The continuation of Anubis and Emperor fight is here as the 40th chapter, everyone! I've done a lot of changing, re-editing, and polishing for this chapter so a few scenes have tight cohesiveness, makes sense in context, and fit to my current writing standards and style, especially in the second half.
Please enjoy!
Anubis saw there's no use struggling more to free Yugiri out of Peel Planter's restraints. Mamezuku really made sure the bindings are too tight to prevent even the tiniest bit of movement in fingers.
Tied against a pine tree, "Yugiri" didn't try hiding a scowl directed at the two, or more precisely, at Johnny. "She" could try moving her head but Mamezuku wouldn't let it. "Her" scowl for him would be harsher if her neck weren't restrained.
"…Hnnnrgh. Not bad. Not bad at all. You're quick on your feet, Peel Planter. Restraining my whole body tightly enough to ensure I stopped attacking and prevent myself from cutting your strings apart… As much as I'm ticked off, I can't help but be impressed." "Yugiri" smirked next, the complement not impressing Mamezuku and Johnny.
Narrowing his eyes contemptuously, Mamezuku replies, "Trying to appeal to our sympathy through smooth words? I would shut my mouth and think about your impending doom if I were you."
"Hooo~? How? By removing the sword out of her hands? Well too bad! I'm holding it as firmly as I can, and even if you did remove it by your hands, I'll possess any of you two next!"
"You're sure as hell feeling confident… You're asking for a death wish after you tell us that, because we ain't risking that! Instead…" Aiming at the blade, Johnny says, "I'll chip off the 「blade itself」! That way, Yugiri's safety is guaranteed without harming her."
Mamezuku nodded approvingly. "Well said. That's what I'm hoping you must do."
Though fearful he'll act on it, Anubis concealed it by chuckling and a taunt. "Keh keh keh keh. You must have gotten soft Johnny if you're gonna do it that way. Why? Afraid to hurt this woman?"
"The more you talk, the more I want to hurt you! 'Course I'm not attacking Yugiri! She may not be related to me by blood, but I see her as my daughter. Even someone like me shouldn't stoop so low as to attack my own child!" Johnny starts charging the nail while glaring, eager to get started
I wouldn't forgive myself if something unpleasant happened to Yugiri and Lily. Gyro surely thinks the same.
"Oh? That's the first time I heard you claim that." Rai remarked.
"Well, it's not like I say what's on my mind unless necessary often but…" He cleared his throat before reminding him, "Let's… focus on getting the sword off her hands, alright?"
Mamezuku abides by his request. "Okay. Let's not delay this any longer. Time to dispose of 「Anubis itself」."
Seeing Johnny is going to force himself out of Yugiri's mind, he growled through the courtesan, exclaiming, "Get back, Johnny! If you don't get back or release her right this instant…!"
Sensing Yugiri's left wrist was not as constrained as he thought, Anubis managed to wrestle it out of the binds and aimed the Emperor at Johnny, "Say goodbye to your brain!"
ドガ！
"Shit!"
Startled, Johnny narrowly ducked to avoid five bullets. At the same time, Mamezuku pulled Yugiri's wrist back, but not before disarming the gun Stand off her hands by whipping it. Seeing it, Johnny quickly moved to grab it, but the gun Stand vanished before it could land. "Hey, it disappeared!"
"Ah ah ah! It's useless throwing the Emperor away! It's part of me, so I can freely dismiss it as I like," cackled Anubis. "You should worry about the bullets I fired more, as they should be returning riiiiight… now."
Looking back, Johnny saw the bullets he avoided zooming back to them, specifically towards Mamezuku, possibly the real or changed target. Alarmed, he turns to Rai and warns him, "Mamezuku! The 「bullets」…!"
"I'm aware. I get what you're so worried about, but let them come," coolly replied Mamezuku as he stared at the approaching bullets with the same face. "That way, I am prepared to deal Anubis a 「critical blow」 using those bullets."
His response is not what Anubis expected. Curious, and also a little terrified that his plan appears to have failed so soon, he asks, "Huh? Wha… What do you mean?"
It's Rai's turn to smirk as he reveals, "I'm talking… about this!"
BGM: Rai Mamezuku's Fan-Made Theme (JoJolion Fan OST)
Through ensnaring Yugiri's hand holding Anubis itself, he forces the sword to be raised up by controlling Yugiri's hand holding the hilt through his coiled rope, just as the bullet is close. They made contact.
"AAAAGGGHHHH!"
"Yugiri" cried out in pain when the bullets hit the blade. "She" is aghast, having never thought Rai used "her" own attack against "her".
As the possessed zombie thrashes around out of pain, at least attempting to, Mamezuku looks at Johnny who is impressed by his bold strategy that can end up in him riddled with holes. Noting he watched him inflict damage to Anubis as an example, he has this to say to him. "Johnny, do it! Shoot your 「nails」 against the 「blade」! I'll steady it with 「Doggy Style」 so Anubis wouldn't think of moving the sword around regardless if he committed it to memory!"
Johnny nods, replying, "Okay! I'm gonna do it now! Tusk!" Hang on tight Yugiri. You'll almost free.
"Huh? W-Wait, no! Don't do it! I-I don't want myself to be-!" Anubis pleaded, Yugiri's eyes widening after "she" realizes what the two will do next.
"Chumimi~in!"
ドゴォォ
Johnny and Mamezuku are unsympathetic to Anubis' plea as the two work together to damage the sword in order to decrease Anubis' control over Yugiri. With Rai forcing the blade to move against Anubis' protest and Johnny utilizing ACT2 to its fullest, the blade is gradually getting whittled down by the nail bullets, causing an amount of pain for Anubis that he screamed through Yugiri. If it weren't for the fact she was possessed by the Stand and that her screams of pain are coming from Anubis, Johnny and Mamezuku would've winced because they're hurting her, perhaps stopping because they are not liking her painful shriek.
I'm not sure if you were conscious the whole time, Yugiri, but… If you are actually feeling the bullets I'm firing, I'm sorry. Johnny offers his apology in his mind.
I must be going soft when I'm not liking Yugiri screaming and squirming in my grip… Mamezuku thought. I am doing this for the sake of protecting the girls and Saga. If the situation allows it, I must sacrifice some part of me to ensure the success of a greater goal. If you are feeling all of it Yugiri, then endure it for a little longer. It looks like we are just about done.
True to his thoughts, Johnny's attack on Anubis has damaged the blade. The surface is no longer smooth, and it's chipped. This is signified by Yugiri's body twitching as she groans in pain. No doubt Anubis must have felt every single bullet hitting him, which Johnny wants to make sure he felt it all by using ACT2 for the last ten shots. That left him waiting for his nails to grow back though, which takes for about a minute.
Darn. Should have brought chamomile tea with me if I knew this is how the fight would go, Johnny sighed. Well, at least I dealt enough damage. If I shoot one more bullet at it, Anubis is done!
"Grrrrrrrr… How dare you… sully me?" "Yugiri" growled in contempt. "She's" struggling to get out Mamezuku's bindings, tugging with one hand or making even a little bit of movement with gnashed teeth and furrowed eyes. "You're gonna regret this, Johnny Joestar! When I'm free, I'll inflict on you the most agonizing death in retaliation for this!"
"Big words coming from someone who's gonna die!" Johnny retorted.
"RAAAAAARGH! I won't be killed! I'm serious! I shall free myself from this man's grip right NOW!"
BGM Stops
ピキィーン
Seemingly in response, the sword gleamed in purplish black glow, startling Mamezuku. "Huh? What is- The sword… Why is it glowing, and… looks so… dazzling…" Peel Planter stared at the glowing blade, going silent afterwards. Without any of them realizing, he became captivated at the real beauty of the sword even if it's damaged… and how "Yugiri" is smirking while glancing at him.
Yes. Yes, he will do just fine. He's not who I wanted to be, but I'm taking any chance I can get to free myself!
ドドドドドドドド
Johnny notices he's distracted so he tells him, "Hey Mamezuku, focus! Keep Yugiri tied up and the sword still. I have a minute to grow back one nail, hopefully the last straw to destroy the sword in one shot!" Johnny told him. "For now, put down the sword for a minute until I'm ready to shoot!"
"…"
"Mamezuku?"
Noticing he hadn't responded after five seconds, Johnny turned and saw his gaze… His blank gaze… focused entirely on the sword. Unlike Peel Planter, he couldn't see the glowing blade. "Hey, Mamezuku! What's wrong? There something on the sword? Stop looking at it."
"…"
"Hellooooo? Why aren't you saying anything?"
"Sorry Johnny, but I'm afraid… I won't do what you're telling me to do." "Mamezuku" suddenly announced in a deep tone of voice.
Recognizing the difference in tone, Johnny tensed up as he pointed at the sword despite not having grown one nail yet. "W-What? Mamezuku?"
"Don't bother talking to him Johnny. He's taking a rest… inside his mind."
"His mind…?"
Before he can ask, he notices the ropes binding Yugiri start to loosen, until one by one, the ropes wriggle off of her and the tree. They bundle back to Mamezuku's upper body, reforming his lower parts as more winded back to his being. With nothing restraining Yugiri, she's free to take a stand and stretch both her arms with a wide smile. "Ahahahaha! I'm free! FREE!" "She" exclaimed elatedly.
!?
Nail Jockey couldn't believe what he's seeing. Mamezuku releases Yugiri without removing the blade and the same person returns the ravelled ropes back to his body. Once he's done, he's crouching on one knee and is looking at him with the same blank look in tandem with Yugiri giving him a cold stare while standing with one hand on her hips.
"What… What the hell is this!? Mamezuku, why did you-" He stopped mid-sentence after noticing the way his comrade's eyes were. Specifically, how they turned purple, the same color Yugiri's eyes have when possessed by Anubis… Ah! No, don't tell me… Did Anubis managed to-
"Keh keh keh… That's right! I have Rai Mamezuku wrapped around my thumb as my second vessel!"
Neither he nor Yugiri spoke, but instead, it's Anubis. He appeared above the two as a transparent being, and true to his name, he took the form of the Egyptian god's famous appearance as a black jackal. He shoots the stunned ex-jockey a malicious smirk, taking joy at the sweating face he's showing.
"Surprised I can possess someone else other than my main vessel? Well, to be fair, controlling two people is my limit, but on the plus side, I have taken control of yet another Stand User! Kyahahahaha!"
Johnny stood up immediately, realizing the disadvantage he's gonna be in for if he doesn't take action. He gritted his teeth, having not expected Anubis would pull the same trick out of desperation. He couldn't find any words to say, except these, "Son of a… You bastard! How did you-"
"Oh, by making my sword glow before Mamezuku's eyes. Something you didn't see because I chose him to be the second person to control!" Anubis answered. "It was a little hard at first since he was rejecting me, probably owing to his strong will. But I emerged victorious when I slowly influenced his mind, helped that he's in close proximity to me. It may have taken longer than expected, but I am successful!"
"Now then… how shall I, the great Anubis, kill you, Johnny?" He ominously declared as he vanished back to his possessed victims. They put up two smirks, indicating the enemy is getting ready to resume the battle. "By slicing you apart after putting a bullet through your head?" "Yugiri" giggled, manifesting the Emperor again. "Or strangling you till your windpipe is crushed?" "Mamezuku" voiced out, echoing in a low tone as a side effect.
Unwilling to let Anubis have his way, Johnny chooses the sensible action in order to figure out next what he must do to go toe to toe with Anubis: go after the sword itself.
"TUSK!"
"CHUMIMIIIN!"
"Too slow!"
BGM: Sword Attack (Stardust Crusaders OST)
The two possessed dodged Tusk ACT4 flying at them with one hand reaching out to grab the blade, narrowly missing it, before charging at Johnny in response so fast he almost had no time to react.
"S-Shit!"
"USHYAAAAA!"
ドシューッ
"AGGHH!"
Johnny screamed as blood flowed out from a wound on his left waist, staining his clothes. He is forced to crouch down while closing the wound with both his hands to stop the blood flow, which is hard because of the agonizing pain and blood still trickling out from it.
During this, "Mamezuku" borrowed the Emperor from "Yugiri" and by extending his arm, he aimed the Emperor at point-blank range towards Johnny's back. "AHAHAHAHA! DIE, JOHNNY!"
ドキュ ドキュ ドキュ ドキュ !
The man heard the gun firing off, and since he's yet to grow one nail, Johnny ducked. "Whoa!"
ゴッ
His relief that the bullets sailed past him without harm is short-lived when he saw Yugiri bring the sword down to him, intending to slice him up. "USHYAAAAA!"
"CRAP!"
He rolled away from the sword, which hit the ground with an audible clank. Learning about the move earlier however, Yugiri repositions the blade so the sharp edge points at Johnny and with incredible reflexes, she swings it towards the recovering Johnny. "TRY DODGING THIS!"
Johnny barely reacted in time by putting his spinning fingers on the ground which carried him away from her attack. While only two trees got sliced up and Johnny is relatively unharmed, he can feel his feet throbbing in pain, much to his chagrin.
AGH! My feet too!?
He doesn't get to rest briefly when he glimpses the four bullets coming back after making a U-turn under Mamezuku's command. Speaking of him, he shoots four more bullets at Johnny again, exclaiming with a sinister smile, "DON'T BE SLOW NOW!"
"Oh come on!"
Getting exasperated and desperate, Johnny brings his spinning fingers to a tree. His legs spontaneously jolted to launch him in the air, evading the eight bullets that changed its trajectory in case he chose to duck again like last time.
Anubis is not done yet however. The bullets rose up in the air for three seconds before they changed trajectory again to fall down towards Johnny, which he noticed after landing back on the ground (and aggravating his waist injury).
Then Yugiri comes in, approaching the vulnerable man while running the sword's tip against the ground, emitting sparks and sharpening it. And Mamezuku formed both his arms into two separate, but sharp cones that he extended at Johnny, intending to stab him with them.
Seeing he's cornered in all directions, Johnny is close to panicking. Having to fight a woman is bad enough, but getting to fight two possessed zombies? And having to contend with three Stands eventually forcing him in the corner? All by himself?
Johnny has forgotten what's like being introduced to the concept of Stands and fighting a new enemy when he was still inexperienced. But now, he remembered.
No! I'm not the same depressed wimp always prone to panic! I must survive this. I must, no… I will! Things are not in my favor, but that doesn't mean I will falter again! In fact, I waited long enough!
When it appears Anubis will have his victory, Johnny pointed his finger to his head's temple and shouted, "TUSK!"
ドバァッ
!?
The sword, bullets and cone-shaped arm hit the ground after Johnny successfully evaded the attacks by sucking his whole body in the spatial hole that he created after one nail finally grew back. Being near him when he escaped, Yugiri watched as the hole moved along the ground, probably commanded by Johnny, as it disappeared behind the trees.
BGM Stops
Despite having escaped their attacks, Anubis is not angry. With a smirk on Yugiri, Anubis has Mamezuku fetch the discarded scabbard she threw aside before the start of the fight with his Stand before she grabs it off his hand. She then says, "Tut tut tut. You may have avoided our attacks Johnny, but I have learned how that move works now! Try doing that move again… Or better yet, don't. 'Cause it won't fool us twice!"
"Soooo… Where did you go…?" "Mamezuku" speaks next under Anubis' influence. They're sure Johnny couldn't have strayed far away when he's inside the hole. He must have come out when he believes he's out of their sight, so it's logical to assume he's making an escape after he comes out from the hole. He remembers that he rode on a horse. If he's intending to escape from them while nearby, he would hear the horse's gallops.
Anubis kept the galloping sound in mind as Mamezuku and Yugiri looked around, listening intently to any subtle change of the sound in their surroundings. The Stand is prepared to take on either scenario that may happen: if Johnny is intent to destroy the sword, then he has the two ambush him when he least expects it and put a bullet to his head or decapitate him. If he chooses to escape, then the two will chase after him, shooting out bullets as much as possible to hinder him or his horse.
Any second now… I must make sure I don't miss anything around here…
ダカカ ダカカ ダカカ ダカカッ
! !
Their ears picked up the hurried gallops of Johnny's horse, indicating he's retreating from Anubis.
"Aha! So you chose to get away from me!" 'Yugiri' and 'Mamezuku' exclaim in unison. "Now that I know what you've done, I have committed it to memory! I will not be fooled by your escape again, Johnny Joestar!"
The two give chase after Johnny in the direction is running away on, intending to catch up and corner him with the combined might of these two.
Meanwhile, back to Johnny, he has one hand holding on Slow Dancer's reins while his other hand clutches his waist injury, which is now covered in his own makeshift bandage fashioned from his shirt after coming out from the hole. Once he's done patching up, he calls out Slow Dancer before he rides away from Anubis to find Gyro and Narancia so he has their help and has Gyro treat his waist injury.
Johnny sighed in exasperation, having never expected this fight would get so much harder. "That Anubis… He's one 「nasty」 Stand, controlling Yugiri and Mamezuku at once…" He muttered, anger lacing his tone over the Stand's action. "Once we manage to disarm you, a good beating is what you deserve. For now, I have to find them, and hopefully, they are able to snap Ai and Lily out of Anubis' control."
With that assertion driving him, Johnny continues riding through the forest and reaches his allies before the enemy does.
"Uuuuh… Aaaahhh…"
"Just have to stick this bandage on your wound aaaaand… done!"
Gyro wipes a sweat off his brow after patching up Lily's heel wound tenderly. The youngest idol is sitting against a tree with her wounded heel straightened on the ground so she wouldn't apply pressure to her heel and exacerbate it. Seeing Gyro is done, Lily checks her bandaged wound nervously.
"It… doesn't hurt as much. I thought it's gonna sting a little, but I'm not feeling any." Lily described in mild surprise.
"All thanks to the miracle properties of the Zombie Horse! Your heel injury is gonna heal by itself soon, Lily! Just endure it for a while, okay?" Gyro advised, as he pats her head with a gentle smile. He glances next to Ai lying on a blanket, with one hand on her stomach. Similar to Lily, she's not in intense pain though she experiences mild discomfort due to having to lie down. Not that she's complaining. "The same goes to you too, Ai."
"Yeah, I heard you. Thanks for patching us up, Gyro-san." Ai expressed her gratitude with a grin.
Releasing a sigh of relief, Gyro stood up after putting the medical supplies back to the bag. He turned to Narancia's back, seeing his entire attention was on monitoring the radar. Aerosmith flies overhead, its rotor buzzing.
"Hey, Narancia."
"Huh? What is it?" Li'l Bomber turned around with a jolt, like he was roused up from a trance.
"How's your shoulder wound? Is it healing well?"
"Oh. Yeah, that thread you used to stitch it up is doing wonders. Heh, never figured you to be someone who has skills in the medical field. Thought you're the 「Legendary Executioner」." Narancia remarked.
"Actually, having medical expertise is required in my line of duty, because you must execute criminals in a clean and painless way. Treating people's sickness or injuries is like a side job I have to fulfill aside assisting in preparing the execution." Gyro explained.
Ai became intrigued by his explanation in spite of the morbid topic. "…A painless execution? Huh… is that really ethical and moral when you're ending someone's life?"
"Well, you wouldn't want a slow and agonizing way to die, right? I suppose even a heinous criminal earns the right of a quick death. That doesn't mean I liked them." Gyro shrugged.
"…Yeah. I wouldn't want that to happen to anyone or us."
No one said anything else afterwards. Narancia monitors the radar again while Lily and Ai rest up. Currently, they're 500 meters away from the site of battle, having run this far just to get away from Anubis. When they believe they're safe and hidden from prying eyes, Gyro gets to work treating Lily and Ai after he and Narancia put them down gently. While this is happening, Narancia surveyed the surrounding area to ensure they're well and truly safe. Since Aerosmith is out, he'll only need to dispose of anyone looking to harm them, though Gyro informed him not to be trigger happy because they might harm an innocent bystander. They settled for Li'l Bomber telling them who's coming instead of blindly attacking.
So far, they're in the safe zone fortunately these past nine minutes. Gyro really needed this and is thankful since he could treat the two girls effectively and monitor their well-being. There's not repercussions detected. Okay. Guess we're in the clear. With the two safe and sound, all that's left is to go back to Johnny and Mamezuku and finally stop Anubis. The question is… who's gonna stay behind to look after them?
He shoots a concerned glance at Ai and Lily. Since they're still recovering, they shouldn't be left behind on the off chance some harm may come to them otherwise. He's the best candidate given he did treat them, but there's Narancia's Aerosmith… He could be viable whether he's the one left behind or helping out Johnny and Mamezuku. Will his timely assistance be of help, though? Should Gyro be the one to go help the two instead?
Gah, why is this so hard? Who among the two should look after Ai and Lily and help Mamezuku and Johnny? We obviously can't leave the girls alone but we must go back to them when we're done treating them. Maybe I have to discuss it first. Hopefully we'll arrive at an acceptable decision.
Gyro was about to bring the important topic up, but Narancia beat him to it, exclaiming, "Huh? Hey, there's 「someone」 in our vicinity!"
The three turned to him in alarm the moment they heard him. "Someone? Who?" Gyro inquired, scanning the area.
"Is it… the enemy possessing Yugiri?! Has it found us!?" Lily gulped.
"If it's only Yugiri, then there shouldn't be a 「second」 dot on my radar. And there should be 「three」 since Johnny and Rai would give chase," reasoned Narancia. "Based on the location it detected 「two people」… it's coming from behind us!"
In one motion, he spun around and walked past Gyro, Ai, and Lily, probably towards the spot where he believed the radar detected two people from. Cautious yet skeptical, Gyro followed after the teenager, but not before unbuttoning his holsters.
Before the three could stop him, Narancia shouted, "Show yourself, you two! If you got business with us, face us, ya hear me?! I ain't saying this the second time so better act quick, alright?"
"Narancia-san, don't be so rash!" Ai warned him a little too late.
ゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴ
And so, Narancia and Gyro waited for the possible troublemakers to show up, standing by their sides. Ai and Lily, after checking if their healing injuries won't flare up when they move their bodies, stood up behind them, looking fearful that they might be in danger again, right after escaping from an enemy Stand. They hear Aerosmith moving until it's directly above them, apparently in a position to attack. Though Gyro has doubts, he covertly charges one steel ball to be sure their bases are covered.
After a few seconds of eerie silence aside the rustling leaves and howling wind, they heard footsteps behind a tree three meters away. Two pairs of footsteps they realize, just as the owners reveal themselves.
Any assumption a second enemy is out to kill them is put into question when they look at the two people the radar detected: a tall, pretty woman with long ash-black and silver-tipped hair and black eyes wearing white blouse, hooded capelet, red skirt, pantyhose, and white boots, and a shorter, gangly-looking girl with long, fuzzy blonde hair and purple eyes that has mild eyebags under. A flowered, lace ribbon is tied on the left side of her head and she wears a long-sleeved white blouse with high, ruffled dark purple collars and small, gold-buckled belts, lavender rose pin attached to the collar, brown buckled corset, white skirt with dark purple fabrics, numerous belts attached into the waistband, two buckled and the other two undone, dark purple tights and black ballet-slipper shoes with two rose pins on each top laced up to her mid-calf.
Both of them have pale skin, with the tall woman looking paler than the teenager. So pale there isn't pigmentation on her face, neck, and hands.
The four looked at the gothic duo, studying them scrutinizingly: Narancia remains suspicious, Gyro maintains a cautious air, Ai looks confused, and Lily is a little surprised. In contrast, the woman regards them with a blank look while her… daughter seems to be a tad wary, especially towards Gyro and Narancia. Also, the quartet noticed the woman's black eyes had white irises. It's a minor detail, but having white irises is an odd feature, and somehow it accentuates her pale face.
No one opened their mouths, as if wondering how to respond. Until the pale woman waves her hand and says, "Hello."
The four caught off-guard a little by her casual greeting, having not expected she would do that. "Err, hi?" Lily returned with a nervous smile.
The woman tilted her head to the right, looking in Lily's direction. "You seem queasy. Is there something wrong?" She asked sincerely.
"Eh? Oh, n-nothing's wrong, miss! I was, err… We were a little jumped by you two's appearance, that's all!"
"Ah, I see… You are scared of me, yes?" The woman replied without hesitation.
"Scared of… you? Why would I be afraid of you?"
Her head tilted to the left, looking confused. "Should that be obvious? It is because of what I look like. Not every day you encounter someone whose skin is paler than normal and a white and red attire that may look like a blood-stained dress."
The blonde girl turned to her in mild surprise, possibly weirded out by her words. "Miss Emi, do you have to describe it like that?"
"Well it is true. I did creeped out someone before due to my appearance."
"…Don't say it so offhandedly too." The blonde further criticized with a sigh.
Ai blinked, unsure what to make of her words. "That's… not what we want to hear. And to be clear, we're not afraid. Just… wary of you."
"Oh. I am sorry. I did not mean to scare you more than necessary. I am only saying the possible reason why. Please forgive me." She bowed as an apology.
"Uhh, you don't need to apologize." Narancia told her, his aggression giving way to confusion due to the way the weird woman is conducting herself.
"Can I say something? While you do look a little… eerie, you're quite beautiful and shapely. Actually your eeriness might be a plus to your looks. That goes the same to your companion, minus the shapely part." Gyro admitted after studying her for a good while.
The blonde averted her gaze while blushing, though she's pouting with angry eyes. In contrast, the woman simply blinked twice, putting a hand on her breast and replied, "Oh, why thank you for your compliment." The four were surprised she took it well, while her supposed daughter let out a sigh again.
She took it better than I thought. All with a blank look… Why do I have a feeling she's unfazed most of the time? It's not like I'm flirting so…
An awkward silence lingered between two parties next, if only for a moment before Narancia cleared his throat. "Ahem! So uhhh… Is there something you want, you two?"
It's the violet-eyed girl who speaks up, "No. We were only taking a walk."
"A walk, huh? Well, don't let us interrupt you. Sorry if I threatened you two," Narancia rubs the back of his head with a sheepish chuckle. "I tend to be headstrong and reckless, so I may have attacked you if these three didn't tell me to calm down."
"Before Lisette and I can leave you four alone, may I ask something?" The woman named Emi announced, her pitch-black eyes boring at them. "That 「airplane」 above us… That is not a normal plane, right?"
The four were puzzled by her odd question, until Ai realized the implication behind it so she asks, "Wait, you 「can see」 the airplane?"
"Yes. Lisette and I can see it hovering above us." She confirmed.
"What it looks like. The buzzing rotor. The aura. Everything on it?"
"Of course. Why, before we encountered you, Lisette and I heard that plane's rotor about thirty meters away from our usual walking route. We went to see what was causing it."
"But… if your claim is true… AH!" The surprised look on Ai is shared by the three after they guessed something regarding them. "Are… A-Are you…!?"
"Judging by what you said, miss, is it safe to assume the airplane is… not seen by ordinary people?" Emi taps her chin in thought, apparently arriving at the same conclusion about the nature of the "airplane". "That it is actually… a 「Stand」?"
! !
And there it is. She confirmed what they're dreading: She correctly guessed she's looking at a Stand, and that affirmation revealed she's a Stand User.
Gyro and Narancia's apprehension returned with vengeance as they glared against the woman and her daughter. Ai and Lily become rightfully fearful of them, believing they're potential enemy Stand Users who will kill them instead of Anubis. Dammit! Shouldn't have dismissed my gut feeling! Now these two are near us, probably going to activate their Stands! If they dare make one move however, Aerosmith will shoot them straight to kingdom come!
Man, just when I was taking a liking to her… Agh, focus! I mustn't let them harm the girls! They'll have to get through me and Narancia first when they try! Grabbing the spinning steel ball, Gyro is primed and ready to cave her pretty face in. Narancia is also ready to protect Lily and Ai, now seeing them as bad guys needing to be taken down.
"You two, please do not be alarmed! Lisette and I are not here to make enemies with you."
The two boys halted their attacks and gaped at her in puzzlement. "…Come again?" Gyro questioned.
"We are not your enemies. Please relax," repeated Emi. "It is true I am a Stand User, but believe me when I say I am not your enemy. Be suspicious of me as much as you like but bringing you four into harm is not why I am meeting you today, my prospective allies."
The four didn't answer back for a moment due to bafflement and curiosity before Narancia narrowed his eyes. "Allies, huh? Prove it. Prove to us you are what you claim yourself as!"
Emi answered more readily than they expected. "Those two girls, and you… I sense your 「souls」 are a little wounded. Is it safe to assume you were injured?"
Flinching after hearing her guess it right, Lily anxiously nodded. "Y-Yeah. We got injured thanks to an enemy Stand, but Gyro-san patched us up before it got worse. We only have to wait until they're healed completely."
"…May I be the 「one」 to accelerate the healing process? Through my Stand, your injuries will be fully restored. All you need to do is hold out your hands."
Remaining wary of her but willing to believe her, Ai and Lily held out both their hands for the woman to gently grasp it. Then with eyes closed, she breathed in and focused her Stand onto their hands. A pale blue fire manifested around their hands, startling the two enough they want to retract their hands, until they feel the fire isn't burning them. Instead, it felt good and relaxing so they let themselves be lost in the comfortable feeling, aided by a soft droning sound emanating from the flickering flame, until they heard the woman say, "It is done."
She let go of their hands. It didn't take long for the two to feel their stomach and heel respectively are no longer swelling in pain. Ai rubs her stomach to check the stitched up wound is gone while Lily stomps her foot thrice and senses no more pain there.
"My stomach… It's not in pain anymore!" Ai exclaimed in relief.
"It's true! I can walk without worrying that my heel is hurting!" Lily agreed, happily walking in circles and even doing a ballerina twirl or other poses related to it. "Thank you, Emi-san! Thank you for curing us!"
"Oh, think nothing of it. Seeing you two fine is enough for me." The woman waves her hand and head, though a small grin is seen. "Now, as for you, mister. Your hand, please…"
Seeing she made true of her words, Narancia extended one hand at the woman. Like before, he clasped it and encased it in fire, and it didn't take long for Narancia to feel his shoulder wound was gone. Once it's done, he rotated his shoulder four times and couldn't hide his surprise that it's no longer in pain. "Holy crap! My injury is gone!"
Wanting to make sure they're telling the truth, Gyro checked Ai's stomach and Lily's heel and found no sign of injury. It's like they weren't injured in the first place! "Wow. This is amazing! Your healing seemed more effective than my own! I was wrong for being suspicious of your ability." He chuckled.
"So she helped out after all… Now I feel bad for giving you a stink eye," sighed Narancia, feeling more remorseful. "Should've given you the benefit of doubt before…"
"It is natural for you to worry and I can understand why. Do not take it too personally." Emi reassured him.
"Geez, you're acting way too nice and humble. I'm feeling more bad than before, hahaha… Anyway, now that you've proven to us you're not our enemy, what will happen next?"
Gyro hammered a fist onto his open palm, stating, "Ah, that's right! I was thinking of who should look after Ai and Lily so one of us can go back to Johnny and Mamezuku and lend them our aid in fending off the current enemy! I was about to ask them when you showed up."
Upon being reminded, Lily became worried for her older sister figure, whether she got hurt by her bodyguards or they ended up dead. "Ah, yeah! Yugirin! Oooooh, she needs your help, you two… Maybe you guys go back to them! They need your help more than we do!"
"Nuh uh! No can do! One of us must look after you! It's better to be safe than sorry!" Gyro reinforced his idea.
"Then, who will do it? I wanted to pay that prick Anubis back, but I have a feeling you're likely gonna be the one." Narancia opined, feeling impatient the more they wait.
"No. You two will go back to your allies because Lisette here shall look after Ai and Lily in your stead." The party turned to Emi in surprise when she offered a solution. Especially Lisette.
"Me? Look after them?" Lisette pointed at herself with a quizzical look.
"Yes. I know this is very sudden, but I have faith that you are a suitable candidate to look after the two, so these two can return. You have your scissors, right?"
"Yeah. I always do," nodded Lisette, her startled expression changing into a questioning one as she eyed her guardian. "But wait, what about you? Couldn't you be the one protecting them?"
"Actually, I am 「joining」 misters Gyro and Narancia in eliminating the enemy Stand." Emi proposed, earning another round of surprise from them.
"Wait, really?" Gyro asked.
"Yes, because I sensed a foreign threat within the forest grounds. As this is my home, it is my right to protect it to ensure the safety of people visiting or living here or around it," she declared with resolute eyes, a hand on her chest. "Now then, shall we embark? The quicker we get to your friends, the better."
Sensing she's onboard entirely, Gyro and Narancia choose not to turn her away. Any assistance is welcome if it means upping the chances of victory. Gyro flashes a toothed grin at her and shouts, "Nyo-ho-ho! Alright then! Welcome aboard, miss… Emi, right?"
"…Emi Lea Essence. That is my full name. And you already met Lisette here." Emi introduced properly, assuming a pose by having her body positioned in a way she's giving them a side glance, her right arm is draped up to her shoulder while the left arm hugged her waist, and she raised her left knee. "It is our pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure's ours, too!" Narancia exclaimed back, seeing her no longer as a possible enemy. Ai, Lily, and Gyro smiled at them or nodded, and Emi and Lisette nodded back. "All right! Time to get moving, Gyro and Emi! We'll lead you to where our two friends are fighting!"
"Please, lead the way then."
After summoning Valkyrie, Gyro and Narancia hopped on and left the area, the horse's gallops chiming in the cold air rhythmically. Emi follows them not by running, but by flying with her feet an inch above the ground. This could be another display of her Stand, one that she may reveal in the coming battle.
"Be careful you three! Please return safe and sound, okay?" Lily cupped her mouth and wished them good luck with Ai and Lisette also praying for their victory and well-being silently. Before they know it, they're gone in the crowd of pine trees, leaving their protection under Lisette's hands.
To be continued
Onomatopoeia:
ピキィーン (Pikiiiin) - Gleaming sound of a blade
ダカカッ (Dakaka) - Sound of horse galloping
After being introduced way back in chapter 18 in a small but significant cameo, the enigmatic hooded woman is finally introduced properly! She's one of the OCs I added to the fanfic after I decided to add her and one other OCs because I want to integrate and expand the lores of both JoJo, Zombie Land Saga, and Pocket Mirror/Little Goody Two Shoes and intergrate them compellingly in a they fit like a glove.
I hope that you may accept and like having OCs in the story. Have to make the events work within the story, which means it needs a main antagonist that Franchouchou and Rianima will face soon. Who is it, you want to ask? Well, you'll just have to found out near the end of the second act!
Oh, and as you might had noticed, I changed the title's "Definitive Edition" into "Revised". I did this because aside adding or changing scenes and details in every chapter, the entire plot weren't touched in a way it warrant a diversion from it, and I consulted the meanings of both words and concluded "Revised" is more appropriate. I apologize if it's a little confusing, so just to be clear, the title from now on shall be "LIving Things - Revised". Hope you understand.
Anyway, the Anubis and Emperor fight has reached its climax in the next chapter, and the chapter after that one will be the last chapter of Living Things' second act! Please look forward to it!
See you in the next chapter! Have a good day/night out there!