What doesn't kill you, gives you a Stand. Especially if your in a new transfer student to Canterlot High.
Lightning Flash is like any normal student. He goes to school, does what he's told (for the most part), and plays games at home. But ever since the sudden move to a new town and a new school (during the middle of the year no less), things haven't seemed right. Join Lightning Flash as his bizarre adventure takes him to find strange friends and learn things that he never knew about.
This is not how I thought my first day in Canterlot high would go. It's the first-day since the move and an arrow gets shot into my chest. Now I'm on the ground, outside of the courtyard, and dying of blood loss. The worst part is there's no one to help me. Everyone ran away when the arrow had struck me. The arrow must have pierced through one of my lungs as well. Because I started coughing up blood. I was going to die there... Or at least, I thought so.
Somewhere, I heard footsteps coming closer to me. The person's shoes must have been some belonged to the real professional type. Because the sound they made when they had touched the concrete was too distinct. I had to force myself to look at the sound.
The sunlight was blocking my view of her. Only giving he a silhouette of her body, but I could see that she was holding a bow in her hand. I could feel her smile to me. A dark, sinister smile
"You should feel honored," she said, "not a lot of people get chosen for a gift like this. Only those whose will is great can call upon the arrow. Now you can be a part of something truly special"
As she spoke, she grew closer to me. Her voice was terrifyingly calming. So terrifying in fact, that I wanted to get up and run. But I couldn't, even if I wanted too. My body had taken soo much damage as it is. All I could do is watch as this girl walked closer and closer to me. To the point where she was on top of he. Her shadow was dark enough to cover her identity, as well as the sunlight did. But I could still feel her cold smile as she placed her foot on my gut and grabbing the shaft of the arrow.
"That is. If your willpower is strong enough to accept the arrow's gift and allow you to live." She said, "Either way, it doesn't matter to me."
"Y-your insane!" I manage to shout at her. Witch only caused the girl to twist the arrow, sending a shock that made me scream in pain.
"Perhaps" she giggled, "But its so much more fun this way. I get to see the live fade out of my victim's eyes when they fail the arrow's test and watch the survivors desperate attempts to get revenge on me fail before their very eyes. But the best part of all this,"
She leaned down to one of my ears and whispered something that would haunt me to the moment I die.
"Is that no one will believe you. If you survive that is."
She giggled once more before she pulled the arrow out of me. The sudden pain caused me to make, what I would call, my death scream before blacking out of blood loss.
I wake up to find myself inside a Hospital. Am I live or am I dead? Pain was coming from my chest as my body began to wake up with me. I'm definitely still alive. Slowly, I sat up on the bed I was in. It took me a moment to realize that I was shirtless with a patch of gauze on my chest and I had a shield attached to my dominant arm. This shield, looked to be from the dark ages as it had sharp edges. Coming down to a point at the bottom. The edge, having a blue strip going all around it. The words "MirrorShield" are engraved in gold at the middle of the center silver piece. The strangest thing was that it wasn't heavy at all. It felt like I wasn't lifting a thing.
I jumped in shock, which only made me groan in pain as my chest started sending more waves of pain signals to my brain. I placed my non-shield hand on the patch of gauze. I had so many questions running through my head. How am I still alive? Who saved me? Why was this shield attached to my arm? Who was that girl with the bow and arrow?
"I'm glad to see your awake," a voice said to me
Disregarding the pain I was in, I quickly turned to see a different girl sitting on a chair across the room. This girl was wearing some sort of dress that went from green top with white sleeves and midbody to a belt that bore a red apple on it to a denim bottom. Her cowgirl boots bore a three red apple symbol on each boot. She also wore a farmers hat, which fit her get up quite nicely. Having blond hair and green eyes with three white dimples on her cheeks. Her skin was light orange colored.
"Who are you?" I asked with more force then I intended. But I guess its because I had expected my mother to be in the room with me
"I'm the lady that saved your tail end." she replied, "If it weren't for me, you would have been dead a long time ago."
As she finished talking, she got up from her chair and walked to me. Then, she offered me her hand. As if she wanted to shake hands.
"Name's AppleJack." she said
"I'm Lightning Flash," I said back, going to use my shield hand to shake her's. But before the shield made contact with AppleJack, the shield disappeared. As if it wasn't there to begin with.
"Well, it's nice to meet ya, Flash." AppleJack said with a smile
"Y-yeah," I replied, semi-distracted, "same here, AJ."
"The police are gonna want to ask ya some questions," she told me, "Sence you where unconscious, they said that they'll wait until you woke up."
"How long was I out for?" I asked
"Surprisingly, only for two hours" she replied, "everyone thought you'd be out for a month."
Before I could say anything, there was a knock on my room's door. A Man had let himself in the room. He pulled a badge out of his raincoat. I didn't need to look at it to know he's from the police department. He must be a detective of some sorts because he was the only one to enter.
"I'm detective Blue Mystery" he declared, "Id like to have a few words with Mr. Flash... Alone"
"I'm detective Blue Mystery." he declared, "Id like to have a few words with Mr. Flash... Alone"
Aj gave the man a nod before turning her head to me. She gave me a reassuring smile and walked out of the room. although with a cop in the room, I didn't feel safer. I actually felt in more danger than I ever been in. There was something about this detective that he wasn't showing me. Something that made his appearance more menacing than it should have been.
"Now Mr. Flash," he started, "I know that you had just woken up and are in some amount of pain. But I need you to tell me what happened. To the best of your ability."
As he finished talking, I felt something grab one of my ankles. Its grip wasn't strong but it was enough for me to notice.
"I can tell you what I remember" I suddenly said, "I was shot with an arrow by a girl near Canterlot high."
I had to cover my mouth to stop talking. I had no control over my voice. Something was definitely wrong with Blue Mystery. It was as if this detective was forcing what I knew out of me with some sort of outside force. Was it the thing that grabbed my ankle? Where they attached to him somehow?
"What girl?" Mystery asked, "Did you see her face?"
My head shook on its own as I got up from the bed. Then that's when I found some sort of creature attached to one of my ankles. This creature was small enough to almost be overlooked. It was almost the shape of a human polymorphic snake but its lower half had no legs. Its body held an orange color with a tan underbelly, black eyes, and snow white fangs. Its fingers were at a point as they kept a firm hold on me. I could feel its grip tighten on me as I got to my feet.
"What are you doing to me?" I demanded, balling my hands into fists, "Whats that thing on my foot?"
"So you can see it." Mystery commented with a smirk, "Very well, I might as well tell you. It won't matter when you die here."
The detective sat down in the chair, crossing his legs. His smile was almost as cold as the girl who shot me.
"What I have attached to your ankle is known as a 'Stand'." he started, "Its a physical manifestation of one's fighting spirit. Only Stand users can see other Stands. Each Stand is unique, both in form and in ability. As you already gathered, my stand forces my victims to only tell me the truth with a serum injected threw its claws. Be it they say it or their body answers for them. I always get the facts straight when I ask questions. I call my Stand, 'Defenders'. What about you kid?"
"What about me?" I asked
"You can see my Stand." he commented, "So that means that you have a Stand as well. What is it?"
I had to force myself not to speak or move in any way. The result was a massive amount of pain in my entire body. It was like he was trying to torture the information out of me. I fell down to one knee as the detective shook his head at me.
"Now, now," he said, "I wouldn't be so selfish and do that. Whenever someone tries to resist like that, Defender's truth serum starts to use... Other means to make you talk. That's what makes me the best detective in this town. But if you keep this up, you'll die before I get what my master wants. So you better start speaking up."
I gritted my teeth as I glared at the detective. He was corrupted and cruel. How was he able to keep this up for so long? It doesn't matter right now. He won't be in the force when I get out of here. I just have to figure out how to beat him. There has to be some way. That's when I got an idea
I started to chuckle to myself, in an attempt to get Mystery confused. Then I looked at him dead in his eyes, pointing a finger at him.
"Blue Mystery," I stated, "your next line will be, 'Dying isn't something to laugh at kid'."
"Dying isn't something to laugh at kid." he said.
With a gasp, I knew my plan worked. It was brief, but he lowered his guard enough for his stand to loosen its grip. I used this opportunity to attempt to call my stand. Then I felt something come out of my leg and dart towards Defenders.
When I looked, I saw another half-serpent creature grab Defenders' neck. With the sudden grab, Defenders' grip was released from my body.
The second serpent body was dark blue with a silver underbelly, gray eyes, and golden fangs. I wasn't expecting my stand to look almost exactly like Defenders. But it doesn't matter.
I could hear Mystery hold his breath as my stand tightens its grip on Defender's neck. It was as if I was strangling Mystery myself. Just by looking at him, I was surprised to find that his neck had hand indents of it. As well as some small puncture wounds from my stands claws.
"I-impossible!" he declared, "Stands are supposed to be unique! Why is your stand so familiar to mine?!"
"Don't know." I replied in a cold tone, "But it looks like I got you in the palm of my hands. Both figuratively and literally."
The terror in the detective's eyes was enough for me to know that I had beaten him. But now wasn't the time to boast.
"Now," I started, "I want answers. Who sent you and why?"
"I was sent by lord DIO." he quickly said before he covered his mouth. I could fell his Stand trying to break free from my stand's grip.
"He sent me here to kill you before you joined Kars' side of our battle!" I heard his voice (which was slightly higher for some reason) say threw his Stand.
Threw my Stands eyes, I could see Defenders cover its mouth as well. It appears that my stand also had Defenders truth venom as well and its influence affected stands as well.
"I don't know who this DIO or this Kars is." I told him, "But if they're responsible for me being shot, then they chose the wrong high school student."
With a simple though, my stand threw Defenders back to Mystery. The action sent the detective to the wall before his stand disappeared without a trace.
As Defenders disappeared, my Stand started to change shape, losing its serpent-like figure shifted to the shield from before. Even growing to the size I remembered when I first saw it. This shield must be my Stand. So, that means the golden engraving must be its name, "MirrorShield".
"Wh-what are you gonna do to me?" Mystery asked fearfully
"I'm not gonna do anything," I told him, inspecting my shield Stand, " but I'm sure this 'DIO' has something for you when he learns about your failure"
The detective's eyes widen in fear. By reading his expression, I could tell that whoever this DIO is, he doesn't like failures. So seeing him like that only made me smile. With that, I started walking towards the door.
"D-damn you!" Mystery studdered, "don't you underestimate me!"
My ears picked up the sound of a gun's safety being turned off. As if by instinct, I quickly turned and heald my shield towards the detective.
Bang!
The bullet had ricocheted off my shield and found its mark into the detective's hand. Disarming the assassin and putting the entire hospital into a panic.
"Give me a break already" I sighed, "I almost died once today. Just give up and return to your master with what little dignity you have left."
With that, I left the room. I could already see nurses and doctors rushing towards my room. I called my Stand off and they reached me. Something tells me that I'm in for a long first week in this town.
Doctors and nurses rushed to my aid. The gunshot must have put the entire hospital on lockdown. In a few moments, the police would be here to investigate the area.
"Are you alright?!" a female doctor asked
"No, I'm not alright!" I stated, "That guy tried to kill me! He pulled out a gun and everything!"
I didn't need to look to know that people were pouring into the room to hold the detective down until the authorities arrested him. I just hope Mystery gets what's coming to him. A crooked cop never stays away from the true justice for long.
From a distance, I could see AppleJack running with various members of the hospital's staff. For a moment, I swore I saw something floating next to her before she saw me. A Stand maybe? No... If that was the case, she would have asked me about MirrorShield. Then again, she could be pretending that she doesn't have a Stand. I'll just have to wait until I have more information before jumping to conclusions.
"I heard a gunshot," Aj said, "is everything alright?"
"That 'detective' tried to kill me," I told her, calmer then I expected, "but I'm fine now. I don't think that guy will see the light of day again"
"Didn't think Detective Mystery would do something like that." she commented, "But I the question is; why would he try to kill a transfer student?"
"Your guess is good as mine..." I sighed, "I'm just glad he missed me and got himself."
Before AJ could ask me anything else, a doctor started taking me to a different room. Probably to check if I was harmed in anymore then I originally was. We would have to continue our conversation at a different time.
It only took the doc. 10 minutes to find a room that she determined empty and safe from the scene. I would have preferred a room with someone else, to ensure that no one would try to attack me again. But, for now, I'll do as I'm told. After all, she's a professional and I should trust her.
"Lightning Flash, right?" she asked
"That's right Doc." I agreed, "I'm the one and only."
She nodded as she mentally went through the names in her head. As if she had memorized everyone who had been treated here.
"I see... You're the one with the unknown wound in your chest," she commented. "The police was supposed to question you when you woke up. Something about sudden disappearances in town."
(So I wasn't the only one that this happened to?) I thought to myself. That means that there could be more Stand users in this city. Which also meant that I'll have to be more careful. With more Stands, there's more danger of the users being with DIO or Kars. And I'm sure that neither side was going to friendly
"Disappearances?" I questioned
"Its nothing to worry you about. For now at least." she told me, "Now, do you got any added pain in your chest?"
Now that I thought about it, I couldn't really feel any pain at the moment. This could be because of my recent encounter with a dangerous stand user. Adrenaline, how I like it helping me out of danger. I knew this was only temporary.
"I don't think so." I replied, "It just might be adrenaline working it's way out of me though."
"Either way," the Doc started, "I need to check if you ripped any stitches. Lay on your back."
I nodded and did as I'm told. Laying on this room's hospital bed, I took a deep breath. I just hope I won't need new stitches.
A whole month had passed before I was released from the hospital. During that time, my mom visited me whenever she had time off from her job. Being a manager for a newly opened hair salon, she had to make sure everything was in order before seeing me. I didn't blame her though. There has to be set back before everything could go smoothly.
AppleJack also visited me as well. But it was mainly to keep me caught up on school work for my classes.
At times, she would ask he just how I escaped from the now-jailed Blue Mystery. But I always managed to change the subject by asking about her farm or by making something up. She eventually stopped asking after the first week.
Whenever AJ would visit, I called out MirrorShield. To see if she could see it and be a Stand user. But to my many attempts, she didn't seem to see my Stand. I eventually stopped doing this the following week.
Whenever I was alone, however, I experimented with MirrorShield. Testing its strength and capabilities. I even attempted to transform it into its "Defenders form". But I only get hurt when I tried. There was something I was missing, I just didn't know what.
I could feel the winter breeze as I sat outside the hospital. I figured that I should wait for Mom or AJ to come before attempting on walking home.
Blue Mystery had mentioned something about a battle going on. I figured that the entire city could be a battleground, one where anything can happen. Ambushes, full on attacks or even being hunted by assassins. Nowhere could be safe for me if I'm alone. Then again, if I went with someone else I could only put them in harm's way.
Maybe I'm overthinking this... I let out a sigh as I leaned back on the bench.
It's already been half an hour and no sign of anyone showing. Could they both be held up at the same time? An improbable chance to happen, but I couldn't wait here all day. So I got up and started walking home.
I guess studying the map of the city really helped. I already knew where to go directly and if I had to make detours. But besides that, I had kept looking around my surroundings for anything suspicious. Be it someone following me or an incoming Stand attack. I've never been so paranoid in my life.
About halfway home, I decided that I was safe and started to relax. Nothing tried to attack or follow me. The closest building to me seemed to be abandoned and ruined beyond human repair. But when I looked closer, I could see some sort of shadow within its walls. Only for a moment, then it disappeared from my view.
There was no mistaking it. Someone is inside the building and by the looks of it, they're spying on me. Probably someone with DIO or Kars trying to learn something about me. There was no way I was gonna let that happen. If any of the two found anything out about me, it could mean my end.
"What a pain..." I sighed as headed towards the building, "Is this what my life has turned into?"
The outer walls of his decrepit building were saddening. It looked like it was an old library back when people used to go here. I'm sure, when this place was in its prime, that everyone enjoyed the knowledge that was held inside. As well as those only going here as a hangout spot. I could only imagine the good memories this place held. But now, these walls were falling apart while being covered in graffiti.
(I need to stay focused, a treat is hanging over me.) I thought to myself as I walked through the opening that was the front door.
The inside was divided into two floors. Both of which were empty, save for rotting bookshelves scattered through the place.
"Hay!" I called out into the empty space, "I know you're in here. Show yourself!"
The silence was the only response I got. Either this spy was waiting for an opening to strike, or they were hiding to gather more info about me.
I started to walk deeper into the decrepit building. If this spy was waiting for an opening, I'm going to give it to them. Even calling upon MirrorShield to hopefully draw them out. I couldn't help but feel anxious to get this over with.
The thought of someone watching me sent chills down my spine.
TO BE CONTINUED
Chapter Four: Enemy of My Enemies, A Force in the Shadows
I could fell the eyes of the enemy watching my every move. The thought of someone watching me sent chills down my spine. Maybe walking into their hands like this wasn't the best idea.
"Your more reckless than I thought, Lightning," a female voice said
It sounded like the voice was all around me. But there was no way of pinpointing her location. Even when I looked for the source, I couldn't find a body.
"Word on the street says you defeated Defenders with that Stand of yours." she stated, "Although, I'm having trouble figuring out how you did it. Given your Stand is a shield"
"Maybe DIO should have sent someone more capable," I stated, still looking around
"Perhaps," she said, " or maybe you just got lucky."
As she finished talking, curtains suddenly opened. What once was a darkened library, now had sunlight flooding everything in sight. Leaving patches of darkness where the light was blocked to cover. And light filled the room, a girl stood in front of me.
This girl dressed to look like a modern ninja. Black tabi boots with dark grey tight pants that seemed a bit too tight, even for her. Compleating the outfit with a gray hooded shirt and some sort of scarf to cover her mouth. She seemed calm in the face of her target.
"Shall we test your luck more? Or are you going to surrender now?" she questioned, her voice not even muffled by the scarf.
"You think I just surrender and let you got information on me?" I countered, "you must be playing me as a fool."
I attempted to step forward, but I couldn't. My body wouldn't even move a muscle. How could this be? Is this her stand? But I didn't even see her call it out. Just what the hell was going on?
"Because I got a good reason to." she stated, "From the very moment you entered this place, you were caught in my Stands trap."
"Trap?" I asked as I still attempted to move, "What trap?"
"Now that would be telling, Lightning" she mocked, "A true master never reveals their secrets untell someone worthy appears. And you're not worthy of mine."
All of a sudden, my shield arm moved towards my neck. The pointed bottom of my Stand resting on the skin, slightly digging its way into my throat. I started to sweat. She was planning on killing me with my own stand.
"That point is rather dangerous, you know." she commented, " Have you ever thought about dulling it?"
The irony is unbearable. Who gets killed by their own Stand? I have to- needed to do something. Anything to change my fate. I needed to move.
Calling upon all of my strength, I attempted to move my shield away. Even trying to move my free hand to push it away. The effort only made me sweat more as I screamed at my arms to move. A twitch. A small twitch on my free pinky.
(You need to do more flash! Move! Move your arms!) I shouted mentally. Pushing harder and harder, I can manage to move the shield back an inch while getting my free hand halfway to my stand. But her Stand was fighting back, pushing my arms harder to their original places. The struggle for power was only getting harder.
"It's pointless to fight back." the ninja claimed, "Once someone is caught in my shadow cage, there's no escape. You might as well accept your fate now and die!"
Shadow cage? Did she just hint her Stand's ability? If she did, it was a bit cryptic. But defiantly something to figure out.
Her Stand has to do something with shadows. That much is for sure. But how? There must be someway this stand is using the shadows.
Looking around, I could see that her shadow was strangely misshaped. For some reason, her shadow was completely straight, heading towards me. The end of that shadow was directly under me. A shadow link? Could that be the nature of her stand?
"Y-you know," I said with a smirk, "A wise man once said that warriors shouldn't boast about their victory until its already happened. Even before the opponent is about to lose is too soon!"
With a sudden burst of strength, I pulled my shield away from my neck and pointed it at the joined shadows. Then, before she could do anything to stop me, my Stand dissolved into some state of liquid and fell onto the shadow. Retaining its dark blue colored edge, the liquid covered my shadow while pushing hers away. Only pushing it halfway between us.
Finally, control over my body is once again mine. It felt good to control myself again. I stretched my arms and legs as I looked at the ninja.
"H-how did you-?" She began
"Now that would be telling." I interrupted, mocking her, "My mirror always shows the way."
"That's enough you two!" a somehow familiar voice said
The second voice came from behind this ninja as someone else walked into view. To my surprise, it was my mother. But her outfit was completely different.
From her usual outfit of Jeans and t-shirts, she now wore ripped jean shorts with a cut shirt with some sort of text on the front reading, "Demise of Sanity". It sounded like some type of band. She even looked younger and had a brighter shade of pink than she normally did.
"Mom?!" I said, shocked, "Is that you?"
The ninja took a look at mom and called her stand away. She even bowed to her.
"Its alright Secret, we can trust him." the girl said, "He doesn't have a bud of flesh on him."
"But Ruby," Secret argued
(Ruby?) I thought (My mom's name isnt Ruby. Who is she?)
"No buts!" Ruby said, "If you killed my Dad, then you would have completely altered the time stream and killed me in the process."
"No buts!" Ruby said, "If you killed my Dad, then you would have completely altered the time stream and killed me in the process. Not to mention starting a paradox!"
Secret stood there, silent as that fact hit her. One that I wasn't prepared for.
"D-dad?!" I exclaimed, "What are you talking about?!"
The two girls froze in place for a moment. But then Rose let out a sigh before walking towards me. She seemed calm but nervous at the same time.
"I'm... Not sure how to explain it," she started, rubbing the back of her head, "I guess I can say that Secret and I are from the future... And your my father"
This couldn't be true, could it? Two time travelers from the future and one of them declares that I'm her father. It's hard for even me to believe. There couldn't be anyway.
"I-i... B-but how is that-?" I stammered, in a complete loss for words
"It's a long story dad," she said, "one that I cant tell you now. Can you take us to the base?"
"Wh-what base?" I questioned, "I don't have any base."
Rose's eyes widen a bit as I spoke. She seemed like she didn't believe what I told her. Then she raised her arm and looked onto a high-tech watch that wasn't there earlier. Where did she pull that out from? Then her look disbelieve turned into anger.
"No no NO!" she shouted, "We were supposed to be in the year 2020! Stupid watch!"
"Is... Something wrong Rose?" I asked, cocking my head slightly
"Can you tell me what year my friend and I are in...?" she sighed, frustrated
"2017." I replied, confused, "Why?"
She let out another sigh, facepalming herself. As if she was blaming herself for the situation she's in.
"Listen, dad-" she started
"Don't call me dad." I interrupted, "Just call me Flash, alright?"
"My Stand, Judgement Day, sent me and my friend to this time by accident." she continued, disregarding what I told her, "We were hoping to arrive at a time where you are more experienced with MirrorShield. But now that were here, your the best we got. Look, we don't have time for questions. Take us to your house"
"But I-"I started to protest
"We're not taking no for an answer, dad."
Rudy's glare was intimidating. Almost as if she was giving me a death stare that held a ton of backbone to it. Like she was planning on beating me to a pulp if I didn't agree.
"...alright, alright" I sighed, "But you can't tell anyone else that you're from the future. Neither of you."
They agreed to my terms.
I had to stop by a McDonald's for some food and send a message to my mother. All the previous fighting with Secrets stand had brought an appetite that had to be dealt with now.
Rose and Secret (who removed her Hood to show some surprising display of hair that seemed like a true hair artist would make) seemed to never have any fast food before in their life. Their continued questioning about it forced me to get them some as well. Making my order, six Dubble McSpicy's with sides of fries and medium drinks. More money then I wanted to spend on fast food. But I guess it's worth teaching them about it.
"So why do they call it a 'Dubble McSpicy'?" Secret asked as we found a spot to sit at in the establishment
"I think its better for you to see for yourself" I replied
The Dubble McSpicy is just like a normal one but instead, it stacked two spicy chicken patties like a McDubble and have jalapeños between them. Its been a personal favorite for those who are McSpicy fans like myself. And if Ruby took spicy food like I did, then she might like this as much as I do.
When we were situated and had our food, we dove right in. Although secret looked like she was breathing fire after her first bite. Rose and I weren't fazed as we both looked at each other in confusion.
By the time we got home, it was past noon. I could already hear my mom scolding me in the near future for not being home sooner. I can't blame her. I was almost shot dead on the first day in town. I just need to suck it up and get whats coming.
With a swift motion, I opened the door and offered the girls to go in first. They laughed to themselves as they walked in. I followed behind, closing the door behind me.
"I'm home!" I called out, "sorry that we're late. We got caught up with something."
There wasn't any response in the house. In fact, the entire house was silent. Something wasn't right here. Noon was always mom's lunch break. She always goes here for lunch, or visit me at the hospital for lunch. I already sent her a message about me being home now. So where could she be?
"Mom?" I called out once more, starting around the inside
There are still so many boxed that needed to be unpacked. I was surprised that all of her pictures where still in the piles boxed in the main part of the house. We've only managed to unpack the tv and the old Wii we've had since I was a kid in the living room. With a mouth, I would have expected for something to be different.
The girls must have been looking around the house as well because after a moment Ruby had called me to them. But when I reached them in the kitchen, they didn't seem happy with what they needed to say.
"What is it?" I demanded, "Did you find anything? Tell me!"
Ruby and Secret looked at each other for a moment before showing a card to me.
This card held a picture of a strange stone mask. This mask bore a pair of fangs and a bloodred gemstone in the middle of its forehead.
"I think I know what happened to your mom," Ruby stated
"I think I know what happened to your mom," Ruby stated, "She was taken by Kars."
I didn't want to believe it. My mother, taken by Kars. One of the people responsible for my near death experience had gone out of their way to kidnap the woman who raised me. For self-gain in his army? The very nerve boils my blood.
I know what I need to do right now, and that's to save her. Without any plan or thought, I started for the door.
"Flash wait!" Secret shouted, "It could be a trap"
"I know that!" I replied, heading out the door
Once outside, I started running in the first direction I thought Kars' base would be at. I can only hope that I'm not too late.
Then I feel my body stiffen as Secret's Stand takes its effect on me. I could hear both of the girls catching up from behind me. I never wanted to move more than I ever realized. My thoughts were going a million miles. I was so unfocused that I couldn't summon my Stand to break myself free. I wanted to just frail like a small child having a tantrum.
"Blindly rushing to a trap will get you killed," Ruby said, walking into my field of vision
"But I need to save her!" I spat out, "She's my mom! I have to save her!"
"That's why we're going to make a plan." Secret stated, standing next to Ruby, "And if you calm down, we can save your mom as a team."
My breathing was heavy. I could only stand there and stare at them. But eventually, my rage dulled down and I closed my eyes.
"Alright," I sighed, "Let's hear this plan"
Slowly, I feel Secret's Stand loosen its shadow grip on me. My body told me to start running but I stood still. Their right about rushing in without a plan. If I was going to save my mother, I needed their help.
We decided to head back inside the house to form some sort of plan. The kitchen was the only place with a table and some chairs, so it became our planning table. Ruby had slid the card to me once we all were settled.
"The Kars of my time always placed these calling cards whenever his army displayed their destructive power to anyone unlucky to piss him off." Ruby explained, "But on the back, this card holds a cryptic message."
"We have reason to believe that this message can tell us how to find his base of operations." Secret added
"Then how do we decrypt it?" I questioned as I flipped the card over
Sure enough, there was a written message on the back. It was written in a language I didn't recognize, let alone read. It seemed to be something in fairytales and myths. Almost like a rune. Underneath was something I could read, a time, "12:00 AM" followed by the words, "Don't be late". I gulped as I read the three words over and over.
"I think I might know a way." Ruby responded, "But I don't think you'll like it. My time's version of you I mean"
"What are you suggesting Ruby?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, "And why do I feel like I'm not gonna like it either?"
Ruby raised her arm and called out her Stand. The Stand that jumps through time itself.
"We go into my time, get that version of you to decipher the message and come up with a plan. Then we come back to this time and rescue Gran-gran." she proposed
"Are you sure about that?" Secret asked, "before we jumped to this time, he was trying to stop us from going back in the first place."
"We'll be fine." Ruby replied, "Once my dad sees that we brought his younger self, he'll help us save Gran-gran."
"That's a bad idea" I stated, still observing the card, "if all three of us leave my time as it is, it'll alter the timeline."
I could feel Ruby and Secret stair at me. In agreement or something else, I wasn't sure. I was too focused on the card. Pondering a way to crack the code.
"But," I started, denying the girls a chance to protest, "I might know some people how can help."
"And who may that be?" Ruby questioned
"Freinds of AJ's" I replied, sticking the card into my pocket, "We have until Midnight to find this guy. And we're gonna need more than the three of us to figure out where he's hiding."
The girls took a moment to whisper to each other about this option. I could faintly hear some, "What about"s and " we could"s as they whispered to each other.
"Alright," Ruby said as the two separated, "Youll go find these friends of yours. While Secret and I go into our own time and convince that you to help."
"But we're going to need a copy of the message to show him" Secret added
They found a compromise with both ideas. It wasn't half bad either. I rubbed my chin as I thought about this. We'll both get more help if we did it this way. But, there's a chance that my future self will ground Ruby for going against his orders and refuse to help.
"Alright," I said with a nod, "I'll accept those terms"
The two smiled and nodded as well. Phase one of a barely made plan is now going into effect.
The girls were standing in the middle of the living room as Ruby's Stand began to activate its sub-ability to time-travel. They both wore a confident smile on their faces. The moment felt rather heartwarming. Even if today was the most bizarre day in my life.
Today I learned that I'll become a father in the future, history itself has been changed, and my mother has been kidnapped by a man in a war against someone else in the city. I could definitely cross those things off the list if I would ever make one. Although, I still wanted to ask more questions to my future daughter. How did she get her Stand? Is the war still going on in her time? Who was going to be her mother? But now wasn't the time to ask them.
They waved goodbye before a blinding light fills the room.
I watched as my future daughter travel back into her time. Her plan was to get future me to help decipher the message on the card. She had taken a picture of the message with her. I just hope that her plan works out and I don't ground her doing something I told her not to.
But for now, I need to find AJ and her friends. I've only got 12 or so hours to decipher this code and rescue my mom.
27 YEARS INTO THE FUTURE
The morning was cold. Winter had struck about a month ago and snow had fallen from the night before. December of 2044 seemed to be going by faster then it usually does. Christmas was going next week on Sunday. But now wasn't the time to worry about buying presents for Ruby and her baby brother, Emerald Thunder (who was only younger than her by two years).
A war over the world as I knew it was going on ever since 1987. Kars was eventually defeated when I went to rescue my mother from his evil clutches. The only one who stood between a peaceful life and a life of terror now was DIO. A truly evil being who cheated death time and time again. The only force who might stand a chance to stop it was the Resistance. An army of Stand users that wanted peace and harmony in the world
Emphasis on the was.
My children, Ruby's friend and I were the only ones to survive an attack from the thing itself. He came without warning and killed... Murdered, everyone that wanted an end to the war. Including my closest friends, my mother, and the love of my life, Sapphire Night. He didn't show any mercy when killing them. Then, he disappeared without a trace. Secret lost her family that day as well.
Even thinking about the gore and mayhem that happened that day sends shivers down my spine.
I sat up and rubbed my eyes. I wanted to go back asleep, but we had to keep moving. I started by waking Ruby and her brother, then Secret Light. The three of them took some time but they eventually woke up. Thunder was the only one that wanted to sleep as much as I did. I let out a smile as we walked outside the abandoned apartment building.
"Do we have to keep doing this dad?" Ruby complained, "Cant we just stay in a town for more than a night?"
"Yeah," Thunder added, "I wanna relax for at least a day."
"You two know we cant" I responded, "Until DIO is dead, we keep moving."
"How do we even know that he's still in this country?" Secret asked, "He could have moved to a somewhere else at this point."
"Stand users are bound by destiny," I told them, "and destiny is keeping him here. I can feel it."
"Is that why we're going to Wyoming?" Thunder asked
"Yes." I replied, "The Speedwagon Foundation told us this and that's where we're going."
The Speedwagon Foundation had found us days after the attack. They were even willing to help us by providing information and a vehicle in return for DIO's defeat. Their reasoning was because that I reminded the owner of someone by the name of Joseph Jostar. Apparently, he was a close friend the founder.
The Foundation's latest Intel told us that DIO was last seen in the state of Wyoming. With only meant that the weather was only going to get colder. From our location, it was going to be a four-hour drive before we reached the capital of Wyoming, Cheyenne. But knowing our luck, DIO would have sent in more assassins to dispose of us.
"But we've been at this for days!" Rudy stated, "You can't expect us to keep going like this forever!"
"We need a rest dad!" Lightning added
The three didn't seem to take "no" for an answer this time. I let out a sigh.
To be honest, I needed a break myself. With all, that's happened, I could really go for a shot of Jäger and a nap.
"Alright..." I said, "we'll rest for today. Then its back on the road."
All three of them smiled and nodded happily.
BACK TO PRESENT TIME
I'd given AJ a call on my phone, asking her to meet me at Sugarcube Café with her friends. Telling her that it was urgent and needed all of their help. I was already halfway to the Café when I had given her the call. Hopefully, AJ and her friends arrive shortly after I do.
Inside the Café, I was greeted by the owner. She was rather happy that someone had arrived. It must be a slow day for her.
"What'll it be for today?" the owner asked
The menu was fairly big for a Café. Offering multiple types of muffins, shakes, cakes, pies, and so on. It was hard to even choose just one thing.
"Can I..." I started, pausing for a moment, "one chocolate milkshake and... Two blueberry muffins?"
"Alright," she said, putting the order onto the cash register, "that'll be $15.50."
I simply nodded and reached for my wallet.
27 YEARS INTO THE FUTURE
We had decided to stay in the apartment building to relax and ease our nerves. Thunder asked when he'll get his stand again. He was the only one in our group that didn't get one when he was born. It really annoyed him to know that his father and sister had something that he didn't and couldn't see.
"Stands work is mysterious ways Thunder," I told him, "But I know that eventually when the time is right, your stand will develop. And I know it'll be as powerful as mine."
Thunder gave a solemn sigh and laid back on the bed. I've given that answer to him multiple times ever since he learned the existence of stands. But I fear that his willpower isn't strong enough to create a stand of his own. Was I fueling the wrong flame?
Ruby and Secret were chatting with themselves again. Probably discussing how the timestream worked and if it was altered by a time traveler. I decided to not pay attention to it. It wasn't like her stand could travel back in time anyway.
PRESENT TIME
AJ and her friends arrived a half hour after I got my order. I thought now would be a good time to reveal MirrorShield in case one or more of the group had a stand. The ones I thought to seemed to noticed it was the rainbow-haired girl on her left and the girl with yellow highlights next to the rainbowed haired girl.
"Something wrong RD? Sunset?" AJ asked, noticing the two girls expression
"What?" the cyan girl asked, "No, I thought I saw something."
"Yeah," the tan girl added, "me too."
I'm sure of it, those two could see my stand. I need to show them that I'm on their side. But I don't think now is the time.
The group sat down at the table with me. The girls I didn't know introduce themselves accordingly. Twilight Sparkle wearing a pair of glasses, a privet school uniform from what I could tell, and a star symbol in her neatly brushed hair. Rainbow Dash wearing a blue overshirt with an undershirt that bore a cloud shooting a rainbow-colored lightning bolt, and a skirt and shorts underneath. Sunset Simmer wearing a leather jacket and small dress with jeans, Rarity wearing a beautiful dress that bore three gemstones as her symbol. Pinkie Pie wearing a small sleeve shirt and a skirt that had three balloons that seemed to be ready to be pulled off at a moments notice. Fluttershy wearing a pure white shirt with a green skirt that had three butterflies as her symbol. The entire group, save for Sunset, was wearing a necklace around their necks.
"So whats this about flash?" AJ asked
"I need help with this," I told them, pulling out the card and placing it on the table, " I was hoping that you girls could know what it means"
Twilight was the first to grab the card and inspect it.
27 YEARS INTO THE FUTURE
"What do you mean I cant?!" Ruby shouted, "You know that the timestream is altered! So why not let me go back and fix it?!"
The hologram of Rudy's stand was showing DIO draining the blood of someone in a customised school uniform for Japan. The kid's stand was fading as its master was drained dry. I could hear DIO laughing to himself as his stand appears next to DIO.
"It's too dangerous Ruby!" I protested, "Have you forgotten what he did to the Resistance?! To your mother?!"
"That's why I have to do this!" Ruby stated, "And if you won't help me, then I'll go to a time where you will!"
All of a sudden I felt my body stiffen. Secret came into view as her shadow kept a stronger link then it usually does. It left me completely paralyzed.
"I'll come with you." secret said, "We'll fix time together"
"D-don't do it Ruby!" I struggled to shout, "You might not come back if you do!"
"That's a risk I'm willing to take." Ruby stated, her stand starting to glow, "Goodbye dad."
Secret placed a hand on Ruby's shoulder before the room was filled with a blinding light.
I watch as Twilight studies the card. Her glasses were reflecting the message back to me. The phrase "Don't be late" was burning its self inside my mind. What may have been a few minutes, in reality, felt like centries for me. My foot was moving on its own, tapping the floor at a rapid pace.
"Well?" I blurted out, "Do you know what it says?"
"Hold your horses, twitchy" Twilight replied, placing one of her hands on her purple necklace, "I'm getting to that"
Then I notice that her hand started to emit a soft purple aura. A stand? No, its something else. Before I could ask what she was doing, she placed the energy onto the card, engulfing it. Twilight had closed her eyes to concentrate on what she was doing.
Slowly, the ink of the card started to shift. Chicken scratch had started to turn into words then to phrases.
"To find what has been lost, one must travel to the darkest void and follow the light.12:00 AM. Don't be late." she read out, her eyes still closed, "this was written in an abandoned storage facility on the outskirts of town."
"How do you that?" I asked, tilting my head, "was it that power you used?"
The year 1987
A bright light fills the area of an alleyway of the night. Inside the light, a girl stands there alone. Wearing a mask to cover her face, the girl looks at her surroundings. Holding a bow and the golden arrow, which had fresh blood covering the tip, she giggles to herself about her recent activities. Sitting down as the went through the memories.
"I wonder if that version of the boy survived the gift," she said to herself, "it would be a change in pace. Wouldn't you agree my lord?"
"Yes, it would," a low voice said in the darkness, "but I've begone to question your methods. Whats so special to this boy in the future that you insist on using the arrow and bringing him here?"
As the voice spoke, a 6 ft. tall man appeared in the shadows. The scar around his neck was as far as he was willing to reveal himself. Hearing only a pair of gold pants and a pair of golden boots the curved on the toes.
"Don't worry, my lord," the girl said with a soft giggle, " I've seen multiple variants of his future. His stand will bring an end to those Jostar rats once and for all."
Present time
"Thank you for helping me," I said, card in hand
"No problem, sugar cube," Aj said, "but is everything going to be okay? With whats been happening to you recently, I'd hate for you to get put in the hospital again or end up worse than before."
"Yeah," Rainbow added, "that note sounded like a threat than anything else. You sure you want to go at this alone?"
"I'll be fine" I reassured them, "I'm sure this is just a prank my mom made when I was in the hospital. I'll see you all in class on Monday."
With that, I got up and walked outside the café. I didn't want them to get more involved than they already are. They've already done enough already. If push went to shove, I didn't want them to get hurt. But then there's Rainbow and Sunset. I know their stand users but there's no way of telling if they're on my side or with DIO/Kars at the moment.
I'm running out of time.
The sun was going down as I returned home. Ruby and Secret weren't anywhere to be found inside. With time travel, I thought they would be here as soon as I did. If not sooner. Hopefully, they'll be here soon.
"Well lookie here," a voice said behind me, "when I heard that Mystery was taken down, I didn't think a guy like you could have done it."
Turning around, I'm greeted by a teenage boy. He was wearing a pair of headphones around his neck. Followed by a denim jacket with a red undershirt that bore a dragon's shadow as his mark, a pair of black pants and shoes, and earnings covering both of his ears. His bore a crazed smile as he looked at me.
"Who the hell are you?" I asked, taking a defensive step back
"Name's Erros," he said, walking forward, "and when I tell DIO that a small worm has been taken care of, he'll give me a promotion for sure."
DIO? Did he send another guy to take me out? My luck today couldn't be any better.
I called MirrorShield out as I started walking back. I need to take care of this guy before this gets out of hand. Before I lose too much time.
"Can't we do this another time?" I asked, raising my Stand, "I'm kind of in the middle of something right now"
"That shuck's." Erros said, "Because I don't care. You'll make a great addition to my collection of dragon heads."
As Erros spoke, a serpent-like dragon slowly appeared itself behind him. It's eyes observing my every movements. Almost as if it's watching its prey. Waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.
For some reason, I could feel my body shake slightly.
"Don't underestimate me, pal!" I shouted, "My Stand can take yours on any day of the week!"
"Then prove it, to Dovahkiin!" He declared as his Stand dove to attack
Two hours later
The night has come to the city. Inside a singed and darkened house was suddenly filled with a burst of light. When the light fadded, Ruby and Secret stood inside the living room. Ruby was holding a small card in her hand as she looked around.
"Where's dad?" Ruby asked, walking to the kitchen"don't tell me that he went alone to rescue gram-gram"
"I think the better question is 'what happened here?'. " Secret said, flicking on the lights.
As the lights flickered on, a big dark blue lizard-like creature slept in the middle of the room. Smoke softly puffing out of its nose only to be vented out through a shattered window.
"And what thing is?!" Rudy shrieked upon seeing the creature
The sudden shriek caused the creature to stir slightly. Opening one eye as it began to wake up.
"Then prove it, to Dovahkiin!" Erros declared as his Stand dove to attack
The serpent opened its maw as I raced towards me. Its movements were quick. I barely had enough time to jump out of the serpent's path.
There was nothing I could really do to Erros until I learned his stand's ability. For now, the best I can do is dodge and defend. The best defense becomes a good offense when a chance is given.
As soon as I landed, however, Dovakkiin was already on its way to attack again. There wasn't enough time to dodge again. I can practically see it's sharp teeth as I rose my shield. The sudden force of the attack knocked me, back first, to the ground.
"Is that really all you can do?" Erros asked, "A shield? The fact that you defeated Mystery with such a weak Stand insults me more than it disappointed DIO!"
As Erros spoke, his Stand went for a third attack. I rolled away in time for the serpent to punch a hole into the floor.
"I told you already, don't underestimate me!" I shouted, standing up, "this shield is more then what I'm capable of."
"I doubt that," Erros said, his stand facing me once more, "its time I finish this. You're not worth play-"
Before Erros could finish his sentence, a burst of fire struck his stand from behind. The blast knocked it and him to the wall behind me. I followed my gaze on him as he crashed through a window.
"What?!" I gasped, "he was suddenly forced through a window. But how did-?"
"You know, a shield alone can't defeat a dragon." A female voice stated from behind
As I turned around, I saw Sunset standing in the doorway. Floating just next to her, an anthropomorphic alicorn with fire as its mane. It was wearing baggy pants and cloth the covered its chest, almost like an Egyptian goddess. Hooves replaced its feet. By the look of its pose (slightly turned sideways, left hand stretched outwards) Sunset's stand was responsible for saving me.
"Sunset?" I questioned, "What are you doing here?"
"Saving your sorry butt" she declared, "and it looks like I got here just in time"
"I could have handled it on my own" I stated, "but thanks."
"Anytime Flash," she said with a smile
I smiled as well. But as seen as the conflict ended, it restarted itself.
Out of nowhere, Erros' stand drove its teeth into my shoulder. The sudden pain caused me to scream out and fall to the ground. My vision going blurry... Dark... Red.
(Perspective switch)
Sunset watched as Dovakkiin bites down onto Lightning's shoulder. It must have snuck up on them while they were talking.
"Flash! No!" She shouted
"Yes!" Erros said, coming back inside through the broken window, "Now Dovakkiin's ability will take full effect! Not even you can stop it!"
"What did you do to him?" Sunset asked, Eclipse (her stand) readying to lose another ball of primal fire, "tell me before I burn you to a crisp!"
With a smirk, Erros called back his stand. Leaving Lightning unconscious on the floor.
"You see," errors started, "once my Dovakkiin sinks its jaw into someone, my victims start to transform. Within a few moments that pest will turn into a rampaging dragon. And once that happens, I'm going to sever its head and add it to my collection."
Erros began to laugh to himself. It was like he's done this before. Many times before.
Sunset gritted her teeth. She couldn't let that happen to her friend. Looking at lightning, she could already tell that he was changing. His skin changed from a soft yellow to a dark blue. He was almost twice his size as his clothing started to rip away, his hands turning into claws as well as his head starting to take a shape of a lizzerd.
"He'll die peacefully in his sleep." Erros stated, "It is always hard to find western dragons these days. They tend to be the most unpredictable."
"Over my dead body!" Sunset said
By a wave of her hand, Eclipse rushed out with fire shooting out of its hands. Erros dodged each blast as they made their way to him.
"Please, do you think your fire will hit me a second time?" Erros commented, taunting Sunset
"No," Sunset said, smirking, "I'm thinking that they'll trap you"
Before Erros could understand what she was talking about, the fireballs that Erros dodged began to wrap itself around him. Binding his legs and arms into place.
"Wh-what?!" Erros exclaimed, "how did you-"
"I can do just more than shoot fire," Sunset commented, "I can use the primal flame to what I seem fit. And now that I snared you, you're going to undo what you did to Flash."
"I'd rather die before doing that," Erros said through gritted teeth
"I was afraid you were going to say that." Sunset sighed
The Flame then lifted Erros off the ground, bringing him closer to Sunset. No matter how hard he tried, Dovakkiin couldn't reveal itself.
"Wh-What the hell!?" He said, struggling in the fires grip, "why won't dovakkiin show itself?!"
"That'll be me," sunset stated, clenching a fist, "my fire traps the stand of those I've caught. Not even your stand can break free"
Before Erros could any more questions, Sunset drove her fist to his chin. Using enough force to knock him out cold.
With the battle over, Sunset let out a sigh and looked at her friend again. Now, he had grown a pair of wings and a tail, already 10 times bigger than his normal self. A yellow underbelly had formed itself on the now fully transformed dragon. Fortunately for her, Lightning was still unconscious. But she couldn't tell for how long.
"I need to find a way to turn him back." She told herself, "maybe Rd can find someone in the resistance that can make this guy talk."
With that, she started out the house. Pulling Erros behind her with her stand, she grabbed her phone and started to text Rainbow Dash.
With the school closed, Sunset arranged an interrogation with Rainbow Dash and one other stand user in the detention room. There would be no interruptions and no way for Erros to call for back up.
So far, Sunset was the only one there. She tied Erros to a chair with primal flame. Ensuring that his stand wouldn't appear while she and her friends got everything they needed from him.
When she was finished tying Erros down, Rainbow and another girl entered the room. This other girl had a soft silver colored skim and wore a short skirt with a pair of jeans, a t-shirt that bore a dark blue gemstone with stars inside of it as her mark, and a pair of sneakers.
"Good, you two are here," Sunset said
"Whats this all about Sunset?" Rainbow Dash asked, "what happened?"
"Remember the guy from sugar cube café?" Sunset asked
"The one with that cryptic card?" Rd said, "what about him?
" Well," Sunset started, "after he left the café I decided to follow him home. I wanted to make sure he wasn't going to be an enemy in the future. But when I got there, I found this guy attacking him."
Sunset kicked the chair Erros was sitting on as she spoke.
"His standability transformed Lightning into a dragon." She finished
"A dragon?" The girl questioned
Sunset nodded and turned to Erros.
"We need to find out how we can turn him back to normal," Sunset stated
"Then let's get this over with," Rainbow said, walking to Erros "I've got soccer practice in the morning."
The girl followed Rainbow to Erros. The three watched him for a moment before sunset poured water, from an abanded water bottle, onto his face.
Erros woke up with a jump. Before his scenes could clear out, a bright light blinded him.
"Sapphire," Rainbow said, catching the girls attention, "put a truth symbol on him."
"R-right" she nodded, a notepad and pen appearing in her hands as she began to draw
"Good luck trying to get anything out of me girly." Erros stated, "Lord DIO had new recruits endure Mysteries truth venom. A stupid mark won't do anything to me!"
As if on Que, a symbol of four loops with a diamond in the center shoot out of the notepad and attached itself to Erros' neck. The sudden force made him recoil slightly.
"Now," sunset started, "how can I get my friend back to normal?"
"Only my dovakkiin can change him back" Erros replied calmly, then suddenly shaking his head, "what the hell?! How did you-"
"We're the ones asking the questions here bub." Rainbow interrupted, grabbing Erros' chin for a moment only to let go
"Why does DIO want him dead anyway?" Sunset added, continuing the interrogation
"Only because my lord deemed him inadequate to be apart of our army." Erros stated, "and to ensure that he doesn't become a pest like the worms you all are, he hired Mystery to find him. Then kill him. Obviously, he can't do that right."
When Erros finished talking, the girls took walked away to discuss their options.
"We can't just leave Lightning like he is now," Sunset said
"But the moment we let him loose, he'll run to DIO and tell him everything that happened today," Rainbow added
"I cold lock his memory of three hours ago with Farytale," Sapphire stated, "that way, he'll have nothing to tell DIO. It'll be like he blacked out before fighting anything today."
The two girls constipated over this for a moment.
"Alright," Rainbow said, " we'll do that."
"And when we're done with this guy, we'll leave him out in a dumpster or something" Sunset added
All three of them nodded agreement before returning to Erros, who was squirming in the chair. Sapphire then drew three Z's with her stand. Te symbol planted itself onto Erros' forehead, knocking him out cold.
Current time
(Perspective change)
Dark. Everything is dark.
"Youll never find her," a voice said in my mind, "she's already dead."
I open my eyes to find myself in an area unfamiliar me. The color red covered everything in sight. Everything but a human silhouette standing in front of me. A man was crossing his arms at me.
"You should just give up flash." It said
"What was that?" I questioned, more angerly then I wanted
"I said give up" the man repeated, "you'll never rescue your mother in the state your in."
"You don't know that!" I shouted, anger consuming me, "I'll find a way!"
"How would you know?" He tainted, chuckling, "you got detracted and taken out"
I wasn't in control of myself. My body moved on its own as I rushed to the silhouette. Fists clenched as I go to attack.
Left. Right. Uppercut. Everything I threw at him, he dodged at the last second. Tapping me every time I missed.
"You can even hit me with your snail speed." It taunted, "how do you expect to rescue someone who means so much to you?"
"Shut it!" I retorted, "and let! Me! Hit! You!"
The man ducked a right hook when six copies of him appeared me. Surrounded. Angry. Cornered like a wild animal.
Suddenly a bright light drowned out the red and black. Blinding me in the process.
Moments before
(Perspective change)
"And what that thing is?!" Rudy shrieked upon seeing her now dragonlike father.
The sudden sound caused the dragon to stir awake, opening one eye to see Secret. Her reflexes sprinted into action as she jumped away from the creature's tail, which whipped the wall behind her.
The Dragon then began to stand up in the room. Keeping its gaze on Secret, the dragon growled angerly, preparing to spew fire at its target.
"Secret, look out!" Ruby shouted out
But it was already too late. The dragon had shot is firey breath at Secret, who couldn't do anything but cover her face and look away.
Nothing. The fire didn't consume her. Moving her arms away, Secret found another flame, in a form of a shield and appeared in front of her. Blocking the jet of fire that could have ended her life.
"Wh-what?" Secret gasped, "b-but how did-?"
"What are you two thinking!?" Sunset shouted as Eclipse called back its shield of fire, " it's not safe to be here, run!"
Sunset, Rainbow, Sapphire, and Erros had entered the building just in time to find that the dragon had awakened from its peaceful slumber. Rainbow's stand, an anthropomorphic bird-like creature with powerful wings on its back (named Spread your Wings) appeared and was prepared for battle. Sapphire's Fairytale was ready to create any symbols within her power.
Sunset, Rainbow, Sapphire, and an unconscious Erros was only a few blocks away from Lightning's house. The girl's plan was to force Erros to chance Lightning back to normal. Then erase Any memory of 3 hours ago.
Apon reaching the house, however, they found that the lights inside were turned on. As well as two other girls.
"Who are those two?" Sunset asked
"No one I'm familiar with" Sapphire stated
"Do you two think they're looking for this guy?" Rainbow questioned, adjusting Erros on her shoulder
Just then, one of the girls inside the house shrieked. A giant winged lizard-like creature began to rise up into view, swinging its tail at the girl closest to the window. The girl dodged with no effort.
"Oh no!" Sunset gasped, rushing towards the door, "They woke up lightning!"
"Sunset!" Rainbow shouted as she too began running
"Wait for us!" Sapphire added, running as well
When the group opened the door. They saw the dragon readying to breathe fire at the ninja-styled girl. In Sunsets eyes, everything moved in slow motion as she summoned Eclipse and formed a shield of fire. The flame from the dragon's mouth began racing towards the girl.
"Flame Guard!" Sunset shouted
Then, the shield of fire shot towards the space between the fire and the dragons firey breath. With hardly any time spare, the two flames collided. Sunsets fire being hotter than the beast's flame, stopping it in place. When the girl looked, she couldn't believe what happened.
"What are you two thinking!?" Sunset shouted as Eclipse called back its shield of fire, " it's not safe to be here, run!"
"Commander Shimmer?!" The other girl called out, "what are you doing here? Where's lightning?"
"That is lightning!" Rainbow called out as her stand shot a jet of wind to the dragon
The sudden wind caused secret to getting carried to the wall next to her. Crashing agents it with enough force to almost knock the air out of her lungs.
Lightning the dragon, on the other hand, had skidded only about 2 meters before looking at the new group that entered its home. With one flap of its wings, the creature created his own gust of wind agents Sunset and friends. The Trio managed to hold onto the doorway as the gust tried to push them away.
"That's Lightning?!" Ruby questioned, "what happened to him?!"
"It must be the work of a stand Ruby!" Secret replied, standing back up. Her breath still uneasy.
Sapphire found an opening as the dragon readied another fire blast. With Fairytale, she drew another set of Z's and sent it flying to the creature. Hoping that her stand holds enough energy to knock it out.
The dragon saw the attack coming as Sapphire sent it out. Raising a wing to defend itself, the symbol stuck itself onto the base of the wing. Then suddenly, the wing fell limb, dropping to the ground. The beast took a few steps back, the fire in its mouth dissipated.
"Now's our chance!" Rainbow declared, S.Y.W readying to shoot another jet of wind
"Knock him unconscious!" Sunset added, Eclipse holding a ball of fire in both hands
The dragon saw the two approaching. It needed to counterattack, but it couldn't. In fact, it couldn't even move. To the beasts left, Secret's stand had linked to its shadow. Holding it in place. Sweat was rolling down Secret face.
"Make it quick then!" secret shouted to her unknown allies, "My Battle Cry cant hold something this big for soo long!"
Sunset and Rainbow both nodded as both of their stands attacked at the same time. Fire and Wind striking the dragon face, with such force that it was launched through the wall. Knocking it out.
"Its over..." Secret panted, a smile on her face
"Yeah," Sunset said, looking at the two girls opposite of the room, "Who are you two?"
"Its a long story" Ruby replied, "But let's get my... Uhh... 'friend' back to normal first."
11:30 PM
(perspective change)
My head is spinning, everything aces with pain. What happened to me while I was out? What happened when I was out?
"Back up everyone. I think he's waking up" a voice said, growing in volume as my sences began to come back to me
I let out a groan of pain as I open my eyes. My vision to the dim of the room light for me to see Ruby, Secret, Sunset, Rainbow, the guy who attacked me and a girl I've never met before. Immediately, my instincts kick in, forcing my body to tackle Erros. But everyone else stepped in and stopped me.
"Wh-what happened?" I questioned, "Why are you stopping me? That guy attacked me with his stand!"
"Calm down Lightning," Ruby said
"Yeah," sunset added, "I've already wrapped his body with my flame, he won't be able to attack us with his stand. Well... After we forced him to turn you back to normal."
I was already confused. In one moment, I was in the living room of my house, fending off one of DIO's goons. Then the next, I'm in a bed being told that the conflict has already ended. As far as I can remember before blacking out, Sunset was the only person there to help me.
"we'll explain everything later" Rainbow stated, "but for now, you need to rest. you've taken a lot of damage."
"y-yeah" I studdered, slowly leaning back down onto the bed"Wait, what time is it?"
"Half past 11" secret stated
"Half past?!" I shouted and sat back up, my eyes widen with fear, "I'm running out of time! I need to find to go!"
I was beginning to get out of the bed when the girls tried to get me back laying down.
"Are you crazy?!" rainbow exclaimed, "You haven't fully recovered yet!'
"Your in no shape to be even standing!" Sunset added, "who knows what'll happen if you get into another fight!"
"You could die Lightning!" the girl stated
"I don't have a choice!" I retorted, pushing them away and walking out of the room "my mother's life is on the line!"
"I don't have a choice!" I shouted, pushing the girls away and dashed out of the room "My mother's life is on the line!"
"What did he say?!" one of them asked
"Lightning wait!" another shouted.
I could already tell that the others were running after me. But I cant focus on them. In a half hour, my mom's life will end. Just because I didn't pick a side to a war of pure evil. I have to save her. To do that, I have to put a stop to this war. One side at a time.
Just before I entered the living room, I felt something grabbed onto me. Something hot. Burning hot. It bounded my arms and legs together, forcing me to fall to the ground. It must be Sunset and her Eclipse. I tried desperately to get free from her flame lasso, but with no success.
"Let me go Sunset! I need to find Kars!" I demanded angerly
"Not untell you explain yourself," she told me, "what have you gotten yourself into?"
As she asked her question, her stand lifted me up to her eye level. She was staring down at me like an angry mother.
"I-i..." I hesitated for a moment, "I don't know... In one moment, I'm going to a new school. In the next, I get shot by a stand giving arrow and attacked by other stand users. My entire life has changed in a way I couldn't imagine. Now my mom could die if I don't find this guy. I just don't know what I should do..."
Sunset was silent. Observing me as if I was a new smartphone or something. Seeing if I was lying to her. After a moment, I felt the rope of fire dissipated. Gently dropping me to my feet.
"I'll tell you what you should do." She said, "you're going to find and rescue your mom."
Before I could say anything, sunset lifted a hand to stop me.
"But, you're not going alone." She continued, "Rainbow, Sapphire, your friends and I are going to help you. No exceptions."
"A-are sure?" I questioned, "what if you-"
"No exceptions!" She stated, "you need to have some trust. Especially now that you're a stand user. You can't expect yourself to handle every situation on your own."
I stayed silent. I never really considered that. A situation where my stand couldn't overcome. One where I was destined to fail if I was alone. But with friends...
I looked down at my hands. But instead of being normal hands, they had transformed into a pair of dragon claws. Dark blue scales going down to sharp points at the tips of each finger. I gasped slightly, which turned into a shallow sigh. It must be a side effect of Erros' stand.
"Your right." I finally said, looking at Sunset, "I cant do everything alone. Even with a stand like mine. If I want to get my mom back, then I'll need your girl's help."
"I'm glad you understand, Lightning." Sunset said, smiling,"let's go get your mom back."
It only took a minute for everyone inside to file out. Sunset holding Erros on her shoulder ad she closed the door behind her. The front of the house only seemed to have a shattered window. But in the back, there was a monster sized hole where the glass sliding door was. I have no idea what happened when I was unconscious. But I can peace things together later.
I was tieing my lucky bandana my missing father gave me when everyone stopped on the street.
"Where did you say the place was Ruby?" Rainbow asked
"On 21st street of VanElderson." Ruby replied, "across town."
"I'll get us there in five minutes." Rainbow declared, summoning her stand, "grab onto me."
The other girls grabbed onto her shoulders without a second thought. But I had no idea what to do. I stood there like a statue.
"Hey, what's the matter?" Rainbow asked, looking at me
"I-i think I'll just use my stand to follow you." I said, summoning MirrorShield's copy of S.Y.W "it would avoid some misunderstanding of something where to happen."
They all shrugged as Rainbow's stand grabbed both of her hands and took off into the sky. My stand followed suit as I stayed next to them. The wind hitting my face with a blinding force at the speed we were going.
I just hope we're not too late.
24 minutes until deadline
I saw Rainbow and the others start to drop down towards a set of old warehouses in the middle of the outskirts of town. I followed them down, dispelling MirrorShield as I landed next to them. Warehouses stretched out for miles both left and right. Who knows how many of them are there behind those.
"Great!" Rainbow exclaimed, "How are we gonna find the one we're looking for?!"
"Already working on it" Sapphire stated as she drew on her FairyTale, "I'll just attach an objective symbol on everyone. That way, we'll know which one is holding the guy we're looking for."
As she drew, star-shaped symbols flew to everyone, planting themselves on their target on a different part of everyone. My star planted itself on the back of my neck, close to my left shoulder. The sudden feeling of importance swept over me as I placed a hand on the mark. It was urging me to go towards the central warehouses.
"Alright everyone!" Sunset announced, "Spread out and start looking. If all goes well, we'll meet up at the same warehouse."
Everyone nodded and ran out in different directions. I dashed toward the central warehouses.
4 minutes until deadline
Nothing. None of the warehouses I've been to gave any feeling from my symbol. Time is running out. I need to hurry. I started running faster past every warehouse. One after another. Then I felt a sudden shock forced me to stop and turn back around. My body moved to the oldest one in the lot as if I was being pulled in by a magnet.
"This must be the place." I told myself, "don't worry mom. I'm coming."
I took a deep breath before opening the door inside.
Everything is pitch-black. I cant ever see my own "hands" as I searched for a light switch. I did eventually find the switch and flicked it on.
The light flickered dimly to life as I could now see my surroundings. To my surprise, the place was smaller than normal warehouses. It must be like this because Kars and his minions made rooms inside.
This room held only an old antique mirror.
I could see my own reflection as I got closer to the mirror. My face had the look of dread. My lucky bandanna, that held my mark of two cyan lightning bolts, was soaking in stress sweat. I looked like a mess.
For a moment, I thought my claws looked like my actual hands. but when I blinked, they looked like the claws. I let out a sigh of anger as I placed my head on the reflective glass.
"Why does my life suck so much right now?" I asked myself
"I don't know," my voice replied, a pair of claws gripping on my hear "But it's not gonna get any better!"
"Why does my life suck so much right now?" I asked myself, placing my head on the mirror
"I don't know," my voice replied, a pair of claws gripping on my hear "But it's not gonna get any better!"
"What the-" I gasped before I was pulled inside and tossed to the wall like a rag doll. I felt the wind get knocked out of my longs upon impact. I just barely landed on the floor with my arms and knees. Gasping for breath, I look up to how and thrown me. My reflection is walking towards me with an evil smirk on his face.
"You seemed confused buddy," He said mockingly, "Didn't think your own reflection was going to attack you?"
He looked at his claws as I slowly stood up. I still wasn't able to catch my breath.
"W-who..." I gasped, "Are you?"
"I'm you." He quickly answered, looking at me through his claws, " The real you. Mabe by the Stand called Mirror's Edge. That's all I'm letting you know."
I was starting to catch my breath as we began circling each other. I could feel something cool run down my head. Possibly blood. I need to be careful with this guy. I need to get out of this fast.
"The real me?" I panted, "Im not buying it."
"I know what your thinking." He stated, "your worried about running out of time while fighting yourself. But do you wanna know the best part is?"
"It won't matter when I get out of here" we both said symostainiously.
Instantly, my image rushed towards me. His claws ready at strike. His speed was unreal, faster than me. I was able to raise my arms in defence.
Daggers of pain dug themselves into my arms as his claws gripped me. I gritted my teeth as MirrorShield slowly grew into assistance. Forcing the imposters grip to loosen of my arms. Once I was freed, I shoved the imposter away.
The fight between mirrors had started.
(Perspective change)
The mark on Sapphire mark guided her towards a wearhouse. As she got closer to the wear house, she noticed that the door to the left was wide open. She stopped in her tracks and took a deep breath.
"Here we go" she told herself, summoning her stand and began drawling, "this'll help the others find this place."
A diamand like symble flew off the pages of her stand. Planting itself onto the wall next to door frame. Aqua took another deep breath before walking inside.
Inside, she could see an old mirror on one side of the closed off room. On the opposite side of the room, there was claw marks along the wall. These marks seemed to make a message of some sort but the letters where reversed and illegible. Aqua stared at the wall for a moment, trying to read what was written. She then turned around to see if the mirror could help her read it.
Instead of just seeing her own reflection in the mirror, she saw two lighting's fighting each other. One holding the other by the neck on the wall farthest from the mirror. The one being held had blood coming from various cuts on his head and body. But when Sapphire look behind her, no one was there.
As she looked back at the mirror, she could see that the two lightning had noticed her. The one holding the other gave her a unsettling smile, releasing the other. As the other fell down to the ground weak, Aqua could see the message scratched onto the wall. It reads "dont touch the mirror".
"Sapphire!" The unharmed lightning said happily, "your just in time. You can help me get out of here."
"H-how are you in the mirror?" Sapphire questioned
"Dont listen to him..." The other lightning said weakly
"Its an enimy stand." The first one declared, his voice camler than it should of been "it pulled me in here before I knew it. You need to get me out of here."
"He's lying to you Sapphire!" The other shouted, shakingly standing up, "Run away!"
Aqua's confusion only grew as the two talked to her. She don't know who to trust. The first lightning stopped just next to her.
"He's trying to scare you Sapphire." he said, "If you don't get me out of here soon, I won't be able to-"
"Stop!"
Before He could finish his sentence, a third lightning runs into the room. Threw the reflection, Aqua watches the new lightning tackles the first one. She could see that this lighting was wearing white gloves
(Perapective change)
Another me? But this one looks like he wants to help. But why? I need to know more.
"Sapphire!" The other Lightning shouted, "Your reflection will get him out. But what ever you do, don't touch that mirror. That's how the stand traps you.
"Why you little brat!" My reflection shouted, forcing the other Lightning off.
The other Lightning lands perfectly on his feet, sliding back about a meter.
Reflections... That's it! The stand of reflections!
Using what little strength i have left, i ran for Sapphire's reflection. She would have to throw me out of this place and back to reality. But this is my only chance.
"Your not getting away from me!" My reflection declared
I could hear his footsteps heading towards me.
This guy just doesn't gives up. I barely survived his first assalt. There's no way I'll survive another one.
"Remastered!" The other Lightning shouted
Looking back, I see that my reflection was being held by a cyber blue colored stand, its head has a mask over its mouth and nose. A pair of headphones that covers where its ears would be. These headphones have a spike coming out if both sides. Its eyes are completely orange. On its body, it wears a pilot's jacket with nothing underneath. A silver badge of its left shoulder reads "R" on it. It also wears a pair of jeans which has been rolled up to its knees, which reveals to wear a pair of knights boots. These boots seem to be connected to the stand itself with a green cyrcitboard design over it.
This guy, just who is he? He looks like me in every way. He even has a bandanna with my mark tied onto his arm. But his stand, its nothing like I've ever seen before.
"Lightning, Sapphire!" My look-alike shouted, "nows your chance!"
I nodded and ran to Sapphire. I can see the confusion in her eyes. She's frozen in place.
"Sapphire," I began, her sight focused on me, "I know. This is really confusing for you. I'm just as confused. But we don't time to focus on what's happening behind us. That guy is buying us enough time to get me out of here."
"B-but what if you're not the real lightning?"
"He is!" My look-alike shouted, "and so am I!"
"I'm sorry," I turned around and looked at my look-alike's reflection, "what did you say?"
"I don't have a lot of time to explain to you." he stated, "Let's just focus on getting you out of there."
At that moment, my look-alike's stand threw my reflection up in the air.
"Kordadadadadada!" The stand began a barrage of heavy punches on my reflection before landing a hit so hard that sent the reflection through the wall on my right, "KORDA!"
Dust immediately formed around the new hole in the wall. With my reflection defeated, my look-alike's reflection walked to me. His stand reverted as he placed his hand on my chest. Then he shoved me back, causing me to trip over the window frame.
I landed in the real world on my back. I groaned a bit as I sat up, rubbing the back of my head.
"Listen" he started, "I only got 30 seconds so I need to make this brief."
He turned to the corner closest to us and summoned Remastered. It raised its right hand, which wore a power glove from the 80's, and chopped downward, opening up a portal in the corner.
"Lightning, you need to go in this time portal." He said, turning to me.
"You want me to do what?!" I questioned
"Its the only way to get strong enough to face this force." He said, "As it stands now, you won't be able to defeat her. The cycle needs to continue."
"Her?" Aqua questioned "I thought Kars was a guy's name. What what do you mean by 'the cycle'?"
"She is only using Kars' name as a cover." My look-alike replied, "The true Kars was launched into space during World War 2. The world would be a lot worse if he was still on the ground. No one can stand agents a monster like that again."
"You're not making any sense here," I said, standing up.
"Everything will start making sense when you go into this portal. We're running out of time Lightning. If you don't go in the portal in the next 10 seconds, something bad is going to happen."
"How am I supposed to believe you?" I questioned, "For all I know, this could just be some trick of my enemies."
My look-alike stopped a moment before taking a breath and speaking again
"In less than half an hour, my mom will meet a terrible end. That is until I go in to rescue her." He stated, "But when I found the place where she was being kept in, I fell into the trap of Mirror's Edge. The stand of reflection. Before that, I was attacked by Erros and his Dovahkiin. A stand that turns its victims into rampaging dragons. I was told my Ruby that I had turned into a Drake before turning back to normal with these claws."
He raised his hands and removed his gloves. Revealing a pair of dragon claws, scared from battles before this.
"I was rescued by someone who looked exactly like me. But his stand, my stand, was completely different to MirrorShield. When he helped me out of the mirror, he and I had this exact same conversation."
Flashback
" 'Believe me Lightning,' he said, 'you're not yet ready to save mom.'
'Then,' I asked, 'what do I do?'
He turned to the closest corner and used Remastered to open a time portal.
'Go through this portal.' He told me, 'Get stronger. Continue the cycle. I know you'll be able to do it. I did after all.' "
"I took his advice and jumped in. I've been jumping back and forth from the timeline, protecting points of history from those who would cause harm to it. Much like how Ruby is trying to get a better future by coming to get you to help her. But when I was in your position, I was alone. I must have been late my three minutes or so."
"So what?" I asked, walking toward the portal, "you just want me to jump in this?"
"Yes," he nodded, "but we're almost out of time. Ruby and the others will be here in less than five seconds. You need to go now. I'll handle everything here."
I took a moment to let everything set in my mind. If this guy is telling the truth, then that would make him my future self. Everything seems to check out. I don't fell any suspicions about... Me? Time travel is confusing.
"Alright," I said calmly, "I'll do it."
"Good." my future self said, "this portal will take you to the year 1999. You'll be in Morio Town, Japan."
I nodded and looked at the portal with newfound confidence. If I'm going to do this, I'm gonna go head first into it.
Before I jumped, my future self handed me his gloves. On one of them was a plus and the other had the outline of a book.
"These will help you," he stated, "the one with the cross heals you when you give the symbol a tap. But it will only heal you a certain amount. The one with the book works automatically. It will allow you to understand any language spoken to you and have you speak back in said language. They're also good at hiding those claws of yours."
"Thank you,"I said, putting the gloves on, "Anything else I need to know?"
"Untell you unlock Remastered, look for the one that shot us with the stand arrow. She'll be traveling throughout the timeline as well. Good luck"
I nodded once more before jumping in. I suddenly feel like I'm falling into an eternal abyss.
The void around me had pocket watches, clocks, and other time-telling devices going backward and forwards at a rapid pace as I fell downwards. It felt like I was dropping for an eternity. If there was wind in this place, it would have been blinding. I must have been screaming from the fall, but I couldn't hear anything coming out of my mouth.
As I fell, something had pierced my left shoulder. It had sent me spiraling to the point that I lost my sense of direction. Then suddenly, I was on the ground. The gloves were already put on my hands.
The wind was cold as ice. The snow was cutting me like falling razers from the wind speed, was about to pile over me. It must be a blizzard I thought to myself. I had either gone blind, or it was night time. My breathing was normal, oddly enough as I layed there on the snow-covered ground. I can hear the sound of a car desperately trying to get unstuck in the snow.
I didn't even fell myself starting to move.
I slowly sat up to see, under what seemed to be under only one streetlight, a grey car (its model is unknown to me) stuck I the evergrowing blanket of snow. My body moved on its own to stand up and walk toward the car. As I got closer, I could tell that the driver was a young woman most likely in her early to mid 20’s. She noticed me coming close and I stopped in my tracks.
“Wh-What do you want? Go away!” she shouted through the side window
I looked inside the passenger seat window to see next to her, a small boy. A moist cloth was on top of his forehead, most likely to reduce a fever, while he was under a blanket. I also saw my reflection from the light.
My clothing had changed to a Japanese delinquent that went to high school from the 90’s. The wounds I had sustained from my battle with Mirror’s Edge were still there, soaking any snow that lands on them with blood. The thing that had pierced me was gone. My hairstyle had also changed into one of a delinquent.
“That kid is sick, right?” I asked, “I'll push the car for you.”
Without waiting for her to deny my offer, I took off the jacket and placed it under the back tires of the car. Then walked to the back and readied myself to push.
“Hurry up and step on the gas,” I told her, tapping on the back windshield, “Once you get moving, don't stop. Just keep going... Or your tires will get stuck in the snow again.”
The woman stared at me for a moment before nodding her head
“O-okay...” she said, refocusing on the snow-covered road ahead of her.
The tires came to life, trying to find traction on the wet snow. The snow had started to slash away as I started pushing to car forward. It took all my strength, but I pushed the car onto the jacket. Giving the car the traction it needed to start moving again. It moved with a burst of speed, rushing off into the night.
I could hear the driver shout, “Thank you!” as she drove away.
As she and the kid speed off, I picked up the jacket and threw it over my shoulder. I couldn't help but smile as I stood there. Waiting until I could no longer the tail lights of the car.
That was when I could feel a somehow warm and familiar presence swell over me. It was as if someone I knew was close by. It felt the strongest behind me. I turned around to see a shadowed woman figure standing in the moonlight. It took a moment, but I saw that there was a bow in her hand and an empty quiver on her back. A sudden flashback of the girl who shot me that day suddenly snapped me back to my senses. I need to follow her or catch her if I can. As if by command, she started running away into the darkness.
“Hey!” I called out, casing her, “Wait a minute!”
If anything, my legs had given out when I fell to the snow. I was coughing uncontrollably as I tried to stand back up. My legs were suddenly refusing to listen to me. Even my arms were having trouble holding me up.
The ground below me abruptly opened up to another time portal, gravity was what made me fall in.
Of all the times to be blacking out, this had to be the worst.
Year: unknown.
Date: unknown.
Time: unknown.
Location: unknown.
My head is throbbing with pain. I could fell a cool rag on my face as I laid on some form of bed, tightly tucked in. Every muscle in my body burns with sharp pains. It even hurt to breath. Some sort of sound was making the throbbing worse by the moment.
”But what if he doesn't wake up, Lisa Lisa?”
”I know he will. He's a strong young man. There's something about him....”
It sounds so distant from me...
Silence is taking over again. I'm drifting off again...
Year: unknown.
Date: unknown.
Time: morning.
Location: unknown.
The rays of morning sunlight hit my face. It's gentle and hard at the same time. My body aches as I began to wake up. How long have I been out for? it felt like I've been asleep for weeks. I sit up as my eyes open.
I find myself in some sort of bedroom. The mirror next to the door showed that I was wearing my normal clothing but with a poliet's jacket instead of a hoodie. My bandanna was lying on the desk. I was the only one in the room.
The room only had one window, which had the morning sun pouring through the opened curtains. Everything was set up to be a guest room of sorts. To my left was a semi-large bowl of water with a sponge cloth inside and a chair. Was someone nursing me back to health?
Before I had the chance to stand up, two blue screens appeared in front of me. The first one read, "Good morning Lightning Flash, your hp and energy have been restored to full". The second one read, " 'Sickness of the fallen star' has been removed." As I read them to myself, the screens disappeared and a new one appears in their place. "Remastered Update: 2% complete. Estimated time of completion: unknown. Currently available options: skill tree (limited to physical skills until the update is complete)".
The Remastered update? Does this mean I'm developing Remastered? But how is that possible? I gained MirrorShield by being shot with that stand arrow at canterlot high. Was another one of those arrows the thing that pierced me in my shoulder? And this " sickness of the fallen star". What does that mean?
The sound of the door opening knocked me out of my thoughts. The screen disappeared to show me a woman, probably in her early 20's, walk in the room. She almost looked like Ruby but her skin was more of a rose color. Her hair was well kept also. On the bun of her hair was a heart with a pair of scissors as her mark. She was holding a new bowl of water in one of her hands. She stopped in her tracks when she looked away from the door and focused on me. I couldn't help but feel like I know her somehow.
"You're awake," she said, more shocked than confused, "how are you feeling?"
"O...kay?" I replied, "Who are you? How did I get here?"
"I should be asking you the same thing," she stated, "being that you appeared inside my teacher's home during the middle of the night weeks ago."
"Weeks?!" I exclaimed, standing on my feet, "how many?"
"Three counting today." She responded, "Now tell me, who are you? And how did you get in this place."
I stood there for a moment before sitting back down on the bed. I need to be careful. I'll give her a fake name. Just in case I'm far enough in the past and not even born yet.
"My name..." I hesitated for a moment, thinking of a name to use, "My name is Inigo Montoya. The last thing I can remember was pushing a car out of snow late at night before everything went dark."
"Snow?" She questioned, " It hasn't snowed here in Venice for years. Do you take me for some kind of idiot?"
"I'm serious," I replied, "there was this car stuck in the snow and I pushed it free. A woman was driving it to a hospital for her sick son."
She was silent as she stared me down. But then she let out a sigh and placed the bowl on the desk next to her.
“Alright,” she said, “I’ll believe you until master Lisa Lisa sees you. Now that you’re awake, we should go now.”
“You mean right now?” I asked “But I just woke up. Can I get some breakfast first?"
She didn't respond as she walked out of the room, leaving the door open behind her.
I guess that's a no on something to eat.
Year: 1938
Date: Dec. 29th
Time: 10: 23 AM
Location: Venice, Italy.
"You never told me your name," I stated, walking close behind the woman.
She didn't seem to of heard me as she continued walking down the hall and outside to reveal some sort of intense training yard. To my left was some sort of hole, how deep it was is unknown to me. At the center was this circle. The inside it was filled to the brim with spikes. I can see towers just off of the stone walls surrounding the yard. Just what does this Lisa Lisa teach?
“That headband your wearing,” a second woman’s voice said, “its made with a fine wool from wild sheep in Alaska. They can conduct hamon almost as well as my scarf."
As soon as I turned to face the source of the voice, I got punched in the gut. What was worse was that she used her pinky as she drove her fist into my gut. It reached all the way to my diaphragm.
“But then again,” she said, “that's just a maybe.”
I could feel all the air I had and leave me with the worst pain I've ever felt. It was as if I was suffocating in space. I fell to my knees as I tried to regain the wind I had lost.
“I thought that you were going to tell me when he woke up, Hover.”
“He just did.” the other woman stated, “Forgive me, Lisa Lisa. I thought you where training Ceacer.”
So this is Lisa Lisa? I thought to myself, and did she just call the other girl by my mom’s name? Questions for later
“I sent him off to pick someone up,” Lisa Lisa said, “he won't be back until tomorrow at the earliest. But right now my focus is on this lad here.”
It felt like forever before I was able to catch my breath. Deep breaths. The air was so refreshing that I felt like I was getting a recharge. As I sat there, barely able to breathe, more screens appeared. They read, “ ‘Hamon’ skill tree unclocked”, “ ‘Hamon Breathing’ skill acquired. ‘the power of the sun, channeled by one’s breath’ ”. I could see some form of energy moving around my hands
“Wh-wh-what,” I managed to gasp out, “did y-you do to me...?”
“Seeing if you have some potential,” she replied, offering a hand, “and I must say, your hamon is particularly strong. Even for someone of your age.”
I pushed her hand aside as I helped myself up. I'm still a little hurt from the sucker punch she gave me. So I'm not really feeling all friendly with her yet.
“Whats this ‘hamon’ thing anyway? Why did you have to punch me like that?”
“Its the best way of a beginner to first channel their hamon.” Hover explained, “Its the life energy of everything.”
“And when used right,” Lisa Lisa added, “it can be a deadly weapon for vampires and the undead”
“Vampires?” I questioned, mockingly “Like vampires from horror novels? Do you really expect me to believe that?”
“Don't talk that way to Master Lisa Lisa!” Hover shouted, grabbing my shoulder
“It's alright, hover,” she said, with a smirk, “I got something in mind for him. You can go back to training.”
“B-but Lisa Lisa-”
“You can go back to training. I'm giving him a lesson he won't soon forget”
There was a moment of silence before Hover walked away to some other part of the training yard. When I looked back, there was no sign of her anywhere. When I turned back to face Lisa Lisa, there was suddenly some sort of respirator over my face. But no air was coming in for me to breath.
“Wh-what the?!” I barely said, trying to take the mask off, “Wh-what is this thing?! It's suffocating me!”
“That mask I've just put on you trains those wearing it how to breathe properly to channel hamon,” she explained, “if your breath is too soft, no air is given. If you breathe too hard, no air is given. Only when your breath just right is when you get the air everyone needs. I'll take it off when you master this technique.”
The first few moments of wearing this mask were the most painful and the most tedious hours of entire life. It was a constant struggle of finding the right way to breath. The fear of losing the right tempo was giving me cold sweats. Every now and then a screen would appear to inform me that i “leveled up” the Homan breathing skill. As of right now, it's at level 2. I have no idea what happens when I reach the level cap if there is even one.
“Just... How long... Do I have... To wear this for?” I asked between breaths.
“Until I feel like you mastered the technique.” Lisa Lisa replied, “ for must hamon users, it took them about a month.”
“Like Hell, I'm wearing this for a month!” I declared, “I’ll do it in two weeks!”
Level up! ‘Hamon breathing’ lv2 -->lv3
“I’d like to see you try.” Lisa Lisa chuckled, “but that would be impossible. There aren't any shortcuts when it comes to hamon. “
“I never asked to learn your hamon!”
Lisa Lisa kept silent for a moment as if she was preparing something to say. But then she turned her back to me and started walking away.
“Your training will begin when Ceaser returns,” she stated
“Hey! Wait for a minute!” I shouted, “How am I supposed to eat and sleep with this?! Don't walk away from me!”
Later that night
I could complain about my current situation with this mask, but I have worse problems. As far as I know, I'm in sometime before world war 2. So I just have to hope that get out of this time soon. But without that archer’s time-jumping ability, I'm stuck here. The best I can do is wait here in Venice until my chance comes.
I sat up on the bed I woke up on.
“Open skill tree,” I commanded, a window appearing before me.
The screen was focused on a tree going downward with darkened icons. Then it zoomed on the only few colored icons. Hamon going down to Hamon breathing, which was branching off to multiple other darken icons. All of these icons say that hamon breathing needs to be at a certain level before I can unlock them. How I can unlock them when I can is unknown to me. As far as I know, this is Remastered’s Ability.
“Statis: hamon breathing” I ordered, a screen of text appearing in front of the first screen
”Hamon breathing” lv 5. Until next level: 200/400xp. The skill required to charge hamon. The skill cannot be used if the user cannot breathe.
I let out a sigh and laid back down on the bed. I could feel the screens disappear as my head landed on the semisoft pillows on the bed. At least Lisa Lisa let me stay here until I finish her training, even if I didn't choose to learn. I could feel my stomach rumble as I haven't eaten all day. I could eat a horse at this rate.
As if on cue, the door opened with the sound of someone walking inside. The feeling of familiarity had swept over me. When I looked to see who and walked in, I saw Hover with some bread and water on a serving plate. It could be my hunger talking, but that bread looked so good.
“Your still up.” she stated, “Aren't you tired?”
“Can't sleep,” I replied, shrugging a bit “too scared of suffocating with this thing on my face.”
“It's not that bad.” she said, “Your body will adjust to the breathing patterns of the mask on while you sleep.”
I was silent for a moment. I hope to god that was true. I really didn't want to pull all-nighters until I got this mask off. I watched as Hover had placed the plate on the desk next to the door. As she turned to leave, I swear I saw a smile on her face
“Hey Hover,”I called out, stopping her in her tracks
“Yeah, Inigo?” she asked, looked back at me
“I've been meaning to ask you this." I said, "But, how did you find me?”
“Actually, Ceaser was the one who found you.” she started
"You see, it was during the middle of our late night sparing sessions when Ceaser saw some sort of light near one of the towers. It was brighter than any light he had ever seen in his life. I tried to stop him. But no matter what I did, he was determined to see what caused such brightness. It was as if he was being driven by fate to see.
When he came back, he was carrying you in his arms. You looked like in a real rough spot, so we brought you to Lisa Lisa. There was something about you that she saw. So she let you rest in this room while I tended to your wounds. From what Ceaser and I could tell, you were probably attacked by a vampire, the undead or worse, one of the remaining pillar man.
For the next two weeks, Lisa Lisa searched all of Italy to find any trace of the attacker. She found nothing during her search."
I took a moment to let that sink in. Did I just really appear out of nowhere for them? No wonder Lisa Lisa was wanted answers.
"But hey," Hover said, "that doesn't matter anymore. Because when you're done with your Hamon training, you don't have to worry about getting into that kind of situation anymore. Now get some sleep, you'll need all of your energy for when Ceaser comes back tomorrow."
"Yeah..." I sighed, laying back into the bed, " 'night Hover."
I could hear the door close after Hover shot the light off in the room. Closing my eyes, I tried to fall asleep.
TO BE CONTINUED
Chapter 18: Enter, Joseph Joestar and Ceaser Zeppelli
After a long restless night, the only thing on my mind this morning was going back to sleep. But I knew that would be impossible. Moments after the morning sun has gone through the window, the door has opened up.
"Get up.” Lisa Lisa demanded, "Ceaser will be here any minute."
Before I even had the chance to sit up, the door had already closed as Lisa Lisa left the room. Is she always like this? I might have a harder time here then I thought.
As I walked to the meeting place Lisa Lisa described yesterday, I see that it's completely empty. I began stretching when I noticed that a rowboat was floating adrift I'm the water surrounding the area. Someone was aboard the boat as they sat there. As if waiting for someone. I simply shrugged it off and leaned agents the wall behind me.
Something didn't feel right. Like an aura of bloodlust was staring down at me.
You sense a hostile presence close by...
My stand confirmed my suspicions as I looked to my left. As if on cue, someone had just walked behind the wall out of my sight. Someone was watching me, and they're planning some sort of attack. I can feel it.
Meanwhile in 1990
"I promise, master." a voice, similar to Lightning's, said, "My impersonator will not get close to you."
The room is darkened. The only light comes from dim candles, which seem to do nothing against the dark void that surrounds them. The person that spoke knew that this room is filled with many books as if it was a study.
He was kneeling in front of a chair, where his master would read to himself in the darkness. He didn't dare to look at him, as it would show unloyalty to the man that gave him such power. But his power was nowhere close to his master's.
"I'll even go after him upon your command."
"No." his master demanded, his attention was elsewhere, "I need you here with Ice and Petshop. Let the others do the dirty work."
There was silence for a moment as the two stood there. Seemingly frozen in time. Only the dancing flames of the candles seemed to be alive in the room.
"Tell me, Lightning." the master said, breaking the silence, "what were your first thoughts when pierced with the arrow?"
The servant looked up at his master, his face held no emotions on it. A carbon copy of Lightning Flash.
"My thoughts were like any other mortal. Full of fear and denial," he stated
"And how do you feel now?"
"I have no need for such emotions now. With you to guide me."
"I see..." the master closed his book, moving to get another one, "there have been some pests poking their noses where they shouldn't. Go with Ice take care of them for me."
"As you wish, master" the servant got up and left without another word
"Pepper?" Hover questioned, "on a sandwich?"
"What?" I exclaimed, taking a bite out of my lunch, "I like it this way. Everyone has there own preferences."
"I don't know. I feel like it doesn't sit right for other kinds of sandwiches." She stated
We had taken a break from sparing for some food. Because of the boxing and self-defense lessons I had since I was 10, I've been able to defend myself from most attackers. Until recently that is. I'm just lucky enough that the mask gets taken off for meals. If it didn't, I would have starved at this point.
"That's why I always make similar types of sandwiches." I explained, "Never Peanut butter and Jelly though. Got a small peanut allergy."
"That so? Then I'll just have to give you some peanut brittle on Christmas." She teased
"You wouldn't dare!" I gasped
Hover just laughed it off and continued to eat her food. I smirked and did the same. She and I are getting along pretty well. Despite the fact that she knocked me down whenever she gets the chance. Deep down I know she only wants to teach me how to protect myself. But it's nice to have someone to talk to.
After lunch, we went back to sparring.
Level up! 'Hamon Breathing' lv19 --> lv20
Level up! 'physical fighting' lv34 -->lv35
As far as I can tell, Hover and Lisa Lisa are not stand users. They seem to be just as clueless about stands as I was before MirrorShield. But their hamon is something similar to a stand. It's like a primal form of stands but without special abilities. Its because of this that hamon can be used in more ways than just one. It's flexible just like the people that use it.
If I can learn how to use hamon, I can use it as well as remastered when it's complete.
"Inigo. Hover" Lisa Lisa called out, interrupting the sparring match, "They're here. Follow me"
Hover and I looked at each other surprised before walking with Lisa Lisa to the tower called "Hell Climb Piller".
Hover told me stories of those who survive the tower. Most of them became masters of hamon to teach others. Some used what they learned to become very successful as doctors. Using hamon to heal others. Others just disappeared and were never heard from again. She even said that Lisa Lisa survived the tower herself. I can only imagine what Lisa Lisa as planned when we get there.
When we made it to the base of the tower, which just seemed to be a massive door made of iron, there were two surprisingly tall teens waiting for us. the one on the left was wearing a breathing mask just like me with a short sleeve shirt and some jeans. the one on the right was wearing some sort of an Italian jacket with an undershirt, pants and a bandanna. both of them were wearing some kind of boots.
"This is the Prologue," Lisa Lisa declared, "We call it 'The Hell Climb Piller!'"
"M-master!" Hover called out, "You can't be serious! Their starting with the Piller?!"
"Not even I have attempted it Coach." the one on the right stated, "It claimed countless of trainees' lives."
There was a sudden chill in the air. Just how many have died trying this?
"if you three cant overcome this test, you have no right to be here." Lisa Lisa said coldly
"Hey, don't keep the secret to yourselves!" the one on the left demanded, the door opening behind them, "what the hell is this thing anyway?"
"Lisa Lisa?" I questioned, placing a hand on her shoulder, "Just what exactly are you planning on doing?"
"Step through these doors and you'll see" she replied, grabbing my arm and throwing me over her shoulder.
The amount of power she threw me with was enough force to knock the two in front of her down a gaping hole. with me alongside them. I could hear one of the two called out to Lisa Lisa as we fell further and further in.
Suddenly, all three of us landed with a splash of some sort of liquid. as I surfaced, the three of us were coated with almost chest high fluid. well, about waist high for them
"What the?" I gasped looking as my soaked gloves, "...Is this oil?"
"wait a minute!" the one with the mask called out, "It's flowing down the pillar! What the hell?!"
"This is a 42-meter climb to the top!" Lisa Lisa shouted down from the doors, "You must complete this climb with only your hands. there is no other way out. If you can't make the climb, then you will die in there"
With that, she closed the giant doors. surely enough, there was no other opening beside the one overhead
"We have to go up that?!" the one with the mask questioned
"We have to go up that?!" the masked man questioned
The pillar ahead towered over the tree of us. It was obvious that there was nothing to grab onto just by looking at it. Let alone let us climb it.
"This is gotta be some kind of a sick joke." I claimed, sliding my hand across the pillar, "How are we even supposed to climb this? Besides it flowing oil down, it's smoother marble furniture. There's no way for any of us to get a good grip on it."
"Maybe you should tell him that." the masked man stated, pointing out to the Italian man.
When I looked he had somehow was already about 20 feet up. Slowly working his way up with only his bare hands. How is he doing it? There Must be some sort of trick he's using to get that high up already.
"Come on kid, " the masked man said, jumping onto the pillar "we can't let Caesar get ahead of us like this."
But unlike the man ahead of us, he only slid back down into the oil. There definitely something we're missing here. But what? Does it have to do with hamon? If it does, how do I get it to work?
"Jojo! Lightning!" Caesar called out, looking down at us "The longer it takes, the harder it gets! Hurry up and-!"
He was just about to finish his sentence when he suddenly slid down a few feet. Refocussing on the task at hand. He must have been keeping consideration on what he's doing. He wouldn't have fallen otherwise. Even talking will break focus.
"This is ridiculous!" Jojo shouted angerly, lashing out on the oil and pillar "I just got here! She knows I don't have the power to climb this bloody Pillar!"
"You this you're in a bad situation!" I retorted, turning to face him, "I don't have a clue on what's going on! And she expects me to get up there too!"
"Damn her for tossing us down like that! She lost all respect I have for her!"
At that moment, Jojo had taken the overcoat he was wearing, revealing a sports top underneath, and began ripping it in half. Working the fabric into a makeshift robe and wrapping it around the pillar its self.
"A lot of Trainees died taking this test Right?" he asked, wrapping his wrists to tighten his grip on the pillar, "Are you sure they weren't too stupid?"
Now with a way to go up, Jojo began to climb up the pillar. He's smart I'll give him that. But didn't Lisa Lisa say the only way up is with hamon?
He had made it about 10 feet before there was a flash of light. Suddenly the rope was cut in two, making Jojo fall back into the pool of oil with a splash. He soon quickly resurfaced with a gasp. What happened? What cut the rope just now? Was it the pillar?
No... There wasn't anything on the pillar that could cut anything... Then what did?
I turned to see that there was a knife impeeded deep into the wall behind me.
"Using anything but hamon is an insult to the pillar!" The voice of Lisa Lisa called out, "Hell Climb Pillar loves hamon and rejects all else! Never forget that!"
Did she just the rope with a throwing knife?! She must be watching on top. Making sure none of us cheat. This is getting more complicated as time goes on. But when I looked up, Lisa Lisa was about to just walk away.
"H-hay wait a minute!" I called out, "Y-you not just gonna leave us in here to die, Right? I don't have a clue how to use hamon!"
"It's my first day here," Jojo confessed, "so I don't have a lot of power to climb up this thing. This is just a test to get us fired up. You'll pull us out, right?"
Lisa Lisa gave no response. She only looked down at us with a cold expression. It didn't show any sights a care or enlargement of our words. Then just turned and walked away. Leaving us alone.
"She... She really is going to let us die." I gulped, "What are we going to do?! I'm too young to die!"
"Blast it all..." Jojo growled, clenching a gest on the pillar, "Who does she think she is?! Her being cute is making me more pissed off!"
28 hours later
Jojo and I have made no progress on climbing this pillar. Ceaser is about 50 feet up now. I still can't wrap my head on how he's even able to go up at all. Despite being the only one to make progress, he's starting to look tired.
"Should we be worried?" I asked watching "What if he falls down?"
Jojo didn't respond. He just continued watching Ceaser climb. It's amazing really. Everytime he about to climb up, he always seems to ready to fall down. How does he do it? Something is making him cling on.
"I got it!" Jojo suddenly gasped
"What is it?" I questioned, looking at him
He took a deep breath, the sound of electricity coming out of nowhere, before jumping onto the pillar. This time, he actually stuck on! He actually figured it out! And he was going to leave me in the dust!!
By watching a demonstration from a hamon user, you have learned the skill "hamon charge". "Hamon Charge" lv. Max.-- By using the skill, a hamon user can charge their bodies with either positive or negative hamon energy to perform various tasks. The energy can be dispersed from any part of the body. Even their fingertips!
I felt the screens appear as I was watching Jojo began his climb up. Upon reading them, I quickly focused my attention back to Jojo. That's what the two are doing!
By charging hamon, they can stick themselves onto the oiled pillar and climb up. It makes so much sense now. How did something so simple evade me for a little over a day? Now to just follow their lead
"Cocky bastard!" I called out, ready to jump " don't think you're so clever!"
I can already feel it. The energy from my first burst of hamon. Its like I'm being filled with life itself. The sound from earlier filling the room slightly.
"Talk all you want kid!" he replied, slowly making more progress, "I'm getting out of here and torturing that woman!"
With a single jump, I planted myself onto the pillar. Then... I did it! The energy was clinging onto the oil! It's strange. I should feel some sort of shock, but I'm not. Its like I'm using a stand to grab on. With just my fingertips too!
"Race ya to the top, Jojo!" I declared while quickly working my way up. Already reaching to his hight of 10 feet.
Another day had passed since starting this death test. Ceaser is still leading with 60 feet, Jojo with 53 feet. With me in dead last at 33 feet. This is a lot harder than I first thought. A straight climb up with nothing to relax on is extremely tiring. I must have gotten physically weaker because my core and upper body strength isn't what it used to be. I need to try something different if I need to catch up. But I risk falling down if I try. At the same time, if this keeps up as it is, is doomed to fall when my energy wears off.
Maybe if I try using my legs instead. That way, I can just walk up the pillar. That could work. I just need to stay focused.
Taking a deep breath, I planted my feet firmly on the pillar. Dispersing the energy to my legs. so far so good I thought to myself as I slowly moved my hands away from the smooth surface. There was a slight slide downward, which resulted in an up in energy output. Other than that, it was an overall success.
"N-now to just w-walk..." I shuddered to myself, slowly starting to walk up the pillar
Step after step, I can catch back up to them. Before I moved to a new home. I would walk everywhere. So naturally, my legs would be stronger than the rest my body. But even so, working directly against gravity like this is a lot more straining than anyone could imagine.
3 hours later
I can tell why they slowed down so much when they got this high up. I can feel the pillar widen out as it goes up. It's like walking up a mountain that suddenly got more impossible to climb up than Mount Everest. But it won't stop me from going up. I've managed to catch up to Jojo at 60 feet with my idea. Once I got used to waking up, I started to walk faster. But maybe I should have stuck to a slower pace. I've had to stop to rest for the tenth time now, kneeling down onto the pillar and sticking my hands onto it.
"Th...this is..."I struggled to say, "Too much... For a st...stupid test!"
As if the universe had heard me, a sound of a switch went off rang throughout the tunnel. Then suddenly a jet of oil shot out just ahead of us two. It's thin, thin enough to see past it. Ceaser being just ahead of the jet, looked back down at me and Jojo. He looked like he was upset about something.
"W-whats up Ceaser?" Jojo asked, "what's with the look?"
Ceaser gave no response as he refocused on climbing up the tower. As he climbed, a pen fell from his coat pocket. It only fell for a moment before it disappeared. It must have been pulverized by the pressure the jet is giving off. There's no way Jojo and I can get through it.
9 hours later
Ceaser made it to the top.
I can hear him begging Lisa Lisa to stop the test. I'm too exhausted to make out any words...
Jojo and I haven't made any progress ever since the jet started. I can't see a way past it. It has to end at some point, right?
The next day
I'm the only one left hanging in the test. Jojo pulled a stunt that launched him the top of the pillar. He managed to slide with the jet and jumped over it. the pressure must get weaker the farther it gets from the source. I'm not strong enough to do something similar.
I've managed to stay on the pillar so far. But I can feel the energy slowly fading from my body.
I have to do something or I'm done for! I can't die here!
Do to the will to survive, the Remastered update had increased to 20%!
New milestone reached!
You are now able to summon the right arm of Remastered for a small period of time!
I just skimmed through the pop-ups as the appeared. taking a moment on the last one.
"Remastered's right arm?" I whispered to myself, "M-maybe I can use it to block the jet... N-no.. if remastered isn't durable enough to take it as a shield, I'll lose a hand... m-maybe with enough pressure of my own... I can open the jet long enough to make it threw..."
I can feel my feet start to slide down the pillar. it's now or never!
Cupping one of my hands on the pillar, I gathered a small amount of oil. then I summoned Remastered just outside of it. revealing a cyber blue hand with a fingerless glove. it followed my hand perfectly as I aimed at the small slit in the pillar. I can feel that someone was watching as I threw the oil towards the pillar as hard as I could. With remastered's assist, it went harder than I could have imagined.
Bullseye! in an instant, there was now a shallow cut in the pillar. oil started to spray in every direction the pressure of the jet dropped. but it wasn't enough. The jet must have lessened the force of it.
try again... I thought to myself One more time... One more time...
I needed this to work. It has to work. I placed my hand back onto the pillar to gather more oil as I felt my feet slip off the pillar. My grip on my hand wasn't prepared to hold my weight so suddenly. I felt like I was going to fall as the oil gathered in my hand dropped down to the pool below.
My breathing was out of control as the energy began to fade away faster. The mask started to suffocate me due to the lack of control. I need to hurry up.
I placed my other hand back on to the pillar at ger a better grip as I summoned remastered's arm to gather the oil.
"j-just one solid cut!" I told myself as remastered readied to throw another blade of oil.
"KORDA!"
I couldn't even see how fast the arm went. The arm disappeared as the jet's pressure got disturbed. Now instead of a solid stream, there was now a cone of oil spraying from the cuts. This was my chance!
Without a second thought, I started climbing up the pillar. I felt a sudden burst of energy as I climbed. Nothing else mattered more than finally getting to the top and getting some rest. I didn't even worry about how increasingly hard it was getting the higher I got.
Left arm, pull up. right arm, pull up. left arm, pull up. right arm, pull up.
It didn't take long before I had a solid grip on the edge. I was shaking from exhaustion as pulled myself over to solid ground. it felt amazing to not have to hold myself against gravity anymore. I almost passed out right there. That was until Lisa Lisa's shadow looked over me. I barely had the strength to look over to her.
