My Little Pony: Friendship is a Bizarre Adventure
Part 1: ~ Phantom Shimmer ~
Episode IV: A Dark Prophecy Fulfilled, The Legacy of Zeppeli...
The group all sat within the coach that was heading into a tunnel. Speedwagon had unfolded the piece of paper, a map of a town with a large mansion, almost like a castle, resting on top of a hill with a large graveyard.
"Ms. Sparkle, that letter said something about a castle right?"
"Of course it'd be where he's hiding."
"The Chinaman was seen there by my contacts. The town's name is Windknight Lot and has a history of training royal knights. It's a small but thriving town with a few disappearances. We can all take a guess to why."
JoJo looked out of the window as Spike was still in slight distraught. He'd go anywhere to help Twilight, but Dio reminded him of King Sombra, yet even creepier. As well as being responsible for losing the Element. Twilight noticed his sour mood and tried to cheer him up.
"Hey, it's not your fault, if anything this is good."
"How in anyway is this a good thing?"
"We'll find our way back home? The shard and the Element are probably our way back to Equestria."
"... I-I guess your right. "
He out on a small smile as Speedwagon continued.
"This tunnel coming up has a sword stuck in the roof, for reasons unknown, but it's a long one."
Zeppeli spoke up after taking a sip of his wine, pouring more as he spoke.
"I let the Chinaman live for this very reason. We should be on our toes at all times, anywhere with shade is a dangerous spot for us to be."
"Are you saying we could be attacked at anytime Mr. Zeppeli?"
"Indeed Scarface. We must be alert at all times-"
"Guys is it me, or is there something dripping?"
Spike pointed to the window where a liquid was dripping down The coach suddenly stopped once they were a good few meters within the tunnel.
"Cripes! Oi, coachman, what's the deal up there!? Yeesh, I didn't think it'd be raining outside either."
"Hold on boy we're in the tunnel, that's not water, that's..."
Speedwagon left the coach ready to speak his mind but screamed his head right off instead. The rest followed him out to a grizzly sight. The horses were headless, with one of them put onto the coachman like a sick mask, who was layered in strangle curved knives. One of the stumps was till twitching and moving.
"Oh My God!"
"Sweet Victoria!"
"AAAAA-"
"So that's where John Green got the idea from."
"What?!"
The stump began to thrash about and convulse, Zeppeli putting himself in between it and the party.
"Careful everyone, whatever is in there has got to be pure evil..."
A man lunged out of corpse with a shrill cry and a wielding two of the knives. He used one to cling to the roof and eye his prey.
"Urrrrey~! I feel great! I should come down here more often, Dio knows where to pick the best spots! Jack the Ripper, here for dinner!"
"A zombie, eh? And he seems to live for that bade, how morbid. Jonathan! Twilight! This foe shall be your final lesson! You must think strategically at all times. First, what would be the best choice here?"
The zombie grabbed and lifted the whole coach and threw it at the entrance, hitting the roof and causing stones and debris to fall down, cutting off sunlight and a way to escape.
"Here is the second! An analogy if you will."
Zeppeli took a sip of his wine as Jack tensed up and flexed his body as knives began to protrude out before flying out from the pressure, however Zeppeli opened his lips as discs of wine flew from between his teeth, cutting the knives in half and stopping them from reaching their targets.
"Are you familiar with fleas? They attack us humans in great numbers, but is that bravery? No! JoJo! Twilight! What is bravery?"
Jack flew at him, aiming a stab right for the Italian's eye, but he did not even flinch.
"Bravery..."
In an instant he used the bottom of the wine bottle to block the attack, the knife stuck in the glass.
"Is making "Fear" your own! Knowing it and punching it right in it's schnauzer! Humans who give praise and are praised know "Bravery" for it is the key that makes us stronger, and allows to grow, to evolve! Zombies such as this know not of such things!"
He leaped up with a knee charged with the Ripple.
"They are as fleas and maggots feasting on a corpse! Zeppeli Knee~!"
The attack connected and Jack spiraled backward, landing on his feet, but the Ripple left it mark. His face was melting from the side Zeppeli had hit him. Everyone was on edge, but morale was higher now. The entire fight, he hadn't spilled a single drop of wine from his cup. Jack was furious and leapt up grabbing the sword in the ceiling.
"Nnggaaah! You bastards! I'm gonna kill all of you, carve you ALL!"
He pulled down as a secret opening in the wall revealed itself as Jack made his escape further into the darkness. Spike shook his head and took a few steps back with Speedwagon.
"You're not going to tell us to go follow him are you?!"
'You two? Of course not. Those two? Depends if- Whoops I dropped my glass!"
Zeppeli had thrown it in between Twilight and JoJo, both reaching and grabbing the glass at the same time.
"Don't let go now, kids! I was gonna say whoever caught that glass would go in, but looks like you both get to graduate today! Your last test from me is this, defeat that no-nut carrying waste of excrement, without spilling a single drop of that wine, cause if you do then I'll abandon the both of you. Yes, even if you do beat him with ease. And remember, when sending the Ripple energy through an undead body, you must always aim for the brain. It's the only way to truly beat them. Now get going!"
The two looked at each other anxiously but nodded and entered. The looked around almost blind in the dark, trying their best to make each of their movement as balanced as possible, whether it be turning, glancing around a corner, or even mere walking.
"Where could he be-"
"HERE!"
They looked above as Jack came down with a strange torturous device, like an open rib cage made of blades, closing in on Twilight. JoJo swung his hand up and away lifting Twilight out of danger from the blades, however both of them were grazed. Twilight hissed at the cuts on her calve as JoJo ignored the ones on his shoulder. Barely did they keep the glass from spilling.
"Okay so uhm, battle plan?"
"Don't get eviscerated is all I can think of."
"I like that one, but uh, it's not exactly working!"
"Well then, we must remember Mr. Zeppeli's words."
"About bravery?"
"Indeed. I also wonder why he gave us this arbitrary task."
"... JoJo! Look at the wine!"
There was a swirl inside, rather, a strange ripple on the surface.
"First, think as the enemy, what would benefit him most... He can actually see where we are, so he's close and waiting."
"Correct... and the second was about bravery. And I feel, this wine, the ripple it is producing is the key."
They both stared at the wine for a moment until they looked at each other in shock. and exclaimed in synch.
"That's it, Twilight!" "That's it, JoJo!"
"I can feel the Ripple coursing through us-"
"Flowing from the wine, to the body, to the ground-"
"It's not just some wine-"
"It doesn't just give us energy-"
"It's a Ripple Detector!"
"I can feel where he is now!"
They looked at the closest wall, JoJo sending a fist with Twilight throwing a kick, charged with Ripple energy that coursed through the walls. Destroying Jack the Ripper. History would never know the truth and London would go on to fear his terrible acts beyond his death. Zeppeli smiled as he and the other waited for the heroes return.
"It's as I always say, everything's always better with a glass of wine."
"... Even Speedwagon felt that ending was weak."
"When have you ever said that?"
"Shut up or I'll smack you both with the Pimp Cane again."
As the party reformed they made their way out of the tunnel without any further problem, save for the evening soon coming to a close with night on it's way. Then Speedwagon got an idea.
"Spike, do me a favor and hold this bag for me. Oi Mr. Zeppeli!"
"I swear, son, if this about my hat-"
"I saw how you can give people this Ripple stuff, so why not give some to me?"
"Oh, well, you see. The Ripple is a special thing, so fuckboys like you and many others can't even hope to be masters of it. I've said it before and I'll say it again, these two young'uns are unique. Even now they unconsciously use the breathing method that takes most practitioners like myself years to do. It's why I've stayed by their side for this long, to see how far they can go. That and when the girl will-"
"Well I don't care! I've got to help in some way! I may be a thief who steals possessions, but Dio steals lives, that's something I can't allow!"
"... Well, maybe I can try and tone your diaphragm to help your lungs create a light Ripple."
"Really! Just do whatever it is!"
"Okay, it's gonna hurt."
"I don't care!"
"Spike, you'll be my witness that I'm not just beating on him."
"Huh?"
"GREAT!"
Zeppeli without further warning shoved his entire fist right into Speedwagon's gut, causing him to double over and drop the bag full of money for the trip.
"Oh no~ Looks like my finger slipped, sorry about that Scarface."
"Oough..."
At that moment the bag was taken by someone flying right by the group and into a nearby river. A boy who was fast enough to get out of the river and began climbing up a cliff by the time everyone had noticed the theft.
"Oh no! All of our money has been stolen by some British Tom Sawyer looking lad!"
"And look he's even mocking us!"
"Don't fret boys! Though his mind is not for rent."
"Don't put him down as arrogant."
"His reserve, a quiet defense."
"Riding out the day's events."
"What're you two even talking about-"
"The River~!"
Zeppeli placed his fingers onto the surface of the river as a Ripple formed quickly across, to which he proceeded to walk on the water, with JoJo and Twilight following him. JoJo seemed to be struggling more than the others. Speedwagon got back up and jumped with Spike onto the ripples of the water, but sunk through the surface with Zeppeli laughing.
"Boys, it's a lot harder than simply that, look, JoJo even has trouble keeping above the knees! Twilight excellent control, now you just need to know how to throw a decent attack!"
The boy was almost at the top of the cliff. JoJo charged his arm with the Ripple and struck the base of the cliff. The energy coursing through the stones and reaching the boy, loosening the stones and was blown away.
"Twilight stand about two steps to the left and hold your arms out, would you?"
"Like this?"
He nodded as the young thief landed in her arms.
"... W-what happened? Where am I?"
"The amnesia trick eh, sonny? Then again it may be a bit more genuine than it looks."
"I-I don't now who any of you are!"
"Well you can tell us first, I'm Twilight if that helps anything."
"I'm Jonathan, a pleasure to meet you."
"Mister Zeppeli, son."
"I'm Poco... I feel like something happened but I can't remember what."
The Sun had set and hands shot out from the ground and seized JoJo and Zeppeli.
"Careful everyone! These maggot fuck bastards got an icier grip then my ex-wives!"
Low dark chuckling was heard above them as the dead began to rise, warriors of centuries ago. Zeppeli had began to work on them already thinning the numbers as JoJo and Twilight finished off the stragglers, until a familiar chilling voice echoing out.
"Well, well, If it isn't Jonathan Joestar, and the Merry Band Piss Pots! And who's this new guy? A new appetizer for my, Dio's, army of zombies."
There he stood on a stony pillar far above the rest as he smiled down on all of them.
"Dio."
"So that toothless scumsponge sucking afterbirth is Dio, eh? Well I don't know you, you blonde basket case, but I'll say this to the Stone Mask that made you what you are. At last, we meet again! Come down here so I can give a good Ripple across the face!"
"Hmph. I, Dio, am to be the supreme of all of the world. The highest form of being. Why would I, Dio, subject myself to stoop such to stand on the very same ground as those yards below me. Insects should know their place."
Zeppeli took a step forward with an angered face, but in truth he was feeling that old fear, the same fear on that day of his first encounter of the Stone Mask. However he would not let himself fall to his own fear. Dio lifted up his shirt to reveal a small but clear burn scar remaining and pulled his hair up to show a gash caused by the rock Twilight had dunked on him.
"I, Dio, have two wounds that have yet to heal, curtesy of you two. Your blood would make great compensation, but, I, Dio have other plans."
He licked his lips sensually and bared his fangs at the group. An odd lustful gaze in his eyes that gave them that all too familiar chill.
"You kniving bastard. How many lives did you suck away to heal those wounds!?"
"Heheh... Do you remember how many breaths you've taken in your life?"
"You...! Everyone! Leave this singing stardust fruitbasket to me!"
Zeppeli leapt up using shorter pillars nearby and charged a fist aimed right for Dio's skull with speed close to that of lighting, yet Dio merely lifted a hand and caught the fist. His own hand glittering like ice and in fact covering Zeppeli's hand in such substance. It was in an instant he felt the bloodstream in his arm freeze.
"Paper covers rock, fool."
"Agh! This can't be, I'm about to taste the icy tit of defeat!"
"An idiot to the end, eh? Without a proper bloodstream to flow, you're Ripple is as useless as a degree in Astrological Science!"
Dio's smile widened as he threw a punch at the defenseless man, only for it to be blocked by JoJo's own hand, and a dropkick met to his face by Twilight, still carrying the boy.
"This coming from the man who majored in the history of biological mutation of humans and cats?!"
"The, fuck, is wrong with you-"
He snarled and used Zeppeli as a means to swat them away, as well as toss him into the ground below.
"DON'T TALK SHIT ABOUT MY MANCATS!"
The three Ripple warriors recovered but felt numb in the areas the had touched Dio. Twilight having some trouble standing as JoJo grabbed his hand and did his best to heat his arm back up. Zeppeli having the worst of it simply stood there trying to get the blood flowing again. Speedwagon ran over worried and looked over the arm.
"What did he do!? He swat you three away like gnats!"
"I've never seen anything like this... It's like the opposite of the Ripple! If I can just, warm my arm back up... But it's not like JoJo over there, my entire arm feels like frozen lead!"
"Well, I don't have any magic, but you can use what I've got!"
He pulled up his shirt and grabbed the frozen arm, putting against his warm skin, frost coming from the heat.
"Th-That's madness. Speedwagn, boy, what'd you think your doing?!"
"If my own body heat can warm you up, just enough, you can thaw yourself off and help those two take down that monster once and for all!"
"Looks like I've underestimated you, boy. This must be painful."
"Just repay me with Dio's pain and we're all dandy!"
Spike seeing this ran over to Twilight and began blowing a small fire from his mouth at her feet.
"Th-thanks Spike!"
"I'm your number one assistant, what am I supposed to do, watch? Not in the slightest."
She smiled and set the boy in her arms down.
"I'm so confused, Miss, what's going on!?"
"Uhm, we're here to beat up a vampire, but we're gonna take you home as soon as we can".
"R-Really?"
"Yeah!"
"Maybe Dio messed with his head?"
"Who's that?"
Spike pointed at the blonde vampire with disgust on his face. But before he could speak, the ground beneath them began to shake and move about. Then it began to lift itself skyward. Twilight grabbed both of the kids and leapt off right in time before it was crushed by the hand that lifted it. Two dark knights, one a giant, and one with flowing midnight hair.
"These two knights, Tarkus the Giant, and Bruford the Black Knight, Two knights exectused wrongly, dying a dogs death at the hand of a cruel ruler, cursing the world. So not out of pity, but out of respect for their history, I, Dio, have turned them into demons!"
JoJo didn't hesitate and lunged at the one known as Bruford with a fist outstretched, but was caught by the graceful wild hair.
"You think a second-rate boxer like you, can even take on a main event warrior, like me!? I HAVE THE BEST HAIR IN THE WORLD!"
"It is really nice hair-"
"NO ONE TALKS BAD ABOUT MY HAIR!"
He leapt into the air with his hands behind his back. JoJo tried to determine which hand would strike him, however was caught off guard by the hair aiming to stab him in the throat, which he deftly dodged within the nick of time. Bruford kept slashing away until JoJo slipped on the edge and into a nearby lake. Both warriors plunged into the depths of the waters. Twilight and Speedwagon took a single step forward before hearing a thunderous boom behind them.
"Where do you two pansy daisies posers think you're going?"
"Argh! I have to deal with this guy first?"
"Think again girlie, I'm the one dealing with you, and I've got size on my side!"
She went for a rush but found herself flown back by some sudden force. She can't believe she didn't see the hand move to hit her. She recovered from the blow and managed to dodge a stomp. She rolled to the side and shook her head out of the fuzzy vision.
"H-How are you moving so fast!?"
"Did you think I meant my physical strength when I said size? BECAUSE MY AWSOME STRENGTH ALLOWS ME TO MOVE AS FAST AS LIGHTING!"
"Are you serious!?"
"Of course not, stupid girl. You're just not fit enough to fight a true champion like me!"
She had focused this time, he was still fast, but she could see the motion this time. Too fast to dodge, she went for a block, only to be knocked away by the lake. On her knee and wiping the blood from her brow. At that moment something exploded in the water and Bruford shot out of the lake with JoJo leaping out, his back to Twilight and panting.
"So, I'm having a bit of trouble, but how are you doing?"
"Oh you know. Fighting a giant man who moves as fast as his breath stinks-"
"I'm dead you purple rosebud!"
"All around a busy night."
"Hmph! Playing with you is no fun anyways! I want that one, Bruford if you don't kill him quickly enough, I will!"
"Stuff it! I've got this Ass Clown. You're not bad though, so as a present, I'll fight you with everything I got!"
"Twilight, Mr. Zeppeli, I want neither of you to interrupt this fight."
"What? JoJo you can't be serious, these guys are monsters, strong monsters!"
"I know, but they still hold their pride from their lives, so... I want to try something. Have at you Bruford!"
JoJo dashed valiantly at Bruford who caught him with his hair, throwing and pinning him into a tree. The hair tightened around JoJo's body enough to cause small cuts before lunging with his sword in hand, swinging it to cut down this human before him.
"Die Ass Clown!"
"Now!"
With that, JoJo snapped the hair around his legs and feet and kicked the blade, blocking it as well as charging it with Ripple energy. The dark knight's arm melted away.
"Metal is a great conductor for the Ripple! Bruford, you've been played from the start!"
"Wha-"
Bruford stood there in slight shock and confusion, this moment was all JoJo needed. He filled his body with the beat of his blood, the heart of a lion, the heart of a lion, the heat of a knight. The Ripple had never before been so intense within him. With all the memories flooding his mind, and the emotion and bonds he has made in his life thus far flooding his heart, he pounded Bruford back into the late fifteenth century.
"Yellow Sunlight Overdrive!"
With one final punch and cool sigh, the gold glow of his body vanished. However Bruford was not done. He grabbed his sword and sprinted at JoJo for another attack.
"I... I am Bruford, the Black Knight... And No Mere Pain Will Stop Me!"
JoJo however simply stood there. Even as Bruford's body clearly began to break apart, he didn't defend himself.
"M-Mr. Joestar what're you doing!"
"JoJo he's going to kill you!"
"...?"
As the sword was swung all it did was graze his cheek before stopping.
"You can still feel pain?"
"..."
The ground beneath them bloomed with life, flowers and grass coming back from the dead, as Bruford's own face was that of calm and serenity. Peace.
"Your Ripple, it gave me back my life, I can feel it. I feel, whole."
At that moment his legs melted away as he fell to the ground , using the sword for support.
"You... You knew this would work?"
"Not at all. But in the water, you were giving me a handicap, to try and balance our battle."
"And now I suffer for it. Or do I? You, you were so sure I would stop? You can have that kind of trust in someone..."
"You cannot make friends without some trust."
"Friends... Well then friend. As repayment for this kindness, take my most prized and cherished possession-"
"You hair!?"
"Go fuck yourself. My sword, Luck, and with your own power..."
He cut his finger across the bade and made a P right behind the L in Luck.
"Pluck."
"But, why Bruford?"
"Heh, because, you're, worth it. But, I must know, before I go... Friend from three hundred years, what is your name!"
"Jonathan Joestar!"
Bruford smiled and became a pile of ash, his armor all that remained. Then a heavy foot crushed said remains.
"Worthless Fool! I can't believe that sappy black bat rose left me with all this dirty work! But now that he's gone, I can start my own solo crusade!"
Tarkus towered over JoJo and puled his sword out, raising it high.
"I'll think I'll start my push, by killing all of you- Hey wait where are you poppy posies going!?"
"Alright boys and girls I was working on a escape plan while the fighting was going on! Twilight! JoJo, see al the leaves starting to come together? That's my Ripple drwingin them together. If we can work hard enough, we can make a makeshift glider!"
"That sounds so stupid, Mr. Zeppeli!"
"NOBODY ASKED YOU SPEEDWAGON!"
Amazingly they were able to do just that. The leaves on the ground all connected to make one giant leaf strong enough to carry the entire party as the leapt from a cliff to a tower, a balcony awaiting them.
"It looks like we're flying by night away from danger! Hey, hey, Mr. Zeppeli do you get it?"
"I fucking get it Speedwagon!"
"But while we're here, you three have thrown my sense of logic out of the window. But the biggest question I have is you Mr. Zeppeli. Where'd you even learn all of this?!
"You see it all began long ago in some town in Asia I- HEY WHAT'S THAT!?"
Zeppeli was glad to have found something that distracted the group from the question. That was a story he wasn't yet ready to tell due to the beginning having a strong message. They were just above the balcony before Tarkus came through the center, destroying the glider but falling far below the others. They landed just on the edge of their destination with Zeppeli laughing.
"I haven't seen a cow fly that fast since I back handed my third wife!"
"I didn't know you could marry bovine."
"Me either, boyo! I learned that the hard way."
JoJo had opened the only door before them yet everyone took a step back.
"Ugh! What's that smell?! It's as if there's nothing but death is in the- JoJo what're you doing boy!?"
"It's the only way Mr. Zeppeli."
"I don't know about this, it doesn't seem right to me. But, be careful then."
Twilight had taken a step forward with JoJo with a smile while pinching her nose.
"I hope you're not thinking of going in all alone."
"Wouldn't dream of it. With you by my side, we'll surely-"
The door slammed the very second they had entered the room. A strange neck device with shoulder pauldrons snagged onto JoJo's neck as torches lit the room up. Tarkus was right across from them wearing the exact same device, the two connect by a chain in the ceiling.
"Welcome to my specialty... An old dueling challenge that I never lost at, of sheer brute force. Neck Chain Death Match! ! !"
"JOJO!"
Tarkus pulled down on the chain and charged at the two like a bull. JoJo was hoisted into the air like a puppet on strings and slammed against the ceiling. Twilight yelped but dodged out of the way.
"HAHAHA! I knew you'd move there! Look at the chain, depending on your own movements, this JoJo will be pushing up daisies! Your move in this dangerous game."
Zeppeli had began to pound away at the door since it shut until Speedwagon pulled him back.
"Mr. Zeppeli! All you're doing is breaking your hands!"
"Dammit... DAMMIT. The Ripple I learned and taught, it's meant to course through life and objects thin enough for conductivity. This door's too thick, as it that chain! I saw a lever past the bars on the other side but..."
"Sir, look! There's a small entryway, an opening for air to get inside on the sides!"
"But only something like a cat or a child cou- Spike what do you think you're doing!?"
"POCO NO!"
But it was too late. Spike had entered first with Poco close behind him. As they came out they found Twilight being thrown about like a ragdoll. Spike couldn't contain himself and ran over to Tarkus with Poco going after the lever.
"HEY! MEATHEAD!"
"Is that the sound of a purple haired green eyed toddler committing suicide?"
"Ah-"
"SPIKE NO-"
Tarkus snatched Spike up but didn't expect green fire to burn away at his eyes, as well a royal letter flying past his shoulder. Tarkus let out a roar in pain and threw Spike right on Poco, even after having his throw been weakened from the unexpected pull from JoJo. The door swung open, the lever had been pulled. Speedwagon ran over to the kids with tears welling up in his eyes.
"They're still alive! You crazy sods, the lot of you... Mr. Zeppeli! Give him what for, kick his undead ass!"
"..."
"M-Mr. Zeppeli?"
"You can bring on the interference. I'm a giant, and even with your dumb Ripple, my hide can shrug it off! You're all a buncha lilies in a fire!"
"..."
"Mr. Zeppeli?!"
Zeppeli heard the words of years ago.
"In a secret room filled with death. When a young boy and dragon open the door. To release a young lion and a beautiful mare into the future... If this is my fate, I accept with peace in my heart."
"Zeppeli... W-Why... do you sound, so dire?"
"Only you, huh? YOU THINK YOU'RE ENOUGH FOR ME!?"
"Trust me lad, you won't be the first red-headed bucktooth bitchborn whore I'm about to slap with the back of the Family Ring Hand."
Tarkus reached down to grab at Zeppeli, but the Itailian Stallion was faster, and leaped up with a flip, spinning with his leg out in a tornado motion.
"Zeppeli Tornado~!"
However. Tarkus, was even faster, and seemingly vanished right there. Appearing above Zeppeli, but the chain was still below him.
"This is my signature move, you jaba, Hell Heaven Snake Skill!"
"WH-"
The chain wrapped around his waist, catching his right arm, and snagged him in the air. Tarkus held the chain close and grinned.
"Now if I was a creative story writer creating a story with a tag team, I wonder what would make it more interesting- RRRIP~!"
He pulled down on the chain, and horror ensued. Twilight and Speedwagon opened their mouths to scream but nothing came out. A snap was heard from JoJo as he coughed up blood and his body went limp. Zeppeli was torn in two. They fell to the ground with a sickening thud near Twilight, her hand place on JoJo's, as Tarkus sighed.
"Finally. As fun as it was... No it went on for too long anyways. Hold on, he's still breathing!?"
He glared at JoJo, but Zeppeli was the one that grabbed everyone's attention next. Grabbing the hands of his pupils with a smile.
"N-Now's not the time for giving up..! This is my final gift... My Final RIPPLE!"
What started in a small spark exploded into a great divine light that shone with wondrous yet somber glory. Tarkus squinted his burnt eyes as Speedwagon had to look away. When the light died down Tarkus had his foot lifted to stomp down on Zeppeli.
"You're about to be buried, mulch man!"
He never made it. In fact he found himself lifted, head slamming against the ceiling. Looking down he had found JoJo and Twilight pulling down the chain, healed, and with tears in their eyes.
"They beat the ten count!?"
Twilight kept the her hand on the chain as JoJo began to pull apart the collar around his neck.
"Ha! Wh-What're you doing you fool!? I'm a vampire with immeasurable strength! Yet, even I still have trou-"
JoJo had pulled it apart as Twilight broke the chain, causing Tarkus to fall and the other end of the chain hitting him in the head. He picked up the chain and swung it at them, Twilight intercepted stopped his arm entirely.
"OH NO, YOU'RE KIDDING ME! IT'S ONE THING FOR A HUMAN, BUT A GIR-"
She didn't let him finish and cut his right arm in half with her own, the Ripple emanating from her.
"You. Don't. Get. To Speak!"
"Not a single bone. You'll sink into the history of darkness, Tarkus."
"U-U-UGGGAAAAH!"
Speedwagon couldn't believe his eyes. Unknown to him, neither could Spike. Tarkus broke his fangs and spat them, hitting JoJo above his left eye before charging. This was something the duo anticipated and clasped their right hands together, taking a ballroom stance and shoved their clasped fist right into his chest.
"In the words of William A. Zeppeli. GO FORNICATE YOUR MOTHER!"
Tarkus stopped in his tracks, without a second to give him to process the hole in his chest, they had yanked their fists out and uppercutted him with their left. Turning him into ash, leaving his armor behind. Zeppeli had grown much older his age showing. As he opened his eyes he found himself in the arms of his students crying.
"Mr. Zeppeli... Why?"
"T-This can't be happening..."
"Jonathan, Twilight, quit being big babies... Just because the body dies, doesn't mean the soul ceases to live on. One day, our descendants, our loved ones shall meet again, in our memory... But what're the chances of Zeppeli dying for a Joestar? Pretty slim if you ask me, unlike my ex-wife. Heheh-Ooughah, I'm dying... But speaking of wives, as I'm here on my deathbed in your arms, you seem to have a caught an eye for each other."
They looked at each other and smiled for his sake.
"You could call it that."
"We do make a good team."
"Heh, when, you defeat Dio... Take care of yourselves. All of you..."
"We will-"
"N-N-N-Now hold it! When I say take care of each other for you two. I don't mean just insert yourself in. You've got to preheat the oven before you can put your cake in."
"... I-I don't understand what your talking about."
"I love cake Mr. Zeppeli but-"
"Go down there, like you're deep sea diving, in a cave made of Jell-O. And the only way, is to eat your way out. And word from the wise, don't do it after eating a jalapeño, you'll kill her! Trust me, I've had five wives."
Everyone but Speedwagon was confused, and he kept silent the entire time. Then Spike remembered.
"O-Oh right! We got... Now's not the time."
"On the contrary young dragon... Get your letter, I-I need to hear what's inside. I don't know why but, I just have to hear it."
With that he handed over the letter to Twilight. All there were. All that was written. Two, simple, small words.
"Thank You."
With that Zeppeli smiled and lifted his hand up.
"... Whoever you are, to send that, it was no problem... Kids... Remember... Stay, gold..."
With those last words, William A. Zeppeli died in the arms Jonathan Joestar and Twilight Sparkle, with his friends Spike, Speedwagon, and Poco. They had given him a proper burial at the bottom of the ruin, and burned the body, the ashes flowed in the wind freely. Forever he would watch over them, with a smile, and glass of wine in his hand.
"Another life... Taken gruesomely before her eyes... My own star pupi close friend, almost gone. Why? Why ARE you doing this!?"
"T. H. E. R. O. U. N. D. I. S. N. E. A. R. T. H. E. E. N. D."
"GOOD! I don't care what happens next! I'm sure, Twilight and Jonathan, they'll win this battle."
"I. A. M. C. O. U. N. T. I. N. G. O. N. I. T."
Princess Celestia had regain a bit of her stolen life energy as she stared at the Zeppeli piece she had. Giving him her power in his final moments, boosting them equally, she knew she had to win this. The screen moved forward in time to the party outside of Windknight's Lot.