Honoka's Bizarre Adventure: μ's Is Unbreakable
Chapter 19: To Omine (Part 3)
Previously on Honoka's Bizarre Adventure!
This is Nishikino Maki. I… This is a Stand, right? Just like everyone else in μ's and those Arrow Hunters, this is the same power! I… I have a new friend outside of μ's for the first time, and she's in danger. I can't… I can't just sit idly! Even though I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing, just like how everyone tried to save me, I have to do my part to save Fumiko and Tojo!
"'The power of your symphony,' hmmm?" Takamaki asked, gritting her teeth as she destroyed the glass cage around her. Immediately the flames appeared before her. "I get it now… the music your Stand creates, they create illusions if you hear them. Realistic enough to take all five senses, even though I wasn't it really felt like I was on fire," Takamaki observed, holding her right foot near the flame, flinching at the heat, but letting it hover on the flames itself until she saw she indeed was not on fire.
"… I guess so," Maki said, taking a defensive stance.
"Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to differentiate friend from foe. Your symphony will attack anyone who dares hear it. Good if you're fighting someone alone, not so much if you have allies that might be affected!"
"But as long as I know what is real and you don't, then the illusion still benefits me," Nozomi said. "You're still at a heavy disadvantage here, Takamaki."
"An illusion is an illusion. Even if every part of my body is wracked with agony, as long as I'm not being physically harmed, I can soldier on," Takamaki said, 「Castle of Glass」beginning to prepare its next attack. "My「Castle of Glass」still comes out on top, no matter how you look at it!"
"Nishikino-san… let's cooperate. I know you've never fought; I know you're scared; I promise it'll be OK," Nozomi said, giving her junior a small smile. "We can win this… I'm confident we can 'render her unconscious,' and then this horrible conflict can finally move to its finale. But only if we knock her out. Your Stand can help distract her while I focus on the offense!"
"I… but if I tell you the illusions, she might hear!" Maki said. If only she had her cellphone, she could've texted her somehow. "And don't we still have to deal with Yanigihori before this can all end!?"
"Don't worry, it's going to be fine. I'll tell you a little about my own Stand now," Nozomi said, her cards now in a defensive formation in front of the. "My Stand, like her's, is a 'Bound Stand.' It attaches itself to 'cards.' It works on almost any kind. In the past I tried attaching them to trading card games, like Yu-Gi-Oh! And Magic: The Gathering. But at most their offensive or defensive power just became slightly stronger if the cards had good offense or defense… they didn't gain any of the extraordinary powers they can have in their games. It is only with the Tarot my Stand's full potential can be unleashed! And as long as we can beat her, I promise that the Tarot the path will be shown! For Elichi, Honoka, everyone! But we need to beat her!"
"Glass Arrow Barrage!"
The cards protected the two from the onslaught, but pinned them once more. "Nishikino! Call off this fire illusion and try to cast something new!"
"I… Alright!" With a shake of her Stand's hand the old music stopped and the illusion of flames immediately dissipated. How exactly do I do this!? Both Honoka appearing and the fires, I didn't meant o do this! Ok… ok… just… punch! Her Stand punched the cards in front of them, but nothing happened. "C… come on! Play new music!" She yelled out, her Stand punching a few more times.
"Concentrate, Nishikino! The last two were probably instinctively done to save you in a panic! Think about two things: what illusion do you want to form, and what music should play!? Think about them before you punch again!"
"Alright, alright…" Maki took a deep breath, trying to work through her panic. An idea for an illusion came to her head, but with another punch still nothing happened. Music! Music… fuckfuck- I-! Liszt! La Campanella! She thought as her Stand made another punch, and this time the music symbol placed on the card once more, the piano music blasting from the symbol as if it were blaring from a stereo.
Takamaki's eyes widened as an illusion of Nozomi with her card shield raised appeared at point-blank range in front of her, making her take a step back. She then gritted her teeth as she saw herself encircled by the formation as well, blocking the true Nozomi and Maki from her view. "Damn you!"
"Great thinking, Maki!" Nozomi complimented, running alongside her.
"I can still hear you- Glass Wrecking Ball!" The enemy yelled out, her attack launching in front of her, only to hit nothing. Running over, she saw that Nozomi had left the card playing the music on the ground. "Tch. Shrewd…" But she was brought back to reality by her Stand screeching, grinning as it automatically protected her from a sneak attack. "But not good enough..."
This would be easy if her Stand couldn't see as well! Nozomi thought bitterly. The moment her real cards had passed through the illusion, 「Castle of Glass」unfortunatly saw the incoming attack and immediately protected her. She usually has it facing her back. An attack from her side is the best bet, but there's also a chance「Castle of Glass」might rotate and face it! With a good illusion though, we should be able to break through though! We just need to do something to catch her off her guard!
"Running is a coward's move," Takamaki spat. "How befitting, some pampered rich girl gets a Stand that's perfect for running! Disgusting… how could scum like you be chosen for the arrow!?"
"She's trying to rile you up," Nozomi said, before Maki could yell back. "Don't let her get under your skin!"
"To be honest? I'm happy Yanigihori-sama's peace offering failed, I'm just sad she was disappointed. The lot of you don't deserve to be around her! Glass Marble Storm!" Takamki yelled, dozens of marbles shooting out at high speed like a scattergun, forcing Nozomi to stay on the offensive as they ran in a circle. "Yanigihori is going to change the world as you know it… People like you and Wakaki don't deserve her leadership, or her friendship!"
"And what makes you so much better than everyone else, anyways!?"
Fumiko's voice entering the fray caught everyone off guard, especially as they saw「Single Ladies」carry something. This factory had been abandoned in a hurry, and as such left behind a few treats inside it: in this case, a few chairs from an old break room, of which Fumiko threw roughly five at her, but were nonetheless destroyed by glass fists created by the Stand. "This is scary, but I can't just let them fight for me and do nothing when I'm the reason they got stuck in this mess at all!"
"Nikaido! This is dangerous, please stay back!" Nozomi pleaded, but Fumiko shook her head.
"No matter what happens, you're gonna be fighting, right!? So, it doesn't matter if I leave or stay with you!"
"Idiot! Your Stand is probably the worst for fighting! This is too risky!"
"Even so, I want to take the risk!"
This girl is more stubborn than that Honoka! Both Nozomi and Maki thought, but knew they could not change her mind. "And you… I really thought you were my friend! Was this just some game to you!? Did… did you not care about me at all from the get-go!?" Fumiko asked, hurt in her voice. "Someone I met with the same power as me… I trusted you!"
"… Even though you're absolutely not my style at all… I didn't dislike hanging out with you," Takamaki admitted, sighing even. "Not that you're someone I care for being friends with, but for whatever it's worth, I didn't take pleasure or happiness in this," she told her. "But no matter what happens… I will always serve Yanigihori, and do whatever I can to help advance her! In this case, using you as bait to draw out μ's!"
"Has she forced you to do this?" Nozomi asked. If they were talking and not fighting, at the least, she'd have a little time to think of what to do next. "No, you seem too willing…"
"Yanigihori didn't like this plan, but didn't do anything to stop me from doing it," Takamaki explained. "She hates plans that involve betraying or lying… but with the stakes gave me permission to carry out this plan of mine when I saw Fumiko playing around with her「Single Ladies.」If it'll bring her closer to her goals, even if just a little… it's worth it to me!" She said, closing her eyes. "I owe her… my everything!"
"Takamaki…" Fumiko said quietly, wanting to grill on her more but not knowing what to say.
"My life… is something I'll very gladly give for her, if I had to."
She closed her eyes, and remembered.
The young Hiijiri loved shounen.
Even when the girl was young she was a tomboy, not caring too much for shoujo or anything considered 'girly.' Her family, poor as they were couldn't really afford to buy manga, but she would try to read them at the library when she could, and practically lived for shounen anime she could watch on TV. So excited she would get, she sometimes yelled alongside them.
"Kamehamehaaaaaaaaa!"
"Gomu Gomu no Pistol!"
"Spirit Gun!"
How Hiijiri had wished she was like those amazing heroes, able to fight the entire world with bravery, with more than enough power to protect themselves and everyone they loved.
Her mother, kind as she was, would often indulge, asking what was happening as the young Hiijiri happily explained. But there were two parents to that household.
"Godfucking dammit, tell that brat to shut the fuck up!"
"Leave her alone, Kazuko! She's just playing!"
An unhappy marriage, with unhappy living conditions and an unhappy financial situation did not make for a good combination in the Takamaki household. There were dozens of incidents she could recall, but for some reason it was after watching that episode of Yu Yu Hakusho she remembered the most, as her mother was given a second black eye in addition to the one given by their father last night.
"MAMA!"
"See what you made me do!? If you just knew how to shut the fuck up I wouldn't have to hit your mom for babying you!" Kazuko Takamaki yelled at her, throwing his bottle of whiskey on the ground and shattering it. "GODDAMMIT! Look what you did! You got me so mad I wasted fucking booze! You little shit—"
"I'll clean it," Hiijiri's mother said, standing up.
"Mama…!"
She gave her daughter a weak smile, before leaning down to hug her. "We'll get out of here one day, just you and me, OK?" The former hand model promised, whispering so her father wouldn't hear. "Once I have enough money… Please, just bear with this a little longer. One day I'll be able to buy you those shounen you like so much in manga and DVDs, OK?" She said, trying to comfort her crying daughter as she hugged her.
The promise would fall short when Mrs. Takamaki disappeared without any trace whatsoever, leaving the girl with no barrier between herself and her father, as the whiskey bottles now found a new mark on her instead. And it all had accumulated at that day when at only age 12 she stood one night by the Rainbow Bridge, considering plunging into the cold Tokyo Bay below.
"Goddammit! I told you to shut up!"
"Why the fuck wasn't it you instead of your mother!?"
"Stop pissing me off! You're the reason this happens!"
"Get me more booze from the fridge! If you got time to watch cartoons, do something useful!"
The abuse took its toil on Hiijiri, who could not find the strength she felt defined the heroes she loved so much. She didn't really have any friends, even the shounen she had loved so much brought her next to no joy anymore, and each day became harder and harder. What was so bad about just disappearing, anyways?
"You gonna do it, or something?"
Hiijiri gasped in shocked as she looked over her shoulder, expecting a policeman or some other adult standing by her. Instead she saw a tall girl, and next to her someone that looked like her age. The taller, blond woman narrowed her eyes, cocking her head.
"Yeesh, you wanna go diving or something? That'll kill you, girl!" The smaller girl said, taking a lollipop out of her mouth.
"…"
"I'm just joshing! Nobody can jump off their and live, that's what you're thinking of, right?" The smaller girl asked. "Oh! I'm being rude… I'm Emi! Suzuki Emi! 12 years old!" She said with a big grin.
"Yanigihori Jori, 12 years old. I don't like being called by my first name."
"T-twelve!? You're about as tall as a highschooler!" Her outburst earned a laugh from Emi.
"… Are you going to jump?"
"… What's it to you?"
"I dunno. We were taking a walk after dark and we bumped into you. That's something, right?" Yanigihori said, tilting her head. "Honestly, we're bored."
"… I don't like being alive," Hiijiri said, looking at the Bay below them. "I don't know. My dad's really bad… I don't think it's gonna get better. I don't think I can do this until I'm 18 and can move out. It's… My mom went missing, he drinks and he takes it out on me, and just… I just want it to end!"
"Then jump."
The ferociousness in her words was enough to startle even Emi. "If your mind is set to it, then do it. If you don't wanna fight to change tomorrow, then it's probably your best chance."
"H-hey, Jori-chan, that's kind of mean even for you…"
"It's the truth, isn't it? We're not shrinks, I'm just saying what I think. I'm a fighter. If I don't like something, I'll fight to change it. If I couldn't, I bet I'd do the same thing," Yanigihori said, starting to walk off. "Come on. Let's go get ice cream from that 24/7 place."
"Oh geez, um… h-hey, I hope you don't die, OK?" Emi said, starting to walk off with a wave.
"What do you mean?"
Her question as enough to make the other two girls stop. "How can I… be strong enough to change anything? I don't even get a lot to eat every day! I can't… I can't stand up to someone like that! He's even bigger than you! I… I'm weak!" And with that, the tears fell. "I'm weak."
"… Then change it."
When Hiijiri looked up from her own feet, she saw Yanigihori stare into her eyes. "I'll make a deal. Let's be friends and I can help make you stronger, OK? But if you're not serious, I'll stop being your friend," she said, as Emi laughed in response.
"That's good ol' Jori-chan for you!"
"Emi…"
"I… I…" Hiijiri began, looking down once more. "I can… be stronger…?"
"Let's start by going to your place," Yanigihori said. "I'll give you a freebie for now. Just 'cuz this was a lot more interesting than getting ice cream."
"Awww, we're not getting ice cream no more?"
"I… I'm scared…"
"That's OK," Yanigihori said, before Hiijiri lead them on.
"Where the fuck were you, you goddamn brat!? And who the fuck is these!? Hey! Get the fuck out of my house!"
Yanigihori narrowed her eyes as the drunken man approached her, as Hiijiri hid behind her.
"T-this is bad! He hits really hard when he's like this! This was a bad idea, you two get out! He'll be fine if its just me!" Hiijiri pleaded, tugging on her pants.
"… Even though I'm clearly willing to get beat up for you, you'd take it yourself? Even if you could just get out of just one beating?"
"I don't want someone who was nice to me, even if they're really weird about it, to be beat up for me!"
Yanigihori grinned.
The whiskey bottle came smashing down, colliding against Yanigihori's right arm, but she remained standing even as the bottle shattered on her.
"W… whoah…" Hiijiri said, with a gasp.
"I already like you. Let's be friends, OK?" Yanigihori said with a small smile, grabbing her father by the collar and pulling him down.
"Wh- what the fuck are you— "
He screamed as Yanigihori's fist collided with his nose, sending him back, broken and bloody. "Agh! You fucking little bitch! How fucking dare—"
It did not spare him a beating, to say the least. All Hiijiri could do was watch, stunned, as the girl her age continued to punch and kick the significantly older man, Emi giggling as it unfolded. "Amazing, isn't it? Even though we're not in highschool yet, Jori-chan can already beat up grownups easily! She's helping me get strong too… she'll totally help you, just wait and see!"
"… Strong…"
That day, just like Yanigihori before her, Hiijiri decided to stop going by her given name and instead go by her family name as well. To Takamaki, it was a declaration of a change in her life.
The day she made three vows of strength, loyalty, and friendship.
Takmaki's eyes snapped open as she ended her reminiscence, her expression contorting into a glare. "Whether or not it means hurting people like you doesn't factor into it," she said to Fumiko. "Even if I didn't dislike being around you…"
"…"
"… I made my vows," she said as she shook her head. "All of you… are just stepping stones to Yanigihori's victory. And I'm going to lay you like bricks with your limbs crippled, so you can't even grab her as she steps on you!" And with that Fumiko's look of sympathy vanished, her own glare forming as all hopes of reconciliation were immediately destroyed.
"Of course, that requires you actually defeating us, doesn't it?" Nozomi asked, a smile forming.
"I'll- UGH!" Takamaki's eyes widened as the wind was knocked out of her, looking down at seeing several cards floating by her.「Castle of Glass」was looking behind me to try to look at my blind spots, but I was looking ahead… while I was thinking to myself with my eyes closed, she set up an attack! "「Castle of-」" She coughed as a barrage of attacks began, her cards slamming forward like jet pistons, knocking her back some before the enemy Stand could create a glass barrier to defend its master. "Fuck you!"
She got her! Maki thought. It was the first noteworthy damage inflicted against her.
"Sorry, but I'm really not that kind of girl~" Nozomi teased, grinning as she stepped back. "You're outmatched and outnumbered, Hiijiri-chan," her grin did not fade at the scowl that came from using her real name. "Just let me knock you out and we can forget this ever happened, OK?"
"Don't you dare talk down to me, Tojo!"
"I'm sorry, it's a bad habit of mine, when I'm fighting someone that I know can't beat me. Forgive me, OK?"
"Imperial Glass Wrecking Ball!"
The attack, while powerful, was ultimately blocked by Nozomi, even as she was pushed back a few feet. If I can keep her agitated like this, beating her shouldn't be too hard…
"Nozomi! Give me a card!" Maki instructed, earning a nod from Nozomi as one of her cards, Strength, floated by her and was then punched by her Stand. "Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, fourth movement, Ode to Joy!"
From the newly formed music symbol a piano version of one of the most famous songs of all time blasted, and with it a new illusion. Towers of flames circled around Takamaki, the heat unbearable, but Maki frowned. Why didn't she catch fire like last time!? Could it be… Last time she had used her power unconsciously, without meaning it. Maybe I can't form an illusion directly on them? She probably stepped into the illusory fire before and that's why it was like she was on fire? She'd have to test it later, but for now she was miffed she didn't do more with this illusion, although she thought it was good to know her illusions could not be used for such a 'direct' attack either.
"Glass Arrow Barrage!"
"Not so fast!「Single Ladies,」get us out!" Fumiko instructed, the「Single Ladies」grabbing them and lifting them out of harm's way. "Oh shit-!" She gasped as she saw her enemy's Stand grow its glass fists, aiming into the air. "Tojo-senpai!"
"On it!" She yelled, 「Ace of Spades」colliding with the fists in the air, forming a Stand rush with the rapid-punching in the air. "Hiijiri-chan… I think I'm beginning to understand your Stand a bit better."
"Tch…"
"Your Stand works best on enemies on ground levels, doesn't it?" Nozomi asked. "You can't control your glass once it leaves the sphere… it's like controlling the direction of bullets after being fired by a gun, 'it's completely ridiculous.'" Nozomi claimed.
"Glass Wrecking Ball!" And Takamaki's next attack launched into the air, but it shot slower and fell faster as well.
"You need to 'charge' more energy, don't you? Velocity and all that… it's easy for you if it's on the ground, but in the air, you'd need more energy to counteract gravity," Nozomi explained. Not that its still not deadly, especially when she shoots them as a bunch of shards of glass… Without a defensive power like my Stand, I'd never take it head-on! It'll still be a little while before Elichi arrives…
"Your observations don't mean anything, Tojo," Takamaki challenged. "My Stand is still more than enough for the three of you. Defensive power, cheap tricks, and floating around… There's nothing my「Castle of Glass」cannot break through!"
"Hey, guys…" It was Fumiko who turned to Nozomi and Maki, as they remained in the air. "I have… I have a plan! Keep her distracted for me! I know I may be new at this… b-but I really think I have a good idea!"
"Drop me and Maki," Nozomi instructed, and once Maki nodded in response Fumiko dropped her new friends.
"Facing me head on? Good," Takamaki said. "Imperial Glass Wrecking Ball!"
Nozomi glared as she was forced to protect herself from another devastating attack. I thought most Bound Stands weren't that good at direct offense… her's is overwhelming! "M-Maki!?" Nozomi's eyes widened as she saw Maki sprint around the side, circling around her. "Idiot, at least tell me first!"
"You're a fool," Takamaki said, readying her next attack. "Your Stand isn't anything worth noting. All it can do is hide behind illusions like a coward."
"Maybe its not as impressive as the other Stands around me… or even the Stands of the rest of μ's," Maki admitted. "I've been forced to stay on the sidelines until now, so maybe I don't know what I'll do! But I know one thing… you 'absolutely won't kill us,' isn't that right?"
"Of course not. Yanigihori would never forgive us if we do," Takamaki said.
"That's all I need…"
Nozomi's eyes widened as she saw her glare down. She… she's going to use herself as a distraction!? That's too dangerous! You don't know the full extent of Minami's healing abilities! She thought to herself in frustration. "Maki! Whatever you're thinking, don't do it! Let me take control!"
Maki's Stand slammed its fist into the ground with enough force to crack it, but leaving behind a musical symbol nonetheless. "Liz Story's Wedding Rain. It's a personal favorite of mine, so enjoy it, Takamaki."
"What are you planning, Nishi… ah…!?"
"Considering how loyal you seem to be, I thought you'd enjoy it," Maki said, shaking her head.
"You're slacking off, Takamaki. What's wrong with you? Worthless!"
There were nearly a dozen illusions of Yanigihori, standing tall and proud, arms crossed and glaring in disgust at Takamaki. I see… Nozomi realized she had misunderstood Maki's intentions in that moment. You're not reckless in the same way Kousaka is, are you? This is a Stand that truly fits you… You wanted to make sure no matter how angry she was, she wouldn't try outright murdering us, then?
"Y… you…!" Takamaki's face contorted in pure rage, facing over the girl who was glaring her down. But before she attacked her, the illusions spoke once more, attacking her very psyche. "Shut up! Shut up shut up shut up! You're not her you're not her you're not her- SHUT UP!" She screamed, letting out another Arrow Barrage at the illusions in frustration. Even though Maki had no idea of the sheer extent of her loyalty to her boss, her gambit had paid off: Takamaki was too consumed by a mixture of rage and horror to focus on her true enemies, and the beginning of her downfall had begun.
「Castle of Glass」was now completely focused on its master's target. Even if it had noticed the first and third year approaching her it would not have screamed to warn her; and it was not until she was hovering in the air did she realize what was happening. "What the hell!?" She yelled, noticing several「Single Ladies」grabbing her and lifting her did she realize what was happening. "S-shit!" In this position, it was impossible for her Stand to attack the small individual targets. "L-let me down, dammit!"
Fumiko grinned. "Hey, if that's what you want… 'cuz everything that comes up…"「Single Ladies」now instead increased Takamaki's weight instead of making her lighter, and was even "pushing" down on her, refusing to let go. "Has to come down!" She said, as Takamaki screamed as the Stand sent her crashing down on her own solid Stand.
"D… Dammit…" Takamaki groaned, happy to at least see the illusions of Yanigihori dropped.
She felt a hand on her shoulder, looking over to see Maki's Stand. And then, a swift punch to her head… a new musical symbol forming on her. "I feel like testing something… Let's see…" Maki closed her eyes, thinking to when her Stand first materialized and played on the piano for her. Now, she remembered its name properly. "Beethoven's Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor…" Maki opened her eyes. "「Fur Elise.」"
Takamaki coughed as smoke seemingly filled the area around her, attacking her lungs despite it not being real. However, nobody else was affected by the illusion, for only she could hear the music from the musical symbol placed directly on her. And as such, she was the only one blinded by illusory smoke. "Dammit! 「Castle of Glass!」What are you waiting for!? … 「Castle of Glass!?」"
"I'm borrowing him for a bit~" Fumiko cooed, smirking. Several of the「Single Ladies」had latched onto both halves of「Castle of Glass,」lifting it into the sky and leaving it unable to fight back. "Sorry! It is a pretty cool Stand, to be honest… Too bad you have it!"
"N… no way…!"
Maki had「Fur Elise」call off the illusion, just so Takamaki could see the first and third year right next to her.
"Next time, Nishikino, I would recommend you save experimentation for after the fight…"
"Hey, I'm new to this, alright?" Maki said, looking at her enemy. "At least we can agree to end this now, right?"
"That would be wise~"
"You two… You won't ever win! Its one thing if you beat me… but Yanigihori is on a whole other level! It doesn't matter what happens- we'll get the arrow! We'll remake society in our image! Do you hear me!?" Takamaki asked, before beginning to lunge at Nozomi. "No matter what happens, we will—"
"Unfortunately, I don't care much for hearing my enemies gloat," Nozomi said. With that,「Ace of Spades」had several cards stacked on eachother, and「Fur Elise」formed a fist. And with that both Stands launched a single blow to their enemy's head, and she slumped forward, unconscious.
Yanigihori… I… forgive me…
And with that, 「Castle of Glass」turned into a harmless matryoshka doll and all the pieces of glass around them dissolved into nothing, and the girls knew the fight was truly over.
"That was intense…" Maki said, recalling her own Stand. "Are these fights usually these intense?"
"Sometimes, sometimes a little less, sometimes a little more… I'll admit, her Stand was more ferocious than most. Versatile and powerful… at the least, I never expected such power from a Bound Stand," Nozomi said, as Fumiko approached as well. "You performed well, both of you, for someone who's never fought before… All three of our Stands were instrumental in defeating her."
"I… I'm so confused… Maki-chan, she really wants to hurt μ's?" She asked, concerned. "I'm just… I'm sooooo confused, what the hell was all of that!?"
"I… Uh…" Maki bit on her lip, trying to think of a way to answer, but Nozomi put her hands on their shoulders.
"I think its best if all of μ's together helped explain it. She might be out for a few hours, but I think an explanation when you're all in a controlled environment would be better," she said, approaching the unconscious girl.
"You said… you could do something if we knocked her out, right?" Maki asked, and Nozomi nodded. Nozomi's tarot cards hovered over the unconscious girl, but front side up. They glowed with the energy of a Stand remained so for a few moments, and then flipped so their backs were up: kanji on the back of the cards now. "Whoah!"
"It is only with cards of the tarot that my「Ace of Spades」can reach its full potential," Nozomi said. "The tarot is tied to fate… and our souls tether us to fate. When my target is unconscious, with the tarot, I can manipulate this tie to their souls to read through memories and obtain information," Nozomi said, looking through. "And… there it is. The Arrow Hunters' base. The abandoned Honda Warehouse on the Tokyo Bay," she observed. "We have what we need to mount an offense now…"
"Good work, Nozomi," the new voice surprised Maki and Fumiko, who saw Eli walking towards them. "I was surprised you took her down before I got here. I thought you were going on the defense?"
"I… Is that really the prez!? She's a part of this too!?" Fumiko whispered to Maki, who nodded in response.
"Well, they helped me, so we were able to deal with the situation before you arrived," Nozomi said, smiling at Eli. "Takamaki's Stand was far more powerful than I ever thought… There's a chance I might have been defeated if it was just me before you had a chance to arrive."
"You should have just waited altogether. Well, at least this is simpler," Eli said, looking at the unconscious girl, and then at Maki and Fumiko. "I shouldn't be too surprised. Is everyone connected to Kousaka a Stand user?"
"I-I'm still really in the dark about most of this!" Fumiko said, waving her hands. "Why do they want to attack μ's so badly!? I've known Honoka, Umi, and Kotori for a long time now… and Maki is my friend too, I can't just stay quiet when my friends are in danger, even if it's dangerous!"
"At the very least… all of us of μ's are Stand users now," Maki said to Eli. "We're finally bringing an end to this, aren't we, Ayase?"
"Yes," Eli said. "The time has finally come. We'll defeat them, recover the arrow… and then, everyone will be safe once more," she said. "Justice is going to prevail."
"And will μ's be a part of this, Ayase?" Maki was one of the few who was not intimidated by the Student Council President, and it showed. "I know the location too. Will you work with μ's? Or do you still think we're so under you we don't have a right to fight?"
Eli was quiet for a moment. "Your dancing is still a joke," she said. "But… I'll cooperate with you still, for this battle," she said. "Tomorrow, after school. When μ's meets to spar, we'll begin the attack. Tell all your fellow Idols about it. You should arrive to school early to speak with μ's to fill you in on the situation," as she said the last sentence she turned to Fumiko, who gulped and nodded. "Then we have nothing left to discuss. Let's go before she regains consciousness," Eli said, Nozomi trailing after her. Eli did not look back, but Nozomi turned back to smile and wave.
"That brings our numbers to ten now, Elichi. Assuming Fumiko-san wants to join…"
"We'll probably need it to deal with those last two, and whoever they bring back to fight back," Eli said. "Akeno and Miano probably won't participate, but that Kobayashi's Stand is meddlesome if she does… And I'm confident even with her injuries that Takamaki will participate as well."
"Isn't it exciting, in a weird way?" Nozomi asked. "Putting one fight behind us, so we can think of the fights ahead… I think its exhilarating~"
"Justice will prevail, and that's what matters," Eli said, looking at the sky overhead. "And then, eventually, we'll even take Wakaki down, and whatever masters she serves."
Even if she had to fight forever and ever, she would never forgive anyone that unleashed such a horrible monster on the world.
Stand: Castle of Glass
User: Hiijiri Takamaki
Status: KNOCKED OUT (yearning for a rematch)
"… Maki-chan and Fumiko-chan are Stand users…" Honoka said once the group had heard the tale of Maki and Fumiko the next morning.
The Idol Study Club's classroom went quiet as they processed it all. With this, every single member of μ's was now a Stand user, and now had an outside ally in the form of Fumiko. And now, they knew where the Arrow Hunters were headquarted. It felt like the end of something. All the girls went quiet, but Honoka broke the silence once more. "Fumiko-chan… you know, you don't have to be a part of this. We're in this too deep, but you still have a chance to walk away from it," she said with a smile, but Fumiko shook her head.
"This is all shocking… that you've all been through so much in such a short while…" Fumiko had been dead silent as μ's explained the situation until then, gasping in horror at realizing one of her most precious friends had been forced to kill in self-defense, and had fought off so many horrible people since then. But she had taken in every word, and had come to a decision. "I'm not gonna join μ's or anything, but… I mean, they know who I am too! Even if I didn't care about you girls, I'm in it now too! And… I want to help my precious friends, and the heroes who want to save the school!" She declared, earning some smiles from around the room.
"Right… we'll win, no matter what! All of us together!" Honoka declared, pumping a fist in the air as she nearly jumped from her seat. "We formed this group to save this school! And no matter how much our mission changes… we will see through our goals together! All for one, and one for all! Do you all understand!?"
"Yes!" The other girls cried out in unison, standing upright as well, their auras forming around them. "I believe in us! I believe we can beat Yanigihori! I believe we'll succeed in anything we put our minds too! Sound off…" She said, grinning. More than anything, she wanted the girls to be inspired, to be filled with determination despite the hardest battles awaiting ahead. "「All Star!」"
"「Sleepy Storm!」"
"「Kaze ni Notte!」"
"「Fur Elise!」"
"「Momoiro Clover!」"
"「Cat Scratch Fever!」"
"「Circus!」"
"「Single Ladies!」"
For some reason, to Honoka, it felt strangely incomplete, but she ignored that feeling for now. "For now, let's just go about our days as usual… At the end of the day, we'll talk with the President and Tojo-senpai what to do next," she said. "For now… consider us dismissed!" It had been a rather quiet conversation with little input, but it was an important one.
"… Rin, hold up," Honoka said, following after the girl as the left the classroom. "Even before all this, you seemed… really shaken up by something. Is everything alright?" She asked her junior, who looked up at her with a frown. "Its OK, you can tell me."
"… its Ayase-san…" Rin said after a few moments. "Ayase… I went to Cinderella this morning, but she wasn't there. I asked around. She's… she's in the hospital with really bad injuries… I know her Stand isn't an offensive one, but it could still defend her in a pinch…"
Honoka was also now worried.
However, Maki chose to remain in the classroom even after everyone else had left. She sat down her backpack, taking out an envelope and the paper inside. She and Omine wrote back and forth to one-another, but she hadn't sent anything lately. Even before her Stand awakening, she had felt it more difficult than usual for some reason, and it frustrated her. But, she thought of all the strength that her friend had given her in the past, and remembered it was just not about her. Omine had been in pain when they had parted ways, and if there was anything she had come to learn in that one fight, it was that it was not enough to just be strong for herself; she had to be strong for her friends as well.
To Omine,
I'm sorry I haven't written to you lately. I hope Nagasaki has been well to you! I've been having a really difficult time over here. My dad grounded me and took my phone, and things with the Idol club I told you about in my other letters has gotten more chaotic… I'm not at liberty to share everything, but there's some people who really don't like us and want to make trouble for us.
I miss you. You were my only friend, and I miss you. And I really don't want you to think I've forgotten you just because I have new friends! I want to see you again. I want to hang out with you again. And I really hope you've made lots of new friends too! I still hope I can see your fancy school one day, that you can show me around. And honestly? I really want to show you Otonokizaka. I'm beginning to understand why you wanted to come here more and more every day I'm here. I really wish you were here to be honest. I think you'd love μ's a lot, and they'd love you.
You give me strength. Friends give me strength. μ's gives me strength, but even though you're not here, thinking of you gives me strength. And I can't help but hope that somehow, someway, I give you strength too. No matter how far we are, it's like we're connected, and I wish there was a way to send my love straight to you. But this letter is the best I can do, isn't it?
I miss you. But at the same time, I'm not sad. We'll meet again and soon, and we'll laugh and laugh until we can't laugh anymore. I hope you're just as excited for it as I am.
Maki felt a single tear roll down her face as she finished the letter to the first person she ever loved, even if it was shorter than she thought. But even as it fell, she smiled.
"We'll attack tomorrow, on Saturday."
True to word, the School Idols, Student Council, and even a member of the Shogi Club assembled on the roof that night. Eli was directing the conversation, as expected. "There are multiple ways we can enter this warehouses, it had entrances on all sides. I and Nozomi will approach from the Southern end. As there are eight of you, I recommend you enter in combinations from the other three sides that best suit your abilities with one another. I believe Kousaka, Koizumi, and Hoshizora should be one team; the three of you together have a good combination of pure offensive power, mobility, and speed. Do you object to this?"
"I do not," Honoka said.
"I really wanted to fight alongside Kayochin so that makes me happy, nya!" While Honoka and Hanayo smiled and appreciated the lightened mood, Eli was as stoic as ever.
"Sonoda, Minami, and Nikaido should form another team. None of your Stands are particularly physically powerful, but are speedy and are also good in regards to mobility. Should you have to fight Sonoda will likely be the 'heavyweight' of you in pure destructive power, but Minami's speed and ability to take a large area will compensate, and Nikaido can help maneuver herself and Sonoda in a pinch, combined with possibly disrupting enemies by lifting them up or increasing their weight. Objections?" Eli asked, and the three looked at eachother.
"That sounds about right… My Stand still drains me really rapidly, but I can get a few good attacks, and my arrows are really powerful," Umi said with a smile as she nodded.
"To be honest, I think my Stand is tougher than Umi's, but it really hates crowded, tight areas like the warehouse probably will…" Kotori said. "But the winds it can make are really strong, as are the Emerald Strikes! So… As long as we can end a fight quickly, we'll be good!"
"I still don't know exactly what I can do… but I got a pretty nice attack on Takamaki yesterday! I don't think she'd fall for it again if I had to fight her again though… but lifting up enemies like that is pretty good, so if Umi and Kotori can make a good opening for me, I'm sure I can get an awesome attack in!" Fumiko said, more confident of her abilities now.
"That leaves a final team of Yazawa and Nishikino…" The first and third year glared at eachother, but didn't say anything. "Neither of your Stands are particularly physically powerful. But both have powerful abilities capable of disorienting and confusing an enemy. If you encounter a battle, your strategy will probably revolve around confusing them and dodging their blows. Can we trust you two?
"Just watch me! A super amazing Stand like myself would never fall!" 「Circus」said, earning a groan from its user and a giggle from Honoka. Maki nodded however, willing to agree to the combination, as much as she wished a third person would be with them.
"Well, then. I think that settles it. The attack will begin at 7 AM sharp," Eli said.
"How do we know she'll be there, though?" Maki asked. "If we know where her base is and she has an idea we do, wouldn't she avoid it? Why don't we try her house or something first?"
"Because she's that kind of person," Honoka said, before Eli could respond. "She knows we know where she is, I'm sure of it… and she knows we're coming for a fight. She's the kind of person that won't ever turn away from a fight, even if it is completely hopeless."
"Don't let me down, OK? I want a good fight from you. The kind of fight I won't ever forget for the rest of my life."
"She'll be there," Honoka said. "I bet she's probably been sleeping there since I met her. Which means all those still loyal to her will still be there," she said, looking over to Eli. "Isn't that right?" She asked, and the third year nodded.
"It all comes together tomorrow. All the fighting will pay off. Justice is going to prevail, the Arrow Hunters will be crushed, and you girls will be able to preform your dancing and sleep in peace at last," Eli said, beginning to walk away.
"We still want your help, you know," Honoka said, watching her stop. "We still want you to be our dance instructor."
Eli said nothing as she walked off.
"Do you really think she'll come around, Honoka?" Umi asked with a frown. "She barely tolerates our existence as it is…"
"I'm sure she will," Honoka said, smiling back. "With every fiber of my being, I'm sure she will."
"I'm sorry I failed…"
Yanigihori stroked Takamaki's hair as she lied in the bed next to her. Her injuries were not too severe thankfully, but Yanigihori had still been beyond shocked upon learning of her defeat, and more than that, incredibly worried for her. "Don't talk like that. You know the thing I value most is loyalty… you fought so hard for me and my ideals. You should be proud, Takamaki."
Takamaki groaned, shifting a bit in the bed. One day of rest had helped her recover some, but she was still dreadfully sore, and she knew she would likely not be fighting at 100% when she forced herself to battle the next day. Still though, she could not help but be thankful they chose not to attack on Friday; it had given her enough time to recover enough…
"Don't strain yourself. I still think you should stay low and rest when the fighting happens," Yanigihori admitted. "Rest easy for your service."
"I want to fight though," Takamaki said, looking up at the hand stroking her head. "Isn't it your philosophy to never prevent someone who wishes to fight from fighting?"
"Of course it is. But I can still recommend you don't," she said. "You've always fought and worked the hardest ever since we found you that night… Even though my words back then weren't exactly kind," she said with a sigh. She was 12 back then, now she would've approached that delicate situation with more tact… it embarrassed her to think about it.
"If you had been kinder, I would have jumped," Takamaki said. "You saved me. Even though I still live with the pig, he never talks to me or anything… and I could kick his ass if he ever tried anything. You saved my life, and I owe you a lifedebt I'll never repay. And I've decided; I want to at least try to pay it off by fighting for you."
Yanigihori sighed. It was a cold night in the warehouse, with only a few space heaters to warm up the long-abandoned building. But still, when around her allies, it always felt warm. "What is it that you truly want…? I promised I'd deliver you all a perfect world once I obtain the arrow. You're the only one who won't tell me what you want from the arrow's power when we remake Japan."
"You'll know when the time is right," Takamaki said with a small grin, looking up at her best friend. "I promise…"
"I'll be heading to bed. They'll probably be here early…" Perhaps even earlier, if the plan for her final strike worked. "Goodnight, Takamaki."
"Good, Yanigihori," she said with a smile, closing her eyes and beginning to slumber off. Yes, all the Arrow Hunters had been promised the same thing; that when they obtained the arrow and its power, Yanigihori would remake Japan in their image, and she would give them all a promise. Kobayashi yearned for her insect museum, Akeno for revenge against the yakuza and Miano for a castle to live in, and that backstabbing bitch Wakaki had just asked for 'fun times' ahead. Yet, neither Takamaki nor Emi had talked about their wish. They both knew their own wishes (and not the wishes of the other either), but Yanigihori did not, and they knew it frustrated their friend to no end… and despite it all, Takamaki could not help but have just a little pleasure in it.
For you to live in a world you are happy to live in, from the bottom of my heart this is all I have ever yearned for, Yanigihori… as long as that happens, my wish has been granted.
Indeed, that Friday night was a busy one all throughout Tokyo. In the Yoshida Conglomerate Tokyo HQ, Yoshikage Kira prepared a video conference, his faithful secretary by his side, as the international leaders of the Yoshida Conglomerate began their weekly meeting.
"Thank you for your time, gentlemen," he began in English. From his laptop's screen he could see well over two dozen people representing the Yoshida Conglomerate from all four corners of the world gathered, all mics and webcams turned on with a sole single exception: the president of the Italian branch was muted with no webcam enabled, as he always did. "Before we begin, I would like to give thanks to the Italian branch for their completion of the prototype Red Arrow, which has allowed the Tokyo branch to continue its development on the Greatest Concert," he said. But as always, there was no response. "With this project completed, we hope to hear from the head doctor soon on his plans to return to Japan to continue research on the Evolution Project," Kira said, an annoyed town in his voice… and a scowl when there was no response. If that sick bastard was here, maybe he could start making some real progress again…
"The CEO isn't here again?" The president of the New York branch replied, clearly annoyed. "This is the ninth meeting in a row he wasn't here!"
"Yamazaki-sama is an incredibly busy man, more than any of us. Do not forget, he is planning the genesis of a new society," Kira said, barely able to mask his own frustration with the CEO. "It would be wise not to speak ill of him, Alexander."
"Is there even anything new to discuss? It feels the last few meetings everything has slowed down… The Brazilian branch has made no new developments in converting the virus from a liquid injection into gaseous form," the Brazilian branch president said. "Yoshikage has a point. With the head doctor completely focused on the Red Arrow, his expertise isn't available to the rest of us…"
The head doctor is still busy putting finishing designs to the improved Red Arrow. He will be ready to leave Italy in two or three months. Speaking of which, Yoshikage, the Tokyo branch has neglected to respond back to requests for the prototype's return to Italy.
The Italian branch's typed reply was not enough to satisfy anyone, and immediately several arguments broke out, some forgetting to speak in English in frustration. "Gentlemen, gentlemen, please!" Kira yelled into his microphone, regaining order a few moments later. I'll go down to Italy myself to drag him here if I have to, he thought bitterly to himself, taking a sip of water. "We still need the prototype arrow and you know it. The Yoshida's emissary is still using it as a weapon and collecting valuable field data. If you need it back so badly, take it up with Yamazaki-sama," he said, earning no response back. "Well, issues regarding the head doctor and his absence in Italy aside, I have come to update everyone on important news related to the Greatest Concert."
"I don't get that still. How's a bunch of teenage girls that can use Stands so important to the Evolution Project?" The Moscow branch president asked. "This sounds like a side project more than anything, yet Yamazaki-sama was devoted such immense focus on it! You've been dodging this question for weeks, Kira! It can't just be because his daughter will participate, right!?" A few murmurs began, and Kira smirked.
"I apologize for my silence on the matter. I've been under orders to keep it hushed up. However, there is something I wish to show you all. It is regarding my protégé, the head of security for our fine company, and my likely successor. Ms. Asuka, will you let him in?"
Ms. Asuka nodded, heading to the door and unlocking it. "Please come in, sir," and in walked a slender 25-year-old man with orange hair tied into a ponytail. He was dressed casually despite the importance of the occasion, in a simple brown hoodie and loose-fitting khakis.
"I apologize for calling you here on short notice. I hope the plane from Morioh wasn't too tedious," Kira said, as the man nodded.
"Is it time, sir?" The man asked, walking towards his side.
"The security chief… what was his name, again?" The Chinese branch president asked. "Kawa…?"
"Kawajiri Hayato reporting for duty, sir."
Hayato wore a cold expression as he looked into the webcam. Once a simple office employee in the Morioh office, the young man was one for a penchant for spying, and setting up hidden cameras. The boy came from unremarkable parents and according to Kira's files had never truly had friends or mentors growing up. Even as a child he was remarkably intelligent, and upon learning that he had been able to set up cameras in a building with three Stand users without them noticing for months, decided he was absolutely one to snatch up.
And Kira's gambit had been right. "Gentlemen, I want to show you footage. Several days ago, several Stand users battled the Yoshida's emissary in what will one day be Yoshida Stadium. Of course, it was a Stand battle. Please pay close attention to the following video," he said, playing the fight caught by the active cameras to all. Of course, even to the Stand users present (of which only included roughly half the attending businessmen), it just looked like a bunch of girls running around dodging imaginary attacks.
"So what? Even us Stand users can't see it. Normal electronics don't show Stands… are you wasting our time?" "Alexander" asked, clearly annoyed.
"Mr. Kawajiri, if you would be so kind?"
"「Violent Pornography.」"
A small glow enveloped Hayato as he touched the computer itself, his Stand aura extending to the laptop as well. He saw no reason to fully manifest his own Stand, just a sliver of its power was enough.
"Hey… no way…!" Alexander nearly gasped in shocked, and once more the stream broke into nearly a dozen different languages as the video itself changed, fully showing the Stands of the combatants to all watching, even those without Stands could clearly see the Stands themselves now and how they fought.
"Gentlemen. This is what will help prepare the Greatest Concert, and even more importantly, the Queen's Game that will come before that… and the revelations that will be made to the world at large, in time," Kira said.
How fortunate he was, to have this man under his wing!
"It's getting really exciting! Kira's starting to make his moves… and then the head doctor in Italy too, and that entire branch in general! Everything's gonna start really taking off soon…"
"And those girls?"
"Tomorrow is when they'll face off with Yanigihori once and for all! One way or another, either μ's or the Arrow Hunters will be wiped out tomorrow… and I'm going to place my bets on the Arrow Hunters' defeat. I'm confident… there's 'no way' they can possible beat μ's. But even if they do… well, you know, right?"
"Stand users attract other Stand users. No matter who wins, they will soon come into battle with the Yoshida Conglomerate. Specifically, with Kira. You understand your orders, do you?"
"Of course, Yamazaki-sama… I'll keep a close eye on everything for now! I gotta say, I'm really itching to have another shot at those girls again!"
"Observe for the time being alone, Wakaki."
And Yamazaki hung up, leaving Wakaki alone as she lied on the rooftop of the Tokyo branch headquarters, grinning up at the starry sky against her. "Honoka, Jori… you two better get ready! 'Cuz at the end of the day, you're just getting used to the world of Stands… whichever one of you wins, its time you learned how terrifying our world can be! When your opponents stop holding back and want you dead as a doorknob!"
And with that, she laughed.
"Whichever one of you wins, there's gonna be a world of hell waiting for you all, the likes of which you've never seen! Kyahahahahahahahaha!"
Wakaki loved being a Stand user, from the bottom of her heart…
"Alright… that should be enough…"
Hanayo looked at the backpack she was preparing. It was filled with Band-Aids, Tylenol, gauze and wrapping… anything she thought would be useful for treating an injury quickly. Her parents were gone that weekend, but she still decided to tell them that she and her Idol friends had decided on a super early Saturday session for the upcoming open house. She felt sad about lying to them, but she couldn't put them in danger with the truth either…
"I think that's it…" She said with a gulp and sigh. She was so nervous thinking about it, but when she summoned her Stand and fought, she knew she would be courageous. "Alright, Hanayo. Time to sleep, you go ta long day ahead of you…"
Just as she lied down, she noticed the color seem to distort in the air in front of her. "E… eh?" She sat up, trying to get a closer look. Is something wrong my glasses?
She had no time to react as a rift opened in the air, a hand extending forward and stabbing her in the shoulder. "E… eh?"
"Heeeeeeey, Hanayo-chan~" A voice cooed out as another hand quickly muffled her. As「Momoiro Clover」appeared and tried to punch the figure, Hanayo's eyes widened in agony as she felt the knife stab her Stand's arm. And a few moments later from the rift came the head of Emi Suzuki, a big grin on her face.
"I came here to take you to the base early! Isn't that exciting!"
She was surprised Yanigihori had come up with a plan this dirty, it wasn't her style, but hey- Emi wasn't complaining!
Next time on Honoka's Bizarre Adventure!
Chapter 20: Yanigihori's Last Stand -First Blow- (Part 1)
Stand profile: Nozomi Tojo
Stand name: Ace of Spades
Namesake: Motorhead song of the same name
Type: Bound Stand
Stand cry: None
Appearance/Personality: As a Bound Stand, the Stand's appearance is tied to whatever cards Nozomi attaches it too. If they're standard suit cards, it will possess those cards without altering their appearance, tarot cards will have their art remained unchanged, etc etc. As a result, this Stand is visible to everyone, including non-Stand users.
Unsurprisingly, the Stand has no personality of its own.
Abilities:
• Card Manipulation: Ace of Spades' primary ability is to allow Nozomi to infuse cards with Stand energy, allowing her to freely manipulate them at will. Once playing cards of any kind are infused with Nozomi's Stand she can control them using her mind, making them a surprisingly versatile weapon in her highly trained hands. While she can control a maximum of 100 cards at a given time, after 22 or so cards the power starts to become diluted as its spread throughout so many cards and its offensive power begins to weaken, although its high defensive power remains.
The freedom Nozomi has in controlling her cards allows her to swiftly alter between defensive and offensive techniques, from using them as a shield to sending them flying at her enemies at high speeds. Like most Bound Stands the infused target becomes incredibly tough, virtually indestructible and even able to withstand powerful attacks from other Stands. By using the edges these cards are like extremely sharp blades, and by using the front and back (preferred so as to be non-lethal) they can be used for very powerful bludgeoning attacks: by stacking several cards on one another and having them go back and forth like a piston Nozomi can attack her opponents in the way short-range Stands tend to do, and can also use the cards as a mode of transportation by being on top of moving cards. The range of this manipulation is 50 feet, at which point her Stand no longer reaches her cards and they revert back to normal cards.
Certain kinds of cards affect this Stand's offense and defense. Using cards from games like Yu-Gi-Oh! and Magic: The Gathering will cause the cards to become either slightly more powerful or have even stronger defenses (impressive as its Durability is already incredibly high) depending on the stats of those cards, but the cards do not gain any noteworthy powers like the effects the cards have in their game. However...
• Tarot reading: It is only when Ace of Spades is infused with the cards of the tarot (Major and Minor) that its true power is truly realized. As it is believed that the Tarot can be used to divine fate, and fate is linked to the soul, when infused with Tarot cards Ace of Spades gains several new abilities.
The first of these abilities is reading fate. Much like a fortuneteller with the Tarot, Nozomi can use her Stand to make predictions in people's fortunes and futures, but not her own. As these cards are tethered to fate itself these prophecies are significantly much more accurate than a standard prediction and can usually be read as a fact; but it is not impossible to defy fate and change the future once one has been made aware of this.
The second is the ability to read minds and memories. As fate is linked to the soul, and Stands are an extension of the soul, Nozomi can use the power of her Stand tap into the power of fate and thus form a link to the target's soul, allowing her to use the cards to read her opponent's memories and knowledge, causing the kanji to materialize on the cards she can then read. However, a target must be asleep or unconscious for this to work, even if someone were to give their consent while awake the ability would fail.
Stats:
• Destructive Power: C
• Speed: B
• Range: C
• Precision: A
• Durability: A
• Development Potential: C
Stand profile: Maki Nishikino
Stand name: Fur Elise
Namesake: Beethoven composition "Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor (WoO 59, Bia 515)" usually referred to as "Fur Elise"
Type: Close-range Stand
Stand cry: None
Appearance/Personality: Fur Elise takes on the form of a feminine figure wearing a masculine white tuxedo tail jacket with a red tie, long white pants, and dark dress shoes. Its face is obscured by a half-white-half-black mask, with only its left red eye visible. It also has red hair, tied into a ponytail.
On the back of its fists are musical single bar notes, that glow when its power is activated. Once something is punched to activate Fur Elise's powers, musical notes appear on the target.
Fur Elise has exhibited traits of minor intelligence, asking Maki "Did you enjoy it?" after first being manifested while playing the piano. It asks this questions on occasion, often when playing music for non-combative purposes. If told no, it expresses minor disappointment and apologizes, but bows when told its music was enjoyed. It does not appear capable of advanced rational thought however, and is otherwise completely dependent on Maki's will to function.
Abilities:
• Musical manipulation, musical hallucination: When Fur Elise punches something, it can create a musical symbol that will generate classical music that Maki is familiar with. The closer to a target it is, the more pronounced its hallucinations and internal attacks will be.
The Stand's power revolves on the concept of subliminal messaging. Like all sound, the music is essentially vibrations in the air that is registered by the ear drums, which the brain understands as electrical impulses. However, even though it sounds exactly like normal music, there are "hidden messages" that the brain will register upon hearing it, which will then manipulate the target's brain of attack its own human's senses to create ultra-realistic illusions capable of all five senses. However, due to the nature of the Stand, the illusions will immediately disappear if they no longer hear the song in an instant. Furthermore, this attack is usually not capable of differentiating between friend and foe, and will usually attack everyone that can hear it equally unless a treble cleff symbol is put directly on the opponent's body: if an opponent is punched by the Stand and it can put a musical note directly on their person, only they will experience the illusion.
While Maki is aware of the illusions, she alone can fully recognize they are just illusions and will suffer no drawbacks, such as feeling no pain if she steps over an illusory fire.
As the Stand essentially attacks the organ that controls all our perceptions and actions, it is likely there are more applications for the music creation once the user gains more more familiarity with using her Stand.
• Piano playing: While not useful for battle, the Stand is incredibly skilled at playing the piano, perhaps even moreso than its user. Would be a fun trick at a party if you claimed it was a self-playing piano.
Stats:
• Destructive Power: D
• Speed: B
• Range: C
• Precision: C
• Durability: B
• Development Potential: A
Aaaaand here we go, yeah! I actually had a bit of a writer's block working on this tbh; this chapter came a lot harder to me than most chapters. But, nontheless, here we are!
The time has finally come for the final battles with the Arrow Hunters at long last, but it was Yanigihori who got the preemptive strike! Now, I'm gonna be honest, the next chapter might take a little long for me to get up too. For my story I have a bullet point outline of the events, and while I know the major events of this arc of course, I'm more behind on my outlining than I like to admit; and I want these chapters as the conclusion to this arc to be something worth taking pride in, not winging. But, I'll be working hard to get that done quickly! So who knows; maybe I'll be able to fire them out rapid-fire like the old days... yeah probably not, but still; if it takes a little while to get the first chapter of Yanigihori's Last Stand out, my apologies!
Also, a shoutout to my girlfriend, who is able to beta my story again! So hopefully from now on there'll be less grammatical and silly mistakes too, woooo!
To make it fun, how about this; if you have any questions about HBA at all, leave them in a review and I'll answer them publicly next chapter! I might not be able to answer some things if they're too spoilery of course, but as a thanks to you all for keeping up with this and with the one-year anniversary just a month away, I think it might be fun!
Adios, everyone! And remember, of course, that every road will take us to a memory of Great Days!