SuShi's Bizarre Adventure: Nugget Run Horizon

by Jojoleopard

Chapter 32: Running Wild's Treasure

Jojo was welcomed to a world of blue when he opened his eyes again. Everything around him was quiet and muffled, but occasionally, he could hear the deep rumblings of the earth, likely its plates shifting as Mhagmea, the Nugget ruler, attempted to slow the planet’s core, something that would spell disaster for them all.

Down here, he could see the submerged city of Berlin, most of it completely underwater with exceptions of the taller office buildings. He could spot the Reichstag from here, clad in its new steel and hologram refurbishments from the fire in 2035, though if they got through this world-ending event, they would need to fix up the whole of Berlin. From the city center, where whole buildings had been pushed away, the earth had risen up from below the ground, now shooting high into the air where the Nugget People resided, and next to him, above the water, was the bridge that divided the platform they had landed on and the main spire.

Judging by where Lowodda was on the bridge, Jojo guessed that the chest had to be somewhere under her position. Under the bridge were a few smaller buildings, each one at most five storeys tall. It had to be in one of them, on one of the floors.

But which one? Jojo thought as he squeezed his nose shut with two fingers. He pointed up with a finger, then followed the line back down. Lowodda was standing around here. That would mean that the chest could be twenty meters directly below her, because this body of water Lowodda has created is about forty meters deep. Her chest wouldn’t be at the bottom of the city.

Jojo pinpointed a building hiding under the shadow of the rock bridge above, one with a square roof and rows and rows of windows, with most of them shattered by now. The building had been pushed from the bottom slightly, now resting against another building, the only thing that still kept it standing. If the treasure chest was here somewhere, it had to be in that building.

Okay, no time to lose now. Tenacious D!

Jojo’s Stand appeared and he kicked off its chest before it disappeared again, giving him a quick boost forward as he began sliding his legs back and forth, making his way to the building. The water down here was surprisingly warm, almost like it was some kind of hot spring and it was a good change from the cold weather above, but there was no luxury of spending time in the warmth of the water. He had to finish this as quickly as possible.

For Gipsy… Jojo pushed on.

The swim over to the building itself took him about twelve seconds. He still felt like he had plenty of air in his lungs, but he couldn’t afford to waste even a second. One second could be the difference between making it to the surface or blacking out and sinking to the bottom.

He got Tenacious D out again to give him a boost into the building, gliding through one of the rows of broken windows lower down the building. Lowodda was a sneaky being, that much he knew. He knew she would put the chest in the most outrageous place possible, a place no one would think to look. In that case, he wasn’t going to go right to the bottom. It had to be somewhere else. Instead, Jojo swam up to the second last floor. It was neither the bottom nor the top, but just one level away from the top was an unlikely choice for him to check, and so he decided he would check it.

There were tables strewn across the floor, some crumpled under others. Some lighter pieces had broken off and were floating about, but Jojo shoved them aside and kept swimming, keeping his eyes out in the murky darkness for anything that could give him a hint of where this treasure chest was. In here were also two bodies, at least, bodies he could see, gently bumping against the ceiling. The city of Berlin received no warning when Mhagmea created her fortress from under them. Not many people would’ve escaped such a furious change of environment.

There was a stack of cubicles against one wall and it looked a tad bit odd for them to fall together like that. Swimming over, Jojo got them out of the way, noticing a grey box underneath, locked up by two chains and locks around it.

This must be it! I got it! I guessed where she had hidden it! Jojo raised a fist in triumph before picking the chest up. He gave the locks a shake, finding them firmly bound around the chest. Of course it wasn’t going to just come off. But you can’t fault me for trying.

He lifted it above his head and Tenacious D made an appearance, grabbing the chains on both sides. With a puff of steam from its nostrils, blowing out a cluster of bubbles, it tilted its head and back backwards and pulled with all its underwater might. The chains clanked under its strain and Jojo could see the metal already starting to give way. Lowodda might’ve taken his Stand abilities away, but Tenacious D was still a tenacious fighter, with strength that could rival even Summer’s Pegasus Forever.

Jojo pinched his nose tighter, finding it harder and harder to hold his breath in. He had been underwater now for about four minutes and his oxygen was slowly running thin. There was no more time for him to swim all the way to the surface. The only thing he could rely on now was releasing the chest and giving Tenacious D its abilities back so it could get them both out of here.

He continued to watch his Stand tug at the chains, slowly but steadily straining each link. More bubbles erupted from his Stand’s nostrils and it lightened its grip, only to yank hard again, breaking off a chunk of metal from one chain link.

It’s now or never! Tenacious D, do it! For the sake of the Joyride family, get your abilities back!

With a rev of its engine, Tenacious D bent forward and yanked the chains diagonally, shattering them and their locks in that instant, sending the debris floating away in the water. Jojo wasted no time in prying the chest’s lid open and instantly, he was filled with a red glow before it swirled around his Stand and vanished into its chest. He had done it, he got all their Stand abilities back.

And now for the push back to the surface. Jojo slung the chest around his back, then grabbed what was left of one chain and tied it in a knot on his chest before flinging himself on Tenacious’ back. He pointed with two fingers as he let out a stream of bubbles from his nose. He guessed he only had about twenty seconds of air left.

Spinning its tyres, Tenacious D grabbed the edge of the building and threw a punch, smashing an exit hole for them to swim through. Placing both wheels on the side of the building, it suddenly sped up faster than any vehicle could and they were off, sailing up through the water like a slingshot, right towards the surface.

Jojo felt the pressure go to his eyes and ears, but he braved through it as his face finally breached the surface of the water. Jojo gasped as he took in breaths of cold air, chilling his throat and his lungs, but at least he could breathe again. With Tenacious’ powers back, it was time to teach Lowodda that ancient Nugget Person or not, she shouldn’t mess with a Joyride.

“If only dad could see me right now,” Jojo said, then looked to the spire’s surface. It was rugged and rocky, but it would serve its purpose regardless. “Tenacious D, let’s do this.”

Jojo’s Stand swam forward with its powerful arms, then grabbed the side of the spire and placed both wheels against it. Speeding up, it drove right out of the water, climbing vertically as they got higher and higher, with his Stand snorting steam from its nose, covering its body in a thin layer of smoke.

As they neared the bridge, Jojo’s Stand threw itself off the side, flying right past Lowodda as she turned her head in surprise. It was a moment she had not anticipated and Tenacious D threw a punch directly in her face, smushing her cheek before launching her back into the spire’s entrance, before wrapping a muscular arm around Running Wild’s neck as it flew behind its master.

Tenacious D squeezed and Running Wild let out a hissing sound as it tried to squirm away from its grip. Its body was lean and slippery, but Tenacious held on as tightly as it could.

Lowodda lifted her head on the other end, but with her Stand being choked, she was also losing air and she gagged and coughed as she flipped herself around to her hands and knees.

“You thought that was it, but alas, here I stand before you again, Cajole Joyride!” Jojo put one hand in his pocket and pointed a finger at her with the other. “I will be the one to show you that you Nugget People are not invincible!”

“It’s… not… over!” Lowodda’s body blazed to life, her brown hair burning bright behind her face now. Running Wild got out of Tenacious’ grip and slithered up its arm before biting it on the neck. “It is you who will die!”

Blood squirted from marks on Jojo’s neck. He winced, but rushed forward as Tenacious sped up again, goring Running Wild in the chest as it tried to get distance between them.

“Your Stand might be strong, but I know your secret, Lowodda!” Jojo called out as the Nugget Person as he ran over to her flaming form. “The reason you steal Stand abilities is because your Stand wouldn’t be able to win in a head on fight, even with its control over water! If you can’t steal our Stand abilities, then you cannot beat us!”

“What makes you think I can’t just steal them again? Running Wild!” Lowodda swung one arm to the side, extending her fingers as fire burst from her fingertips, forming into dagger-length flaming points.

Her Stand spat a mouthful of water at Tenacious D as she tried to stab him with her flaming nails. Jojo felt his fighting spirit dim again, but then he smiled and threw the chest from his back, catching her wrist and knocking her arm aside as its lid flipped open. Instantly, the light from inside returned to him and his Stand and Tenacious D charged again, catching Running Wild in the chest again as more blood spurted from new holes in Lowodda’s chest.

“You insolent fool, you took the chest with you!” she growled and brandished another hand of flaming nails.

“That’s right. This is over, Lowodda. Today, humanity stands strong. You Nugget People will be stopped and the world will live to see another day.” Jojo stuck a foot forward, then placed one hand on his scarf and grinned.

“You will regret the day you challenged the Herrakries!” Lowodda’s eyes glowed brighter and she took a powerful step forward, throwing herself at Jojo as Tenacious D grappled with Running Wild, both Stands pushing against each other.

Jojo stepped to one side and pushed one of her flaming hands away. The fire was hot against his skin, but then he took a deep breath in and pointed two fingers forward. “Overdrive barrage!”

Jojo repeatedly jabbed his fingers at Lowodda’s side as he breathed, pumping hamon energy through his arm. As his fingers prodded against her blazing skin, it left marks of stone that started to form across her skin.

Lowodda hissed and did a sweeping leg attack, but Jojo jumped over it before crouching low, breathing in as he kicked out with a spin. Lowodda raised a hand to deflect his foot, but when it connected with her, a burst of energy turned her palm to stone.

“No! What is this?” She stepped back, clutching her hand. “This cannot be possible! You are generating the power of the sun within yourself!”

Jojo leapt back, buttery golden light coming off his body. “One sure mark of a fool is to dismiss anything outside his experience as impossible. You have a strong Stand, but you didn’t count on the Joyride family’s secret technique.”

“Running away?” Summer asked, running closer to them from behind, the rest of their group in pursuit. Her Stand appeared beside her, smashing its fists together.

“Ye- no!” Jojo said, holding his hands up above his head as they began to focus with golden energy. “I mean the power of Hamon. The power of the sun in every single blow!”

Running Wild opened its mouth and blasted Tenacious D’s face full of water, but as its ability retreated to the chest, Jojo simply opened the lid again and it swooped back to its rightful owner.

Tenacious threw Running Wild to the ground and it was about to get up when Boney M’s shield crashed down against its tail, pinning it into the ground. Pegasus Forever raised a fist and with a mighty yell, it grabbed Running Wild around the neck before repeatedly pounding it in the face.

Lowodda grabbed for her own face as the fire around her shorted out, unable to act, giving Jojo the room to close the distance, charging his Hamon in both hands. “This is it, Lowodda. Your end! Hamon Overdrive, thousand cuts!”

Jojo splayed his fingers open, then repeatedly slashed them against Lowodda’s body as Hamon traveled from him into her, turning more of her body to stone as he drew his fingers across her skin.

“No, I am of the Herrakries! I will not be beaten by humans. Not again!” Lowodda raised one hand to her face, but Jojo’s fingers made it through and jabbed her in the eye.

Hamon was thrust into her face and her mouth opened in a scream as it spread across her head, instantly turning it all to stone before traveling down her body. She curled forward towards her gut, then reached an arm out to Jojo before completely turning to stone in front of him.

“And that takes a bite out of the nugget.” Jojo turned to his side and stood one leg on its toes before placing an index finger under his chin. “For Gipsy. For my friends. For the Joyride family!”

With a breath, he thrust a finger forward, building up more Hamon as it pierced right through Lowodda’s stoney body. He pushed his hand forward one more time and cracks spread out from his finger. Her right arm was the first to break off and after that, her entire body gave way and all that was left of her was a pile of rubble on the ground.

“Jojo, you did it!” Summer ran over and gave him a hug. “You beat a Nugget Person!”

“You’ve proven to them that they can be killed.” Bushido placed a hand on Jojo’s shoulder. “You have done your family proud.”

“Yeah, good work, Jojo.” This was the first time he saw Prism smile after reuniting with them again. It was nice.

“Enough with the praise.” Fuchsia groaned and pointed to the entrance into the spire. “We still have three Nuggets to deal with. The water might be receding now, but we still need to stop them from slowing the core of our planet.”

The mood grew serious at that. It was true that only one of four Nugget People had been felled, and the other three were bound to take the threat more seriously once they learned of what had happened to Lowodda. From here on out, it was only going to get tougher, and the longer they took allowed the Nugget People more time to end all life on the planet.

With nothing more to say, Jojo nodded at his friends before they rushed down into the darkness of the spire, wondering just what else was going to be in store for them at the end of the world.

Author's Note:

Sorry if it wasn't as climactic as I had intended for it to be. But I hope it was at least still an enjoyable read.

Comments

[ArcticAce01]

That’s one of the nugget people down!

But man with 3 more to go who knows how dangerous the other could be with there stands

[Black--Soul]

Best way to beat the overconfident is by using their pride against them. Or simply trick them.
I would for instance don't mention the death of the first of the Nugget People/Herrakries. Rather omiting the truth. Someone that is indisposed gives more options for Interpretation than outright admitting the kill.
No need poking a already overpowered enemy into a raging fit. They already lost one of their group after all!

[Golden_Reflection]

“I mean the power of Hamon. The power of the sun in

the palm of my hand!

[Golden_Reflection]

Sorry if it wasn't as climactic as I had intended for it to be.

No, it was amazing. It's fun to visualise the anime adaptation and the way you described it allowed a similar shot in my mind to the cracks running up DIO at the end of part 3.