Greetings! I apologize for putting this out nearly a month later! As always, I've been hard at work writing and polishing the chapter, especially because this is a major turning point for the final battle, one that I guarantee will blow your socks off! To all of you who were worried for our heroes facing a fate worse than death at Xero's mercy since the previous chapter, worry no more for you shall witness Sakura rising to the spotlight at long last when she finally awakens to her Stand and proving she do have the mark of a legendary figure of Saga!
But before you can proceed, let me say one thing: Linkin Park is officially out of hiatus with Emily Armstrong onboard as the main singer! Now you may think I sound excited because the band is back from its hiatus, but actually… I am very mixed, slightly leaning on negative. While I'm glad Linkin Park made a comeback, I heard unsavory things about the new main singer, which didn't sit well with a lot of fans. That, along with Mike Shinoda wanting to dabble on NFTs and apparently not convinced by the fans' warranted concern and criticism some years back, is making me having second thoughts and almost become regretful using their name for Shino's Stand. Just to be clear, I don't endorse every controversial move the band is taking and I don't like it, not one bit. And as for what this means for the Stand Linkin Park in general, well… I've been thinking of renaming it instead from any songs sung by the late Chester Bennington. In fact, Shino's character and backstory is inspired heavily by his songs and his struggle for depression, so trying to distance may not work because the inspiration is too neck deep for me to change. But to clarify, my OC is made through the band's early songs or at least those sung by Chester. Don't know if it's a small comfort but I wanted to put this out and explain my stance.
Alright, with all that said, let's get into this heart-pumping chapter!
"Are we… Are we in a nightmare? It… It has to be… I-It has to be…! It has to be, it has to be, it has to be, it has to be, it has to beeeeee!"
Sakura muttered those four words over and over like a mantra, born from a vain hope that the very worst case scenario the tiny group could be in isn't happening as she speaks.
"M-Maybe if I pinch myself, I could wake up and prove I was just having a nightmare…! T-Then the others will follow!"
She did just that, pinching her arm a bit too hard but aside a jolt of pain, nothing changed. Her unsteady smile faltered once she was given proof this is really happening, so no surprise her fear and mounting despair is making her shed tears. I knew it, it's just my wishful thinking…
BGM: Third Bomb (Diamond is Unbreakable OST)
Aside herself, the remaining members not yet infected and/or killed, Goldia, Harpae, Fleta, Lisette, Enjel, Emi and Kakyoin, are sticking close together with their backs on a wall. Harpae and Fleta huddled up to their eldest sister and each other out of fear while the last four stood in front of them to act as shields. Though they looked fearless in their posture, they're shaking like a fragile leaf, moreso for Enjel and Lisette.
ゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴ
With Hierophant Green hovering above them protectively, all eyes are on the approaching group of blood-thirsty ghouls led by the menacing and nigh-invincible Xero. The walls, ceiling and floor appear to have boxed in after they were cornered. The surfaces became opaque so the background cannot be seen, courtesy of the leading carrier of the malicious, parasitic entity masquerading falsely as a human; the ceiling hung so low it almost touched Slow Dancer and Valkyrie's heads, and the walls are closed in tightly as possible so there is no spare space.
In short, Xero has blocked off any possible escape routes while also ensuring other kinds of methods like Bring Me to Life's tangibility and Dream of Mirrors aren't available. By this point, there's no doubt this tiny group is well and truly cornered. No amount of denial can sway their minds off of that.
He has the audacity to chuckle cruelly, as if he's mocking them for being pretty much at the ghouls' mercy. Fleta, Lisette and Enjel glared hatefully at him in response, wanting so much to strangle him while Goldia and Harpae grow increasingly worried as they watch or hear the ghouls slowly close in the gap. Emi and Kakyoin continue standing guard in spite of knowing they have zero to low chances of getting out of this alive.
Wh-What… What should we do? Is there no way we can… win this?
Part of Sakura knew this frantic struggle to fight back against Xero might lead to a worse outcome the more it dragged on. It was influenced in part by her lingering pessimism, but witnessing her friends supporting her in spite of her misfortune and pledging to stand by her side no matter the odds made her hopeful. It made her want to believe in herself once more all thanks to their support.
Alas, she never thought how awfully right she was on the money; in the span of many minutes, six members of Rianima and Franchouchou fell over Xero's control with little or no issue. One would have described the utter bloodbath as a curb-stomp battle if not for their failed refusal to lose against Xero. Sure Kakyoin is still here and Emi could get back in the fray once she's adequately rested, but Linkin Park can render their attacks ineffective without Xero lifting a finger.
If they try to make one last escape? Linkin Park will either teleport or pull the ground they're running on. And if they risk themselves closing the distance to directly attack Linkin Park? They'll be at the mercy of the ghouls and either infect or kill them at last. Plead for mercy? Xero obviously will spare them none.
To put it simply as much Sakura hated to admit it, they're pretty much screwed and no amount of last-ditch tactics could save them from Xero finally infecting them.
BGM Stops
Sakura begins whimpering as her fear eventually overtakes her. Is this it for us? Did my 「bad luck」… have gotten to my friends in the worst way possible? I… I don't want to believe it but… but… Along with fear, her self-defeatist self poses to return with vengeance once the reality of their predicament has settled in.
It looks like there is no other way out of this. Trying to resist will inevitably provoke Xero to retaliate, but if they let them get close, they'll get killed/become ghouls. Whether they choose to put up one last fight or remain quiet, nothing good will happen for them. They don't realize it yet or if they did, they refuse to accept it but…
They… They truly lost. Only one thing they must do at this point: surrender.
"HIEROPHANT GREEN!"
BGM: A Superhuman Reborn (Phantom Blood OST)
Seemingly in response to her thoughts however, Kakyoin shouted to the top of his lungs whilst fighting back tears of fear and grief as the long-distance Stand rapidly uncoiled itself until only its head, neck and parts of its shoulders remained. The uncoiled tendrils rushed straight at Xero in order to implant Hierophant Green into his body and control him. Concurrently, some of the tendrils drilled into the walls covertly so he can lay a surprise on Xero.
One chance… One chance is all I need to overturn this, somehow! Kakyoin thought with gritted teeth, paying attention to the tendrils and really hoping the narrow space could give him all the advantage he needed.
Xero's sneering tells a different story however.
"Still fighting to the bitter end? KNOW WHEN TO GIVE UP!"
Every tendrils that are an inch away from touching him are quickly slashed apart all in one second, except for the remaining three that Linkin Park grabbed. The Stand tugs them heftily, pulling Hierophant Green, and in turn Kakyoin, onto him.
"Uwaaaah!"
The girls attempted to reach out and stop him, but they were one inch off. "Kakyoin…!" Sakura called out in worry.
Kakyoin hadn't passed halfway when Linkin Park, after emerging out of Xero's body, swiftly grabs Hierophant Green's neck tightly, just as the coiled Stand reverted back, causing him to be halted mid-way suddenly. He then let out choking noises. "Grkkkrrrhhh!"
"TAMA!"
Cold, rigid fist smashes Hierophant Green's face, shattering partially its left eye and mouthpiece while forcing it to turn aside. Kakyoin immediately felt the pounding headache and unfortunately for him, that's only one starting punch out of many.
"TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA TAMA! TAMAAAAAAAAAA!"
ボッゴォーン
Hierophant Green was sent flying backwards, dragging its face-bruised, screaming user along until they crashed into the wall, which the girls foresaw and moved out of the way.
"AAAAGGGHHHHHHH!"
Convulsing from the shock and intense agony confounding his face after crashing to a wall on his back, Kakyoin slides to the ground in a slump, his eyes and mouth agape and seemingly near-unresponsive.
"OH NO! KAKYOIN!" Sakura became more worried for his well-being, covering her mouth in shock over the brutal thrashing he got. Goldia, Fleta and Emi are on his side immediately while Enjel, Harpae, and Lisette grimace.
"Unh… Angh." Kakyoin grunted weakly, feeling a major headache flaring up. Hearing his grunts didn't ease up their worries but they take it as an indicator he's barely alive. Their little relief is cut short however when without warning, a crimson appendage wrapped around Emi's neck tightly from behind.
"Hnngh?!"
Reflexively touching it, Emi didn't have the time to comprehend what's happening next when she finds herself pulled away out of the girls' reach. "E-Emi-san!" Sakura called out.
Once the woman reached an ample distance halfway, the appendage quickly removed itself off of her, leaving her to be carried along by the momentum…
ドッバァァァー
"UOAAAAAAAH!?"
Until she felt an excruciating pain erupting in her torso that halted her.
Becoming still for a moment to comprehend she was hoisted up agonizingly, Emi looks down and lets out a pained gasp at the sight of an arm-sized appendage perforating her abdomen, the sharp tip emerging out through her back. Her eyes go wide before she hacks out blood, soon realizing her body is being injected with ichor. And every second of it, she felt it all like it's poisoning her. She experienced a high amount of pain caused by the ichor before so this isn't the first time, but that doesn't make it any less agonizing.
"*coughs* A…Aaaghh!"
"MOTHEEEEEER!" Emi heard her daughters crying out in horror, with Fleta, Enjel, and Sakura also shrieking over the gruesome injury inflicted by Xero. Though she cannot see in this angle, she can sense the fourteen ghouls moving ahead of her and Xero, possibly so Lisette and Enjel won't have the idea of gunning straight at Xero to let her go. Another round of shrieking from the above three girls are heard again when they see the ghouls approaching.
No! My daughters! Sakura, and Kakyoin-!
Overcome with concern for her loved ones, Emi attempted to free herself from Xero, moving her hands to grab the slimy ichor and try prying it out of her body. Unfortunately, she's still weak so she couldn't even make it budge an inch. The amused ghoul chuckled at this pitiful display of a struggle, so he decided to abide by what she wanted. Not without moving the sharp tip diagonally up and cleaving some of her torso or chest, inflicting another wound however.
"OAAAHH!"
Landing ungraciously on her back, Emi jerked upwards when the agonizing pain flared up, quickly finding herself unable to move properly, only barely making twitching movements. She groaned with eyes and mouth both agape, stuttering and subconsciously aware of the puddle of blood pooling underneath her, staining the pristine white parts of her outfit, as well as Xero walking past.
"Enjoy your last moments, you munter. Shino and I won't be missing you."
Emi's breath hitched. She knew better than to attribute those scathing words to Shino, and yet, she can't help but be shocked and disheartened. If she knew otherwise, she would've believed Shino meant it when he said that scathing statement.
Emi didn't have time to rationalize that it's Xero who would say it and not Shino though, as her daughters, Sakura and Kakyoin's are at risk. Holding her open injury with her left hand getting soaked by gushing blood, Emi pushed herself up by her right elbow, grunting throughout the entire process. Despite mustering everything she has in enduring the agony, she could only grovel on her knees and elbow and even then, she fell back with a grunt, on her second injury. "AGH!"
Lying somewhat on her front, Emi's eyes are trained on the group of ghouls completely covering the view over to the far end of the hallway. She tried again to rise up, but she sensed her energy had all but depleted. So much so she couldn't wiggle herself to readjust her cleaved injury away from the ground to stop it from flaring up. No… I cannot move… The pain… I-It is all… too much… But, I…! I must… rise…! I must… protect…! Ahhh… Emi wondered in despair, feeling all her energy leaving her. Her soul. Her body…
BGM: Pale Snake (Stone Ocean OST)
Meanwhile, back to the cornered group, their situation isn't much better now that they are faced with fourteen ghouls who eventually got near them. They are only five meters away, so it's only a matter of time before they finally get their hands on their long-sought prey. And though Xero can't be seen from their position since he chose to hang back from behind, one can imagine his unnaturally wide smile directed at them, very much mocking them. Naturally, all of them couldn't be more scared than they're already feeling.
No no no no no no no no noooooo! Wh-What do we do…!? What do we do? What do we do? What do we do? What do we do? What do we do?! What do we DO?! WHAT DO WE DOOOOOO!?
Stammering in rising panic, Sakura backs away as far as she can, only to hit a wall again and getting reminded she ran out of space. She ended up huddling next to a semi-conscious Kakyoin by his left, with Goldia, Harpae and Fleta occupying his right. Out of panic, she even threw her hands to his neck to hug him for both their comfort. Said person groaned as he blinked twice to regain focus. He doesn't seem to be aware the ghouls are a meter or two from sinking their teeth on them. As for Lisette and Enjel…
"Stay back! A-All of you, keep your icky blood AWAY from us!" Enjel warned, swinging her scythe around to ward off Ai, Junko, Johnny and Gyro frothing with ichor in their mouths.
Lisette didn't say anything but her narrowed eyes and clenched teeth as she made stabbing and swinging motions to Avdol, Saki, Bucciarati and Tae while occasionally growling should tell how frustrated and scared she is in her attempt to vainly force them back.
Unfortunately, the ghouls aren't giving up and grow irritated by these two girls' weak defiance so Yugiri and Narancia swung their claws on them. The two panicked and backed away to avoid getting slashed, getting tripped onto Sakura and Kakyoin in turn. But in the process, the ghouls are then free to close in. This obviously didn't sit very well for the zombies.
"Enjel, Lisette! Please stop!" A teary-eyed Goldia begged. "Don't try fighting them!"
"But, Goldia…!" Lisette started protesting.
"We know what you're going to say, and as much as we want to hear it…" Harpae's voice trailed off. She adorns a hesitant expression as she hears the ghouls' choir of harrowing groans, louder than they wanted. Closing her eyes, she finishes, "I believe… it's all over for us."
Harpae's words couldn't sound any truer than they like. All eyes, including the still dazed Kakyoin, look up to their former friends, involuntarily turned against them due to Xero's actions, prepared to get their grubby hands on them and either make a meal out of them or turn them into ghouls. Either choice obviously doesn't sound pleasant, yet they know they can't fight it.
"So, it had come to this then… The 「curse」 has won after so long." Egliette somberly declared, not an ounce of haughtiness in her tiny voice.
Hugging her precious doll/friend while weeping, Fleta throws herself onto Goldia so she can provide some traces of protection. "G-Goldia…!" She wailed.
"I'm here, Fleta. I'm here, so please… don't leave our sides, okay?" The brunette muttered, with Harpae, Enjel and Lisette joining them in embracing each other, seeking comfort within their presences. If they're gonna die, at least they won't be alone.
Sakura watched the five maidens and a doll hugging altogether with tearful eyes, feeling herself choking up before she returned her gaze to the waiting ghouls. She quickly noticed Xero in the center, his face angled down slightly so his glowering and terrifying smile were magnified.
"Now. It is time, Sakura and Kakyoin," he announced. "To become part of us. Embrace the joys and pleasures of the ichor. Become one…"
"AS XERO."
Then shortly afterwards, all fourteen ghouls dive straight onto them with teeth and claws out, letting out what seems to be a last horrendous chorus of tortured wails they will ever hear. Kakyoin had just become conscious and aware of his surroundings in time to realize he's on heaven's door and Sakura… Poor, frightened Sakura yells out one last plea before closing her eyes shut and burying her face to Kakyoin's shoulder.
"AAAAHHH! DON'T BITE OR TEAR US APART! JUST PLEASE…! DON'T HURT USSSSSSS!"
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…H-Huh? Am I… still alive…?
BGM Stops
Opening one eye reluctantly after realizing she wasn't torn apart savagely after six seconds passed, Sakura, against her better judgment, turned her head to see Tae, Ai and Mamezuku's haunting faces up close, their blood-stained teeth bared out.
Instantly regretting it, Sakura shrieks and tries backing away as much as she could, and when she remembered, she buried her face to Kakyoin's shoulders again so she wouldn't see much of their putrid faces. She didn't forget to close her eyes even if it's already pointless.
…
…
…
…
…
Five seconds would pass without any of the three tackling them, causing more discomfort, distress, and some awkwardness for Sakura. She slowly turned her face forward again.
A-Are they gonna keep looking at me? Why are they staring at me?! D-Do I have something in my face? A-Am I being judged if I'm tasty enough? H-How long will this waiting last!?
Sakura decides to close her eyes for sure and keep up her arm shield so they will be the first body part to be bitten. Before she could do so however, Kakyoin suddenly speaks up.
"Huh? Is it me or are they… 「hesitating」?"
His statement roused Sakura, Goldia, Fleta, Egliette, Harpae, Lisette and Enjel out of their bracing selves to see what Kakyoin was saying, though not without reluctance. Aside from Ai, Lily and Mamezuku, Avdol and Junko are poised to bite down hard on Kakyoin while the remaining ghouls settle for the die Heilige sisters. Their arms are reaching out on them and they are baring their teeth out, so they are very much intending to rip them apart and chomp on them. And yet, for some reason, they're not budging and could only make twitchy movements to their fingers.
With the oddity presented, the zombies are left looking at the possibly hesitating ghouls, all grunting and trying subtle motions to move but they cannot for some reason. It didn't take long for Xero to notice.
"What's wrong? Why did you all stop? Your prey is powerless, so do it! Make those two part of us and dispose of these five girls!"
The ghouls obeyed his orders, grunting in reply. The zombies see multiple appendages sprouting out of their bodies with squelching sounds, their ravenous eyes seemingly about to split open and a deluge of drooling ichor poured out of their mouths. They realize what they're about to do next and brace themselves for the ichor to finish them off.
However, the attacks never came. Like before, the ghouls hesitated again without any of their incoming attacks making contact. This left the supposed hungry creatures of the dark stalling again, with Narancia, Gyro, Saki, Ai, and Tae continuously drooling while Avdol, Bucciarati, Johnny and Yugiri settled for an impromptu staring contest. The zombies have no idea what to make of the awkwardness the ghouls are unintentionally exhibiting when noticing again their hesitancy, becoming confused.
"What is happening? Are Xero's underlings about to attack us?" Harpae whispered, not liking the more they're waiting for their incoming deaths.
"They're about to, but they… stopped." Lisette responded unsurely.
"What do you mean, 'stopped'?" Harpae asked more. No one can reply (or if they have, they didn't get the chance) when Xero growls irritatingly after noticing they aren't attacking again.
"What's this? Are you all hesitating? Why?" He accused in a deep tone of his voice. "I won't say it for the fourth time… Eliminate these zombies, NOW."
In spite of his sterner command, the ghouls didn't move nor did anything to injure the zombies. The appendages appeared to have stopped in mid-air when it's about two inches away from stabbing them while the laser-like blood shots never came. At this point, the zombies become less scared as this odd sight continues, but not too much to lower their guard down, and Xero's temper reaches its boiling point quickly before he angrily yells.
"AAAARGH! You couldn't do a simple act this time!? Then so be it!"
He pulled every ghouls far back with his ichor and Linkin Park, haphazardly throwing them like he's littering. They whined and yelped in protest and after they landed awkwardly on the floor or against, but he didn't pay them any mind. He next glared down on Sakura, Kakyoin and the die Heilige maidens, before adopting Linkin Park's features on his person again and says, "Hmph. Guess I'll finish you all off personally. Should've done it before if I knew the ghouls would fumble."
Sprouting ichor appendages next, Xero sends them forward in a stabbing manner, shouting, "This is it! You two shall become part of us! AS XEROOOOO!"
Realizing their brief reprieve was over sooner than they liked, the die Heilige sisters hugged each other again while Kakyoin, his motor functions and mind returning to normal, decides to go down fighting and prevent Xero getting the satisfaction of killing them while fear clouded their minds. Not so for Sakura, who screamed her lungs out again.
"AAAAAAHHH, D-DON'T KILL US! PLEASE DON'T KILL US OR TURN US INTO GHOUUUUUULS! !"
キィィーン
When it looks like this is very much it because Xero predictably didn't listen, the appendages stop midway. Kakyoin and Sakura had watched the sharp and quick tendrils stop all of a sudden, and after seeing they weren't moving for three seconds, they became bewildered again. Eh? The ichor appendages… 「stopped」? Like how our friends also stopped from tearing us apart?
"W-What?! What… What trickery is this?!"
Their enemy's exclamation pulls their sights onto him, including the maidens after hearing his disbelieving words. Instead of a domineering sneer becoming ever so present on him, Xero possesses an alarmed look that can be mistaken for anger or irritation. They notice small signs of movements in his hands and tendrils, all targeted on Kakyoin and Sakura, but in spite of his best efforts, he doesn't budge. Like at all.
Growling in vexation, Xero gives everything he has to move just his hands, feet or even his ichor, but all he can do is make twitching motions that are of little consequence to his sudden frozen state. He becomes more frustrated and refuses to let this unknown phenomenon best him. "LINKIN... PARK!"
The Stand emerged from its user again, as Xero ordered it to grab either Sakura or Kakyoin and directly pull the appendages through their heads or chest. Linkin Park moved to do as its (false) user says, but when its hands were an inch away from grabbing their throats, it stopped too. Xero quickly sensed the Stand stopping and its arms feeling like it was fighting against something binding its arms back, and he didn't take it well. "Hnnnng! Linkin Park, too!? You couldn't even accomplish a simple task like grabbing someone?! NgaaaAAAAARGHHHH! MOVE…! I SAID MOOOOOOOVE!"
The zombies continue watching a very incensed and aggravated Xero fighting against an invincible force keeping him still. They grow increasingly befuddled over the strange occurrence that befell him, agreeing with their enemy that freezing midway so abruptly is really odd. That said, they are relieved he possibly hesitated even if only for a short time, while Fleta, Lisette and Enjel looked satisfied watching the purported dangerous and powerful ghoul squirming.
Seeing Xero is wide open, Kakyoin has thought of inserting Hierophant Green inside his body to forcefully take control of him. He prolly deserved it after being a thorn on their sides at this point. But he didn't, because he's so confused over what is really happening and how did it come to that. Sakura shares his thoughts too, probably more so.
"Um, Kakyoin-san…?"
"Yes, Sakura?"
"I may sound dumb asking but… you didn't use your Hierophant Green to… do something, right?
"No, I didn't. I wasn't of a sound mind when we saw the ghouls, then Xero himself, strangely freezing when they're in the midst of attacking us."
"…You're right. If you and Goldia-chan didn't do it, then who…"
Before Sakura could finish, someone spoke up in a high-pitched tone. "Doyansu… Doyansu?"
"E-EH!?"
Sakura flinched greatly in surprise, and so did Kakyoin and the die Heilige sisters. The latter two turn at the redhead girl immediately, with Goldia herself asking, "Did you say something, Sakura? The voice just now… It sounded like you."
She gave them an incredulous look before replying, "Huh? What are you saying? I didn't say that."
"Doyansu? Doyansu?"
The same words and voices are heard again. As it sounded like Sakura's, they weren't convinced. "Don't play dumb. We know it's you. How can we mistake the voice as someone else's?" Fleta insinuated.
"Like I told you, that's not me!" Sakura insisted. "In fact, did you see my lips move when we heard it? No, so obviously it wasn't me!"
"And yet, it has the same inflection and tone like yours, Sakura. Identical, actually" Kakyoin pointed out. Getting annoyed, Sakura was about to disprove it again, but her eyes fell upon Xero still struggling to move. Judging by his narrow-minded focus on freeing himself from the invisible restraints, he must haven't heard her apparently uttering that one word. So for the entire time, he's wide open, meaning now's the chance to get away from him or, as Kakyoin thought, have Hierophant Green control his body from the inside.
Sakura however, chose not to flee, instead continuing staring at Xero. The longer she stared, the more her confidence returned. Actually, that's not the right word. Though she's unsure if it's a fitting word for this kind of situation, she can feel something welling up in her chest: a resolve, the will to fight back. This time, it's not Kakyoin who'll retaliate.
This feeling in my chest… It's like my 「soul」 burning up and encouraging me to… To 「fight back」. Am I qualified for it, though? Do I have the strength necessary to do it? Wait, why am I questioning it? I must act now, or else this chance will slip past my hands and we'll definitely lose!
In response to her inner thoughts, the same words are heard for the third time, and this time loudly and firmly.
"Doyansu! DOYANSUUUU!"
Her eyebrows furrowed, Sakura commanded to the top of her voice with a determined glare directed at Xero. "「BACK OFF」 XERO! YOU AND THE GHOULS!"
ドガァーン!
In another surprising turn of events, Xero was inexplicably flung away from the zombies thanks to an invisible force, ironically freeing him from being frozen. Concurrently, all the ghouls are forced back too, flying sufficiently far enough that they won't reach them soon.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHH!"
ガッシャン
Every ghouls screamed in distress until they landed roughly against the smooth ground, with Xero being the last. When this happened, the scenery reverted back to its initial state, colorful space, transparent glass walls, floors and all, since Linkin Park was somehow hit by an attack, and as a result, Xero is left dealing with an intense amount of pain. No surprise he wasn't able to rise up immediately and could only groan uncomfortably for the next few minutes.
Seeing the ghouls very far out of their range, Sakura, Kakyoin and the die Heilige sisters quickly stand up and regather their bearings quickly. They immediately notice their changed surroundings, grateful they're not cornered anymore.
"Are we… safe?" Enjel asked nervously to make sure.
"We are, for now." Goldia answered, taking her hand and squeezing it to comfort her.
"Since we're free to move around, we must go after mom! We saw her get hurt!" Fleta demanded, tugging Goldia's sleeve and pointing to the motionless Emi lying a few meters away.
ドドドドドドドド
Everyone casted their eyes on her and they became horrified and, contrary to Goldia's advice, close to panicking when seeing Emi in a sorry state. This is true for Kakyoin because he didn't watch Xero grievously injuring Emi.
"Huh? What… What happened to Emi-san!?" Gasping, Kakyoin took off running until he's by her side. He immediately crouched beside Emi's prone form, noticing her eyes are closed and her cleaved and ruptured body still as a calm water, her blouse having two torn holes similar to the size of her injury. The girls followed after and surrounded her body as Kakyoin rolled it over so she's lying on her back and allowed them to glance at the bloodied hole on her back.
Not hiding her shock over the gruesome way Emi has died, Sakura slowly lowers her cupped hands covering her mouth, dreading the certain fate Emi received. She couldn't imagine the grief her daughters might be feeling as they kneeled by her side
Tears threatening to pour out of her eyes again, Sakura casts her mournful eyes over Emi. She may not have known her for long, but she sees her as a compassionate person who gave all she had to stop Xero until her bitter end. Closing her eyes, Sakura lamented her fate, saying, "I think… we're too late. Emi-san is… gone."
"Incorrect, Sakura. My 「soul」 was actually forced out of my body when the pain was too much for me to bear."
! !
Kakyoin and Sakura flinched greatly in shock when they heard her voice. They looked down to the body but saw it laid unmoving. They're sure they didn't hear her words coming from this body, and after discerning where they heard it, they glance sideways. As for the maidens, while surprised, they weren't bothered and recovered soon before following the two's gaze. Smiles are put on their faces, relief and joy washing out any lingering doubts in their minds upon seeing what they really thought to be their still living mother.
Contrast their joyful reactions to Sakura and Kakyoin having their eyes wide. "…Eh? EEEHHHHHHHH!? E… E… EMI-SAAAAAN?!"
"Is that… Is that really you, Emi-san!? You're still alive?!"
BGM: The End of the Universe (Stone Ocean OST)
Their eyes aren't being deceived, for floating before their stunned and delighted eyes is none other than Emi herself. Emphasis on "floating" because the serene woman appeared transparent and pale blue; in other words, she is, or became, a ghost. Not unlike when she turns invisible when she's in her body. Hitodama lights float nimbly around her, completing the supernatural look she took the form of.
バーン
Her folded arms nestled together under her breast and one leg bent upward slightly, Emi remained tranquil in her conduct, eyes closed at first before she moved her lethargic head to calmly study every person gawking at her and gauging their reactions. She glanced briefly to the troubled ghouls collecting their bearings, then to her body lying between her daughters and companions. She's going to need as much energy to heal it back to normal, which she'll do later.
She turned again to the zombies to address what became of her. "Do not panic. As Kakyoin said, I am still alive. This ghostly form you are seeing is the work of my 「Bring Me to Life」. I assumed this form to 「leave」 my body, my 「immortal shell」, so I would be beset by the agonizing pain no more and mend my spiritual wounds."
Sakura and Kakyoin blinked, feeling their shock and initial fear leaving their bodies. Soon, relief came into them like Goldia and her sisters are feeling. "Another use to your Stand?" Kakyoin wondered.
"Aye. Though rarely do I extract myself out of my body to become an apparition when I can turn intangible anytime, it will surely happen whenever I am 「overwhelmed with attacks」," she continued, moving forward in between them. "And to be clear, just because I am a ghost now does not mean I am not dead. Relatively speaking."
"…We already know. The five of us know." Lisette replied, showing a smile out of relief for her loving mother's survival. The two glanced at their reactions indicating they might be familiar with what Emi is telling them.
Kakyoin remembered one particular concern that should've been holding Emi down. "Hold on, Emi-san, weren't you so weak minutes ago? Have you rested well enough?"
"I was, but do not worry. Nearly all my 「strength」 was restored when I took on this form," she explained a little unsurely. "In fact, I can tap more of 「Bring Me to Life」's power in a more accurate way, though I can guess it will cost me more. That might explain why I am feeling more vivid or zestful while I am outside my body, so perhaps leaving my 「soul」 out of my body alleviated my limitations, if only for the time being?"
They are not sure what to make of her hypothesis, but nonetheless, they are glad Emi isn't in danger of dying. "Oh thank goodness. You're still alive so we were worried. You really surprised us." Sakura sighed out of relief.
"Well speaking of surprises…" Emi glanced somewhere near Sakura. "Could you look behind you, Sakura? There is someone you must see." She smiled.
"Someone?"
Curious, Sakura turned around and saw who she should be meeting, just as a pinkish white aura surrounded her body. She didn't try questioning it first when her breath got taken away upon seeing who's behind her the whole time.
The moment she sees the spectral being floating there, she instantly recognizes it belongs to her because the entity possesses nearly most of her appearances, like her long red hair and well-endowed body. But there are differences that were noticed immediately; namely, it's robotic or armored in appearance, up to having mechanical joints, bolts, and embedded plates in its shoulders, thighs, neck and head, an iron or steely skin colored and probably polished until it's shining in a brilliant pink sheen, and bionic blue eyes possessing cherry blossom-shaped irises. As in, the entire iris takes the form of a sakura flower. Lastly, it has no nose and mouth, aside from a rectangular-shaped plate above its jaw.
Everything about the Stand from clothes to mannerisms is taken directly from a pop idol singer, coincidentally matching Sakura's profession. Its attire consists of a sleeveless, bright pink crop top with a triangular, collar-like design etched on the top, black edges and two white buttons hugging its ample breasts snugly, a waist-length, also sleeveless black vest with thin, yellow line each tracing the edges of its collars and the vest vertically that covers fully its back but not its narrow, uncovered waist, detached black bell sleeves worn just below its bare, mechanical shoulder joints embroidered with wavy, white musical staff lines and many cherry blossom flowers of a darker pink tone resting on each lines far apart like they're musical notes, black fingerless gloves, short, pleated, bright pink skirt patterned with alternating opaque and empty square markings of a darker color tone, a thin, pink waist strap containing dozens of cherry blossom flower stems reminiscent of weeping cherry blossom trees covering the skirt, particularly the leftmost section as the cherry blossom appear numerous and denser there, black knee-length boots with three folded upper rims shaped triangularly patterned with yellow, zigzagging lines, and lastly, a pair of strapless, plastic blue earmuffs or headphones protruded with single antennae sticking on each ends covers its ears.
Kakyoin, Goldia, Fleta, Egliette, Harpae, Lisette, and Enjel take turns being astonished looking at the robotic-looking Stand surrounded by an aura of the same color, further reminding them of the appropriately-named Sakura's color motif and general theme, as well as making them realize that, at long last, Sakura Minamoto has finally unveiled her own Stand.
BGM: Coercizione (Golden Wind OST)
Jaws dropped so low she almost hurt her jaw muscles, Sakura is entranced at her own Stand's presence, feeling its artificial eyes looking at her. This is the first time she's meeting her Stand, and yet she knew. She already knew that this, or actually she, is a part of her. Her soul. Her passion. Her resolve made manifest similarly to other Stand Users. Said Stand, after apparently acknowledging its user, puts its right hand beside its face, its palm facing outward and fingers sticking out, while leaving its right hand on its hips. Along with how both its feet are spaced apart, the group recognizes it's doing a cute pose, complete with dancing sakura petals surrounding it and a spotlight projecting her though it could be their imagination.
"Kira!~" The Stand shouted.
For Sakura however, she realizes what pose her Stand is referring to, if its attire isn't enough of a homage to her literal idol: it's Ai Mizuno's, or at least the Iron Frill she remembered, finishing pose when their music act is finished.
"This is… my 「Stand」. My very own… Stand." Sakura muttered, feeling like her breath may be taken away again the more she gazed upon her Stand. Or in other words, her own self, projected psychically at the last minute.
Kakyoin smiled widely, feeling so proud, relieved and happy for her "…I knew you had the 「potential」, Sakura. This proves you're more than your dispirited self when you've finally got to summon this Stand after so long." He congratulated her. Emi's family agreed, shooting plenty of smiles in her direction, which Sakura noticed. Becoming aware of the attention, she chuckled nervously. In spite of this, she would be lying to herself if she isn't ecstatic at this new development. She takes another look to her Stand still upholding its pose, also feeling its eyes staring at her.
Wow… This is so… surreal. I get a Stand? I, I… Oh my gosh, I don't know the right words to describe what I'm feeling, hahaha…
"So… your Stand has awakened."
!
Xero's booming, almost guttural, voice jolted them out of their trance. They all turned to rising up on his feet along the ghouls. Their normally vacant stares glare fixedly onto the main prey, the same way their postures become still, or at least not slouching as much. Seems like they're somewhat imitating their leader's calm but seething posture and scowling gaze directed upon Sakura.
His frowning lips parting to reveal shaking teeth, Xero exclaims, "I was right to try killing you first, after you somehow compelled me to let go of you and your friends much earlier. I didn't contend with the strange feeling at first, but now…"
His glare intensifies, concurrently with the ghouls breaking their silence through emitting unearthly growls. Then with almost an instant, they rushed forward.
"Sakura Minamoto…! Your days as a living dead are all but null! PERISH FROM OUR SIGHTS!"
The burst of speed was so unprecedented. Before they knew it, the ghouls had already gotten close to Sakura. There was not enough time for Kakyoin, Emi, Lisette and Enjel to intervene as they're ready to pounce on her.
"Sakura!" Kakyoin attempted to reach out with Hierophant Green.
Naturally, the freaked-out redhead shrieked, swinging her arms erratically to scramble back even if she knows she'll not make it. Since this might be the case, she has one thing left to do: plead for her life.
"EYAAAAAAAAH! STOP! STOP GOING AFTER MEEEEEE!"
She was panicking so much she, as well as everyone, didn't notice her Stand flying in front of Sakura quickly before it did something surprising again.
"HALT!" It commanded after the plate covering its microphone-like mouth slid open. A circular, surging wave of energy erupted onto the ghouls.
キィィーッ
"NNNGH!? WHAAAAT…?!"
Once again, they're barely an inch or two when their lunging turns to a complete stop. Immediately, the ghouls are frozen on their tracks, almost unable to move so they could only make twitching movements. Since they're in the midst of gunning after Sakura, they're stuck while in a lunging pose.
Not wanting to believe this is happening again, Xero tried moving his body, loudly grunting with each attempt, rising gradually until he's practically seething. He decides to have Linkin Park help him, only to find out he couldn't bring it out because his mind is compromised somehow. This also means he couldn't rely on his ability. His indignation reaches its boiling point again as he screams, unable to comprehend how Sakura got a drop on them so fast.
Her Stand! Her Stand must have done something! It must be because it spoke, but how did we get affected!? Xero thought ferociously, eyeing the Stand covering its mouth back before facing the group and its user. THis made him growl maliciously as he struggled to move to target that Stand next.
Hastily backing away, Sakura is both confused and relieved after seeing Xero's group stopped dead on their tracks thanks to her Stand somehow speaking. Apparently there was no input made by any of them, herself included. Perhaps except her. Whilst trying not to be intimidated by Xero's glaring hard at her, she wondered how it happened for the third or fourth time and what the cause was. Kakyoin and the die Heilige maidens share her question as they ogled the ghouls.
BGM Stops
"It happened again. How did this occur up to four times?" Kakyoin said it audibly. He puts his hands under his chin, trying hard to understand.
"Why, it should be obvious. It is all due to Sakura's 「Stand」, or her 「ability」, so to speak."
All members, including the already irate Xero, turn to Emi. She has a contemplative look on her face as she gives the pink-hued Stand a look over. She then turns to the astonished Sakura just as the astonished zombie, with a finger pointed to herself quizzically, replies, "M-Me? I… did that to Xero? My Stand and my ability? My Stand ability?"
"No doubt it is all on you," reaffirmed Emi with a nod. "I believe you may have an idea of what your 「ability」is. You have done it four times as Kakyoin said, one of which was done by your own Stand."
The confusion grew across Sakura's face, looking back and forth between her Stand and the frozen ghouls. "B-But… All I ever did was 「plead」 for our lives, and my Stand suddenly said, 'halt'! How could I use my ability or even know… about… it?"
Her voice trailed off when an epiphany came into her head. A dawning look settled on her face, becoming aware she went silent, as if she's self-conscious of her incessant talkativeness. She touched her lips, blinking twice as she thought back to the three times the ghouls cease their attacks against their will, without prompting any movement from both sides. Hold on, now that I said it, the ghouls and Xero were halted midway after my Stand told them to stop. But did they really 「voluntarily」 stop? They couldn't be; they must have been prompted instead 「against their will」, which is… me. But, how? How could I make them stop when all I did is 「say」 what's on my… mind…? …AAAHHHHHH!"
Sakura gasped upon realizing what had occurred for the ghouls to stop advancing towards them, and by extension, what her Stand ability actually is.
"By that look on your face, I believe you have figured out what your Stand does, Sakura," remarked Emi, only having to look at her dawned expression to guess. "You have done your part in restraining Xero. You have my thanks in forcing him still so I can do my part next."
"Your part, Emi-san? Are you talking about…?" Kakyoin began, observing her ghostly form.
Her deadpan features harden, shifting her gaze onto the somewhat anxious Xero. "I was pushed to this spiritual form thanks to him. But fortunately, with no body to inhabit, I am free to choose whom I shall 「possess」 and take control of. For that, I have already chosen my target."
Even without tracing who she's looking at, the zombies knew who's the one. Said person could only growl deeply, still refusing to believe he was made a sitting duck all thanks to Sakura's Stand.
"GRAAAAAAAAAGH! This is… inconceivable! You should've been weakened! And dying in a pool of blood, instead of gaining that higher form of yourself! I should've eliminated you immediately in the first place!"
"You have nothing to blame but your own hubris, Xero," coldly stated Emi. The fiery aura and hitodamas flare up matching her glare. "I should not be surprised. Ira does have a problem maintaining her temper, pride, and sadism, qualities that you inherited because you did originate from her. But enough talking. You shall relinquish your hold over those zombies right now!"
Emi flies straight to Xero. As soon her entire form vanishes within him, he is brought out of paralysis. Stumbling backwards, a look of fear and panic are written over his face as he looks down to his body and places his hands on where Emi phased through his body. Then, it happened.
"Hrkkk…! A-Agh! …GAAAGH! UAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGH! ! ! !"
If Sakura, Kakyoin, and the die Heilige maidens are worried when Xero was supposedly and unintentionally freed, hearing his gargled scream should keep their relief in their minds longer. He clutched his head and moved around erratically as an intense sensation rippled throughout his body and soul, causing more blood/ichor to spill out like he's physically wounded. Seeing Emi's pale blue aura surrounding the erratic ghoul increases it more, especially after they realize Emi's plan when noticing the excess ichor spilling out of Xero getting vaporized, which had an adverse effect of melting his clothing.
"…I get it! Emi-san has chosen to directly possess Xero in order to burn the ichor effectively from the inside!" Kakyoin realized. "And not only his body, but also his tainted 「soul」!"
"Really? So then, what could her action mean for Shino?" Sakura wondered. She has a guess as to what may happen sooner or later, of which she's hopeful it could happen. Then, a thought occurred to her. "Wait, since Emi-san is attacking the ichor which has infected our friends and is still controlling them, if she succeeds, that means…"
Sakura didn't finish, or actually didn't need to once she guessed the other hopeful outcome. A smiling Goldia glances at her, then replies, "We have actually never seen our mother outright possessing people, so this is our first time seeing her do it. But according to her, it allows her to gain total control over the possessed targets by subsuming their 「souls」. It is as you suspected, Sakura. Looks like mother will free your friends at last. It's actually not too late for them, fortunately!"
The two wanted to express their relief now, but chose to wait until they saw the results. Even then, hopeful grins appear on their faces as they continue watching Xero moving around erratically with both hands clutching his head with an aghast look and the aura gradually growing larger and bigger, signifying the increasing hold on him.
Hang in there, everyone! Just hold out a little longer! Kakyoin hoped.
Twenty seconds would pass, and by that point, Xero lost his more threatening form because he's unable to control his ichor thanks to Emi. Now drastically drained of his strength, he's in his initial appearance as when he made his presence known first: wearing Shino's (magically appeared) gothic and Victorian-like attire, but still having a hole on his chest and crimson eyes indicating he's still in control. Emi rises out of his body once she's apparently done possessing his body, leaving the weakened Xero to fall on the ground with a shout, before setting her pale eyes to the ghouls standing still the whole time below her. In spite of their odd behavior up until now, she can see they were affected by her forceful possession of Xero, which causes them to become unresponsive.
"The ichor's hold on their bodies has loosened up, including Xero's control on them. Soon, they will be free," she announced. Creating fourteen flames with one hand sweep, she then shouts, "「BRING ME TO LIFE」! Eradicate the lingering ichor in their bodies and 「FREE THEIR SOULS」!"
ブゥオーオオオオオ
The flames shot out and zoomed into the fourteen human and animal ghouls. They sunk into their bodies and in an instant, the same aura that accosted Xero surrounded them. Also immediately, the ghouls screamed (or neighed in case of Slow Dancer and Valkyrie) in pain, but thankfully only for a brief moment before they stopped. The fire burning inside their bodies is soothing their minds and souls, exactly like Emi intended so they suffer no more pain. Being a ghoul has done enough harm to themselves already, whether they're aware or not. Then they begin dropping down to the floor sequentially and seemingly temporarily blacking out.
Everyone watched their prone forms sprawled across the clear floor. Sakura and Kakyoin became worried for them when seeing they haven't stood up yet, but they waited still with bated breath, trusting in Emi's actions. "I-Is this it? Has Emi-san snapped our friends back to normal?" Sakura breathed out, noticing their injuries were healed while the ichor was getting incinerated.
A few tense seconds later, the fiery aura disperses out of the now-cured zombies. Seeing they are now okay, Sakura and Kakyoin took off running toward their groupmates. By the time they reached them and Emi, who floated down besides her daughters, every single healed zombie stirred up from their short nap, all groaning or yawning. The two have their eyes widened in disbelief and solace as they watch them rise, relieved that the injuries Xero inflicted on them are gone too, so their bodies went back to normal. As normal as a zombie, so to speak. Meanwhile the die Heilige maidens and Emi simply smiled at them, relief and happiness also written on their faces.
"Uuurgh… What happened?" Ai grunted, shaking her head.
"Was I lying on the floor…? Why?" Junko wondered next, batting her eyelids to quell the drowsiness away
"Oww… There's something inside Lily's chest. It's… blocking my heart!" She whined, clawing her chest to pry the embed object out of her. Getting a good grip, she yanks it out, allowing her beating heart, which was also healed, to pop out. She next inspects it and recognizes it to be Goldia's pocket mirror. "Eh? What's this pocket mirror doing in my chest?"
"Mmmgh… How odd. I don't remember sleeping on a cold floor." Avdol observed.
"Tell me about it." Narancia agreed, craning his neck with one hand until it made an audible pop.
"…Slow Dancer? That you, boy?" Johnny called out to his horse companion pressing its nose to him while sitting by his knees. He blinked twice in confusion, but he's… somehow relieved?
"Argh geez…! This is like, the worst nap I've ever had! Actually, since when did I choose to take a nap on the floor?" Saki complained loudly as she stretched her arms.
"You sure? Waking up like this ain't nothing for me. Would've been nice if Valkyrie was taking a nap with me though." Gyro stood up and turned around to his approaching stock horse butting his head gently on him as a greeting. He rubs him in return with a smile.
"Hmm, this is certainly peculiar… Why are we all lying and spread out all over the floor?" Rubbing his head, Bucciarati inquired after casting his eyes over his surrounding companions.
"Something may have happened to us. In fact, we're still in the Castle of Glass." Mamezuku stated, glancing at Tae turning her head around. She appears alerted in spite of her blank stare, possibly trying to make sense of what on earth happened within her feral but child-like mind.
His alarming words pull all the awakened zombies out of their stupor as they jerk up, becoming aware of where they are. They look at each other in confusion, having not noticed yet many pairs of eyes staring at them. That is until hearing Sakura blubbering and Kakyoin gasping did they turn to them.
"Y-You… You guys… All of you are… b-back to normal…" Sakura stammered out in relief. Tears pooled in her eyes as she began crying out of joy. "Waaaaahhhh! You are all okaaaaaaaaaaaay! ! !"
"What Sakura said… Thank goodness all of you are alright, thanks to Emi-san!" Kakyoin similarly expressed, putting on a sad smile. "I-If not for her, we may have lost you all to Xero." He's now shedding tears and sniffling, albeit not to the same amount as Sakura's, as he glanced over them, his fears and worries allayed.
Gazing at their crying faces perplexingly for a moment, the reverted zombies turn next to Emi, only to be surprised and intrigued that she's a ghost floating beside Goldia, Fleta, Egliette, Harpae, Lisette and Enjel, as well her motionless and bloodies body. She serenely smiled at them despite her eerie apparition state, saying, "It was a close call. If I was a minute too late, you all will be lost at the hands of the ichor with no chance to escape. I am so glad my risky but highly effective way had worked as I really hoped."
"I share their relief! So happy to see you all released out of Xero's shackles!" They turned lastly to Goldia, also sending a smile at them whilst shedding a few tears. Her sisters aren't left out, with Fleta, Egliette, and Lisette smiling too while Harpae and Enjel are glad they're back to their normal selves.
The cured zombies sans Slow Dancer and Valkyrie regards their relieved expressions for a moment, then they look at each other again. Confusion sets in before they turn back to their surviving companions. "Did… something happen to us?" Junko asked.
"Yeah! You got infected by Xero and turned into ghouls!" Sakura reminded them. She refrains from speaking briefly to observe their baffled faces, then she says, "Uhh, I mean… Do you guys even remember what you've done as ghouls? Or did Bring Me to Life scrambled your memories, somehow?"
That last part might be proven false as horrified or dawning looks came down to their faces next. "No. I think we do remember." Bucciarati said with a tone of regret, aware he's the reason why the mini-outbreak had spread.
Sakura, Kakyoin, and Emi's family looked at them in pity, noticing Lily, Junko, and Ai shaking in fright while Narancia, Johnny, and Gyro's expressions darkened when remembering the experience they had as a ghoul. They may have been spared at the last minute but they're not gonna pretend to say they're lucky they didn't end up like them. The blood, the biting, the agonizing infection, and the eldritch powers they came to possess… Obvious it may sound, it's a stuff of nightmares.
Wanting to distract her mind from the blurred yet distinct memories, Yugiri looked aside. From there, she sees Emi's damaged body, which was moved by Kakyoin, lying beside them and Sakura's Stand hovering next to her. "So Emi-han, what on earth happened to you? How come your own… self, or soul are out of your body? Did Xero attack you considering your clothes were stained with his blood? And what's that entity besides Sakura-han? It appears to be… a Stand?"
"Stand? Hold on, a Stand? Near Sakura? …Wait!" Bucciarati repeated in rising realization, turning to the Stand so quick he's liable to get a whiplash. It isn't long before the cured zombies, also after comprehending his words and the bizarre sight first, all gaze at the robotic version of Sakura who hadn't left her side or vanished within her mind. Said Stand moves its unblinking eyes across, looking at each pair of eyes carefully as if it's analyzing them. Then it speaks in an identical voice, albeit heavily filtered.
"Doyansu?"
They let that sight and voice sink into their minds for a few seconds, before they all collectively gasped, widened their eyes, or outright screamed in astonishment after comprehending that the pink, robotic Stand besides Sakura is her own. And they're looking at it right now.
"HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHH!?"
Sakura and Kakyoin kinda expected their reaction. The redhead chuckled, scratching her head with an anxious expression while Cherry Boy simply grinned in amusement at their astounded faces. Once more, the less-emotive cast of the group couldn't stop their eyes from going wide, with even Tae herself sharing their reactions too, judging by her gazing at Sakura's Stand attentively.
"NO FREAKING WAY! You've finally got your Stand, Sakura!?" Saki exclaimed.
"So she did! And this has to happen here of all the times…!" Even Mamezuku couldn't contain his surprise as he's eyeing the Stand to study it.
"OHHHHHHHH MYYYYYYYYY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!" Gyro threw his hands to his face and screamed in pure shock.
"Am I… Am I seeing this? My eyes are not tricking me, right? Right?!" Junko questioned. She rubbed her eyes, blinked, and looked at the Stand again. And sure enough, she, a non-Stand User, is definitely looking at Sakura's Stand.
"No. We're actually looking at Sakura's Stand… Eh? Hold on. That attire… Is that Iron Frill's old costume?" Ai noticed and recognized the familiar apparel. Since the Stand takes after Sakura's appearance for the most part, she's given the impression Sakura is part of her old idol group.
"YAAAAAAHHHHH!" Tae raised her arms up and shouted, if only to imitate her fellow zombies' shocked reactions that she didn't understand.
The zombies proceed to bombard Sakura with a lot of questions regarding her Stand. What its name is, its ability, anything related to the topic of Stands. Sakura is growing overwhelmed by their incessant questioning, which Kakyoin took notice of, so he tells them, "Alright guys, please back away. You're making Sakura too embarrassed and uncomfortable."
Thankfully they noticed, so they did like Kakyoin said, giving Sakura a sigh of relief. She never thought there might come the time when she would get too shy to properly answer them. It's like I'm in an unneeded spotlight. Ooooh, picturing it makes me more uncomfortable! Better stop imagining it!
Once everyone has given Sakura a wide berth, Kakyoin nods gratefully to them before he says more. "Okay guys, just to be clear. This is not a trick. You are definitely looking at Sakura's Stand," he stopped briefly to see if they were all fully calmed down. It did take a while for Saki, Ai, Junko, Lily, Avdol, Narancia and Gyro to calm down, but a round of deep breaths to ease their hurried minds did the trick. "If any of you are feeling skeptical, Sakura will prove it."
"Prove it? How?" Sakura squeaked.
"By demonstrating your 「ability」, what else?"
"Demonstrate? Oh! Uhh…" Clueless for a second, Sakura's eyes darted around, feeling shyer again as the spotlight shines down on her once more until she looks at Tae who isn't paying too much attention. Then she has an idea. Oh! Maybe I should use my 「ability」 on Tae-chan… All I have to do is 「speak」 what I want and let the results show! Okay, here goes…!
"Err, Tae-chan?"
"Aarrr?" Number Zero turned to Sakura instantly.
After thinking about what she should say next to make her ability convincing, which makes her remember when her head spun round and round after Saki tried slapping some sense into her morose self, she clears her throat and says, "Can you… detach your head? And reattach it back to your neck?"
キィィン
This time, every single zombie heard a ringing sound coming from Sakura. She, Kakyoin, the die Heilige maidens and Emi were becoming aware of the distinctive, high-pitched sound every time Sakura's Stand activates its ability gradually, but hearing it clearly has proven it. As for the effects?
Almost obediently, Tae has removed her head off her neck, holding it tightly and not letting it go. Then she puts it back down, producing a fleshy sound, before screwing it twice until it's connected firmly. She did this with a vague look of surprise, as if she's wondering why her body is acting against her will.
"Ungh?" Tae muttered in puzzlement, looking each to her hands and even clenching her fingers.
Franchouchou and Rianima had watched Tae's weird act attentively, with Mamezuku, Gyro, Bucciarati, Avdol, Ai, and Yugiri catching on to the feral zombie's confusion. They turn back to Sakura to learn what just happened. Sakura also caught on before they could ask so she readily speaks up.
"W-Well there you have it! As you have seen, Tae-chan did as I told her with just my 「words」 alone. I haven't used my ability too much yet, and I haven't shown also the other related power done through my Stand only, but what I can understand… Anything I can say to someone will cause them to follow what I said, no matter how bizarre. Guess in terms of how I must fight, my voice and words alone are my weapons."
There's a bout of silence between the group to process Sakura's explanation of her ability. Using words to force anyone to follow what Sakura said? Like she's issuing a command to an army of soldiers? Just any command will do and it's implied the victim has no choice but to follow it regardless if it's against their character. The more they think about it, the more they realize that Sakura may have the potential to be a formidable Stand User whose method of attacking is her own voice.
This realization dawned onto the astonished and impressed eleven zombies. If they aren't delighted and proud of Sakura initially for obtaining her Stand at last, then ruminating the implication and potential of her sound-based ability should, perhaps twofold.
"Wowwww! Congrats Sakura! Lily is glad she got to see what your Stand looks like and how it works!" Lily praised her older groupmate, smiling happily.
Sakura beamed at Lily's compliment, letting out a chuckle. "Thank you. Err, I don't know why but… I have this feeling that… I've been wanting to know what my Stand is, and when will I ever get one. Do you guys know that feeling?" She asked.
"Oh, believe me, Sakura. We were all waiting for this day." Kakyoin replied.
Franchouchou and Rianima remained silent for a while as they continued staring at Sakura's Stand. They were so astonished, and concerned for Emi and her wounded body she may have cast aside, that every member ignored a figure rising behind Sakura and Kakyoin, until they growled with barely contained anger.
!
Everyone whirled around quickly to witness Xero's intense glare shooting daggers over them all, especially to Sakura and Emi. That, combined with his lowly growl and having transformed back to his more threatening form despite the ichor being severely weakened managed to spook out any sensitive members of the crowd. The reassembled Rianima and Emi immediately ushered Franchouchou and the die Heilige maidens behind them, including Emi's body. Sans Kakyoin, the zombie guys need more time to recover their focus which was stunted while unwittingly turned into ghouls, so they couldn't bring out their Stands yet. However, that setback will not stop them from matching Xero's glaring with their own, with Saki, Yugiri, and even Tae joining.
Emi has a pensive look on her as she observes his rapid beating heart pumping out too much ichor, possibly as a reaction to the overwhelming rage within him. Xero knowingly shoots a glare at her direction specifically thanks to her role for weakening him and freeing Sakura and Kakyoin's friends. But he also gave one dirty look to Sakura when she and her Stand peeked out of the guys' wide manmade shield, freaking her out enough to force her back. He didn't forget that it's all thanks to Number One that he almost lost a fraction of his power, and he really wanted to make her pay.
But… Do they want to do it? Does he want to continue harming his loved ones?
ゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴ
"Sen… S-S-Senp… Sakura… Minamoto…"
Xero's slitted mouth is scowling fiercely as he rises up a little in his slouched form while clenching his fists so hard his nails dig into his palms, making them bleed. A berserk expression soon descended on his widened eyes, before a wild, rainbow-colored aura manifested around him like fire being ignited.
Sakura perked up. Though she's a bit alarmed when it looks like Xero is singling her out, she's also a little surprised when hearing what sounded like an incomplete, familiar word. Huh? Was he going to say 'senpai'? Ah, could it be?! Was Shino… speaking just now?
Aside from Sakura, all zombies become more alarmed as they see Xero is going to use Linkin Park once more. "What is he going to do now?" Kakyoin speculated, itching to send Hierophant Green on Xero and stop him.
His answer would come out sooner than he thought… In the form of something cracking loudly, or a freezing ice about to split apart, heard in every direction. Everyone looks around in fright and bewilderment, trying to find what's causing the ear-splitting sound. That's where the astute members noticed it, and they held out their breath for a second.
"The walls…! They're… moving 「inwardly」!" Avdol said it first.
"Inwardly? You're saying this space is getting smaller? Like it's getting crumpled as paper? But we're still here so…" Saki's eyes widened upon realizing what would happen. "Ah shit! We're gonna get CRUSHED!"
!?
The zombies are close to panicking when hearing Saki's terrifying discovery. As if confirming her suspicion, the walls suddenly shrunk at a fast rate, then stopped. Now, the room is a few feet shorter and spaces between them become narrower, thus making them feel cramped as they inadvertently get stuck close to each other.
"Crushed!? Oh no! W-We have to get out here, FAST!" Junko exclaimed, nervously watching the ceiling grow smaller.
"Not without Linkin Park! It transported us here like an hour ago, so if we must get out, we must have it transport us back to the real world!" Kakyoin reminded them. "Unfortunately, Xero won't just handily grant us permission. Especially when he's 「nowhere in sight」!"
What Kakyoin said in the last part is true, as they turn to where Xero was standing only to find an empty space there. But they did narrowly see a rift getting closed, indicating he escaped through that method. "Huh!? Did Xero just…!?" Narancia began, unable to believe the audacity to leave them to be crushed. Everyone obviously did not take this revelation too well.
"Xero! He must have disappeared into the real world so he would not be crushed by the entirety of Castle of Glass, leaving us behind to die!" Emi guessed, flying near the walls and ceiling to observe the rate of speed it's compressing. Which is rapidly
"AAAAAAHHHHH! What should we do!? How do we get out of here! Like, something similar to Linkin Park's rifts!?" Sakura urged them to think, not liking how it's getting too claustrophobic here. Hearing her mention of the rift caused a thought to come into Johnny's head. He then perked up.
"Wait! I think I can do that! Creating something similar to a rift, I mean!" Johnny announced.
Everyone looked at him in surprise. "You do, Johnny? How?" Bucciarati asked.
"I'll have 「Tusk ACT4」 rip open the Castle of Glass' 「dimensional walls」 through the 「Super Spin」! All I need is to use the Super Spin for my nail bullet to hit the air and let Tusk do the rest! It doesn't have to be a wall, so let's hope striking an empty air is enough for Tusk to create an exit!" Johnny answered as he commanded Slow Dancer to lie down on his side. He checked if the hooves were pointing at him and after seeing they were, he nodded. He turned to Gyro and said, "Gyro! Give me a hand! Throw the 「steel ball」 on Slow Dancer! I'm getting in position so I'll get kicked!"
"Right, I get you! I'm on it! ORA!" Gyro threw the spinning steel ball on Slow Dancer. As it happened before, the appaloosa kicked Johnny up in the air while transferring the imbued Spin. Sensing the Spin energy is enough, he aimed one Spin-imbued finger forward.
"TUSK!"
"CHUMIMI~IIIIN!"
ガギィン
Tusk ACT4 appeared from the fired nail and quickly got to work, grabbing the empty air with its sturdy hands so hard cracks and pieces of shattered "glass" appeared before the Stand started ripping the air apart.
ガッシィィィーン
After a few seconds, Tusk successfully created a rift portal to the real world, big enough to let two horses through.
"Alright! It's open guys! Come on, let's get out before the walls crush us!" Johnny instructed, noticing the walls have become so narrow it's forcing Slow Dancer and Valkyrie to bow their heads, and the group is huddled up too close for comfort.
Hasty in their steps, the group scrambled on their feet and ran straight into the portal. They almost tripped or trampled their feet, but with Bucciarati and Yugiri's guidance, everyone was able to get out relatively smoothly. In Emi's case, her apparition self returns back to her body, and the next time she opens her eyes, she's being assisted by Bucciarati and Kakyoin. She appreciates their help since she's still injured even if Bring Me to Life is working fast to heal her injury, burning any small traces of ichor, and restoring her strength.
Stepping out of the portal after recalling Valkyrie to his mind, Gyro looked at Johnny who stayed behind to make sure Tusk had his grip on the portal maintained, then to the very small room about to crush the both of them. Johnny also recalled Slow Dancer soon after. "Johnny!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming!"
Once the two equestrians narrowly escaped, Tusk followed after its master, letting go of the portal which abruptly closed. The Castle of Glass left behind by the occupants finally imploded two seconds later.
To be continued
Stand Stats Analysis:
Alive Sensation (Stand Master: Sakura Minamoto)
Type: Close-Range, Psychological Assault, Artificial Humanoid
Destructive Power: A
Speed: B
Range: D
Stamina: C
Precision: C
Developmental Potential: B
Finished!
Whooo! A lot sure has happened, huh? Between Sakura attaining her own Stand, Emi assuming her pure, Stand-like form through her own soul leaving her body as a ghost, the infected ghouls getting saved and reverted back to normal thanks to Emi, and our heroes escaping the collapsing Castle of Glass triggered by Xero, I'm eager to detail or explain each succeeding events to the best of my ability!
So first off… Alive Sensation!
After nearly an entire fanfic's worth of teasing and speculation, as well as one minor but important demonstration of its ability, Sakura Minamoto, Franchouchou's Number One and the only zombie aside Kakyoin who weren't called by a legendary title by Kotaro, has finally awakened her Stand! Not even a few minutes after it manifested, Alive Sensation gets to work immobilizing Xero and the ghouls, allowing the remaining zombies to seek safety away from them, and for Emi to possess Xero's body and damage the ichor from the inside, forcing him to lose control to his ghouls before Emi cures them of the condition, thus saving them.
You wouldn't know the amount of excitement I'm feeling even now for introducing Alive Sensation at last! As usual for all Stands, Alive Sensation reflects every features from Sakura, like bearing her likeness albeit being an armored robot made out of iron or steel, her passion as an idol singer born from being a fan of the old Iron Frill, which is why her Stand wears their signature costume with some additions, and of course, the general theme behind her name, so it has cherry blossom flowers decorating Alive Sensation while the colors pink, white and red are the dominant color theme. I think I did a great job designing its appearance, down to its body shape resembling Sakura's, which is inspired in part by Yasuho's Paisley Park and to a small extent Trish's Spice Girl, except color flipped. Its robotic appearance is also inspired by Hierophant Green, being artificial humanoid Stands, similar to how Linkin Park and Bring Me to Life (its intangible or ghostly form, at least) are natural humanoid Stands. This is so each pair of Stands serve as foils to each other, similar to how I see Sakura, Kakyoin, Emi, and Shino as foils too. This even extends to their abilities and their preferred range.
Regarding Alive Sensation's naming and ability… I originally intended to name Sakura's Stand "Adabana Necromancy". This naming persisted for the entire story until I get to write this chapter, when I'm having second thoughts if the old name do fit Sakura. Pushed by this thought, I took a look and listen to Sakura's own song, titled "Sensei! Alive Sensation". That is when I realized her solo song do fit Sakura to a tee, so I decided "Alive Sensation" would be the final name of her Stand. As for its ability, which allows her to compel someone to do whatever she says, is inspired by Inumaki's Cursed Speech from Jujutsu Kaisen (another anime produced by MAPPA, also the producer of Zombieland Saga) and her compassionate nature who wants the best for others, typically through speaking her own thoughts with empathy, while also reflecting her determination like most Stand Users do. Now, I would have written a complete Stand analysis of Alive Sensation, but I haven't yet shown all what it can do and its major weakness preventing from making it overpowered, which will be shown in the next two chapters. In the meantime, feel free to look at its stats and what type it is.
On to Emi transforming into a ghostly state aided by Bring Me to Life… I've been wanting to include this move after Bring Me to Life was properly introduced, and thankfully this chapter granted it. Owing to her character and Stand being inspired by the White Lady legend and ghosts in general, I see to it in contributing more to Emi's general motif by adding an ability to transform into a spectral being by removing her own soul out of her body, which will go limp and become a corpse. On the plus side, Emi gains a boost in power and an ability to outright possess a living being by phasing through them and affecting their souls. Please keep this specific ability in mind because it'll be one of the key factors for our heroes finally defeating Xero once and for all, like how Emi healed the ghouls' infected bodies and souls, and reverted them back to normal.
Now that Sakura summoned her Stand, which will be properly named by the final name in the next chapter, Emi achieving a pure, spectral state of Bring Me to Life, and our heroes escaping Castle of Glass, we're in the home stretch of the final battle everyone, with the spotlight on Sakura continuing when she'll courageously take the fight against Xero with the aid of Alive Sensation, Kakyoin and Emi!
Until then, stay safe and healthy out there! Have a good day or night!