actions, felt reluctant to continue regardless of his concerns. He regretted not being able to speak his mind but could not do much about it in the current situation. Instead he thought questioning Shizuka more thoroughly was the best approach at the current given moment.
Mikitaka: And where exactly is your self-designated destination, Shizuka? Shizuka: Mexico.
Mikitaka’s mouth started hanging open as soon as Shizuka exclaimed her destination, also starting to nervously sweat. Despite all this, he simply continued to walk along and ask questions.
Mikitaka: Why Mexico? Shizuka: I’d love to go to other places, such as Venice or Paris, or Hong Kong, or the Galapagos Islands, but right now I know of a little airplane that can take me to Mexico, without even stopping at other countries to get on another flight! Straight from Japan to the east coast of the US, isn’t that awesome? Mikitaka: But you do not even have a passport from my knowledge. Shizuka: That won’t be a problem. Do you remember… Father Arthur’s apprentice kid you told me about? Mikitaka: I do recollect such a memory, indeed. Shizuka: All I have to do is convince Arthur to take me to Mexico instead. We’re gonna see the remains and ruins and all that good stuff he was going to do with what’s-his-face anyway if it makes him happy, so I’m sure he won’t have much of a problem. Mikitaka: Kojiro Nakatsukasa is the child’s name. Shizuka: Cool beans. Still, church stuff is BO-RING. But as for me, I’ll get to have fun and I’ll even be nice to Father Arthur so he won’t complain a lot. He can arrange to go with that toddler some other time. Mikitaka: It is a strictly religious trip. You will-- Shizuka: Okay listen, li-listen dude. Listen man. I could not be giving less of a singular, solitary, particular, individual, remote, exclusive shit even if I tried to right now.
Mikitaka remained silent, still accompanying Shizuka and her floating backpack along Morioh’s outskirts.
Shizuka: Worst case scenario, if he says no, I’ll know what to do. This cannot possibly go wrong. It's foolproof. Mikitaka: If that is the case as you propose, then why was my accommodation a necessity as you explained previously?
Shizuka swiftly turned to face Mikitaka, close her eyes and wore a huge grin on her face before putting her index finger in front of her mouth. She quickly turned her head sideways before addressing Mikitaka in a cute but peculiar manner.
Shizuka: It’s a sur~pri~se~! Mikitaka: …I see.
The two of them assumed their previous positions and kept making their way towards the airport. Mikitaka felt regretful but still could not accumulate the energy required to talk to Shizuka again, whether it was to discourage or question her. There was simply no such option for him.
Shizuka took great pleasure in the current situation, comically making her way down an empty Morioh highway, raising her legs high before taking steps forward, seemingly without a care in the world, drawing closer and closer towards the pier.
The adventurous teenager soon felt the urge to go faster, beginning to sprint before long, smiling fiercely all the while. Mikitaka noticed his friend gaining speed in a hurry and did his best to tag along, the elation of the whole situation not being able to be understated. Before long…
=================
Arthur: Yes, son? Kojiro: Is it going to be very hot there, Father? I heard Mexico is warm even this time of year… Arthur: That is true. However, no truly faithful lamb of the Lord such as yourself should be phased by the presence of mere heat. Instead… your devotion to Him should instead become that heat, an internal warmth representing your passion. A much more powerful flame. Kojiro: Oh… That’s right, Father! I’m sorry for making a fuss… Arthur: There is no need to apologise, my son. I am very happy that you volunteered to accompany me to the rich ruins of ancient times. Kojiro: Of course! I would never miss such a thing! I can’t wait! Arthur: Hahaha… I’m looking forward to it, as well.
Arthur calmly sat down on a bench in front of the gas station next to the airport and put on his helmet before Kojiro decided to follow suit and accompany his beloved mentor. The two of them opted to relax and unwind before it was their flight’s time.
Father Arthur, Morioh Resident & Church Priest
Nationality: British Age: 39 Height: 180 cms
Kojiro Nakatsukasa, Morioh Resident & Middle Schooler at ABBA
Nationality: Japanese Age: 14 Height: 157 cms
The two Morioh residents were excited to be going to Mexico. Their long history together had finally led up to this moment.
Kojiro was raised in a strictly Christian household, faithfully growing up to be a respectful Christian, making his friends and family proud as the years went on. After many years of friendship with the local church’s priest, Arthur Rown, a man who came to Japan in search of greater peace and preaching His word to a distant nation, the two spent more and more time together as time went on.
Eventually, Arthur’s desire to visit an archeologically-rich sight for religion-related reasons caught the eye of the town’s most faithful Christian child. Kojiro’s family happily obliged to their son’s request to accommodate the humble priest to the US and one thing led to another. At long last, the time had come for them to take off and begin their adventure.
Unbeknownst to them, they weren’t the only ones around with adventure on their minds. Close by…
Mikitaka: …but what will come of it when your invisibility runs out? The staff will realise there is an extra passenger, with luggage as massive as yours. Shizuka: That’s actually a fair point. Hmmm… I do have an idea though. Brainstormed it real quick just now. Mikitaka: Quite fast. What is this ‘’idea’’ to be exact? Shizuka: You’ll see. Just keep me company and we’ll figure this out-- OH! There they are! Mikitaka: Father Arthur and Kojiro Nakatsukasa. With only 15 minutes left, the plane shall be exiting the vicinity within the scheduled timeframe. Shizuka: Yeah, that.
Shizuka and Mikitaka had arrived at the airport after walking around the quiet town of Morioh. Finally arriving at the destination, the young woman decided it was high time she stopped being so leisurely and grabbed onto her sac voyage’s handles with her hands instead of letting it appear as if it levitated behind her like a ghostly pursuer. Of course she still had Achtung Baby do all the work, as there was no way she would just hold onto that monster of a bag on her own.
Soon enough, the two friends approached the gas station, pretending to be just passerbys looking to buy some food from the kiosk next to it. Shizuka nodded at her peculiar-looking friend by assuming a very straight stance and winking at him, so as to let him know to assume movements of normalcy. As soon as the peculiar man got the message, he replicated the same stance before both of them passed in front of the priest and 8th grader who appeared to be casually chatting. A true achievement of stealth in Shizuka’s eyes, as all observant onlookers would detect a high-schooler of Shizuka’s stature would be unable to lift such a tremendous bag and a man of Mikitaka’s stature did not seem young enough to be wearing a school outfit.
As soon as they arrived at the front of the small kiosk off the right side of the gas station, Shizuka let the sac voyage drop on the ground and was consequently quick to grab two bars of chocolate displayed in front of the shopping stand. Mikitaka looked closely as his companion handed the sweet snacks to the cashier, not uttering a single word all the while reaching for her wallet. Mikitaka gave it his all to retain his position of normalcy, as far as he was concerned, his friend’s instructions were still in procedure.
Mikitaka: I must inquire, what is the plan, Shizuka? Shizuka: Shhh.
The reckless high schooler finished her exchange with the cashier and handed one chocolate bar to her friend while she slowly put on her glasses, kicked the large bag forward and once she had found what seemed to be a desirable spot, sat down on the ground next to the kiosk, out of view of Arthur and Kojiro. Mikitaka turned his head to look at Shizuka but retained his ‘’normal’’ stance. Shizuka turned her head in response and smiled at him, instructing him to sit next to her using her hands.
Mikitaka followed through, albeit in a difficult manner, as he was still doing his best to keep his stance unbroken. Shizuka put her hand on her friend’s shoulder and pushed him with a little bit of force, still smiling at him. Mikitaka and Shizuka had been friends for a long time, so much so that they seemed to understand what each other meant without the need for uttering words. A most laconic approach, seemingly unfit for a relationship involving such a verbose alien individual and a mouthy girl.
Mikitaka stared back at Shizuka and unceremoniously lost his stance, loosening up in a flash, as if time had skipped and the process was already complete. The two were soon enough on the ground, legs crossed, chocolates still in hand, looking at the view of the pier nearby.
Shizuka: A beautiful ocean, delicious chocolate, and the company of a friend. Truly a perfectly pretty prologue for what’s to come, wouldn’t ya agree? Mikitaka: We still have not gone over the actions. Shizuka: Relax. I have the perfect plan. I considered your concerns and I think I agree with you. Mikitaka: In regards to the fact that this is a most probably risky venture and as such would be rendered unadvisable? Shizuka: No, about the extra passenger. Mikitaka: …Is that so… Shizuka: This is where you come in. Don’t think I don’t pay attention to you, because I really am going to depend on your advanced alien morphing powers you’ve kept me posted about. Mikitaka: Are you referring to my abilities coming in use as a valuable asset to the completion of your as-of-yet unannounced objective? Shizuka: Uh… Yes.
Shizuka’s smile turned awkward for a second, momentarily being flustered at the complicated words of her friend. She soon broke her silence by unwrapping the chocolate and taking a bite off the fresh top.
‘’I think I’m going to get rid of that brat.’’ She exclaimed.
Mikitaka’s eyes widened and he started sweating nervously as he looked at Shizuka munching on her chocolate bar. The teenager looked back with a cheeky glare, which further worsened the awkward man’s expression.
Shizuka: I won’t kill him. Mikitaka: I did not-- Shizuka: For a second though, you did. Mikitaka: … Shizuka: Dude, come ON! I’m not THAT cruel, am I? Yikes… Mikitaka: I guess I must have obtained the state you call ‘’getting ahead of oneself’’ and I apologise for my misbehavior if that is the case.
‘’Don’t worry’’ exclaimed Shizuka, taking another bite off her still perfectly cold chocolate.
Shizuka: I will do my absolute best to ensure his safety. But let’s just say… [Engrish] this town ain’t big enough for the two of us. Mikitaka: I do not seem to understand.
Shizuka adjusted her glasses before taking a large bite out of her chocolate. After a few seconds and with the swallow of the latest piece, she turned to Mikitaka with a confident smirk and raised her finger, ready to talk.
Shizuka: Alright, so, I'll take his place and become a stowaway. I'll find a way to direct Arthur to the plane while simultaneously keeping him separated from Kojiro, who will be left behind for a little bit, allowing you to observe him well enough, leading to the next step. I'm gonna need you to take his form and follow in time. You can probably replicate his passport as well. I’ll be right behind you, unseen by staff and passengers. When it’s time, I will also find a way to get you out of the plane before it takes off, me still on board, before you start losing it over the intense noise. Mikitaka: ... Shizuka: Capiche?
Mikitaka seemed flustered and his mouth was open agape as his facial expressions couldn’t be read, still struggling to progress what he had just been told.
Mikitaka: I see… but-- Shizuka: No buts! We got, like, 10 minutes! This needs to happen now. I told you the plan, let’s just go with it and if push comes to shove, I am perfect at improv. Mikitaka: I do not approve of this. Shizuka: Approval is overrated, baby.
Shizuka bit down on the last piece of her chocolate bar before standing up in a comedic manner once more, shifting her attention towards the trash can next to the kiosk, a silver sign on it reading ‘’KEEP MORIOH CLEAN’’, before throwing the wrapping paper in the bin.
As Shizuka swallowed the last bit of her sweet snack, she closed her eyes as an arm bled into existence from behind her slowly, grabbing onto the luggage, overlapping with Shizuka’s hand which was also grabbing onto the bag, lifting it up effortlessly. Not wasting a moment further, Shizuka followed up, gesturing at Mikitaka to stand up with her free hand, the unwrapped chocolate still in his hands. The awkward man stepped up slowly, assuming a neutral facial expression, however dreading every step he took, and deciding not to have his face reflect his emotions.
Shizuka soon grew tired of waiting and grabbed her pointy-eared friend from his uniform collar as she led the way walking fast back towards the direction of Arthur and Kojiro. Mikitaka was taken aback by the cheeky attitude of his young friend but walked along anyway, before the latter turned her head back and raised her eyebrows at him.
With one overexpressive grimace, she asked Mikitaka:
Shizuka: What're ya waiting for!? WE GOT A FLIGHT TO CATCH!
Arthur: I shall board the plane to store our luggage. Do you want to come along with me, my son? Kojiro: No sir, I feel thirsty! I am going to buy a bottle of water and board the plane as soon as possible, father! Arthur: Very well, I shall be waiting for you at our seats. I look forward to flying with you, Kojiro. Kojiro: Me too! Thank you!
The noble priest picked up the luggage next to the bench he and his loyal apprentice were sitting on before setting off. As he sat up and started walking forward he took a moment to halt and look back at the child, giving him a big smile and a thumbs up, to which the boy responded with another smile and thumbs up in return before also getting up, his sights now on the kiosk.
This was a golden opportunity.
==================
‘’Thank you very kindly, mister!’’ said the young boy, handing over his pocket money to the kiosk manager before receiving his bottle of water. The boy smiled to the man and waved goodbye before preparing to set off. However just before the boy was to be on his way to the plane staircase, he was caught by surprise, when all of a sudden--
‘’Hey! Kojiro!’’
The young boy was perplexed and consequently shocked to be hearing a voice around him when no one except the kiosk manager and occupied airport staff seemed to be nearby. Deciding to follow the direction of the noise, the young boy looked around him in anxiety to find the direction towards the voice’s source.
‘’Over here, Kojiro!’’
The boy’s pace hastened as he kept on hearing his name being called from a certain direction, but always out of reach despite approaching closer with each step. Eventually, he found himself being led to behind the building in front of which the bench he was sitting on previously was situated. Worried and sweating nervously, the boy reluctantly started to walk forward in a more cowardly manner than before.
‘’You’re so close, Kojiro! Just a bit longer!’’
The voice began to creep the young boy out before he came to realise he was in front of the entrance to the bathrooms in the backside of the building. Somewhere where nothing else existed, but the empty concrete foundation of the pier’s frontiers and the broad sea ahead. Morioh’s open airport being so isolated from the rest of the town right in front of the ocean surely didn’t make the kid feel very safe or comfortable… and neither did what came next.
‘’Yes, Kojiro! You’ve done well! Now please don’t panic!’’
The boy felt a shiver down his spine after hearing the disembodied voice instructing him not to panic. For the first time, he opened his mouth in order to ask…
‘’Who are—‘’
But before being able to do so, he felt something grabbing him tightly.
‘’Wh-WHAT!’’
It felt like two strong arms were grabbing him from each of his armpits in a near-headlock position, intending to disarm the poor Kojiro, as if he were a dangerous threat, resulting in the poor boy dropping his bottle of water to the ground, the water slowly dripping from the loosely-lid top. The boy’s eyes widened and his mouth was agape, powerless before this unseen menace. He attempted to scream, but his shock disabled him from doing so. He could only speak as he was whispering.
‘’Let me go… Please!‘’
But before he could say any more, two extra arms, slender ones, covered his mouth before a figure started emerging into reality out of nothing, bringing the disembodied feeling of something touching him into a palpable form.
‘’Hmmmmph!?!! Mmmm! Mmmm!!’’ tried to scream the boy, to no avail.
Shizuka: Okay, I know this is probably the scariest thing you’ve ever felt in your life and I’m sorry, you can’t believe how sorry I am, but trust me, NOTHING bad will happen! And I mean NOTHING AT ALL! This is going to work out just fine, you won’t be hurt and you will be let free soon! Stay quiet and you will be free before you know it.
Shizuka: Don’t worry, I will guide you. First, we’re going to move into this bathroom. Kojiro: Mmm! MMMMM!!! Shizuka: Nononono, please trust me… I… am asking for a lot right now but please do! Kojiro: Mmm mmm mmmmm!? Shizuka: Miki-kun!!
The door to the bathrooms opened in front of the boy and Shizuka, who was still restraining the young boy from talking, struggling to retain her grasp on him. An obviously distressed Mikitaka Hazekura came from out the door, his swift actions speaking for themselves; them compensating for his regular expression with remained blank and unchanged. With just his left hand, he slammed the door open in one fell swoop, as if time had stopped in between the door being closed and open.
Mikitaka: The door has been opened! Shizuka: Okay, let’s move! In we go! Kojiro: Mmmmmmmmmmm!! Mikitaka: This constitutes as kidnapping. Shizuka: My ass constitutes as kidnapping, focus! We don’t have much time!
Mikitaka hastily closed the door behind as he took the large trash can inside and put it in front of the door with robotic movements all the while, making sure no one would come in.
Mikitaka: I have sealed off the door as per the recommended actions... but-- Shizuka: Great! Now you know what to do! Observe him carefully. After this let’s get a move on and you can come back to let him go, alright? Mikitaka: Me? But…
The man seemed unphased by all he was hearing, however his eyes staring blankly into the great beyond dictated that different thoughts were running through his head. In order to vent, Mikitaka decided to talk to the young woman, the pressure from the tension and urgency of the moment acting as verbal roadblocks.
Mikitaka: In regards to that… Shizuka, I need to tell you something. Shizuka: Make it quick, what is it? We need to be fast! VERY FAST! Mikitaka: Well… Shizuka: Just say it! Mikitaka: I… I don’t want to. I, I don’t feel like-- Shizuka: What? Oh my GOD, just do it! Mikitaka: But I can’t completely agree with this course of— Shizuka: NOW! If there’s any time ever you HAVE to listen to me, it’s NOW!
The pressure of the moment got to everyone in the room, as the young Kojiro struggled to be released from the clutches of his kidnapper, Shizuka struggled to keep the boy where she wanted him and Mikitaka was stressing, attempting to get a perfect assessment of the boy’s form.
This was a highly anxious situation, as everyone involved was visibly shaking. Various thoughts clouded the minds of each. One thought they were going to die. Another felt as if they needed to stop everything at once or suffer consequences. Another pondered how fast the current situation could be wrapped up.
Mikitaka: Almost done! I think just a minute longer would give me the appropriate and necessary time to— Shizuka: AAAAAGH!!!
Shizuka screamed horrendously before she let Kojiro free, her arms flying away in an instant and the strong grip on the boy’s arms vanishing into thin air.
Kojiro: HELP!!! Mikitaka: Why did you let the kid go!? Shizuka: THE BRAT LICKED MY HAND! Mikitaka: What!? Kojiro: SOMEBODY HELP ME!!! Shizuka: Grab him fast! Mikitaka: I’m sorry!
Everyone screaming their heads off disoriented all people in the room, albeit eventually Mikitaka initiated retaliation towards the child who was trying to push the large and heavy trash bin, a fruitless effort. Soon enough, the child felt an extremely strange sensation, as he noticed his entire body was being pulled back. Look at both of his right and left arms, he noticed they were both constrained by a rope he didn’t notice had already wrapped itself tight around him.
Kojiro: Let me go! LET ME GO! AAAAAAAAAH!!! Shizuka: Holy shit, STOP SCREAMING! Mikitaka: I am requesting of you to hold him in place, please!
Two tremendous forces emerged from behind the child yet again, picking him up from the armpits just like earlier, as Kojiro couldn’t stop his crying and his loud screaming turned into incoherent sobbing.
Shizuka: Good job lasso-ing him, alien cowboy; I got him now! Turn your hand into tape or something, just do it!
Mikitaka wasted no time in turning his left arm into a roll of tape before using his other to hastily take a piece of it off and handing it over to the teenager.
Shizuka: Good, now we can shut him up and move on! Mikitaka: We are horrible people. Shizuka: Well, you are not ‘’people’’ exactly but— Mikitaka: WE ARE HORRIBLE PEOPLE, SHIZUKA! Shizuka: Alright, alright!
Shizuka quickly taped the boy’s mouth and used her teeth to bite the piece off the rest of the roll, using her hand thereafter to ensure the boy would remain quiet. As soon as she was done, the girl looked at the poor boy looking at her, crying, seemingly levitating, and his arms obviously in pain. Kojiro looked into Shizuka’s eyes and started shedding even more tears, as Shizuka just stood there watching in silence, right back at the boy.
Mikitaka: What is going on at the moment?
Shizuka snapped out of her reluctant idleness and shook her head before shifting her sights to her now sweat-soaked friend.
Shizuka: You’re right, just memorize him already! GO! Mikitaka: I’m sorry, child… I am so sorry… Shizuka: I’m gonna be sorry too if we fail, just get on with it as fast as you can!
The young woman took a moment to think to herself, her eyes now blank, staring into the void while Mikitaka had his eyes pinned on the boy, still levitating and crying, his screams no longer even being heard through the tape. As Kojiro looked at the strange-looking man in fear, still sobbing, the latter couldn’t help but also have tears slowly form at his expressionless eyes, trying to stay focused on the child still.
On the other hand, Shizuka looked like she had seen a ghost. It felt like the world had stopped as she turned her head around, staring at the bathroom walls and then the mirror in front of them, looking at herself while simultaneously not paying attention to what she was seeing. She felt a pain in her chest she immediately reacted to by placing her hand on it with force. It was clear from her eye expression behind her sunglasses contrasting with her neutral facial expression that her thoughts were clouded in a very suspenseful manner. Before even being able to process her inner thoughts however, a loud voice grounded her back to reality.
Mikitaka: I AM READY! Shizuka: What? Mikitaka: I think I can accomplish this. We have to go now, correct? Shizuka: …! Y-YES! DO IT AND LET’S GET A MOVE ON!
As soon as the young woman finished her sentence, she looked at the spooked child whose fruitless efforts to scream and be heard had ceased by now. The teenager soon came close, as the boy came closer to the ground, the invisible force restraining him there instead of holding him up.
Shizuka: I… am very sorry. Kojiro: Mmmm… Shizuka: It’s okay if you hate me. I deserve it. Blame me fully for this. My friend over here? I roped him into this.
The young woman approached the child further and kneeled down to meet Kojiro on eye level, before taking off her sunglasses to look at him properly.
Mikitaka: Shizuka… Shizuka: You will soon be let free. But I won’t be here. I will have left. I intend to take your place on the plane and going to Mexico with Father Arthur. Kojiro: … Shizuka: I promise to be back very soon, with Father Arthur. It’s a promise. Father and you will get your chance to visit whatever you want later, I promise you. Don’t worry about money either. But… I HAVE to do this. I just have to. Kojiro: Mmmhm… Shizuka: You probably don’t understand but I owe it to you to explain the situation, I guess. This is not personal in any way either. But we're running out of time right now. Someone will come to your aid soon after the plane takes off. I’m sorry again. Mikitaka: … Shizuka: … Kojiro: …
The room went silent. After a moment of uneventful idleness, Shizuka decided it was high time the silence was broken and action was taken.
Shizuka: Alright, let’s go now. Remember the plan and let’s coordinate ourselves. Mikitaka: …Understood.
The tall long-haired man soon started changing shape before Kojiro and Shizuka’s very eyes. Soon, though…
All the way back to 2016! Ah, back when I had no concrete idea til I saw the main banner and that has been Shizuka's design ever since.
Arthur: Excuse me, ma’am.
Arthur fixed and tidied up his helmet, before putting his hands together in a prayer gesture, having just found a stewardess he seemed to seek audience with for some reason.
Arthur: Have you perhaps seen my accommodation for this trip? His name is Kojiro Nakatsukasa and he is a middle-schooler. He was supposed to board the plane after going to buy something from the kiosk but I don’t see him outside the window and the flight is very soon. So, I humbly ask of you, could you perhaps find him for me? Stewardess: Sure, mister! Do not worry, we will find him before the plane takes off. Arthur: God bless you, kind madam.
Arthur remained calm despite being slightly concerned about Kojiro not being with him. He had waited for him on the booked seats for more time than he thought was necessary for a boy to get a water bottle.
After being reassured by the stewardess of the plane though, he felt relieved. Despite his worries, he put trust in the good of the plane’s staff. Arthur tended to do so often, being a preacher of the Lord, embodying the most essential of virtues he had been taught in his life, even at a moment he deemed as concerning as this.
Sooner rather than later, he noticed a familiar voice coming from the plane’s entrance.
‘’Hello there!’’ the voice said.
Stewardess: Oh, you must be Kojiro Nakatsukasa! Your guardian was just asking where you were! Not Kojiro: A correct assessment, that would be me!
"Do you have your passport with you?" asked the stewardess. "We need to register you, just a cool information tidbit in case this is your first time, haha!"
Not Kojiro: Oh… yes! I have it here!
The ‘’young boy’’ started sweating nervously as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small leaflet, handing it over to the stewardess, while looking around in all directions, even as far as the eye could see from outside the plane to Morioh’s highest mountains.
The stewardess was seen carefully examining the passport, however seemed to be at a loss for words, according to what her raised eyebrow look gave away. It was quite an unusual item indeed. The young boy’s sweating frequency only further increased.
Stewardess: Hmmm… I am unsure about this… Not Kojiro: I do not quite grasp what you are attempting to communicate to me, ma'am--
The kid felt a smack on the shoulder, making him halt his response to the lady.
Stewardess: That… well… well first of all, I have to congratulate you on your grammar, sweetie! I am sure Morioh’s education regime is just the best! Not Kojiro: …Yes! Stewardess: Secondly, I think there’s something wrong with your passport… what agency did you get this from, young man? Not Kojiro: Wh-why are you asking me that, ma’am? Stewardess: Well, to be honest… it seems some of the information is input incorrectly. Your nationality says ‘’Morioh, Japan’’ and your place of birth says ‘’Japanese’’.
The young boy’s sweat frequency at this point could not increase any further, as he just kept on wiping the sweat from his forehead about every second or so, each time using a different hand. Obviously distressed, his eyes were locked on to the stewardess with a neutral expression not being broken at any point.
Stewardess: Oh… b-but don’t worry! I’m sure it’s going to be ok! Father Arthur can testify for you as your guardian and-- Staff Member: Hey, what’s going on over here?
All of a sudden, a large man appeared, dwarfing the young Kojiro in size. The man was as well-built as he was tall; he must have been at least over 190 centimeters in height, and his mere presence made the young Kojiro swallow in anxiety. His swirly hair gave him an extra edge in that regard.
Staff: The plane’s supposed to take off, you should get inside fast if you want to leave, young man. Stewardess: Oh, hey! Thank god you're here. So, uh… you see, we have a bit of a predicament with the passport but I’m sure it’s no big deal. We can dismiss it perhaps as-- Staff: Dismiss? If anything’s off, we simply cannot allow anything of the sort to fly under the radar. Let me see that.
The well-built staff member loomed very tall over ‘’Kojiro’’, his intimidating stance proving a spectacular obstacle. As soon as the leaflet was placed in the man’s hand, the latter quickly pulled it back with force, turning around so as to not be distracted by the stewardess. Very serious about the current situation, he wasted no time reading what was in the small book.
Staff: Let’s see what trouble you are up to, young man. Stewardess: ...uhm? Staff: …?
The tall man’s pants acted up. What buttons used to be there to keep them together suddenly were launched with force into the distance.
Staff: Wh-What!!
‘’Nice view, man!’’
‘’Dude, is your fly open?’’
The man seemed to turn a dark shade of pink in a flash, dropping the passport and immediately turned back around so as not to be seen by the close bystanders who had seen the event unfold, consequently lowering his back and trying to find the scattered buttons.
Kojiro stood there and watched as the man tried his best to salvage the situation, his expression still neutral and calm, but his sweat still not losing pace. Suddenly, he heard a whisper coming from next to his ear, which startled him.
‘’Dude what are you DOING just sweating, we're not in Airplane, dammit!! I mean… we kinda are in an airplane, but still! Pick up the passport and fix this or we’re toast!’’
The boy quickly fell on the ground, on his knees, grabbing the passport in front of the shocked stewardess who mostly seemed occupied holding her laughter back and the plane staff member who was still searching for his buttons on the stairs, tightly keeping his unbuttoned pants with his clenched fist.
After deciding that this was not a task to be carried out now, the man stood up with his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open, visibly stressed and his sweating being able to compete with Kojiro’s for maximum output. Looking more miffed than before, he raised his free hand and pointed his finger to the kid.
Staff: You! Your passport, now! Not Kojiro: Sir!
The boy brought both of his hands forward, both holding the passport, which the tall man didn’t hesitate to wildly take from his hands, as if he was a stress-controlled thief on the act of committing larceny.
Soon enough, he started to read the booklet and seemed quite perplexed upon skimming through it.
‘’Is this some sort of prank of yours, again?’’ the man asked the stewardess, raising his head from the booklet to look her in the eyes.
Stewardess: Haha, what? I swear, you’re getting too paranoid at times, why would I be playing a prank on you? Staff: Because everything here is legitimate. What’s wrong with you? Stewardess: What’s wrong with ME? You’re the one whose pants blew open and now you’re accusing me? Staff: Well then why is everything in order? You’re always pulling such jokes on me and I won’t stand for it. Stewardess: No, listen to me; I would never do ANYTHING like this on the job! Who do you even take me for after so many years? Staff: Oh so you wanna make a scene? In front of all these people? Okay, I’ll bite, explain to me why— Arthur: Kojiro!
Father Arthur showed up behind the stewardess, greeting his young companion with a smile, waving his hand to Kojiro.
Not Kojiro: Oh, greetings! Arthur: Is there an issue here? I heard something about a passport on my way here and was wondering whether or not there was something I could provide help with. Staff: No, sir. There is no issue. Are you this kid’s guardian? Arthur: Yes, that would be me. Staff: Very well, you can now fly with him. And you, register him. Stewardess: No, bring me the passport first.
The man handed over the passport reluctantly to the stewardess who assumed the man’s previous behaviour by snatching it quickly and turning to the page where she had previously encountered the errors. Perplexed as much as her colleague, she raised an eyebrow upon noticing an unusual lack of issues.
Stewardess: Weird… everything is in order. Staff: What? No waaay... Stewardess: ...*sigh* ... okay, first of all-- Not Kojiro: Can I have my passport back, please? Stewardess: Oh, I’m so sorry! Here’s your passport. Please enjoy the flight and thank you for selecting Morioh Airlines! Arthur: Come, Kojiro. Let us go to our seats. Not Kojiro: Understood!
The duo began moving from the entrance of the plane to their seats as they heard the two staff members continue their fighting from behind. Gladdened to be out of that hairy situation, Kojiro felt relieved and was finally feeling like things would go smoothly from now on.
Before arriving at his seat, Kojiro heard a whisper from behind him once more.
‘’[engrish] Fuckin’ A! Great job! Now remain seated, brodude. I will call you to the toilet room when it’s time to continue.’’
Kojiro and Arthur arrived at their seats and the two looked at each other in joy before Arthur asked Kojiro whether or not he would like to sit on the inside or the outside seat. Kojiro seemed to recall negotiating with someone in regards to this current situation and laconically exclaimed he wished to sit on the outside seat by just saying ‘’Outside’’.
Arthur followed his apprentice’s instructions and decided to sit on the inside seat slowly, before taking off his helmet and holding it on his lap, then lying his head back on the seat and closing his eyes, finally putting his hands together to pray. Kojiro followed suit and awkwardly attempted to pull his leg over the seat handle, successfully managing to get over it and take a seat. After a few seconds of consideration, the young boy followed by also putting his hands together in a pseudo-prayer, all the while his expression remained unchanged and his eyes open, staring into the void.
The plan was in effect.
=========================
‘’Hello, everyone! This is your copilot speaking. Please remain seated and brace for take-off, the plane shall be leaving ground in exactly two minutes. As always, our staff will pass by your seats and demonstrate basic rule-of-thumb instructions, while they are explained from your speakers. Thank you for your time and for choosing Morioh Airlines, and have a great flight, everyone!’’
The copilot discontinued their transmission as the stewardesses started to pass by every seat.
Not even 5 seconds had passed after the transmission, when the young boy heard someone whispering in his ear, which made him break character and take his praying hands apart.
‘’Come see me. Ask for permission to go to the toilet room.’’
The boy, who seemed to have calmed down started visibly showing signs of nervousness once more, his bold expression masquerading it to the best of his abilities. With the flick of his arm, the boy raised his hand, hoping a stewardess would notice him. Soon enough, a gentle-looking lady in a staff outfit approached the young boy and with a smile greeted him.
‘’Hello, young man! Do you need anything?’’ asked the woman.
‘’Yes. I would like to coordinate myself towards the toilet area, would that be possible?’’ responded the boy.
Staff: Oh… well, the plane is just about to take off. And me along with the other plane staff are about to give you instructions. Can’t you wait slightly more? I promise you it will not take long! Not Kojiro: I will be quick and will be back before the plane prepares to take off. Otherwise… Staff: Yes…? Not Kojiro: I… what if I soil myself on my seat, which would prove quite unfortunate, a complication undesired by the staff of the— Staff: You can go. Not Kojiro: Can I-- Staff: Yes, just go.
The woman turned her head around awkwardly before walking off, disgust written all over her face. The boy looked at his accompaniment, Arthur, whose eyes were still closed in prayer despite the awkward conversation that had just traversed.
Not Kojiro: Father Arthur, do you allow me to coordinate myself towards the toilet area? I promise to be quick.
The man broke his silence and opened his eyes, smiling at Kojiro with a reassuring glance.
Arthur: Why yes, my son. You may go. Not Kojiro: Thank you very much.
The boy once more attempted to pass his legs over the seat handle to no avail. Instead, he chose the approach of slowly standing on top of his seat and jumping down from it, an act which would catch the eyes of anyone in any other scenario, if it weren’t for the few passengers, most of who near the boy’s row were already in deep sleep.
After stepping down, the boy moved to the back of the plane, where no one seemed to have reserved any seats, making the image of an invisible force pushing the boy into the open toilet area unnoticeable. Just then, the speakers started to sound a message.
''The crew of this flight is here for your safety. Please observe the following demonstration of the safety features.''
‘’Kojiro’’ was pushed to the toilet with a great push but didn’t falter or even skip a step, finding balance immediately in the room, the door of which closed behind him on its own before a meeting took place.
''In case of decompression, oxygen masks such as the ones presented to you, will automatically be released above your seat.''
Slowly, a figure started forming out of thin air in front of the young boy, who seemed totally relaxed upon seeing this strange phenomenon. The figure took the form of a young woman, very well known to the ’’boy’’.
''Place the mask over your nose and mouth and breathe normally.''
‘’Good job.’’ said Shizuka. ‘’Now you can change back.’’
Mikitaka: Are you sure? Shizuka: Yes, do it. Also, great improv back there. I thought only I could come up with something like that. Mikitaka: Acknowledged.
The boy collapsed into a pool of a weird substance before the substance took the form of a tall man. In just a matter of seconds, it had become Mikitaka Hazekura. Shizuka didn’t pay too much attention to it and started talking very fast, her attention fully pinned on the man after realising the pre-takeoff message was being transmitted.
''Your life vest is located underneath your seat. To use it, if instructed, put your arms through the straps and your head through--''
Shizuka: I REALLY need your full attention now. As you know, from this moment onwards, the plan is unknown to you. Mikitaka: Yes. How are we going to keep on this plane without people noticing the absence of the young Kojiro Nakatsukasa? Shizuka: ‘’We’’ are not going to do anything. ‘’I’’ have the situation under control.
The man’s eyes widened suddenly.
''Adjust the seatbelt to your waist. To unfasten it, leave one part of the buckle and pull out the other half.''
Mikitaka: Wh… What do you… mean— Shizuka: This is your cue to go. I’m off. I’m sure you expected this and you complied up to this point, so don’t try to stop me, dude.
Finally, the long-haired man’s expression exited its calm state before Shizuka’s confident presence, the eyes of who were pinned on him, not losing focus or breaking eye contact.
Mikitaka: I… you prevented me from explaining my objections to you earlier, Shizuka! I won’t allow you to--
‘’I know you won’t.’’ exclaimed Shizuka, cutting her friend off.
Shizuka finally diverted her attention from Mikitaka to the floor. In a single moment, a giant hole ruptured into the floor and a huge piece of metal was missing from it, now floating in the air. Losing his cool, the tall man’s mouth was agape, his eyes more widened than ever before.
''In case of an emergency, luminous markings along the aisle will show you the way towards the exit: 2 doors across the--''
Mikitaka: SHIZUKA WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? Shizuka: SHUT UP! They’ll hear us! The engine hasn’t even started yet, so we’ll be noticed. Mikitaka: But— Shizuka:: No buts! Now look at this and copy it. I know you can disembody parts of you to transform them. Mikitaka: What do you mean?!
''The safety-on-board card is located in the pocket of your frontal seat. Please read it carefully.''
Shizuka: Transform your hand into something like this piece of metal I just broke, so it perfectly fits into the hole! Try not to be sloppy. Once you escape through here, I will put it back so the plane doesn’t get destroyed as the flight goes on. Mikitaka: What!? No!
Suddenly a voice was heard.
‘’Thank you for flying with Morioh Airlines. We appreciate your patience and urge you to keep the aforementioned demonstration in mind. This is your captain speaking. Fasten your seatbelts and prepare for takeoff. A countdown is about to begin.’’
Shizuka: You heard that!? Do it now! Mikitaka: No! You can’t possibly do this alone! Shizuka: Well you also need to go back to break Kojiro out of the bathroom, so do it! And your ears won’t be able to bear the noise of the plane either, this is for your own good and--
‘’10’’
Shizuka: Oh shit! Do it! Fast!
‘’9’’
Mikitaka: No!
‘’8’’
Shizuka: No second thoughts now! I can already feel the plane moving, it’s gonna get off the ground now!
‘’7’’
Mikitaka: I CAN’T LET YOU! I’M GOING WITH YOU!
‘’6’’
Shizuka: …
‘’5’’
Shizuka: …
‘’4’’
Shizuka: Fine, fine! Quick, transform your hand! This plane is gonna blow!
‘’2’’
Mikitaka: Affirmative! Fast! Here!
‘’1’’
Mikitaka’s hand quickly transformed and detached, becoming a near-perfect piece of metal able to fit into the plane’s hole. However, the countdown was already over. Right as the plane started shaking, a tremendous noise of the plane’s engines started wildly vibrating throughout the atmosphere, reaching Mikitaka’s ears.
Shizuka: Holy shit, we’re in the air! Don’t lose your footing! Give it to me, quick! Mikitaka: AAAAAAGH! AAAAAAAAAAAAH, THIS NOISE!!! Shizuka: Fine, I’ll take it! STOP SCREAMING!
Shizuka quickly went in to snatch the piece of metal from Mikitaka, however as soon as she got ahold of it from Mikitaka’s hand, she realized too late that impact between the two was inevitable due to the massive shaking of the plane.
Mikitaka: AAAAAAAGH! MAKE IT STOP! Shizuka: Watch out!
Mikitaka’s face started turning red right before the two friends lost their balance, one falling into each other and both into the toilet seat, Shizuka’s cheek touching the plastic seat in disgust while Mikitaka’s behind smothered the back of her head.
In a single moment Mikitaka flew across the toilet seat and into the wall, an opportunity Shizuka exploited to its full, as she closed the toilet lid and put her hand on her chest, breathing heavily as sweat started dropping from her hair onto the ground, her eyes opened wide so much that one would think they would pop off at any second while the strange man started growing rashes all over his hands and face.
Mikitaka: It hurts! THE NOISE AND MY BACK! Shizuka: YOU SAID YOU WANTED TO COME! Now stop screaming and stay in that corner so you don’t fall! I got the metal, it’s going to be fine! Mikitaka: MY EARS! Shizuka: Oh… right… with your ears being so sensitive to this noise, I won’t be able to tell you my formal farewell! Mikitaka: What!? Shizuka: Oh. Mikitaka: Shizuka I HEARD that! AAAAAAGH! What exactly did you mean?!
Mikitaka’s eyes were widened larger than ever before, giving off the notion that they were about to pop out just like Shizuka from earlier, as veins started to form more and more on his ever-darkening crimson forehead. Unable to do anything but hold his ears with his equally-as-red hands, he was gasping for air while questioning his friend, nervous beyond belief.
The plane kept on shaking as the noise kept on being unbearable for Mikitaka, who didn’t take his eyes off the young girl.
Mikitaka: Please answer me!
Shizuka got up from her squatted position to look outside the window in the toilet room. With a quick glance, she seemed to be making an assessment before shifting her sight back to her friend.
Mikitaka: AAAAAGH! Shizuka: Stop screaming, your ears will be ok again. Mikitaka: What!? Shizuka: You can turn into a parachute, right? Mikitaka: …
It finally dawned on Mikitaka.
Mikitaka: You don’t--! Shizuka: I do. Mikitaka: NOOO-!! Shizuka: Achtung Baby!
‘’ARA!’’
An invisible force gripped onto the defenseless man with great strength, causing his shouting to suddenly halt due to the shock of the pain. After the initial shock, the man pulled his hands away from his ears and clenched his teeth as he grabbed onto the unseen force, slamming his hand on it to be let go.
Mikitaka: Shizuka… please! Don’t do this! Please, save yourself! Shizuka: I’m sorry, bro. I HAVE to do this though, I told you. No looking back now. Tell everyone I said hi and that I’ll be back by Tuesday. If you meet Papa, tell him he sucks, so he should fix that. Mikitaka: Please… AAAAAAGH! Let me go, I cannot allow you to leave! What kind of friend would I be if…
In that moment, Mikitaka was too occupied attempting to reason with the girl to notice that he was hovering over the open hole of the room. As soon as he stopped his sentence and looked down, his hair falling in his face and partially blocking his vision, he was left speechless when he found out what was about to be done.
Shizuka: See you later, baby!
And so the grip loosened before vanishing altogether. The last Mikitaka saw of Shizuka was her waving at him with her left hand while putting her sunglasses on with her right, giving her friend a triumphant grin while the strange man fell from the hole, starting to fall from the sky.
‘’DON’T FORGET, I LOVE YOU!’’ shouted the woman from the hole.
Mikitaka was quick to halt his fall and collapsed into a weird substance once more before transforming into a parachute, slowly falling towards the ground, while the eyes of the paraglider were pinned on the aircraft which was beginning to disappear into the horizon.
Mikitaka: Shizuka… No…
====================
Shizuka: Heh, nice.
The young woman turned her head towards the floating piece of metal and inserted it to the hole in the ship, patching it up to the best of her abilities, albeit still not well enough. A small opening could still be seen across a side of the hole, but the girl didn’t think much of it and decided to just reach for the mat near the toilet with her foot, dragging it over the opening.
Shizuka: Done.
Shizuka continued to wipe herself off all possible dirt that must have gotten on her from her previous close encounter with the toilet and made sure her jeans were in perfect condition. As soon as she was done however… a sudden epiphany came to her mind, a realization of success and victory. She was doing it.
She was doing it for real.
The room went silent as the girl was left alone with her thoughts… eventually not being able to help herself rather than exclaim her thoughts out loud.
‘’I… I did it. I’m free!’’
The girl ran as quickly as she could to the other side of the room to look out the window, like before. With a sketchy movement of raising her legs high before taking steps as if she was a cartoon character from the early 1900s, she glued her face to the window to witness a most satisfactory sight.
She was no longer in Morioh.
Shizuka: FUCK YEAH!!!
The girl had succeeded. She was finally out of Morioh and on her way to Mexico. She took a few minutes to collect her thoughts, so many things going through her head, eventually deciding to sit down and crossing her legs, burying her face in her hands and trying to realise the scale of her recent accomplishment.
‘’Oh god everyone will hate me for this.’’
‘’BUT THAT WAS AWESOME! I can’t even believe it fucking worked.’’
‘’I hope Miki-kun is ok, I hope he had a safe landing.’’
‘’Hoping that Miki-kun lets Kojiro out before he finds a way to escape the wall we taped him on and takes the tape off his mouth too. Otherwise the staff are gonna hear the screams and boy oh boy that’s gonna suck balls.’’
‘’HOLY SHIT I DID IT’’
‘’How do I make it out of this flight though with Arthur expecting Kojiro? Oh well, he’ll have to compromise, no way around it. If he wants to do anything, he can’t exactly stop the plane and pull over.’’
‘’I need to tell this shit to Bonnie.’’
''I OWNED!''
‘’I wonder how I’ll bullshit my way out of the staff noticing there is no longer a little boy here though… should be easy enough.’’
‘’HO-HO-HOLY SHIT THOUGH!!!’’
‘’When we arrive on the desert it’s gonna be awesome. I bet even the boring churches won’t look dull with such an awesome landscape in comparison to shitty Morioh.’’
‘’I wonder if Billy Joel will hear of this once the news spreads. I bet he’ll ask me out once he finds out! "Oh, Joestar, I heard about what happened the other week!" heheheheheh....''
‘’Bonnie will lose all her braincells once she finds out OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!’’
‘’Miki-kun should be ok, right?’’
‘’That pizza will taste delicious when I tell Bonnie about it on Monday. Food tastes better when you're eating with friends, after all.’’
‘’Though fuck pizza, Mexican food straight from Mexico itself should be the best! Morioh can’t capture the true brilliance of original Mexican cuisine, I bet! OUT WITH THE PHONIES! IN WITH THE ORIGINAL!’’
‘’Unless it’s Senor Trussardi.’’
‘’The desert will be a hot shitshow but a little heat ain’t stopping me.’’
‘’HOLY FUCK I ACTUALLY DID IT!’’
‘’NOW THIS IS JOESTAR-LIKE!’’
Finally, Shizuka settled her thoughts and calmed down as time went on, sitting down in front of the door of the room, her eyes closed as she leaned her head back, realizing the urgency of the situation was over and the excitement had become a soothing feeling of elation.
It took little time after that until Shizuka’s eyes burst open, her head gaining a fierce and smug game face. Behind those glasses one could swear to have seen the pupils turn into stars. Something she confirmed, summoning her Stand whose eyes also had turned starry. Her very soul was happy.
Confidently, the girl sprung up in a cartoony way like before placing her hand on the door knob, deciding it was high time ‘’Kojiro’’ was done doing his business. The girl turned the handle and the door opened, as the young woman’s sport shoes made contact with the room outside, further fueling her emotions.
A single thought crossed her mind and nothing else in that moment.
‘’This is gonna be the coolest adventure ever!’’
====================
VERTIGO - ~~MORIOH~~ ARC:
E N D .
VERTIGO - ~~BIZARRE ADVENTURE~~ ARC:
B E G I N .
SPECIAL SEGMENT: Where Are They Now? - Volume 1
In this special segment, we'll be looking at the residents of Morioh, the characters of Part 4, and what their lives have been since 1999 all the way up to now! First off, the main characters of Diamond is Unbreakable!
Josuke Higashikata:After 1999, Josuke followed in his granddad's footsteps and joined the police force. Josuke graduated with very good grades, and for the sake of protecting the town and people he loved his whole life he put all of his determination into making the cut in the police draft and aced it with a perfect score. Now at 29 years old, he's the head of the police force and one of the greatest police officers to ever live in modern Japan. Even though he is just 29, he is just and serious when it comes to his duty, a figure to look up to, but he often uses his free time to go out with his old friends and his family and hang out. Josuke's golden heart never stopped glowing brightly.
Okuyasu Nijimura: Upon graduation, he remained best friends with Josuke and chose a job that didn't require much brain work for him to accomplish: volunteer work! He's worked at orphanages, reforestation activism, blood donations, you name it. Money for him isn't a problem, as his hobby is playing in all sorts of sports competitions, often times earning prizes, hoping to strike it big with a proper career soon. He still goes out with Josuke and Koichi regularly. Some people wonder how he even passed high school... truth is, Josuke used his Stand to rearrange his answers in every test and got him to graduate! At the moment, Okuyasu works voluntarily at the local hospital, in Morioh.
Koichi Hirose: Koichi managed to get into one of the most prestigious universities in Japan pretty easily, being a model student. He decided to become a teacher, and in due time his dream came true. Now, at 28 years old, Koichi is the Principal's assistant in ABBA, which he chose himself in order to ''give back'' for all the good experiences he had there, and he is highly respected and admired by students and staff alike. At 25 years old, he married Yukako Yamagishi and is now living his life happily. He often goes out to hang out with his friends, Josuke and Okuyasu. He also talks with Jotaro and Rohan whenever possible, who he shared adventures with he won't ever forget.
Jotaro Kujo: Continues his job as a dedicated agent of the Speedwagon Foundation. Having just interrupted himself from an investigative mission in Eastern Europe, he is currently located at Florida, USA, looking into a case that might be tied to DIO.
Rohan Kishibe:After his adventures in Part 4, Rohan realised there was so much more in this world undiscovered than he ever knew. As such, Rohan decided to travel the world, in order to keep writing his manga passionately. One time he even went to the Louvre! Every once in a while though, he finds himself back in Morioh. Currently out of his hometown, he plans to return soon, having been inspired by many things to write his new manga. Currently writing the 8th part of his manga, Pink Dark Boy, an anime studio has picked up the first 2 parts of his manga, a project he is actively involved with and excited for.
Chapter 08: A New Bizarre Adventure, Mexico's Remains!
Shizuka: Whoosh.
The young woman stepped out of the bathroom confidently, perplexed by the fact that nothing seemed out of place outside. It was quite convenient to her that no one had reacted to all the damn shouting and noises that had taken place in the bathroom. Maybe the plane engines came in clutch. She seemed to stop for a second to contemplate this, but soon raised her eyebrows, gave it a shrug and moved forward, to ‘’her’’ seat.
''I wonder if my luggage is fine.'' she thought. ''Not many people on this plane, doubt anyone figured out that something invisible is blocking the way to other luggage. Hopefully.''
Soon enough, the girl had arrived at her seat, and to her surprise, no one had noticed that something was off. That a new passenger was on the plane. It was all according to plan.
The teen went and sat next to an occupied Arthur with the Old Testament wide open on his lap, he was too busy reciting bible passages to notice her. Shizuka waited for a while before interfering, she knew that it was none of her business to intercept, and she was in too good a mood to ruin anyone else's. But after 5 whole minutes of Arthur just staying there and mumbling bible quotes under his breath, she seemed to be slightly irked. Giving in to the temptation, she pat the priest on the shoulder and started speaking to him, in English.
Shizuka: Yo, Father Arthur. Hello there! Arthur: Hm? Ah, it is you, my child. Hello. I did not know you were on the plane too. Shizuka: Yeah… I don’t think anyone knew, haha! Ha… see, I think I owe it to you to explain something.
Arthur very delicately folded the top right corner of the page in order to remember where he had left off before he closed his old testament for a bit. Turning his head to Shizuka, giving her a calm smile, he put his hands together, ready to listen to what she had to say.
Arthur: Yes, my child? Is anything wrong? Additionally, excuse my rudeness, but I didn’t see you in the front seats, so you must be behind me and Kojiro. I would like to ask whether you saw Kojiro leave the toilet at all. He said he was going to be fast but he is taking his time. Shizuka: That’s a coincidence and a half right there, Father! I was just going to talk to you about this, in fact. But you have to promise to be quiet. Arthur: Quiet? For what reason? Shizuka: Well, you see, heheh…
The young woman readjusted her jacket for a moment and took a deep breath, exhaling before facing Arthur again.
Shizuka: It’s complicated but basically you are not going to like this. So you have to promise not to get so mad that you start shouting. I promise everything is gonna be alright, though! I mean it, and I wouldn't lie to a priest. Arthur: I don’t quite understand, but you have my word.
The young woman got a bit more comfortable in her position, as she sat a bit more upward and put her hands together, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath again before meeting the priest eye to eye once more, prepared to come clean.
Shizuka: Okay so basically… I tricked Kojiro into not entering the plane. Then I managed to convince the plane staff and you as well that Kojiro is on the plane. But in reality it was all a trick. I took his place and now we’re flying to Mexico! But don’t worry, Kojiro is fine and I made sure of that, personally. If it makes you feel better, I'll come along to your destinations in Mexico, even if I wouldn't go out of my way to visit religious monuments. Okay, that's it; Now you have every right to be mad at me.
The priest’s expression shifted from a calm one to a more uncertain one, as he slowly started to sweat upon hearing Shizuka’s explanation. Finding it hard to believe, he wanted to ask her to repeat, but was unable to even complete the sentence. Instead, something different came to mind. Arthur gulped.
Arthur: This is a joke, isn't it? I am sorry, I don’t quite understand the humour of kids these days so I hope you could find it in you to excuse my rudeness. Shizuka: This is not a joke and Kojiro is really not on this plane, this was all me and by the way nobody knows I’m here except Kojiro and someone else. They will find in due time but it’s too late, we’re already flying. But, because I'm so grateful, I will even pay you next time to go on a trip with Kojiro legitimately, but this time I really felt like I needed to— Arthur: WHAT IS THIS PREPOSTEROUS THING YOU ARE SAYING!? Shizuka: oh
Arthur had almost jumped from his seat as he put his hands on his head, his eyes more widened than ever before and extreme sweat running down his face, a reaction which caught the attention of pretty much everyone in the plane.
Shizuka: SSSSSSH! You promised! Arthur: But… but…!! Shizuka: Sssssh, I know! I know! But keep quiet, please.
Shizuka put her index finger in front of her face to signify that the priest should remain silent, as she used her free hand to wave it up and down, further reinforcing her message to the Father.
Arthur, more stressed than before, tried to keep his calm and his quiet, failing to clear his mind as he didn't know what to say to the young girl.
Arthur: I… I—Oh lord give me strength, O Father who art in heaven, your humble servant— Shizuka: Yeah that won’t help. I assure you, all you can do is stay quiet. Even if you phone back home, it’s too late. I’m already flying. WE are flying, together! Also, I don’t think you carry a phone with you anyway, being who you are… Ummm…
The young teen tried to come up with a nice thing to say.
''Please… enjoy the ride?''
Arthur: How could you do this… my child, what nefarious evil influenced you to commit such an act…? Shizuka: Yeah whatever. This is how things are right now. Trust me; there is nothing you can do. I promise everything is going to be okay though. Now rest, we have a few more hours until we reach the United States, and then, it’s Mexico time, baby! I also brought my own money, so don’t worry about having to pay for me. I can pull my weight and you are already doing a lot.
Dead silence fell. Father was speechless.
After a few moments of silence, he turned to Shizuka once more. He now had something to say.
Arthur: It cannot be helped, then. We are on our way to Mexico, my child. However, that does not mean it is over. As soon as we land, I am phoning Morioh. Perhaps someone will already be on their way here to pick you up. I am sure your parents and friends are very worried. Shizuka: My... uh? Who cares about-- Arthur: And also... I must warn you, Shizuka Joestar. We can fix this... but that will not be enough. This might look fun for you but... I urge you to realise the error of your ways. My child, the Lord forgives all who accept to be forgiven. This is a wrongful act, and you will be set on a very dangerous path if you continue. Shizuka: What are you saying now? Arthur:Continuing on this path, Shizuka Joestar, will lead you to a most undesirable course. You are in no place to be doing these foolish and reckless things. A fiery passion drives us all, but we all have a responsibility not to let our emotions take over us. Otherwise, we risk disorientation, we risk losing what we have.
Shizuka did not respond... she was listening.
Arthur: Shizuka Joestar... I pray for you. Bless you, my child. Make the right choice. We will all still love and forgive you.
The priest put on his bizarre metallic helmet once more, glanced at Shizuka one last time and closed his eyes, putting his hands in a praying stance. He was much more calm than before. Having completely overcome the shock, he opened his old testament where he had stopped reading and started whispering bible quotes, peacefully.
Shizuka was perplexed by what had just transpired but was satisfied nevertheless. Why? For the very simple reason that she had still achieved what she wanted; to go to Mexico without listening to the dumb stuff others were saying. The words of Arthur pierced through her momentarily... but she forgot all about it when she realised she was on a plane to the US. Once more shrugging, she felt like the world was hers.
Soon, a stewardess appeared, who Shizuka requested a meal from. The stewardess looked a bit suspicious of the girl before obliging and going to prepare some airplane food. Shizuka gave a smirk of confidence to the world before laying her head back and adjusting her glasses better, putting them on her face appropriately and putting her arms behind her head, seemingly to relax.
‘’Too easy.’’ Said the young woman.
In her mind, she had prevailed.
Originally meant to be throwaway characters, I found myself enjoying writing their dialogue so much that I sketched them! Rough sketches circa March 2017:
2 Hours Later, Pacific Ocean
The trip had progressed smoothly without any turbluence. Father Arthur was harmonious, although he continued to lecture his young fellow passenger a few times for inappropriate behaviour when on a plane, or to repeat some of the things he had told her earlier. Unfortunately for him, his scolding often fell on deaf ears, for Shizuka was too occupied texting her best friend despite getting no replies or even being left on the seenzone, or occasionally checking the bathroom to make sure the damage from the takeoff didn't cause any problems. After all, she didn't want to destroy anything.
The plane continued to fly over the seas, calmly. This irked the teen, who was actively seeking a lack of boredom. Shizuka used her phone throughout the trip to take pictures or record herself and the ocean below, it was truly a beautiful sight. Despite the beautiful scenery though, two major thoughts enveloped her mind.
#1 - ''I wish Bonnie was here to see this...''
#2 - ''I can't wait for Mexico!''
Soon enough, the airplane food started becoming disinteresting to the young woman, while playing on her phone, shuffling through her MP3's playlist, sorting music folders, casually playing on her treasured Gameboy Advance and texting became boring, the latter due to the timezone change. Shizuka really didn't want to ruin her friend's sleep. She hoped she was okay and everyone kept their cool about her sudden departure. Mostly, she was worried about whether or not Mikitaka would get a beating for being a fellow accomplice.
Undoubtedly, Shizuka's feelings of being a badass helped her overcome her other feelings of being a guilty trickster.
And the trip continued without much difference to this status, until weary old Shizuka realized she needed a well-deserved nap. She moved to the seats behind that no one was occupying, so she could fall asleep to the beautiful sight of the clouds and the ocean below, on her sides as if it was her beloved bed.
Serenity, peace, sleep...
It was quiet.
Eyes closed.
====================
Over ten thousand kilometers later... Shizuka had woken up from her nap and was reading the manga she had brought with her. Occasionally glancing over at her visibly concerned but calm companion to make sure everything was alright, she leisurely spent the rest of her next few minutes on air joyous in her mind. Despite the impossibility and glory of such a situation she had found herself in, the young woman still couldn't help but think to herself ''Meh. Mexico is good... but I've always wanted to go to Hong Kong.''
On second thought, after using the slight saliva on her finger to flip over a page in her manga, her mind continued to travel even further aimlessly, passively reading the speech bubbles while not absorbing any of the content.
Shizuka: (As long as it's fun though, I should enjoy this! I always wanted to eat a traditional taco. I heard this is where chihuahuas come from... I'd love to get one, but I wonder if dad would like a dog running around... tomatoes come from here too, right? I only like them on my pizza.)
There they were, flying over Mexico. Very, very soon they were going to land, the teenage rebel and the foresightful priest.
============
MEXICO! A wonderful state located on the Northern American continent! Its lands are soaked constantly from the coastal Gulf of California, Gulf of Mexico, and the tremendous Pacific Ocean. Comprised of 31 states, with 21 million people populating it, it boasts a rich history, as Mexico City is the oldest capital in the Western hemisphere of Earth! With notable sites such as Chapultepec castle, Biblioteca Vasconcelos, Cholulua, great canions, mountain chains, numerous volcanoes, deserts and diverse flora and fauna, even purely from a natural point of view, Mexico is a spectacular sight to behold! Hosting varieties of colourful people and culture of all walks of life, there is hardly anyone who would be deterred by what Mexico has to offer! Shizuka Joestar and Arthur Rown have now stepped forward into this marvellous place... precisely where Joseph Joestar once made his grand venture in this land.
''HOORAY, BABY! I am filled with unique excitement!'' shouted Shizuka, as soon as her stylish shoes met with the dusty earth of Juárez City.
Not far behind her, patiently followed Arthur, his eyes closed as he held his bible to his chest calmly. With soft movements, he finally allowed his eyes to bear witness to his surroundings. Soon, he placed his bible into his bag, while in front of him, shaking, a beautiful mess was unfolding.
Shizuka: I can't wait to explore! It feels like a whole new world! There is so much new stuff, the hell!? That guy is wearing a sombrero! Wh-what kind of junk do kiosks sell here?! What does the water taste like here?! I bet it's so different from Japan! Arthur: Heh, well, my dear Shizuka, the water isn't really-- Shizuka: SHUSH! Arthur: ... Shizuka: My immersion. Arthur: ...
Shizuka was using her finger to gesture a need for silence, turning to her suddenly uneased follower. Turning back forward with a cartoony motion, her excitement was unable to be contained. Truly, the glances she earned from the other people at the airport were those of curiosity, confusion, or just plain discomfort, as the young woman kept mumbling to herself and sweating anxiously.
Shizuka: I-I'm finally h-h-here! God damn, Bonnie needs to know about this... I need to take my phone from my luggage-- oh, right, I also gotta make sure Achtung Baby doesn't carry it all too obviously... HOLY SHIT, MEXICO!!! I just said holy shit, didn't I... would they even understa-- w-wait! Yes! They speak English here, right?! HOOOOOOOOOOOOH-- I've always wanted to practise my English speech outside of Bonnie, mom and Arthur!
All the while, Shizuka had not realised she was standing still, making it difficult for other flight passengers to get off. Arthur apologetically nodded to all passengers behind the oblivious hyperactive problem child, bidding them farewell with a ''God bless you!''
It only took a whole 4 minutes more before Shizuka stopped talking to herself under her breath and turned to face her companion, starry-eyed. Arthur, who was reading his bible, suddenly stopped as soon as he caught a glance of his friend. ''Yes, my child?''
She put her hand forward.
''Arigatou gozaimasu, Arthur-san!'' she told the priest with a genuine cheery smile.
Arthur: For what, my child? Shizuka: For this adventure! You are a great friend! Please shake my hand!
Arthur laughed, his weird helmet moving along. Truly, he disliked the current situation and kept his priority of calling home for help at the back of his mind, for the sake of the girl. At that time though...
Arthur: Gladly, Shizuka. I am very happy seeing you smile.
He couldn't help but humour his friend.
===================
A firm handshake later, Shizuka seemed much calmer than before. That did not mean she was in the clear just yet, however. The village next to the airport was hers and Arthur's destination for the day, a place to spend the following day until the next morning. It had been about 14 hours by plane from Japan to Mexico, and it was about 12 in the afternoon. The young woman was incredibly delighted to arrive before night time, as she would be able to freely roam the village before it was time to come to the hotel to get some shut-eye.
And so it was. It didn't take long for the two travelers to enter the village. The beautiful gates of the town, the friendly village folk, the cultural marvels around every corner, the delicious food Shizuka and Arthur had the pleasure of eating together, and ultimately the night that followed. A busy day, full of the hustle and bustle that Shizuka so longed for. The whole time, in the back of her mind, she was overjoyed that the boring part hadn't yet arrived. That is, the scheduled exploration of the Mexican church ruins. Even so... the teenager could not wait until tomorrow.
It was 10 pm and Shizuka had already hit the bed in her hotel room. She and Arthur had reserved their own rooms, and while Arthur was somewhere else, she couldn't resist the comfort of a soft bed and being on her phone using wifi she didn't own. The scene was set - Shizuka Joestar in the middle of the bed, laying her head on clumsily folded pillows, luggage irresponsibly spread around the room, a half-empty bag of potato chips irresponsibly decorating the bed, while the only light was not of the ceiling or the shelf's next to her, but her unreasonably brightly set phone screen. She was in the middle of texting her best friend.
Shizuka: lmao really tho?? Bonnie: Yeah but i don't find it funny because from what i know Josuke-sensei is worried. I only feel even remotely ok because u promised we can talk. I was too worried to ask around i felt like my heart would break. Bet ur not calling anyone either. Shizuka: chill Bons, i will be back in no time. Meanwhile don't get into trouble :* Bonnie: You should take your own advice Shizu-chan. Shizuka: I am lol no worries Enjoy school rn. Pls tell Mikitaka Im very sorry i texted him too but pls do me this favor ok? Bonnie: Yeah... do you want me to talk to anyone else?? I haven't yet. Shizuka: Yes pls talk to mom and dad say sorry for me. Now i gotta get some sleep is that ok?
The daughter of the Tyler family took a couple of minutes to text back.
Bonnie: Will we talk when you wake up? Shizuka: U know it! Depends how early 4 me cus i forgot to ask Arthur-san when we leave so u don't have to stay up waiting for my text lol Bonnie: Ok... good night Shizu-chan. I miss you... Shizuka: I miss u too Bon-Bon. See ya tomorrow, will be missing you more than you miss me i bet Bonnie: yeah right you can't beat me on this one;;
Both friends quietly giggled behind their phone screens.
Shizuka: Have a beautiful day baby [heart emoji] Bonnie: Good night hug?
Shizuka texted a saved gif of a cartoon bear opening its arms for a hug, with blue hearts around it and the text ''A biiiiiiig hug... from Me to U!''
Bonnie texted it back.
Shizuka: I love you :3 Bonnie: I love you :')
Only moments later, Shizuka removed her alarms and shut down her phone. With half-asleep motions, she swiped her bag of chips to the side of the bed along with the tiny crisps using her entire free arm, followed by placing her phone on the shelf. With careful motions this time, she removed her shades she had been using as a headband and placed them on the shelf too, precisely. Summoning Achtung Baby briefly to throw her clothing off the bed and into the floor that she couldn't reach, she adjusted her tanktop and underwear shorts, finally ready to sleep. Taking one of the pillows to hug on her left side at night and using the remaining one as a cushion, she closed her eyes, smiling.
What a beautiful day it was for her...
A far cry from a bizarre adventure.
But an adventure indeed.
=====================
Arthur was not in the hotel. He, too, was seeking to lay down and rest... however he knew he had to do a good deed before he could even consider sleeping soundly that night.
Outside the hotel, the priest found himself respectfully asking passerbies for their cellphones in hope of a good signal. He said the same thing to everyone.
''Please, I have an important call to make.''
And so, the following day... would be the starting point.
SPECIAL SEGMENT: Where Are They Now? - Volume 2
In this special segment, we'll be looking at the residents of Morioh, the characters of Part 4, and what their lives have been since 1999 all the way up to now! For the second segment, some side characters!
Joseph Joestar: Joseph ended up moving to Morioh with his family. Holly was happy to move there to be with the rest of her family, but Suzie Q was harder to convince, knowing her husband's shenanigans. Joseph truly regrets his mistakes and thinks he could make amends by being there for all his family, except his busy grandson, Jotaro. He regularly meets with Josuke and (more secretly) with Tomoko Higashikata. His foster daughter, Shizuka Joestar... well, she's a whole other topic. But, at the moment, Joseph truly feels happy and fulfilled with his life in Morioh.
Tomoko Higashikata: Josuke's mom is very happy with Joseph's decision to move to Morioh, and makes sure to visit him with every chance she gets. She's very proud of her son and lives her life peacefully, without any concerns, often coming over the police station, having cooked all sorts of snacks for Josuke and his co-workers. Tomoko is known around Morioh as a sweet-hearted but hard-working woman.
Angelo: Still a rock.
Tamami Kobayashi: Tamami left his hometown, Morioh, soon after 1999. Travelling the world, he gained an unexpected following as a con artist who is often hired to peform in stand-up comedy shows hosted by comedians more popular than him, and is in the process of writing a book about the art of bargaining. He finds little to no use for his Stand, nowadays.
Toshikazu Hazamada: Hazamada never left Morioh. He ended up barely passing university, but because of his social akwardness and other guilty features of his, he could only find a job by opening an independent radio station. It's pretty successful, enough to grant him good income and he's content with his passion project. Some famous Japanese celebrities and artists often guest star on his programmes. He still reads Rohan's works.
Akira Otoishi: Akira pursued a career as a rock star. He struck it big in the mid 2000s, and he's now a popular idol, his stage name being ''Crimson Warm Jalapeno'' (copyright is a bitch). He's now extremely successful, and he annually holds big concerts at Morioh to pay homage and respect his place of growth, where he can play the guitar, sing his heart out, and perform like an actor all at the same time for hours upon hours. From commercials to movies to TV shows, he's lent his image to many projects as well. He loves his life and wants to do nothing more but to keep rocking on. He's currently working on his fourth studio album.
The following morning had dawned upon Mexico. The cozy hotel Shizuka Joestar and her companion, Arthur Rown, were staying in was now completely empty of their presence. The ruins of Mexico were at the village, which itself had hotels to stay in. There was no need for them to stay any longer... On the move, we meet the two friends making their way around the town.
Shizuka: How much longer until we reach the boring church already~~~~? My feet are tired from walking so much. Arthur: Ah, my child, there is no task too tiresome when what is truly Holy calls for our presence. Shizuka: Yeah well I've had my phone on since this morning and your church didn't give me any calls so...
''Clever'' said Arthur, nodding respectfully, as they walked along throughout a bazaar. ''However, we can take a break somewhere around here if that is what you wish for.''
Shizuka: Really? Sweet! I would like to take a bit of a break in one of those benches so I can text Bonnie. Is that okay? Arthur: No one seems to be sitting there... it's isolated from the bazaar... I don't think anyone would mind! Shizuka: Awesome, thank you Arthur!
It was quiet, despite the noisiness of the bazaar. Merchants trying to sell their products by loudly advertising themselves, customers complaining just as loudly about bargains, an accumulated sound cluster from the surrounding environment, weekdays were naturally busy in this part of the village - Shizuka could tell immediately. The contrast to her routine made her exceptional at piecing that together.
Despite this... the ensemble of noise and liveliness felt like a calming peace. The wind softly passed along, settling in the scene.
Texting away at her phone, she caught curious glances from the crowd. There she was, at an empty bench near the end of the passageway, laughing out loud at a dead end. Bonnie was up and ready to chat away with her. A random giggle here and there, sometimes to the point of tears, it was a sight for the townsfolk.
In the meantime, Arthur was on his own. There was really no better way to spend time than to lean against the wall at the end of the passageway, near Shizuka, bible in hand. As if the whole world around him had vanished, a deafening silence surrounded the priest's mind while he slowly closed his eyes and smiled to himself. Whispers came out.
Arthur: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John, 1:5... thank you, O Lord.
The young girl could only hear unintelligible mumbling from her holy companion while her focus was on her best friend. She could only muster a ''pfft'' in response before quietly laughing once more, wiping the sweat off her brow and reaching for her backpack to grab a bottle of water.
Time went on.
Only for a little bit.
He felt inconvenient, at his back.
Arthur: Hm?
Until the wall gave in and the hidden blackness swallowed him whole. There was no time. The opening closed once more.
Arthur Rown disappeared.
Shizuka: Hey, do you want to go now? Bonnie is going to bed and my legs feel better. Just need to check something online and I'm... ready to... go...?
The young woman wondered to herself seeing Arthur's spot empty. ''Maybe he went to buy something'' she thought. 2 minutes passed, 2 became 5, 5 became 8. After anxiously browsing the web for a little, the young woman couldn't face the anxiety anymore. Taking a sip from her water bottle, she put the lid back on, neatly placed it back in her baggage along with her phone, took off her baggy jacket and set out towards the bazaar.
Maybe the merchants knew.
''Hello, can you help me?''
''Mister, mister! Yes, can you help me?''
''Sorry... no habla Espanol...''
''Does someone know English? Hello?''
''Yes, thank you, can you help me?''
''Do you speak English?''
The tourist finally found someone. A standkeeper in the bazaar, selling kid's toys. ''I know little English!'' he said to the wandering girl that was already starting to irritate everyone. Tsks and mmphs, irritating back the young girl... who was too occupied to focus on the annoyance.
''Hello! Umm... priest! Tall priest, black robe, black dress!''
''Yes, yes?''
''Helmet'' she explained, pointing her hands to her head and making a weird shape on it like a mime. ''Name is Arthur, Arthur Rown...''
''What help do you want?''
''Arthur, uh... amigo! Es amigo! Did you see?''
The merchant thought to himself for a second, swirling his moustache, staring into the great beyond, when all of a sudden, with a snap of his fingers, he looked back at the girl with a smile of realization.
Merchant: Yes, yes! Shizuka: Yes?! Did amigo come here? Merchant: No, no, he there all the time.
The merchant pointed at the spot the priest once was. She grew sweaty and her eyes started acting jittery.
Shizuka: ... Shizuka: Yes, but not ''there all the time'' now. Where? Merchant: Hmm... he not come here, I sure. Shizuka: Sure? Merchant: Sure. If he come here, I see. Always see. Shizuka: Then where? Merchant: I don't know. Shizuka: But there is nowhere else he could go! I mean... uh... it's, it's dead end! Help please! Merchant: I am sorry, girl...
''You fucking better be'' she murmured, facing away from the merchant and heading back to Arthur's spot. ''Good luck!'' the man shouted to the nervous girl. She ignored him.
Shizuka came to the bench and touched her baggage. After 5 seconds of contact, it started to phase out of existence, like a painter's canvas being poured wet paint from the top, but in reverse. She knew she would have to go, she felt it... and didn't want anyone taking her stuff in the meantime.
''This should be fine for a little bit'' she considered. Soon, she walked over to the wall. His bible was still there.
Shizuka: (He doesn't go anywhere without this... Arthur... where are you?)
The minutes passed, minutes that consisted of a stressed Shizuka checking all around her, hopeful that Arthur really just went to buy something, reluctantly shoving the worse scenarios to the back of her mind. Until... she thought about hitting the wall. Light knocks turned to forceful punches. That was it.
Shizuka: (This... this wall is...)
Her eyes widened.
Shizuka:(This wall is hollow!)
To make sure, Shizuka kept punching around the other walls around her, as well as the ground. She was sure there was no other side behind. It was huge and thick. This had to be it.
Shizuka: (This is worrisome... bothersome... but also...)
Determination sparked in her eyes.
Shizuka: (Exciting.)
"[ ACHTUNG BABY ]"
Shizuka: (I need to punch my way through this wall... I am sure to catch some attention... yare yare... they can't condemn what they don't see, though.)
Shizuka disappeared from the bottom up in a flash. She cracked her knuckles and gathered momentum. "ARA! ARA! ARARARARARA!"
It only took a few punches, but the wall gave in to an opening. Looking back, everyone could have been staring at this peculiar event. ''Fuck them'' Shizuka thought to herself and looked forward... into darkness.
A secret passage.
Shizuka: (This is like one of those movies! Maybe I just had to press the right brick on the wall? Who cares. You have to be somewhere down here, Arthur.)
Shizuka Joestar walked forward. A tunnel of marble floor tiles. She was not afraid.
Shizuka: Bring it on... this is an adventure and I'm... a Joestar!
====================================
The outside world was irrelevant. Shizuka was only focused on exploring this weird tunnel, the floor of which soon turned into stairs. Railings on the side, she noticed them quite thick and steady, perfect for holding onto in case she would slip for any reason. In her mind, she was infallible, her smirk indicated that, but... just in case, the railings.
Normal floor again, until more stairs, more railings for them. What was this? Floors? She thought to herself to look more thoroughly - immediately followed by her beholding the orange dim lights in each of the side of the floors... a door was under each light. Huge metal doors, with a glass see-through window in the top middle... like cabin doors.
A shiver went down her spine once she thought to herself "someone lives here".
After knocking for a couple of minutes, 5 times without fail, and attempting to push to no avail, she realized the doors were locked. She definitely could bust them open with Achtung Baby... but after finishing that thought... she decided against doing so. She felt like these doors should not be opened. The shivers didn't stop. The stairs kept coming, the floors kept coming. The doors kept coming too. Multiple cabins... no, not a single person lives here... people live here. Her willingness to bust a door open lessened further.
The more Shizuka kept stepping down into the abyss, the more the passage of time felt like hours to her. It couldn't have been hours, but she really felt as if time had slowed down to a crawling halt. It was not long before her form had changed to a slightly unhinged one, a posture of self-defence and protection. And the more the young woman stepped down, the more she was able to notice the details around her. There was no need to take moments to pause and observe. As every floor seemed to be the same, she had new opportunities on each iteration.
Oval-shaped tops, metal grating surrounding the perimeter of the doors, a rusty colour acommodating it, glass you couldn't see through, silver surface, bronze screws, holes to insert keys into... numbers on each cabin entrance. Some brand new and polished. Some withered from time. 776. 599. 701. 684. By this point, the thought of the invisible baggage was completely gone from her mind.
Complete silence ruled the atmosphere of this peculiar bunker with a rusty iron fist. It felt like a scenario straight out of the horror games she loved to play so much. The girl couldn't help but widen her eyes to the sound of a sudden ghostly moan.
However... that did not stop her from continuing as normal down the pathway. The darkness eventually led to an open entryway. A huge wall with a door just like the ones she had seen so far... but one wide open. A large label over it. ''EINGANG", it said.
Shizuka: (What language is this... what kind of place is this... I...)
Pause.
Shizuka: (Whatever...)
With pseudo-confidence, she walked into the room, using her right hand passing by to open the door further.
It was a huge empty room. Nothing inside. It was much bigger than the slightly narrow path the young woman had followed until then. The material for the flooring and the walls or the ceiling hadn't changed. The lights neither. Orange lights decorated the circular room, however... there was also a large chandelier emitting a yellow, brighter light in the middle of the room. A very standard wooden one... Shizuka had seen similiar ones back in Morioh. Taking note of all this, Shizuka curiously looked around for a few minutes until she recognized something familiar.
Arthur: uuugh... hel.. pmee... Shizuka: !!
The young woman let out a distinctly loud gasp and her eyes widened, as if nature itself shook her to her core, she seemingly bounced upwards slightly before making a run for the man.
Shizuka: ARTHUR!!! WHAT HAPPENED?! Arthur: Shi....zuka... uuuughg... *COUGH* Shizuka: Are you okay!? You... you are... bleeding...? Where is...
The young woman's mind cleared a bit when she realized where she was and what the situation seemed like. Arthur was laying against a huge metal entryway like the other doors... a locked entryway, like the others, indicative of Shizuka pushing it with her right hand, her left placed behind the head of Arthur, hoping to comfort him calmly.
SLAM.
The door behind shut.
Loud metallic steel noises were heard over and over, making Shizuka's heart sink. She didn't break her stance at all, frozen in place. Arthur couldn't even realize what had just happened, clinging on to Shizuka with both of his hands tightly, trying his hardest to stay conscious.
Shizuka: Father Arthur... pl-please... can you stay here for a second? We might be trapped. I will have to bust us out of here. I-If you let me use my power, I will break us out! Can you hold on? Arthur!?
Arthur: I... -cough- Shizuka: Where is your wound? Don't worry, I've seen this in movies, I will use my clothes to create a makeshift bandage and press onto your wound with the cloth...
As the young girl was searching the priest's body, turning him around carefully while talking to look for the wound, she found the cause of the problem.
A large slit hole in the back of Arthur's throat. ''What the...'' mumbled the shaken Shizuka.
Arthur: My child... I feel... I... Shizuka: DON'T TALK! It's on your throat, it might make it worse! Arthur: D-don't leave me... Shizuka: ...
Her eyes twitching, the young woman used her free hand to cover her mouth, thinking of all the scenarios. It only took her briefly for her eyes' positions to find stability, as an idea came to mind.
Shizuka: I hope you're not a snacker, man... Arthur: What did you say...? Shizuka: Here, I will carry you over my shoulder, let's get out of here... Arthur: My child... I... I feel...
''Whoever locked us here is going to fucking pay...'' she muttered belligerently... uncomfortably preparing to carry the older man onto her shoulder though, something caught her attention. A small flame in front of the priest's face.
A stationary, small, but flowing flame.
Shizuka wondered to herself just for a moment before blowing at it to make it go. It didn't work. Again. To no avail. One more time.
Eventually, she softly decided to place the priest down quietly.
Arthur: Wh-what is... Shizuka: Shush... don't worry. It's going to be okay. (What the actual shit...)
The teenager used her hand this time to make the wind blow it away. Nothing. It only took her one more attempt to realize she wasn't making it go away. On the contrary...
She was making it grow.
Shizuka: This...
She closed her eyes, confidently opening them with ferocity in her glare. An aura surrounded her, before instantly, an otherworldly form materialized right behind the girl's back, towering over her.
Shizuka:Achtung Baby. Arthur: Wh... Shizuka: Heh... I see. Father Arthur... look at me. Is there something behind me?
The man struggled to open his eyes clearer. Immediate regret enveloped Arthur Rown as his eyes widened more than even Shizuka from before, and goosebumps he had never felt before dictated his next reaction.
Arthur: Ah... A-AHH!! AAAAAAAH!!! Shizuka: SHUT IT! Thank you... that is all I needed to know.
The girl left the priest to the ground, and calmly unbent her knees back into an upward, standing position. Cracking her fingers and knuckles one action at a time, she rubbed her hands together soon and clapped once. Her final action before opening her mouth once more was to slide her jacket and shirt under it aside, so the tattoo she was proud of could be in full view. It was a declaration.
Shizuka: My very first one, huh? Arthur: My child...!! Shizuka: Stay down there, bud. Let the ''grown-ups'' do grown-up things.
The girl smirked and glared at the fire that was rising to meet with her, at a closer distance. One foot sliding backward, one stepping forward, both of her hands pulled backwards at her stomach side in the form of fists, Shizuka Joestar assumed a position, dramatically illuminated by the manufactured orange lighting. Achtung Baby followed suit step by step.
Shizuka: This... is a Stand battle!
FACE & HELMET CLOSE-UP:
Arthur: A... Stand battle?
Shizuka didn't break her pose.
Shizuka: Indeed... your Stand seems to be able to generate flames... or maybe it IS this flame... Arthur: Wh-what is... *cough* Shizuka: UUUUURRRRRGH...
Shizuka broke her pose. She sat upright and placed her fingers on her sunglasses to adjust them.
Shizuka: A Stand is the manifestation of your spirit turned into, like, a superpower! You know superpowers. That is what I have, that you may know. I call it "Achtung Baby". I can turn myself and other things invisible, generally speaking. As for how one can get their powers... you gain your Stand naturally sometimes... or from that Arrow that Uncle Josuke and the others talked to me about.
Arthur lay there on the ground, somehow not mad, as he himself realized. He found himself clinging onto every nonsensical word the girl spouted.
Shizuka: You have never seen it before obviously, because only Stand Users can see other Stands or harm them, but there are exceptions. Same with the fact that effects a user or a Stand may have affecting them will also be inflicted upon the other! They come in all shapes and sizes. Yours is this flame thingy... I think.
Arthur: Fire?
''Fire!'' replied Shizuka, snapping her fingers confidently at Arthur's direction.
Shizuka: Now there are some times where you have to fight another Stand or Stand user in order to win, to achieve a specific goal. This is one of those cases. The quickest way to defeat a Stand for good is to kill the Stand user or at least render them unconscious.
The priest's heart sank.
Arthur: ...No..... please... Shizuka:AH! NO! NONONO! I just...
The young woman adjusted her glasses once more and lowered her torso a bit, putting her hands together as a sweat drop emerged from her brow. Achtung Baby slowly evaporated from this world silently.
Shizuka: See, it depends each time! So, we'll find out what your Stand does and I will figure out how to get us out of here from there! I'll kick ass and get us outta here! Alright that's enough blah blah, this is my first Stand fight! Something new! Really, something new!!! You cool? Arthur: I can't... talk much... b-but please... do not do this... Shizuka: sigh... why NOOOOOT? I doubt it's going to be easy, it's never easy with Stands. You think stopping this flame might be as simple as adjusting the water output in the shower by using the showerhead on your groin to test the hotness of the temperature... but it's not that simple! Arthur: What? No, my child... Shizuka-chan... remember? You should not... I... I don't feel well...
Tucking away her shirt properly to display her tattoo once more, Shizuka Joestar went back to her initial pose and warned Arthur, paying no heed to his words. Achtung Baby instantly formed once more, smiling in turn.
''AAAAAAAAAARA!''
A single punch came with the force of nature itself, propelling a gust of wind towards Arthur's location, making him feel the breeze intensely. Afraid and confused, the priest placed his trust in Shizuka and closed his eyes, a single tear drop escaping. What had he gotten himself into...
Halt.
The priest opened his eyes to see the hollow-centered hand of Achtung Baby just a couple of inches away from the Stand. The flame was not hurt, instead, it had grown larger by a little bit.
Shizuka: Just the force -not the impact- of my fist is affecting it.... what about this?
Achtung Baby's pointing finger flicked away at the flame once, sending it flying slightly, before it came back, even bigger, this time it was as long as the finger itself, and it surely burnt from too close.
Shizuka: Did you feel anything at all? Arthur: I... N-no-- Shizuka: Then how about this!
Shizuka pulled back her torso comically, coming back with a large grin, as Achtung Baby followed suit, sending a punch onto the flame.
Arthur: AH! N-NO! I...
Halt.
Arthur: ...?
Arthur was fully able to open his eyes normally at this point... move his arms too. With his mouth slightly open and clear confusion on his face, he started touching various parts of his body to make sure he was conscious and safe. He was no longer feeling pain, only slightly at his neck area, which he responded to by carefully caressing it.
Arthur: My child! I... I'm feeling better! Shizuka: Despite me punching the flame... Fire is indeed not connected to your health, at least not directly! This means...
Arthur's glad smile turned into a perplexed slight grimace into a glare of shock as he braced himself. Despite not wanting to believe, he came to the realization that there was not much that could be done... as if something awakened in his soul, something hopeful, Arthur Rown calmly closed his eyes.
''ARARARARARARARA!''
Achtung Baby's furious fists punched the Fire over and over, confident that Arthur would be fine, paying no attention to the sheer force of the air it created. Fire was seemingly evaporated, scattered around the room, but all of its scattered flaming parts, sparks and glimmers merged back together after a matter of seconds. This time... it was growing even further, until the peak of its size reached half of Arthur's height, who was laying on the ground.
The priest slowly and carefully sat up, hardly able to carry himself, making for a tragic display. After a little while, Shizuka patiently waiting for her friend to stand up, Arthur took a moment to clear off the dirt and pebbles off his tunic and turned to Fire, seeing it glow more than anything else in the room. He turned his sights to Shizuka.
Arthur: This flame... this... Fire... Shizuka: Yeah? Arthur: It's mine. This is my power, right? I did this? Shizuka: All yours. Arthur: Then it's my responsibility to take care of it. Shizuka Joestar... the good Lord respects those who can save themselves! I AM THE MASTER OF THIS FLAME! And I hereby FORBID you from interfering!
A large gust of wind seemed to surround Arthur, as his strange helmet caught on fire. He raised both of his hands as if to reach out to the audience at a church speech. Shizuka's eyes widened behind her sunglasses which seemed to come to very good use right then.
Shizuka: What are you talking about, man? I know what's up, unlike you. We're going to clear this up and get out of here! Arthur: Stand battle?! No conflicts shall be allowed as long as I am here! Put your power away and allow me to harness the essence of this gift. My passion is unmistaken!
The young woman did not falter however. Her smile instead came back from her confused look, her clenched teeth indicating she was into this situation.
Shizuka: As long as you don't know what to do, I'm going to find a way to stop this Stand! So that your new and uncontrollable power will not be a problem!
Shizuka lied.
Shizuka was lying for a while.
There was a better reason for her.
Arthur: LISTEN TO ME, SHIZUKA JOESTAR!
Arthur's voice echoed throughout the bunker and demonstrated the value of the quiet place. Only the sound of burning could be heard... The silence gave both of them the time they needed to realize... the flame was slowly becoming smaller and smaller!
Shizuka: (I see.) Arthur: (I see.)
Both of them had taken notice of this change.
Arthur: I have figured it out... truly, no conflict shall tarnish this... you shall put away your Stand now while I control my Stand! *inhale* Shizuka: What are you doing!? Arthur:FIRE!!!
The large flame stopped dead in its tracks, as if time itself had stopped. Not a single movement, it kept becoming smaller and smaller, more noticeably. Then it began to move, in accordance to the direction of Arthur's eye movement.
The new Stand User was born.
STAND NAME: ACHTUNG BABY
STAND MASTER: SHIZUKA JOESTAR
Destructive Power: A
Speed: B
Range: D (Stand) & B (Invisibility Range)
Durability: A
Precision: D
Development Potential: A
Since Shizuka was a child, her Stand has evolved. Through practice and influence in her upbringing, it has gained a material presence, influenced by other Stands in her family to be extremely strong. After continuous practice she has also learned how to control what she turns invisible, and has also increased the range to a diameter of 7.5 meters and can retain this invisible state for as long as she wills it, unless she loses complete focus. Achtung Baby can only go about 4 meters at maximum away from its user. Achtung Baby's force is tremendous, but its lack of speed disables it from being a brawler. Shizuka believes there is more to Achtung Baby left to explore, so she makes it a rule to use it whenever possible.
SPECIAL SEGMENT: Where Are They Now? - Volume 3
In this special segment, we'll be looking at the residents of Morioh, the characters of Part 4, and what their lives have been since 1999 all the way up to now! For this penultimate segment, let's check out a few of our gold old allies and friends!
Yukako Yamagishi: Yukako never left Koichi's side. She went to the same university as him and also studied to become a teacher, but over time, with the help of Koichi, she worked to become an independent person. Yukako eventually gained a grandiose individuality and became a fashion designer, very successful in the industry, a fact proven by her frequent features in numerous magazines across Japan and her brand slowly garnering overseas clout. She married Koichi at 26 years old and is now living her life hapilly with him.
Tonio Trussardi: Tonio kept doing what made him happy and is still working at his restaurant. Since 1999, his customers have spread the word about him, and he's more successful than ever, expanding his small tavern to a grand establishment. Tonio's spaghetti is famous as one of the best in the world, and he's proud of his life and career. Tonio leaves Morioh from time to time, temporarily closing his restaurant, to visit other countries around the world with his wife and experience new cultures, also to expand his culinary techniques. Tonio and his wife are now living happily, and he also has a savage Italian moustache.
Mikitaka Hazekura: Mikitaka doesn't seem to be very clear-cut about what happened to him after 1999. He graduated along with Josuke, Okuyasu and the others, with an unkown score, but nobody sees him or talks to him regularly enough to know what his job is, how his life is going or anything else, though no one will go without saying hello whenever seeing him, which he is more than happy to return. One thing the residents of Morioh find weird for sure is how he still hasn't dropped the alien ''act'' and why he's practically identical to how he was 13 years ago. Besides all that, he still enjoys hanging out with his old friends a lot, and is always a topic of interest for a certain troublemaker.
Yuya Fungami: Fungami ended up becoming a fashion model and a movie star, whose motorcycling days are over. Even though he's left his wild lifestyle behind, his fangirls have only increased over time, and he always takes great pleasure in meeting and chatting with them, one aspect of his old self he will never reject. He's currently touring throughout Japan, but his favourite place in the world remains the peaceful, quiet Morioh.
Holly Kujo: She moved to Morioh along with Joseph after 1999, wanting to be close to her family. She found it awkward to adjust to finding a new ''brother'' in Josuke, but she eventually got along with every new family member. She got a job at a local super market and is now the new manager. She is content and happy as can be, except the fact that she wishes her son wouldn't be as busy and come meet more frequently in her house there.
Toyohiro Kanedaichi: Toyohiro still lives in the tower, which is now a tourist attraction. People ask him to take pictures with them, and he really enjoys the exposure and occasional communication, as well as supplies tourists provide him with from time to time. Utilising his Stand, now his favorite hobby is watching TV and exercising.
Arthur: My child... my Stand seems to lose power over time... I feel it in my soul...
The priest felt right. He understood. Like a kid getting the hang of using a bicycle after half an hour, the newly self-assured man was set. He closed his eyes shut and smiled, flashing them open intensely.
Arthur: (This... feels better... maybe now, my friend, we may leave...) Shizuka: We... cannot be certain, Arthur! I... still, we need to find out who did all this and how you attained a Stand!
Arthur further caressed the wound on his neck with his left hand, pointing with his right hand to Achtung Baby behind Shizuka.
Arthur: We have learned what we needed! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your noble willingness to help, Shizuka Joestar. I am proud of you, my child. Now, however, you will listen to me and call back Achtung Baby. The Lord declares that--
SLAM!
BOOM!
CRASH!
Insanely loud noises that shook the room, like before. They were coming from above.
Mechanical whirs, followed by mechanical booms, followed by mechanical vibrations... it felt like the ceiling beyond what could be seen was being deconstructed behind the curtain in quick succession. Shizuka could feel it, Arthur could sense it. For a moment, both of them took a defensive stance, eyes and mouth gaping wide, look around them in case of a misdirect from above. But there was no lie in the sound's origin, because in due time, the sounds stopped. With a decisive swish, a hatch opened from above, catching the attention of both of them.
Arthur: Dear God who art in heaven... what in the name of Christ... Shizuka: Hold it... something is coming out slowly... w-wait, it stopped! What does it-- Arthur: This might be bad, my child. Shizuka: I agree... this IS bad... Shizuka: (Fuck yeah.)
''Greetings, intruders.'' echoed a voice from the device. If this was a cartoon or a comic, speech bubbles carrying only an exclamation mark would be there for both the teen and the priest. They would be hard-pressed to properly describe the object, but they knew for sure its purpose was the same as a megaphone. They stood on their toes, both of their confidence momentarily absent, evident from their nervous hand gestures. Suddenly though, leaping forward--
Shizuka: WHO ARE YOU!? ARE YOU THE ONE WHO TRAPPED US HERE!? LET US OUT! ???: Apologies, woman. You were unfortunate. Now that you are here though, you are being assigned a task. You will accept it. Arthur: I... I don't like this-- Shizuka: Shush, you. Let me handle this.
The young woman cracked her knuckles using each hand before pointing towards the object.
Shizuka: YOU! I don't know who you are, or where you are, or how you are for that matter, but one thing I know for sure is that you are the cause of this, which means I will kick your ass! That is my promise to you, baby!
The ambiguous voice chuckled in response. A moment passed before it regained its tone and replied to the young girl, bolder than before. Complete silence conquered the atmosphere as the voice went on to explain.
???: I will say this once. This room you are in, you can consider it an arena. You do not possess the force to break through our walls. Only when one of you dies will the door open. That is, because we will request one of you. Which one? That is up to you to find out. In case it was not clear enough...
Shizuka and Arthur braced themselves.
???: It's kill or be killed. I hope we talk again.
The strange device, much faster than before, as if it was a tape being played in reverse at an accelerated pace, was swallowed by the ceiling. The noises were removed too. Silence was still in control... until Shizuka Joestar spoke.
''This IS a Stand Fight.'' she said, looking far away at a wall.
Arthur: No. Shizuka: I know better about this stuff. YOU HEARD 'IM! If I can just knock you unconscious we might be able to-- Arthur:SHIZUKA JOESTAR! This is NOT happening. (Please... you do not deserve this... this... tragedy...)
''WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE SO FUCKING STUBBORN!'' she roared intensely. Arthur could feel his heart clenching from the inside. ''I didn't come all the way out here for this shit... STOP! BEING! SO... BORING!!!'' she continued. The adrift priest frowned, shedding a single tear before his Fire moved by itself in front of him, drying his tear in the process of protecting him from the blow of the suddenly emerged Achtung Baby's fist. It grew larger.
Arthur: (I'm sorry... I wish I saved you, Shizuka...) Shizuka: ARA!!!
===========================
STAND MASTER: SHIZUKA JOESTAR
STAND NAME: ACHTUNG BABY
V
.
S
STAND MASTER: ARTHUR ROWN
STAND NAME: FIRE
===========================
The battle had begun. Illuminated by the occasionally flickering deep orange lights and surrounded by dust particles, unceremoniously, the time had come.
Shizuka Joestar, led by the mysterious voice's words, was guided into a fight she was confident about. Truly... her smirky smile and pointed eyebrows indicated the pleasure she was taking from this. ''Finally... this is my journey!'' she thought.
Arthur Rown, confused and angered by the mysterious voice, was guided into a fight he was not prepared for. Truly, his angered glance and worried grimace indicated his sorrowful and desperate feelings. ''I need to stop you... lest your life burns away.'' he thought.
By all accounts, this battle was not right.
But it had already begun... and it could not be stopped.
Arthur: FIRE!
The flames on Arthur's helmet burned higher and stronger! Putting his hands forward, he shielded himself with the flame from the incoming att--
Shizuka: ARA! ARA! ARARARARARARARA! Arthur: There is only one way to stop you, then!? Shizuka: Your Fire is barely hot! It seem more like a glorified shield, this can be even easier! Arthur: SILENCE!-- UGH!
With another fist directed his way, the priest had to act fast! Subconsciously, he closed his eyes and Fire tanked the damage. It was huge at this point, towering over both combatants... Arthur Rown was already sweating, but his resolve was true.
Shizuka: (This thing...! Keeping on striking won't do me any good; I need to sneak around. No fun in that... no one said I need to be fast though either!)
The young woman vanished. Staring at the flame, she disappeared into thin air, as if the waving lense effect of the fire had caused her to wave out of existence in tune of the flame's flow.
Arthur: So this is it... Shizuka Joestar, do not make me do this! Are you seriously going to abandon your life like this!? This is the devil's influence upon you!
From behind.
Shizuka: ARA!
Arthur turned, gasping for breath as he reached his hand forward, Fire being sent out wildly in retaliation, impacted with an invisible blow.
Arthur: haa... haa... you've done well for yourself! But if right here, right now, your choice is to f... FIGHT me... THIS will change everything! It's not right! Shizuka: Enough mumbling, bible bro!
Quickly! The priest's hearing, albeit not in top shape, detected the origin of the voice. ''FIRE!'' he shouted, as a blazing wave was thrown towards it. The flames cleared out as fast as they were fired, only revealing a darkened wall... miss.
Arthur: Now's the time to give up, I don't want to hurt you in the slightest! Otherwise, you will--
''ACHTUNG BABY!''
From the shoes to the head, hovering mid air behind Arthur, a form formed. The priest's eyes glared desperately at the image of the wild being's punch cocked and ready.
Arthur: NOOO!!!
A wall of fire, roughly wide and thick, was created in succession of him turning back. Falling into the ground on his back and hitting his head, the man named Arthur Rown hoped this would be enough. Using his arms to crawl backwards while facing the wall head-on, urgency had fully taken control of the situation. The heat as well as the now loosened helmet on the Englishman's head had facilitated this.
Shizuka: Oh no you don't! Arthur: STOP!!! Shizuka: ARARARARARARARARARARARA!!
It took 5 seconds, appearing to the flame user like an eternity, to punch through the wall of Fire and meet with the other side. Through the opened hole, Shizuka Joestar wasted no time, jumping right in before it merged back together.
''Found you~'' exclaimed the girl, as her fist, combined with an emerging, stronger, hollow-handed fist, went for the downed man of God.
The wall had come undone, flowing into the priest, his helmet's flames vanishing as the Stand emerged from within him seamlessly, as if Arthur's body was void.
Shizuka: OH SHIIIIIIT!
The girl jumped back, barely able to escape, taking a moment to realize she had found herself in the same position the poor priest was about to be striked in. Barely a moment passed for her to notice the true size of Fire at that point, and the user of the Stand no longer laying down.
Its size was half the room, tremendously and menacingly flowing proud, its embers brandished behind the black-clad opponent. The lights of the room stood puny, undetectable almost completely to both Stand users... until the Stand enveloping them in its fiery embrace resulted in them being put out. Fire was dominant.
Shizuka: (God dammit, Arthur... hell... I'm proud of you.) Arthur: You can not challenge me anymore, Shizuka Joestar. This fight is over! Shizuka: What do you mea... n... *cough* ? ...huh-- ..!! Arthur: It seems clear to me... surely, it must be clear to you too! My Fire may not burn hot like a true flame, but it's still a Fire, MY FIRE! Shizuka: (It's hard to... breathe... w-wait.... holy........)
At that moment, she knew.
Shizuka: Stop it! Sto-- *cough*
The young woman stood to herself pathetic, on all fours, using her left hand to desperately reach out to her unmoved companion, her coughing and the increasing temperature of the room slowly making her bulging eyes tear up. Regardless, the girl poorly attempted to stand up, absent-mindedly.
Shizuka: Stop...
Both Stand users were panting intensely. The fight had taken a turn.
Arthur: haa... A cheese-craving mouse caught in a mousetrap with a hungry cat around is safer than you right now. *pant* There is only one way this can stop, and you need to listen to me. Haa... haa... okay...? Arthur: (It can't be true... this day... it can't be true... I cannot believe I would ever fight a friend or anyone...) Shizuka: *coughing intensely* Arthur: (But Shizuka Joestar... I need to save you.) Arthur: Come at me! Do you give up, my child? Let us leave and never come back! Shizuka: I will *cough cough* defeat you, Arthur!
The priest's eyes lost their vibrant pigment, as he stayed there, mouth wide agape, staring at the persistent opponent. He knew... it was too late.
Arthur: Defeat...? Defeat?! Are you serious, my-- Shizuka: Yes I WILL! That's what I fucking do!
If one could see behind Shizuka Joestar's shades, they would detect a glare of anger and frustration in her eyes. Covered with dust, dirt and some blood, injuries typical of a clumsy toddler, she thought to herself intensely and fast, not breaking eyesight with her opponent for even a second.
Shizuka: (Fire decays the more time passes... I was too stupid to let it grow too big... because I will run out of oxygen and suffocate! And I cannot wait... it's a gamble whether I can wait to make a confident move before... I might pass out before I even get the chance... He is giving me no openings...! I... I CAN'T LOSE! N-NO!)
As if someone pushed her forward, the young girl felt a force behind her leading her towards the man, despite the known danger. Taken aback herself, her legs awkwardly started sprinting with newfound speed.
The priest gritted his teeth, when instinctively a wall of embers was created in front of him once more, Fire leaping from behind him to form it near instantly.
Arthur: I... i-it feels like I'm using this new power too much... d-don't do this, please stop, Shizuka Joestar! What if something terrible happens!? YOU are causing this!
From behind the fiery wall that had made the roughed-up Englishman squint his eyes intensely, the girl's voice echoed throughout the room loudly.
Achtung Baby's thunderous fists slammed against the fire wall one after another with tremendous force. Hoping to shatter this block in her path, the young woman's determination manifested in her twisted smile, accompanied by frowning eyebrows of a pure winner mentality.
But something was wrong.
Arthur: I... I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE!
The wall collapsed in an instant.
Arthur: RUN!
The new Stand user felt his soul succumb to the sorrow... clinging onto even the slightest hope within him to keep fighting, it was lost completely once Achtung Baby was visible to him. Its empty fist gripped tight shut was menacingly displayed above him, ready to come down...
Arthur's tears swelled up. It was too late.
Arthur: NO! NO!
Fire retaliated.
Uncontrollable, the flames coated the fist, disabling it from coming into contact with Arthur, just 1 foot away from his face. Soon enough, the entire mass of Fire was starting to follow suit, starting to surround Achtung Baby's body from head to toe.
But it did not respond. Like an accordion having every last of its strings detached or cut, there was no way to control Fire.
Shizuka: AAAAAAAAAAAGH!! IT BURNS!!! Arthur:NOOOOOO!!!!
Arthur's tears escaped, cascading down from his face into the ground with tremendous momentum, as Shizuka lay there in mid-air, unable to move from her position, Fire's flames binding Achtung Baby appearing to surround her entire body. There was no time.
Arthur:SHIZUKA!!!
She could not respond, for the oxygen in her lungs was slowly fading away. Her screams, muffled as they were, were muted even further. And soon...
Her whole body seemed to crumble away.
From her hands slowly vanishing within the fierce embers of Fire, to her legs disappearing from the foot to the thigh in a matter of seconds, Arthur knew that her fate was sealed. His eyes widened more than ever before, the eyes of his he could not believe for even half a second. But the image in front of him was true.
He ran. Diving into the flames himself, it faded away to make way for the user. In hopes of pulling the young woman away... Arthur Rown's tears were the only thing to have touched the ground besides himself, hurting his tunic and knees, falling on his side and hitting his head again... the priest's helmet came off, and the flames that once burned strongly on top of it was now fizzled out. Sobbing grossly and incoherently mumbling and stuttering to himself, he found not a single trace of his friend.
Fire kept illuminating the room, slowly decreasing in size... within his depressing state, Arthur reached his hand out... Fire moved along. He had taken control back... but not at the right time...
And then came the screams. Unimaginable horror and anguish painted the tragic man's face, the loyal waving Stand staying there to shed light onto his shame, his sorrow, his agony. Smoke from the put-out flames of Arthur's helmet suffocated the atmosphere where Fire itself could not anymore, continuing to shrink.
Arthur: Shizuka... Joestar... I'm sorry...
Arthur Rown continued to apologize internally, hundreds, thousands of times within the following couple of minutes, which to him seemed like aeons. He stood pathetic to the ground where he dived, on his knees... he wished he could pray but not even he could make contact with God. ''I let the girl down...'' he whispered to himself through the seemingly never-ending crying.
The door was already open.
A creak and a metallic-sounding halt, that went unnoticed by the sobbing man followed the opening of the door. The same door he was laying when Shizuka found him, with a wound in his neck that was gone by now. So it was, for a while until the voice was heard again, but the priest refused to rear his head upwards to see the device or listen to anything, as the headache he had received from his sobbing stood superior.
???: Congratulations. It seems clear it was a wise decision to bring you here... you may now enter through the door when you feel ready. We will speak soon.
And just like that, it was gone once more.
There he was, surrounded by his ever-shrinking Stand. Arthur Rown had emerged victorious.
Arthur: I lost... Shizuka: True. Arthur: *gasp* BANG!
Arthur Rown felt a tremendous blow striking his neck from behind, his spine making a cracking sound in response and his eyes losing their colour... Fire slowly vaporizing into nothingness.
Shizuka Joestar stood there above him, her tactical blow still in contact with the priest's neck, before the latter collapsed into the ground.
Shizuka: haa... *cough* congratulations, though. It was kinda hard but we won. Mostly me, though. You could have made it so much easier...
Readjusting her glasses with both hands, the young girl then opted to use them to clean off all the dirt and dust from her clothing, as well as clumsily hopping on one foot in attempts to empty her shoes of it as well, one at a time. As if she was hoping Arthur could hear her from his unconscious state, she felt obliged to talk to the senseless priest in the meantime.
Shizuka: Stands often protect their users subconsciously... *cough* so if I provoked it, and you, enough to make it go wild, I could enact my perfect plan.
The young girl followed up by giving a thumbs up, before adjusting her glasses with her free hand once more.
Shizuka: If I fooled you and by extension your Stand, into thinking I was dead... haa.... it would stop. Invisibility. And so, the door would probably open, letting more oxygen in which I could seriously use... haa... I feel better now... *cough* aaah... AND we deceived that kidnapping son of a bitch.
The terrible teen looked at Arthur's unconscious body in the ground as soon as she was done cleaning herself up to the best of her abilities. A blank expression on her face, she went on to turn the man over, to see his face.
Shizuka: It's a dick move, I know. *COUGH COUGH* guuugh...d-damn... *clearing throat* aaah... But that's how it is, baby. This... is a Stand battle. Haa... Now...
With awkward movement and utilising exclusively her own body strength, Achtung Baby nowhere to be seen, Shizuka Joestar gave Arthur Rown's comatose body a piggyback ride, unfazed by the serious weight she was carrying, and walked forward to the open door.
Shizuka: Let's give those assholes a piece of our mind, my friend.
The empty room was abandoned, the only light now illuminating it being the middle one hanging from the ceiling... Arthur Rown's helmet stayed there, while the young woman and her blacked-out companion ventured into the darkness beyond.
STAND NAME: FIRE
STAND MASTER: ARTHUR ROWN
Destructive Power: E-A
Speed: E
Range: D-A
Durability: E-A
Precision: D
Development Potential: E
A tiny flame that the user can move at will. Whatever comes into contact with Fire or attempts to affect it will make Fire grow larger, endlessly absorbing what's thrown to it. Even a mere gust of wind can increase its size. Fire's power corresponds to its proportion: in its standard form it can't harm, but when grown, it can be extremely dangerous - aside of its own temperature, which becomes progressively deadly despite it being much less hot than a real fire. The user is exempt from its effects. Over time, its size and mass starts regressing to the original form, unless Fire is repeatedly amplified. Truly unique, Arthur Rown's passion enables this Stand to be a reality.
SPECIAL SEGMENT: Where Are They Now? - Volume 4 - FINAL!
In this special segment, we'll be looking at the residents of Morioh, the characters of Part 4, and what their lives have been since 1999 all the way up to now! For this final segment, all the rest! It was fun doing this segment. Hope you enjoyed!
Shinobu Kawajiri: After Kira's death, she soon found out about her husband's cruel fate at the serial killer's hands. Her period of grief was rough, but soon enough, Josuke and his friends, along with her son, helped her overcome it, and she's now a friendly neighbor to her husband's avengers. She has picked up a job as a flower shop owner and her love of her job has led to the Kawajiri house getting a beautiful flower garden.
Hayato Kawajiri: Hayato in time overcame the death of his father and helped his mother overcome it as well. He's forever grateful to Josuke and the others, becoming a very close friend of them after helping take down Yoshikage Kira, a friendship which has lasted until now. Owing so much to the golden heart of Morioh, his biggest desire is to give back to what has given so much to him. Hayato managed to pass with high marks in a university, however... what's he up to nowadays?
Stray Cat: It was given to Okuyasu's dad, and over time, Stray Cat's new family grew on it, and it seems pleased with its new life right now. Not to mention, it has a long life ahead of it, considering it now has a plant body instead of a cat's one. Things are looking bright for Stray Cat.
Father Nijimura: Since 1999 his life has become much better. He is very proud of his son and always spends time with him whenever he can. Mr. Nijimura however holds a special gratitude towards his son's companion, Josuke Higashikata, who made great efforts to renovate the Nijimura house to a wonderful home to live in. Mr. Nijimura, despite not being free of his Stand's shackles, could not be happier to have a loving family and friends.
Reimi Sugimotoand Arnold: At peace.
Yoshikage Kira: Somewhere without any sort of peace.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, 10 CHAPTERS STRONG! I promise more to come
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Unknown location, present time.
A man in a uniform is walking through a worn out underground corridor. Blinding lights illuminate his way towards another, much cleaner and sturdy room which he enters. A titanic room...
There is an open middle area with a bizarre object in the middle... some sort of stone structure. Extremely bright lights illuminating the object and by extension, the rest of this place. Ladders hug the walls, leading to small hatches into rooms like the high ground the man is in. A circular tube-like system of rooms surround the near empty area, overseeing it as if it was an experimental laboratory. It could very well be that... and above one larger room, a big screen, visible to all the chambers.
The man stares at the object before focusing on the machinery in front of him. Metallic floor, strange mechanic equipment, a large window going from one wall to another. The person's footsteps causing loud clangs to sound within the room, he remains unphased by the sound of the floor.
Awkwardly sitting on a rolling circular chair, he confidently manages the wide console. Expressionless, he adjusts his hat, his tie and presses a button on the unexplained board. An average person would not be able to tell what was happening. Speakers surrounding him and seemingly the other rooms roar upon activation. The sound clears out. What could he be doing... the uniformed figure pulls back both of his sleeves before closing in to a microphone on his console.
''Achtung, Achtung Kameraden! Aufstehen, die Generälin ist auf dem Weg!'' he shouted loudly, shattering any other noise in these mysterious grounds.
All together, a sound of men standing up was heard. Visible from across each similiar room, the men in each one immediately dropped whatever they were doing and stood at attention. Arms glued on their waists, their boots pressed against each other without a single centimeter of a gap to be found, like military soldiers.
Most wore the same outfit. Some were clad in white, long coats. Just who in the world where these people? What was this underground, strange unit...?
Suddenly, the giant screen flashed open, showcasing the empty room below it, which was noticeably larger than the rest in the tubular network.
The door leading to this room opened up, with a swish. All the lights except one flashed open within this large room, and a figure entered. The door behind slammed shut.
They all saluted, watching the screen, in which the figure appeared on, but their face was covered in darkness still. Strong and confident, their hands behind their back, they leaned forward and pressed a button.
''Sie dürfen sich wieder setzen.'' the mysterious person declared. They seemed to be the leader. Donning a similiar uniform to the rest, but with noteworthy additions. An armband with a symbol, medals, a cape with epaulettes and white gloves.
''Lassen Sie uns mit dem Projekt forfahren. Ab jetzt folgen Sie meinen Anweisungen Wort für Wort!'' the person commanded with a vocal tone that sent shivers down everyone's spine. Stomping their boots to the ground once, seated and in unison despite their separate room locations, everyone responded to the order and saluted once more in collective cheer.
The leader came out of the shadows.
Equipped with a piercing glare of absolute authority and terror, bold-faced and gallant, the gold-haired woman saluted in turn, proudly raised for all to see.
Heavy weight. Dim lights. Dark hallway. That was the scene Shizuka Joestar and her unconscious companion had found themselves in.
Walking forward while carrying the comatose priest over her shoulders now, the young woman's eyes glittered vividly behind her shades, and her smirk stood proud on her lips for all to see. Of course though, no one was there to see it. Shizuka, avid fan of a good fight that she was, kept thinking to herself excitedly.
Shizuka: (Was that seriously my first stand battle!? I think that wasn't bad, not bad at all! I do wish I could have another chance to show Achtung Baby's might.)
Achtung Baby manifested in an instant besides Shizuka as the two smiled looking forward, brofisting each other quick and snappy before the Stand vanished once more.
Shizuka: (Who knows though... I'm hopeful about this. Whoever did this to Arthur and me will surely pay, that's for sure! Hurting my friends makes this personal!)
With both her hands occupied, the young girl did her best to imagine herself adjusting her glasses in a cool and stylish way before continuing her thought train. ''Uncle Josuke... Papa and the others... they told me of something that can bring forth Stands in others.'' she pondered. ''Jotaro said it was a golden Arrow.''
The image of Jotaro Kujo visiting Morioh suddenly popped into her head, bringing a genuine smile to her face.
Shizuka: (He rarely ever came... but if this really is what I think it is... perhaps him and the Speedwagon Foundation will be interested enough. I wonder if they will be proud of my contributions. Heh... that's right... a true Joestar at last! I can feel it... this is a true call to adventure! However I don't want to get too hasty, I still got a few days to spend here before ABBA takes me back. For now, I will focus on kicking ass on my own. Bet they will be proud of my handling of Arthur and his Fire!)
Similiar thoughts kept permeating Shizuka Joestar's mind for the next minutes. She was truly thankful not to have any more stairs to carry a 39-year old man over, and that the hallway ahead was very much linear. The cabins with the numbers kept piling up... as if they were all made on the same day, in the same way, not a single difference besides the numbers on the doors and the various forms of rust. Monotony had started to bore the young woman who could not wait to find what led to the end of the path.
At this point, no sense of fear existed in her unlike before. Instead, the most prevalent emotion that could not be repressed was a desire for revenge, though she thought to herself revenge might be too harsh a word. ''Anger, I guess'' she decided as she took a moment to once more adjust Arthur's body on her back and then hopped on each foot to knock away any dust that had settled in her still stylish shoes.
The now weary teenager knew Arthur's input on this would not exactly be positive. She reassured herself however, by remembering once more that she had knocked him out, making her current situation convenient.
And so, she carried on. The lights growing dimmer and dimmer.
============================
Kundenbetreuung Unit #3 - Von Stroheim
Projekt Zimmer (Room): 30 Minutes Earlier
Brigitte von Stroheim closed in on the microphone on her console.
''ACHTUNG! Reinhard reported to me that the artifact has not only come to use effectively as instructed, but it has provided conclusive results. Details aside, what I can inform you all of is that the subject will be meeting us very soon. This allows us to focus on the current project for the time being. It is time to utilise the artifact for Specimen #46. I hereby announce the start of the next phase. Begin as briefed!''
Her commanding voice had everyone in the chambers at the tip of their toes even while sitting down in front of their devices. As soon as her speech had ended, 2 men from the same room were seen across each room through the glass exiting through hatches under their feet. Climbing down the ladders one after the other, they finally made contact with the pure white, clean floor. In the middle of the ground, a giant pillar.
''Proceed.'' the woman exclaimed from the speakers. The men looked at the giant monitor before saluting, despite their sweaty foreheads and the pure stress enveloping the atmosphere. Their eyes delirious, they soon turned solid as they began to take steps towards the middle of the experimental grounds. Carrying weird equipment as well as liquids, they finally arrived at the unknown object and quickly began using the equipment to pierce through the pillar, or cover certain areas of it with a suspicious-looking substance. Their apparent familiarity with the current situation and subject of their handling would contrast significantly with those uninitiated.
''As soon as you have carried out your tasks, return to your chamber, Götze. Hakimi, you are to remain seated. Further support will be coming your way, carrying the artifact. Chamber 8, I request the presence of Dr. Reus alongside me to oversee the next phase. Danke.''
Stroheim's words and tone of voice did not lose boldness. Courage and confidence was conveyed to everyone present effortlessly through the words of the unit's leader. Her legs glued together and arms behind her back, she raised her head high, looking down at the busy men, occupied with the handling of the bizarre stone.
Not long after, the automatic iron gates to the sides of Stroheim's chamber opened wide, allowing for a man in a white coat to enter clumsily. Carrying a pencil behind his left ear, and an album, a folder of papers between his hand and his armpit, he entered the room slightly hunched back and adjusted his weird glasses with his free hand from their handle. Standing upwards with confidence to look at this leader, who did not glance back. Instead, he was only met with the sight of the woman's jet black cape, equipped with the symbol all soldiers were carrying on their armbands.
Stroheim: Marco, you know very well what to do. Marco: Ja! Mein fuhrer, I have everything necessary to proceed-- Stroheim: That will be all. The stage is yours.
Having not broken stance or even changed her sight to look at the scientist, Brigitte von Stroheim stood like an immovable object while Marco awkwardly circled around her to place his equipment on the consoles, before taking a seat beside the standing fuhrer. Taking the pencil out of his ear, he went on to take a paper out of the album and then placing the album where the pencil was before, behind his ear.
Marco: Mein fuhrer! Stroheim: Hm? Marco: I-I think... I think uhm-- Stroheim: Speak freely. Marco: I think that... this being a project seeking to be completed for decades upon decades now... it's worth a celebration, isn't it? Stroheim: What do you mean, Marco? Marco: Well... uh, after this project has been completed on this day, hopefully, mein... mein fuhrer, would you object to a feast in the grand lounge? Stroheim: Not at all.
The scientist gasped, air blowing in and out of the gap between his front teeth, bouncing back for a second, the album on his head also moving along just on the verge of falling off. His gaping mouth soon turned to a confident smile, looking at the unclouded leader.
Marco: Dankeschön! Stroheim: No need. I will look forward to it later today. Indeed, on this day. I wish you had lost your ''hopefully'' from your previous sentence. Marco: Uh... I'm... the statistics don't exactly imply this task can be carried out that quickly... we have been planning this, the previous occupants too, for many decades, but who knows... maybe by tomorrow-- Stroheim: NEIN!
Brigitte von Stroheim finally turned her head to look down on the seated blond scientist, who started sweating and rolled backwards on his chair in response. One wouldn't know from a mere look, but his beady eyes behind his glasses were looking more tired than the bags under them would have you think.
Stroheim: We are the best of the best, Marco. This shall be the day. Let not your heart feel any doubt. Marco: ...J-Ja... mein fuhrer...
Stroheim looked back, the two men on the ground giving a signal towards her chamber, to which she responded to with a smile, before reaching for her microphone. ''Wunderbar. Continue.''
Leaning back to her straight stance, she started talking once more. Not taking her finger off the switch, her eyes widened and her eyebrows raised up high, as she took a massive breath. With a loud roar, it felt like an earthquake that shook the scene, the woman's gold hair flowing along with the declaration being made.
Stroheim: Let it be known! Marco: Fuhrer von Stroheim...!! Stroheim:DEUTSCHE WISSENSCHAFTEN IST DIE BESTE IN DER WELT!!!
Once more, everyone in the rooms sat up proudly, taking immediate position like soldiers in the military, saluting and shouting in unison. ''HEIL STROHEIM! HEIL STROHEIM! HEIL STROHEIM!''
Stroheim's face calmed down, to reveal a comforted expression of power. She released the button and then moved towards shutting off the large monitor, ending her broadcast. Everyone soon returned to their posts, not a soul without their hands full and invested in their work.
Stroheim: I know you understand, Marco. Let us commence. Speaking unnecessarily will only make your throat sore.
Marco understood and proceeded to write down on his papers, pressing his glasses back into his eyes from their loose position.
The iron woman placed her gloved hand on the glass, while her other one remained behind her back. Watching the progress down on the grounds, her line of sight to the pillar was illuminated by the grand and bright lights. Not a fraction of a second passed for a while without her piercing glare staring the object.
Stroheim:(Finally. It has been many, many years of hard work... but great grandfather Rudol would be proud. I shall finish what he started all those decades ago. And we... shall claim our rightful place. The day of liberation is growing ever so closer.)
Making a smile that revealed her gritted teeth, her glare only grew colder and deadlier...
Stroheim: (Now tell me... what secrets do you keep...)
While she was looking at the man in the pillar.
Stroheim: (Santana.)
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Across the Pacific Ocean
???: Don't you think this is a bit unconventional though? ???: Sure, haha, but Josuke-sensei said so! It's alright not to do things by the book if it's for family, I think! ???: I know right? Kukukuku! I like not doing things the common way when it's possible though! Like at home, sometimes I'd rather take off my underwear by letting it slide down my legs and then picking it up with my foot. What's the fun in using your hands like normal? Wow though... way for this to be your first task on the force, right? ???: I get what you mean, man! And yeah, you really will have a hell of a story for your first time, kouhai! ???: Sure I will... hmmm... can we close the helicopter's door though? The view may be amazing but I don't wanna catch a cold. I plan to have perfect attendance as long as I can help it. Is that okay? ???: Oh don't mention it!
A group of men on a helicopter.
Soaring over the sea bound on a helicopter, the group of men were having a friendly chat, all smiles and banter for a while now. The pilot was concentrated on the job. He did smile brightly upon hearing his friends and their enjoyable talk. They were all armed with a vest you'd see police agents wearing. And that was what they were. On their backs, the black vests brandishing the bright yellow letters ''HMPF''. ''Higashikata Morioh Police Force''.
One of the men, a young adult, was not so fond of the banter. He made it apparent by his empty glance out at the blue skies through the glass windows that he would much rather spend time alone. It was his first day on the job. With a slow and steady gesture, he took his hand and ran it through his recently-cut hair, as short as it was. As soon as he was done, another officer came to him from behind, headlocking him.
???: Come ON, man! I think you might be a bit too stressed out! Let us in~ ???: Y-Yeah but... *cough* you're not making it any easier, senpai...
The man let go and put on his helmet swiftly, which was besides him.
???: Look, I know this is a mission and all, but it doesn't mean you have to be suffering like that! You're like my grandma! And if any mistakes happen, I'm sure Josuke-sensei will understand, we're doing this for Shizuka Joestar after all! ???: And Father Arthur. ???: Well yeah, him too. I mentioned her due to her being related with sensei. You don't sound as enthusiastic as I thought you'd be. Tell ya what, after this is all done, let's all go hang out with some hot chicks in Morioh! WHAT'D'YALL DUMBASSES THINK!?
Everyone on the helicopter, even the pilot, roared a loud and cheerful ''HAI!''
???: I don't think I'm into that... ???: ...You wanna go to a male stripper club instead? I think there's one over-- ???: What! No! I didn't mean-- I don't wanna go to any such place! I... sorry, it's not my kind of fun, y'know? And after all I am too concerned right now, I'm sorry.
"Naaah we understand." said one of the agents. "Sorry if we made you uncomfortable, bro. And you, give the kid some space today."
???: Yes sir! ???: It's alright, I promise...
The officer gave the boy a pat on the shoulders and smiled at him through his helmet before heading over to the frontal part of the helicopter, to sit beside the pilot. The new recruit leaned a bit back, enjoying the full beauty of the cloud and bright sky from the glass. One could easily tell from his expression that he was thinking heavily about something. With a slight grimace to himself, he knew he had to talk.
And so, breathing in through the nose and letting the breath out through the mouth in a loud gasp, he closed his eyes shut and turned his head back to the passenger's seat. The pilot as well as the other 3 officers were talking with each other, having a lively chat before the young man's voice interrupted them for a second.
???: Hatori-senpai! Hatori: Yes, recruit? ???: How about... after all this, we all go for pasta instead? Tonio's! Hatori: Hahaha! Tonio's, huh? Feeling fancy? Haaah!
The boy's senior genuinely laughed, taking off his helmet to wipe his tears off before putting it back on, his laughter only letting off when he was ready to respond positively. Adjusting his visor slightly to be able to see him better, officer Hatori gave the boy a thumbs up as well.
Hatori: Of course, Kawajiri-kun! And guess what, I'm paying!
The boy gasped in joy!
Hayato: R-Really?! Wow, thanks! Hatori: Don't even mention it! Anything to give you a warm welcome! This is how we do things, my friend. Welcome to the Higashikata Morioh Police Force!
The recently hired officer the Morioh Police laughed, joyful as he was, before turning his head back, placing his hands in the back of his head to lay down and appreciate further the beauty of the world around.
His name was Hayato Kawajiri.
Hayato: (Beautiful... so... so, so beautiful...)
The young man smiled and closed his eyes, drifting off to the land of dreams soon.
Hayato Kawajiri did not know it at that moment- he couldn't possibly know- but he would very soon set off on an adventure that would change his life forever.
========================================
Soon, the threads of this story would intertwine. The convergence was inevitable. The signal of the beginning was already sent, as the minutes passed, and the beast waiting to awaken underground Mexico, where it once had awakened before, would be just another step to this already initiated bizarre adventure.
It was only a matter of time.
And at that moment, fuhrer Stroheim would be the first, along with her unit, to witness destiny unfold. Because unbeknownst to everyone, at that very moment, as well as the moments before and the moments after, it was all going according to plan.
Stroheim: ATTENTION, comrades! The time has come to discover the secret of the Pillar Man! Entering the final phase of the project, from this moment onward I shall not tolerate even the slightest failure. No matter what, carry out my orders as planned. HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR?
Everyone at once pressed their own microphone device switches.
All: HEIL STROHEIM! Stroheim: Not a yes... but it gets the point across. Marco: Mein fuhrer!
Brigitte von Stroheim placed her hands behind her back once more and turned to face her assistant and right hand man, lead scientist Marco Reus.
Stroheim: Make it quick. Marco: Ja, mein fuhrer! Well, you see...
The scientist adjust his bizarre glasses with his right hand before using the same hand to pick up the folder from behind his ear, pulling out specific papers to present to his commander.
Marco: Here, the calculations are completely correct! It might have taken a little bit, heheh, b-but this surely is everything we needed! Specimen #46 will awaken as soon as you give the word. All the conditions are correct and the artifact is in the possession of Hakimi. Stroheim: Hmph. Marco: ...? Stroheim: Wunderbar. I shall now give the order... let us use the artifact on the specimen. Brace yourself, Marco. Your time is NOW. You won't fail me.
The scientist sat up from his chair and saluted fast enough that a Guiness World Record book would surely feature him. The swift action caused a gust of wind to fly by Stroheim's hair.
Marco: Understood! HEIL STROHEIM!
Placing the papers back in the folder, he placed it all back behind his ear. Eager and excited, clearly, the scientist cracked his knuckles and started managing the console, which seemed to correspond to the lights shining down to the pillar shifting colour and brightness.
The fuhrer took a step back to take a good look at all the other surrounding chambers. With every single individual in the rooms either looking at the pillar in shock or at Stroheim's chamber with anticipation, as well as the soldier identified as Hakimi, it was clear that the only thing needed was the woman's fierce command.
Now walking forward, the fuhrer stomped her foot on the ground hard enough it echoed throughout the entire silent project room. Pressing her finger down with force on the button to activate all the speakers, her eyes featuring a wild and near deranged look of leadership and authority, a roar of an order rang throughout everyone's bodies.
''UNTERNEHMEN SANTANA BEGINS!''
As soon as the words were uttered, the uniformed man under a chamber started making his way towards the pillar. Everyone started sweating bullets and their palms grew extremely sweaty. Stroheim was unmoved, the only one unmoved.
Marco: (This is it... this is it...!! Hakimi, it's up to you now. Use it, THE ARTIFACT!)
The man was carrying a bizarre object wrapped up in a soft, velvet cloth. Carefully taking it out of the fabric and holding it with his gloved hands, both of them, one could hear him even from far away breathing heavily.
Fully unwrapped, the fabric left behind on the ground, Hakimi walked closer and closer until he was in front of the pillar, and the man embedded into it. He slowly raised his hands, displaying the artifact to all, signaling. The fuhrer's eyes widened.
A golden arrow.
Stroheim: (Excellent... most excellent...)
The man's boots suffocated all other noises against the marble floor as he stepped down with great force before standing at attention. Not a second later, he used both of his hands, one to hold the wooden part of the arrow and the other to push it from the back, piercing the abdomen area of the figure on the pillar, high above him.
''This is it!'' thought every single person in the room.
Anticipation, build-up, payoff... but no result.
No one could really believe what just happened.
The fact that absolutely nothing just happened.
Hakimi's eyes were wide and his head was sweating wildly, upon realizing the arrow would not pierce through the area. After a brief pause, he continued two more times, to no avail. One could feel through gripping the arrow at that moment that the area was soft enough to penetrate with the sharp edge of the arrowhead. Another pause took place before the anxious man tried to pierce other parts of the figure on the pillar.
''STOP IMMEDIATELY! THAT'S AN ORDER!'' shouted the leader, terrifying everyone else.
Stroheim's glare only widened, as her mouth was slightly open. Her stance was unbroken despite it all, until she inhaled through her nostrils and turned to face her assistant, approaching him.
Stroheim: Marco, explain yourself. NOW. Marco: I, I don't, wh-who would-- I had no--
The terrified lead scientist was at a loss for words, unable to form a sentence through his sweat and anxiety. Stroheim closing in and placing her hand on his shoulder, ever so slightly gripping it dominantly and staring him in the eyes, did not help his situation.
Stroheim: SPEAK. Marco: This-- m-mein fuhrer this! This should, not, have happened, ...! Everything was right! Stroheim: If this does not work out as intended, the specimen will awaken as scheduled without the arrow having made contact. Weeks, months, YEARS of work, many trials and errors. I refuse to allow another failure in the final successful attempt to awaken Specimen #46.
Her grip grew stronger.
Stroheim: I will NOT tolerate failure. Marco: Mein fuhrer!! No mistakes have been made! They also gave us all the info we needed! We have not f-failed! Stroheim: ...scheiβe.
Stroheim let her hand off Marco's shoulder, who gasped for air so hard the folder in between his ear and head almost fell off. The woman turned to the glass once again and stared down at the pillar and the man wielding the arrow. She soon decided to take action into her own hands and control the situation, her glare having subsided. With the press of a button, she spoke and released it again.
Stroheim: Hakimi. At ease.
She then turned to her unhinged right hand man.
Stroheim: Continue as planned. You are working right now. Marco: H-Heil Stroheim!!!
Immediately turning his seat to face the console and starting to use the machinery in front of him, Marco Reus' eyes grew troubled and his body trembled momentarily every few seconds. Sweat from his face fell down on the machines and his hands hesitated to move forward slightly before his own will forced them to act as intended. His whole state was that of a demented man. That was, until he felt a weight on his shoulder like a feather. He turned his head and then back again, and once more to make sure what he had just seen was actually real. His leader, whose hand was placed on his shoulder once again. The woman was actually sitting down on the other chair in the room, her legs crossed elegantly with her other hand placed on her top knee.
Stroheim: Calm down, Marco. Marco: Mein... mein fuhrer... Stroheim: Rest your mind. Stop shivering. You wouldn't disobey my command, correct? Marco: Y... yes, mein fuhrer. Stroheim: How do you feel? Marco: Better... better. Stroheim: Das ist gut. Now... work. Marco: Ja.
The man turned back to his workspace, much more comfortably, evidently. Brigitte von Stroheim looked at the man's face in the meantime, taking her hand off his shoulder slowly and placing it at the side of her dark grey pants, made of soft fabric. She did not take her eyes off the man, and he did not take his eyes off his job. She read Marco and knew in her heart, he felt right.
Stroheim: (Gesundheit.)
Not long after, the woman took control of the speakers once more. ''We have made some adjustments to the lighting and room temperature. Try again. Chamber 5, Philipp! You are to assist Hakimi. Everyone else, your role is known, proceed immediately.'' she ordered and then crossed her arms.
The man went on to strike at the abdomen once more, to no avail. Desperation was no longer to be found, while Marco was at work and every other person in the other chambers followed suit. Soon enough, a loud metallic noise was heard and a hatch from a chamber opened, revealing another man climbing down the ladder below it, who the others identified as Phillip, another worker. He and Hakimi soon met, cooperating in their endeavour while the lighting colours, humidity and more features of the experiment room shifted.
Brigitte von Stroheim was cautious however. She did not know for sure, as confident as she was, as to how the specimen would react when awakened. And whether or not it would cooperate thereafter with the current assigned tasks.
Stroheim: (Santana... I know you are the key. If the records hold water, this will go smoothly. My life...)
Noises.
Marco: Huh? Stroheim: ...!
SLAM!
BASH!
CRACK!
BAM!
The fuhrer uncrossed her arms and clenched her fists instinctively, turning back to face the source of the noise. The origin proved to be something behind the silver entryway to Stroheim's chamber. The noises also had caught the attention of Marco, who looked back as well, distracting himself from his work. The noises were loud enough to be heard in the surrounding chambers, despite the wall reinforcements.
Marco: Mein fuhrer, it's someone! An intruder!? Stroheim: Nein, the man Reinhardt described was supposed to come through here, since it's my chamber. I was expecting him. But what are the noises...
arararararararararara
Stroheim: Do you hear that? Marco: It's...
arararararararararara
Marco: Like someone is... trying to break through! Stroheim: I am the one who permits entry... he cannot pass if I don't--
arararararaRARARARARARARARARARARA
Marco: .....!! MEIN FUHRER! GET DOWN!! Stroheim: !!! Shizuka: ARA!!!
With a decisive blow that everyone became alert off, the moment was created. Marco went in to push his commander out of the way, diving towards her waist, but her boots were grounded hard into the ground. The door came flying with a loud metallic BOOM, despite its insane density, but the leader of the unit had taken a determined expression, and her arms had been extended outwards, her hands wide open.
Shizuka: Phew, walking is tiresome! Anybody home? ...Hello?
The smoke from the blow cleared out fast. The young woman took note of the scene; the silver door was standing upright, before falling down with a loud slam, like a playing card, in front of the teen. A uniformed, gold-haired woman was revealed behind where the door once stood, her arms reached out and veins forming on her forehead. She had used these arms and the weight of her body to halt the advance of the door, making it fall down at the front of her boots, while a bizarre-looking man was beside the same boots, fallen on the ground awkwardly and mumbling to himself.
Stroheim:Was ist das, Marco? Shizuka: WOAH! You just DID that!? Impressive! Wait, will you even get my compliment? I hope so, not enough people speak English over here. And this is what you did to the one I actually could talk to, damn.
The girl was speaking with a perplexed and curious expression, while a slight smirk could always be detected by looking at her dimples. As she was referring to Arthur, she brought him forth from over her shoulders and carried the man from under his armpits to a corner between the wall and the console to her left. The whole movement was like an acrobatics circus act. Before being done, the girl smiled wide and adjusted the hair of the unconscious priest, like a mother tidying up her son's hair before sending him off to school. All the while, the fuhrer released herself from her pose and put her arms behind her back once more, rotating her body to look at the bizarre display, stone-faced and calm. In a fraction of a second, the professor went from comatose at the ground to up and ready behind his commander, his mouth agape comically.
Stroheim: Woman. Shizuka: Ah, so you talk! Yes, I woman. You... also woman, I think. You know, it's kinda-- Stroheim: SILENCE.
Shizuka Joestar's eyes widened and her mouth took the shape of the letter o, raising her eyebrows. She had realized the uniformed woman was at the very least a competent English-speaker.
Stroheim: My men told me of this person, laying there. I was expecting him. But I can tell you disposed of him instead. Shizuka: Heh, guess you could say I ''kicked his ass'' if you wanted to, but that'd be-- Stroheim:SILENCE.
The girl went back to her o-shaped mouth state. Marco Reus jumped forth, still behind his fuhrer, pointing his finger to the girl, who in turn pointed her finger back at herself.
Marco: YOU! WHO ARE YOU!? Shizuka: Me? Nice to meetcha! My name is-- Marco: YOU VILE CREATURE! DO YOU NOT KNOW WHO YOU'RE TALKING TO, SCHWEINHUND!? Shizuka: Not really. Marco: THIS IS THE ONE AND ONLY FUHRER, BRIGITTE VON-- Shizuka: HOLD THE PHONE. Now hand the phone over to me. Fuhrer? As in... Hitler? Marco: ...Whut. Shizuka: AH!
The girl shifted her glance at the armband on both the mad Marco and gallant Stroheim's arms, noticing the symbol on them.
Shizuka: OH MAI GAHD! You guys are nazis!? Marco: LISTEN HERE, YOU WILL SPEAK TO US WITH THE UTMOST--
The woman raised her hand, gesturing to her assitant to hold his words. ''That's enough, Marco.'' she declared in German. Despite not understanding, Shizuka Joestar figured out the meaning. Everyone took a moment to themselves in quietness.
Stroheim:(So this person defeated our empowered subject. Fascinating.) Marco: (Who does this brat think she is!? Had it not been for fuhrer Stroheim...) Shizuka: (LMFAO that guy has a folder behind his ear)
Stroheim: Speak no more. You defeated the empowered subject in combat. Few earn my attention like you. Clearly, you are ''superior'' to him. Shizuka: Superior? Also what kind of accent-- Stroheim: We are working. I grant you permission to stay, Mädchen. We will get to you soon. For now, do not speak, stay still. Disobey, and even if you are superior...
''I shall execute you.'' declared the commander steely, lowering her eyelids.
''Sunnava Bitch'' Shizuka Joestar thought to herself, wincing visibly. With a gesture of the unit leader's hand, Marco saluted in response and returned to his post, back on his chair, as if nothing had happened. The commander followed up by returning to her observatory position. Behind them both by a few meters, Shizuka Joestar, cringing at the thought of something bad happening and the uneasy predicament she had found herself in. Her hands loose and her stance flimsy, she did not make any noise, but her mind was full of thoughts.
Shizuka: (Dude what the fuck... these guys are nazis! The third reich!! That's the swastika, isn't it? Going to Mexico, Stands, nazis...?! A real JoJo would stop these guys' surely evil deeds right here and now. But something is not right... as much as I want to smash their faces for what they did to me and Arthur-san, something bigger is going on. I have to play smart before I can beat their mugs in.)
The girl walked forward slightly, silent, observing the machinery around and turning her head as well as her whole body to look at the surroundings. This was truly something she had never seen before. The other two people in the room were fully aware, but absorbed into their work, they decided to neglect the unknown Asian girl.
Only a couple of minutes passed all in all until the teenager took note of the subject of the fuhrer's fascination. An object at the center of the room, surrounded by two men using another object she recognized. The situation soon turned familiar to her.
Shizuka: ....!! Uhm--
''Don't.'' exclaimed the woman, sparing not a glance to the girl. The latter ran her mouth regardless.
Shizuka: I know what that object is! Stroheim: ... Shizuka: That is the Arrow! Marco: DIDN'T THE FUHRER JUST WARN YOU, DUMMKOPF!? I WILL-- Stroheim: "The Arrow"? Marco: ...huh
Stroheim turned fast. ''Marco, give us privacy.'' she ordered, resulting in the curious scientist returning to managing the machinery. ''What do you know about the artifact?'' she asked straightforwardly.
Shizuka: Alright, so... that thing awakens powers in people. Stroheim: How do you know of this information? Shizuka: Thanks for asking! Firstly, I, myself, am a--
RUMBLE!
Stroheim: !! Shizuka: !! Marco: !! Everyone: !!
A loud noise was heard from the middle of the room. The time had come. Stroheim's mouth slightly gaped open and her eyes widened while looking at the unaware girl. Immediately she turned her back on her to run back a few meters alongside Marco, lounging over him like a gargoyle.
Stroheim: Marco? Is this it? Marco: Richtig, fuhrer von Stroheim! Specimen #46 is awakening! Stroheim: Now...!
The woman took the microphone into her hands and started speaking. ''HAKIMI! PHILLIPP! Take 5 steps back and halt, pull back the artifact!'' she commanded and the two men immediately followed orders, as their ineffective efforts to pierce through the creature's body stopped. Shizuka Joestar kept being perplexed by the German she was speaking, but did not intervene. ''I wish I took that German class in middle school, but French was just too enticing'' she thought. Her thought train came to a halt though, as she took note of the object in the middle of the whole space, paying special attention.
Shizuka: (What is that... thing... ...!!!)
An epiphany.
Shizuka: (A man in a pillar... like... j-just like... and... STROHEIM!?)
The rubble from the pillar was starting, slowly but surely, crumbling away. From up close, it looked like the wide open eyes of the statue were moving in the iris, and its wide open mouth slowly moving towards closing up.
Shizuka: (That pillar... it's.... no. It can't be...!! Is this destiny?!)
The teenager was sweating profusely and breathing hard, as she instinctively took another step forward. (This... Papa said all of them had perished at his hands... no, no... except one...) Images of Joseph Joestar talking to the very young Shizuka Joestar on his lap flashed like a movie reel in the young girl's mind. Memories from long ago, stories.
Shizuka: (IT'S THE PILLAR MAN!!!) Santana! Stroheim: !!!
The commander's eyes widened and she turned to the young girl immediately, rushing to her with her hand to grab Shizuka from the shirt and raising her up high in the glimpse of a second. The levitating girl had no idea what was going on, and her mouth spoke before her mind did.
Shizuka: YOU! STROHEIM!!! Stroheim: Did you say "Santana"?! Marco: Mein fuhrer, we don't have enough time! We need to make sure specimen #46 awakens safely and unprovoked! Shizuka: Awakens!? Stroheim: Brat... Marco, act. The specimen will receive cooperative treatment as scheduled. The records do not lie. I have something to do...
The crazed expression of the fuhrer was gone, as well as her cap which was now laying on the floor. Her piercing glare did not vanish however, as she sent something of a psychic bullet straight to Shizuka Joestar's heart with it.
Shizuka: Your name is Stroheim, huh? Descendant of Rudol von Stroheim!? Stroheim: How do you know ANY of this? Speak before I end you! (This runt... she knows a lot... I can't get rid of her!) Shizuka: More importantly... what the HELL do you think YOU'RE doing!? Santana can't awaken! YOU need to be ended!
Stroheim moved her other hand to the young woman's neck, gripping it tight momentarily in an attempt to render her unconscious. But it was too late, as the words were spoken instantly.
''ACHTUNG BABY, ATTACK!''
Both Stroheim and Marco Reus felt something tremendous appear, a force of nature so wild, an aura so tense, the gust of wind generated from this hit them head-on, like a shockwave. In an instant, the console Marco was managing was shattered in front of him, as if a rocket had striked it directly, causing an electromagnetic current to fly outward, launching Marco Reus at the wall behind! The man shouted in pain with his back audibly booming against the reinforced walls, while the fuhrer finally let a drop of sweat roll down her face, taking a glance of shock at her assistant who had fallen down on his side, probably unconscious. It was soon directed to the young woman, who was now being choked further. ''YOU LITTLE BRAT! YOU HAVE NO PLACE IN THIS WORLD!'' screamed the commander, amidst the smoke and rubble from the machinery now launched around the chamber. The glass slightly shattered and the walls around the console bent, it was heard in the surrounding chambers and visible from afar. Something was seriously wrong.
A grunt was heard before what seemed to the confused commander like an invisible punch threw itself into the strangler's gut, loosening her grip completely and shattering her calm state. ''BWAH!'' she yelled in pain, taking a step back to hold her abdomen, releasing her prisoner, then a second ''ARA!'' followed, sending the hurt Stroheim slightly back, but her strong stance stopped her from leaving the ground. Now a difference of meters between the two women, the younger one took a moment to breathe and cough, while the other one used her gloved hand to wipe the saliva off her mouth and cheek. Not one cough and no heavy breathing came out of the fuhrer. She glared at the young one wildly and howled, her eyes sharp and deadly. ''YOU! DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'VE JUST DONE!?''
Shizuka: *cough* I... have stopped you from awakening an ancient evil! (Did she seriously just react like this to not one, but TWO of my Stand's blows?! She surely is Stroheim's descendant...) Stroheim: WHAT?! Evil!? Santana will awaken any second!! I will have your head!
Shizuka spat down at the ground, before triumphantly standing taller than the bent fuhrer. She thought to herself aloud. ''It only takes the knowledge of you being a nazi to learn what I have to do! As well as my knowledge of the Pillar Man! And if that just now WAS a hiccup *cough* on... my part; I will break ALL your faces anyway!''
''What is she saying... evil? Knowledge!?'' the unit leader thought.
The commander was caught up in a fit of rage, taking moments to recover from the blows, all the while pointing towards this mysterious teenage stranger, requesting explanation for the insanity that had just commenced.
Stroheim: How did you know of Colonel von Stroheim!? Santana!? The artifact! I have changed my mind, you cannot possibly be superior! You are trash, cow excrement under my boot! Shizuka: Sheesh.
The pillar kept crumbling. Movement from the figure on it slowly started being detected. The creature was awakening. Like a slight earthquake, the ground below the chambers started shaking. Voices came off a boombox-like contraption on the leftover pieces of the mostly destroyed console, they were of the men in the experiment grounds. ''Fuhrer von Stroheim! Specimen #46 is awakening! What is going on...!?''
Stroheim: My men...! COMRADES!! IF YOU CAN HEAR ME, DO NOT ACT!!! Shizuka: (That truly is Santana down there... I didn't ever think he was alive! This must surely be destiny, heh!)
Brigitte von Stroheim took a glance from the side of the room down to the experiment chamber, seeing the men saluting. They must have gotten the message. Meanwhile, more and more rubble started crumbling off the pillar. Fingers were released from the stone, shedding the rocky coil. The time was nigh. She soon shifted her glance.
Stroheim: Who are you!?
Shizuka paused, placing her left hand in a v-shape on her chin and grimacing to indicate she was thinking. Soon, with a snap of her fingers, she faced the leader and used her index finger to raise her shades. With a confident, even arrogant smile, she took her stance.
''Me, baby? Well, if you wanna know my name...''
''Could she be...'' were the only actual words formed in her head right then, when all of a sudden, the entire grounds started shaking. Hakimi and Philipp fell down, the arrow being dropped further away. Up in the chamber, Brigitte glared at Shizuka Joestar and started sitting up, assuming a semi-solid stance once more, like someone trying to sip tea in a burning house.
Stroheim: JoJo! You have ruined my equipment and rendered my assistant unconscious. I ask of you to leave this to me from now onward. Shizuka: Oh COME on!
*LOUD RUMBLING*
Shizuka:God DAMN you're stupid! Stroheim: *eye twitch* Shizuka:Santana is a very dangerous being! My father, Joseph Joestar, faced him and three others of his kind a long time ago. He is stronger than any human, and if he is unleashed to the world, no one knows what could happen!
The fuhrer snorted slightly before breaking into a chuckle, which then turned to a coy smirk. She knew she was talking to a fool.
Stroheim: My records are not wrong. Though if specimen #46 chooses not to cooperate... I HAVE MY SUPERIOR GERMAN SCIENCE!!! THIS IS THE START OF OUR GLORIOUS RETURN!
Original concept art from early 2017:
While making a declaration, the determined woman raised her hand in front of her and made a fist. That was the last step. Turning to the now shattered glass and observing as the pillar in the middle of the room crumbled, her perverse smile stretched. Shizuka took another step forward, visibly cringing at the sight of the awakening.
Stroheim: Now, woman. Witness the dawn of our rise. Shizuka:(What the hell is she thinking...!! Then I guess... I will have to fight once more!)
The rocks kept falling in pieces from various positions of the huge pillar that was grounded into the marble. The legs of the figure on it started to move, it was a large muscular man... as the steady progression of this bizarre process suddenly halted, all at once, the man closed his eyes before opening them once more intensely, then jumped forth with great force, leaving the debris behind. He was kneeling down, one hand on his knee and the other feeling the ground upon landing, his head facing the marble and his back arched, it was like a horned Greek statue.
Dead silence.
The man slowly rose up, his perfect mane of hair caressing the naked, prominent muscles. His face wore an expression of calm curiosity. Like an animatronic, he moved his head around expressionless, and clenched his fists a few times. He stomped his left foot on the ground and then turned his head once more. He was staring at the major chamber, smoke still coming out of it. A piercing glare. He knew what he was looking at. He opened his left hand, turned the other into a fist, and pushed them together with force. The creature acknowledged it was not sleeping anymore.
THE PILLAR MAN, SANTANA, HAD AWAKENED.
Stroheim: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! AAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAH!!!! Shizuka:(What the fuck! Why is she laughing! Her eyes... her face... she looks like a demented serial killer...!! DOESN'T SHE KNOW HE WILL KILL US ALL!? At least... I have some of ''that'' in me too... the perfect counter!) Stroheim: WELCOME BACK, SANTANA!!! Santana: ... Stroheim: (No response?) You CAN speak German, can't you? Shizuka:(Where are the subtitles...) Stroheim: Santana! That is your name! You have been asleep for many years, but we have brought you back! Your once shattered body has been healed back thanks to our great technology! I am-- Santana: Stroheim. You are like him. Stroheim: ?
The Pillar Man stared down at the two men he hadn't yet caught wind of. It did not take him long to recognise their relation from the armbands. The ancient creature exemplified its natural cognitive abilities to the audience surrounding him. He opened his mouth for a few moments, taking no breaths, before he directed his words to the unit.
Santana: Humans. You will not succeed.
''Was?'' asked Stroheim, further coming forward, her upper body reaching out of the chamber, out from where the glass used to be, her gloves pressed against shattered pieces of glass without a care. Her confused face soon changed to an excited one, thinking to herself ''This is him... a true respectable being...''. She then gladly assumed her role of a speaker.
''Santana! We have awakened you and shall set you free!'' spoke the excited leader. ''Rudol von Stroheim the Great wanted to bring you freedom, but was thwarted! How unfair for such a magnificent man! I, Brigitte von Stroheim, will finally see your freedom completed personally! We ask for your help in our great cause!'', the words echoed throughout Shizuka Joestar's head, who took a step back, to look at the still comatose Arthur Rown for a second to make sure he was fine. All the while she monologued to herself. ''That is not what happened... papa said he and Stroheim were able to stop Santana! They then attempted to stop the other 3 Pillar Men; Esidisi, Wamuu, Kars, each more dangerous than the last... what is the truth...?!''
Stroheim: My men shall awaken a latent strength within you! Sleeping for so long makes it hard for you to trust us, Santana! But the truth lies before your--
FWISH.
''Ghhgghlghrhgh--''
SLASH.
One of the two agents was executed. Held by the throat, Santana's massive arm clutching his throat tight, Philipp stood headless a mere second later, carved clean off by the other hand. Santana's expression did not shift. He loosened his grip, letting the lifeless body fall to the ground.
Hakimi: Uhh... Uhuh-- UWAAAAAAAH!!!
SLASH.
Both men were decapitated in less than 5 seconds. Their blood stained the clean marble and flew like a river along the floor tile gaps. Santana exhaled. It was too fast for anyone to process. And then came the screams. A cacophony of terror from all the chambers. The silence in the major chamber governed the atmosphere in contrast, with both conscious women having their hearts stop for a second upon the brutality. Shizuka Joestar just witnessed 2 men dying in the span of seconds. Brigitte von Stroheim witnessed her comrades' lifeless bodies decorate the experiment room in a grotesque display. They had no words. Stroheim's stance loosened massively.
Santana: You humans are still fragile. Do not tire me. Stroheim: ....H-Hakimi... Philipp... Shizuka: (Even she is...!) ...Stroheim... h-he... is.. (I can't move...!!) Santana: You are the leader.
BAM! Pressing his feet to the ground with such force to level a few of the marble plates, Santana leaped with astounding force, propelling himself into Stroheim's chamber.
Shizuka: WOAH!!! HE'S HERE!!! Santana: Where are my masters, Stroheim? Stroheim: You just... killed two of my men! How dare you!
The Pillar Man walked forward. He took only a single small step, his bare foot calmly treading the metallic floor.
And Stroheim took a step back.
Stroheim:!!! Shizuka: (I feel almost frozen... this is not what a Joestar does! Break free, JoJo!!!) Stroheim: (I just took a step back...!? ME!?!? How dare he stand mightier than the MIGHTIEST!? This... should not have happened.....!!) Santana: I see you don't know where my masters are.
PEW!
Shizuka: ....!! Stroheim: WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!?
Like the fastest gun in the west, Brigitte von Stroheim pulled a revolver from her pocket quickly and shot without hesitation. Santana fell to the ground. The pure anger stemming from her and her gritted teeth were enough to intimidate the young woman behind, who internally jumped from the scare, transferring physically into mere limb spasms. Stroheim dropped her revolver, out of bullets.
Stroheim: ROT IN HELL!!! Haaa... haa... Hgh... Shizuka: That did nothing! Stroheim: SILENCE! My men are dead, my unit in shambles! I must take over... I learned what this creature was, respected its nature. Santana should have cooperated, but I had to put him down with this gun I made myself! (What will I tell ''them'' now... no matter, I must sound the alarm!)
And then he stood up.
Stroheim: AH! Shizuka: WOAH!
It only took a second flat for the man to stand up, his posture proud and dominant, towering over both women at higher than three meters, wider than any bodybuilder. His feet were now making indentations to the floor. His face and body contained the bullets, smoke still coming out of them, until they were absorbed into his skin, vanishing into the man's bare body. Stroheim's sweat fell on the metallic ground.
Stroheim: What the fuck are you... Santana: Your technology has also remained primitive.
His fingernails opened up as if they were light switches being flipped upward. This was a signal Shizuka Joestar understood, her heart skipped a beat and her brain made the connection in the blink of an eye. She quickly dived down in horror.
Shizuka: (Oh sh-) STROHEIM GET DOWN!! Stroheim: Hm?!
A bullet barely grazed her hair while Stroheim, panting and delirious, fell to the ground on her face after being the teenager's hand pulled her leg, causing her to slip and hurt her head. A grunt was heard before a rain of bullet pellets was directed their way, coming at a fast speed, but only a couple were able to even reach near them. That is... due to one of the two women being well-equipped.
''ARA! ARARARA, ARA!'' screamed Shizuka Joestar, her glasses now having fallen on her face from the sudden fall. Summoning Achtung Baby to deflect the bullets with its fists, Santana stood unbroken until he was out of bullet pellets, grating annoyingly the user's forearms under her sleeves. Stroheim was visibly perplexed. What the hell is going on?
Santana: ...I see. You are different. Stroheim: EXPLAIN YOURSELF! Shizuka: Santana shoots bullets, you just fed him! He can't die from that, he's not human! Stroheim: This thing is definitely not human... Shizuka: ...oh g-god... this is happening too fast! ...Stroheim wait!
The fuhrer slowly stood up using her knees, ignoring the grounded girl, to meet Santana who was now paused, his fingernails closed. He also took an upward position.
Stroheim: You've made an enemy out of a superior, SANTANA!! Shizuka: (What is she.... NO WAY!)
''HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA!! AHAHAHAHAHA!!!!'' laughed the fuhrer, wiping her forehead to swipe away the blood from the fall flowing down her face, her new smile one of evil determination. Fast and snappy, she saluted with her left hand, quickly before sending it behind her cape, pulling something heavy out of it... A MINIGUN!?!?!?
Shizuka: A MINIGUN!?!?!? Stroheim:GERMAN SCIENCE IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD!!!!
The commander single-handedly flailed the tremendous minigun effortlessly to her right side to grip the beastly weapon with both hands. Eyes broad like never before, the manic chief, grinning an unhinged grin, prepared to shoot.
Santana: That is new. Stroheim:GET OUT OF MY BASE!!!
The rapid fire of the monster Stroheim was wielding had recoil so strong it made even her arms tremble. Despite that, she started walking forwar, overwhelming Santana's body which began erupting left and right, facing the bulletstorm head-on. Such was the force, that Santana was launched to the wall behind and into the next chamber, and the next one too, the agents inside running to the sides to avoid the wrath of the mechanical beast.
Relentlessly, von Stroheim kept walking forward further and furher, until Santana's expression finally changed to one of anger, being launched out into the next chamber as well, an explosion of crimson blood signifying the tide of the battle had shifted! Everyone inside was in shock and terror until the tremendous whirring of the minigun halted. Santana was pinned against the wall of the room and fell face first down on the floor, bleeding massively and no longer moving. The two white-coated men in the room were at awe.
Stroheim: PRIMITIVE, YOU CAVEMAN?! GYAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Scientist: Fuhrer von Stroheim! What happened!? Are you okay!? Scientist: MEIN FUHRER! Are you hurt?! YOU'RE BLEEDING! Where is Dr. Reus!? Stroheim: STOP YELLING, WEIGL! Do you want me to cut your tongues out, Sancho?! Use your consoles and contact the other chambers! Then sound the emergency alarm. I will have to explain myself... (but we WON! Hahahahahahah... of course we did!)
The men immediately saluted, ''HEIL STROHEIM!'', quickly then each accessing their devices, identical to the one Shizuka had destroyed in Stroheim's chamber, and then started speaking in German. Uniformed men from the previous chambers Stroheim had gunned her way into with Santana were also following through, having heard the orders. The distant yelling that could only very faintly be heard from around the tubular network of chambers was now fully gone, replaced by silence. The scientists went on to press their hands down large red buttons, and spoke again. Stroheim lowered the minigun absent-mindedly and audibly breathed out. She took many breaths, smiling faintly, prevalent. The soldiers around started crying, panting heavily, letting their emotions get a handle on them.
That was their commander.
Shizuka Joestar ran behind the woman, in complete shock, her skin paler than ever as she almost tripped on the way across the chambers. Catching confused glances from the agents and scientists, she looked around and under the bright light of the room, she shifted her attention to the weapon wielder. ''Stroheim!? WHAT WAS THAT!?'' she asked.
Much calmer than before, the woman turned around with an evil look of victory, put her minigun over her shoulder, and held it with one hand, using the other to point to the young teen. ''THAT... is MINE.", she continued "I constructed this weapon myself. I even made every single bullet. I never thought it would come so useful... but turns out, even such a man cannot defeat our superior German technology!'' declared von Stroheim, clenching her fist in addition.
Shizuka: Are you stupid!? There are only 2 ways I know of to kill Pillar Men! Expose them to the sun's light or use the Ripple! Did you even know what that is, huh!? YOU ARE CLUELESS!!
The fuhrer raised an eyebrow and made a confused face.
Stroheim: The Ripple? Sunlight? This was not in the record, woman. Shizuka:JoJo. I am JoJo. Stroheim: JoJo... this was not easy. I lost 2 men, both agents. It means a lot to me. But, let me inform you... THIS is what it means to be a GREAT one! I have even made Santana fall. Our might is proven. Be honoured to have witnessed me. Shizuka: ....Ngh! (This is my chance! Santana might be out for a while, so I have to do it now!) STROHEIM! I demand explanations from you! Who are you, what is this place, why did you take my friend, how did he get a Stand, and what are you planning to do to us?! Knowing you are nazis, it can't be for good...and I have the power to stop you!
Shizuka Joestar stood straight and gallant, taking a pose that perplexed Stroheim. ''I am the daughter of Joseph Joestar, the man who defeated the Pillar Men! I can sure smash your punk ass too, baby!!''
Stroheim: Your friend? A Stand? JoJo... I am willing to receive you in my base, despite your insulting ignorance. We will speak about all this.
However, after having hurt my precious assistant, ruined the progress of this project and more, DO NOT think you can tread over my duties, knowledge and authority.
Shizuka looked beyond Stroheim, who also turned back, a single drop of sweat falling down her face in anticipation of what she would bear witness to in the next couple of seconds. With a swift motion, what she saw would make her drop her weapon down on the ground, making a loud noise, while everyone else stayed silent, in disbelief of what was happening.
Santana's ribs had grown terrifying and disgusting bony appendages, that had grabbed one of the scientists from the sides, piercing his flesh through his white, now red clothes. Santana was also bleeding profusely, standing straight and confidently despite it all, while holes covered his body like swiss cheese.The other scientist stood helpless, trying to crawl forward, impossible task... considering his back was being crushed into the metal floor by Santana's devastating foot. He tried to scream for help, tears streaming down his face, but a flesh-like substance covered his mouth, moving grossly and causing a pit in Shizuka Joestar's stomach. She knew. The stabbed scientist reached his hand out and started to cry, a desperate display.
Stroheim: Weigl... Weigl: save-- Santana: HM!!
There was no time left for the poor man, the rib blades pulled back into Santana's sides, quickly bringing the scientist into the center of the large Pillar Man's body... and plunging him inside it. Shizuka and Stroheim remained speechless, Stroheim's mouth dangling open in terror. She was shaken by horror. Soon, certain holes on Santana's skin started to heal up, filling up with body tissue and skin, no longer leaking blood, while Santana took deep breaths. It was as if he had never been hit by a bullet barrage. The crushed scientist, Dr. Sancho, kept trying to scream in futility. One of the women found the courage to speak.
Stroheim: YOU MONSTER!!! LET SANCHO GO!!! Santana: You have made a mistake, Stroheim. Shizuka: (That's it... papa told me about this! Santana can release things like leeches from his body, absorbing blood! But what is he trying to do...)
Dr. Sancho started bleeding from the area around his mouth, while the terrible substance kept moving erratically. The screaming got more and more chilling, muffled as it was, when the scientist began to get paler and paler, until it was far too late for anything to be done. Stroheim took a step forward instinctively, but upon the end of the step, the pleadful yelling of the man had concluded. The scientist stopped crawling, his movements halted and his head stayed on the ground. Santana released his weight and the leech jumped forward, up his foot and vanishing inside it. Santana clenched his fists and moved his toes.
Santana: I feel... better. But it's not enough. Stroheim: I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!!! Santana: JoJo. You said my masters were defeated? That can't be true.
A spark awoke inside Shizuka. As if an invisible hand pushed her forward towards making a decision many would consider reckless, the young girl spoke proudly, walking forth and leaving Stroheim behind while placing her sunglasses back on her face.
Shizuka: So you speak English too now, huh? You remember Joseph Joestar! He is the man who defeated you, and he went on to kill all the other Pillar Men! Santana: ... Shizuka: Esidisi was no match! Wamuu was outsmarted and killed by him! Kars is no longer in this world! The red stone is gone!! YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE LEFT!! And turns out, I'll have to finish the job. Stroheim: (How dare she pass before me!! DO YOU NOT KNOW YOUR PLACE?!!)
The chief clenched her teeth audibly, before she used her right hand to push Shizuka Joestar behind while running forth to grab her minigun which had fallen on the ground, once more with intents of harm. As she ducked to the right in an attempt to lift the beastly weapon however, she was met with a terrible surprise.
Santana: You both shall die. Wait for your turn. Stroheim: .....!!!! BWOOOH--!
A fist to the stomach. Time was seemingly stopped, and Stroheim's eyes went white. The fuhrer felt blood cascading onward to her throat before she coughed once. It was the only noise she was able to make before Santana's punch propelled the commander towards the glass, shattering it and launching her outside onto the main experiment grounds, 5 storeys below.
Shizuka: STROHEIM! Santana: You are first.
Another fist. But this time, Shizuka Joestar's confidence did not falter. She ducked to the side with speed she was momentarily surprised herself to possess, before running towards Santana's abdomen. It was her time to punch. Covering her hand with the sleeve of her shirt as if she was holding onto it to put on a jacket, a glow started appearing. A smile of cocky joy also appeared to create the moment.
The sunpowered glow concentrated to Shizuka's knuckles under her shirt, sending what looked like a beam right through Santana, melting all the flesh in between. ''OH MY GOD! I must have blown him to pieces!!! THIS IS THE POWER OF THE JOESTAR BLOODLINE!!'' she declared internally. Proud of her success, she ran back with a backflip and posed intensely to Santana who was still in his punching position. ''HOW'S THAT, BABY!?''
And then she noticed.
Shizuka: ...oh no
It was nothing more but a small scale hole through Santana's stomach. It couldn't have been wider than 4 centimeters. It certainly looked bigger up close. The large man looked down, his widened eyes now lowering to a reasonable state.
Santana: I see the Ripple Tribe downgraded. Shizuka: (NO! I thought even a little Ripple would do something!! Papa... why didn't you teach me more...!!! God DAMNIT!) Santana: Do not dodge this.
The bulky mass of muscle and calm rage marched onward, trying to send another first forward. This time he knew to be fast, not to miss. Shizuka did not move however. And Santana's punch was stopped mid-air. The bystanders from the chambers, who could look into the one the two fighters were, thought that something invisible was stopping the monster's punch.
The young woman angrily shouted at the Pillar Man. ''If my Ripple isn't good enough, then surely you are no match for my Achtung Baby!!''
Santana noticed.
Santana: I see you possess it... just like Joseph Joestar. Shizuka: (What...?! He can see!) Santana: PERISH!
The man retracted his punch and brought it forth again, this time towards the direction of Achtung Baby's face, hitting it on the cheek, right under its visor. Shizuka Joestar was striked as well and was thrown backwards into the ground, to the previous chamber. ''...........THE HELL!?''
Santana: You will prove to be a formidable opponent if left alive. I will not allow it, JoJo.
That is when the girl knew. Her heart started beating faster than ever before on that fateful day, she panted heavily and intensely while she felt a single tear slowly forming on her left eye. "huh...? Why am I crying...?"
Down on the ground shamefully and understanding the true gravity of the situation, she tried to move backward using her butt. She felt the urge to run.
Shizuka: (This guy... is a MONSTER!)
The monster walked forward and prepared to charge straight into her once more. He was surprised when he wasn't the first to make a move, however. That was, because with a loud ARA! an invisible menace hit Santana on the face. The young woman slowly sat up. ''No... I'm a Joestar! If I don't stop this monster, NO one will! Arthur... I WILL SAVE YOU!!! You're going down!!!'' was what she was thinking. She did not speak aloud, too focused on thinking how to defeat the ancient being. Her simple-minded thinking worked to her advantage, as Santana's face implicated shock. She acknowledged that.
The Pillar Man was finally toppled, smashing against the next chamber's wall, knocking it over with significant force. The people inside could not believe their eyes. The exhausted and panting Shizuka started running, slowly vanishing in the process of doing so.
Agent: ?! Where did the girl go!? Scientist: I don't know! We have to run! HELP FUHRER STROHEIM!
''ARARARARARARARARARARARA!!!!''
Once more, the man was launched from the ground slowly with what seemed like a barrage of blows, felt by everyone in the room due to the sheer intensity the air exhibited. He was smashed against the wall once more, not shattering it, as he fell face forward. His face was distorted slightly, his nose broken to the right side, and his eyes covered with swollen skin from his eyelids. His gut and his sides were greying in colour fast.
Santana's head slowly raised. He was coughing intensely for a few seconds until he glanced at the agent near him and reached his arm out to grab him quick. ''ARARARARA!!!'', sheer power knocked the arm down. But it was not enough. Gathering all his strength, the ancient being jumped forward with a leap and he used both his feet to land on top of the agent. ''HELP!'' he screamed in German. And help was on its way... until it wasn't. The Pillar Man sniffed the air momentarily and gripped the arm of Achtung Baby with all his strength, causing a detached voice to groan in pain. He then moved from the agent and grasped at thin air... or so it seemed. In his empty hand, the body of Shizuka Joestar shortly began appearing. And so did her Stand, which reacted just like its master, making a pained grimace and trying to move with only miniscule success, to break free, to no avail.
Santana: You can turn yourself invisible. Same for your power's presence. No matter what trick you have up your sleeve, JoJo... you humans are inferior. Your strikes lack force. That is why you relentlessly increase their quantity. Yet you also lack the stamina to sustain them. A single blow from you is no match for me. Shizuka: Y-you... bastard...! (My arm... let it go!) Santana: Join Stroheim now. I will return to kill you.
Just like with the fuhrer, Santana threw Shizuka out the window, his grip fully loosened, like a baseball pitcher. The glass shattered and she flew out beyond it, but the young girl didn't scream, instead looking behind her and staring at the stone pillar the creature had come out of. Moments before hitting the ground, she did quick thinking.
Shizuka: ACHTUNG BABY!
Shizuka's Stand emerged, held onto the pillar, while Shizuka grabbed onto its feet despite her weakened arm, stopping herself from a fatal crash. The young girl let go and fell to the ground from 5 meters, hurting her knees, but it was an injury not worth paying attention to. Her attention was focused on the monstrous force of nature that was clearly doing something to the scientists, indicated by the audible screams.
Shizuka: (He... he is killing them... human lives are being...)
Absent-mindedly holding her bruised arm, she then shifted her focus to the decapitated dead body nearest to her, and then the one close by... which was acommodated by someone over it.
The woman was standing up and staring at the corpse of her underling. But turning awkwardly, the woman limped slowly towards a ladder. She wanted to get back. The moment she had taken to even briefly grieve could have been spent more wisely, she decided. But the young girl noticed something off about her... her arm was completely broken and limp, while her legs barely had the ability to move. Her hands no longer had gloves, those were left behind next to one of the corpses. Her hands were bloody... it was tragic.
Shizuka: Stroheim! You can't! I will go back up for you! Stroheim: SHUT YOUR MOUTH, JOJO!!! I WILL FUCKING KILL HIM!!!
The woman exclaimed in pure anger, unfiltered and primal rage, her back turned to the young girl who was in much better condition. The words ''KILL'', ''MURDER'', ''DESTROY'', ''ERADICATE'' flashed throughout the enraged leader's mind simultaneously, loudly and without a sign of ever stopping.
Stroheim: What kind of leader am I... if I cannot even save my OWN UNIT!?
''AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!''
Both the women turned their heads to look at the massacre.
And a massacre it truly was.
Screams from hell, rivers of blood leaking from the broken windows and pouring down onto the ground with loud splashes, yelling that shifted into nothingness... the ancient beast was rushing through each room with controlled chaotic movement, shattering doors and destroying every human in his path, some forcibly dived into his body while some were left behind to suffer from the leech-like atrocities. How could he be doing it all so fast? Both Stroheim and Shizuka turned pale, realizing Santana was traversing through the tubular network of chambers. In a certain chamber, one of the agents opened the hatch, which both women noticed, attempting to climb down the ladder to escape into the experiment grounds.
Witsel: FUHRER STROHEIM!! Stroheim: WITSEL! WHAT'S HAPPENING TO MY UNIT?! Witsel: MEIN FUHRER--
A massive and muscular arm came out from the hatch fast and extended, pulling the poor man back up before he could finish. Another terrifying scream before utter silence, like squealing pigs under a butcher's bloodthirsty knife. The beast continued to rampage. Any uncertainties were now gone. No longer a doubt. Brigitte von Stroheim put each hand on the sides of her head like a demented schizophrenic, realizing her entire unit was being slaughtered.
The leader went on to run as best she could towards the ladder, her cape flowing in pursuit, with a trail of blood left behind each step. It was her only chance if she wanted to save the men. That's what she thought. Shizuka was ignored... but she understood why. For a moment, it all dawned on her. Responsibility and its implications, as well as a single phrase conquered her thought process. Stroheim was probably thinking ''what about X?''... and it soon hit the young woman too.
Shizuka: (What about Arthur?)
Her blood ran cold as she also decided to follow Stroheim, reaching her with her own poor speed at that moment almost effortlessly, all the while the screams would not end. She decided to turn the fuhrer from the shoulder. ''Safety in numbers'' thought the girl, she needed to go with her if she wanted to stand any sort of chance.
The response to that was a clawing across the face.
Shizuka fell to the ground in pain as the commander's nails had scratched the young woman across the face. Hitting her behind, Shizuka touched her face and saw blood in her hands. Her jittery eyes then looked at the fuhrer who was desperately trying to climb the ladder with one arm, near broken-legged. She fell.
Stroheim: (No!)
She tried again. No good. The pure rage from before was competing with inhuman hatred, malice, loathing towards the slaughterer above. Third attempt; managing to reach the 4th footing of the ladder's ''steps'', the bloodied woman dropped once more, hitting her head on the ground, falling backwards.
Stroheim: (Santana... I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!! I HATE YOU!!!! I FUCKING HATE YOU!!!!!!!!)
Shizuka could only watch the display which she could only think of as pathetic. She felt very, very guilty thinking this. But von Stroheim thought the exact same thing.
On her back, she stared at the bright lights of the ceiling that were still left pointing at the abandoned pillar. Soon, she sat up using her hand and stayed there on her knees briefly down to the moment of her pounding her fist down on the ground so hard it cracked the marble. Now her hand, stained with someone else's blood, also contained her own.
Stroheim: (Pathetic...)
Brigitte von Stroheim's psyche was feeling utterly crushed. It did not take long for her thoughts and her spirit started to drift.
Stroheim: (Mother... father...) Stroheim: (This is your finish line.) Stroheim: (Pathetic.) Stroheim: (NO! The Stroheim line will not end here!!) Stroheim: (They lied...) Stroheim: (Pathetic.) Stroheim: (We will gift you the freedom you deserve.) Stroheim: (Marco! Look!) Stroheim: (I was right. You would never rival him.) Stroheim: (SHUT UP!!) Stroheim: (My unit! MY... My...) Stroheim: (Pathetic.)
Shizuka Joestar lunged forward.
As if it was a movie reel playing in slow motion, the image of the young woman, showing raw weariness yet a strong will, passed in front of the wounded leader. Stroheim watched in awe. Blood running down her face, the girl gripped the steel rails of the ladder as tight as she could and started climbing up. Her eyes tired and her mouth open, her clenched teeth out for the world to see in a pained expression, she did not think twice about climbing up. She spoke not.
''Fool...'' thought to herself the damaged fuhrer. ''She stands no chance and yet... truly, a fool!" she continued. ''But if she's a fool, returning to the fight... then what am I for not doing it first...!!''
And Stroheim tried once more.
Crawling this time, something shiny caught her eye from her peripheral vision before grabbing onto the steel... but the distraction was short-lived.
The younger one already ahead with an headstart, the cape of the unit's leader flailed below, as Stroheim found more and more success in climbing, grasping onto the steel ladder tight. The screaming and shouting seemed to assist them in their endeavor in some way. They were going to get back to the fight. Silence stayed mutual between the two, but an understanding was felt.
They only climbed so far before noticing something.
The screams were over.
Both the climbing women halted their advance. It was not a tangible scent, but they understood the gross smell of impending danger was coating the atmosphere around them. Something was about to go down. From where? How? By who? All these thoughts took place during the course of only a couple of seconds.
The hatch they were climbing towards opened up. It was too small of a space even for a regular, average-sized human being to fit through. It was designed that way. The frontrunner of the climbing expedition, Shizuka Joestar, was met with the image of Santana's blood-soaked body fitting face-first out of the hatch, quickly, as if he was play-doh squeezing through. ''STROHEIM, GO!'' she managed to yell before the muscular titan dived into Shizuka using his hands as catapults, Shizuka's already loosened grip only made it easier for her to be smashed into the ground, knocking the commander away too.
Stroheim: AAAGHK--!! Shizuka: BWAAGH!!! Santana: This is the end for you.
Such was the scene. Shizuka's smashed into the ground, bleeding near the stomach thanks to the being's exposed, dark horns on his head. Two they were, opening two small holes into the exhausted girl's abdomen. As small as they were though, they hurt massively. Santana was utterly perfect, not a single wound or incorrect feature on him. Stroheim was knocked over, leaning on her back against the reinforced walls of the experiment grounds. Bleeding and holding her destroyed arm with her only capable limb left, she could no longer utter a word in fear of worsening her own condition. She could only watch Santana get up with a flip and stand on his two feet, watching the squirming and truly annihilated kid. It really seemed like it was over. Stroheim turned to her side to see something she had noticed earlier. Santana glared the fuhrer and told her ''Be quiet. It's not your turn yet.'', a haunting tone of voice acommodating this grim statement.
The behemoth of a being proceeded to grab the younger of the two living human beings left in that place from the head. His strong hand gripping her face, he jumped up in the air fast and charged into the ground, hoping to crush her head. The near unconscious girl used what was left of her power at that moment, Achtung Baby appearing behind her, throwing a barrage of blows at nothing, in hopes of lessening the impact. It worked, as evidenced by Santana's reaction upon placing his victim's head into the ground. The whole process should have been instant, but it took a comparably long time for contact with the ground to be made.
Santana: Impressive. I could smash your head in my hand. Master Wamuu told me to respect my opponents... Shizuka: ....gh..!! ....*cough* Santana: When he died... did Master Wamuu suffer? Shizuka: He... n-no... Santana: I see.
The Pillar Man raised his free hand up in the air, leaning over the grounded victim, which was still being pressed down by the monster's hand. He was preparing to drive it into her brain, destroying it instantly. Shizuka understood just from a glance with her left eye. The right one couldn't be opened... her head was still hit badly. She had never been this beat before... she recalled times of her getting into fights and returning home full of bruises, cuts and other injuries. Joseph, Suzie, Josuke, everyone would worry sick, some crying upon seeing the poor girl's state. But she always returned that with a confident smile. This was a world of hurt she was not an expert on.
Trying to summon her powerful Stand or even just turn invisible proved a fruitless endeavour. Flashing between transparent and corporeal, she eventually gained her form for good. A vanishing trick would never work.
Shizuka: (So... this is it...? I did all this... for nothing? To come here and die? I couldn't beat Santana... who Papa defeated before...) Santana: I will now kill you instantly. You will not comprehend that I destroyed your brain. Shizuka: (I wonder how everyone is... will they even learn that I... I ended up here... oh man... life doesn't flash before your eyes in this moment it seems...) Santana: Have you no last words, JoJo? Shizuka: (Arthur... are you okay? Mikitaka... hope ya didn't get in too much trouble... mom, dad... I ruined everything, didn't I? Josuke, I really wanted to ask you to watch The Hobbit with me when it comes out, we've not gone to Mori-Cinemas since January... I wonder how Billy Joel is doing... Principal Gimme would probably expel me for the rest of the school year if he learned this, haha...) Shizuka: B... Santana: Then vanish. Shizuka: (Bonnie... she's gonna miss me... everyone will... I'm a JoJo, this shouldn't... n-no...!)
Santana turned his hand to a fist. Shizuka tried once more to summon her Stand. But her consciousness was fading, as Santana's grip on her head started to pressure her brain out of reality. Shizuka's thoughts desperately tried to form cohesively in her mind for one last time.
Shizuka: (I'm s-so... sorry... I love you all, baby...) Santana: Be obliterated.
''GRRRRRRRRR!!!''
Santana: Hm?
''GRRRRRRRRRRWAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!''
Shizuka witnessed the unbelievable. ''Is this what you see before you die? How bizarre...'' she thought. Santana's shade obscuring the light seemed to be gone, the brightness waking up her consciousness uncomfortably. "Wait... this isn't... !!!"
Like a panic shock in a dream causing your body to shake out of sleep, Shizuka felt a weight off her chest, turning to her side in order to balance herself on her thighs to see what had just caused Santana to back away.
Shizuka Joestar watched Brigitte von Stroheim in a fit of rage, positioned on Santana's chest and piercing her hands through him, shredding him. Her feet had his arms pinned down, paralyzing him. The predator's pointed fangs bit Santana's neck with unparalleled violence, tearing his throat out and dirtying the clean white marble with a cascade of blood and gore as she swallowed whole pieces of him. Her eyes bloodshot red, hair ragged and messy, nails sharp... and her collarbone presenting a gaping wound.
Shizuka: You are...!! Stroheim:WRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEHHH!!!!!!!!!
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