Here's the first part of the penultimate fight, everyone! Managed to write this up so quickly, meaning I'm able to publish this chapter a week after I updated Living Things. Thought of doing a biweekly update this September, but I changed my mind.
Will not do an author's note at the end of this chapter, but I'll have something to say in the next. Maybe.
Anyway, please enjoy it, and hopefully the OC and the original Stand I created for this fanfic!
Review Response:
ongadam96: Yup. A new enemy has appeared.
A lone crow flies across the cloudy sky tinted with the orange hues of the setting sun. It caws without a care for the world, its call echoing between the mountains with enough volume that anyone could hear it coming from above.
These people are standing on the snow-covered path surrounded by trees and other flora. However, if you were to assume they are engaged in a friendly encounter, you would be surprised to witness or sense the tense mood emanating from them, particularly the group consisting of tall, intimidating men and short, pretty, and cute women.
Well, it's fortunate that they are the only ones present because Franchouchou and Rianima know what their next course of action is; their eyes stare or glare intently at the man responsible for making their lives much harder than it already is living in society while hiding their zombie features. Their feelings vary, but the wariness and for some, enmity, are there in their body postures.
Bucciarati, Avdol and Mamezuku gaze upon Xero with silent but determined faces, the latter covertly uncoiling his hands slowly to prepare an attack while the Egyptian waves his arms around to form a battle stance, the little bit of flames lit up in his finger.
Having summoned their Stands earlier to search their missing friends, Kakyoin and Narancia have them float beside them and ready their machine guns or emeralds respectively to attack. Ai and Saki hide behind them for protection, though the blonde girl seems eager to stand side by side as them because she wants to participate even if she has no Stand.
Ever so calm and composed, Yugiri lets Junko and Lily clutch behind her, who become outright scared and anxious upon seeing the man who gave them trouble finally made his appearance. Despite herself, she too is worried, but she doesn't want to show it.
Like Kakyoin, Narancia and Mamezuku, Johnny and Gyro prepare their attacks, pointing one finger charging its nail with Tusk ACT3 hovering behind Johnny and unbuttoning the steel ball holsters and charging them with Spin energy. They contemplate calling Slow Dancer and Valkyrie out as soon as the fight starts.
Tae seems to read the ambience around her and her companions, so she decides to take refuge behind her protectors, but not without her glaring ferociously to Xero after sensing a bad vibe from him. She doesn't make any odd act or sound because of this, which few zombies take note of.
Neither side spring into action, choosing to gaze each other down cautiously or nonchalantly as shown by Xero unblinkingly observing them. The silence is suffocating and unnerving, especially in Franchouchou and Rianima's end since they're clearly anticipating any form of action from the aristocratic man. They know he's planning his move, so to see he only stands there for almost a minute chips their determination and fighting spirit down, but only a little as to not dampen their instincts.
By the time a light breeze whistle past them, causing shivers to run down their spines for some zombies, Xero finally opens his mouth to speak.
"I see most of you have called out your Stands. You were about to use them to provide aid in your search for Sakura-san, Kotaro-san, and Romero, right?" They remained silent and didn't interrupt him, so with an affirmative nod he continued, "Sorry to say that will not happen. I believe all of you want no fighting to occur while you're all in a retreat here in Mt. Tenzan, even with Rianima closely monitoring the surroundings for any sign of my presence. To be fair, I wasn't here for a whole week until I followed Kotaro-san when he came back to retrieve all of you. So now, here I am standing before you all with one objective in mind… You can guess what it is, I hope?"
Franchouchou huddled more closely behind Kakyoin, Narancia, Johnny, and Gyro, the latter four intensifying their glare and subtly commanding their Stands to charge up their attacks to shoot against him whenever he made even the slightest movement. Bucciarati grimaced, not falling for his polite tone, which he must have put on either to try easing them a little or because it was just part of his nature, judging by his poshly attire. Either option didn't sway them.
First things first. Xero seemed to be waiting for his answer after he asked. Deciding to humor him, Bucciarati took a step forward and answered him, "If you're looking to get rid of all of us, then we will respond in kind. Your attacks on us were sporadic but they did a good enough of an attempt to take our lives – our second lives or chance in life – and would almost succeed taking it from us or the girls were it not for my, no… our ｢resolve｣ to protect Franchouchou and Saga with all we got. I suspect our routine when an enemy Stands appears stays the same. But since you're the ｢mastermind｣ behind the attacks on us, you naturally must have a ｢powerful｣ Stand."
Xero looks satisfied with Bruno's reply, so he nods in confirmation. "Powerful is...an understatement," he says. "I don't mean to gloat, but compared to an ability that can ｢stop time｣ or ｢access parallel worlds｣, my ability may be on par or even surpass those abilities. This is not an exaggeration, by the way."
Kakyoin, Johnny, and Gyro are taken aback by him mentioning the abilities of their main enemies correctly to make a comparison to his purported ability. Speaking of his ability, his claim of putting his ability on the same pedestal or above those powers makes them believe he must be, well, exaggerating. There's no way his ability could possibly be more powerful than the ability to stop time or manipulate parallel worlds, right? The girls certainly hope so since it's a concept that is hard to wrap their heads around and causes them to worry.
Also, it is abudantly clear Xero really knows their past if he can namedrop the two Stand's names. Going further, the enemy Stands he dispatched are mostly the same kind of Stands they fought with some minute differences in their functions. They wonder how did he learn their past and got to form a small army consisting of defeated enemy Stands. Perhaps... they might not find out once they kill him.
"You're sayin' it to our ears so we will be more scared of you? Because I smell a lot of bull from your claims of your powerful ability alone," Saki said. "Sounds like you haven't grasped how...versatile their Stand abilities are. These seven managed to kick their enemies' asses even when they were at a huge disadvantage because they used their abilities to their fullest, assistin' them and their teammates to bring the defeat on your cronies!"
"I won't deny their prowess, miss Saki," agreed Xero, much to her surprise. "I'm sure they have the skill and determination to defeat me, even if I will try my hardest to fight. But I assure you… when I said my ability is on par with ｢The World｣'s or ｢D4C｣… Let me repeat, I'm ｢not embellishing it｣."
Putting her apprehension and fear of him aside for a moment, Ai proceeded to speak in a tone of impatience. "Well what is your Stand then!? You've been acting so polite to us, so it would be rude if you didn't show us what your Stand looks like and possibly your ability. Oh, and don't forget the name too!"
Possibly in response, Xero is surrounded by a fiery, surging rainbow aura, surprising and alerting everyone because they take this as a sign he's about to show his Stand. Ai expresses her surprise he agreed to her so easily, which puts her fear back to her mind.
"Just as I have revealed my name, so too I will reveal my Stand except its abilities. I believe it is better that you witness my ability instead of listening to me explain how my ability works. As they say… first impression matters."
With a grand arm sweep, a silhouette emerged from within him, the Stand becoming temporarily visible to Franchouchou because the same phenomenon that had granted them sight to normally invisible Stands occurs while they're able to feel their heartbeats and breathing thanks to the same circumstance.
After tiny specks of gleaming particles coalesce to form a silhouette first and then a recognizable form next, the Stand's features become visible, revealing itself to be a humanoid Stand reaching past its users height a head taller. Most of its skin are made out of glass, looking smooth and shining like rainbow when any light flashes on its skin. Four thin wings protrude out from its back, looking like a dragonfly's wing. It differs from the insect because of white, opaque feathers lining the wing's edges, and while subtle, it is moving or twitching from every little movements the Stand makes.
Its head is almost the most normal part of the Stand because it has its user's facial features, including its mouth and nose, which is typical for humanoid Stands to look like their users in some ways. However, its eyes have black sclera and white pupils that provides a sharp and creepy contrast while emphasizing the dark circles around its eyes, rectangular protrusions are in the areas where the ears are usually on, and perhaps most strikingly and disturbingly, its 'skin' above its head is gone, exposing little bits of black skin or muscles being prominent around the top of its head. It must have flaked off because three pieces of outer skin barely hangs on.
But that is not the creepiest part of the Stand. Starting from around where the heart should be is a large hole, where zigzagging and branching lines extends out from it to barely cover its bare torso, back, shoulder, arms and thighs. If weren't for the fact this is a Stand they're looking at, one may be forgiven to think it looks like arteries or veins extending out of the hole.
The only attire the Stand has are the white fingerless 'gloves' in his hand (which looks like it's actually marked around it) and white knee length boots. These parts are opaque like the feathers, meaning they don't gleam under exposure of light and appear solid in every angle.
Overall, Xero's Stand blurs the line between human and non-human due to its creepy and similar features. It is common in arts to depict humans having wings, preferably angel wings, so to see feathery dragonfly wings instead is bound to have any user's eyes on it first before looking to the Stand itself. But the sight of varicose lines spread out from a hole, black eyes and shadowed undereyes, and flaking head might make them reconsider looking back to its wings instead.
Regardless, Franchouchou and Rianima's reactions vary after having their first look to the Stand. Kakyoin, Avdol, Narancia, Gyro, Ai, and Yugiri look on in its appearance in surprise, Bucciarati, Johnny, Mamezuku, Saki and even Tae becomes more wary and determined, and Junko and Lily choose to avert their eyes off from it, wincing and trembling in fear over its apperance.
Hovering by its user's side obediently, Xero observes their reactions before nodding in acknowledgement. He had expected this kind of reaction, being aware of how creepy his Stand looks. He sympathizes this with them to a degree. "I believe no words should be said by me regarding your reaction to my Stand. Just to be clear, I don't take your reactions too hard. Even I wonder why I have a Stand who is even more frightening than other disturbing enemy Stands."
Kakyoin snaps out of his stupor to say some words to Xero. "Tch. Either way, I think we already have a slightest idea of what you are judging from your Stand's appearance. And because of that, I shouldn't delay this any further. Hierophant Green!"
ドッバアーッ
Emeralds shot out from Hierophant Green's hands after it went a little close to Xero covertly to shorten the range. Xero quickly acts, and with a finger pointed to the approaching emeralds, he exclaims, "｢LINKIN PARK｣!"
Answering to Xero's command, the glass-like Stand quickly makes short work of the emeralds by doing what its best as a close-range Stand: rapidly punching them.
"TAMATAMATAMATAMATAMA! ! !"
バシャァーン
Linkin Park successfully shattered the emeralds with its hard fists or deflected few of them aside. Those deflected emeralds strike the trees or ground as a result.
!
The zombies flinch upon witnessing the Stand shattering the emeralds with its fists. At that point, they have the idea of what type it is. "So it's just as I suspected…" Kakyoin began. "Your Stand, which I believe you called it ｢Linkin Park｣, is a close-range type Stand capable of rapidly punching its target. By that logic, it has a short range, meaning you need to get close in order to attack any of us. Does that sound about right?"
Xero did not mind the sneak attack Kakyoin made as he claps his hands out of compliment. "You got it right. You really did your homework, having lived with other Stand Users in one place and seen their abilities in action. And yes, my Stand's name is Linkin Park. I was about to tell you its name when Kakyoin attacked me. Still though, I ended up shouting it out and all of you heard it so… I can confidently end my introduction, Franchouchou and Rianima."
"Now then…" added Xero as he starts taking steps forward, Linkin Park floating by his side. "Let's not delay this fight any longer. Time for me to eliminate Saga's savior… without mercy."
With his ominous words traveling to their ears to fill them up with dread, especially the girls, Xero sprints to them, Linkin Park rearing its fist to pound the zombies with impunity.
"Ah! Here he comes!" Junko shouted.
"STICKYYYYY FINGEEEEEEERS!" called out Bruno as his Stand comes out from a zipper with its fists primed and ready to retaliate. "ARI!"
The two fists collide, producing a recoil from the impact to both Stands and their users. This did not stop them as Linkin Park and Sticky Fingers engage in a fist fight, swinging hooks and jabs at each other after either deflecting with their elbows or dodging their attacks. Each hit emits a sound akin to gunshots and bursts of wind, indicating the strength each punch made by the two Stands. From the way Linkin Park never faltered from deflecting Sticky Finger's powerful punches that could stagger or knock someone out cold, it appears the glass Stand possesses similar strength to the zipper Stand. In fact, it doesn't seem like neither Stand are giving up soon as their punches grow in speed and intensity, ending with Sticky Fingers opting to shield itself by crossing his arms, successfully stopping Linkin Park's single powerful punch that causes gusts of winds in the impact.
"TAMA!" It cried out.
"Ngh!" Bucciarati grunted, feeling his arms being pressed by something heavy.
Meanwhile, after separating and scattering from the two users, Avdol orders Franchouchou to move away somewhere safe and far from the battlefield he and Rai must concern themselves with. This plan also opens up an opportunity to find Sakura, Kotaro and Romero as the girls move through the snowy path, which they immediately agreed since it means they get to stay away from Xero. To ensure their safety, Kakyoin, Narancia, Johnny and Gyro will accompany them. At first, they protested because they need to fight against Xero and provide assistance but Mamezuku insisting they must do it and ensuring the girls are not in danger must take precedence before they can join the fight convinces them.
With Slow Dancer and Valkyrie out, Johnny and Gyro puts Yugiri, Junko, Lily and Tae on the horses' backs (Gyro lamented Lady Luck has become jealous because he put an adult woman on Valkyrie only for Johnny to tell him to knock it off) while Hierophant Green grabs Saki and Ai firmly. With the retreating party assembled, they left the area, but not before Narancia wishes Bruno, Avdol and Rai good luck and reminding they will come back once Franchouchou is in a safe place.
Xero watched it happen after hearing them talk their plan loudly, and by the time he breaks Sticky Fingers' arm shield with an uppercut and quickly punches his chest, sending it and a coughing Bucciarati backwards, they all left.
"Hmm… They managed to leave…" observed Xero. Not a hint of irritation can be discerned in his voice, which strikes Rai and Avdol as odd. Their suspicion increases when instead of going after them after getting Sticky Fingers off Linkin Park, he faces the three, his Stand hovering to his side with fists ready to be thrown. "No matter… Though I expect it will happen soon, I shall keep fighting you three until you determined my weakness and catch me off-guard."
Wary of his possible strategy and the nonchalant way he simply dismissed the notion of chasing after them, Avdol, Magician's Red spreading its arms and fiery hands, decides to ask him. "Your weakness? Why are you talking yourself down?"
"It's like… you're expecting yourself to lose against us," noted Mamezuku, Doggy Style standing behind its user who had untangled both arms into a spiral pattern for channeling the Spin. "Even with that thought though, you're willing to fight your hardest against us three until we, as you said, catch you off-guard."
Xero nods affirmatively, replying, "I wouldn't be here otherwise. That said, don't expect me to hold back. It would make achieving victory in your part so easy and… quick. I don't like that. I wanted to see if the senior members of Rianima can hold their own against me. Care to test yourselves against my Linkin Park?" The Stand itself didn't wavered in its staring, its creepy eyes monitoring the three users. If they haven't established themselves able to stay calm under pressure, they would flinch at it staring them blankly. Even then, plops of sweat are seen on the sides of their heads.
Flicking his nose after rubbing the blood off his cheek, Bucciarati leaps forward towards him with Sticky Fingers, saying, "Well since you asked nicely, we will gladly oblige. Hope you prepare yourself Xero!"
"You too, Bucciarati. The same goes for you two, Avdol and Mamezuku." With those words of encouragement, Xero continues clashing against Bucciarati assisted by Avdol and Mamezuku. Through Magician's Red pyromancy and Mamezuku producing Spin energy in his unraveled wires, choosing to go all out after earning proficiency in his own Spin technique, the three are able to put Linkin Park on defensive, pushing him back little by little as every hit done by them or Sticky Fingers staggers Xero's defense. Intending to use the environment to their advantage, Avdol sends out few Cross Fire Hurricanes near his feet, causing explosions that force him to get away and stay on defensive more, Mamezuku quickly swerving around him as he throws balled ropes brimming with Spin energy against him or Linkin Park to dish out even little bits of damage, occasionally attaching himself to a tree branch or trunk and pulling or swinging around or jumping using his springy legs and Bruno utilizing zippers on the ground, trees, and himself to get over Sticky Fingers' range disadvantage.
However, it didn't take long for Xero to shift the fight toward himself. With only quick reflexes, agility, or speed, he evaded their attacks with only small scratches on his body before closing the gap. With this dizzying tactic, Linkin Park was able to stagger Sticky Fingers again before punching his gut first, and then a strong hook to his other cheek sent him flying again.
"AAAGGGH!" Bruno cried in pain.
Avdol attempted to intervene by using Red Bind, constraining both Linkin Park's hands so it wouldn't try throwing any punches. It didn't work, as Linkin Park grabbed the fiery rope before pulling it along with Magician's Red and Avdol. "W-whoa!" the Egyptian let out in surprise. If he was planning to say more, Linkin Park stopped him with a fist to Magician's Red beak. "TAMA!"
"KRRRRAAAAAAAA! ! !" The fiery Stand shouted in pain, so too its user. "AAAAAGGGGHHHH!"
Linkin Park intends to continue pounding their faces even with Red Bind vanishing that could help him close the gap easy by pulling it and its user, but Mamezuku interrupts him. Changing his arms into spiraling whips, he gets to work thrashing them against Xero. Seeing he won't be able to dodge the whips easily, Xero steps back out of its range. Rai responds by elongating it, and he would certainly reach him if weren't for a rock hurled to his forehead at high speed.
"Ow!"
"There! Have at him, Linkin Park!" commanded Xero, running to Rai to reach his required range. With the man distracted, Linkin Park rears its fists to deliver a beatdown…
ビィィィーッ
…But a detached arm emerging out from a zipper opening appearing on the ground near Mamezuku's feet halts Linkin Park's advance.
"Ah!"
Seeing Bruno stops his chance to attack Rai, Linkin Park retreats back to its user. Feeling Sticky Fingers didn't punch him, Bucciarati comes out of the zipper with a displeased frown directed at the enemy.
So close… If the fist connected to his chin, the zipper will open his throat, cutting it open so his blood will come flowing out from his neck. I have to say… Xero and Linkin Park are quick on their feet… It's not gonna be easy taking them down if we do not match his speed.
Bucciarati fully emerged from the zipper, tending to Mamezuku and Avdol first. The latter was rubbing the spot where a rock had made contact; it stung like hell, making him think Linkin Park threw it at them at bullet speeds. "Mamezuku, Avdol! Are you two alright? Is your injury severe enough to require immediate attention?"
"I'm… I'm fine," grunted Avdol, stumbling up from his crouching position Linkin Park forced him into after decking his face. "His punch really hurts, but I think I can manage the pain…"
"Same here," Rai interjected, shaking his head to ease his rattled mind and choosing to ignore the stinging sensation and try staying calm, even if his mouth betrays it through him wincing. "A rock to my face might have bruised my forehead, that's all."
Bucciarati smiled in relief that the two are safe. "That's good. I don't think my zippers could stop your bleeding wounds if they're too serious."
The leader turned around to face Xero again, this time with a glare. Avdol and Mamezuku followed, the latter standing up with his arms still untangled into long whips. Now that they personally witnessed his strength and speed, it appeared the three of them would not be enough to overwhelm him. They had put forth many distracting attacks to confuse and put him on the defensive, slowly creating an opening Bucciarati would exploit to pull one over him, but alas, Linkin Park's agility ensured its user was able to avoid all the harm done to him. That agility could be a way to make up for his short range, especially when it merged back to its user during the trio's assault to share its agility too and help him dodge their attacks easily. And of course, being a Stand User who may have gone into many fights, he took advantage of each move they attempted on him as showcased by Avdol and Rai.
They know fighting Xero and Linkin Park wouldn't be easy, considering he's the one behind the twelve enemy Stands' presence; he had possibly conjured them somewhere whilst taking the form of past enemies Rianima fought, and yet, witnessing his strength and speed serves as an eye-opener to them that it would take more than just three veteran Stand Users to even the odds stacked against them.
As they wonder how they can land a direct hit against Xero, Avdol looks behind the trail they're standing on. Seeing no one is approaching them, he says, "Kakyoin and the rest are taking so long. I believe they should be here by now. Could they have went so far?"
"I wouldn't put it pass them if they want Franchouchou to be safe or they possibly come across our missing friends," Mamezuku remarked, eyes focused on their enemy. "But we really need their assistances if we can hope to beat this guy."
"All we can do is wait," reminded Bruno, gritting his teeth as Sticky Fingers prepares to throw hands against Linkin Park again. "Right now, we must try a different tactic that not even Xero's speed could make him avoid."
Before they can put the plan in action with Avdol considering creating a flaming ground, Xero says something that confuses them. "Ah, good timing you three. I can hear your allies returning."
"…Huh?" The three let out.
"What, you'd expect I wouldn't hear your conversation? Quite honestly, learn to be discreet next time, especially when you're discussing Stand tactics, alright?" he continues. "Anyway, as I said, your allies will be returning to provide assistance you three sorely needed to even shift the tides of battle against me…slightly."
"…How come you know when they will be back?" Bucciarati questioned.
"…Would you believe if I say to you three that Kakyoin and the others will be here in about… three seconds?"
Any thoughts of protest from the three bodyguards were left unsaid as the gallops of horses and many running footsteps are heard… coming behind Xero.
Since they're in full view, it didn't take long from either side to express their shock and puzzlement over seeing each other when they thought they should be far from the trio at this point.
Emphasizing this, someone shouted to the three with a finger pointed to them. "Wha? Bucciarati-san? Avdol? And Mamezuku-san?"
"Kakyoin?" Avdol called out his name, similarly confused.
Blinking twice to see if he's imagining it. Johnny asks, "What the? How did you three and our enemy got here so fast? Weren't you all supposed to be far away from us?"
"We could ask you the same question Johnny." responded Avdol.
"Yeah, well… I think I can vouch for my group we have the same questions too," interjected Saki, trying her best not to look so conspicuously confused and failing. "But we must get away from this prick first. Don't know how the hell he got to our position but we won't risk it knowing it!"
"Then let's go! Before he decides to target us!" beckoned Narancia.
The group is about to turn around and take off away when Xero stops them. "I'm afraid you can't do that."
"Huh? Why not?" That was Gyro, hands going over his holster.
Xero didn't hesitate to tell them what his statement actually means. "From the moment I appeared before you thirteen, I have already trapped you thirteen in this part of the mountain on a set kilometer. What I mean to say is… If you try going across the path to any directions, you will end up emerging from the other side."
"…What? The… other side?" Lily repeated, speaking for everyone so confused of his words.
"And we're… trapped inside this… area?" added Yugiri.
"Like you ten did only moments ago," further explained Xero. "You took your leave to that direction, and few minutes later, you got here from the opposite side. It's like in The Blair Witch Project, where the three college students found themselves ending on the same log no matter how far they went in one direction. They even walked down the creek at one point but they implausibly ended on the same log…"
Everyone would be befuddled over him namedropping a media title were it not from the implication behind his words. Slowly, a dawn of realization happen upon them as their eyes widen.
"And just to be clear, I did not watch the movie. I only heard about the scene and thought it would make a good comparison…" Xero clarified for some reason, but they did not pay attention to what he said in favor of attempting to disbelieve him.
"Is he… Is he serious?" asked Ai, wrestling out of Hierophant Green's grip because she's close to freaking out. "We're already trapped from the start, with no means of escaping from him?"
"But… But… How?" Junko stammered, unable to make a comment out of fear, which is making her body tremble.
"ORA!"
With a shout, Gyro throws a steel ball to the direction of the trees with all his might so it will continue flying in the air. When asked why threw it, he says he wants to test if Xero is speaking the truth. Three seconds later, the steel ball emerges from the other side, opposite of Gyro, surprising him and everyone else. Not to be outdone, Narancia sends Aerosmith in the air to try disprove Xero. But like what happened to the steel ball, Aerosmith came out from the opposite side behind Narancia, baffling him.
"What!? I'm sure I didn't have Aerosmith fly in that direction!" He exclaimed, trying to think of something that explains why his Stand did that.
"You didn't Narancia. All this looping location is thanks to Linkin Park's ｢ability｣," Xero finally revealed. "As I said earlier, I activated it from the start to entrap you thirteen over a set distance where you will only witness endlessly looping paths without ever progressing to different areas of Mt. Tenzan. I also did it to Sakura-san, Kotaro-san and Romero, after I put them away from here."
!
Franchouchou and Rianima didn't expect the answer over this strange phenomenon that forbids them from leaving this particular area of the mountain is actually the work of Xero, specifically his ability. Now that they think about it, the blizzard that erupted around them many minutes ago was certainly unnatural, even with the steady increase of wind speed that foreshadowed it feeling normal at first. Considering the fact Xero may have found them and played the waiting game, elusively watching them from somewhere, it isn't out the realm of possibility Xero is the one who caused the sudden burst of wind to envelope Sakura, Kotaro and Romero while blinding the others momentarily to transport them somewhere. Two guesses as to how they could vanished without seeing them.
Since he's the cause of many phenomena, including turning the zombies back to humans to make them vulnerable to dying and injury, it didn't take long for them to guess that to break free out of his trap, they must defeat Xero first…
With that thought, one of them springs into action. "So it's all because of you, huh? Well, if you're not bullshitting us, then it makes sense killing you would mean freeing us from your trap! Hope you're ready asshole… to get pumped full of LEAD! AEROSMITH! ! !"
グォォン!
Its rotor buzzing as it makes a loop in the air to adjust its aim, Aerosmith fly close to Xero, who looks on it unflinchingly. At the same time, Avdol makes his move, beckoning Magician's Red to charge up a flaming attack from its beak.
"If that's what it takes to free us from your trap, then I shall do the same! Everyone, steer clear, for Magician's Red is about to unleash a powerful attack!"
Not needing to hear him again, everyone get away from Avdol and Narancia, with Kakyoin, Johnny and Gyro guiding Franchouchou until they gathered with Bucciarati and Mamezuku away from the two, but not as far so Rianima can act upon Xero if he makes any sudden moves.
Speaking of Xero, he's still remaining nonchalant of Narancia's and Avdol's impending attacks. All he's doing is standing there with Linkin Park by his side.
Ignoring his odd calmness, the two shoots out their attacks.
"CROSS FIRE… HURRICAAAAAANE! ! !"
"DROP DEAD!"
Since they're near him, he wouldn't be able to dodge the attacks in time even with his inherent quickness. That's what Bruno and Rai thought, which clues them to the fact that something's not right with the way Xero remains calm in face of death.
Franchouchou doesn't care though, as Saki and Lily can attest to. "Rot in hell, you prick!"
"Burn his butt, you two!"
It should end with Xero killed, burning to ashes after getting shot multiple times over. That way, the fight wouldn't be as long as it needed to be.
However, what he did to counter their attacks puts a kibosh to that thought, on top of him surprising them all again.
"Linkin Park…"
ガシャッ!
In one swift motion of his and the Stand's hands, two rifts appeared in front of and behind Xero. The bullets and ankh enter through them, much to Avdol's and Narancia's surprise (Aerosmith stopped firing too). The attacks didn't disappear when they went in, for they emerge out of the third tear placed directly above Linkin Park together. The flaming ankh explodes while the bullets either disappear or were obliterated by the explosion.
With the attacks gone, Xero and Linkin Park closed the rifts with a simple wave of their hands, doing it so in a dramatic way.
The gothic man turns his eyes over Narancia and Avdol, who is left speechless and unable to comprehend what had happened.
"Wha… What the hell…? How… How did he…?"
Li'l Bomber didn't finish his words when Xero got close to him. "Pay attention."
"TAMA!"
"GOOOUUUGH!"
With a swift punch, Narancia falls to the ground with blood in his mouth.
"Narancia!" Junko and Saki called out in concern and shock.
Snapping out of his stupor, Avdol quickly acts, commanding Magician's Red to send out several Red Binds to constrain Xero and Linkin Park. They respond by opening a large tear, of which the ropes enter through it. The tear closed, cutting the ropes.
"What!?"
Avdol didn't get to protest when Linkin Park punched Magician's Red on its beak again. Fire Lord spews out blood from its mouth and nose as he was hurled to a tree behind him, knocking the wind out of him. "UOOOOGGGHH!"
"Avdol-san!" Ai exclaimed, wincing from the sight of his blood on his nose and mouth.
"Oh my word!" similarly shouted Yugiri with one hand over her mouth to express her shock.
Unwilling to let Xero do more damage, Bucciarati rouses his members out of their shock, exclaiming, "Everyone, stop him! We can't let him do more damage to Narancia and Avdol!"
"Right! I don't know if opening up holes in the air is Linkin Park's main ability, but we must take action immediately!" Kakyoin nodded, running to the battlefield with Bruno, Johnny and Gyro to stop Xero and defeat him. Summoning their Stands, they intend to continue the previous strategy to pressure him until they find an opening, and directly attack him or his Stand.
Settling themselves behind a bush, Franchouchou cheers them on, hoping they can turn the tides to their side.
Stepping backwards after punching them to the ground, Xero turns his eyes off the recovering Avdol and Narancia, who are covering their bloodied faces, to the remaining Rianima members approaching him with their Stands out. It should be obvious to him what these four will do to him if their strong-willed faces can tell him.
Yes. Those faces… That is what I want to see from you as you make a move to kill me. I wonder though… will you be able to outsmart me and my Linkin Park? Let us see then if you all have what it takes to surpass me, before I grant you permissions to kill me.
It takes Avdol and Narancia sending out Magician's Red and Aerosmith and their attacks respectively that Xero responds in kind.
Making a move first, Johnny shoots out three nail bullets to Xero, holding on to Slow Dancer as the appaloosa circles around him. Seeing they are imbued with the Spin, Xero creates a rift that the nail bullets enter through before creating a second rift to Kakyoin's direction, who's about to perform Emerald Splash.
"Crap!" He quickly reacted by ducking and letting the bullets fly pass him harmlessly. They hit the tree, turning them into dark holes. These holes chase after Xero, who is engaged in another fist fight with Bucciarati and his Sticky Fingers. Gyro and Narancia keeps him busy through hurling steel balls and firing machine guns against him. With Xero's speed though, he's able to evade their attacks while Linkin Park expertly deflects Sticky Finger's punches. That said, Bruno is able to land a hit or two against Linkin Park, pushing the user back in pain. "Ugh!"
Observing the holes getting close to Xero, Johnny decides to keep him busy by firing ACT1 nails. Kakyoin, Mamezuku and Avdol do the same too after they saw the holes approaching their enemy. While Xero and Linkin Park are too busy deflecting or dodging their every moves, accumulating little bits of damage, the former is able to see from the corner of his eye the holes close to his feet.
So the seven intends to distract me from noticing the holes Johnny made… A brilliant move… But not enough to convince me…!
"Linkin Park!"
Getting Rianima off him through rapid punches in every direction, Xero and Linkin Park makes a hole for them to go through, barely avoiding the spinning holes, which stopped moving and disappeared. Seeing this, Johnny and Gyro would have cursed for the opponent's resilience and watchfulness if two punches didn't strike their faces.
"TAMA!"
"OW!"
"AAGH!"
Linkin Park's attack after coming out from a rift sends the two jockeys off Slow Dancer and Valkyrie, who panics from the sudden distraction as they gallop erratically away from the group.
"N-No…! Slow Dancer, wait!" winced out Johnny, ignoring the pain on his chest to reach out for his zombie horse.
"Valkyrie, hold up!" Gyro similarly expressed, holding his stomach as he tries standing up.
"Don't worry you two! We will get them back!" Kakyoin vowed to them before he takes off to the horses' direction along with Avdol.
"Not if I have to say about that!"
Swiftly dodging Aerosmith's bullet and Mamezuku's razor sharp wire, Linkin Park kicks him and Narancia away when they try to get closer to attack him with a switchblade or strangle him before they sprint to Kakyoin and Avdol's direction to stop them from retrieving the horses. "Shit! He's going after them!" exclaimed Gyro.
"Get up you two! We must stop him!" With Bucciarati's command, the five Stand Users chased after Xero. After few seconds, they are within his range in order to attack him from far away. Only Narancia, Johnny and Gyro can attack from a distance but that is not to say the Bruno and Mamezuku has attacks that can circumvent their Stand's short range.
"AEROSMITH!" The airplane repeated its previous attack
"TUSK!" Johnny utilized ACT3 to get a little closer so his bullets will land on Xero.
"OOOORA! ! !" Gyro didn't hesitate to throw two balls in a curveball fashion.
"STICKY FINGERS!" the zipper Stand detaches his arm, becoming a rocket-like punch chasing after Xero.
"DOGGY STYLE!" Lastly, Rai extends the length of his unraveled arm before shooting out razor sharp fingers to their opponent.
With Xero's back facing them, they hope he wouldn't notice them, or if he did, he might not be able to dodge them in time like earlier when they almost overwhelm him.
Unfortunately, he did.
"Too slow!"
In one quick spin, he and Linkin Park created ten rifts. "Huh!?" The five are taken by surprise first before they quickly snap out when seeing their attacks that went through the bottom rifts created by Xero come out from the top rifts made by Linkin Park.
! !
Realizing they will get hit by their attacks, the five get off the path to evade them, but they end up getting hit: Johnny shield himself with his arms as Aerosmith's bullet struck him, Bucciarati does the same for Mamezuku's sharp fingers piercing through it and almost to his chest, making him spew blood, Narancia screams in pain when one bullet hit his leg, transforming into a hole and doing lacerating wound on it, the steel balls strike Mamezuku anyway despite dodging them and Gyro gets punched in the face, causing a zipper to appear.
Watching it happen from the sidelines, Franchouchou couldn't bear their mounting concern for them so they come out of their hiding and go after them.
"Bucciarati-san! Everyone!" Ai kneeled before Bucciarati and Mamezuku as they reel from the pain caused by their comrades.
"Dammit! Can't believe he turned your attacks against you through opening a… hole in the air!" Saki expressed her disbelief, looking between Narancia and Gyro while trying not to visibly wince from their injuries.
"Ooooowwwww…! Why does your Stand hurts so much, Johnny?" Narancia complained, gripping his left leg that has a long, thin wound ending in a circular point as blood spills out. "Or better yet, why am I the one who got hit by your bullets?!"
"Beats me!" This is Johnny's response, ignoring the stinging gunshot wound in his arms. Good thing they didn't hit his hands. "At least mine isn't as too painful as yours!"
"Well you sure are lucky, Johnny-san." Lily stated sarcastically, knowing he's in pain. He just doesn't want to show it through his face.
Looking down the path where Xero, Kakyoin and Avdol disappear in the horizon, Junko wonders what the deal with the rifts Xero made is. She and the girls watched him create a hole to evade and transfer the attack to Rianima earlier, which led her to assume that must be Linkin Park's ability. Such a simple ability is made deadly due to Xero's tenacity and reflexes necessary to go toe-to-toe with the seven Stand Users.
As expected from a mastermind, Xero and Linkin Park are tough. How will Rianima beat him if he can create rifts for various purposes and has strength and speed comparable to Bucciarati-san's Sticky Fingers? There… There has to be a weakness. No… there must be. Stands may wield extraordinary abilities of all kind, but there is bound to be limitations that can impede their users if they don't act around it cleverly. Like Aerosmith having poor precision and Doggy, er… Mamezuku-san's Stand requiring himself to get close to an opponent to inflict damage on them. It is possible Xero's ability has some weakness. We just… need to figure it out.
With that thought, Junko decides to discuss it with her friends. Coincidentally, Bruno and Rai has the same thoughts as they go bring it up to everyone.
"The holes Xero can make… he's really focused on using them at all times," started Bucciarati, moving his arm freely after Rai gets his fingers off his arm and deactivates his ability. "We tried every attack we can send against him, but he negates them by just making a hole in the air."
"From what we have seen how it works," Rai continues, "there are two holes usually present: an ｢entry｣ and an ｢exit｣. Not once did he want to create only one hole to suit his needs. It's like he needs to create two holes, or more accurately to call them rifts, to utilize his ability correctly."
"Two rifts? But what about the one rift he made when we first heard his voice?" Yugiri reminds him and everyone.
"Hmm… Then maybe he had formed an entry rift somewhere," Gyro speculated. "I mean, who's to say he makes up for his short range by using rifts to go somewhere even from afar?"
"So basically, it's like a ｢portal｣?" Narancia described.
"That sounds like it, so yeah…" Saki agreed with a nod.
"Either way, let's stop here," Mamezuku abruptly finishes their speculation. "Xero is still chasing after Kakyoin and Avdol. We must go after them before he caught up to them."
"That won't be necessary."
?!
Hearing Xero's voice coming from behind, they turn around to see Xero leaning inside the rift's edges, with Linkin Park floating in front of it. Like the first time he appeared, the background in the rift is black, making it hard to tell where did he come from.
Seeing they're near him, Franchouchou quickly scamper behind Rianima, who took a step forward along with their Stands with a glare and scowl, really angry to see him at this point.
Hoping Xero didn't do anything to Kakyoin and Avdol, as well Slow Dancer and Valkyrie, Johnny speaks up first with finger pointed at his head. "Alright you asshole. What have you done to both Kakyoin, Avdol and our horses? You better not attacked them, especially our horses because we treat them like they've been with us for a long time!"
Xero steps on the ground as he closes the rift, before replying to Johnny, "Don't worry. I did not lay my hand on your horses. That goes too for Kakyoin and Avdol."
"Huh? How can we be sure we trust you?" Ai insinuated.
"Grrrrrr…!" Tae growled, uncertain if she should charge at him or stay still and protect Junko and Lily.
He pointed his thumb behind him as he says, "See for yourselves."
No sooner he said that, Kakyoin and Avdol arrive along with Slow Dancer and Valkyrie, the latter holding their reigns, indicating he's the one who tamed them. Like their reaction earlier when they tried to get Franchouchou to safety but failing, they cannot help but be surprise. "Ah! We're back here again," said Kakyoin. "Even though Avdol and I went in that direction, we somehow got here from the opposite side."
"I believe we shouldn't think of discounting Xero's assertion that we're all stuck with him until the fight is over," Avdol remarked, removing their reins and letting go back to their owners. Xero didn't interfere, only merely watching them return.
He folds his arms, addressing everyone present with this tidbit. "So now that you see there is truly no escape under my sight, please don't stray far away from me. I think... I had enough holding myself. Right now, it's time for me to get serious…"
Linkin Park readies its fists, and in response, Rianima assumed their stances, shielding Franchouchou from his scouring eyes. They went silent as they play the waiting game again to see who will attack first.
During this short period, Yugiri remembers what Xero said, who used a specific phrase that, frankly, concerns. Wait, holding back? Is Xero… holding back the whole time?
She didn't get to bring it up when Xero rushed towards them with Linkin Park. Kakyoin and Avdol chased after him, their Stands springing into action.
"Linkin Park!" commanded Xero.
Smiling with gusto, Linkin Park throws both arms against the first person near it: Bucciarati. "TAMA!" When it looks like he's about to take it to his face…
"There! Sticky Fingers!"
"ARI!"
In one swift motion, Sticky Fingers deflected Linkin Park's arms, pusnching it upwards.
Xero recoiled from his attack, moving in the same way Linkin Park is as his wrist flares up in pain. Before he can get his bearings, a weird feeling is felt in his wrists. "Huh?"
That feeling causes both his wrists to detach from his arm thanks to a zipper planted around it which it zips open, therefore removing his hands. "Wha!? My hands! Why did he-"
"Hierophant Green!"
"Magician's Red!"
Seizing the chance as he recoiled in confusion and pain, Kakyoin and Avdol tangle him and Linkin Park with multiple tendrils and Red Binds, using the trees in Kakyoin's case as support for his tendrils. The ropes lift Xero up in the air, hanging in the same height as the trees.
"Yes! We got him!" Kakyoin exclaimed victoriously.
Despite the tight tendrils and Red Binds, Xero never complained nor writhed within, preferring to be still as he looks down to both his and Linkin's Park detached hands lying on the ground. That doesn't mean he's not feeling discomfort.
Bucciarati, he… He choose to put zippers around my wrists and sever our hands… But why? What reason could he have to cut my hands off me?
…Wait. Did he… and Mamezuku… figured out my weakness in making rifts?
"Everyone, get those hands away from Xero! Immediately!"
Without needing to be retold, Mamezuku pulls Linkin Park's hands to him using Doggy Style while Yugiri does the same to Xero's. Then the guys surround Xero with their Stand on standby while Franchouchou hide behind the trees.
Holding Xero's hands, which feels warm compared to her cold skin, Yugiri looks at it in curiosity, wondering why Bucciarati cut off their hands. Peeking around her, Saki and Junko has the same thought as her, before they turn to their bodyguards when they heard them ask the same question to him.
"Uh Bucciarati, why did you target their hands?" Narancia questioned him. Aerosmith flies above Xero with the intent of dropping the bomb to his head.
Turning to Linkin Park's hands held by Mamezuku, he looks up to his eyes. A flash of understanding is seen in him, of which they both nodded in unison. "So you figured it out. As expected from our leader…" he cryptically said.
"Figured it out?" Kakyoin repeated in confusion, which applies to everyone.
"What did you figured out?" Gyro asked.
"｢My weakness｣."
They hear Xero spoke, so they all turn to him, who's not perturbed of him being held tightly by the tendrils. Knowing they want clarification, he continues, "Specifically, my weakness to my and Linkin Park's ｢Spatial Rift｣ ability. Namely, I have to use my hands to create even a ｢singular｣ rift. As of this moment, we can't feel and control our hands."
!
So that's how he does it. No wonder he always reaches his hands out to produce a rift. With his hands not on him, he's unable to make more rifts to free himself. I made a right move disabling their hands.
"That's right," nodded Bucciarati. "I suspected as much you rely on your hands to make many rifts. Also, I cannot help but notice that there seems to be a specific way on how your… Spatial Rifts work.
"…Go on." He urged them to continue.
Mamezuku speaks next. "If I have this right, the objects that enter through a rift you create comes out from a second rift Linkin Park made. I believe it doesn't work the other way around."
Xero lets out a chuckle that they correctly figured out his rather simple ability. "You're both correct. Spatial Rifts allow me to create rifts in the air to transport objects or person to another place where Linkin Park put the second rift. While the rifts I made must come from me, therefore negating any thought of producing rift far from me, Linkin Park has no limitation on where it could put the rifts. In other words, it has free range."
The two groups lets out an "Ooooh," or "Ah, I see," after they listened to his explanation that he didn't hesitate to do it.
With him and his Stand tied up by Hierophant Green and Magician's Red, it looks like the zombies will earn their victory after they kill Xero. Pushed by this thought, Kakyoin has some words to say to him, "Hmph. Looks like you're all talk. Your ability all along is to produce rifts that isn't as strong as you made it out to be. While we're relieved it isn't too troublesome for us to beat, I'm… kinda disappointed."
"Hey save the disappointment for later Cherry Boy," Saki pats his back with a grin, coming out of her and the girls' hiding. "Be happy this menace to Saga and our lives will be gone soon."
"Yeah! Hope we won't miss you, you big meanie!" Lily insulted him, folding her arms with a pout to express her anger towards him.
"A pity, to be sure. I have a feeling you could fight more if you decide to take this fight seriously," Bruno remarked. "You might have some potential in you. Too bad you weren't able to let yourself loose, as much I don't want to."
"Less talking, more killing!" Johnny exclaimed, riding on Slow Dancer as he aims his spinning nail to his head. "Let's finish this bastard off!"
Ignoring his crass words, Rianima and Franchouchou agree. Xero must be purged from the face of Saga to ensure their undead lives are mostly free from worry and danger.
Before Rianima can finish Xero off, he suddenly speaks. "I'm afraid… It's too early for me to bite the dust."
Everyone stops when they hear him saying more.
Surveying their confused expressions directed to him, Xero lets a smile appear on his face as he says, "You all must be thinking Spatial Rift is my main ability. Well sorry to say it but… ｢it is not｣."
"...Huh?" Franchouchou and Rianima let out in unison.
"I never once said or refer it as my main ability," he continues. "It's more like… my ｢sub ability｣, possibly related to what Linkin Park will now show to you all soon."
"S-Soon? So you are really holding back the entire time?" Yugiri replied, remembering hearing him say about how he's holding back the whole time.
Xero nods. "Indeed. Since Rianima shown themselves capable of coordinating with each other and working with their abilities, it's time for me to tap on my full potential… LINKIN PARK!"
"GUNIGUNI!"
ドォーン
Before they saw what happened when Linkin Park did something, they see Xero is not held within the tendrils and Red Bind anymore, the latter dissipating when it couldn't find someone to tie around. It's like he disappeared.
But that's not what surprised them the most. The location they're has changed.
"H-Huh?! We're… We're in a river?!" Junko exclaimed, looking around her after she felt a liquid flowing past and surrounding her hips. The others are in the same situation as her, their legs submerged within the water in varying heights to account for their own heights.
"What in the world…? How did we get here? Weren't we last standing on the mountain's path?" Avdol noted in disbelief.
"Yes. We were all on the path seconds ago."
!?
They turned around to see Xero… standing on the surface without sinking in the river. As always, Linkin Park hovers behind him, its black schlera and white pupils boring on them.
Predictably, everyone is puzzled over how is he standing on the surface so easily. More than that, they wonder how the hell they had got here so quickly. Little did they know, Xero can answer that… by transitioning into the next phase of their fight when he will stop holding back as he claimed earlier.
ゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴ
Dusting his coat, Xero sees that they have become more cautious and wary, but also determined to take him down. For some reason, he smiles, indicating he must be liking their reaction and determination to stop him. "Would you care to find out… what Linkin Park's ability is, Franchouchou and Rianima? Here. Let me show you all…"
To be continued
Stand Analysis:
Linkin Park (User: Xero)
Destructive Power: ?
Speed: ?
Range: ?
Stamina: ?
Precision: ?
Developmental Potential: ?
Data unknown.
Current Status/Whereabouts of the characters:
Franchouchou sans Sakura and Kotaro - Stuck in the fight between Rianima and Xero
Rianima - Fighting Xero and Linkin Park
Xero - Finally showed up to fight against the zombies
Sakura, Kotaro and Romero - Got transported somewhere
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Unknown character - Has just started hiking Mt. Tenzan