Setting: Argentum Trade Guild
Rex: A-are you serious!? A hundred thousand gold for a single mission!?
Standing with a bewildered expression on his face, the scavenger boy Rex stared at the man he was speaking to in the far corner of the Argentum Trade Guild. The tall, well-built man’s face was obscured by the shawl he was wearing, but Rex could still hear his mature voice as he responded to Rex’s enthusiastic exclamation.
Shady Man: I’ll advise you to keep your voice down… But yes. Should you complete the job to my standards, you’ll be walking away with a staggering sum.
Although blown away by the man’s immense proposition, Rex was somewhat skeptical, and justly so. Something about this man felt inherently untrustworthy to him, and it wasn’t just the fact that his face was completely hidden from view. Pulling himself together, Rex decided to press the man on his huge offer.
Rex: The only other person I know who pays that well for a job is Chairman Bana… Do you have any way of proving that you can make good on your payment?
The stranger’s chest convulsed in what Rex could only guess to be a low chuckle. One of his hands slipped into the folds of his coat, and after a moment of searching, he produced a leather sack that he promptly tossed at Rex, who caught it after it bounced off his chest with surprising weight. Holding the pouch in one hand, Rex undid the knots that tied shut the opening, and when he pulled apart the flaps of the sack, a bright golden glimmer greeted his eyes. The pouch contained countless gold coins, dazzling to the average eye.
Shady Man: There’s your fifty thousand advance payment, should you decide you want to take up my offer. I’ve heard your capabilities are well worth that kind of chum change.
Rex stared at the glistening gold coins in his hands, his jaw hanging agape. Another low chuckle escaped the strange man’s lips, and beneath the shade of his shawl, his lips curled up into a sinister grin.
Shady Man: I take it by your expression that you’re ready to agree to my terms?
Collecting himself quickly, Rex nodded and slipped the massive sum of gold into his diving suit’s pockets.
Rex: R-right! What’s the work you have cut out for me?
The shadowy man’s grin widened beneath his shawl. Rex felt something of a cold spell run through him, although he couldn’t be sure as to why.
Shady Man: Your job is simple. Presently there is a man in Gormott who is one of my sworn enemies. Medium build, dark jacket and hat, delinquent demeanor. You will know him by the name of JoJo. Kill him and bring me proof of his death, and you’ll get your other fifty thousand.
Rex’s blood ran cold all of a sudden. Was he being hired to kill someone? The thought put him in a state of unease, but the strange, shady man seemed to pick up on Rex’s hesitation.
Shady Man: What’s the matter, Rex? Do I need to take back that payment?
In a moment of panic at the thought of losing the immense sum of money he had been promised, Rex shook his head rapidly.
Rex: O-oh, no, not at all, sir! I’ll, uh… We’ll head out to Gormott right away!
As Rex turned to leave, he slammed himself in his own mind for being so hasty. He’d have to think of some way to trick the man, because he wasn’t comfortable with taking someone else’s life, regardless of the price tag attached to their corpse.
After Rex has vanished around the corner of the nearby market stalls, the shady man chuckled to himself and removed his shawl, letting his gold hair spill out. This was all too perfect. If this Rex child was truly as strong as his informants had told him he was, then…
Dio Brando: …Say your prayers, JoJo. Your end draws close.
—
Setting: Gormott Province
Pyra: So… We’re just looking for someone out here?
As they walked across the lush plains of the Gormott Province, Pyra, the legendary Aegis, eyeballed Rex as she inquired further about the new job he had suddenly acquired while they were shopping for supplies in the trade guild. He had been insistent on a hasty departure, thus having left little time for an explanation on the way to the Gormott Titan. In response to Pyra’s question, Rex nodded, his gaze swiveling across the landscape as if he was expecting to see their target out in the distance of the vast plains.
Rex: Yup! We just have to beat them and bring back something as proof. Should be easy, right?
Folding her arms across her chest, Pyra stared at her Driver as he continued to scour the land before him.
Pyra: And what do we know about this person? Do we know if they’re a Driver? What if they’re dangerous?
Rex blinked, realizing that he actually wasn’t given much information about their target outside of what he looked like.
Rex: Well… Uh… He’s supposed to be wearing a dark jacket… Black hat… Uhmm…
Pyra sighed. Some things never change.
Meanwhile, across the open plains of Gormott, a single figure rested beneath the shade of a bizarre tree, wildlife roaming the grasslands around him. He was seated at the base of the large plant, allowing his legs some time to rest, as he had been exploring the vast land around him. Sighing and letting his head lean back, Jotaro Kujo sighed openly, expressing his neutral annoyance with his current predicament as he lamented mentally.
Jotaro: ‘Yare yare… I’ve been wandering these damn plains for hours and I still haven’t found any sign of this Torigoth place. Kakyoin and the old man are probably already there… Why’d I even let them go ahead of me?’
With a grunt, Jotaro pushed himself to his feet and surveyed the plains once more. Several different types of otherworldly creatures roamed the land, from avian creatures patrolling the skies to strange ape beasts out for a stroll in the open, lush grass.
Jotaro: Not another person in sight… Just my luck.
As he looked around, however, the faint but familiar sound of people talking caught his attention. Beyond the sounds of indigenous creatures roaming, Jotaro could faintly hear a conversation between at least two people, whose moving figures were somewhat distant across the grasslands.
Rex: …Nothing to worry about! If he’s anywhere on Gormott, he’s sure to be in Torigoth.
Pyra: I’m still a little concerned that we don’t know what he’s capable of…
Rex: Don’t worry, Pyra. I’ve kept you safe until now, haven’t I?
As soon as the strangers had mentioned Torigoth, Jotaro’s interest was piqued. If they knew the way to get to Torigoth, then his problems were all fixed. Breaking out into a run, the young Joestar made his way past the giant ape-like beasts populating the plains, and in no time he was close to the two travelers.
Rex and Pyra’s attentions were grabbed by the calling of someone to their left, and they turned to see Jotaro running up to them. Pyra’s eyes snapped wide open upon seeing him, and Rex eyed him curiously as Jotaro came to a stop in front of them, taking a second to regain his breath before speaking to them.
Jotaro: Sorry to intrude, but did I hear you say you know the way to Torigoth?
As Jotaro stared at the pair, Pyra’s stance shifted ever so slightly as she sized up the delinquent. Medium build. Black jacket. Black hat. It couldn’t be a coincidence. Under her breath, Pyra warned her partner of her suspicion.
Pyra: Rex, this must be…
Rex nodded wordlessly, still addressing Jotaro with his eyes.
Rex: Well, yeah… We were just on our way there.
Pyra’s averse stance and Rex’s cautious behavior were not lost on Jotaro. His keen eyes noticed glints of recognition in their eyes; almost as if they had recognized him from somewhere. He’d never seen them before, though…
Jotaro: Well? Are you gonna tell me how to get there? I’m kind of lost out here.
Taking Jotaro’s naturally neutral expression as a sign of annoyance, Rex slowly began to reach for the Aegis Blade on his back, attempting to keep his target from noticing.
Rex: …Your name… It wouldn’t happen to be JoJo, would it?
Jotaro blinked in response to this strange boy guessing his name out of the blue. Someone must have told him he would be out here… And there were only a select few people that Jotaro could think of that would refer to him in that way.
Jotaro: …Why do you care?
That was all the confirmation that Rex needed. In a flash, his hand gripped the hilt of the Aegis, and he drew it, its blade coming to life with energy.
Rex: Sorry, but you’re not making it to Torigoth! Come on, Pyra! Let’s go!
Pyra: Right behind you, Rex!
As Driver and Blade rushed in to attack, Jotaro scowled and pulled the brim of his hat down in irritation. He’d have to beat the directions out of them, then. So be it.
Jotaro: Yaye yare daze…
Rex shouted out as he swung the Aegis in a diagonal arc, aiming to cut their target down to size. He was surprised, however, when the blade’s edge seemingly stopped on nothing. He felt it hit something, but all he could see between his sword and Jotaro’s shoulder was thin air.
Rex: What the-!?
Taking advantage of Rex’s momentary surprise, Jotaro brought his fist back and drove it into the young Driver’s face with surprising force.
Jotaro: ORA!
Rex stumbled back several paces as his vision spun from being decked in the face. Pyra winced as she felt the same pain dart through her own body, but she gripped Rex’s shoulders to steady her Driver. After a moment of recovery, Rex righted himself and glared down Jotaro, who had taken the time to size up the both of them. The color coordination between his weapon and the girl at his side couldn’t be a coincidence… Was this some bizarre new type of Stand?
That didn’t matter right now. Resuming his neutral stance as Jotaro’s own Stand, Star Platinum, hovered behind him, he and Rex locked eyes as the tension in the air rippled.
Jotaro: I don’t know who sent you after me… But I don’t really care. If you’re gonna fight me…
Both parties exploded towards each other, preparing for the ensuing battle.
Jotaro: …Then let’s make this quick.
Rex approached Jotaro with a sideways-angled swing of the Aegis, which Star Platinum easily kicked away. Pyra, standing behind Rex, held her hands out as the connection between Driver and Blade strengthened Rex, invigorating him to swing at Jotaro several more times. Every swing of his blade that he threw was deflected by Jotaro’s Stand, however, and as Jotaro’s uninterested expression didn’t waver once, Rex grew frustrated and spun around with the Aegis extended.
Rex: Double Spinning Edge!
The first strike was blocked by Star Platinum the same as the others, but the Aegis slid across it and came back around for a second pass. This time, Jotaro himself raised his foot and kicked the blade up, taking Rex by surprise and causing his balance to weaken.
Star Platinum: ORA!
The Stand emerged once more and threw a single short-range jab at Rex’s jaw, knocking the boy square in his mouth and making him stumble backward. Rex collided with Pyra, who helped to steady him once again.
Rex: Ghh… I dunno what’s goin’ on. He’s got some kinda force field around him; I can’t even get a hit in!
As Rex lamented over his inability to land a hit on Jotaro, Pyra began to feel a presence around their opponent. As Rex spoke, she tuned in on the presence, making out the shape of a well-built man hovering behind Jotaro.
Pyra: No… It’s not a force field. There’s something coming from him that’s protecting him… I can sense it. Come on, let’s keep going!
Rex nodded and handed the Aegis to Pyra, taking out his own scavenger broadsword. The both of them then charged towards Jotaro, who had been waiting with some impatience.
Jotaro: A two-fronted attack, eh? Star Platinum!
Emerging from its user, Star Platinum trained its keen senses on Pyra, who, sensing its presence to Jotaro’s right, ran straight for it.
Pyra: I’ll keep his spirit busy! Focus on him!
Rex nodded in understanding at Pyra’s plan. With any luck, their target would be harder pressed to defend himself without his guardian spirit doing it all for him.
Rex: You got it!
As Rex charged at him with his broadsword at the ready, Jotaro watched Pyra engage with Star Platinum. How peculiar it was that the boy didn’t seem capable of seeing his Stand, yet the girl could sense it with enough accuracy to trade blows with it in close range. He didn’t have much time to think it over, however, as Rex was already closing in, driving the tip of his blade forward.
Rex: Take this!
Fluidly, Jotaro sidestepped the stabbing move, causing Rex to look up in surprise as Jotaro withdrew his hands from his pockets and landed two quick cross jabs on Rex’s cheeks. This time, however, Jotaro noticed something out of the corner of his eye – Pyra was wincing in tune with the punches he’d landed on her Driver. Again, though, Jotaro didn’t have time to ponder the implications of that discovery, as Rex was already back to swinging his blade.
Meanwhile, Pyra was weaving in and out of range of Star Platinum’s fists, which swung violently as they tried to hit her. Its battle cry of ORA ORA ORA rang in her ears as she blocked a flurry of punches, and when she tried to move from a defensive position to an offensive one, the Aegis was quickly knocked to the side before another punch was thrown at her head, barely grazing her cheek as she leaned her head out of harm’s way.
Pyra: ‘This thing is fast…!’
In response to Star Platinum’s punch, Pyra swung the Aegis down, nicking the Stand’s arm before the blade buried itself in the dirt. Jotaro winced as a sizable cut appeared on his arm, digging through his jacket and into his skin. Rex took notice of the suddenly appearing slash mark, and he called out to Pyra while continuing to swing his blade at Jotaro himself.
Rex: Pyra! I think whatever you do to that spirit thing happens to him as well! Take any opening you get!
Pyra: Okay!
Jotaro grimaced as he continued to evade Rex’s sword swings. After dodging a particularly reckless diagonal slash, he lashed out with a sharp kick to Rex’s shoulder, making the Driver stumble to the side. This gave Jotaro the opportunity he needed to look over at Star Platinum locked in combat with Pyra. He was getting close to reaching his maximum range with his Stand, but that was hardly his biggest concern when he saw Pyra channeling her power into the buried Aegis. It began to glow with power and the ground beneath Star Platinum began to glow as well, even bulging upwards slightly as power built up beneath it.
Jotaro: ‘Damn it…!’
Pyra: Prominence… REVOLT!
After Pyra announced the attack, a huge column of fire burst from the ground, creating a fiery explosion around Star Platinum’s location. It only lasted for a second, and when it died down, Pyra could no longer sense the fighting spirit in front of her.
Rex: What the-!? He’s gone!
Instead, she sensed its presence behind her.
In a sudden blur, seemingly almost like he teleported from one place to another, Jotaro appeared directly behind Pyra, he and Star Platinum glowing brightly with a yellow aura. Before she could even turn around, his finger was pointed at her, and Star Platinum was springing into action, its fists clenched.
Jotaro: Good try.
Before either Rex or Pyra could do anything to stop the coming onslaught, Pyra felt a torrent of powerful punches rain down upon her back. Both Pyra and Rex grimaced as they felt the same pain of Star Platinum’s knuckles hammering down on the Blade’s back, the sounds of ORA ORA ORA ORA filling the air. Star Platinum finished its tirade of strikes with a downward punch to the back of Pyra’s head, sending her tumbling across the grass.
Before Jotaro could move to check the boy, however, he perceived something flying towards him at a high speed. He stepped out of the way, and the object passed by his body without piercing his flesh, but it tore through the fabric of his jacket, and it was then that Jotaro realized what exactly it was.
Jotaro: What!? A hookshot!?
Gritting his teeth in anger, Rex pulled hard on the Anchor Shot’s tether, causing it to begin rewinding back into its coil. The force of the shot’s retreat pulled Jotaro along with, and Rex charged at him with his broadsword at the ready in his right hand.
Rex: Leave her alone!!
The tip of Rex’s broadsword embedded itself in Jotaro’s gut, causing the Stand user to spit up some blood as he was brutally stabbed. The Anchor Shot ripped through Jotaro’s jacket and snapped back into Rex’s wrist-mounted anchor, and Rex quickly withdrew the blade before kicking Jotaro away. The delinquent sprawled on the ground as his stomach began to bleed, his breathing somewhat shaky, and Rex ran over towards Pyra to help her up. He knelt next to her, picking her up and helping her back to her feet.
Rex: Pyra, are you okay?
The Blade’s whole body ached from head to toe, the sting of Star Platinum’s knuckles still throbbing in her skin. There were a few streaks of blood running down the side of her head, coming from scrapes she’d sustained from being sent flying across the plains. Those same scrapes had opened on Rex’s head, though they had yet to bleed. Pyra swallowed the pain and nodded in answer, one hand held to her head and the other holding Rex to steady herself.
Pyra: Y-yeah… Nothing major…
Rex couldn’t help but smile in relief. However, his smile didn’t last long, as he suddenly wrapped his arms around Pyra and pulled her to the side as a giant chunk of land flew past them.
Rex: What the-!?
Plunging its hands into the ground once again, Star Platinum ripped up huge chunks of dirt and plants, punching them and sending them flying at Rex and Pyra as makeshift ranged attacks. The Stand was buying time for Jotaro to get back on his feet, which he did with moderate difficulty. The stab wound in his gut was extremely painful, but not too dissimilar from anything Jotaro had dealt with before. As he rose back to full height, he shut out the pain of his wounds and focused on his enemies.
Jotaro: Bastards… Come on! Now I’m angry!
Star Platinum began to toss up more chunks of land, hitting them towards Rex and Pyra with greater strength. They both began to run to the side, evading Star Platinum’s barrage. The chunks of land went flying across the plains, several animals scrambling to run from the chunks of soil.
Rex: Pyra! The Aegis!
As they ran past the crimson blade, which Pyra had dropped after going flying, she stooped down mid-sprint and picked it up by the hilt. With both of them holding their blades at the ready, they charged straight towards Jotaro and his Stand, slashing through the chunks of earth that otherwise would have decimated them.
Pyra: Let’s give it everything we’ve got!
Rex: I like your attitude!
As Driver and Blade became fully synchronized in their charge, they met Star Platinum head-on, blazing fast sword swings meeting insanely quick punches. Rex and Pyra shouted loudly, matching Star Platinum’s barrage of ORAs as their battle cries mixed with the sounds of their attacks constantly clashing rang out across the Gormott plains. The cacophony of battle reached the sounds of one particular Gormott native, waking him from his sleep on a cliff high above the base plains where Rex, Pyra, Jotaro, and Star Platinum were.
And it was none too happy about being roused.
Seemingly out of nowhere, the ground shook as that Gormott native slowly got up. Surprised by the quakes, the combatants’ clash abruptly ceased, and they looked around to see what was approaching. From above them, the awakened being leered down from over the edge of its cliff, and it jumped down, plummeting straight towards the two parties. Pyra was the first to notice, and panic quickly gripped her.
Pyra: FROM ABOVE!
Pyra grabbed Rex’s arm and quickly pulled him out of harm’s way, while Jotaro scoffed and quickly jumped a safe distance away. The giant being crashed to the ground, sending splinters shooting through the foundation of the Gormott Titan’s plains. The dirt kicked up quickly subsided, and the angered native was revealed – a giant Territorial Rotbart. The ape creature glared down at both parties before beating its massive fists against its hairy chest, roaring in a furious declaration of war against Rex, Pyra, and Jotaro for waking it from its nap.
Rex: That’s… A really big Rotbart…
Pyra: And it looks pretty angry, to say the least…
Before either Rex or Pyra could do anything, Jotaro stepped towards the giant ape beast with the same uninterested look as always. He pulled down the brim of his hat, stopping a few paces in front of Rex and Pyra.
Jotaro: Yare yare daze… Stupid monkey. I guess it’s about time I used it…
For emphasis on his words, Jotaro pointed up towards the giant Rotbart, which glared back down at him with burning fury in its eyes.
Jotaro: …The JOESTAR FAMILY’S SECRET TECHNIQUE!!As soon as Jotaro had uttered those words, he turned into a blur and was instantly gone. Rex and Pyra were both surprised and looked around, expecting a grand attack from Jotaro to come flying in from any angle. Suddenly, though, they heard the sounds of rapid footsteps behind them. When Rex looked over his shoulder, he saw Jotaro running in the direction opposite the giant ape, exactly five seconds’ worth of paces away from where he was first standing.
Rex: Wha- HEY!! WHERE ARE YOU GOING!?
Quickly turning tail from the huge Rotbart, Rex and Pyra took off after Jotaro as fast as their legs could carry them. Not intending on letting its prey escape unscathed, the monstrous ape roared and began chasing after them.
Rex and Pyra quickly caught up to Jotaro, the huge Rotbart hot on their heels as they sprinted across the wide, open Gormott plains. As they maintained the same running speeds, Rex turned and offered Jotaro an exasperated look in the midst of their fleeing.
Rex: What was that!? I thought you were going to use your secret technique!
Not returning Rex’s glance, Jotaro kept his focus ahead as he ran from the Rotbart’s fury.
Jotaro: I did. Get out of the way if you like not being flat.
As soon as Jotaro issued his warning to the both of his enemies, the Rotbart leaped high into the air with its arms raised above its head, bellowing in rage as it moved to crush its foes flat. While Rex and Pyra kept running away, Jotaro turned on a heel and leaped into the air, heading straight towards the ape’s exposed chest.
Jotaro: Star Platinum!
Jotaro’s Stand emerged and delivered a blur of punches to the Rotbart’s gut, causing the beast to lose its pouncing stance and fall to the ground, the wind beat out from its lungs. Jotaro landed softly, and Rex and Pyra turned and began running back towards Jotaro and the giant ape, both sets of combatants ready to take the fight to their titanic adversary.
Grabbing Pyra by the hand and using his Anchor Shot to secure a hold on the giant beast’s toe, Rex scaled its foot and the both of them landed on its leg. They continued to scale its furry body as it started to get back on all fours. Jotaro took off running once it had gotten back up, and by that time, Rex and Pyra had secured holds in the tufts of its fur on its wide shoulders. The huge Rotbart roared and chased after Jotaro, not noticing the stowaways.
As the huge beast chased Jotaro across the plains, it uprooted trees and snatched up smaller monster, throwing them at the evasive Stand user. Every time it threw something, Star Platinum appeared and either caught it and threw it back or simply punched it into oblivion. Finally, in sheer anger of its prey’s slipperiness, the Rotbart ripped a giant boulder out of its home in the dirt and threw it at Jotaro.
As the huge rock sailed towards him, Jotaro stopped running and spun around on a dime, instantly extending his arm and pointing at the rock. Star Platinum wound up and threw a single, powerful punch, its fist colliding with the rock with dead-on accuracy. It pushed against the huge stone with all its might, making the Rotbart grunt in confusion.
Star Platinum: OOOOOOOOOOORA!!
By extending its arm fully with a violent motion, Star Platinum launched the rock straight back at the huge ape, hitting it square in the face with the force and weight of a cannonball. It shattered on impact with the ape’s head, and as the shards fell to the ground, the Rotbart was revealed to now have a broken nose and a black eye, trails of blood leaking down its face. It looked extremely dazed, and it even sagged backward slightly. This caused Rex and Pyra to begin losing their hold on its fur as gravity started working against them further.
Rex: I can’t hold on much longer! It’s our turn now, Pyra!
Pyra: Let’s go, Rex!
Both Driver and Blade sprung up onto the ape’s shoulders, finally catching its attention. They began nimbly leaping around its body, jumping and grappling from limb to limb as they slashed at the Rotbart’s fur-covered body. As it swung its huge right arm at Rex, who was now perched on its leg, Rex ducked underneath and placed his broadsword’s edge up to its skin, letting the massive movement do the work for him. The ape cried out as its skin was slitten open, but it didn’t have time to exact revenge upon Rex, for Pyra was slashing at the flesh of its neck, igniting its greasy fur with her fire abilities.
As both of them leaped from place to place on the beast’s body, it kept trying to swat them away like the pesky flies that they appeared to be. After dodging a smack, Rex dug his blade into the Rotbart’s hand, the sharp metal blade driving through the flesh of its hand and into the meat of its thigh. The ape screamed out in pain as its hand became stuck, and Rex leaped up towards the monstrous gorilla’s chest.
Rex: Pyra!
Rex extended an arm toward Pyra, who was still perched on the beast’s shoulder. Understanding, Pyra tossed him the Aegis and hopped down from its shoulder onto the ground. Rex caught the red blade in midair and channeled his strength before driving the blade’s tip into the Rotbart’s upper chest.
Rex: SWORD BASH!!
The impact forced the huge ape to stumble backward, directly into the hands of Jotaro and Star Platinum, who had moved to stand behind its shorter hind legs. The two swiftly began to beat down on the backs of its knees, attempting to force it to its knees.
Jotaro/SP: ORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORA!! ORAAA!!!
With a mirrored final punch, the Rotbart cried out in pain as it was forced to kneel on the ground. This left a perfect opening for Rex and Pyra, who both nodded at each other in understanding before leaping into the air. They held the Aegis over their heads, and it began to spin around with great power, flames leaping from its blade as they channeled their power.
Rex: FLAME…
Pyra: …NOVA!!
The rapidly spinning Aegis was flung down at the waiting Rotbart, and it wailed loudly as a huge explosion of flames erupted in its face. The burst of fire lit up the entirety of the Gormott plains, even momentarily blinding Rex and Pyra with its intense flash of light. The giant ape monster’s body crashed to the ground with a huge boom, and Rex and Pyra dropped to the ground, deftly touching down on the soft plains grass with the Aegis still simmering with heat from the epic explosion. While a giant cloud of soil kicked up by the animal’s fall shot into the air, Rex was beaming with pride at the epic finisher they’d laid on the fallen creature.
Rex: Pyra, that was AWESOME! When was the last time we did a Flame Nova of that size!?
Pyra, flustered by Rex’s sudden praise, looked off to the side as she played down his kind words.
Pyra: O-oh, it wasn’t that amazing… We wouldn’t even have had the chance to use it if it weren’t for –
In a classic moment of ‘speak and he shall appear,’ the cloud of dirt was dispersed by a rapid movement, and before Rex and Pyra had the chance to perceive it or react in time, Rex felt something hard press against his sternum – more precisely, directly against his half of Pyra’s Core Crystal. His expression dropped massively, and Pyra, sensing something was wrong, quickly became concerned and looked towards the curtain of dust, which quickly dropped to reveal Jotaro standing in place, his hand pointing towards them. She noticed that his hand was angled on its side rather than straight up, as it had previously been.
Jotaro: Hm. Pretty impressive, but dropping your guard while your opponent is still conscious is a stupid mistake.
Even with his eyes trained on Jotaro, Rex could see that there seemingly wasn’t anything there that was pressing against the Core Crystal. It must have been the same fighting spirit he’d been using this entire time. Pyra stood rooted in place, terrified as she sensed Star Platinum pressing against the vital gemstone embedded in Rex’s skin. While Driver and Blade alike stood motionless in the face of a life-threatening presence, Jotaro continued to speak as Star Platinum continued to keep the pressure on Rex’s Core Crystal, its index and middle fingers extended far out in its Star Finger move.
Jotaro: After hitting you with enough punches, I started to notice that you were constantly holding your hand over that green gem on your chest, almost like you were trying to shield it. And from your reactions… It looks like I was right in assuming that it’s something critical, wasn’t I?
In the deepest corners of his own mind, Rex cursed his innate protective nature of his Core Crystal. He hadn’t even noticed that reflexive behavior until his opponent stated it aloud right in front of him.
Jotaro: Do what I tell you to do and my Stand won’t crush the gemstone. Drop the sword and raise your hands up.
With Pyra looking on in shock and with no other options presented to him, Rex reluctantly let the Aegis fall from his hand, the legendary crimson blade falling to the ground, and he opened his fists and slowly lifted his hands up in a gesture of surrender. Inwardly, Jotaro was happy that Rex was complying; perhaps he could get on his way to Torigoth sooner rather than later. In fact, as the thought of the town crossed Jotaro’s mind, he realized this was the perfect chance to get the necessary directions.
Jotaro: I asked you this before, and this time you’d better give me a proper answer. In what direction is Torigoth?
Rex’s mouth was about to open and answer before Pyra suddenly gasped and stared past Jotaro. Following her line of sight for a moment, he was the same thing she did and his expression turned from one of fear to one of raw shock. Jotaro’s neutral scowl intensified ever so slightly at his enemies’ silence, and in confusion, he shouted at them.
Jotaro: Hey!! Are you listening to me!? I ASKED you –
It was at that moment that Jotaro took notice of a colossal shadow falling over him. Looking down at his feet, he could see the borders of the huge shadow making out a familiar figure that loomed far over him, evidenced by the shadow’s sheer size. Looking over his shoulder in surprise, Jotaro beheld the giant Rotbart they had just knocked down. The fur on its front side was singed, smoldering, and still burning in small patches, and it was bleeding from several places over its massive, muscular body, but it was still alive.
Alive, and very, very pissed off.
The gargantuan beast unleashed a furious screech as it lifted its massive paws over its head, aiming to crush the small beings below into paste. Quickly, Jotaro swung his arm around and pointed up at the beast, and Star Platinum launched itself up towards the ape’s head. Rex felt the Stand’s fingers disappear from up against his Core Crystal, and he quickly stooped down to pick up the Aegis before turning to Pyra, who was already looking at him.
Rex: Pyra, quick! While his spirit is distracted!
Pyra: Right! Let’s do it!
Acting fast, Rex extended his left arm and trained his wrist-mounted hookshot on Jotaro’s right arm before firing it.
Rex: Anchor Shot!
The hooked anchor shot out from Rex’s wrist, hitting its mark and tearing into the meat of Jotaro’s forearm, extracting a loud, labored grunt of pain from the Stand user. With an effort-labored shout, Rex jerked his left arm back rather violently, pulling Jotaro forward and causing him to lose his balance, falling to his hands and knees. With their target knocked down and secured, both Rex and Pyra grabbed ahold of the Aegis’s hilt before leaping high into the air, charging up their fiery power into the blade.
With a mighty cry from below them, Star Platinum drove its fist into the side of the Rotbart’s head before it could even swing at Jotaro, with the raw power behind its punch snapping the creature’s neck and causing it to fall over once more, this time stone cold dead. Just as the mighty Stand was occupied, however, it felt a burning sting in its right arm, and it whirled around in the air to see Rex and Pyra flying over Jotaro’s head, a ludicrous amount of flames pouring from their blade as they held it back over their heads. Immediately after it saw them, their power reached a bursting point, and the two dropped towards Jotaro with a stream of fire following their downward descent.
Rex/Pyra: BURNING…
Jotaro: STAR PLATINUM…
Rex/Pyra: …SWOOORD!!
A loud impact could be heard across the Gormottian plains for miles around, and a massive column of flames shot skyward, burning through the clouds of the sky and torching the grass in a massive circle. Animals all around scrambled for safety as the fires raged, lighting plants, grass, and trees alike. The enormous explosion of flames lasted for several seconds, and as it died down, the flames quickly retreated back to the Aegis and flickered out, signaling the attack’s end. As the smoke gradually cleared from around the epicenter of the burning explosion, Rex and Pyra, both still holding the hilt of the mythical blade, were panting from exhaustion as the toll of their fight caught up to them, bit by bit.
Pyra: …I think… We went, hahh… A little too far…
Rex nodded weakly in agreement.
Rex: Yeah… But at least it’s over…
It was now Pyra’s turn to nod. Smoke was still clouding their vision, however, and this obscured vision kept them from seeing the truth.
The fight was indeed over… For them.
Jotaro: …ZA WARUDO!
At Jotaro’s vocal command, Star Platinum, who had appeared before Jotaro with its arms crossed to block the Burning Sword attack, thrust its arms outward. Rex and Pyra, taken by total surprise, stumbled backward for only a moment before a great wave of power rippled from Star Platinum, the clearing dust cloud slowing to a halt along with everything else around them as time slowed to a halt.
Once time had stopped, Jotaro reached across his body and grabbed Rex’s anchor, grunting fiercely as he ripped it out of his right forearm, a spray of blood erupting from the open wound. Once the bolt was free from his flesh, Jotaro released it from his hand, the tethered shot staying suspended in frozen time, and he approached the frozen Driver and Blade pair. He stared at their surprised expressions before scoffing lightly and looking down, pointing at Rex.
Jotaro: I can feel it… That was your biggest attack. Putting all your energy into a last-ditch strike… Too predictable.
Although Rex and Pyra were incapable of hearing him in frozen time, their blunder was obvious enough. Jotaro shook his head slightly, continuing to speak.
Jotaro: Yare yare… Your Stand is powerful, but you were in over your head from the start. You should’ve stood down when I gave you the chance. But now… You pissed me off!
Emerging from behind its user, Star Platinum hovered over to Rex and reached out with both hands. The Stand’s hands phased through the skin of Rex’s arms before closing in tight fists around his humeri, clenching tighter and tighter until the bones shattered in Star Platinum’s palms.
The Stand withdrew its hands before clenching them into tight fists, moving to hover directly between Rex and Pyra’s frozen frames. Jotaro looked up at his stationary enemies, his Stand preparing to attack. Ordinarily, he wouldn’t be going to these extremes against strangers, but they had more than pissed him off by now. He was ready to end this and finally get on his way.
Jotaro: You’d better hope you survive this…
Star Platinum made an enraged face as it drew its right arm back slowly, summoning every ounce of its strength as Jotaro loudly finished his sentence.
Jotaro: …Because then you can give this to your boss for me!
ORA!!
ORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORA
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORA!!
After a blindingly fast barrage of punches, Star Platinum planted a final, power-packed right hook to Rex’s cheek. Once his Stand was finished laying a colossal beatdown upon his frozen enemies, Jotaro turned around and grasped the brim of his hat, pulling the visor down over his eyes in his signature fashion as he uttered five final words.
Jotaro: And so, time moves again…
Star Platinum’s Time Stop wore off and the world around Jotaro began to move as normal. First, both of Rex’s arms sounded off with a sickening snap, and he screamed out in pain. However, neither Rex nor Pyra had time to process what had happened before the flurry of punches from Jotaro’s Stand finally caught up with the two of them, their bodies convulsing in place as the impacts registered.
Star Platinum’s final blow ultimately connected with Rex, knocking him unconscious on impact before sending the Driver boy rocketing across the Gormott plains, crashing into a thick-trunked tree headfirst before sliding limply to the ground. As the Aegis blade fell to the ground beside Rex, Pyra cried out in pain as the power of Star Platinum’s punches decimated her, collapsing to the grass as she went unconscious just the same as her wielder.
Jotaro allowed himself a few moments of heavy breathing as the fatigue of their battle set in ever so slightly, but within seconds he had stood at full height once again with his commonplace neutral expression. Upon a brief inspection of Rex from a distance, his Core Crystal hadn’t been touched by any of Star Platinum’s strikes, just as intended. They would regain their consciousness eventually, even with the severity of Star Platinum’s beatdown. They’d just have to deal with a massive migraine when that happened.
Jotaro let out a low tch and began walking away with his hands in his pockets. Blood stained his jacket from the stab wound in his gut, and for a moment he had to stop and lean over as he clutched the wound. After a few steadying breaths, Jotaro rightened himself continued on his way.
He’d find his way to Torigoth, with or without directions.
