First chapter of the final battle is here! Please enjoy!
ゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴ
The silence that followed after the disheveled man called himself Xero is deafening, as if the deep, gravelly tone of this bloodied zombie's voice delivered enough fright to keep their mouths shut.
The Stand Users standing in front of the girls have their eyes solely focused on Xero, unwilling to break eye contact. The being masquerading as Shino, in turn, returns their intense staring with his own creepy gaze, accentuated by ringed shadows around it and his crimson eyes that remind them of blood. Their staring contest occurred for what felt like an eternity, as if breaking eye contact may prompt any of them to act. This sounds easy on paper for Rianima, Emi, Hartzler and Lynn given they're facing only one opponent, but they know better than to assume he's weak.
At the same time, the zombie girls who either don't have fighting experience, or for those that have it like Saki and Tae are way out of their depth because they don't have Stands, cannot help but take a peek around the well-built bodyguards to indulge their curiosity over the creepy man standing nine meters away. But the man's grotesque appearance, specifically the beating heart inside his chest cavity that might have opened to expose it, his eyes constantly trickling blood as if they are tears, and his entire body covered in blood, both dried or still fresh resulting in a pungent smell, is so horrible and haunting a sight that the sensitive members choose to shy their eyes away.
For Lily, she would never think a heart exposed out of a body could be so terrifying that her body was filled with shivers. Sure she isn't filled with blood, and she looks fine if looking past her zombie state, but that's a small comfort, which isn't much in her opinion.
Looking at Shino's possessed body caked in blood after he may have died a gruesome death thanks to the ichor it called itself Xero does nothing but make the two women who are close to him worry and saddened over his pitiful state. For Sakura, her eyes and mouth are wide and agape, as if letting out a gasp, upon seeing her adoring kohai and friend truly looking like an actual zombie he is. A horrifying zombie than any of them, to be precise. Emi appears calm and collected, and even then, her shaking eyes and small hints of her demeanor breaking do indicate she is aghast over seeing her beloved in that state and the ichor controlling his body as if it's his own. She can sense Goldia and her sisters feeling similarly appalled, and she is sure her two pets felt the same too even if they are not that close to Shino like her.
Shino… What did that… 「ichor 」 did to you? Are you… even there, Shino? Sakura worriedly pondered as she peeked at him, her pessimistic thoughts threatening to win her hopeful self over concerning Xero or Shino.
…Forgive me Shino, but I am afraid you will have to suffer being under Xero's control possibly for the entire fight. However, I cannot allow you and the ichor from killing us and ridding Saga of its existence. Even if you will not hear my thoughts, I swear to you that I will free you from your torment through 「Bring Me to Life」. Emi thought, the white irises in her purple eyes showing a pale blue flame flickering as she prepares her Stand. The other Stand Users did so too, their own auras manifesting alongside her own. Green, fiery orange, blue, fierce red, pink, dark green and light blue.
As if reacting to this, Xero smiles crookedly, Linkin Park's rainbow-colored aura surrounding him, before he, somewhat unexpectedly, begins walking slowly not directly at them, but in a curved direction.
"Hmmmmmm…" Xero hummed, sounding like a growl to them.
Eyeing his odd walking direction, Rianima and Emi sought to follow his line of walking as they started moving, beckoning the girls to match their pace while keeping themselves hidden behind them. The girls also stop peeking around them and shield themselves behind them, under fear that Xero is likely targeting them and trying to find an opening.
In the midst of their side walking, Linkin Park slowly manifests behind Xero, a secondary aura coating the Stand. Everyone expected they would see Linkin Park even before they saw his aura and heard what sounded like a glass being rubbed by something, creating a unique yet wince-inducing sound*. What they did not expect though was the Stand's appearance. It still looks the same, there's no contradicting that, but now, the hole on its chest is filled with small network of dark red veins, apparently glued inside the hole's lining. This seems to influence the lines around its body as it is pulsating red, alternating between a crimson and dark red color. Lastly, its black eyes became a red sclerosis surrounding its black irises, while also possessing two dark circles.
It didn't take a wild guess to see Linkin Park had, possibly as a reaction to its Stand User's transformation, exhibited the same features. If they thought the Stand's normal look isn't scary enough, then the makeover it received somehow accentuates it.
"The hell? The hole on Linkin Park is filled with… something visceral?" Kakyoin said, a little unnerved. "I was sure it was only pure cosmetic." No one says anything in response, simply nodding or humming in agreement.
After many seconds of walking, Xero then walks in the opposite direction, and the group soon follows too. This happens for thirty seconds as well, enough time to make them question what Xero is planning if he hadn't started attacking yet. The possible answer is he's observing them and making plans in his head based on their first moves. The way his eyes are solely focused on the Stand Users indicate obviously to them Xero must go through them if he wants to hunt after the girls. Like a predator stalking their prey. Such a worrying thought means that the moment either side lands their first strike, the safety of the girls should take priority. So far though, there's literally no places seen around here, not if this featureless or blank space is surrounding them.
At that moment however, the empty space is suddenly filled with particles of glass in the air, so many they are like bubbles in the air. Before anyone can say something, the particles diverge in multiple directions to coalesce into a single, recognizable shape of a hallway. They thought first the castle's hallway as dictated by this dimension's name given by Shino is returning to its previous form, until the fourteen zombies realize the familiar hallway Xero, who is seen smirking and his Stand swaying its arms around, created, the difference being that it's still made out of glass: their home, or accurately, the mansion's corridor.
The group is stunned upon seeing the new sights Xero gave to the Castle of Glass, becoming momentarily distracted as they look around in astonishment and slight wonder. "Whoa… Did we all saw Linkin Park, or Xero, give this place a touch up?" Lily asked as everyone's sights return to Xero…
…suddenly in front of them, having a manic expression and emitting a guttural scream as Linkin Park reared its hard fist.
"URYAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! ! !"
! !
It took Magician's Red and Sticky Fingers blocking the punch using their arms to prevent any of them from getting their faces caved in, or worse, cause a concussion and even death.
The impact creates a mini shockwave as Avdol and Bucciarati grit their teeth as they slide backwards, unintentionally carrying or pushing some girls behind them while the rest scatter with a shout or scream over Xero's abrupt sudden appearance and the punch's shockwave.
Hnnnngh! His punch…! The close-ranged Stand Users immediately felt the pain after pushing Linkin Park with a shout and proceeding to attack it. Xero simply evades their attacks by, perhaps unnecessarily, back flipping some meters away, just out of range of their Stands. They seize this momentary relapse to examine their arms filled with a dull pain. It was so intense they wondered if their bones had nearly fractured. If they had blocked with one arm, it would have gone out of commission before the fight properly started.
As quick as he evaded, Xero sprints toward the two with an intense glare. He made it halfway through when he saw bullets fired by Aerosmith coming his way, prompting him to dodge aside. That dodge pulls him to an Emerald Barrier which shoots out a short-ranged Emerald Splash, so he dodges that too. Then a proper Emerald Splash is fired, and this time, Linkin Park punches the emeralds instead of Xero evading it.
"TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA!"
This distraction costs him ample time to move when Johnny, Gyro and Mamezuku bring forth their Spin techniques against Xero, the equestrians riding out with Slow Dancer and Valkyrie with Mamezuku tagging along on the latter horse while two of them yell out their Stands.
"TUSK!"
"DOGGY STYLE!"
Xero is thankful he picked this hallway as the backdrop, as well as having sharp awareness and being quick on his feet. That goes for Linkin Park too, so dodging the nail bullets, two steel balls and an improvised whip is easy and simple. For Mamezuku's attack, Linkin Park catches his arm rope, the tugging motion cluing Mamezuku to what he's planning next before he is pulled out of Valkyrie.
"Mamezuku!" Gyro called out.
Briefly surprised, Mamezuku sought to retaliate by changing his left arm into a drill, albeit in a quick and rough form. Using the Spin, he aims the drill arm toward his chest, specifically the heart. Xero realizes where he is targeting his drill arm, his eyes momentarily widening before he spins on his feet, interrupting Mamezuku's aiming and being pulled around in a curved arc before Linkin Park let go of his whip arm, putting ample distance away out of Doggy Style's range. He rolls across the floor roughly, making him grunt each roll he made, before stabbing the ground with his drill arm to stop the momentum.
"Nnnuugh! Keeping your wits sharp, huh?" Mamezuku sarcastically complimented, pulling his arm out before running towards Xero, finding himself running alongside Bucciarati and Avdol. He assumes they must get close to Xero so their Stands can effectively attack him, which is also shared by the two after glancing at him once.
Avdol enacts his attack first, summoning Magician's Red brimming with fire around its wrists and in its mouth. "CROSS FIRE HURRICAAAAAANE… SPECIAL!" Multiple ankhs are hurled to Xero, who foresaw the attack in advance, so he evades them all, his legs guiding him unnaturally flexibly. He just has to be careful he isn't caught up in the small explosions and scattering hits of fire when the ankhs landed, especially in the narrow space.
He also must be mindful of Bucciarati launching his fist by detaching it via Sticky Fingers, sailing in the air quick that it was near striking range to Xero's face. He deflected it barely with Linkin Park, being careful he didn't touch its fist. It was a distraction however, which he only realized when he saw Bucciarati, with Mamezuku tagging along by holding on his ankle, got within striking distance of them after riding along a zipper train. Peel Planter lets go and adjusts himself quick before he and Zipper Man attempt to strike Xero swiftly.
"ARI!"
"Take this!"
Xero's response is to harrumph unimpressively as he proves himself to be more agile and quicker than them, and Avdol too when he get near with Magician's Red throwing two punches covered in flames, through Linkin Park sending three jabs to their chests or stomach, knocking the wind out of them before kicking them hard to send them scurrying away.
"AAAAGGHH!"
"URRRGH!"
"OOOUUGH!"
Xero is not gonna let them recover, so he immediately charges forward to dish out more pain on the three. However, so intent on the need to halt their chance to recuperate a little that when multiple tendrils suddenly sprout out of the ground thanks to Kakyoin discreetly planting Hierophant Green's unraveled body in the ground when he wasn't looking, he only has a second to realize before his arms, legs and torso are locked in place after they were pierced by the tendrils. Some of them even managed to stab Linkin Park, albeit only a mere three going through both its hands and waist.
"AARRRGH!" The ichor zombie couldn't contain his scream of agony, feeling the prickling pain like many knives have stabbed him. Even with the pain and tendrils forcing him and Linkin Park still, he's able to see Gyro, Johnny and Narancia coming towards him to shoot him while he's down.
"AEROSMITH!"
"TUSK!"
"OOORA!"
Giving out a growl, Xero scrunches his face as another dose of agony is injected in his veins after Linkin Park removed the tendrils out of his hands first, then out of his waist. It then deflects the projectiles, or for the steel balls, pulled its master down and ducked so they harmlessly passed him by.
"Oh no you don't!" Gyro saw him dodge them so he whips Valkyrie's reins to make the stock horse gallop towards him fast, intending to crash against him. "Here's some horse muscle striking you!" He shouted.
"Hmph!" Xero sends Linkin Park five meters away before it punches the ground Valkyrie was about to step onto. This has the effect of sending the horse into a frenzied panic, pulling Gyro along the ride as it changed direction to the right.
"W-Whooooa! Whoa there, boy! V-Valkyrie! Calm down, just calm down!" Gyro struggles to rein Valkyrie in, instead tightening his grip on the reins as he attempts to stay on the saddle.
"Hierophant!" Kakyoin called out, directing his extended hand to Linkin Park as the tendrils captured it in its grasps, securing its tight hold through numerous tendrils, to the point Hierophant Green is merely a head and shoulder.
"Aaargh! Y-You…!" Xero soon felt his body becoming squeezed, adding more discomfort to his well-being. At this moment, Avdol, Bucciarati and Mamezuku recovered and are standing upright, and Narancia, Johnny and Gyro (after he barely got out of his predicament by calling back Valkyrie to his mind) stop close to him, their Stands and weapons on standby. That leaves Kakyoin, Emi, Hartzler and Lynn to walk up to him last.
Seeing how Kakyoin captured him, Mamezuku decides to entangle him with his arm ropes, much to Xero's consternation since he cannot retaliate with Linkin Park also captured. Said Stand is being pulled far as much as Kakyoin can, believing forcing a close-ranged Stand to get as far as only a few meters will lessen the user's control and effect from its ability. Amusingly, this echoes the same scenario back in the forest near Genkai thirty minutes ago, the difference being who they captured. No, it's not Shino.
Just to make sure he has less chances to escape… Mamezuku thought, his determined eyes boring on his group's opponent.
The fight has just only started and Xero is surrounded by every Stand Users not even five minutes in. None of them complained because he hasn't dealt major injuries on some of them that could impede them if the fight dragged on. If done to a long-ranged Stand User, not a problem provided the enemy is in their range, they only have to endure any injury they received. Not so for close-ranged Stand Users, even if clever use of their abilities allows them to bypass this limitation.
As such, it is a must that Xero should not be allowed to drag the fight to his advantage and use Linkin Park's ability to its fullest potential. They will be glad the parasitic ichor was actually holding back, although that assumption can be worrying. Which is why Kakyoin ensnared Linkin Park all to make sure Xero doesn't get that chance.
"Grrrr, nnnngh! Nnnraaaaah!" Said enemy struggles within Hierophant Green and Doggy Style's restraints, completely unable to move and only capable of moving his fingers like they're twitching.
"Good job Kakyoin, Mamezuku. Thanks to your quick application of your Stands, Xero and Linkin Park are immobilized. That way, he won't attempt to attack us." Bucciarati complimented as he turns to them to give them each a nod.
Kakyoin smiles over his tactic in restraining Xero while Mamezuku nods in return. "Well, that's the first strategy I thought before we fully engaged Xero. Linkin Park is a powerful Stand, and Emi-san told me while I was away about what an ichor-possessed zombie can do. All I can say is… we shouldn't give Xero a chance to utilize the ichor as weapon."
"So you're saying we must kill him already? If that's okay with you, then I'll blast him to smithereens!" Narancia suggested.
"Fine by me! I'll take the next shot, guys!" Gyro starts charging his steel balls. "You can destroy that freak after I'm done filling him with my Spin energy!"
Their statements not only made Xero growled angrily and tried to put more force and energy in freeing himself more intently, but also rouse a strong response from Emi and Kakyoin, who quickly shoots down their suggestions. "No! Please hold your Stands, everyone! Killing Xero will not accomplish anything because the ｢core｣ of the ichor is still in his body!"
"The ｢core｣? You're talking about the heart, right?" Avdol said.
"Yes. The heart that very much houses Xero's mind. Possibly after creating and housed itself in where the heart should be after staying inside Shino's body for up to ｢six years｣."
Rianima sans Kakyoin look back to Xero's open chest, unheeding to his glares and growls directed at them. "If I remember this correctly, your Bring Me to Life's spiritual fire is the only weapon that can surely dispose the ichor. From what I'm getting at from your words, you will be the one to do it, right?"
Emi affirmatively nods. "Yes. You have a good memory, Mr. Joestar." After giving him a compliment, Emi walks up close to Xero, her pale blue aura never dispersing the whole time as she's about to use her Stand. Seeing this, Rianima steps back a little to allow her space to enact the method only she is capable of. However, they didn't call back their Stands, instead keeping them out so in an event Xero somehow retaliates, they would put him in his place soon. Mamezuku and Kakyoin have the advantage of restraining him, meaning it's only a matter of ensnaring him again as long as Linkin Park is taken care of.
You will be free soon, Shino… My gaze shall be your first sight you will see after Xero is expunged out of your body and soul for good. Emi thought, stopping herself once she sees she's standing before Xero, who decides to avert his eyes after he stops struggling.
Situated away from the battlefield and watching the sequence of actions both sides of the conflict did until Xero is restrained, Franchouchou are wondering what Emi is doing standing near Xero after he was restrained by Kakyoin and Mamezuku, then surrounded by their bodyguards and two animals watching him closely for any signs of movement indicating a counterattack from him. They are all standing some distance away from them, being close so they can see what's happening to them well but relatively far for their safety.
Becoming a tradition for them whenever they are witnesses to Rianima's battles whether they want it or not, Saki, Tae and Yugiri are in front of Sakura, Lily, Ai and Junko just to be sure they can guard them in the event Rianima is blindsided by an enemy. The same is done by Lisette, Enjel and Harpae as they surround Fleta, Egliette and especially Goldia, standing beside Franchouchou as they, too, watch the battle unfold.
"That woman, Emi-san…" Ai began, situated behind Saki together with Tae and Yugiri. "She's gonna do something to Shino. …Is she going to use her Stand?"
"Yeah, it sure looks like it," answered Lily, who is being hugged by Junko. "I think her own fire is the only thing that can burn the ichor, right?"
"She said it along those lines, so yeah. That musta been her intention if she's standing close to him at her own risk." Saki said.
Sakura turns to her with pleading eyes, asking, "Does this mean Shino will be saved if everything goes well?"
"We can only hope our mother is successful." Harpae reminded. With her words hanging around them above, they continue looking at them warily and with bated breath.
Back to them, Xero is struggling more and more to free himself as Emi grabs his beating heart with her right hand, and then using her left hand to grab his chin and force him to face her directly.
"Ggghh! Let… me… GO!" Xero threatened with clenched teeth.
Emi adopts a stern expression, unafraid of his threat as her aura flares up. "Not if you leave Shino's body, you vile parasite."
"No. Shino deserves to have me taking over his body than you. Unlike you, he's in a better state because I kept him alive as an undead!" Xero claimed, his eyes closed since he could not move his head.
Emi looks at him like he's out of his mind before glaring harshly and exclaiming, "You are only using him for your own ends! Keeping him alive until you are ready to destroy Saga!"
"Foolish woman. You know nothing of his intentions after he willingly let me borrow his body," he growled. "Saga Prefecture… It's thanks to that prefecture existing that Shino suffered in the first place! All he wanted was to live, but instead, the curse forbade him. Everything the curse did to him, it's all because he was born in Saga! He just has to exist while the curse is active!"
"…So then, your solution to that is to use his body and Linkin Park to destroy Saga!?" Kakyoin exclaimed, coming to that logic after hearing Xero. "You are abiding to what the curse wants! I mean, that's hardly a surprise because you are part of a monster in human disguise called Ira!"
"SILENCE!" Xero screamed. "How would you know what Shino has gone through!? Either way, we are done here! Untie me this instant!"
"Not if you look into my eyes!" Emi commanded, directing a look at any of the guys to assist her. Mamezuku, Kakyoin and Avdol understand what she's asking of them, the former having experienced what she did to him when he was under Anubis' control.
"Are his eyes closed? If it is, then I'll force his eyes to open so you get to work freeing him, Emi-san!"
"W-What?"
Through Doggy Style, Mamezuku grabs Xero's eyelids using his spindly hands, earning a pained yelp from him. Then in a split second, Emi's gaze managed to lock on Xero's eyes, who didn't get to ramble again as he went silent instantly.
"Look into my eyes…" The familiar phrase is uttered by Emi, her Bring Me to Life activating. The zombie guys go silent as they watch the process unfold again ending with Xero gone and Shino freed.
But alas, if only it was easy…
…
…
…
…
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Pretty much everyone, including Emi herself, either flinched or jumped in surprise when Xero let out a terrified scream. At the same time he screamed, Linkin Park managed to get itself out of Hierophant Green's restraint after putting a lot of strength in response to its user undergoing a panic attack. Now freed, the Stand flies to its user before vanishing back to him.
"Ah! Linkin Park returned to Xero!" Kakyoin called attention to it.
"We all saw it, Kakyoin! But Xero…!" Avdol exclaimed, so bewildered of the zombie was actually panicking. Said zombie stops screaming so he can say this with a terrified look that really looks out of place for the parasitic-like entity.
"STOP! PLEASE STOP! IT HURTS… EVERYTHING HUUUURTS!"
His words earn a surprised reactions from Emi, Sakura and some of the empathic zombies because the voice he used when speaking those worrying words… It doesn't sound like Xero as it lacked his voice's reverb and growling overtone. It's like… Shino is actually saying that.
"M-Mom… Dad… Sakura… E-E-Emiiiiii… H-HELP... M-M-MEEEEEE…
Emi doesn't have the time to comprehend the implications behind the tone change and content of his- their words. She must proceed with the soul inspection, hopeful she can bring Shino's soul back to his body while eliminating the ichor. So without sparing any words, she carries her intention by staring straight in the windows of his soul, holding his face still using both her hands.
"BRING ME TO LIFE!"
"A-AAARRRRGGGHHH!"
Shino/Xero goes silent when Emi made contact to his soul, the two of them becoming still and ceasing any more panic from him. This is noticed by all of them, but made no further comment as they wait uneasily.
…
…
…
…
"…S-Such… sorrow, a-and… anger…"
They heard Emi open her mouth in a shaky voice. Seemingly as part of that, the boys notice her body is jittering, and her eyes are filled with tears as seen by Bucciarati, Mamezuku and Avdol.
"Huh? Hey look, Emi is crying." Mamezuku brought attention to the woman shedding tears that her impassive face is betraying.
"Emi-san is crying?" Kakyoin repeated, looking at her. "Is she… aware her face is brimming with tears?"
"She… could have," Avdol sounded unsure. "I heard her say something about sorrow and anger. Is she talking about Shino? She's in the middle of examining his soul."
Before they can ponder it, they next hear Emi sobbing, her body becoming shakier every passing second. This time, the girls noticed it.
"Eh? Emi-san…?" Junko called out.
"Is it just me or are we actually seeing her cry?" Saki questioned.
Emi's next words seem to confirm her question. "A-Ahhh… H-His grief, his frustration… Every ｢negative feeling｣ he has… H-How much have you been… holding all of it in… and for how long…?"
They do not like the sound of that and Emi herself trembling more as if she's growing weak under her knees. It appears they must intervene in the process to stop Emi from getting more overwhelmed by whatever Xero is feeding her. To their shock though, she was able to get her eyes off of him…
"NGAAAAARRRRGGGHHHHH! ! !"
…when a crimson tendril burst out of Xero's hand, the sharp tip stabbing Emi on her chest and pulling the now-aware woman out of her trance to realize she's being hoisted up in the air thanks to the tendril.
"UGH!?" Emi yelled out, instinctively grabbing the gelatinous tendril in mild pain.
"EMI-SAN!" "EMI!" "MOTHER!" Practically everyone called out in horror. For Hartzler and Lynn, they just uttered their animal calls intensely.
Immediately in response, Rianima sends out their Stands or attacks to neutralize Xero, with Kakyoin, Avdol, Bucciarati and Johnny gunning straight for the blood fiber. However, Xero anticipated this, so with an extended hand and Linkin Park's gaze falling on them, he shouts, "Stay down!"
ズンンッ
"AAAGH!"
The zombie guys feel their body becoming heavy as they suddenly fall to the floor with the weight of a wrecking ball or anvil, hitting their heads, backs or chest painfully. Cracks and pieces of the floor were uprooted from the force as a result. At the same time, their Stands vanished back to them while any attacks thrown by Narancia, Johnny and Gyro were deflected by Linkin Park with its punching. The girls saw them suddenly immobilized, reacting in panic and worry too.
"Oh no! Our bodyguards!" Lily shouted. "They are pinned to the floor to prevent them from attacking!"
"Damn… Xero is quick on the uptake!" Saki cursed, clenching her teeth.
"W-What… What should we do!?" Sakura pointlessly asked, clutching her head and being close to panic the most among the girls. "We could be on trouble now when Xero has his sights upon us!"
As Franchouchou appears to be on the verge of panicking, Goldia suddenly speaks up to quell their doubts and worries. "Everyone, please calm down! Mother is in control! My sisters and I are hopeful of what will she do next!"
They turn to her in confusion. "Whatever do you mean, Goldia-han?" Yugiri inquired.
"Why don't we spare a look at mother?" Goldia smiled, pointing her finger up. Unsure of what she's saying, Franchouchou raise their heads up.
Back to Emi, in the span of many seconds, she was studying the crimson tendril that stabbed her and lifted her up in the air to amplify the pain she was feeling. The texture and color of the tendril reminds her of blood, except solidified and taking the shape of a tentacle, not unlike in terms of functionality to Hierophant Green or Doggy Style.
So Xero is now capable of conjuring many tendrils made from his blood. This could spell trouble for my daughters, Franchouchou and Rianima. In spite of that however, the blood making up the texture of this tendril feels the same as the ｢ichor｣ fueling Shino's possessed body. If that is true…
Emi adorns a determined look as blue flames flicker in her white irises, aware all along her right hand clutching the tip of the tendril. Even if she didn't instinctively grab it, her punctured chest should be enough of a medium to use her spiritual flames.
"Bring Me to Life!"
Xero's eyes widen upon instantly feeling the burning sensation spreading from the tip halfway through the tendril's body, and the mistake he didn't realize he'd fallen into.
メリャァッ
"UAAAAAAARRRRGGGHHHHH!"
Xero recoiled in great pain as he removed the tendril out of Emi, revealing searing blue fire singing the ichor. At the same time, Emi falls to the ground, and she would have landed roughly if she didn't slow down her descent with her integrated Stand. She momentarily floats above the ground by an inch before setting foot gently.
"Emi-san!" Franchouchou called out in relief, most of them impressed by the counterattack she made to free herself and hurt Xero. They almost forgot what Bring Me to Life can do to an ichor until this moment. They get to see it in action again when the woman clutches her chest wound and applied her Stand's healing properties to heal and close the wound. Upon removing her hand, the wound is gone, with only the torn hole in her white blouse remaining on her person.
Thinking they could be still worried for her, Emi turns around to face them and her daughters with a reassuring smile, saying, "I am fine now. Xero did truly hurt me, but with Bring Me to Life, I forced him to let me go and subsequently recoiled in pain."
"You didn't have to say that out loud," replied Enjel, her eyes including the other five cast over Xero still contending with the fire burning the ichor. "We are looking at him as you speak, mom!" In response to her words, the girls turn their sights to him, with Emi deciding to take a step forward in preparation to continue the counterattack.
"Hmm, our bodyguards aren't being freed even though Xero was hit," spoke up Ai. "Since he's using his mind to make his imagination a reality, does directly hurting Linkin Park the only viable weakness he has to stop his imaginations from existing?"
"It sure seems like it," responded Junko. "The other way to stop his ability is to, umm… kill him. Which is not a good strategy thanks to the ichor coursing through his veins."
"Unless you set it on fire." Egliette added.
"That is a feasible method, Egliette. I shall bring an absolute end to the ichor after I removed its core out of Shino," declared Emi, her body being surrounded by a pale blue aura again. She starts floating, her hands coated in fire as she next says, "I shall make my next move post-haste. Brace yourselves!"
Soon after that, Emi flies toward Xero at top speed. Her purple eyes are completely looking at his heart and in tandem with it, her right hand is stretched towards it. She hopes that with Xero still recoiling from the pain and her higher-than-average speed, she can successfully remove the heart out of his body, either phasing through him or grabbing it and pulling it out. For the latter method, if the ichor is trying to resist it, then she'll introduce more of her Stand's flames to it, weakening it enough for her to pull it out of Shino. She's dearly hoping the latter option is more viable and effective in finally ending Xero's threat, while soothing Shino's injured soul simultaneously.
Alright… This is it! Shino, you will be free from Xero's possession!
Once close, Emi reaches out to the ichor's core…
…not noticing the smirk plastered on Xero's face. Because she enters Linkin Park's range.
"Linkin Park! Vanish her deep in the Castle of Glass!"
"GuNiGuNi!"
"Eh?"
Emi could only turn to Xero in surprise and bewilderment before she inadvertently entered a hidden tear created by the two. As soon her entire form vanished within the tear, Linkin Park hurriedly closed it.
Everyone, including those who hadn't got their faces or heads kissing the floor or forcefully paralyzed, has watched Xero trick Emi into entering a hidden spatial rift he created during his bout of agony. It happened so quickly that most of them were dumbfounded or perplexed about what Xero did to Emi. On Rianima's side, it took Kakyoin voicing out Emi's disappearance did the combat-capable Stand Users snap out of their stupor.
"Emi-san? What… What did you do? What did you do to her!?" He angrily demanded, fearing the worst happening to her.
Xero gives Kakyoin a side-eye, his smirk becoming a frown. "Sent her farther in the Castle of Glass, far away so she wouldn't interfere our fight."
"Far away? So she wouldn't…?" Midway through Johnny repeating what Xero said to make sense of his words, just after remembering what, he stops when he realizes why Xero forced Emi out of the fight, letting out a gasp loud enough for the guys to hear it. "Wait… Ah shit! She's the only person who can effectively damage the ichor! Removing Emi out of the fight means she wouldn't get to assist us by targeting his weakness, thus making this fight harder for us!"
! !?
The rest of Rianima, including Hartzler and Lynn, arrive at the same conclusion or listen to Johnny's assertion and are similarly shocked and worried as they yelled it out to express their feelings. "What!?" Narancia is one such person.
"Damn! The battle hasn't even halfway done, and the odds are suddenly stacked against us!" Kakyoin exclaimed. "Like Johnny-san said, Emi-san is our best person who can dispose the ichor using her spiritual flames! Hartzler, Lynn, Goldia and her sisters might have inherited some of Bring Me to Life's abilities, but only to a lesser extent! I don't think they can put Xero on hard time due to that!"
"Mrrrow!" Hartzler seemingly complained, either from what Kakyoin said or his master being gone.
"Hooo hoohoooo! Hooooo! Hoooohoooo!" Lynn apparently thought so too.
Desperate to turn the tides of battle on their side, Gyro says out loud the first thing that comes into his mind. "H-Hey! Maybe Avdol could do it! He has Magician's Red, guys!"
"Huh?" Mamezuku uttered.
"His Stand can control fire, right? I ain't sure if it's similarly effective to Emi's Stand, but he could do it! Or at least, hold him off until somehow, someway… Emi is found!"
"Gyro!" Bucciarati started scolding him. "Xero is still here! He had heard everything what you said!"
It appears Gyro hasn't thought of that as he swiftly closed his mouth, but it's too late. Xero has his eyes directed at Avdol, who could feel every weight his glaring contains in comparison to how heavy his body is feeling currently. But this is no time to melt under his glare. He must retaliate!
"MAGICIAN'S RED!"
"KRAAAAAAAAA!"
Undeterred, Xero simply commanded Linkin Park to punch the Stand back to its user. "Linkin Park."
"AAAARRRGH!" Avdol screamed in pain. He would have continue screaming if the heavy weight is amplified, causing the Egyptian to bury his face and body to ground rigidly, putting more pressure to the ground underneath him. Even with his face covered, his agonized scream can be heard, albeit muffled.
"Avdol!" Rianima called out. Hearing them call out his name in concern for their friend puts a smile to Xero's face, relishing how helpless they are under the might of Linkin Park's powers.
Oh Shino, how could you be so foolish as to send all of the zombies into the Castle of Glass? You do know that if we are here in this dimension, Linkin Park's limitation on only having to use any objects or matter within our vicinity, thus preventing us from making our imaginations into reality is called off? That way, there are no limits to ｢all｣ kinds of imagination we want to create. Do you honestly think these zombies can stand a chance against us while we are here? Hmph, their eventual deaths will be placed entirely on you once I'm done with them and the girls. Hmm, speaking of the girls…
Making sure Linkin Park's ability is still active, Xero turns to the girls five meters away. From there, he notices something from them, specifically towards the brunette girl he believes she's named Goldia. "Wait, that girl… What is she doing?" Xero asked himself, looking to interrupt her in whatever action she will do.
The same conclusion Rianima arrived at after they saw Emi disappear out of their sight is shared also with all the girls. Goldia and her sisters nearly panicked when their mother vanished under the belief Xero might have killed her. Then they overheard Xero say that Emi was placed somewhere far in the Castle of Glass, out of their reach, but they didn't overhear what Rianima said in response. Nevertheless, these girls soon realize why Xero pulled Emi out of the fight and imparted it to Franchouchou. They are surprised too after hearing them.
"For real? Xero sent Emi far away because she's the most dangerous threat to him? Damn, that ichor is really smart." Saki remarked, biting her lip.
"Well, that is already obvious when we saw him control Linkin Park and use its ability so well," added Junko, side-eyeing Xero before returning her eyes to the girls. "We just… didn't expect how smart he is."
"This is not good…" Lisette conveyed the disadvantage against not only on the Stand Users, but them as well. "With our mother out of our sights, Xero won't have a problem killing all of us without fire hindering him."
"Wait, fire?" Yugiri contemplated for a moment before she gasps lightly and adds more, "Isn't Avdol-han's Stand ability based around fire? Perhaps we might have a chance because Magician's Red controls fire."
Ai looks at the battlefield again and grimaces at what she's seeing. "I think Xero caught on that and is pinning Avdol-san hard on the ground! I have a bad feeling he will be eliminated first!"
"Uaaaahhhh!" Tae seemed to convey the same feelings as Ai.
Before they can imagine the worst-case scenario definitely happening to them, a loud sound is heard behind Franchouchou. Flinching from the noise, with Sakura and Lily covering their ears midway, the seven girls turn around to see a golden-framed mirror. They stare at the floating mirror in confusion.
"Huh? Is that mirror… always behind us?" Sakura rhetorically asked.
"No, I created it using ｢Dream of Mirrors｣!"
That was Goldia speaking, pulling Franchouchou's attention on her as Ai, Junko and Yugiri catch notice of her clenched right hand briefly glowing. She has her eyes closed until she opened her mouth, upon which she continues, "Quick, all of you! Go through the mirror! It's for your safety!"
"What? Go through the mirror?" Saki repeated with a raised eyebrow.
"Think of it like a magical portal! A portal to my mindscape where all of you will be safe away from Xero's eyes!" Goldia quickly explained. "That is how my Stand works, which takes the form of a pocket mirror that was gifted to me by my late biological mother to protect my soul! Please hurry! I created this so you will be safe away from him! My sisters will guide you in my mindscape!"
"No more questions asked, okay!? We're in a hurry!" Fleta pleaded, or more likely, commanded, becoming anxious along with her other sisters.
Choosing to trust her, Franchouchou marches up to the mirror portal, hoping they can get away from Xero for now. But before any of them can enter, Xero enters the scene in a sudden manner via appearing out of thin air. This causes the girls to recoil back in fright or surprise.
"Ah crap!" Saki exclaimed.
"Xero! H-He… He got close!?" Ai similarly exclaimed but in a questioning tone. Sakura, Junko and Lily look back and forth between the downed Stand Users and the ichor zombie, terrified of him by just being in his presence. Even Sakura couldn't reconcile the Shino she knew to the Shino standing near her if she believed she was facing the real Shino.
The maiden girls flinched back when Xero lands his eyes on all of them, especially to Goldia who soon noticed the way his eyes are looking. Then a thought occurred to her. Oh no! He must have seen or heard me activating my Stand! Just why are the mirrors I can create so loud? N-Never mind that, I must-!
Xero notices her right hand is holding an object, prompting him to point it out in a question. "Your right hand… What are you holding on, miss?"
Goldia gulps from Xero's assertion, making her pull both her hands close to her chest and take one step back while glaring defiantly at him. Just then, Lisette and Enjel all move in front of her, Fleta and Harpae, brandishing two scissors and a golden scythe respectively. Seeing their weapons earn another round of surprise from Franchouchou, especially more so to Enjel because a white, right wing manifested from her back.
"Is that… an angel wing on Enjel-han's back?" Yugiri pointed out.
"Yeeeeeah… Guess that makes her a one-winged angel…" Saki replied, then realized what reference she had made. "Wait, did I say that out loud?"
Gripping her shears tightly, Lisette's facial features darken as she warns, "If you don't want to have your body get stabbed by my scissors, leave them alone."
"Stay away, you… you monster!" Enjel growled, her wing shaking in response to her emotion.
"Lisette! Enjel! What are you two doing!?" Fleta chided them in fear for their lives.
"You two, please back down!" Harpae pleaded, pulling Goldia behind. "I fear Xero won't hesitate to hurt you!"
Watching these two being protective to Goldia earns a chuckle from Xero, knowing full well how outmatched they are to him. Without lifting a finger, he declares, "Linkin Park."
"guNIGunI."
Like what Linkin Park did to Rianima, Lisette and Enjel are pushed to the ground, their bodies becoming heavy enough they are unable to move.
"Aaargh!"
"Ouuuch!"
Harpae, Fleta and Goldia, and Franchouchou too, look at the two immobilized on the floor in shock and fright. Seeing Goldia's other two sisters blocking her, he swipes his arm to the left, sending the two flying away.
"Whoooooa!" Fleta shouted.
"Aaaahhh!" Harpae yelped.
It didn't take long for Goldia to realize she's left unguarded, but before she can react, Xero grabs her right wrist and lifts it up forcefully, earning a pained shout out of her.
"Ow, ow, ow! S-Stop it…! You're hurting my wrist!" Goldia pleaded, trying to pull Xero's hand off her in vain.
"I only wanted to look what you're holding." Xero reasoned. After stopping Saki and Tae from interfering through Linkin Park, he grabs her clenched hand and wrests it open, loosening her grip to her pocket mirror as it falls from her hand. Xero quickly grabs the falling object before letting go of Goldia's wrist.
"Nnnngh… No…" Goldia rubs her right wrist uncomfortably, stepping away from Xero in fear because he's holding her pocket mirror. If she tries retaliating, Xero could do worse than grabbing her wrist.
"Hmmm…" Inspecting the object, Xero notices it has a latch, meaning it can be opened. He did just that, next seeing his reflection in a small mirror. After glancing at the few features this object has, Xero realizes what this object is. "I see. Your Stand is a pocket mirror. If I have to guess, this mirror is part of your soul. And this mirror…" He next eyes the floating mirror waiting for any occupants to enter. That occupant would be Linkin Park phasing its left arm to the mirror, letting Xero see it ripple like it's made of water. "…lets you create this bigger mirror acting as a gateway to somewhere… far, I believe?" He side-eyes Goldia, who cannot help but flinch when she listens to him guessing what Dream of Mirrors can do and her intention.
"Uhhh…" Goldia found herself speechless and helpless.
Xero smiles in her direction, seemingly impressed by what she planned to do until he interfered. For her part, she doesn't like the way he's smiling at her. "Hmph. I have to compliment you for the effort you were so close to succeeding were it not for my intervention. But unfortunately, I can't let you have any of you your way. LINKIN PARK!"
Answering the parasitic master's call, Linkin Park punches the mirror, shattering it. After that, the Stand takes the pocket mirror off Xero's hands, and before Goldia or any of the girls can do something, Linkin Park throws the pocket mirror to another rift created by Xero. Once it passed through, the rift closes by itself.
Goldia gasps when seeing her pocket mirror get lobbed into a rift, like Xero did to Emi albeit through tricking her. She, along with her sisters and most of Franchouchou, soon learn why Xero snatched it off Goldia's hands: like he did to Emi again, he sent the pocket mirror deep in the Castle of Glass. Away from any prying hands.
"AHHHH! My pocket mirror!" Goldia reached out to where she saw the rift ate her cherished object.
"Nooo! All of our souls are stored in the pocket mirror!" Fleta exclaimed, sharing her elder sisters' plight. "If it was damaged…"
The Liliputian Princess didn't finish her sentence, but Franchouchou understands what she's going to say. They already know that any damage inflicted to a Stand will reflect to its user, and it is possible they could be killed if the damage is too great for a Stand to endure. They wait for many seconds, their sights directed at the girls out of concern and fearful for their well-being or that Xero may have doomed them. But after nothing happened, they slowly calmed down, confused but relieved.
"H-Hey… We aren't… injured?" Enjel wondered, unable to stand up properly still.
"If that is so, perhaps the pocket mirror isn't damaged at all?" Harpae opined, sitting on her knees.
"That… seems likely if nothing actually happened to us." Goldia supported it in concern. "But despite that, escape is out of our reach without Dream of Mirrors in my hands. Xero really doesn't want any of us getting away from this fight."
Being reminded Xero is still within their vicinity, all the girls look at him reluctantly, having it dawn on them that they are defenseless against him. His red eyes bore on each of them all, possibly scrutinizing them. This is not helped by Linkin Park floating next to him, its eyes also glancing at all of them for up to five seconds.
ドドドドドドドド
They know they're pretty much outmatched. But that knowledge will not deter Saki, Yugiri and Tae from covering Sakura, Ai, Junko and Lily with their own bodies as they glare defiantly at Xero. They are scared, they will not deny that, but if it means they could protect their four more scared members, they are glad to set their mounting fear aside just to protect everyone until they most likely die under Xero's might.
Fifteen seconds of tense game of waiting passes by as Xero and Linkin Park continue inspecting all of them with a possible intent of killing them, brave members of Franchouchou daring to defy him until their dying breaths, and the die Heilige/Essence siblings grouping themselves together in hopes of being relieved they get to die with each other being by their sides, as much they don't want it to happen. After fifteen seconds, Xero seems poised to enact his next action against these hapless girls…
Then Xero glances to where Rianima is five meters away, only to see none of them there. "Hm? Your bodyguards… Where did they go?" He asked, genuinely surprised.
Franchouchou and the die Heilige siblings take notice also of Rianima being suddenly gone. At first, they thought of panicking because without them, they are really defenseless. But they remember Xero forcing all of the seven to get stuck on the floor without any chance of moving even their fingers. How could they just up and vanish when they are rendered immobile thanks to Linkin Park?
However, they soon got their answer when they heard Zipper Man's voice.
"GET AWAY FROM THEM!"
ビィィィィィ
Hearing it coming from below, Xero instinctively steps back as the floor beneath him opens via a zipper, which opens by itself. Emerging from the pocket space within the zipper is none other than the Rianima members, with Bucciarati, Avdol, Kakyoin and Mamezuku jumping out freely in front of Gyro, Johnny and Narancia, with Hartzler and Lynn being held by the latter. For some reason, the inherent heaviness that forced them to stay put on the ground is not affecting them anymore made evident by them jumping.
ドーン！
Xero could only widen his eyes in great shock upon seeing them emerge from a wide zipper hole and somehow being able to move around again. "What!?"
BGM: Fight to Antagonize (Stardust Crusaders OST)
The zombie guys to the front didn't hesitate to attack Xero, intending to take advantage of his distracted state.
"STICKY FINGERS!"
"MAGICIAN'S RED!"
"HIEROPHANT GREEN!"
"DOGGY STYLE!"
First, Kakyoin and Mamezuku attempt to ensnare Xero again using their tendrils and untangled ropes. Their opponent snaps out in time to jump back, redirecting Linkin Park's eyes on the four advancing zombies. Not letting him get the chance to escape out of their ranges, Bucciarati and Avdol utilize their ability to shoot out a long-ranged attack through sending his zipper arm like a rocket and shooting out six Cross Fire Hurricanes.
Prepared to retaliate, Xero has Linkin Park deflect both Bruno's arms with a timed strike then conjuring water out of nowhere to douse out the Cross Fire Hurricanes. This hasn't deterred them as they proceed to sprint toward him after he negated their long-ranged attacks. For Bruno, his zipper arms came back quick to him before he let loose Sticky Fingers.
"ARI ARI ARI ARI ARI ARI ARI ARI!"
Xero glared at Bucciarati's approaching Stand before he has Linkin Park do the same, right after kicking Avdol and Magician's Red away. "TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA!"
Though Avdol is in pain, spewing out blood from his mouth, he lets a smile appear on his face when his body stops mid-air, feeling something pliable catch him which are Hierophant Green's tendrils.
"Avdol! I'm going to bounce you back to Xero! Brace yourself for impact!" Kakyoin told him as he mentally pulls the tendrils.
"I will!" Avdol replied before he bounces back into the fray as Magician's Red equips its clawed hands with scorching fire. Meanwhile, back to Xero and Bruno, the punching contest is interrupted thanks to Mamezuku laying a surprise attack on Xero by piercing his back with a spinning arm drill. It's a direct hit because Xero was too distracted trying to overwhelm Sticky Fingers he didn't pay attention to his surroundings until it was too late.
"Gggkk! W-What…!? H-How did I!?" Xero finds himself arching his body, severing his control on Linkin Park. A big mistake like this allows Sticky Fingers to land ten punches on his body, riddling him with many zippers gushing out blood. Worse, his back being stabbed by Mamezuku's arm means he's forced to stay still in one place, accentuating the pain. "Gyaaarrgh!"
"You were wide open," simply answered Mamezuku, uncaring about his bout of agony. "And because of that, you're in for the world of hurt. Linkin Park is exposed! Attack him, Avdol-san!"
Said fortune teller arrives as Magician's Red lands its fiery fists to his face and stomach. The impact and hot flames mean a searing sensation is felt by Xero, and it didn't take long before he lets out another scream as burns appear on his face and waist, albeit hidden behind his clothes. "URAAAAARRRRGGGGHHH!"
Landing a little roughly, Avdol straightens up before he assumes a stance and exclaims, "We're not done yet! Kakyoin, Mamezuku! With me!"
"Okay!"
"Mmm!"
Seconds later, Xero is wrapped entirely in ample volume of tendrils once more, Red Bind and wire ropes, hugging him so tightly he cannot move. He can only stand up uncomfortably, his arms tied up against his torso while his legs are rendered immobile, on top of zippers passing over his feet connecting to the floor, thus ensuring he's stuck.
Reeling from the lingering vestiges of doubled amount of pain Linkin Park received, Xero could only growl in frustration over being outsmarted. He cannot move his head, so he's stuck looking at Kakyoin, Avdol, Bucciarati and Mamezuku surrounding him. He shoots them a dirty look, which Kakyoin and Bucciarati are happy to scowl back to him. Behind Xero, Hartzler assumes a predatory stance after activating his Stand, his sharp teeth baring with a menacing growl sounding on the verge of roaring.
All these sequence of actions are witnessed by Franchouchou and the die Heilige sisters, some of them like Sakura, Junko, Goldia and Enjel being in awe over their quick thinking and counterattack that has Xero tied up so tight. Right now, Narancia, Johnny and Gyro are shielding them, with Aerosmith flying above them in slow speeds while the two jockeys are sitting on top of Slow Dancer and Valkyrie. Last of note is Lynn perched on Tae's head, who tried looking at the owl out of curiosity with her eyes, only to see she cannot. Somewhat unexpectedly, she allowed Lynn to stay perched.
"Alright! They managed to catch Xero! Outsmarted that cagacazzo!" Narancia pumped his fists, clearly happy and impressed by those four's counterattack.
"And we arrived to protect you girls in time before he can harm any of you! Sorry if we were nearly too late. Nyo ho." Gyro looked back to the wary girls with a thumbs up. As usual for him, he cannot resist showing his gold teeth, which the girls simply ignore.
Franchouchou and Emi's daughters couldn't be any happier, the three pulled them away to safety. While they are really glad, one question was on their minds regarding how Rianima got out of Linkin Park's effects. From what they saw, it seemed like Xero's hold on them was too tight or intense that they could not even move their body.
Urged by the thought, Yugiri asks the three about it. "Johnny-han, Gyro-han, Narancia-han. How did you and your friends escape from Xero's hold on you? I believe Linkin Park's ability weren't deactivated, and yet somehow, you escape to stop Xero from attacking us just barely."
Johnny points his right thumb at someone. "Oh, it's thanks to this owl's Stand."
The girls except Tae turn to Lynn, who seems aware of many pairs of eyes looking at her. "Hoohooohoooooo. Hooo, hooohooo."
Goldia and her sisters perk up after hearing her. "Huh? What mister Johnny said about you freeing them is true?" Harpae inquired in surprise.
"Hoohoohooooo. Hooo, hoohoooohoooooo." Lynn hooted in response.
Everyone turns to them in curiosity after seeing them understand what Lynn said. The three Stand Users can guess what she said based on the topic being talked about.
"Gotta hand it to your pet owl, you five," complimented Gyro. "Her Stand has saved our hides by freeing our bodies from becoming heavy so much we were forced on the ground. In other words, we were ｢paralyzed｣."
Enjel perks up again because she realizes what Lynn did. "Ooooh! I get it! Lynn used her Stand, ｢Comfortably Numb｣, to snap you seven out of the ｢paralysis｣ that Xero actually put you through! That's what happened, right?"
Narancia nods three times. "Yeah, that's what she did! I shoulda expected you know how Lynn's Stand works since she's your pet."
"Well… that's true." Lisette admitted.
"Hey, hang on. Now that I thought about it, we haven't got to know what kind of Stands Hartzler and Lynn have," suddenly brought up Saki, speaking for her group and their three bodyguards. "We only saw Lynn's Stand striking Xero, or actually Shino, while his back in turned few days ago, followed by Hartzler roaring like tiger and pinning him to the ground just as that Emi chick arrived. Since you five know what their Stands are and their names…"
"Ah, don't worry. We will tell you what Stands these two have." Following after Goldia replying to Saki's reminder, she proceeds to tell them that Hartzler's Stand that is integrated to his body and soul, similar to Bring Me to Life, is called ｢Eye of the Tiger｣. Like the name suggests, it allows Hartzler to assume the appearance of a tiger through black stripes appearing all over his fur. After becoming a ferocious tiger in a cat-sized form, he inherits all the skills and properties of a tiger, giving Hartzler enhanced strength, speed, reflexes and heightened instincts allowing him to spread his eyesight all over his surroundings directly in front of him. In addition, he can roar like a tiger, which actually has an effect of instilling fear on his prey.
Lynn's Stand, ｢Comfortably Numb｣, manifests as a mechanical or robot-like owls slightly bigger than her. Boasting an impressive range, Comfortably Numb's sharp talons is coated with a substance capable of paralyzing her targets. All she needs to do to induce the effect is by having Comfortably Numb strike its target with its talons, mostly as a sneak attack and even if it's so quick one would brush it off as a minor scratch. Once the target is paralyzed, there is no escaping it because their entire body, including their minds, is rendered frozen, leaving them at anyone's mercy. Probably because it is such a potent ability, Lynn was found to be capable of pulling anyone paralyzed out of that state by striking them again with her own talons. Thanks to this trait, that is how Lynn gets out of Linkin Park's similar paralyzing effects by scratching her beak before she did the same to Rianima and Hartzler when Xero has his attention somewhere.
"…And that's how our pets' Stands work!" Goldia finished explaining. "Did you understand all of that, I hope?"
Fortunately, the zombies grasped her lesson behind Hartzler's and Lynn's Stands. Helps that they did saw their abilities in action a few days ago, except for Sakura due to her second amnesia, and even then, she slowly got all that after nodding in understanding.
"Yes, we did. Thank you for explaining it to us, Goldia-chan," said Ai. She turns to Lynn next now perched on Tae's arm, who is staring at the curious creature intently, though without hunger in her eyes. "And thank you too for saving our bodyguards. Without your help, we would be killed by Xero."
"Hooo Hoooohoooo… Hooooo Hoooohoooo." Lynn replied.
"Huuu…?" Tae repeated.
"She says, 'You are welcome'," Egliette translated.
"Uhhh yeah. You don't need to say it out loud 'cause we understand based on context," stated Narancia. "So! Anyway! We will continue protecting you girls from Xero! He may be captured, but I have a nagging feeling he has another trick up his sleeve."
"Yeah, having the same feeling," replied Gyro. "I don't see Linkin Park out, but he doesn't need that when he can use his mind alone to manipulate reality. We must keep an eye out on him, alright you two?"
"Right. Just in case Gyro… be ready to ride our horses," warned Johnny, keeping an eye on the enemy. "We might use the Golden Spin to its fullest when he inevitably retaliates. We can't let him manipulate the fight to its favor again."
"I would like it if we used it later, but you have a point, Johnny."
As the three bodyguards and an owl continue shielding the zombie girls, they return their attention to the intense stand-off between the two sides on the battlefield, hopeful and worried.
"Mmmmggghh…" A grunt escapes from Xero's mouth, the dull pain he felt after Linkin Park got hit fading away while the zippers, fire rope and tightened tendrils keep him in continued agony. The four Stand Users close to him are watching him becoming still because he couldn't unwrap himself out of their grips. Bucciarati particularly watches intently any sign of Linkin Park being summoned so he can stop it from helping its user. And when he tries using his ability, the other three will distract his thought process by tightening the ropes.
"Hmm… He stopped resisting, and he hasn't brought out Linkin Park at all," noted Mamezuku. Narrowing his eyes, he says more, "Seems like you realized you are trapped. We got you on the ropes, literally."
"Hmph, you're wrong," retorted Xero, continuing being still. "Just because I didn't bring out Linkin Park or use our ability doesn't mean I am outmatched."
"Still acting confident, huh?" Kakyoin insinuated in a sarcastic tone. "Then if you are planning a counterattack different from what we expect you to do, we shall snuff you out of Shino's body before you become too problematic again," he next turns to the two close-ranged Stand Users and shouts, "Avdol! Bucciarati-san!"
"We know!" Bucciarati nods affirmatively to him as Sticky Fingers rear its open hand aimed at Xero's beating heart. Concurrently, Magician's Red charges another Cross Fire Hurricane in its beak as Avdol keeps an eye out on the ichor about to be pulled out of Shino's body so he can put it on fire. Without delay, Sticky Fingers reaches out to the heart as fast as it could.
The four are anticipating the quick defeat of Xero that they missed the smirk he has. Oh no, we are only just starting.
ブチュ ビュ ドロ ブシュ
"Huh?"
Bucciarati stops his Stand while it's in the middle of grabbing the heart when he hears a strange, wet sound. Mamezuku, Kakyoin and Avdol also heard it, the former two quickly pinpointing the sound coming from Xero. They try bringing it up as a question, but then Mamezuku flinches because a cold sensation travels through his untangled arms wrapped around Xero.
"Agh! W-What's this? W-Why am I-I… s-s-shivering?" Peel Planter complained in a questioning tone.
"Shivering? What do you mean, Mamezuku?" Avdol asked.
"Something… wet and… cold touched my wire ropes," he clarified. "I think… it's coming from Xero."
Kakyoin looks at him in confusion. "Something wet? Wait," Becoming alarmed, he stares at Xero to demand an answer from him. "Hey! Are you the one making that wet sound? What are you planning, Xero!?"
The ichor undead continues smirking, unseen by him and Mamezuku but visible to Bucciarati and Avdol. "Would you like to know? Take a look to the wounds you four inflicted on me."
The latter quickly looks to wounds that were zipped open around his body. Leaking out from the wounds are blood… Blood having a slimy texture and appears to be… twitching or writhing? Like it's alive?
His blood… they seem to have a partially solid composition, guessed Bucciarati. Why does that remind me of-
He can't stop a gasp escaping from his mouth as he realizes what kind of blood Xero has before he urges Sticky Fingers to sink its hands to his chest to grab the heart out of him as fast as he can. Unfortunately, Xero guesses his intent and promptly reacts.
"AAAAAARRRRGGGHHHHH!"
All of a sudden, multiple sharp appendages sprout out from Xero's body, either coming out from his wounds or his body, upon which causes more wounds to appear. That is a small concern for Xero though, as these appendages stab the surprised zombies, pushing them far away due to the unexpected force they possess. For Mamezuku, he is forced to let go of him and tried getting away, but he was too slow.
"UAAAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHH!"
Both Kakyoin and Mamezuku slide across the ground after landing roughly from being launched up high in the air before stopping. These two have stab wounds on their shoulders, arms, waist, and legs, and given they are wincing hard or in shock over processing the injury, they are really hurt. As for Avdol and Bucciarati, they are hoisted up in the air with either one or two appendage stabbing their shoulder or chest, and they are in great pain as a result.
It didn't take long before Narancia, Johnny and Gyro ran to the downed comrades near them in panic and distress, the latter quickly dismounting from Valkyrie and kneeling next to them to check the wounds. Franchouchou and the die Heilige sisters also move close to them, their panicking more pronounced compared to the boys.
"KAKYOIN-SAN! MAMEZUKU-SAN!" Sakura shouted.
"What… What in the hell happened!?" Saki exclaimed in shock. "What did Xero do!? What was that red… tentacle-like thing he screamed them out of?!"
Some of the girls look at Xero, and then at Avdol and Bucciarati struggling within the appendages painful grip on them. Below the two, Xero is hunched over as most of the appendages return to his body except the ones hoisting the two. The smirk he displayed before remains on his face, though this time, he looks a hell lot of sadistic.
"AVDOL-SAN! BUCCIARATI-SAN!" Lily yelled out. The mentioned names heard the kid's cry, so Avdol shouts back in return to assuage them. "W-We are fine! Please don't worry!"
"You two are not looking fine!" Junko responded in a fearful tone. "Y-You must get off those mucky things before you get hurt more!"
Before anyone can respond, Xero suddenly throws Avdol and Bucciarati to them in an arch, eliciting shouting from them as they make a hard landing before the group. They are somewhat surprised, but relieved since they are freed. Now they have to worry next about the injuries they sustained.
As they quickly surround the four bodyguards of Rianima to tend to their wounds, Xero simply stays in his position as the three appendages retract back to him, but not entirely. Instead, they hover near or beside Xero, writhing around a little as they wait for his command.
Glancing at the three limbs, Xero's smile grew wider because he's starting to use the ichor. "Excellent. This is what I've been waiting for. Control over the ichor. All that's left is to test it and hope it's potent enough to damage anyone, both living and undead." He ominously declared to himself, his red eyes glancing to the group who aren't acting like a ravenous zombie and shouldn't be christened of that term in the first place…
To be continued
Stand Analysis:
Eye of the Tiger (Stand Master: Hartzler)
Destructive Power: B
Speed: A
Range: E
Stamina: C
Precision: C
Developmental Potential: D
Fitting for a tabby cat almost resembling its larger, wild cousin, Hartzler can transform himself into a miniature but ferocious tiger exhibiting traits and abilities, like enhanced strength thanks to his changed musculature, high speeds matching that of a cheetah, enriched eyesights and sharp claws capable of tearing apart flesh. He can also scream out an intense roar that can put fear into his target's heart, possibly enough to attack them up close.
Comfortably Numb (Stand Master: Lynn)
Destructive Power: E
Speed: C
Range: A
Stamina: C
Precision: B
Developmental Potential: D
Lynn's Stand takes the form of a mechanical or robotic owl a little bigger than the higher-than-average great horned owl. Possesses sharp and strong talons containing a substance to paralyze its targets, preferably discreetly. The rate of time between the target getting clawed and paralyzed is dependent on their size, with the smaller targets becoming numb instantly while larger targets may take a few seconds before getting immobilized. Probably the most unnerving part of her Stand is that the paralyzed targets will not be distressed at all, instead looking calm and in tranquility like they are not bothered of being paralyzed. Maybe that name was coined by Emi because of the effects.
Linkin Park (Stand Master: Shino Wakefield)
Destructive Power: A
Speed: A
Range: C
Stamina: D
Precision: B
Developmental Potential: B
A Stand that can manipulate reality through its user's imagination. Anything Shino imagines within his surrounding area, they will happen. All it takes from him to neutralyze his targets is to immobilize them in any way he can think of. He may not even need to lift a finger on any objects within his vicinity if he can just stop his opponents from attacking him with only his mind.
In spite of his great power, Linkin Park is not immune at all and has weaknesses one must exploit to attain an advantage. Shino cannot conjure any matter out of thin air using his imagination, and consequently, he can only manipulate all available objects as long he knows what imagination he can use on them. Linkin Park has abysmal defense, so any damage it receives will cause it and all manipulated objects to revert, as well as cause double the amount of damage on Shino, leaving him in agony.
Has a sub-ability called Spatial Rift, which allows Shino and Linkin Park to open up rifts out of thin air, both entrance and exit rifts respectively. This is related to a pocket dimension only they can control named the Castle of Glass, where Linkin Park's ability receives an upgrade that can utterly trounce Shino's opponents if he choose to stop holding back…
* - Linkin Park's summoning sound is similar to Man in the Mirror's
Finished!
Well, ain't this an intense start for a chapter? Rianima, Emi and her two pets face the parasitic being puppeteering poor Shino's body to do battle against them. However, Emi was taken out of the fight because Xero fears her spiritual flames, itself being the only weakness an ichor has other than normal fire, something Avdol can control. When it seems like he has Franchouchou and the die Heilige sisters cornered, Rianima launches a counterattack that binds him once more. Before they can remove the heart and have Avdol burn it to ashes, Xero suddenly sprouts spikes of blood to get four of them off him, greatly damaging them. Now that he's showing being able to easily control the ichor inside Shino's body, the zombies are in for a rough time…
As detailed under Stand Analysis, Hartzler's, Lynn's and Shino's Stands are finally named or described after their abilities were shown in the previous chapters. Hartzler and Lynn's Stands in particular were kept a mystery for many chapters, but fortunately, you get to know them at last after I figured out their abilities and naming. Specifically, I had a hard time wondering how Lynn's Stand works, discarding the darkness ability she initially has because I can't imagine how well it will work in a battle, even something focused on using your wits and strategies in tandem to power.
Fortunately, I was able to create an acceptable new power for Lynn after remembering that owls employs sneak attacks using talons to catch their prey or disturb other animals. After a lot of thinking over it's appearanc, ability and name, Comfortably Numb is the result and will be Lynn's Stand from now on. Related to this, I intend to change one scene in "Linkin Park Part 4" to reflect the changed Stand. I hope you understand and may feel intrigued and satisfied of Comfortably Numb.
I wanted to say more, but I'm drawing a blank. Not helping that I'm not feeling up making this Author's Notes long because I like to be overly detailed or ramble on, albeit in written form. Not great in giving a speech without reading, I admit. At least I have said anything important related to the current chapter.
Well then, I'll see you next chapter, everyone! Please stay safe and have a great day/night! Adieu for now!