The cold, desolate chambers below Dio's luxurious mansion had been Tsuru's home for far too long. She was definitely working on that, but for the time being there was nothing to be done. If she did not complete her work, the homicidal vampire lurking above would dispose of her like a defective television remote. That's all she was, really. Dio was wickedly smart. For a while, Tsuru questioned his intellect. It became clear over time though that she was merely doing research as a convenience. Dio was well educated throughout multiple eras. He'd received a law degree in the nineteenth century, but that wasn't the height of his credentials. It seemed like he was always reading. When he wasn't snuffing out a woman's life like the last candle before bed, he was scouring through thick manuscripts for a hint of meaning from minds long passed.
No… Tsuru referred to herself as a television remote for a reason. Dio was more than capable of completing her research. Sure, he didn't have a PHD in biology, but very little could stump the man. Tsuru was performing these tasks simply for the sake of convenience. Like a man is perfectly capable of changing the channel, Dio would be perfectly capable of getting off his ass and studying the arrow. He had merely ascended to a level of strength and status where such a thing seemed foolish.
The woman ground her teeth together. She'd make him pay for that arrogance. She wasn't some accessory. Dio would regret lazily delegating such an important subject to a scientist he barely knew. Of course, the old hag knew a lot about the arrows. Tsuru's job was to understand how they worked. In her months of research, she'd found trace samples of a virus. It seemed impossible. She checked every single arrow, but they all yielded the same samples. The virus couldn't be found in the safe where the arrows were kept. No, it seemed to grow from the arrowheads themselves. The virus couldn't rub off, nor could it be transferred onto other surfaces. She'd never seen anything like it. When trying to transfer the virus into a syringe, she failed. The virus could not be spread by any means beside the arrow. More specifically, a wound caused by the arrow. Dragging the arrow's tip across an existing gash yielded no results. That was important, as Tsuru also discovered that Stands were developed due to the virus itself.
Every single Stand User she took blood from tested positive for the virus. It was scarce in their systems, but present nonetheless. Naturally born Stand Users, newly initiated servants, or people like Dio who acquired a Stand years prior all had the virus dormant within their bodies. With all of that in mind, Tsuru had developed a working theory.
The virus seemed to be extraterrestrial. It behaved unlike anything she'd ever found on Earth. The arrowheads, in turn, were not composed of any known material. They seemed to be sturdier than an artifact had any business being, yet they were not indestructible. Stress tests indicated that the arrows could likely be destroyed, but not by human hands. It would take some serious punishment. She would have loved to experiment with shattering the arrows, but Dio strictly forbade it.
Tsuru knew the virus couldn't be transferred via syringe or blade, but she was curious if shards of the arrow would act as vessels as well. How small could a piece be while still successfully carrying the Stand Virus? Could she, for example, fix the tip of a blade with the tiniest fragment of an arrowhead?
The door opened and shattered Tsuru's train of thought. Her eyes drifted over her shoulder to see who it was.
"Lord Dio." She spoke softly.
"Yes, my sweet Tsuru." He spoke with a sultry tone that was never lost on the scientist.
It's not that she wanted to find him sexy. Dio just had this effect on those around him. She'd witnessed otherwise righteous and conservative individuals reduced to sexual deviants at the wave of Lord Dio's finger. Of course, Tsuru was far from a nun when she first met the vampire. It didn't take much to get her wrapped around that manicured finger of his. Sparing her life was quite the turn-on, if she had to pick a favorite.
When faced with an insurmountable threat, it's human nature to submit. At least, that's what the old hag always said. Tsuru certainly submitted upon first meeting Dio. As he drilled his fingers into her neck, she melted into a submissive little kitten mewling about science and biology. Was it really as simple as saving her own skin? She saw an opportunity and took it. A quick assessment of Dio made it clear that he'd adore being flattered. Tsuru just had to grease the right gears and get him going. That's how she justified it, anyway.
As time trailed on, she couldn't help but think back to that fateful evening. She'd begged to analyze Dio's cells. Why? To make herself look useful? Tsuru had laid her life on the line. She said she'd die for a chance. For the life of her, she couldn't even determine whether that was a bluff. She was in too deep. Whether she wanted to escape or to spend the rest of her life as Dio's pet, the proper avenue was clear. Dio would kill her eventually. It was in her best interest to get away before that happened.
"What can I do for you, my Lord?" She asked softly.
Dio approached from behind. He rested a hand on each of her hips. Tsuru instinctively pressed her weight into him. Her head fell against his chest, and she tilted it back to look into his deep, hypnotic eyes. In turn, Dio reached down and cupped her chin with three fingers.
"Oh, what don't you do for me already, Tsuru? You're such a good servant. Others test me. Others ask for greatness. But you? All you've ever asked for was knowledge. That, I can provide."
She smiled, nodding her head in agreement. "Yes, my Lord. Knowledge is everything."
"I couldn't agree more. That's why I have to ask…" One of his fingers dug into her neck.
Tsuru knew not to panic. Dio would regularly tease her like this. A finger or two would burrow into her flesh and threaten to drain her whole. She just closed her eyes and relaxed her body. It was shameful to admit how easy that came to her. Total submission. The hag was right. In her state, Tsuru could only relax with the knowledge that Dio was rather unlikely to snuff her out in that particular moment.
"Why haven't you given yourself a Stand, Tsuru?"
That came as quite the shock. Her eyes opened, and she stared into him for a moment. It seemed like he expected a response. Sometimes it was hard to tell when Dio was being rhetorical, or when he wanted audience participation.
"I…" She hesitated. "Why would I do that, my Lord?"
"Because you could handle it. I let you play with these toys all day, don't I? You know what the arrows do. You know what they can grant you. I'm sure you could develop a Stand that would let you escape from my clutches. Yet here you are." He purred.
All of it was true. Tsuru hadn't pierced herself. Even when she was being strangled by a Stand User, she decided to fight without an ability. On the outside, it made her look like a devoted acolyte. There was a more sinister reason, but she wouldn't share that with Dio for the time being. No, she had more research to conduct.
"Of course, Lord Dio. I could escape, and then…?" She let it hang for dramatic effect. "Then I'd be a poor, battered woman who deserted her job and disgraced her family over a year ago. I would have nothing. There's no life waiting for me in Japan. I have to hope you'll continue to give me a life worth living here in these walls."
A deep, ominous laugh bubbled in Dio's throat.
"Ho, ho. You weave such a sorry tale, Tsuru. I'd almost believe it, too. But there's just one little problem…"
Within a second, Tsuru was completely bent and twisted. Dio effortlessly swept the contents of her desk onto the floor. Then, he turned her around to face him and slammed her back onto the table. His palm pressed against her face, forcing her head down and obscuring her vision. Dio leaned over the table like a predator sizing up its prey. His hand moved from her face to her neck. The vampire squeezed, but didn't feast. Their eyes met, and he couldn't help but lick his lips.
"Your eyes… Tsuru." He purred.
She didn't struggle. Instead, she simply stared into him with her brown, trembling eyes.
"I so rarely see that look in a woman's eyes. It only flashes upon you every so often, but it never eludes me." He hissed. "If there were a tool in this room that could kill me, you'd be scraping your way toward it. Then, you'd lodge it in my head and twist until I stopped screaming. I can see it, Tsuru. I've seen it so many times before. If you could, you would paint the walls with my blood. You'd cast me into the sun at high noon and pleasure yourself with my ashes. You'd grind me into a protein shake and drink me for energy like I've done to so many over my century of life."
His large hand moved up from her throat and cupped her face. Those long black nails threatened to draw blood as he held her there silently. For just a minute, that look burned in her eyes. The very look he was talking about. Everything he said was true. If eating shit could kill Dio, Tsuru would already be in line for seconds. There wasn't a thing on Earth she'd shy away from if it meant his destruction. She'd kill her grandmother and piss on the grave. She'd burn down an orphanage and hold the only fire exit shut herself. Tsuru wanted him dead, and it was so abundantly clear at that moment.
"I love it." The man finally moaned.
Tsuru's fierce expression faded into confusion.
"I fear nothing, Tsuru." He spoke softly. "But that look in your eyes? It causes my heart to beat in a way I've nearly forgotten. I believe that given the chance, you could find a way to kill me."
"So…" She looked away for a moment. "Why am I still here?"
A grin revealed multiple sharp fangs. "It's simple, really. Never, ever make it more complicated than this." Dio leaned down, threatening to steal a kiss. His hand rolled through her hair. Those long black nails cascaded along her scalp and rested on the small of her back. His cold breath beat against her skin, causing goosebumps to rise as he teased her painstakingly.
"It's because I want it."
Such simple words, but they carried a powerful meaning. It was true. At the end of the day, beyond the layers of politics and gambling, Tsuru was alive because Dio decided to let her live. Plain and simple. If he ever wanted her dead, she'd be so without a moment's thought. She wanted to hate him for it. In a way, she did. Despite that, she felt a familiar pounding in her own heart that had never truly happened before their first meeting. As their eyes met, their hearts beat as one. It was reminiscent of a battle drum. Tsuru felt strong. She felt alive. No, Dio wouldn't kill her. Why would he? This game of cat and mouse was so much more amusing. The prospect of a viper cozying up to a wolf for warmth. At any moment, conflict would arise. The stakes couldn't possibly be higher, and only one could walk away from their little game of chess in one piece. In their heart of hearts, both parties believed they'd be the victor. So why would Dio kill Tsuru? It would be admitting defeat. He'd be conceding fear. No, the only way to truly win would be to allow Tsuru a chance. If he could survive whatever scheme she was brewing, then he deserved to come out on top. Anything less would render him a coward.
And Dio Brando was no coward.
Back they went to their normal interactions, for the time being. Dio playfully slapped Tsuru's cheek before pulling away. She awkwardly pulled herself up from the desk and cleared her throat. The sexual tension was nearly suffocating. She just gazed down to the work that had been scattered along the floor.
"The Joestars are growing closer." Dio spoke grimly.
Tsuru looked up at him with skepticism. "Pardon me, my Lord, but how are they doing that when you're sending onslaughts of Stand Users their way?"
The vampire just scowled. "I may need to make more, Tsuru. They're nearly at the shore of Egypt. I've found a couple of candidates, but you need to finalize your research. You told me a month ago that you'd nearly cracked the code? The criteria for a powerful Stand User? I believe you said that I could find ten Jotaro Kujos in ten days?"
"Yes, Lord Dio. It's an algorithm of potential. I've nearly figured out what makes a Stand strong. Not only that, but I've been experimenting with the circumstances that can forge even stronger Stands. It seems that necessity really is the mother of invention. It's always darkest before dawn. From what I've gathered, it appears that stronger Stand Abilities can be developed when the User is in dire need of strength. Stands are a manifestation of one's spirit. If your spirit is desperately grasping at something, the virus seems to resonate with that innate desire. I will be able to tell you more soon."
Dio pursed his lips in thought. "That would mean…" He rested a hand on his hip. "That you're on the cusp of a rather powerful ability?"
Tsuru just smiled. "Lord Dio, I'm only trying to help."
"Tell me." He demanded firmly. "This criteria you speak of… Does it operate on a kind of tier system? Could you tell who had the potential to become…" He trailed off for just a moment. "The next Dio?"
Tsuru held her breath for a moment. "Why do you ask?"
"They tell me that this Jotaro Kujo is strong. A few have had the nerve to say his Star Platinum rivals the raw force of my own Stand."
"That would make sense. From what I've read about their battles, it seems Star Platinum is unmatched in a fair melee setting."
"And what about Jotaro?" Dio grabbed the collar of Tsuru's shirt and glared into her. "What does his potential tell you?"
"Do you want the answer that benefits your survival, or your ego?"
SLAP.
Tsuru's head was turned all the way to the side with bulging eyes. Dio very rarely lost his temper like that. She spoke out of turn and struck quite the nerve. Despite the immediate danger, she couldn't help but sneak a sly little smile as her head faced away.
Dio was already walking away. He seemed to be quite finished with the conversation. As he opened the door, the vampire lingered in the room for a few moments longer.
"Learn to speak with respect, woman." He growled like a spoiled man from a dead era.
"Of course, Lord Dio." She smiled, knowing very well that she'd won whatever battle had just taken place. He didn't even kill her for that snide tone. What a bargain?
It was Tsuru's job to understand things, and she had come to understand Lord Dio rather well. He was born with nothing, and seemed destined to spend the rest of his life overcompensating for that. Despite growing up as a conniving trickster who would pull a knife on a baby if he could get a few bucks out of it, Dio fancied himself to be some honorable aristocrat.
As long as he was overwhelmingly sure that victory was guaranteed, Dio seemed charitable and calm toward his enemies. He took great satisfaction in toying with them for as long as he could. He'd even extend branches to them in the name of "honor and pride." Tsuru knew it was all a front. Deep inside Dio there was that whiny, insecure street rat from so long ago. If he were ever in real trouble, that child would show his fangs. Dio was pathetic to his very core.
That, Tsuru understood.
Pepsi sprinted down the hotel's balcony in search of the User. Things were looking bleak, though. They'd checked the first three rooms in either direction and found nothing. Things weren't looking good. Pepsi had to check the front desk. If they could access the main registry, they could see if any suspicious people checked in shortly before their group.
The teen walked through the front door with their arms crossed. Mist was only mildly shrouding them for the time being. Most perceptive folk would know someone was in the room, but they wouldn't pay Pepsi any mind. As soon as Pepsi entered, they saw quite a troubling sight.
A mother was slumped against the wall in a drunken haze. She was laughing uncontrollably about nothing in particular. Her body rocked and swayed like she was about to pass out. That was bad enough, but then Pepsi noticed the stroller. A baby was holding a big bottle of formula between its tiny hands. Pepsi's eyes widened. They sprinted over and slapped the bottle right out of its hands.
The baby didn't cry. Instead, it just let its head fall back with a little hiccup. Pepsi felt sweat beading down their back. They picked up the baby, but held it at an arm's length. It just hung in their arms with little regard for anything happening. What was Pepsi supposed to do? Force their finger down its throat and make it throw up? Did that even work with babies?
And that damn laughing was getting on their nerves.
"Hey!" They growled, turning their attention to the mother.
"W-Wha?" She tilted her head.
"You're drunk. Take your baby and go to your room." Pepsi gave her two brief slaps to snap her out of it.
"I'm… I'm not…" The mother couldn't even finish her sentence before she began vomiting then and there.
"Oh Jesus Christ." Pepsi rolled their eyes, stepping back.
Some of it definitely got on their shoes. They rubbed the bridge of their nose with their free hand, supporting the baby against their hip using their right arm.
"Listen lady, I'm not good with kids. Take your baby and scram." They ordered.
The mother took the baby from their arms and cradled it closely. "I'm… I never. I've been sober for two years." Tears welled in her eyes.
Pepsi tried to ignore how tragic that was for the time being. They just clenched their teeth. "It's not your fault. Go lie down."
A horrible crash filled the hotel lobby. Pepsi fell forward, grabbing the woman and doing their best to protect the baby. The three ended up falling to the floor with a loud thud. Pepsi was on the bottom, cradling the child carefully as the woman swayed on top of them. The teen gritted their teeth in anger. Shards of glass clinked against the tiled floor. A piece of the ceiling crashed against the reception desk and destroyed the very monitor Pepsi had come to check. What the hell was happening? Pepsi gently rolled out from under the woman and stumbled to their feet. Then, they froze.
A car had crashed right through the front door of the lobby.
A man had his head against the steering wheel. Blood streamed down his forehead, and his eyes weren't open. Pepsi knew one of two things was happening. Either God was angry with them, or this man was being affected by the Stand Ability. They walked up to the driver's side door and threw it open. Sure enough, there was a large cup of iced tea spilled all over the passenger's seat. The man had been innocently drinking something from a drive-thru when he entered the Stand's range. That really begged the question, didn't it? Just how big was its range?
Things were getting complicated. The car completely blocked the exit. It felt a little morbid, but Pepsi climbed onto the hood and walked over the wreck. Once they were outside, the real weight of their current situation set in. Car horns could be heard blaring all over the street. Pepsi noticed a few men face down on the sidewalk beside the hotel. A woman was on a higher level of the building smoking a cigarette. She seemed to be swaying unnaturally like the others. Then, out of nowhere, she went completely limp. Her weight shifted forward, and she fell right off the balcony.
"N-No!" Pepsi took a step forward, but it was already too late.
They watched in horror as the woman landed head first on the asphalt of the parking lot. There was a terrible sound upon her impact, and blood began to pool around her. Pepsi clenched their fists and took a deep breath.
"Bastard…" They growled, looking around.
Where was the user? Such a passive ability could have quite a shocking range. The Stand didn't need to do any complicated actions. It didn't need physical strength, either. It was just a set-and-forget ability with a horrifying area of effect. People were dying. They would continue to die if Pepsi didn't find the User. They took a few more steps before feeling incredibly lightheaded.
Pepsi fell onto one knee with wide eyes. Then, they extended both arms out like an airplane as they tried to regain their balance. They felt sick to their stomach. Not only that, but they felt like an outsider observing their own body. Why were their arms out? Why were they rocking back and forth? Pepsi wasn't doing these things. They were merely watching.
Pepsi was drunk.
How? They didn't have anything to drink! The last thing they had was two hours ago at a gas station. They swallowed heavily with anxiety. Then, right on que, it hid them. They were swallowing saliva! Every thirty seconds or so their mouth would fill up, and they'd reflexively swallow. It was so inconspicuous, so mundane. They hadn't even considered it for a moment. If this ability turned all liquids into alcohol, that had to mean their own saliva was slowly intoxicating their body.
That changed things. Now, they were working against a clock. If Pepsi was already struggling to keep their balance, that meant everyone was at least as drunk as they were. Pepsi hadn't had anything to drink, making their level of intoxication the bare minimum. Those who had water or other liquids were far worse off, but Pepsi had become the floor of reference. Things would only get worse. Would they all die of alcohol poisoning?
They were running out of time. She needed to find the User. That was the only way.
Marina stood propped up in the doorway. Her body wavered like a flag in the wind. Bubblegum Bitch's bat was dug into the carpet and supporting her like a kickstand. She felt even worse than before. Her mind wasn't working as fast as Pepsi's, but she knew she was somehow getting drunker. Barry looked better than ever.
"Oh?" He grinned ear to ear.
The hulking man let go of Ripley with one hand. He held her with the other in a display of strength. Then, he pointed at Marina with one of his big sausage fingers.
"I like girls like you! So much spunk! A pretty blonde! And you even have some pink in your hair too! Is that gum? I'd looooove to chew on it." He growled.
Marina sneered. "You're disgusting."
"Disgusting and proud! C'mon! Let's have a drink before we fight!" He pulled another flask out of his back pocket.
"Marina!" Ripley shouted as she struggled in his grip. "He gets stronger with every drink! Don't let him have anymore!"
"Oi, I was here too, Agent. Don't think I'm useless just because I've been slipped some strong ones by these pervs. I'm not even that drunk!" She protested.
"Spoken like a drunk! I like you even more. Let's play first."
With that, he threw Ripley across the room. She slammed into the wall and fell onto the bedside table between both beds. The agent crashed against the table and shattered its lamp. Several shards of glass lodged themselves into her right thigh. She cried out in pain. As if that wasn't enough, the table broke under her weight a few moments later. She was lying on the floor with a dazed sense of confusion. Ripley's head spun like she was on some kind of bender. Despite her best efforts, her head fell back against the wall.
"You're gonna pay that back in full." Marina narrowed her eyes.
"I'd love to see it. Powerful women get me so fired up! Come at me! I'll let you approach." Barry roared.
The blonde took a few steps forward. Her vision was blurring. She felt sick to her stomach. If she was going to finish this, it had to be quick. As she grew closer, Barry began to move. It was unnerving. He moved like no opponent Marina had ever faced. His body moved like the flowing tides of the ocean. Left and right, back and forth. Barry swayed like one of those toys that always popped back up, no matter how extreme an angle it was bent in.
This only made her angrier.
"You think you can drink your way to victory, you prick? And I thought I had a problem." She spat.
Bubblegum Bitch swung the moment it entered its optimal range. As its bat tore through the air, Barry smirked. Somehow, he snapped backward at an unbelievable speed. His body blurred as it rocked. He suddenly seemed like he was going for the all-time limbo championship trophy.
"W-What!?" Marina shouted. "This speed?"
Barry's body continued to fall back. He extended both hands and caught himself on them. The man's insane muscles flexed to the point where his veins threatened to burst. His entire body seemed secure after that. Doing a perfect handstand, Barry grinned at Marina. Then, he launched himself into the air using only his arms. That put his feet in a perfect position to kick Marina in the face.
He rode her all the way to the ground, tightening his thighs around her neck. Marina couldn't believe what just happened. Such speed, such agility. How could all of that be stored in such a hulking and drunken body? He moved like a different species. Not only that, but his prowess resembled a Stand's more than a human's.
She slammed into the carpet with a grunt. Barry had straddled her with a big grin. His monstrous thighs squeezed against her face. Then, he punched her right in the face. She couldn't move, couldn't struggle. All she could do was take those hits face-on. Literally.
Barry continued to lay waste to her. He didn't show an ounce of mercy. Women, children, squirrels, Barry was always concerned with victory. He'd throw a cradle over Niagara Falls if he had to. Plus, it didn't hurt to have such a cutie trapped beneath him. He let out a drunken laugh.
"How's it smell down there, darling? I think my boxers are about four days old at this point!"
Marina's nose wrinkled. She scowled with pure disgust. This caused Barry quite a bit of joy. He punched her in the face again. She took it, unable to even thrash within her tight position.
"That's right! Wrinkle your nose! Let your eyes water! I love it! I love it! I love it! So so so pretty!" He growled.
In his drunken pride, Barry had missed something though. Beneath that scowl, Marina was chewing.
"You disgust me." She spoke with a minister's restraint. Despite her tone, something was off. Marina's mouth was full.
"What do you have in your mouth?" He muttered.
The lumbering man reached down with his massive hands and tried to part Marina's lips. She made it easy for him. Right as he leaned down to inspect whatever was going on, Marina spit her tongue out. It stuck right to his face with a simple message. It sank into his skin, leaving the word "release" tattooed to his flesh. Before Barry knew it, he let go. His thighs parted, and he was simply kneeling above Marina.
She smirked. Her lips had turned black after activating the ability. It was time for phase two of her attack. Now that Barry had let go, she could get him off of her for good. She'd stored all of the kinetic energy from the very first kick to her face. It was insanely difficult. She was fighting it internally the entire time. The energy bubbled beneath her skin, threatening to tear her apart. Every kick, every punch, the force of slamming against the tough floor. It was time to let go.
The girl's eyes widened as her body erupted with power. It struck Barry pointblank in center mass. He had nowhere to go but up, and up he went. The bastard went right through the ceiling. He caused a fair bit of drywall, plaster and wood to fall into the hotel room. Marina coughed, fanning the dust away from her as she stumbled to her feet.
Ripley was slumped against the wall, but there was a big smile on her face. "That was good. You really got him."
Marina slipped her new tongue out and dragged it along her jet-black lips. "What can I say? He wanted to blow a load. Mine was so strong it broke the ceiling."
"You're gross." Ripley stood with the girl's help.
The moment Ripley was up, Marina nearly fell against her. The agent held her friend as best as she could. She supported Marina as her eyes drifted up to the hole in the ceiling. "Pepsi hasn't come back yet. They must be looking for the User. How're you feeling?"
Before Marina could say anything, her eyes rushed to the hole in the ceiling. Then, she glanced at the carpet.
"Marina!" Ripley gave her a gentle shake.
"Shhhhh!" She covered Ripley's mouth rather suddenly.
When both women were quiet, they could hear it. Was it dumb luck? Divine intervention? Or the work of a third Stand? No one could be sure, but the cause didn't matter. Marina heard thunder in the distance. Not only that, but rain began to pool on the carpet through the hole in the roof.
"That can't be good." The blonde muttered.
"No, it can't be." Ripley swayed gently in place.
"We'll be breathing this in, Agent. The particles are in the air."
"I know! We need to get someplace dry! Otherwise we'll be too hammered to fight."
The sound of their door being picked up and hurled across the room nearly went unnoticed. Luckily, Marina noticed at the last minute and struck the projectile with her bat. It flung into the wall and stuck into place. Her eyes burned with rage as she stared at the assailant. Barry was back so soon. He didn't even look worse for wear. His nostrils flared, and he lacked that shit-eating grin from earlier.
"I don't find you cute anymore, tramp." He growled at Marina.
"Feeling's mutual, bud. You look like shit."
Ripley was having trouble following the conversation. She really didn't drink much, and she only stood at five feet on the dot. Her body was small, and thus more susceptible to alcohol. Marina had an entire bottle of water, yet she seemed to be faring much better. The agent glanced over at the beds. Shizuka and Shirlie were still out cold. That only left one brawler. If Marina got much worse, they'd be in serious trouble. Even so, would Power's boxing gloves be enough to combat Barry's enhanced form? Would Ultra Violet's lethally quick fists pack enough raw force to do any real harm?
Rain continued to pour through the hole in the ceiling. It had generated a proper puddle on the carpet. Ripley had a plan. If she could get Barry over to the puddle, she'd be able to electrify him through it. The water would amplify her ability and remove any kind of ground from the equation. How could she manage to get him into the rain? There had to be a way.
The hulking behemoth stomped into the room. Marina was ready. She lunged forward and took a swing with her bat. Just like before, Barry moved unlike any foe she'd seen. The moment his eyes locked onto the bat; it was like he changed into a glob of jelly. His movements were impossibly fluid. Despite that, he had a drunken sway to his step. The man ducked right under the bat of Bubblegum Bitch and grabbed Marina by the throat.
"End of the line, tiny thing! I wonder what I should do with you?" He spat. "They say you can tell if pasta is finished by whether it sticks to the wall when you throw it. So tell me, Marina… Are you done?"
With one hand, Barry lobbed Marina across the room and splattered her into the wall. Her only form of defense was to stick. She was too drunk to calculate anything beyond that. So, Marina was stuck. Barry clapped his hands together and brushed the proverbial dirt from his clutches.
"Yeah. You seem done to me." He chuckled. "And you! Zapper Girl."
"My name is-"
"Yeah, yeah! Ripley. I don't give a shit. I've got two directives, okay? Take the feather from hot stuff, and kill Shizuka Joestar. The way I see it, you've got no reason to die here. So why don't you just stumble out the door and live to be weak another day?" Barry grinned ear to ear.
"Bastard…" Ripley gritted her teeth.
"Yeah. So you've asserted. Offer still stands. Either way, I'm about to pummel Shizuka nine ways to Sunday. I wouldn't wanna watch this if I were you."
For just a moment, the fire in Ripley's eyes faded. She glanced at the sleeping child and felt some nagging recognition. Her intoxicated mind was struggling to catch up, though. There was a benefit to Barry attacking Shizuka. Why couldn't she put her finger on it?
"You mean Shizuka? The little girl? You're gonna pummel her?" Ripley leaned back.
"To a pulp. Why? You gonna stop me?" He laughed maniacally.
The agent's blurry vision focused on Shizuka's sleeping form. There was something lingering just out of view. Ripley couldn't see it with her real eyes. No, this was something reserved for her inner vision. Perhaps the alcohol boosted her psychic perception? Or was that just the justifications of a mad drunk? Either way, she felt overwhelmingly confident. She flashed a toothy grin, shaking her head.
"Nothing I can do to stop you, big guy. I'm harmless. Remember?"
The big brute might have been hesitant five drinks earlier. Fortunately, he didn't see anything wrong with Ripley's sudden change of heart. He let out a boisterous laugh and stumbled over to Shizuka's bed. Then, he grabbed her by the shoulders and lifted her into the air. Spittle dripped onto the carpet as he eyed the prize. He was so close to doing what the others couldn't.
"You know, Barry…" Ripley muttered. "There have been a lot of strong Stand Users coming to kill Shizuka lately."
The man turned his head with a bit of surprise. "You're still here? What're you talking about? I know that."
"Heh, I bet you do. But you're a little too thick in the head to put all the pieces together. What do you have that those other enemies didn't?"
"I have Shizuka! Right here! Right in my hands! What're you possibly trying to say!?" He screamed, face growing red with anger.
"Others have gotten way further than that. But they never won! None of them ever win! You and your pathetic organization haven't stopped once to ask why? Idiots, all of you! Blondie knows why. She just hopes you'll get lucky. If you somehow take care of the kid, Blondie won't have to bother with it. That's all you are, Barry. You're a drop in the pot. After we defeat you, we'll defeat ten more like you! Then we'll kill Blondie too."
"Uhmmmmm, HELLOOOOOOOOOOO? I'm holding the kid! She's right here! Start making sense right now! I'm too drunk for this!" Barry demanded.
Ripley just threw her head back before laughing hysterically. She nodded, cheeks flushing as she tried to get a grip. "There we go! You're just the angry brute! Can't think for two seconds, can you?"
"That's it. I'm done with this! You're prolonging the inevitable! Here goes! The kid dies!"
"Why don't you look at the kid?" The agent growled.
…
Barry's eyes drifted back to the child in question. When he finally looked at her, his grip weakened. Shizuka's eyes weren't closed anymore. They weren't open either. Despite her eyelids being apart, there was no consciousness behind her pupils. A lifeless sheen stared into Barry's soul. Slowly, a purple light began to burn within. If Barry didn't know any better, he'd swear he heard singing. Some woman was singing!
"Whenever Shizuka's cornered with nowhere to go, something happens. None of us know what's going on, but you sure went and poked the bear!" Ripley shouted across the room.
The brute reflexively let go. His hands reacted like he was holding onto a burning surface. However, Shizuka didn't drop to the ground. She remained suspended at eye-level with Barry. Both of her little hands slapped onto his wrists and caused him to emit a shrill cry. Her eyes radiated with a brilliant purple glow. For Barry, the singing was deafening. He shook his head, kicking and stumbling back.
A circular void appeared above Shizuka's left shoulder. Then, The Circle Game's fist came hurtling out from it. The Stand struck Barry square in the jaw and sent him flying back. He slammed into the wall and fell onto his ass. Shizuka descended to her feet and walked toward him. The man scurried as far back as he could, cowering in fear.
"W-What the hell is this? That Stand hits hard! Too hard! I think I might have a concussion!"
"Be quiet." Shizuka roared.
Barry was far from quiet. The voice caused him to shriek even louder than before. Ripley watched carefully from the corner. Shizuka's voice was off. It was unmistakably the girl's, but the cadence was far beyond her years. The command, the confidence… None of it was right. Soon, the agent ceased her role as a voyeur. Shizuka turned her head to Ripley and stared into her eyes.
"Ripley… I'll be able to take care of this physical threat, but there's another Stand acting within the area. It's beyond my scope. You have to defeat it, or we'll all die of alcohol poisoning."
All the agent could do was nod. She felt a humble sense of awe when Shizuka spoke. Something far beyond her understanding was happening behind the scenes. She just needed to have faith. If there was one thing she believed in at the moment, it was that impossible kid. Before she could go tumbling out the door, Barry interrupted the brainstorming session. His laughter filled the room once again. This time, he was beyond deranged. He threw his head back against the wall with such force that the plaster splintered in every direction.
"You'll take care of me? I'm just a physical threat? You might be spooky with your floating and shit, but you're just a tiny little girl! And I AM A MAN!"
Barry grabbed Shizuka by the ankle and swung her directly to his left. His strength was absolutely through the roof. Surely, he had to be near his limit. If he drank much more, he could die. Shizuka was slung away from the action and skipped against the ground like a stone several times. The child flew right out of the room and slammed into the railing outside. Shizuka destroyed it, continuing even further past the frayed pieces of metal. Ripley stared in disbelief. Surely that would be it. Would Shizuka's mysterious X-Factor be able to protect her from such an insane hit?
The child bounced into the parking lot shortly after. She must have hit the ground seven times before finally rolling onto her side. Shizuka levitated to her feet and searched the parking lot for Barry. It didn't take long for the hulking man to land right in front of her. The asphalt cracked and soared around after his spectacular landing. He grinned, grabbing a shard and throwing it right into his mouth. Barry ground the road to dust between his teeth.
"Still feeling big, little girl? Feeling powerful? You wanna go? You wanna fucking GO? Because we can go!"
"I'm not a little girl, and you're annoying me. Give up now. This is your last chance." She glared right through him.
"What happened to your little scrapes and cuts, honey? I thought I saw you getting torn up real good! Is this some other trick?" Barry spat. "You're not bleeding anymore! What gives?"
Two portals appeared. The Circle Game's arms tore through and grabbed Barry by the throat. Shizuka's "guest" lifted the man up three inches off the ground and began to strangle the life from him. Barry wasn't afraid. He actually laughed harder than before. His hands gripped the wrists of The Circle Game and began to squeeze them brutally.
Shizuka's eyes widened.
"Confused, kid? Of course I can touch Stands! My whole body is basically juiced up on Stand steroids! And your dinky little magic trick isn't strong enough!"
Barry yanked on the arms as hard as he could. Slowly but surely, more and more of The Circle Game's body could be seen as it was torn from the void. The child thrashed and struggled against an impossible force. The Circle Game wasn't meant to fight something like Barry. It was failing. Shizuka was in an extreme amount of danger. The rain poured down even harder than before as Barry upped the ante. He dug his fingers into the Stand's arms with such force that Shizuka began to bleed from her own. She was unconscious, but the mind occupying her looked afraid. She gritted her teeth, eyes darting around for any kind of backup plan.
"Bet you're scared now, kid? I've got your arms! In fact…" Barry reeled his head back before slamming it against Shizuka's forehead with all his strength. He screamed with adrenaline. "OH YEAH! That's it! You're done! A few more of those and your little brain is paste! Let's go again!"
He slammed their heads together once more. The Circle Game's strength faded even more. Its hands wavered, losing their shape as Shizuka's spirit wavered. Soon, it was gone. She fell away from Barry's grip and onto the rippling asphalt. He stomped forward, ready to finish the job. Just as he lifted up his boot, he heard something behind him. Footsteps. Someone was walking in a puddle. Barry turned his head to see none other than Agent Ripley.
"Hey!" She gritted her teeth. "I wasn't done with you yet."
Barry was so far beyond amused that the situation somehow became hilarious once again. Perhaps it was some form of post-modern art. Or maybe he was just so drunk that anything would make him lose his mind? Either way, he let out a little giggle. The brute stepped away from Shizuka and moved toward Ripley. He tilted his head, cracking his neck loudly as he loomed over the woman.
"You couldn't leave well enough alone, could ya? You just had to be a hero. Well, congratulations, Ripley! You get the hero's treatment now!"
Thunder boomed right above them. Flashes of lightning filled the night's sky. Ripley simply glared at her enemy without a trace of emotion on her face. She swayed left and right in the wind and rain. Within a few moments, she'd be too drunk to stand. Luckily, she'd saved quite a bit of energy to go out with a bang.
"You called me harmless… Right?" She tilted her head.
"Huh? You're still on that, huh?"
"Did you?"
The brute grunted. "Yeah, I did. I'd also call the sky blue, and a cheetah fast. What's your point, bitch?"
"I don't have a point. I don't have anything to say to you." Ripley stepped closer. "You're scummier than scum. I wouldn't scrape you off of my boots. I'd just buy a new pair. Because no matter how much I scrubbed, I'd never get the stink of whatever swamp you came from off of my nice leather."
The man threw his head back and rattled on like a hyena. He bared his teeth, flexing his hands in anticipation. "Big words, little woman. In another life, I'd love to go half's on a bastard with you. Oops, sorry. Didn't mean to hit too close to home. I assume absent fathers strike a nerve, ey?"
A single wrinkle appeared on Ripley's nose. That's all she gave him. Then, she raised her right hand up into the air. She had her index and middle finger raised like the tip of a pole. Then, her body began to resonate with an electric glow. Barry could feel the air being disturbed around them. Clouds began to spin directly above the parking lot. They were dark, ominous clouds.
"An electrical outlet might be considered harmless, but you'd be surprised how many people end up sticking things inside. A bit of thunder might seem harmless, but you'd really be shocked by the devastation it's causing somewhere." Ripley explained.
"What're you doing?" Barry demanded.
"My Electric Lady might seem weak at a passing glance, but even a preschooler knows better than to challenge it in the middle of a THUNDERSTORM!" Her eyes burst open. They were sparking with an unstable electric teal power.
"H-Hold on! Shizuka! Shizuka is right here with me! We're in the same puddle! You can't! You can't do it!" Barry threatened.
"Grab her then!" Ripley challenged.
The man haphazardly grabbed Shizuka and held her up like a shield. He threw his head back in laughter. "There! Now you can't do anything! You moron! You fucking idiot! You! You…. Y-you…" His eyes met hers, and he knew that it was over.
"Be quiet now." She whispered.
A bolt of lightning came crashing down from the sky. It struck Ripley square in the arm. The woman's veins all lit up with energy as she turned her attention to Barry. She lifted up her other arm, surging the power through her body and changing the currents. Soon, the lightning burst from her other hand and pierced Barry's chest. Despite the fact that he was holding Shizuka right against his body, Ripley maintained an extreme level of control. It ravaged him from the inside, frying his organs and boiling his brain.
A man can survive a lightning strike, but not when it's being controlled by a woman. Barry didn't stand a single chance. He convulsed and drooled for a solid thirty seconds before collapsing into the puddle below. Shizuka fell beside him, relatively unharmed. Ripley stomped over and collapsed beside the child. She brushed the hair from Shizuka's face and checked for a pulse.
Shizuka was alive.
Not only that, but the wounds from Barry's assault seemed to be fading away. Ripley had to wipe her eyes to make sure the rain wasn't messing with her vision. Somehow, Shizuka was completely healed. The agent fell back and began to pant as hard as she could. Using lightning like that drained what little energy she had left. Her heart was pounding out of her chest. She could feel the rain getting into her mouth, bit by bit. The second Stand would surely get them. She might have defeated Barry, but they never even met the other User. Was Shizuka right? Would they all die of alcohol poisoning?
Headlights filled the dim parking lot. They reflected off of the puddles and blocked Ripley's view. She covered her eyes and winced a bit as the sound of wheels continued. The car stopped about ten feet away from the commotion. The agent heard a door swing open, and soon footsteps approached in the puddles. Ripley could barely keep her eyes open at that point. A well-dressed man stepped into view. He towered above her.
The man had ghostly white hair with a few streaks of black and grey faded throughout. He had strikingly prominent cheekbones, and seemed nearly malnourished as he peered over Ripley. His trench coat was baggy and wrinkled, and his tie was undone. The only well-kept thing about the man seemed to be the briefcase hanging from his left hand. He got down onto one knee and placed the briefcase beside Ripley's head. Then, he flashed a toothy grin. His mouth looked like he'd smoked his entire life. A few teeth were missing, and the ones he had were yellow and weak.
"Hello, Agent Ripley. I don't believe we've had the pleasure. Oh please, don't get up. It won't be necessary." He reached down and shook her hand. Then, he allowed it to fall back into the puddle.
Ripley tried to speak, but she couldn't find the strength. Her entire world was spinning. How wasn't this man drunk? Was he the other enemy? He had to be.
"I'm not here to hurt you. You see, I'm something of an ally. I took care of the other Stand User. The one who has you all so inebriated? All done, thanks to yours truly." He grinned once more, not displaying an ounce of shame for his tattered appearance. "Things were looking pretty bleak for you, though. In fact, it wouldn't be unreasonable to say I saved your lives."
When he said that, Ripley felt something shift. Her lungs began to drain. It was as if she began exhaling, but she wasn't doing anything at all. Her body started to feel smaller, and soon the man grew further and further from her face. She wavered with a little gust of wind. Ripley's eyes widened in abject terror when she realized what was happening. How drunk was she? It felt like she was deflating!
"Did you feel that, Agent? Right in the moment that you realized I saved your life? You had a reaction. An involuntary reaction. That is called gratitude. And gratitude is quite the force to be reckoned with. Your strong sense of morality is demanding that you find a way to repay me. That's when my Stand latches on. It siphons the energy from that feeling of weakness and reduces your body to nothing less than a deflated husk. The moment you realize you're indebted to me, it's already too late… You cannot lie when it comes to your heart."
All feeling was fading from Ripley's body. Despite that, she could still see. She could still hear. Would that go away too? Or would she be forced to watch? What about the others? Her lips had fully deflated. She had no way of speaking.
"I saved your whole group… That was quite a relief. You see, the effect of my ability is boosted by the level of gratitude you feel. Saving a life is about the best thing I can ask for. Now you'll never lose that feeling. It could be fifty years from now, but you'd know in your heart that I saved your life. That was me." He poked her forehead playfully.
The man opened his briefcase and turned it to face Ripley. A fully deflated Pepsi was already folded and placed inside. All Ripley could do was stare. Soon, the man picked her up and began to fold her just as neatly. Once she was compact and clean, she was placed into the briefcase. Her eyes were aimed up at the sky, allowing her to see that toothy grin one more time.
"Your only avenue to freedom is to repay your debt. Sixteen Tons weigh on your soul as we speak… You owe that soul to me until our business is through. Luckily for you and your friends, you're not getting my usual treatment. No… You see, I owe my own soul to a very special woman. I lost it a long time ago. Delivering you and your friends might finally be the ticket to my own freedom. Of course, I may just be deluding myself. You can load sixteen tons of coal and end up even deeper in debt at the end of the day. That's what happens when you sell your soul to the company store…"
The man slowly closed the suitcase. He took great pleasure in blocking out the streetlights and engulfing Ripley into darkness. Before it clicked shut, he lowered his face down for one more toothy grin.
"Don't be afraid… Madame D'Arby will see you soon."
To be Continued...
