My Little Pony: Friendship is a Bizarre Adventure
Part 1: ~ Phantom Shimmer ~
Episode III: The Ripple of the Sun! The Eccentric Zeppeli!
Two weeks passed since the Joestar Fire, and Twilight had spent almost every day and night nursing JoJo, to the best of her ability. The first few days were hard for her, but in time, she had gained an affinity for basic nursing. The times she would spend with her unconscious friend when not tending to his health was with books Spike and Speedwagon alone would bring in during the visitor hours. Speedwagon had said nothing upon the few times he had visited, but he couldn't help but wonder to himself each time he left with Spike.
'She hasn't moved from this room much at all, it's starting to get worrying. Even her hands show her fatigue. I ain't ever seen someone so dedicated to a person in my life.'
Spike on the other hand was as helpful as he always was. Bringing in food and books. The doctors and nurses were stunned with her performance, they let her continue, only taking over whenever she would pass out from sleep deprivation. Yet no one would ever see her return to JoJo's room. She would be there before anyone would know she had woken up. She didn't know why she was so devoted to helping like this. Admiration maybe, perhaps she felt in her a debt to pay for his sacrifice, or maybe she's gained a higher affection for him than she thought. In the end the answer didn't matter to her. At the end of the second week he had finally woke up, a groan escaping him, a sleeping Twilight at his side. As he attempted to sit up he couldn't help but hiss in pain and mutter a curse under his breath. Twilight jumped, snapping up, and looked around for a bit until she looked at JoJo who waved and smiled at her.
"Oh, hey JoJo... JOJO!"
"Hello Twil- Agh!"
She hugged him tightly, much to his unspoken suffering, yet he hugged her back regardless.
"I thought you would never wake up!"
"And give another reason for falling tears? No thank you, but more importantly, how have you been? Have you recovered, it can be dangerous for you to move when injured."
She let go of him and gave him a deadpanned expression.
"W-What? It's my fault everything there happened."
"The first thing you do when you wake up is worry about someone else?"
"... Are you alright? You look tired-"
"JoJo!"
"I-I can't help it! How is everyone else? Did they make it?"
"Spike and Speedwagon are fine, we were all worried you would never wake up..."
She dozed off, the exhaustion finally catching up to her as she began to fall. JoJo had caught her with his arm still mostly broken, which had caused her to snap at him.
"Wh- Sorry, I guess I'm a little tired. Wait, your arm-"
"Twilight, I'll support whenever you need me, anytime."
She couldn't believe this man was real, She got her footing back and sat down, a book to her face trying to hide her blush.
"If you keep moving around like that, you'll never leave the hospital, so just sit there and get better."
"Your hands... How long have you been taking care of me?"
"Uhm, for the past couple of weeks?"
"I've been out for so long!? I'm terribly sorry, you never asked for any of this when we first met."
"It all worked out in the end! We got the Element of Harmony back, Dio's gone, and we saved the world."
"We did, didn't we? But did anyone ever find the Stone Mask?"
"N-No. Spike and Speedwagon's friends went to look, they only found the Element."
"... I want to believe it's been destroyed in the fire, I truly do, but I can't rest until-"
"Yes you can and will!"
"!"
He wasn't expect a sudden outburst from her, but smiled.
"You're right. I should stay put."
"Good."
"But. You must find yourself something to do, aside from taking care of me. As grateful as I am, truly grateful, I feel that my being isn't in your life."
"Huh? WHat's that mean, JoJo?"
"I'm saying that you have your artifact. What now?"
She froze. She didn't consider that somehow, mentally berating herself, she dug in her pockets almost in a quiet panic. Searching for the shard. Her eyes widened in fear.
"I-I don't know? I can't go back home without the- What do I do!? I h-had a plan and- Now it's ruined!"
She started to pull at her hair trying to think of how to get back Equsetria. Nothing could get her back, and Spike was away with Speedwagon with no way to contact him Even then a recent horrible murderer labeled Jack the Ripper has been striking all across London at late hours. She was about to let out a scream until she was pulled into a hug JoJo.
"You'll get nowhere like this. We'll figure this out together. Heh, it's funny actually, when we met you were the ones without a place to stay. Now we're both homeless."
"... Yeah. Way to make me see the bright side. We're one step forward and two steps back. Great~"
He let go of her and laid back down, dead tired but doing his best to not show it.
"You should go to your room and prepare to leave. They will get me a new nurse."
"Okay... But I'm still coming in to check on you very now and again."
"Haha! Noted. Now if you excuse me, I'll kindly pass out now."
He closed his eyes and instantly fell fast asleep as Twilight left.
'Maybe things aren't so bad...?'
However in a nearby street the killer struck again. Carving his victim away until a dark chuckle came from behind him. Jack turned to see a cloaked man in a gloriously crafted gold wheel-chair that was being pushed by a strange smiling Chinese man. His face was nearly covered but what could be seen were horrible, ugly, burns. He pointed a claw at Jack and spoke in a raspy tone, as if the embers and ashes of the fire were still in his throat.
"You... I like you."
"Feh, you saw me! Now both of ya got's to die!"
The killer lunged ahead, not knowing he was a mere pawn in a rather big game. As sunrise came Twilight left the hospital, with Spike and Speedwagon waiting for her. Spike had a royal letter in his hand and handed it over.
"Dear Princess Twilight, by the time you have received this letter then the wheels are in motion. The shard is at a castle in city not too far from your current location at London. You will need the aid of an ally waiting for you at the remains of the Joestar Manor. Do not be afraid of him, no matter his tendencies, he is a very important ally and should be met within this exact date. And stay by the side of Jonathan Joestar, no one is safe by any means, not yet. yours, Princess Celestia. Who is she talking about? And why this date?"
"Better question, how does she know all that? That's today!"
"I should show this to JoJo, but she did say post haste..."
Speedwagon eyes lit up as he grinned brightly.
"He's awake Ms. Sparkle!?"
"Yeah, and he sure is a sturdy guy, but I don't think you can visit him right now."
"What? Why not!?"
"The new nurse won't let anyone that isn't a doctor in."
"What?! We'll see about that!"
He stomped off with his cane as Twilight stared at the letter.
"It, just doesn't make sense how she knows these things."
"Maybe she found a new way to check on all of us? At least you get stick with your boyfriend~!"
"S-Spike!"
"I saw you two~ hugging and stuff! You can't tell me it isn't like that after all the mushy stuff you two did yesterday."
"Were you spying on us!? What were you doing out so late?!"
"Well I was coming to deliver the letter and all, but then-"
"There's a killer out there at night!"
"Aw relax Twi, all our luck is finally turning around! I bet the shard will make it's way back to us instead of us going to it!"
"Ugh, I worry about you sometimes, you know that?"
"That's what he said- Mphnf!"
She put a hand over his mouth as he let out muffled giggles. Speedwagon came back with a calm and even joyful expression.
"Well, he's in good hands again, it's someone he knew from years ago. It's funny how fate works."
"Hey, Speedwagon? Can we stop by the manor? I want to check the area myself."
"Huh? What for?"
"I just want to see if there's something there we can learn."
He shrugged as they in his SpeedMobile, the name he gave his rather fancy yet rickety automobile, and sped off to the charred remains of the Joestar Mansion. They wandered around the once great structure, echoes of Dio's screeches and the roaring of the fires entered their minds. A path lined with a stone a river was there. As they waked on the path, Twilight felt something, eyes watching them, yet there was a sudden warmth she felt. She turned and saw a man sitting on the stone fence. A white dress suit with an extremely fancy top hat. She stared at him for a bit.
"Twi, what's up? Is someone behind us?"
"I think..."
The man began to walked away as the other two turned, missing him.
"I don't see anyone, Ms. Sparkle."
"That's because you're looking in the wrong direction, sonny."
Spike jumped at the sudden voice behind them as they all turned immediately. There he was with a sandwich in hand and a grin on his lips as he sat cross legged on the stones.
"Tis a pleasure to meet you all. I'll assume that the young girl is Twilight Sparkle? Kind of a strange name, I must say."
"I am, why?"
"I've come bearing a gift for you and your friend Jonathan Joestar!"
He leapt with his knees alone, high in the air at an amazing speed, and flew with his pinky reached out. He struck Twilight, shoving his hand into her gut, causing her to exhale greatly. She couldn't breathe nor could she yelp in pain, only double over with wide eyes.
"That's it! Let all the air out of your lungs! If I'm right, and I always am, you'll be just fine!"
"Twilight! Hey, what the heck was that for!?"
"Bastard! Hitting a girl fresh out of the hospital!?"
"Don't get your panties tied in a tube-knot lads. In fact she'll be up and bench pressing the two of you in three, two, now."
There was a shock all in her body, she convulsed a bit, but then found it not just easy to breathe. No. It felt great to breathe. All the exhaustion she had was gone. She felt better than ever as she stood up in utter confusion.
"What, what just happened, what did you do?"
"I just pushed the air out of your lungs, you did the breathing. Feel better now?"
"I-I feel great! I can lift this heavy rock! I can lift Spike without feeling any weight!"
"Hey that's not funny, you carry me around almost everywhere."
"I can even lift Speedwagon over my head!"
"PUT ME DOWN-"
"HaHa! I told you she'd be bench pressing the two of you!"
"What kind of magic is this?"
"Well first things first, young lady. The name's Zeppeli. William A. Zeppeli. And if you really wanna know what that strange power is, then follow me down to the river."
He took out small bottle of pepper and dashed it on the sandwich, however the to had slipped, and he sneezed with enough force to push him bac and fall over the fence. Twilight ran over and looked over the fence but found nothing.
"What part of river don't any of you get? This way young'uns~!"
He was behind them all and already made his way to the hill. Where Spike nd Twilight had woken up from.
"He's very, energetic."
"You mean extremely eccentric?"
"Maybe this is the man the Princess was talking about!"
She ran after him with Spike and Speedwagon looking at each other with a shrug. Mr. Top Hat was in the river, a stone in front of him. He was breathing slowly and deeply, she had noticed the strange ripples coming from him.
"So you wanted to know what how I helped you out, eh?"
"Yes that'd be very much appreciated-"
"But then I wouldn't be able to do this."
A frog jumped onto the stone as he slammed his fist right on top of it. Bolts of some kind of energy flickered and traveled through his body, into the frog, and then the stone which had shattered. The frog however was as unscathed and hopped away.
"This is Sendo. Or The Ripple. Or Hamon, it has like four other names, I don't care which one you use. And guess what kid! I'm gonna teach it to you and your friend, JoJo."
"What? But, why?"
"Because, Dio Brando, is still alive."
The group all had a similar reaction to one another. Blood ran cold, hearts beating faster, and the color of their skins paling.
"...n-no...no way."
"But I could've sworn... Nothing should've survived that fire!"
"Still... Still alive?"
"I'm sorry to say to tell ya this but, he's immortal. Nothing can kill him but the Sun. However, the Ripple, Sendo is essentially using the power of the Sun through the ripples in our bodies. Our breath and blood are connected and with this special technique, one can utilize this to create an energy, a rippling effect. One similar to the light waves produced by our very own star! Essentially, you're punchin' with the power of the Sun created by your own body."
"So, there's a chance of beating him for good, right?"
"Why else would I be here? Do you really think I go around giving this power to anybody? Psh, I'm amazed you stood up to be frank. It's not just giving but if they can take it, and you look like you can take it for a, wee lass."
She plopped down almost shaking next to a patch of grass. She placed her hand over it and flowers begin to sprout and bloom new life. Zeppeli was shocked by that.
'The Ripple is still inside her?! Amazing, she, she maybe a natural Ripple user! I would've never guessed it.'
"I don't want to even think of that guy... But I'll do it if I have to! And I'll have friends to help me out."
"Right behind you, Twilight!"
"You can always count on the Reassuring Speedwagon, Ms. Sparkle!"
"Bravery is one thing, child. Astonishingly you're much more proficient in the Ripple than I gave you credit for, but there much you have to learn."
"I'll do it. Any challenge, any lesson you have, I'll do it. I'm not afraid."
"You will be, you will be, highlander."
They had taken him into town to see and heal JoJo. However as they got to his room in the hospital the nurse refused to let them, giving them all cold stares.
"Visiting hours are over."
"Lady, we just got here as they started, and we must see Mr. Joestar!"
"Then come by at a later date. He's in no condition to see anyone."
She closed and locked the door with a sigh coming from Speedwagon.
"I guess we'll have to wait until he recovers."
"Ahaha~! No."
Zeppeli punched through the wood and opened it on the other side. He gave a shrug to the irate nurse with a cocky grin.
"It really is that important we had to break in."
"You're the one who's breaking and entering"
"Shut up, boy. Now then, let's have a look at what we got here."
He walked over to JoJo and eyed him a bit. The wounded man groaning as he woke up from the sudden commotion. Twilight had noticed the bowl of water next to the bed, ripples already forming on the surface.
"Ah... What's happening? Who are you?"
"That depends. How would you like some good news, god awful news, and then some great news?"
"I... I don't know? Are you a doctor, if so I'll take the good news first."
"You're gonna learn how to punch with the power of the Sun."
He stretched his arm out and with a thumb pointing down at JoJo's gut.
"Excuse me?"
"HA!"
Zeppeli did the same as he did with Twilight. JoJo eyes widening and the bandages for his wounds coming apart as he convulsed, the Ripple energy coursing through him. The nurse shrieked.
"You break into a hospital, only to harm a heavily injured man!?"
"Don't get your bra strap tied round your waist, lass, I only helped him out. See look, you were getting worried over nothing, might wanna loosen your corset or whatever is blocking the blood getting to your brain."
Indeed he was beginning to sit up, no, he stood up from his bed amazed as he stared at his hands.
"What is this feeling? I-I feel phenomenal! But my wounds, I shouldn't be able to move in months!"
"That's great to hear, kid. However you may want to cover yourself up. I mean, I've heard of rockin' out, but not with your cock out."
JoJo looked at him confused but then noticed everyone had their eyes covered. He looked down and realized all the bandages had slipped away, and used to sheets of the bed to cover himself.
"Don't fret, it's not everyday people get to witness a mighty shallely like that! Look even the girls are blushin-"
"Ignoring that and never bringing this up ever again until we all die, what was the other news!?"
"Dio Brando, is still alive and sucking away like the back alley prostitute his mum was."
"You have a most colorful way of speakin- Wait... He's still alive!? But I set him on fire!"
"Really. Setting him on fire? Just because they rhyme doesn't mean it'll work, Jonathan. You ever notice how fat people and heart attacks don't rhyme? Still, great news is that he's weak to sunlight. I mean, all vampires are. And what I just gave you is the way to make your own Sunlight energy. Come along dear boy! We have much to discuss, and very little time to prepare!"
The eccentric man began to walk away but stopped at the door.
"Oh and I guess you should find yourself some clothes. That's a beast you're carrying about! It'll destroy they confidence in men and-"
The nurse slammed the door in his face. He laughed and left as did Speedwagon and the nurse to get him clothes. Twilight rubbed her shoulder and looked down rather flustered as Spike tried breaking the ice.
"So... Uh, the weather's warming up! Flowers are blooming, snow is melting, people getting together."
"How did you find that man?"
"Well, we were all at the mansion just looking around, and then he came out of nowhere and slammed his hand into Twilight!"
"It still kinda hurts actually."
"He is a rather, strange man, but even so he did heal me. Perhaps he speaks the truth."
The moment he was able to don new clothes, they had left to meet Zeppeli outside, drinking from a wine glass.
"Now. Here's what we're gonna do! You two are gonna come with me to the outskirts of town, all alone, and I'm gonna train you! Your friends can come visit, but I'm warning ya. I'm gonna beat them up, a lot. I'm gonna have them lift some heavy stuff, a lot. They're gonna be running around and getting more control over their breathing, a lot. So I don't wanna hear a singe word of complaint, capiche?"
JoJo and Twilight took a step forward with determination in their eyes.
"... Okay then! Let us be off!"
With a pivot he marches off with the duo following him closely, looking back at their friends who were waving away, save for Spike who was running after them.
"Where she goes, I go!"
"Spike, you don't have to come."
"How else are you gonna get your royal letters, and wonderfully witty commentary?"
"Kid, the man with the top hat and fancy glass is right here, your purpose here is now moot."
"I can help plenty!"
"Mhm-hm, sure. Just don't get in the way of anything, I don't need to break a third jaw."
Spike eyes widened at that but kept following them. Their training was by no means exaggerated. Many times they found themselves at their physical limit, yet with the Ripple they were able to improve. A week passed of grueling stone lifting, long mediating and breathing exercises, near tortuous sparring matches against Zeppeli. Twilight wasn't used to actually fighting, especially with a human body, but she was always a fast learner when she had to be. Spike watched constantly cheering and motivating them on every single day. At first the group was rather skeptical of Zeppeli, but soon his antics became less practical. The more time they had spent the better they had understood him. He had some form of history with the Mask before. At the start of the second week, he would finally begin teaching them their second lesson. In a small shallow pond the two pupil had their fist out with Zeppeli. Measuring their arm length.
"We'll start today with actually applying the Ripple into your environment, including your very own body, in fact that's where we'll start! Jonathan! Twilight! Focus your breathing! Can you feel the heat in your blood?"
"Yes!"
"Indeed!"
"Then concentrate! Control the flow of your blood! Feel the burning sensation of the Ripple, and send it to your arm!"
The ripples in the water began to form as they regulated their breathing. The heat in their bodies flowing through their bloodstream was invigorating, yet they had a task, it took only a second for the energy to move to a single hand aimed right at him.
"You feel it now, then let it go! Shoot it with all your power!"
They did just that. Twilight still hadn't adjusted to this form of life, this odd style, but she pushed on. They did as they were told and their arms extended, aimed right for his face, only to be thrown back from a punch that reached them first. Both falling back into the water.
"Good! That's it! With just a bit more practice, I'll have almost nothing left to teach you in the basics!"
"Wh- Really? It's only been a week Mr. Zeppeli!"
"I guess we're getting better and better."
"HA! As if! I said the basics, you utterly failed in the conduction! It was sloppy and slow, I still had to direct you as if you were babies taking your first step!"
As he said this he had a cane in his hand and smacked the two of them across the head.
"C-Can you not use the stupid stick Mr. Zeppeli!?"
"... Sure."
"Thank yo-"
She was struck in between the eye by the butt end of the cane and feel back with a low groan.
"This is the Great Pimp Cane of my mighty grandfather Luigi Zeppeli! It has taught men, women, children, elders, and even animals! It is a cane crafted with the most unique materials that is created specifically to conduct the Ripple! It is why that I attack with such precision, your own Ripple energy draws it to your body, I merely direct where it strikes."
"... Are you serious?"
"OF COURSE NOT!"
He had thwacked JoJo across the face for asking the question.
"Boy if you were paying any attention I had Spike bring it in the a few hours after we had left!"
"I-I thought that the money you gave him was for the medical equipment!?"
"That was Tuesday's run! Now get up before you two catch a cold. Those Ripple fighting clothes are made to give the wearer flexibility."
He shed his coat and offered it to Twilight who reluctantly snatched it out of his hand while mumbling.
"I don't get you."
"Hm? What's there to get?"
"Exactly! You beat us half to death, make us do insufferable exercise, and when we're done you suddenly change on a dime and help us. So what's your deal?"
"I'm an eccentric man trying to do his best to redeem himself by helping others with a similar goal of destroying the Stone Mask and any remnants of it."
"What do you mean redeem?"
"The founder of the Stone Mask, was me. I was much younger then and had been part of a traveling archeological group. Our leader was my own father, a intelligent man, he had a knack for finding out the mysteries of those before our own age. We had made our greatest prize in an Aztecan ruin that lied in Mexico. A mask of Stone placed in a ceremonial tomb, with the carvings describing a ritual of some kind. Upon the way back to our home in Italy, someone had figured it out. Blood was washed the deck as the storm, the wildest of storm of all days, it rocked the waves, threw the ship around as if it was a toy in a reckless child's hands... And a shadow had been killing all of us one by one in mere minuets. Eventually I was the last one, and had thrown myself overboard. As did the culprit. The waves kept us apart for the few hours I kept afloat with all my strength, but to no avail. Dawn was breaking and the creature still wearing that mask had caught me at last. Fighting, struggling, I tore the mask off of their face as the Sun lit the clouds above us... It was my father."
Twilight's eyes widened as JoJo looked down. Both could tell where the story went from here.
"He... He looked no younger then in his twenties. He seized my throat... And I could feel myself getting weaker, dying. And as fate would have it, a single ray of sunlight beamed on us, of all parts of the sea. Vaporized he was. And I drifted the sea. Within time A fishing boat from Venice found me, the Mask..."
"Drifted elsewhere and found it's way to Father."
"JoJo, I have heard you say, Dio's rebirth was your sin, that Mask alone is mine. I won't say sorry for how I've treated either of you, because even now, I can see you both surpassing me. As humans we can only go forward, when pushed to our limits. That is why I treat you as you do, Twilight. You're beautiful girl on a hard road, the fate that awaits you two is a cruel one... So, I shall take it upon myself to prepare you, even if you hate me for it."
"I-I don't hate you for it! I was just mad, you are hitting us a lot. And now I feel bad for getting mad about it-"
"Good! Looks like my guilt tripping was a success."
"Your what!? Was that whole story just to make us feel bad?"
"Of course not, that's just a byproduct of what I was intending, which was to help understand why this training is as intense as it is. I have spent decades learning the ways of the Ripple. You two have grown so much. Already I m proud of you both."
JoJo smiled as did Twilight who looked down hugging the borrowed white coat slung over her.
"Thanks, but you're still a jerk."
"What part of pushing you to grow didn't you get? Now c'mon, we've wasted enough time doing this bonding gig, back to Ripple Conductivity."
Another week passed, their progress tremendous, but their foe still great. At night, in a rocky area far away from London, JoJo meditated on his own far from the others. Spike came with a sandwich in hand and the Element in his small coat. He was about to call out but stop upon seeing a familiar face standing across JoJo. The Chinese man at the house fire. He was wielding large claw blades and his tongue was swung about.
"Lord Dio has given me a mission to give you a message! We want the crown!"
"..."
"And I have been given permission to drink your blood!"
He lunged with the claws outstretched as Spike about to cry out for help. He turned but Zeppeli was right there with his wine glass in hand.
"No need to make a fuss, boyo. Watch the progress they've made."
Spike turned and saw JoJo's arms stretched out far enough to punch the attacker right in the jaw while surrounded by a gold glow. Spike was awed as Zeppeli simply took a sip of the glass, watching the small boy run over to JoJo.
"How'd you do that!?"
"Hm, my little secret!"
"Aw c'mon tell me-"
Dirt flew over and into JoJo's eyes as a rip was heard. Spike looked down caught off guard as the Element fell from his torn coat. The Chinese man was desperate and used his own hands discarding the claws to grab the Element as fast as he could whilst sprinting away into the darkness.
"Oh no..."
"W-What happened? Spike are you alright?"
"Ohhh no."
"I hope that thing wasn't actually important, kid."
"OOOH Noo!"
A station wagon pulled up with Speedwagon jumping out with a piece of paper in his hand, waving down the group.
"Oi lads! I've found out where Dio's hideout is! Now we can all go together and finish him off-"
"NNOOOOO!"
"I never sent these letters! Unless..."
"Unless what Miss? I'm confused too!"
"This is a game of my friend's fate... And if time doesn't exists in this realm... We're playing this game before all of these events have actually happened!"
" A. T. L. A. S. T. O. N. E. H. A. S. F. I. G. U. R. E. D. I. T. O. U. T. "
"I'm winning at this rate, please, why can't you give up?"
" Y. O. U. W. A. S. T. E. T. I. M. E. "
"Miss! You're getting older!"
"I'm fine. Your move then."
They waved their hands as three pieces moved forward. One unshrouded itself and revealed to be, Jack the Ripper. The screen had cut to an entry way to a tunnel.