Flowers and Brimstone Chapter 17, a star vs. the forces of evil fanfic

Not gonna lie, this chapter is kinda boring. But it wraps up Jackie and Kelly's part of the story quite nicely. So, I'm happy with it. Anyway, Star vs the Forces of Evil is owned by Disney and Stands are the creation of the brilliant and talented Hirohiko Araki. Blah. Blah. Blah. Blah. Blah. Enjoy.

Flowers and Brimstone: Chapter 17.

(Picking up where we left off)

Like a lone wolf stalking its prey, Jackie crept slowly towards her fallen foe without making a sound.

She was about 90% sure Danni was dead, but hey, why take chances.

Anyway, as she tiptoed through the grass, the young skateboarder took note of all the guitar pieces that were scattered around the field. Pinball Wizard had really done a number on the Diamond Dog's once proud cherry red Gibson. To say that it had been shattered would be a grievous understatement. This was nothing short of total and complete annihilation.

And given the close, almost symbiotic relationship between a User's Stand and their physical body, she could only imagine what Danni's insides must look like.

Shudder.

Best not to think about it too much.

Just focus on moving one foot in front of the other, and… there.

Before she knew it, Jackie was standing before the lifeless body of Danni Charles.

Well, there was no doubt about it anymore.

The mad rocker was definitely dead.

Her chest was completely crushed, her jacket was soaked in blood, and her eyes were little more than lifeless chunks of glass.

A person can't get much deader than that.

But still, it never hurts to make sure.

So, with the utmost caution, the young skateboarder gently poked the deceased Diamond Dog's face with her big toe.

No response.

Just to be triple sure, she poked Danni again several more times, but when an incidental tap on the eye failed to trigger so much as a muscle spasm, Jackie was forced to accept the reality of her situation.

Danni Charles, the last of the Diamond Dogs was, indeed, dead.

Thank Goodness.

With the last of her fears finally put to rest, Jackie let out a tremendous sigh of relief. At last, the nightmare was over. Now all she had to do was go back for Kelly and wait for their captor to show up, and then they could both go home.

Home.

Was there ever a more beautiful word in any language?

Just the sound of it made her weak in the knees.

Or maybe that was just the adrenaline wearing off.

I mean, she had just singlehandedly ended the life of another human being.

Granted, she had been a profoundly evil human being who'd most likely killed thousands of innocent people just for the hell of it, but still, that didn't make it right.

What right did she have to play God?

No!

Mustn't think like that.

It was self-defense, pure and simple.

And like Jefferson always says, 'When your survival is at stake, there's no such thing as murder'.

Wait… did Jefferson say that or was that a line from an old movie?

Eh, doesn't matter.

Whoever said it, they were right.

No sense in feeling guilty about this.

She did what she had to do.

Now all that remained was to go get the sleeping bush-head and… oh.

Suddenly, Jackie felt like she'd been shot.

Kelly was standing on the edge of the clearing; staring at the nude skateboarder with wide, unblinking eyes.

How long had she been there?

How much had she seen?

At the very least, she'd arrived just in time to see a naked Jackie standing over a bloody corpse.

Good lord, what she must be thinking.

"Kelly… I… I can explain." The young skateboarder said in a soft, almost frightened voice. "It's not what it looks like. I swear."

The bush-girl said nothing, but her eyes suddenly welled with tears.

And that made Jackie's heart ache.

"Kelly, I know this looks bad, but I promise, I only did what I had to." She explained, though it seemed to be doing little good. "It was self-defense. Honest. I-I'd never do something like this unless…"

But the words suddenly died in her throat.

Somehow, and seemingly defying the laws of physics, the young bush-head had dashed across the clearing in the blink of an eye and threw her arms around the nude skateboarder; pulling her into a tight, almost bone crushing hug.

"Oh, Jackie!" she cried as the tears started streaming down her cheeks. "I'm so Hic happy you're alright! I thought Hic I thought Hic I thought Hic I thought I'd never see you again!"

Jackie felt another strong tug on the old heartstrings.

It pained her to know that she'd caused this poor sweet girl so much grief.

She felt deeply, deeply ashamed.

In an attempt to ease both of their suffering, the young skateboarded started stroking her friend's soft, pompom like hair.

"There, there." She said sweetly. "It's okay."

"I Hic I was so Hic scared. Hic. Scared that you were…"

"Shhh~ I know. And I'm so sorry I made you worry. But everything's gonna be alright now. It's over. The nightmare is finally over."

"Indeed, it is~"

Jackie's blood suddenly turned cold.

That voice.

That soft and oily voice.

It had been almost a week since she'd last heard it, but there was no mistake.

This was the voice of their mysterious captor.

Chemical Romance.

"Don't turn around." The voice commanded softly, apparently sensing want she was about to do. "Turn around and you're both dead."

"Jackie Hic did you Hic say something?"

"Kelly, keep your head down and your eyes shut."

"Hic. What?"

"Please, just trust me on this."

"Oh, um… okay. Hic."

And the bush-girl promptly obeyed; earning a chuckle from their 'gracious host'.

"Heh-Heh-Heh-Heh-Heh. Good girl." The unseen psychopath purred sinisterly into Jackie's ear. "You probably just saved her life."

"What do you want?" the young skateboarder asked calmly. "We won your challenge. Are you here to reward us or are you going back on your word?"

"Only fools and lowbrows go back on their word. And after all the entertainment you girls have given me this week, I'd say you've more than earned your freedom. No, the only thing I'm here for is that… SLURP… succulent little sack of meat you've so generously tenderized for me. I've got to get it home before it starts to rot."

"Y-You mean you're going to… eat Danni?"

"Of course, it's an old family tradition. But don't worry. I know you've got this weird thing about blood. So, I'll wait 'til I get home before I take that first big meaty chomp."

"You're sick."

"Careful now, sweetie. I was just starting to like you. And hey, don't knock it 'til you try it. I mean, most people think humans taste like pork, but it's really more of a smoky beef like flavor. Occasionally tough, but extremely juicy. Goes great with Vichyssoise."

"Is there a point to this?"

"No, no, just making small talk." Chemical Romance said teasingly, before giving Jackie's cheek a quick but sickening lick. "Mmm~ Beefy~ Heh-Heh-Heh~"

The young skateboarder had to physically force herself not to freak out.

"But in all seriousness, good job dealing with that slutty Diamond Dog. You've got real chops, you know that. You are definitely one of the Chosen~"

"The… Chosen?"

"You know, the Strong. The Powerful. The ones who eat instead of being eaten. I'm an Eater, Jackie. An avid Eater. And now, so are you. And so is your fluffy little friend there."

"Kelly and I are nothing like you."

"Hmmm~ Maybe not. But you still beat my game, and that means you deserve to live. So, I'll be tolerant of your… weakness."

"You'll never get away with this, you know. Marco and the others will come after you."

"Oh, I know. I'm looking forward to it. I can't wait to find out what kind of people they really are. Ooo~ Especially Star. Personally, I hope she loses. I'm just dying to sink my teeth into her rosy flesh. To feel her baby blue eyes slide down my throat. To gobble up every last strand of her golden hair. Oh~ I get chills just thinking about it~"

"I take back what I said before. You're not just sick. You're disgusting."

"Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but I can melt your face off~"

"You don't scare me. You already promised you wouldn't kill us, and only fools goes back on their word, right?"

"Heh-Heh. Smart girl. Now listen, I wanna give you something. But you've gotta close your eyes first."

"Why?"

"Because if you see my face, I'll have to kill you. Word or no word. Now, close your eyes and count to ten."

Seeing no other alternative, Jackie did as she was told.

Suddenly, all the world was darkness.

The young skateboarder heard footsteps, as if someone was walking around her.

Then there was a strange ripping sound, like someone had just torn through a sheet of construction paper.

"See you around, Nature Girl~"

Jackie's eyes snapped back open.

Once again, she and Kelly were all alone in the clearing.

Danni's body was gone.

And in its place, was a pair of golden scissors with the name 'Marco' etched into the blade, laying neatly on the crimson colored grass.

Now it was really over.

"Jackie. Hic." Said Kelly in a low and timid voice. "I-I-Is she Hic gone?"

"Yeah, Kelly. She's gone." Jackie said reassuringly as she stroked her friend's poofy locks. "It's over. Let's go home."

"Sigh. Home… was there ever Hic a more beautiful word." The bush girl said dreamily, before her cheeks suddenly lit up like a furnace. "Um… Hic Jackie?"

"Yes, Kelly?"

"Do you think you Hic might wanna Hic put your clothes back on?"

"No."

End Notes:

Only two chapters left, folks.

Thanks for reading.

See you next time.

Peace.