"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"
Farra's screams echoed in the forest at night, as she was easily trounced by Akari Hanao, a ninja girl who wields her Stand, Double Jeopardy. Her Stand has the same abilities of an experienced ninja, only ten times better. Akari Hanao, as mentioned, is the daughter of a ronin ninja, long-retired.
Steffi appeared from the 4th wall and said, "OOOOOOOOOOOH! Backstory time~!"
The narrator continued, as it showed a woman in a red ninja outfit, similar to Akari, but with bigger breasts and a blonde ponytail, "Long ago, Akari was not even born yet, in a small village in Daikoku Village. The woman you see in Akari's outfit is her mother, Mari Hanao. She was once a ninja, alongside her husband, guarding two sacred treasures in the ninja world – The Kamuy and The Izumo. Years after that, Mari and her husband abandoned the ways of ninja and left Daikoku Village. She and her husband disappeared into the city, where Mari opened up a flower shop, and raised a beautiful daughter, Akari… Unfortunately, Akari's father died, before she was born.
As for the story of the Kamuy and Izumo, that is properly explained in another fic."
Farra groaned, holding her injured arm. She was kneeling on one knee, as she moaned, "If you think breaking my arm… I'll show you how wrong you-!"
CLASP!
"GAH!" Farra was grabbed by Double Jeopardy, Akari's Stand. She cried, "God! Damn it, woman, would you let me finish-! YAAAAAAAAGH!"
She was tossed to the ground, and was badly hurt. She groaned, "Ungh… Why do I keep… attacking and yelling?"
Akari laughed, "So, just asking, who's got two broken arms and is a total loser?"
Farra was moaning, "You… stupid ninja… you only broke the one a-."
CRUNCH!
Akari laughed, stepping on Farra's right arm, about to break it, "This gal~!"
She pressed down, as Farra was crying in agonizing pain, "AAAAAAAAAGH!"
Akari said, "I always thought mannequins break… but you're too worn out. Oh, well. TIME TO DIE!"
She pressed down hard, but then, a figure appeared and kicked Akari off of Farra. Farra passed out and remained lifeless. The figure… was Steven Cooke.
"That's enough!"
He came from out of nowhere, as he said, "I should've guessed who you were, so Steven Cooke decided to follow Farra, in case she doesn't do anything foolish. But I guess she hasn't, since you're too reckless of a Stand User."
"Stand User? You mean… It's not a Ninja Upgrade?" Akari gasped.
Steven said, "Don't worry… I can see it, but I cannot wield a Stand or a Spirit. I don't need one. Besides, I've seen and heard enough of you, Akari Hanao. You and your buddy are Stand Using Ninjas."
Akari was confused, "Eh? Stand? Uh…"
Steven sighed and said, "Look, it's not much to complain, but your clones-."
"It's called Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
"Whatever! Your afterimages, something about it wasn't right! One of them was a robot… but… its aura is of your energy. Stands are physical manifestations of one's soul."
"Okay… I saw Farra Stevens's Spirit Animal… Is it a Stand, too?"
"No. It's a Spirit Caller, and it's way different. It's usually the physical manifestation of one's psychic mind. How you received it, well, we cannot say… But whoever shot you with that arrow, she's dead now."
"Huh? I don't believe you! I understand that my "Stand" is unleashed, but there's just no way-!"
He glared at her and said, "I've dealt with Spirits and Stands, in the past. You want to go a round at me, Ninja? Let's see what you got…"
He prepared to fight and continued, "I should warn you. When you fight me, there's no going back. It won't stop, until you die. And when they face Steven Cooke, they never become the same, again."
Akari stepped back, and then threw a smoke bomb down. She surrounded Steven in a huge smoke cloud, and then vanished. She then echoed from in the distance, "I don't need to face you. Call me a coward, but I've already done my job. My condolences to your friend. But the next time I see you, I won't hold back. But at least she's unable to handle her job now, now that she's broken. She's trash now! Mwah, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"
Steven smirked, as Akari's laughter faded, "She has no idea…"
He kneeled to Farra and said, "I'm sorry… I should've saved you…"
Farra was still out cold, as Steven carried her injured body in his arms. He thought, "I would've stopped her, when she made her escape, but I already used Hokuto The World, to stop this ninja from hurting her, even further."
What happened?
Akari laughed, "So, just asking, who's got two broken arms and is a total loser?"
Farra was moaning, "You… stupid ninja… you only broke the one a-."
CRUNCH!
Akari laughed, stepping on Farra's right arm, about to break it, "This gal~!"
She pressed down, as Farra was crying in agonizing pain, "AAAAAAAAAGH!"
Akari said, "I always thought mannequins break… but you're too worn out. Oh, well. TIME TO DIE!"
She pressed down hard, but then, time suddenly stopped. Steven emerged from the tree and shouted, "FARRA!"
He landed a swift kick to her chest, and leaped forward, pushing her back. He called out, "Time starts again!"
Time restarted, and Akari was pushed backwards.
He carried her away, and then said, "Good. She's still alive. Luckily, her arm is broken in numerous places. But we're not having you in a cast, again, not while we're around… I guarantee it."
He left the forest, as Akari viewed everything, from far away. She thought, as she whispered, "So… She and I are one in the same… That means… Enju… She…"
Episode 45 – Chapter 2: Double Jeopardy II!
Akari vs. Farra: The Rematch!
Farra was lying in a bed, in Chazz's apartment, as Chazz used Ojama Star to revive and repair her injuries. He said, as he was healing, "So, our assumptions about Hanao were exact, after all… but I cannot get why her Stand has given her ninjutsu an upgrade. Still…"
Kotonoha said, "Amazing… We just met a real-life ninja, who is also a Stand User."
Chazz said, "Nevertheless, we're lucky that it's over with."
Steven said, "No, it's not. Farra just lost, tonight. She wouldn't let it go, if she knew. But I did save her from being killed."
He added, "And here is more… Apparently, she had an ally, this Enju Saion-Ji, and she also got a Stand, months after Akari got hers. And I bet they're both ninjas who wield Stands."
Chazz said, "That makes sense. That would explain the shuriken attack, and the incident at work, seeing the woman get her hair burned off. Those were the work of silent assassins. Akari and Enju are ninjas, and they both received the shot from the bow and arrow by Sekai. I believe their Ninja Upgrades made them lethal and deadly."
Kotonoha asked, "Hold on… Saion-Ji… Are Enju and Sekai related?"
Chazz said, "Doubt it. Don't forget, Sekai Saion-Ji shot Enju Saion-Ji with the same bow and arrow that is at large. There's no way that they would be related. I want to know more about this Enju girl, but right now, Akari Hanao is our main problem."
Steven said, "We can deal with the latter, later. If what I heard is true, and being that Farra lost to a ninja, Akari and Enju are dangerous… Chazz, Kotonoha, watch over her. I'm going to play lookout on those two, if they try something again."
Chazz said, "Right. Lemme know if you see them again."
"Wait!" Farra groaned, as she was coming to, "Steven…"
Steven stopped, as Farra was in pain, despite that her arm healed, "Steven, I know what you're trying to do… but…"
Chazz stated, "Blondie, you need rest. You're still badly hurt from the battle."
Farra felt her arm and asked, "Huh? But that ninja broke my arms…"
Steven walked off, and Farra called, "STEVEN COOKE, I'M NOT FINISHED WITH YOU, DAMN IT!"
He stopped, as he said, "Go ahead…"
She replied, "I know you did what you have to, just for me, only to save me from the danger… But… But this battle! My battle with this rogue ninja! This is something I want to do, myself!"
"How can you? Have you forgotten that you lost? Akari Hanao broke your arm, albeit Chazz can mend that with Ojama Sta-."
"YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT? You were watching me, this whole time! For once… FOR ONCE IN YOUR GODDAMN LIFE, I WANT TO DO SOMETHING, BY MYSELF!"
"Farra…"
"I DIDN'T NEED YOUR HELP! I NEVER DID!"
She panted, as she was shaken. She whispered, "I'm sorry…"
Chazz said, "Look, maybe you need time alone. Why don't you spend the night with me and Kotonoha? That way, as you regroup, we can think of a way to stop Akari Hanao. But… You need to be careful, this time."
Farra nodded, "You're right. I need to think… but I cannot do this, alone… But when that time comes, to fight that ninja Stand, I don't need anybody to back me up!"
Steven said, "How? How are you going to fight, without Peter, Asahi, or myself at your side?"
Farra replied, "Look, if it's not that much trouble… I want to do this, myself. Ever since MIO came along, I've been losing it. We won many battles, but Mizuki and Cassie calculated that out of all The Gang's members, I'm the only one with the most losses. How pathetic I am… and I'm even pathetic than Heather… I couldn't escape my past, and I've become less than a fighter, but more of a supporter. Now… Now I'm nothing more than…"
She sniffled, "No… Why? Why?" and started to cry. She continued, while weeping, "I promised myself that I cannot lose again… I cannot be outsmarted by anyone, including enemies. I can't even win a damn match! I'm supposed to be The Gang's second-in-command, but I'm just a lowly grunt! Why do I suck, so badly?"
Steven growled and hissed, "I've heard enough!"
SLAP!
He slapped her and said, "YOU! …are not weak. You're better than that. You are still the same Farra Stevens I have known, since we first met. You're not weak, you're just misunderstood. But if you were to believe in yourself, and do your best, only then you can say you're strong. But you're not a pathetic fighter! You're not Heather Dunn! You're different than that! You're Farra Stevens, the Firebird of The Gang!"
She felt her cheek and sighed, "You're right… I'm sorry… Steven, I…"
She lied down and moaned, "Just… let me be…"
Chazz said to him, "I think she may understand. But she needs time to think."
He said, "I've done all I can. But if she says she wants to do it alone, fine. She loses again, she can STAY injured!"
He walked off, and then slammed the door. Steven left the apartments, angry and surly. As he departed, Peter watched on and said, "You think you lit a fire in her, or did you piss her off again?"
Steven stopped, without looking at him, and then said nothing. Peter replied, "Believe me… I would've done the same, if it were me. But go easy on her. She may not look it, but she's equally strong. Only… She's easily emotional, when it comes to most things."
Steven closed his eyes and walked away. Peter looked on, then turned to the apartments and whispered, "You want to go alone, fine. But don't lose, this time…"
He left, disappearing into the shadows, as Farra stayed in Chazz's place, to recuperate.
The next day, Farra was up on the roof, as she was viewing the sky. She still remembered her loss to Akari, but then held her arm, the same arm she was injured. She also remembered the moment she almost lost her cool, during numerous battles. She remembered her fight with Mine, three years ago, in Imperial Lobby, and how she gave mercy to her, before dying. She remembered her fight with Gouriki, using her blood as acid, to burn parts of his skin, though she ended up fighting to a draw. She also remembered Parker Andrews, before he turned her into a mannequin, back in New York. Back then, she could not counter his abilities, but thanks to sage advice of controlling her will, she was able to get back at the man that harbored innocent girls. And now… losing to a ninja, and a person that she thinks is amazingly impressed. She sighed, as she groaned, "Am I losing my touch? I'm not the same Farra Stevens I was… and yet I'm more powerful, but less successful. Damn it…"
She growled, "Akari Hanao… … … A Stand User… … … She's a ninja who wields a Stand, enhancing her ninjutsu, and she is swift and fierce. Ninjas are known to be assassins of the night…"
She stood on the roof and said, "It has to end. I have to defeat her, one way or another. All she did was break my arm. But she didn't break my spirit!"
She grew her fiery wings and said, "Hanao! I'm not finished with you yet!"
She flew off in a stream of ember, and disappeared to the blue sky. Kotonoha gasped, as she looked out the window. She shivered, "No… She wouldn't!"
XXXXX
Minutes later, Kotonoha informed Chazz about what Farra is doing. Chazz was viewing a map of F City, and was searching for a place to find Akari and Farra.
"I turn my back for one second, and already she makes the decision to go fight Akari, without preparing!" He barked, "That's fine. Steven said that we should watch over her. And the next time she loses, we won't heal her. How arrogant of a douchebag he is! The Chazz heals anybody, at any time!"
He viewed the map, as Kotonoha said, "I'm worried… It's not like Miss Farra to run off, after losing to a ninja that broke her body."
He replied, "Asa's unavailable, right now. She said something about a meeting in Osaka, and won't return until two days."
He thought, "Still… Why would she try to fight the ninja again, knowing she's in a losing battle?"
XXXXX
In town, Akari was looking out the store window, as she sighed, "Well, she's gone. I guess she got fired, after the broken arm."
She smirked, "Serves her right. I'll walk in and take the job."
She walked in and said, "Excuse me, are you taking applicants?"
The woman in a black suit called, "Huh? Oh, you. Didn't we interview you, Miss?"
"Yes. Akari Hanao. I, uh, wonder if you have an opening for me… I did state that I can be as alluring to-."
The woman glared at her and said, "Sorry, but I don't take women with that huge girth. Also, from what I gather, you're a wild one, and not calm… So, that's why you're not welcome to work here. Besides, we are already staffed."
"What about the one with the blue streak? Stevens?"
"Oh, she's fine. She's working the staff room, sorting out the merchandise. She said something about hurting her arm, but it was just a muscle sprain."
Akari thought, "Muscle sprain? No… Wait, she didn't-! I broke her arm! What the hell?"
She smiled nervously and said, "Uhhh, okay, never mind."
She walked off, heading outside, as Farra was waiting by the alleyway, in stealth. She had her stealth belt on, and was coated in a purple aura. She then threw a note to Akari. Akari caught it and looked around. She thought, "Huh? What in the-?"
She read the note:
You want to finish this, Ninja Bitch?
Meet me at Cape Blah, at around 3pm. Come alone.
We end this, now…
She crumped the note and snarled, "So, you haven't had enough, eh? I've beaten you before, and I'll do it again!"
She dashed off, as she was headed to Cape Blah. Farra watched on, as she smirked, "Good… As soon as I get off work, today, I'm heading over. Payback time, Hanao!"
She went back inside, as the woman in a black suit, black hair done in a ponytail, and glasses, was waiting for her. She said, "Ah, Stevens. There you are. I was talking to you about something, and I was thinking…"
Farra asked, "Huh? What for?"
"Come to my office."
They walked in, as Farra asked, "Uh… Is there something you want to say to me, Miss Aiko?"
Her name is Haruno Aiko, and she is the owner of the building that Farra works in.
Miss Aiko said, "Well, we read your résumé, and think we should give it a shot."
"Hmm? A shot, at what?"
"Well, I admire your work in New York, and recently, some of our staff is sick… So… What do you say? Will you do it?"
Farra nodded, as she agreed, "Y-yes, ma'am. Yes, I will! I won't let you down, Miss Aiko…"
Miss Aiko smiled, "Good. Now… Why don't you take the rest of the day off to prepare, and we'll see how it goes."
Farra nodded, and then left. She then thought, "Strange… I wonder why…"
She sighed, and then said, "Ah, well, that gives me enough time to prepare for my rematch with Akari. I'm not gonna lose, this time. I've lost so many times that I'm not going to lose again. I promised myself… I won't lose again!"
She flew away, as she headed to Cape Blah. Enju, meanwhile, saw everything, and whispered, "So… She and Akari are fighting… That leaves me wide open for another person."
She held up a picture of Chazz Princeton and said, "Says here that Princeton has a Stand, as they're called, called Ojama Star. His girlfriend, Asahi Sakurai, also has a Stand… But his Stand has an unnatural ability. Akari said that she broke the blonde woman's arm, but she's 100% healthy. I have to find out more… Hopefully, when she gets back, I'm going to get answers."
She walked off, but bumped into Peter. She groaned, "Ow…"
She then barked, "Hey! Watch where you're going, you hentai!"
She marched off, passing Peter. But Peter was angry, as he was insulted. He calmed down and said, "She'll get hers…"
He called, "Hey you!" And Enju stopped, turning to him. He continued, "Why would you call me that, if you bumped into me? I wasn't trying to cop a feel on you. And even if I did, I'm married."
He walked off, and then said, "And FYI, your boobs are too small."
Enju was appalled, as her jaw dropped in horror. She thought, "What did he say to me?"
She coated herself in electrical sparks and snarled, "Bastard… How dare he mock me? If I see him again, he's dead!"
Peter walked far away, as he sighed, "Here we go again…"
Farra arrived at Cape Blah, which is a huge scenic Oceanside plateau, full of summer homes and trees. Akari was waiting in the dense forest, as she was in her ninja attire. She waited, until she saw the distance of a fiery bird.
"It's about time… Took you long enough." She smirked.
Farra landed, as she and Akari went face-to-face. Akari said, "So, you are feigning injury? Tough one who has the balls to face me."
"Is that right? Well, I have news for you, ninja. I'm much stronger than I ever was. That last time was a fluke, but I know all about you, a Stand that enhances your ninja abilities! This time, I won't lose…"
"You should've stayed home and be just a lifeless broken doll!"
"Maybe, but not today! Normally, I'd unleash my fiery fury… but I don't want to burn down this forest."
"You're good, when it comes to self-control. That makes you WEAK!"
She dashed at her, but Farra blocked her attack, "Very fucking funny, bitch!"
She pushed her back, and shouted, "Only someone like you can take the first shot!"
"You…"
She summoned her Shadow Clone Jutsu, and dashed around. She called out, "Let's see if you can find me! My Stand can go up to five of me!"
She surrounded Farra, but she then stood in place and whispered, "I'm not a mannequin, but they are made of wood, like the mighty oak tree… Calm, lifeless… quiet… still…"
She meditated, closing her eyes, as she concentrated. Akari said, "Closing your eyes and standing still won't make me stop. I'm going to destroy you, you stupid firebird!"
She shouted, "NOW, DIE! NINJA ATTACK!"
Her clones charged at Farra, but Farra opened her eyes and said, "IT'S THAT ONE!" and prepared to fight the one on her left.
Akari shouted, "WRONG! I'm RIGHT BEHIND YOU!"
Farra said, "Exactly!"
POW!
She jabbed at Akari's clone with a huge punch to the chest, with a flaming punch. But it was not a clone… It turned into her Stand.
"GUGH!" Akari coughed out blood, as her Stand felt the damage. The Stand kneeled down, as Farra grinned.
She said to her, "So, this is your Stand. She's the spitting image of you."
Akari growled, "Damn it! She saw through my veil! She wasn't surrendering, by standing still. That was meditation. She's using a calm mind and Zen to counter my Shadow Clone Jutsu. She's no doll, she's a freak! What is she?"
She called out, "So, you failed to attack me, but ended up hitting Double Jeopardy!"
Farra asked, "Double Jeopardy?"
Double Jeopardy called, "Master Akari, are you hurt?"
Akari shouted, "Yeah! No thanks to her! She and her Zen!"
Farra huffed, "I'm starting to hate Stands, now… Look, if you are done arguing, why don't we finish this?"
Akari huffed, "You and your Spirit Caller… You cannot best me. Even so, you have a sort of power, like I do. And that makes me mad! Here I thought Enju and I were the only ones with powers like yours!"
Farra barked, "Well, word to the wise – you were created by hatred and evil! I know all about the arrow to the cleavage! You have hidden potential, and you were created to assist evil!"
"EVIL?!" Akari whined, "I'm not evil! You started it!"
"Oh, boo-hoo! Say whatever you want, loser! But you think that you can best me, in battle, you're going to have to try."
She smirked, "As for me…"
She boomed in a fiery aura, "PHOENIX SUN!"
She unleashed her Spirit Caller, as Akari growled, "Fine! DOUBLE JEOPARDY!"
The Stand called out, "The finisher! SONG CANNON!"
She screamed out in a huge ultrasonic cry, as Farra shouted, "EAGLE SCREECH!"
They both exchanged screams, as the huge loud ultrasonic cries clashed at each other. They dispersed, as Akari shrieked, running to Farra, "DAMN YOOOOOOOOOOOOU!"
They exchanged punches and kicks, as the screams echoed around the area, all around Cape Blah. Minutes later, Chazz and Kotonoha arrived, via a taxi. He called, "Alright. Fatass said that she and Hanao went here. But they're somewhere in this area."
She replied, "If we're to look for Farra, she'd have a burning aura here."
"Regardless, she and the ninja girl are somewhere. Kotonoha, make sure to keep your guard up. Flames could strike up, and could singe you. So, just watch out for any wayward flames."
She stopped, and heard a noise, "No… What about sonic waves? I heard something loud, but then it's gone."
He stated, "Farra has a sonic scream ability, likewise Hanao. You sense it, too, right? Once we find its frequency, and if the screeches come back, we'll find them. I don't care what those two say. We're assisting Blondie."
"Right." She nodded, as they searched around Cape Blah.
Enju was spying on Chazz and Kotonoha, in her ninja attire. She hissed, "Search around all you want… Akari's going to end your friend, one way or another."
She zipped off and vanished, leaving Akari behind.
Meanwhile, the fight resumed, as Farra and Akari exchanged punches and blows. Akari was teetering, as she griped, "How is this possible? You have a hidden ability, like mine, and your Spirit Caller is no different! So, it's called Phoenix Sun. Phoenix as in the flaming bird of legends, and the Sun as in the star of the Solar System… They're related to your secret now – fire!"
Akari held her hands up and shouted, "TIME TO BURN! Flame Jutsu – Toketsu!"
She shot fire at Farra, but she dodged out of the way. She called, "You're not the only one with flames that are produced from your hands! Now's my NEW ability!"
She prayed, as she held her hands up, "This is for you, Rook…"
She produced an ankh, made of fire, as she was replicating Rook's Black Tempest Mist, and made it her own. She shot the ankh and roared, "Your days of playing ninja are over! Ember Crossfire!"
Akari avoided the blast, but she was lightly singed. She growled, "Damn it… She's crafty for someone who fights with fire!"
She called, "Just so you know, one little modification doesn't make you a big shot! You're going to be extinguished, since you're NOT the phoenix! You're just a lowly firebug! I'm going to have to turn it up a notch!"
She stepped forward, but was blasted upward by a stream of flames. She was blasted into the flames, as she screamed, "AAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"
Farra smirked, "Nice try! You wanted to play rough?"
Akari shouted, "YOU SHIT! YOU TRICKED ME!"
Farra explained, "Believe me, kid, you weren't aware? You had no idea what I am capable of. Besides, that move was from an old friend. I had to learn this trick, and reshaped it to make it my own."
She wagged her finger and said, "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Too bad for you."
Akari growled, "He got it from a friend? I learned my Flame Jutsu from Kazuki. That fucking plagiarist! How dare she mock me?"
She yelled, "You try launching that attack again, but it doesn't make a difference, I'm going to clean the forest with your blood!"
She unleashed her Stand and called, "NOW! PREPARE YOURSELF, YOU BLONDE BITCH! I'M GOING TO OWN YOU, WHEN THE DAY IS DONE!"
Farra shouted, "PHOENIX SUN! GO!"
Phoenix Sun prepared a fiery assault, and lambasted the Stand, "ARA ARA ARA ARA ARA ARA ARA ARA ARA ARA ARA ARA ARA ARA ARA ARA ARA ARA ARA!"
Akari cried, as her Stand blocked the attack, "WHAT? WHEN DID SHE-?"
POW!
"ARA!" Phoenix Sun socked Double Jeopardy in the face with a right hook. Akari's welt appeared, and she was knocked back. She groaned, holding her face, and held up a kunai knife.
"DAMN YOU! I WON'T LET YOU WIN!" She shouted.
She then threw the knife at her, at the face, and Farra deflected it. Akari shouted, "WHO TRICKED WHO NOW?"
POOF!
She threw a smoke bomb in front of her, as Akari split into ten different clones, and moreover, they were all herself and Double Jeopardy. The smoke cleared, as Farra was shocked.
"WHAT?"
They were standing in place, as Akari laughed, "Idiot… You have the calm mind of a ninja, but you're finished! When I said that you fall, I meant it! I'm using this trick again, but this time…"
The second Akari called, "I'm right here."
The third Akari said, "Or here."
The fourth Akari smiled, "And this time, your petty Zen tricks won't work, because you cannot tell me apart, like the rest! But go ahead…"
The fifth Akari added, "…and lambast Double Jeopardy. Even if you did, you don't know which one of us is which! We're all Doubles, as does our Stand name, and you're NOT going to find me, one way or another!"
Farra gasped, "No way… They're not even running… and yet, they're the same beat as the real thing…"
The second Akari shouted, "I won this battle, and I'll damn sure win this war!"
The fourth Akari yelled, "SO GO AHEAD AND BEST ME! You pick one of us, neither of us are going to fall!"
They all shouted, "But guess what… YOU WON'T HAVE THE CHANCE TO COUNTER! NOW DIE, BITCH!"
They raised their weapons high, as the Double Jeopardies prepared to strike. Akari called, "HAH! I WIN!"
Farra said, "Answer: This lowly ninja who acts wild and skillful, loses to the Firebird of The Gang, because she's not so smart. Question… What is Akari Hanao?"
She boomed in a fiery aura, and prayed in a mantra chant, "Rin Pyo Tou Sha Kai Jin Retsu Zai… ZEN!"
A gust of fire blasted at all the clones, and pushed them away. They screamed in pain, as Akari cried, "NO! HOW DID SHE-?"
The real Akari, the third one, was on the ground, badly hurt, as her clones and Stand vanished. Farra said, "Apparently, you have been relying on Shadow Clone Jutsu. Too bad that I cannot pick which one, since each of you are fast and lifelike. But… That doesn't mean that I want to end you, by eradicating your army, one by one. So I decided on the next best thing… TAKE OUT THE HORDE!"
PUNT!
"ARA!" She kicked Akari in the face, and she dropped to the ground. She then said, "An eye for an eye, Hanao…"
A puff of smoke appeared from the sky, as Chazz and Kotonoha viewed it. Kotonoha cried, "Chazz! Don't get me wrong, but I think they're over there! LOOK!"
Chazz gasped, "Smoke? And it smells of bluish aura. IT'S HER!"
They headed off, as Farra was about to finish off Akari, who's pinned to the floor. She groaned, "How could this happen? I thought I had her, but that woman bested me, using that Spirit Caller! She had no idea who she's up against!"
Farra smirked, "Answer me this… What is a total loser and has a broken arm?"
She stomped on her arm and shouted, "THIS BITCH!"
Akari screamed in pain, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"
Farra shouted, "THIS IS FOR BREAKING MY ARM, YOU NINJA BITCH! PAYBACK TIME!"
Akari was crying in pain, as she pleaded, "MERCY! STOP THIS, AT ONCE!"
Farra shouted, "When I said an eye for an eye, it's judgment for what you did to me. DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS OVER!"
She was about to crush her arm, but Akari smirked, "You think that this is over? But I guess this is where you lose…"
She threw her kunai knife at Farra, right into the face, but Farra's Spirit Caller caught it. She called, "Don't make me say it again! You may be a ninja, but I'm calmer in the cool mountain air than you. But right now, I'm truly angry!"
Her aura boomed, as she smashed her right arm into pieces. Akari shrieked, as she was injured, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"
Farra smiled, as she stepped back, "This battle is mine."
She prayed, as she said, "Forgive me, but that act… was justified."
STAB!
She was stabbed in the shoulder by a kunai knife, as Akari shouted, "I may have a broken arm, but my left arm is still working! You forget that Double Jeopardy can also enhance my ninjutsu! YOU DARE CALL MY ACT JUSTIFIED?"
Farra groaned, as she held her right shoulder. Akari laughed, "An eye… for an eye…" holding her injured right arm. She boasted, "If I cannot destroy you, I can just demolish your parody of a Stand! A Spirit Caller, was it? I'm going to REMOVE EVERY PART OF WHAT'S LEFT OF YOU, AND NO AMOUNT OF HEALING POWER WOULD SAVE YOU!"
Akari seethed, "I'm going to rip every hair off your head, and I'm going to slice off your tits, and dunk what's left of your ugly butt into the wood chipper! YOU PATHETIC STORE MANNEQUIN!"
She roared, "I WIN! DIE!" and unleashed Double Jeopardy to strike with its remaining arm. But…
Farra sighed, "You never learn, do you?"
Akari gasped, "What?"
She pulled the kunai knife out and said, "You suck as a ninja. There's a reason I'm called The Perfect Mannequin… I have a calm mind and a soothing silent stance. I'm able to learn how to control my inner rage. That makes me lifeless and still… Because… Deep down, I'm a mannequin. I'm still as the wooden figures, and as the still waters, flowing down the quiet stream…"
She held the knife up and shouted, "But that doesn't mean… YOUR ASS IS WOOD CHIPS!"
She flung it, and it was set ablaze, heading for Akari's left shoulder. Akari cried, "WHAT THE HELL?"
It headed straight towards her, as she cried, "DOUBLE JEOPARDY! BLOCK IT!"
Her Stand deflected it, but the kunai went last her fists, like a heat-seeking missile. The heated kunai knife was reaching its target – Akari's left arm.
STAB!
The kunai knife into her left shoulder, and BOTH her arms were now disabled. Akari dropped to the ground and was badly injured. Akari groaned, "AAAAGH! No… How… did she-?"
She dropped down, "A real ninja would've dodged that… and you're a ninja, yet you lack that discipline. Not bad for a living breathing model."
Akari groaned in sadness, "I've lost… How can this be so? I lost to her? How can I live now, knowing that my arms are broken? I'm ruined…"
She was crying, as Farra sighed, turning away, holding her injured arm, "Akari… I know deep down you're a nice person, but… Listen… While I am calm and quiet, and even became an idol to many young girls, I'm still a raging demon, deep down. I'm not a demon, nor am I your enemy. But I am still human. And I know how it felt."
Akari sat up and held her arms, "How can it? You… You had me going… I admired you, and you bested me. The least you can do is kill me. That's the way of the ninja code. I lost, so I failed this battle."
Farra smirked, "No way. Besides, I've met a ninja before, and she was nice… only she was playful. One year ago, she aided us, and I know everything that is about friendship. But I never even knew one existed, until today. How many of you are there? I'll ask that question, whenever the time comes. For now, I'll leave you to think…"
She walked off, as she said, "And don't worry… One day, you'll understand."
Akari thought, as she was stunned, "Wait… a ninja from… one year ago? She means…"
Akari sniffled, as she thought, "She… She means it… She's so cool, when she speaks serious… But how can I be like her, now that my arms are shards of glass?"
Farra stopped, as she grumbled, "So, they came… Figures."
Chazz and Kotonoha arrived, as Farra barked, "You idiots! What the hell are YOU doing here?"
Chazz stated, "We were looking for you, when you flew off! Fatass told me that you went to Cape Blah, to settle the score!"
Akari thought, "They… They were-?"
Farra sighed, "I don't need your help! Besides, it's taken care of. Also, you're up, Princeton. I'm going home."
Chazz held Farra and healed her, "Hold on! You still need to be healed, after your battle."
She said, "Thanks, but couldn't you just wait?"
She walked off, as Akari shouted, "HOLD IT!"
They stopped, as Akari growled, "I broke your arm! I've beaten you! And you smashed my arms into bits! What's your secret? Why did you torment me with broken arms, permanently ending my happiness? ANSWER ME NOW!"
Chazz sighed, "Oh, good grief…"
He went to Akari and said, "I hate to see a groan ninja girl cry…"
He unleashed Ojama Star, as Akari sobbed, "What? YOU TOO? You got a Stand, as well?"
Chazz yelled, "SHUT UP AND STAY STILL, YOU STUPID NINJA!"
Ojama Star lunged its arms at Akari, but halted near her breasts. It suddenly healed up Akari, and refixed her back to normal. Chazz said, as Ojama Star vanished, "Okay, now move your arms."
Akari looked at her arms, as they regained movement. She sobbed, "No way… My arms… They-."
Chazz said, "Farra had a secret of why her arm healed so quickly. That secret… was me. Pretty great, huh?"
Akari held her arms and whimpered, "My arms are back… but… Princeton's Stand… He has the ability to heal… That's why Stevens can move her arm again, after I disabled her. She has friends…"
She stood up and sniffled, "I'm so sorry… Please forgive me for everything, Miss Stevens…"
She bowed, as Farra smiled, nodding in happiness, "She may be an inexperienced ninja girl, but she's a good person at heart."
She called, "Hey, Hanao! If we ever need you for something, we'll let you know. You're welcome to help us, if you like."
She said to the others, "Chazz, Kotonoha, let's go."
They departed, as Akari was left alone. She smiled, as she remembered, "Yamabuki… You told me and Enju about them… from last year… You were right. They're the real deal."
Akari departed, and then returned to the city. She never bothered to fight The Gang again. But…
[Akari Hanao – Double Jeopardy: Defeated; have become one of The Gang's allies in F City, earning Farra's trust]
The next day at the department store, Farra was in the store window, posing in place, in a blue bikini and white towel. Apparently, the woman who works in the store liked the idea of the technique she did, and made her a living mannequin in F City. As she was standing still, Akari walked by, with her face bandaged and in her normal clothes. She looked at the window and saw Farra. She blushed, as she was in awe, "She is for real… Yamabuki told me about how she can pose like a model, endlessly. She's a living model."
She was in awe, as she cheered, "YES! I'll do my best to be like you, someday, and maybe learn how to be a beautiful ninja mannequin!"
She pranced off, as Farra remained in place, with her smile intact. In her mind, she sighed in disgust, "Why do I have such a bad vibe on fangirls that admire me? I blame you, Cassie…"
And so, Akari Hanao is defeated, and joins the allies to The Gang. But what about Enju Saion-Ji?
The answers lie ahead in the next exciting chapter!
To be continued…