The sea is calm at this time of day as the setting sun casts its light onto the surface. With the sky tinted in the hues of blue, orange and yellow accompanied by clouds with one side also tinted with its same hue, it's no wonder anyone would come take a walk along the shore as they bathe under its dim orange light, letting their thoughts wander or simply enjoy the sound of crashing waves and blowing winds before the cloudy sky gives way to raining.
These can't be applied to Junko, however.
After her arguement with Ai about her issue about the current way of idols and bearing her counterarguments with a meek but defiant eye, Junko sneaks out of the mansion to give herself some fresh air to cool her head. Wearing a hat, the Showa Idol found herself on the beach after walking in the streets for few minutes, aimlessly wandering around. Liking the change of scenery and the sound of splashing sea currents, Junko spent the next minute walking the shore, ignoring a couple having fun behind. Despite trying to forget the argument earlier, she found herself thinking back on Ai rebuking her while adorning that steely gaze of hers. She repeats her words in her head in a vain attempt to see her point.
So far, she can't find one.
Feeling weighed down, Junko crouches down to write something on the sand with her finger. The writing, which reads ｢idol｣, is soon washed away by the sea after a second of looking forlornly at the word.
Before she can take one more walk and maybe go back home, a breeze snatches her hat out of her head. "Ah!" she let out, extending her hand to grab it even though it's out of her reach.
"I'll catch it for you!"
Before she knows it, Junko sees Sakura run past her and makes a jump towards her hat. With a hand extended, it looks like Sakura is about to grab it...
But alas, her hand is only a mere inch away from the brim when gravity pulls her to the sea. If that wasn't enough, the hat is brought back to Junko anyway when the little waves carry the hat back when it floats down.
Picking up the hat, Junko looks at the makeup-less Sakura in concern, who is spitting out seawater out of her mouth. "Yo! Junko!"
Hearing her name prompts Junko to turn around and sees Narancia and Kakyoin approaching her and Sakura, the former waving her hand up as he runs to her. "Oh. Kakyoin, Narancia? You two came together with Sakura?"
"That's right," Kakyoin confirmed turning to the now makeup-less Sakura, who is bummed she washed off her makeup for nothing when she sees the hat in Junko's hand. "We were worried for you after your argument with Ai caused you to go out under our watch. Knowing how hard you take her words well, we thought to find you and try to see why you were so troubled by it. I hope you don't mind some conversation between the three of us. As I said, we were worried."
Smiling at his words of comfort, Junko finds it refreshing after the bickering she caused, happy to have someone talk normally. "Well, if you three want that, alright."
"If I remember right, you and Kakyoin-kun are from a generation earlier than us, right?"
"I'd say about two generations early."
"Two generations early? I believe that makes you two... from the 80s...?"
"Correct. At this current year, we will be older."
Sitting under the shade of a palm tree, the four zombies have the view of the sea and the small island in the distance as they are engaged in a conversation with Junko to make her feel a little better. Sakura, Kakyoin and Narancia are going to find out what kind of idol Junko was back in the 80s in hopes of seeing what her problem lies in her issue of how idol singers conduct in contemporary times. Sakura does not want to see Franchouchou in disarray due to two idols from different time periods having a clash of ideologies regarding what an idol singer strives to be. While Kakyoin is also in the same time period as Junko, he confessed earlier he is not well-versed with the idol business and only knew Junko from a passing glance. Narancia has only started learning the idol industry, thus leaving Sakura to start the conversation related to the industry by asking the Showa Idol.
"Well, I was just thinking about how I never really asked about what kind of idol you were," Holding a hat given to her to shield her zombie features, Sakura asked her about what it's like being an idol from the 80s.
Hugging her knees close to her chest, Junko replies, "In my time, there was no personal interaction with fans. Maybe meet and greets at most, but..." Shifting her eyes to the calm seas, she reminisces back when she was the Showa Idol as she continues, "Whether it was the stage and the seats, or on the tube and in front of the tea table, there was a clear boundary."
"Wait, the tea table and the tube?" Narancia scratches his head trying to make sense of what the term means. She is not referring to the usual meaning of the words, so he hopes he gets to know what they mean other than its normal meaning.
"I think she means television. It's an informal word," Kakyoin informed Narancia and Sakura. The two thankfully understood.
"It's an idol's job to give people ｢dreams｣," She continued. "I can't imagine giving the fans a chance to see any ｢imperfections｣. At least, that's how it was for the idols I knew..." Memories of the time she was alive and well as a Showa Idol start flooding in her head. They give her a bittersweet feeling as she continues the conversation. "And much like how I once looked up to them, I wanted to be someone that others look up to... That was my motivation for working so hard, day after day. I was finally starting to feel like I had accomplished that myself. I imagined a future where I would continue to do so."
"Then, when we were headed to Saga for my first tour in Kyushu... That's... when it happened..."
Junko goes silent after saying it.
"When it happened?" Sakura repeated.
"What do you mean by that?" Narancia's narrowed, curious eyes widen to a look of realization and dread as he connects the dots of what she said. Specifically, Junko's zombie form, her sad and distressed expression, and longing look over the sea. "Wait, don't tell me..."
"｢You... died｣?"
When Junko turns to her with somber eyes, Sakura covers her mouth over the fear of possibly reminding her of her death. "J-Junko-chan, I'm sorry...! I-I didn't mean to-"
"It's alright. I knew where this conversation was going. You three were curious so as much as I don't like it, I have to reveal it soon." Junko assured her, even with prickle of tears about to spill out from her eyes.
"Well, I-I..." Sakura stammered for a moment before she recomposed herself and asks about her death. "How...did you die, Junko-chan?"
Despite her trembling fear, Junko, with a heavy heart, is about to tell them when someone beats her to it.
"She died from a plane crash."
The three turns to Kakyoin, who is the one who said what her cause of death is. Their eyes are full of surprise, Junko more so, which leads her to ask him how he knew that. "W-What...? Kakyoin-san, how did you-?"
"It was all over the news. I was 12 when I learned your death," Kakyoin looked at her as he explains how he knew her cause of death. "My parents were watching the TV one day when the program they are watching was interrupted by breaking news about your unfortunate demise. I was with them that day. From what I can remember, the news reported about the plane Junko was in has one of the turbines damaged, causing it to plummet to the ocean. Suffice to say, my parents were shocked from what they have heard and even though I only know you barely, I was saddened to hear your untimely death. In fact, I think... I only known about you mostly because of your death via plane crash. I must not have cared about your status as a Showa Idol back then."
After he finished explaining, Sakura and Narancia take in the info of Junko's death. Of all the things that killed her, it was through plane crash or explosion that has done her in. It is a horrifying way to go, and seeing Junko looking down while trembling in fear over having to hear Kakyoin give details over her death, something he apologize quickly for possibly digging up unfortunate memories of that day, they believe she may have spent her last moments in panic over her imminent death, with the knowledge that there is nothing she can do from that point.
"I know you do not want me recounting your death for Sakura and Narancia, but they deserve to kno," Kakyoin expressed his immediate regret to the shy girl. "Also, I'm sorry for only knowing you mostly about your death. I believe you don't want it to be remembered like that by most people so..."
"No, it's alright." Junko shakes her head, a small smile directed to the concerned redhead. "At least I'm... I'm glad someone other than Tatsumi-san knew me, especially when we're in the same time period." Despite her reassurance, Kakyoin can tell she is hiding her fear beneath her benevolent exterior. That said, he chose not to bring up more bad memories for her sake. She has endured enough as it is.
"Junko-chan..." Sakura called her name in concern.
"Not anyone can be an idol. Much less a zombie..." Junko starts wrapping up her conversation with the three. "And if my approach is in the way... 「I don't think I can stay with Franchouchou」."
"What?" Narancia appears shocked by her decision that came to be from being overwhelmed by the current trend of the idol industry.
"Huh?" Sakura widened her eyes.
Having said her piece, Junko goes silent watching the horizon with despondent eyes. Trying not to remember the victims of the plane crash, who are likely now part of her stitched-up body that formed her together, she is wondering if she has to avoid Franchouchou from now on by staying in one room in the manor. She is not foolish on intending to settle on another place away from the manor when enemy Stands are lurking about, waiting for her to appear before attempting to kill her. The fight against Black Sabbath, the Stand clothed in Venetian outfit, proved to her that her (undead) life is in danger if she ever goes out without any bodyguards accompanying her. In fact, it was risky taking a walk earlier if danger was in every corner, but she really needed to clear her head.
"You're...going to quit Franchouchou...just like that?" Of the three, Narancia takes her word about possibly ceasing to be an idol the hardest. Standing up and looking at her eyes, Narancia speaks out his feelings about it. "I... I-I don't agree!"
"Narancia?" Junko let out.
"Your group's next concert will have you and Ai as the main lead," He continued. "If you were to quit right now, who's gonna fill in your lead role? Also, having Franchouchou without you in it doesn't sit right with me! Your group would be incomplete without you around!"
"But Narancia, as I said earlier, my approach will only be in the way if I cannot conform to the direction of current idols," Junko repeated morosely. "To me, it signifies that a Showa idol like me has no place in the current times. They have changed from what I have been taught to."
"I know Junko," Nara understands her point but continues being in opposition of her decision. "But there must be a way."
"What way, Narancia?"
"I'm... I'm still thinking about it but if you want to know my answer now, well it's something like... Like..." Scrunching his face, Narancia utters one of the many solutions to Junko's problem. "Maybe you don't have to...adapt to how...an idol interacts their fans?"
"Huh? I... don't have to adapt?"
"What do you mean by that, Narancia-san?"
Before he can reply to Sakura back, Kakyoin suddenly speaks up after thinking on his proposed solution. "Wait. Narancia, I think you're onto something."
"Huh? I am?" He replied with a surprised expression.
Turning away from Narancia in the moment, Kakyoin turns to Junko and asks a question, now sharing Narancia's feelings about Junko's desire to quit. "Junko-san, if I am curious, are you still confined in the old ways of an idol?"
"Huh?" Looking at the eager teenager, Junko wonders what got him to ask her that.
"Please say yes or no."
Seeing he wants her answer, Junko decides to oblige. "Yes Kakyoin."
"Any chance you want to give the current way of an idol a try? Like taking a photo op?"
Shaking her head, she answers, "No."
"Even if you wish to quit Franchouchou, do you desire to continue as an idol despite being a zombie?"
"Well, to be honest... I want to, but I believe I'll be in Franchouchou's way if I can't conform."
"Actually... Narancia might have suggested a solution." Kakyoin finally said.
"Eh?"
"I did?"
Wondering what Kakyoin is getting at, Junko, Sakura and Narancia listen to him as he says, "Junko-san. if you are so set in your old ways that having to interact with fans intimately so brazen like you said earlier, then here's my idea that may seem favorable not only to you but to everyone involved: ｢you don't have to｣."
"...I don't have to?" Junko repeated confusingly, but hopefully.
"As in, you don't need to conform yourself to the current trends of the idol industry," He started explaining. "Even though everything you know about idols has changed from its beginnings, entertaining your fans has remained the same. The way I see this, you can still be the Legendary Showa Idol as you were known back then without conforming to the modern way of an idol. From that, you do not need to be in the girls' way if the activities are adjusted based on your inclination."
Listening intently, Junko thinks about his proposal about not having to conform while still captivating her fans. Can she do that? Is his suggestion possible? As she said, not everyone can be an idol due to the cutthroat competition and hard work needed to achieve fame. She has achieved that thanks to her tenacity.
While she appears to like Kakyoin's proposal, there is one thing that worries her. Or more specifically, one person. "Do you think Tatsumi-san will accept that? What if he declines?"
"Quite frankly, this is the best I can come up with logically. And knowing Kotaro, I can only imagine it might be difficult to persuade him for sure," Kakyoin conceded her point. "But if he wants Franchouchou to succeed, there's a chance he may let you do what you used to be back when you were alive. As much as he can be loud, rude and irritating, I don't think he has it in him to interfere with the group's work in such a way that impedes the progress of getting Saga's attention."
"...Maybe we should go to him first before I can do what you said Kakyoin. But... thank you for being so concerned about me and the others," Despite her concern, Junko nonetheless expressed her thanks to Kakyoin for suggesting that.
"Actually, your thanks should go to Narancia," The female-looking boy looks at him in surprise when he mentioned him. "If were not for his remark, I wouldn't be stating what I said to you in the first place. That, and he is so worried for your well-being that he is opposed to you leaving Franchouchou and led him to blurt out one possible answer to your problem."
"Hey, all I did was speaking what I think is a solution." He scratches his head as he tried to lessen his role.
"But it's thanks to you that Junko-chan might have a chance to be in Franchouchou while not compromising her way of being an idol," Sakura disagreed, letting her smile show how hopeful and grateful she is feeling. "The four of us would be going home with clouds looming over our heads if you haven't said your piece."
"They are right," Junko came to agree with them as she stands up and looks up to Narancia's eyes. "I have you to thank for saying what you thought to be the best solution to my predicament. Really, I am grateful for you, Narancia-san."
Seeing the three appreciate him for having suggested it, Narancia doesn't dare try to downplay what he did. Hopefully, Junko gets to stay with Franchouchou while not dreading if she has to abandon her old-fashioned way of being an idol and adjust to the current times. At least she is feeling better, something the three have set out to do for Junko.
Letting out a small laugh, he says, "Hehehe, you're making me blush, Junko."
"I hope Kotaro-san comes to accept it," Sakura wished. If Junko were to quit, the chance of getting her memories back through idol work would take a long time.
"He better be," Narancia stands up while stretching his arms. "Like Kakyoin said, if he wants Franchouchou to succeed, he has to know Junko's demand and accept it without any fuss, especially at the time when she is in the front man together with Ai."
"Oh yeah. About Ai-chan..." Sakura turned to Junko, who guesses what she needs to do, even if she doesn't see eye-to-eye with her at the moment. "I have to make it up to her somehow, right?"
"Yes. At least, if she is willing to talk with you." Kakyoin hoped.
A single drop of rain is felt on his head, making him look up and see the gray clouds that have covered the sky. It is now evening and after a few more drops of rain, it starts pouring down.
"Oh no! Your makeups!" Sakura stands up in panic, seeing they have to go home as their makeups start washing off their faces, revealing their zombie forms.
"Don't worry! It's getting dark so I don't think anyone can see us!" Narancia tried to assure her, but it doesn't do anything to quell her rising panic.
"Well either way, we need to get back before our friends are getting worried we are taking too long outside," Kakyoin stays calm as Junko stands up too. "Come on you three. Let's go."
"Right," Junko allows Kakyoin to lead them, feeling hopeful that perhaps, there is a way for her to stay in Franchouchou while not compromising her outdated ways as a Showa Idol. If she can do that, then she only needs to reconcile with Ai and get her to accept that she doesn't need to follow the current trends of the idol industry.
As the four zombies exit the beach while planning to talk to Kotaro (if he is around) about Junko's predicament, a masked figure wearing a hooded poncho is watching them walk down the sidewalk from above. Strangely, he is not standing on a streetlight or roof but rather, ｢his feet are on stationary rain droplets｣. This bizarre sight is punctuated more when the masked man starts jumping from raindrops to raindrops, all of which have stopped falling to let him settle his feet as he follows the four zombies covertly...
Wandering by herself as the evening sky starts to darken, Ai is walking on the street back to the mansion after calming down from the outburst directed at Lily. This was something she regretted when Saki scolded her from shouting at the kid when she sobbed on Yugiri's arms, but she didn't mean to yell at them. She's trying to rebut their claim about how a true idol group needs to rely on each other as teammates that friendship doesn't matter in idol industry due to the hard work involved and that thriving in entertainment isn't easy, but she came across as a jerk to the three. She quickly took her leave against Saki's urging again, running pass Bucciarati and Avdol, who likely came in to try lecture her. She's sure they may be looking after her when she left, but right now she needed a clear head before she decided to go rehearse.
After all, she is not ready to become a part of history.
Ai is near the playground when the rain starts pouring. Covering her head, she tries to make a run to the mansion before her makeup washes off.
But then, a crackling sound is heard accompanied by a flash from the sky...
ゴロゴロ...
ドーン!
"AAAAAHHHHHHH!"
Frozen stiff and startled from the rumbling thunder, Ai drops to her knees, not letting her hand off of head in an attempt to protect herself from lightning. She didn't move for few seconds as the fear effectively rendered her still while her body trembles.
In the midst of the pouring rain, footsteps are heard approaching from behind. Two figures crouch to her level out of concern after they notice her trembling in fear.
"Ai? What's wrong?" Saki asked, putting her hand on her shoulder.
"Are you alright? What got you scared?" Bucciarati wondered.
"Let us find some shelter," Avdol suggested, looking at the playground nearby. "I don't think we can go home when Ai is this scared."
"Good idea. C'mon Ai, stand up!"
"Well, this is messed up..."
"Indeed... I can't believe I fit in this pipe."
"Haha. You're the biggest and broad-shouldered of all of us and it is rainin' hard so..."
"Our makeups were washed off by the rain though. I believe me and Avdol don't need to take cover in here."
"Well suck it up Bucci. We are staying here until Ai has calmed down."
"Bucci?"
"It must be your nickname, Mister Bruno."
Ai looks down with a passive look as Avdol, Bucciarati and Saki talk lightheartedly about their cover place and bringing up Avdol's wide figure that almost prevented him from fitting in a tunnel pipe while Bucciarati only has to duck his head slightly while sitting comfortably. Despite the limited view, the two opt to keep their eyes and ears up so they can see anything strange that indicates the presence of an enemy Stands. They are the last thing they want to see right now so they hope a fight doesn't come to it.
After sharing a laugh at Bucciarati's astounded reaction and Avdol spelling it out for him, Saki turns to Ai deliberately ignoring the three as she waits to go home and be done with the day. "...You've got a hell of a look on your face. I guess I do too, though. If I'm being real, I don't get any of this idol or fan stuff, y'know? But when you do anything, it's all about guts. Then comes your crew. That's all you've really got."
ドゴーン!
Saki didn't need to look at Ai when she huddled up to her arm after the thunder roared, again shaking from fear. "I'm kinda surprised you're scared of lightning..."
"…..It's how I... ｢died｣."
Even though they can't see from this position, Bucciarati and Avdol turn to the pipe the two girls are in when they hear her answer with concern etched on their faces.
"Huh?" Saki let out, thinking she's seeing the reason behind her fear.
"Ai," Bucciarati started speaking. "You died from a... ｢lightning strike｣?"
The former Iron Frill leader nods her head.
"...I don't know if I should ask you, but... would you elaborate on your...death?" Avdol carefully asked, not wanting to traumatize the poor girl further.
"..."
After a moment of silence, Ai starts explaining her death. "It was raining heavily that day Iron Frill's concert is taking place. The venue takes place outside and the group I used to be in, Iron Frill, are performing for the hundreds of fans cheering for us. Bad weather aside, it was supposed to be a normal performance located in Saga, of which being the leader has me take the center stage as the song we are performing for. Then, just as I raised my hand up high in the air... a flash of light enveloped my sight fully... it was an... instant death..."
The three zombies hearing her story are equally surprised, horrified and saddened over her death. A lightning strike on human, despite being rare, is guaranteed to be fatal when an unlucky person gets caught in it. The victim has only a brief second to comprehend it before death envelopes their consciousness or, in an unlikely scenario, survive with crooked wounds lining their bodies that looks like a tree's roots. Either way, a lightning strike is anything but good.
In Saki's case though, she looks more amazed than Bucciarati and Avdol, stating, "Holy crap, girl... That's actually ｢legendary｣."
"Saki!"
The two Stand Users berated her for being insensitive, a sentiment shared by Ai. "That's really not the kind of legend I wanted. This isn't over yet. I'm still here... I-I'm not history yet! I don't care if I'm a zombie, I will get up on stage again, and then-"
ドーン!
"Eeek!"
Seeing Ai so intent on being an idol, no matter the circumstances surrounding it, Saki rubs her head to soothe her, saying, "Guess you were actually pretty fired up, huh?"
Idly listening to her, Bucciarati could only pity her as she took her death hard that almost ended her idol career. Admittedly, he doesn't know much about idols like Saki but from his view, having to thrive within a cutthroat industry could apply to being a part of mafia because all members have to work hard enough to achieve fame or infamy. But when it comes to life-or-death situations, the gangster lifestyle is every bit dangerous due to the ruthless members of other famiglias out to kill off any competitors in their turf.
Avdol also pities her, sympathizing with the way their respective deaths are handled, namely that it's so sudden and instant that they didn't have time to comprehend it. Well, they can comprehend their emotions going on before they died like how Avdol is anxious yet intent on pushing Polnareff and Iggy out of danger and Ai singing happily with a wide smile at the climax of the concert. Something that they can't take away on their own is their close friends bearing witness to their deaths, possibly traumatized. That is something they don't like to think about.
While he and Avdol sees what Ai hopes to continue after her untimely death, they believe that soon, she and Junko has to make amends before their feud could become a problem that impedes Franchouchou's progress. Keeping the girls safe from enemy Stands isn't the only objective they have as their bodyguards.
After Ai has calmed down, she and Saki tell Avdol and Bucciarati they want to go home so they all crawl out from the pipe into the splashing rain.
After stretching her limbs and body, Saki is ready to walk back to the mansion. She beckons the three, eager to get out of the heavy rain and so no one might see them in their zombie forms, even though it's already dark. While Ai and Avdol starts following her, Bucciarati doesn't, who appears distracted by something.
One eyebrow raised, Saki taps Bucciarati's shoulder, asking, "Yo, Zipper Man! What's up? Why do ya look so...alarmed?" She has now noticed how cautious and tense the former capo is.
"Bucciarati?" Avdol also noticed his change of demeanor, walking to his side with a curious look. "What's wrong?"
The wind picks up speed, blowing through their swaying hair and clothes as Bucciarati says, "Saki! Ai! Stay back!" He extended his hand to block their way to him while the wind continues to blow rapidly.
"Huh? Why?" Ai looked at him in confusion and concern. She then noticed a swirling funnel taking its form near Bucciarati, who instinctively steps backward as the funnel becomes bigger and assumes its form as a small tornado.
ドドドドドドドド
"Oioioi! What the hell is that!? A tornado!?" Saki exclaimed, closing one eye to stop dust picked up by the wind from entering her eyes.
Bucciarati looks at the tornado, specifically inside its vortex. Even though it's dark, he is sure he saw something peeking from inside the vortex. His assumption would be proven right when the wind spinning around the vortex dies down a little, revealing to the four a vague, cone-shaped humanoid with no lower body, disproportionately long arms with bladed index fingers, a hole on its chest, single eye at the center of its head with spikes jutting from where its ears should be and a crown sticking out from the top, pads on its shoulders and thin strips of cloth wrapped in its head and arms.
Eyes widening in caution, Bucciarati states, "Not quite! It's a Stand! An enemy Stand!"
!?
ドゴーン!
Once again, Ai clutches her head in terror with her eyes closed when a thunder roared.
"An enemy Stand at this time of night!? This is bad timing!" Avdol shouted, rushing forward to confront the enemy Stand, shielding Saki and Ai behind him.
"What are ya scared for, Avdol? You and Bucci just have to beat that tornado Stand and call it a day," Saki told him. "I mean, look at it. It's small and looks fragile. Just one strike from yours attacks and the enemy's done for!"
"Fighting against an enemy Stand is not easy, Saki," Bucciarati replied back. "All of them have unique abilities that gave me and my former team trouble. This tornado Stand will no doubt going to be not so different from the Stands I fought against."
As the enemy Stand floats before its four targets, Fire Lord and Zipper Man prepare themselves as rain continues pouring from the darkened sky.
"Come on Johnny... You can do it! Stand up and walk without a cane!"
"I'm trying Gyro, but my leg muscles still have some stiffness in them!"
Despite the encouragement from Gyro, Yugiri and Tae through her gibberish, Johnny failed to maintain balance with his legs as it gave out and send him in Gyro's arms again. This is the fifth time he tried standing up with his friend's assistance and each attempt of getting up has been met with his legs giving out on him as the stiffness and little pain from standing up overwhelms him, forcing him to use his cane.
Not giving up yet, Johnny tried for the sixth time. When it appears he is starting to balance himself without anything to hold on for many seconds, the outcome remains the same as he lands on Gyro's arms for the umpteenth time. "Oof!"
"No good, huh?" Gyro guessed with a sigh. Mamezuku, Yugiri and Lily (who has calmed down from her crying) also watched him standing up and failing while Tae had her attention somewhere, waiting in the living room for their friends to come back.
Sighing in frustration, Johnny gives up for now, sitting on the couch next to Yugiri and replying, "Yeah. I guess I have to wait for few more months before I'm able to stand up without needing this cane. And even before I can walk normally, I may need it to support my composure when my legs are still restrictive even after standing up."
"Well don't fret Johnny. Kotaro did say progress will be gradual as the months pass by," Gyro pats his shoulder with a smile. "It may take a long time for you to fully regain your legs but when that day comes, you won't need a cane anymore. Just have patience. It will pay off in the end."
"Here's hoping. Guess I was being impatient." Johnny sighed.
While everyone is searching for Ai and Junko, the remaining six choose to stay in the mansion and wait for them to return. Having been brought to tears by the two idols' argument and Ai's harsh words, Lily is being comforted by Yugiri, who hugs the little girl and rubs her head while assuring her that everything is alright. When the two learn what brought her to tears, Johnny and Gyro believe Ai's behavior is unwarranted as even if she has a point of entertainment being hard, she doesn't need to be angry about it. She should have said it calmly. Mamezuku only learned about what happened when he got back after trying to find Kotaro, and while he agrees with her remark to Yugiri, Lily and Saki, even he thought she was harsh.
As for where Kotaro is, Mamezuku believes he went somewhere because the van is not parked outside. Considering he and Tae cannot find the producer everywhere in the mansion, probably finding a venue for Franchouchou's next performance, the plant appraiser draws this likely conclusion and relays it to the four when they got back. That is when he and everyone aside from Tae watched Johnny struggle to stand up and fail. If they didn't know about Stands and Spin from both Kotaro and Gyro, they wouldn't think Johnny has a chance to regain the use of his legs again.
"If I were to interject," Yugiri spoke up to get their attention as she is curious of one thing that may help Johnny's poor legs. "Can you use the ｢Spin｣ to heal your legs, Johnny-han? You told me that you managed to walk again through this technique Gyro-han passed down to you."
Remembering their talk about what Johnny's country is like during the end of 19th century when he went off-topic to satiate her curiosity about his struggles before and during Steel Ball Run race (Yugiri also compared some aspects of America to something else based on her understanding, much to Johnny's perplexed amusement), Johnny, after Gyro gives him an okay as he believes there's no harm in telling them about the Spin, acknowledges her remark but he has this to say. "While it is true I learned the secrets of the Spin to get my legs back, it was not until Gyro told me about a level of the Spin formed through riding a horse. This is after I told Gyro that I am close to regaining my legs and how I will not stop until I am ｢above negative｣."
"A Spin through riding a horse?" Lily repeated.
"It's like Johnny said," Gyro took over from Johnny as he has the most knowledge, seeing they may disclose more of the Spin in the coming months. "Know the stirrups used on horses? In my world, they were invented in the Middle Ages to absorb the power of the horse of its rider. As the Golden Rectangle is required to properly utilize the Spin's properties, a horse naturally galloping at its pace produces energy that is transferred through the whole body coming from the stirrups. If one is able to harness the perfect rotational energy of a horse, an ｢infinite Spin｣ is created."
A look of amazement is present on Yugiri's and Lily's faces with the latter exclaiming, "Wow... That sounds amazing!"
"It is. Perhaps you can walk again if you were to perform this Infinite Spin, Johnny-han," Yugiri guessed. "It will be a miracle for you."
"Well, I would have done that shortly after finding out I can't stand up if there are horses available," Johnny shrugged with a sigh. "I hope Kotaro knows that me and Gyro work best if we have horses."
"Yeah. He better make sure he can bring a horse for us to use. Although, I would like it if Valkyrie and Slow Dancer are the horses we want."
"Are they the horses of your choice?" Mamezuku inquired after silently listening to the two, specifically about the Spin formed from a horse.
"Yup. A stock horse and an appaloosa are the horses we used during the race. I wouldn't be home without Valkyrie," The Italian smiled in fondness of the 4-year-old horse Australian stock horse that was chosen for its stamina and durability.
"Same goes for Slow Dancer," Nail Jockey added, not regretting getting battered around trying to get on the stubborn appaloosa which got Gyro's attention that made him taught the Spin technique.
Eyeing the two jockeys hailing from the America in the 19th century, Mamezuku sees that he may get along with these jockeys better thanks to them knowing the Spin. If he can describe it in his own percentage, it's about ｢53 percent｣.
An amplified Spin formed from a horse galloping at its pace... Sounds impressive. I was already interested in these two when I heard they are familiar with the Spin, more than any zombies in this house. That doesn't mean I have become fine living with the others and Kotaro but seeing that they appear to be experts, I wonder if I can learn a thing or two from them. While I think I might use the miraculous technique in my own way, maybe I can augment the Spin through my Stand's ability. I have known the Spin ever since I was young and have only demonstrated it through twirling a rope, so perhaps with these two, I can finally manifest it through my Stand and master it.
"Urrgghhh."
"Hm?"
Feeling his leg being nibbled, Rai looks down and sees Tae is lying on the floor with her back, currently biting his left leg as if it's food to her. Unfazed, Rai gets his leg off her mouth and calmly says, "Tae-san, stop biting me. I'm not food."
"Auunnggh." She moaned in response, looking up with her eyes on his. She seems to be pleading with him to continue nibbling his leg, at least that's what he can gather.
Giggling from their interaction, Yugiri asks, "You two sure are interesting to have around."
"...What makes you say that?" Mamezuku looks up with one brow raised.
"You always have your eye on Tae-han for months," she answers, her breath fogging out of her mouth as she speaks. "I believe you are still analyzing her behavior without stop?"
"It's to... past time," He shrugs dismissively, ignoring the still not awakened zombie trying to latch on his back. "I don't have anything to do other than protecting the girls and talking with someone I have my interest on."
"You sure are weird, Mamezuku-san," Despite saying that, Lily isn't bothered of his conduct as she smiles at the sight of the two interacting in their own, weird way. Feeling chilly, she wraps her arms around as her body starts shaking with a look of discomfort. Johnny took notice of her, and he asks, "What's wrong Lily? Are you shivering from the cold?"
"Y-Y-Yes. I-It suddenly g-got...c-c-cold..." She stutters her words, shuffling close to Yugiri.
"Indeed. I-I can even f-feel the air freeze," he pointed out, scooping up Lily and wrapping her arms to warm her.
"I think I can see some ice forming in the g-g-glass!" Gyro looked at the door where the embedded glass starts forming ice on it.
"W-Well, I t-think we need s-something warm. I d-d-don't think I c-can take this c-cold," Johnny wraps his arms around his body like Lily. "I-It's getting c-c-colder now!"
Just then, Mamezuku starts walking around the living room, turning his head with eyes peeled as he seems to be inspecting the room. Everyone looks at him curiously, wondering what he is looking for. "Mamezuku? What's wrong?" Gyro asked.
Facing them, Mamezuku asks this question with a cautious look. "You five. Can you feel your hearts beating?"
"What?"
ゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴ
As if becoming aware when he asks them, the zombies realize that they can feel their hearts beating. Not only that, but they also see they are breathing, letting out air from their mouth or nose that becomes cold from the freezing air. Those things wouldn't be possible as a zombie, so to see and feel they are breathing fine and sense the cold air in the room all of a sudden...
ビシッ ビシッ ビシッ
! !
"Wha... What was that!?" Lily holds on Yugiri in panic, whipping her head around to find the source of the sound.
Remaining calm in spite of the unnatural situation, Mamezuku's eyes settled in the corner of the room far from the six when a lump of ice formed. The ice grows big and takes a shape as the plant appraiser can only guess the situation to the four now-vulnerable zombies. "It appears... an enemy Stand has found its way here to eliminate us."
"You're quite perceptive. I was going for a sneak attack so that all of you will not know you will die from subzero temperature. But I have underestimated your analytic skills, which pisses me off!"
"Who's there!? Are you an enemy Stand!? Where are you hiding!?" Johnny exclaimed, pointing his finger around to find the source of the voice sounding like it's on the verge of an angry breakdown.
"Isn't that obvious? I'm under this thick layer of ice!"
ガシャンッ!
As soon as the enemy said that, the lump of ice shatters, revealing a man covered in white suit that has a Y-shaped transparent yellow visor showing a man's face, two short cones atop his head, green bars dotting the entire suit, a pink swirl on his forehead, pink patches on his shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and heels and ice skates on his feet.
Having made his appearance, the enemy Stand stands up straight, glaring his red eyes on the now-alerted zombies as patches of frostbite appear on the floor, walls and ceiling due to temperature dropping from his presence.
Up in the skies of Saga, strange white clouds are hovering below the stormy clouds. These clouds are grouped together, producing their local wind, lightning and even rain. As lightning erupted above it, briefly flashing their appearance, wispy clouds started coalescing from the top, forming someone's upper body showing a head with spikes protruding atop it, a mask-like face, whole ruby eyes with vertical stripes lining them and wing-like clouds attached to its shoulder. Its body is pure white like the clouds it came out from.
As the rain continues pouring, the Stand's upper body hovers above, eyeing the progress of the enemy Stands out to eliminate fourteen targets. For now, it remains on the sidelines, awaiting orders from the one who summoned them all.
To be continued
Onomatopoeia:
ゴロゴロ (Gorogoro) - Rumbling thunder
ドーン/ドゴーン (Don/Dogon) - Loud thunder
ビシッ (Bishi) - Cracking ice
Stand Analysis:
Harvest
Destructive Power: E
Speed: B
Range: A
Durability: A
Precision: D
Developmental Potential: C
A Colony Stand made up of bee-like creatures about 216 or more, what these units lack in strength and precision makes up for the strength in numbers as they have the capacity of overwhelming someone if hundreds of these little Stands grouped together and take on one opponent. Their small size allows them to sneak under people's clothes or belongings without any of them ever noticing and their sharp stingers can potentially be used for injecting any liquid like alcohol or attack their eyes or even a carotid artery. With all of these in hand, Harvest could potentially be a dangerous enemy if they weren't all simple-minded and focused on stealing any object they have their tiny hands on.
Aaaaaannnndddd DONE! Another chapter finished!
Like the episode this chapter was based on, Ai's death of getting struck by lightning and Junko dying from a plane crash is revealed as the two get in an argument over how an idol should be, with Junko wanting to be perfect to fans and Ai emphasizing on interacting with them up close. Of course, because this is a crossover with JoJo, some deviations from the episode are to be expected as shown here and in the previous chapters. This time however, a major change pits all the zombies against three enemy Stands. I believe most of you can guess who the enemy Stands are if you watched and read the manga and anime.
The next four chapters will show three fights happening at the same time, which will be original chapters. While some scenes have deviated from ZLS episodes to accomodate the JoJo elements and characters, this is the first major divergence and the next chapter will follow it with three battles apiece.
Also, it's about time Narancia, Johnny and Mamezuku get to use their Stands. I believe some of you are waiting for them to get in a fight, so don't worry. All the zombies are involved in the coming battle, I just have to worry on how I should plan the fights.
Say, remember when I said that this fanfic may feature romance back in chapter three? Well guess what...
...It's still a hard 'maybe'. *shrugs*
That said, aside from Sakura and Kakyoin, I get to write interactions between some of my chosen paired zombies, especially Narancia and Junko and Rai and Tae. As of now, I'm still iffy on whether I should include romance and have some of them start a relationship for real, especially between Sakura and Kakyoin. Of course, I'm aware that idols are forbidden from ever dating but it's not like I'm following that.
In fact, my most favorite pairing is between Narancia and Junko. Having a shy patched-up zombie in sailor fuku getting along with a boy who looks like a lady with short temper and childish demeanor seems so perfect in my book. I'm looking to see these two get along more, especially the eighth chapter, which adapts episode seven of ZLS...with a twist regarding Junko's hiatus from Franchouchou.
Is there anything left for me to say...? Ah yes. Have you guys read Zombie Land Saga: The First Zombie and Crazy Diamond's Demonic Heartbreak? If you did, then good for you! If not, please read it! The First Zombie shows Tae Yamada back when she was alive battling demons called Sagako and Demonic Heartbreak revolves around Hol Horse and Josuke before Part 4 happened. Oh, Kakyoin has a cousin. I'm thinking on what is revealed in both mangas added to this fanfic as I'm liking what these two mangas show that expands the lore of both series. Again, please read these two mangas if you are fan of JoJo and ZLS! The chapters may published monthly and go on one month hiatus but it will be worth it!
Oh, and yeah, there's that mysterious figure in the tail end of the chapter too. I wonder what it could be...
As you wonder how the three next fights shall go, I'm taking my leave. Please stay safe and hope that some of you don't get infected by Covid like I did. I don't want any of you go sick under my watch as your lives are precious.
With that, I bid you adieu~.