The Mountain Temple is the penultimate dungeon. And we have several Stands that will be appearing in this part. Disclaimer: I don't own Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, or Overlord.

Spirit Tracks Chapter 33: Final Quadrant

"This is the nation of Roble," Hekkeran noted, "It's just down the mountain there, to the south of the temple." "The people of the Holy Kingdom see this mountain as the place where God descended onto the world," Starlight noted. "Seems in both realms there are a number of religions," George noted. "There's something we need to discuss," Starlight said, "Agents embedded in the Holy Kingdom have reported that they've been embroiled in a serious war against several beastmen villages that have suddenly taken to rebellion. Plenty of high-ranking paladins have already been slain."

"That was part of Barbro's plan," Tolkien explained, "The only paladin left should be a woman named Remedios Custodio, a strong but stupid woman who decries Stand power as only being meant for weaklings who can't obtain power any other way. If a few Stand users could end a war where she can't..." "As in, from the Mountain Temple," Hekkeran realized. "Or our own forces," Starlight said, "We could turn Barbro's plan against him, and have Roble join the other three nations. Let's hope the Stand users stationed at the temple are still there."

The interior of the temple showed the mountain was actually a dormant volcano, with a number of mine tracks dotting it. As they began to explore, water started to rush into the temple. "I was hoping to be able to leave my post early," said a haughty voice, as a rather old man with dark skin and a white beard appeared from the doorway. "So you're part of the Unity Faction?," George asked. "I was told we'd been discovered by all but Roble," the man replied, "Indeed. My name is Rothfuss, and you are all now trapped in my Drowning Pool."

He laughed. "This wall of water can be collapsed upon you at any time, but that's really no fun at all. Allow me to show you how easily I can control it." Sure enough, the group found themselves having to dodge spikes of water. Starlight then noticed that drops were winding up on the floor. "It's still just water in the end. Which means it can probably be effected by normal physics. Dove and Grenade!" She shot flames from her hands as her Stand glowed from her back. "Using fire to combat water?," Rothfuss asked, chuckling, "How idiotic!"

"Not really," Starlight said, "True, water can douse fire, but I don't mean to have these flames touch the water. Do you know what happens when water is exposed to heat?" Rothfuss gasped as he realized Drowning Pool was starting to boil, and he in turn was starting to feel hotter than normal. "Of course," Zaryusu realized, "We can attack it using elemental power. Cold Wind Blows!" He shot a stream of ice at the wall, freezing it in place and causing Rothfuss to shiver. George and Gyro looked at each other and grinned. "Evileye," George said, "Stand back a second. We're about to unleash our Hamon, and it's better you not get caught in the crossfire."

"Got it," Evileye replied. Her Stand might allow her to survive in the sun, but she wasn't confidant it could protect her from Hamon. The two friends launched their Hamon into the water offensively, the effect transferring to Rothfuss. His eyes rolled back as he felt his heart give out, causing the water wall to collapse harmlessly instead of crushing them. Gyro checked the man's pulse. "The Hamon overwhelmed his heart. He's dead." "Guess we can move on then," George said, "We'll likely have to kill each enemy Stand user in this temple."

The winding rooms lead up to a second floor, but the group knew there was also a basement. However, Hekkeran noticed there was something up with the ceiling. "Uh, guys. This temple is largely made of stone, right?" "Yes," Zesshi said, "Why?" "Because I'm pretty sure stone can't get rusted," Hekkeran said as he pointed up. Sure enough, the entire ceiling was covered in rust. "Very perceptive," a voice said. A young man emerged from the rust, dressed in cloth.

"You may call me Pratchett," the man said. He held out his arm, and the rust on the ceiling shifted into a coil around it. The ceiling looked perfectly fine. "My Stand is Crimson Rain," Pratchett explained, "Although its appearance is that of rust, its composition is closer to liquid metal. A paradoxical existence. This allows me to use it as both a weapon, a transport, and even a hiding place. Ironically it cannot wear down any material, not even metal." He launched the rust Stand at Zesshi, who was barely able to block. Though her scythe was unharmed despite taking the brunt of the attack. "As you see," Pratchett said.

"Bass Renaissance!" Tolkien fired her sonic cannon, causing Pratchett to react. "Crimson Rain!" The rust blob erected itself as a shield, keeping him safe from the attack. Evileye took off her mask. "Blood Stare!" Pratchett winced as the high-pressure liquid fired from Evileye's eyes pierced his Stand, hitting him in the shoulder. This dropped his guard long enough Gagaran to leap over the shield and bring her hammer down. Pratchett quickly got out of the way, but he was too busy restructuring Crimson Rain to counter-attack that he didn't see Tolkien fire a second blast, catching him in the chest and sending him flying back into the wall.

Gyro approached him, Stand at the ready in case he was playing dead. As it turned out, he didn't need to worry. "His head cracked open against the temple wall," Gyro noted. "Mom," Zesshi said, "As much as I appreciate that you still love me, I'm too old and too strong for you to pull the old Mama Bear routine." Tolkien chuckled nervously. "Sorry. I got carried away there." George chuckled. "Hey, at the end of the day protecting each other is what's keeping us going. Now from here we should be able to get into the basement. Let's hurry before the remaining agents decide to vacate." Starlight smiled. It was good to see George so cheerful again.

The basement area was filled with more mine tracks that zigzagged through the area. But what was more concerning was the hundreds of pieces of paper that seemed to fly through the air. 'I never truly thought this place would be targeted," said a middle-aged man in the corner, "We were all scouted by those two, brought in from each nation. Ah, my name is Abercrombie by way." "What's with all the paper?," Shasryu asked. Abercrombie grinned. "Allow me to show you. Notes from the Underground!" George got a bad feeling as the paper started speeding up. "Hamon Hair Attack!"

He threw up his Hamon barrier, causing the paper to slam against it. "It's not crumpling," he realized, "He's turned the pages as hard as steel." "And Notes from the Underground can produce an endless supply of pages," Abercrombie bragged. Shasryu armed his Stand. "Let's see how well they burn. Saint Elmo's Fire!" Sure enough, even when turned hard as steel the paper burned easily. "Blast," Abercrombie said, "My Stand's biggest weakness." He then threw up a few pages as shields when he saw the weapons from Call of Justice attack. "They aren't nearly as susceptible to cutting, thankfully."

He then notice a whirlpool forming up around him, courtesy of Starlight. "They're also quite waterproof, Princess." "Oh I suspected as much," Starlight retorted, "But I betting you aren't." Abercrombie gasped as the water shot up and engulfed him. "Let's not leave him to drown," Starlight said to Lakyus, who nodded with a grin. "Call of Justice!" Abercrombie soon found himself impaled against the temple wall. "So," Gagaran said, "How much further down do we have to go?" "I think it's three more levels," Gyro replied, "At least that's the impression I got from the floor plans in the old library."

Deeper into the temple, Gyro stopped for a moment. "Do you guys hear that?" The group listened. "Sounds like electricity," Tia realized. "Maybe we're near an alchemist's lab," Tina suggested. "In the middle of the temple?," Gagaran asked. "It's been month since the Unity Faction got stationed out here," Zaryusu noted, "They probably got bored." Inside a large room filled with mine tracks, an old man was sending electric currents through the metal. Behind him was what looked like a humanoid made from brass.

"So who are you?," Gyro asked. The man turned to look at them. "My name is Weis Hickman. A master alchemist who was given a greater purpose when my Stand was recognized." "Which I'm guessing is the robot looking thing behind you," Holly noted. "I'm not sure what you mean by robot," Hickman said, "But if you're referring to the metal man form my Stand takes, then yes." He raised his hand. "Allow me to show you. Twisted Transistor!" Starlight acted quickly, placing her hand on the floor. "Dove and Grenade!"

A giant tree with twisting branches grew, catching the electrical output. The sheer power broke through the branches but the discharge was otherwise insulated. "What?," Hickman said in shock, "I wasn't told there would be other Stand users seeking to infiltrate the temple." "Where do you think we're from?," Lakyus asked. "I assumed you were from Roble," Hickman explained, "To the best of my knowledge there are no Stand users there. But I confess I have been a hermit for many years, so I don't know the current state of the world."

Lakyus grinned. "Easily distracted, aren't you?" Hickman looked confused, until he felt an impact against his back, and extreme pain. He looked behind him to see Gyro, with Ball Breaker's fist against Hickman's back. "Ball Breaker ages whatever its spheres hit," Gyro said, "And you're pretty old already. I normally don't use my power on humans, but there are times when I make exceptions. And anyone connected to Barbro and his wicked schemes is an exception." Hickman was soon dissolved to nothing due to the aging process, allowing the team to move on.

In the deepest part of the temple, George and Gyro stopped, causing the group to pause. "You feel that?," George said, "There's a life force here." Gyro nodded. "Yeah. But it's elusive, like it's trying to stay hidden." "An assassin?," Lakyus asked. "Maybe," Gyro suggested, "Let's set up a little trap." He and George went through a Hamon breathing technique before stomping on the ground. "Sendo Hamon Overdrive!" The struck both sides of the doorway they were near, launching Hamon through the walls of the temple.

At one point it hit something, causing a pained scream before a garbed man dropped into sight and on the ground. "How did you pull that off?," the man asked, "My Blade With No Name should have rendered me untraceable against all senses." "I'm assuming that's your Stand's name," George said. The man held up a short sword with an ornate hilt. "I am the assassin Sanderson. So what manner of supernatural power did you use? Because that is the only way you could have detected me while my Stand is active. It only works against physical senses."

"We felt you out using your own life force," George explained, "It's something only so many people are innately born with, so your Stand wouldn't be attuned to it." "I see," Sanderson said, "In that case... I'll have to rely on my natural speed." He seemed to disappear for a second. George got a bad feeling. "Tusk Act 3!" He breathed deep for a moment, before moving the bullet hole from his nail right onto Starlight's body, just as Sanderson tried stabbing her with his blade. His eyes widened as he wound up stabbing nothing but air.

This lapse in concentration cost him, as he got nailed by Gagaran's hammer. He recovered and narrowed his eyes. "Blade With No Name!" "Indestructible!" Gagaran stood still and smirked when the blade got deflected by her Stand. Sanderson then gasped as Tiana appeared, Tina having activated her Stand, and stabbed him right through the lung. "How ironic," Tiana said, "Your Stand let's you hide from the senses of others, yet you yourself fell victim to unseen foe." Sanderson started losing consciousness as the group reached the center of the temple, his life giving out within seconds.

That's a lot I've got to keep track of. Here goes.

Drowning Pool (American Rock Band)
User: Rothfuss
Ability: Drowning Pool manifests as a wall of water that surrounds a group of enemies. At any given time Rothfuss can have the entire thing collapse and crush or drown the targets, but until then he can manipulate the water to attack in any number of ways. However, the water is vulnerable to heat or electricity, the effects of which will transfer to Rothfuss.
Power: B
Speed: A
Range: A
Durability: C
Precision: B
Potential: E

Crimson Rain (Song by Ox)
User: Pratchett
Ability: Crimson Rain takes the form of a blob of red rust, comparable in composition to liquid metal. Despite being rust, Crimson Rain cannot wear down any material, not even metal. However, its malleable nature allows Pratchett to control its shape fluidly, to point where he can even hide in it or use it to travel, making it a very versatile Stand.
Power: B
Speed: B
Range: A
Durability: B
Precision: A
Potential: D

Notes from the Underground (Album by Hollywood Undead)
User: Abercrombie
Ability: This Stand generates and controls paper, turning it into blades, bindings, and whatever else Abercrombie can think of. Individually the papers aren't very strong, and they are still vulnerable to fire, but not to water, blades or tearing.
Power: C
Speed: A
Range: A
Durability: B
Precision: A
Potential: C

Twisted Transistor (Song by Korn)
User: Weis Hickman
Ability: This Stand can generate electricity through Hickman's nervous system, allowing him to launch lightning bolts. The voltage of the electricity never exceeds what the human body can handle until it has left his own body, allowing him to channel the electricity without injury to himself while still damaging an enemy. However, the electricity still acts like it would in nature, allowing it to be redirected, channeled, insulated, or grounded.
Power: B
Speed: A
Range: A
Durability: B
Precision: C
Potential: E

Blade With No Name (Song by JT Music)
User: Sanderson
Ability: Taking the form of an intricately crafted short sword, Blade With No Name renders its user untraceable to all senses. However, the Stand is useless against magical detection, supernatural abilities, and if Sanderson were ever to find himself outside the alter verse, modern tracking software. The Stand itself can also be used to attack, but it's no stronger than a normal sword of its kind.
Power: C
Speed: E
Range: A
Durability: B
Precision: C
Potential: B

The boss is next. Read and review.