Another slower chapter, but one that sets up later events. Keep in mind all the plans these guys make happens off-screen. Disclaimer: I don't own Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, or Overlord.

Spirit Tracks Chapter 29: Discussions for War

Jircniv was traveling by carriage to the Tomb of Nazarick. This first trip was a private one, accompanied only by Fluder and his three knights. Baziwood Peshmel, a former street tough who was elevated to knighthood because of his exceptional combat skills. Nimble Arc Dale Anoch, second born of a baron who's mercantile expertise allowed him to retain his nobility after the purging. And Leinas Rockbruise, a noblewoman who was a former monster slayer before being promoted to imperial knight. In addition, all three knights were powerful Stand users.

For example, Nimble had used his Stand, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, to conceal their journey from anyone untrustworthy. The group talked as they traveled. "After Foresight returned from the tomb," Fluder said, "They settled in E-Rantel and became official adventurers. They've already reached Mythril rank due to their reputation. They've revealed themselves as the masters of the legendary train, and have been transporting goods and people at quite the rate, causing the Spirit Tracks to expand." "And just what have they been doing?," Nimble asked.

Fluder stroked his beard. "From what I've been told, they've delivered ice to the dwarven mines to deal with superheated tunnels, delivered fish from Slane to Re-Estize, and some poultry from E-Rantel to Carne Village." "Attempts to have additional trains running on the Spirit Tracks has begun," Nimble noted, "But all have required defending via adventurers, since the trains have been attacked by war machines that apparently were created by the demon train." "It's trying to render the Spirit Tracks too dangerous to use," Fluder realized, "Its user must be found and eliminated."

The carriage soon stopped. "Ah," Jircniv said, "It seems we've arrived." He held up the small letter that was delivered to him. "Everyone whose name is on this letter is formally invited to the tomb and will be treated as a guest, so long as one of said guests is holding onto it. That's what Hekkeran said. What can we expect from this first visit?" "For now it is merely a discussion on how to proceed," Fluder pointed out, "We want to make a show after all. Convince those from the enemy faction embedded in Baharuth and other nations that we can be convinced to oppose Momonga's faction."

Jircniv smirked. "And you get something out of it for yourself in the form of Nfirea." Fluder chuckled. "He may be younger than me, but his Stand gives him the magical knowledge of centuries!" The group was soon lead to a large chamber within the tomb. Inside was a circular table, with enough chairs for forty-one people. Thirteen of these chairs were filled by Momonga and his team. "Greetings Your Eminence," Momonga said, "Please, take a seat. We can begin our discussions." The five of them sat down. "I think our first discussion should be first impressions," Jircniv said, "A grand show must be made right from the get-go."

"The rest of the court already has a good idea of your power from the fact that two of your guardians arrived on a wyvern," Fluder noted, "What we need next is a greater display of power." "Easy enough," Momonga said, "First, we should have the carriages greeted by Yuri and Lupisregina. All avenues of bargaining should be effectively cut off to give potential agents a sense that violence is the only method of dealing with us." He nodded to the two combat maids in question, and Jircniv realized what Momonga was getting at. 'Their beauty is beyond any I've seen in Baharuth. I see... This is what he's getting at.'

"Well, that's the idea of offering concubines dealt with," Jircniv noted, "Wealth should be no problem. You provided Foresight with enough treasure to fill a sarcophagus, and from what we've been told that's only a drop in the bucket of the fortune found in this tomb." "Then perhaps more of it should displayed in the throne room," Leinas offered, "Let everyone know bribery will get them nowhere." "An excellent idea," Herohero chimed in, "Perhaps something to show military might as well. The Death Knights contained in the tomb are subservient to us, and can be commanded to perform even the most basic of tasks."

Fluder laughed. "That sounds perfect! It's well known that my own attempts to bend a Death Knight to my will have proven fruitless, so the thought of someone capable of commanding ten or more to the point of making them butlers will be nightmarish to our enemies." "The creation of such a creature would also make them shit themselves," Baziwood noted. "Nfirea's Stand does include knowledge of necromancy," Momonga noted, "He's not used it on anyone buried in Carne Village out of respect, but studies of his power out on the Katze Plains have proven him capable of creating anything up to and including elder liches."

"On that subject," Jircniv noted, "An initial sign of magical superiority would be a great intimidation factor." "I know of a sixth-tier spell that can control weather on a minor scale," Fluder noted, "What would help is something with greater power." Momonga considered it. "My former master, DIO, had a friend who's brother can control every aspect of weather. Now, while there's no chance of getting him quickly, discussing the concept with Nfirea should provide him with the imagination needed to replicate the effects. Now, what will be used for the demonstration of necromancy?"

"I already have something prepared," Jircniv said with a grin, "We were already aware of Count Femel being complicit with the conspiracy and have him in custody. We're making preparations to have him executed for treason and will present his head as planned. I'm sure the mighty leader of Nazarick would prefer to use him as resources rather than keep him as a trophy." "That reminds me," Fluder said, "We need to do something about the present appearance of the tomb's masters." "Not a problem," Punitto said, "My Stand has a special side-effect to it. Welcome to the Masquerade!"

The incoming mist caused Jircniv and Fluder to open their eyes wide in shock. "Nimble, is this...?," Jircniv started, seeing the strange beings that appeared. "It's the form of their Stands," Nimble confirmed, "At least, those that follow the normal rules regarding Stands. But how is this possible?" "Welcome to the Masquerade creates a mist that generates illusions of my own making," Punitto explained, "It has the side-effect of making Stands visible to non-Stand users. With an illusion in place to make Stand users invisible when necessary..."

"It would turn the tomb into a court of monsters!," Baziwood realized with a grin, "It's the perfect disguise!" "And Nfirea could also be concealed within the mist," Momonga pointed out, "Allowing him to work without being spotted. From there everything is misdirection. We make the plan appear to be to gather an alliance of nations, with the first step being gauging our strength. The question is, how will we gauge who is among the conspirators? Both sides want unity, but under vastly different contexts..."

He then snapped his fingers. "Of course! The tower station! We'll have the war at the base of the tower, with our forces having our backs to it!" Jircniv understood immediately. "Yes... Those who want to end the Spirit Tracks would have no qualms about endangering the tower under any circumstances. Even in the face of an overwhelming defensive." "And I know just the thing," Bellriver said, "When Offspring is pushed to its limit, it can create some truly frightening creatures." "We'll set things up tomorrow," Momonga said, "May providence see our plans fulfilled."

Sometimes the only way to fight conspiracy is with conspiracy. Let's take a look at Nimble's Stand.

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Song by The Platters)
User: Nimble Arc Dale Anoch
Ability: Taking the form of invisible smoke that can be exhaled from Nimble's mouth, this Stand can conceal a small group of people from both sight and hearing, allowing them to move without detection. Anyone Nimble is thinking of is immune to the effect, in addition to Nimble himself. Nimble often uses this Stand for the purpose of disorienting a foe long enough to perform healing spells on his allies, but espionage is also possible.
Power: E
Speed: B
Range: B
Durability: A
Precision: B
Potential: D

Read and review.