(JoJo) Electra Heart vs. BENZIN (w/ other Anon's ending)

>Be Aria, running deeper into the mall.
>Why does a town this shitty have such a big mall?
>You’re starting to get tired of this.
>His [BENZIN]... he’s got constructs on the switchboxes, blasting the lights on wherever you go.
>He’s got more of the things on the exits, which are always dark.
>He’s herding you further and further in.
>And being a dick over the intercom.
>”You know, our Stands are almost evenly matched. No, don’t go that way. ...Well, alright, if you really want.”
>You bolt to the nearest section of the darkness, then stop and almost fall over as he steps out of it.
>Tentacles are growing in the shadow, flailing to reach out for you at the threshold.
>”Like I was saying, we’re nearly even. Nearly.”
>You turn around, looking for anything, any puddle of darkness. There are so many lights you barely have a shadow yourself.
>”If you had any range, this might even be a little difficult.”
“Fuck off.”
>There!
>In a little alcove between storefronts, a blind spot in the light system!
>An oasis of shadow!
“「Electra Heart」!”
>You send it forward as you dive and sail through the air, letting it weave the shadows with practiced artistry.
>He arrives there at the same instant you do, and you swing.
>No hesitation! No doubt!
>It all comes down to this!
>You swing, letting the shadows coalesce around your fist in big, angry, thorny knuckles.
>He looks as in control as ever.
>”[BENZIN]!”
>His Stand appears, absorbing the blow and putting distance between you.
>Good. You need to work out some aggression.
>You move to swing again, but your fist stops in mid-air, and the bands of the knuckles tighten.
>He smirks.
>”I wasn’t able to corrupt any of your constructs while your Stand was keeping them active, but I finally figured out how to trap you.”
>The bands tighten until you hear cracking and see your knuckles start to bleed.
>”So if I beef up a shadow with my own creatures and you twist them into something new, they still belong to me!”
>He poses as tentacles hold your legs to the ground, raising his fist to the sky.
>”It’s almost a tragedy! Your power is useless without shadow, and every shadow in this building is mine!”
>You smirk.
>He stops and looks at you.
>”What?”
>He shouldn’t have let you stay still for so long.
>You open your mouth, and the sleek, black barrel of a gun slides out.
>Springs coiled tighter than mortally possible release themselves inside your lungs, your guts, every empty bit of space.
>And the needles come before he knows what’s hit him.
>He recoils, and [BENZIN] moves in to block them.
>Then he notices the strings on the ends, and they turn themselves in midair to move around it.
>They pierce skin, arms and chest in the same moment.
>As soon as they connect they widen into tubes, and pump liquid darkness into his bloodstream, coalescing around his heart and squeezing.
>He tries to teleport away, but too much shadow’s already being used.
>[BENZIN] tries to punch you, but the needles it blocked tangle around its fists and pull them towards its owner.
>Finally the pain in your hand let up a little as he collapses, [BENZIN] retreating and the rest of the constructs vanishing.
>You can almost see rage on its face as it disappears.

--- Other Anon's continuation: ---

>[BENZIN]'s owner falls to a knee, looking up at you as he gasps for breath.
>You see a look on his face.
>He's...smiling?
>The stand user starts chuckling, before coughing weakly.
>"Not bad. I wish I had thought of that."
>This doesn't make sense.
>He should be dead!
"How are you still alive?!"
>He sighs, looking satisfied.
>"As soon as I saw that shadow gun appear in your mouth, I realized I could do the same. You punctured my heart, but I was quick enough to form a construct in my chest. It's taking all my concentration to keep the construct beating in my heart's place. I've got another hour, maybe two, but after that, I'm done for. You've won."
>You watch him struggle to his feet.
>If he wasn't trying to kill you, you'd almost feel sorry for him.
"Well it serves you right! I wouldn't have done that if you weren't trying to kill me!"
>You see him frown solemnly.
>"Oh, how tragic. Maybe it's better if you don't know."
>What?
>What does he mean by that?
"Don't know what? Tell me!"
>He gives a soft chuckle.
>"You were never in any danger. Sure, I might've given you a few cuts and scrapes, but I would've let you go after a while of messing with you."
"Bullshit! You were hounding me ever since I stepped into this mall!"
>"And I could've killed you at any time. I've had you on the ropes for most of our battle. You don't think it odd that I never closed in for the kill?"
>No.
>He's lying.
>Even if he isn't.
"W-well you shouldn't have come after me then! You were scaring me, coming after me like some sort of terminator!"
>"Yeah, that's kinda my thing. I like fucking with people. The way I do it challenges them, and forces them to adapt and become stronger. This is the first time someone's been able to best me, though. You have my respect."
>That's...
"I..."
>Is this guy just an egotistical asshole?
"I'm not sure I want your respect!"
>He's chuckling...
>"I didn't think so. But please understand. I do what I do because I want people to be better than themselves. I dream of a world where everyone pursues their ideal life, and all live in such a manner as to become their perfect versions of themselves."
"So you attack and scare the living fuck out of people to do it?!"
>"Of course. Conflict breeds enhancement. Coming up against an unstoppable force and surviving, it gives you a goal to aspire to. A drive to become better. And when you finally do, you realize that you can be so much more. But in coming after you, I realize that it's me who needs to improve, not you. I acknowledge you as my better."
>He coughs, a bit of blood coming out his mouth.
>He wipes it away with his hand.
>"Though, it doesn't look like I'll have the chance to improve."
>You feel...conflicted.
>You respond to him the only way you can.
"You're an idiot! You provoke people into fighting for their life just because you want them to be better?! Didn't you know that someone would end up hurting you one day?!"
>He laughs again.
>"Honestly, it never crossed my mind. My Stand seemed so invincible, I never thought someone might be able to beat me. I always studied the most advantageous spots for me to fight, too. I never chose a battle I felt I could not win."
"That's still pretty dumb! Now look! You're dying, and all because you wanted to pursue your stupid dream!"
>He frowns.
>"My dream isn't any stupider than trying to hypnotize people into fighting each other just to conquer the world."
>Shit, he's got you there.
>And there's his dumb smile again.
>"In any case, I appreciate your concern. It's nice to know an intelligent beauty like yourself cares about someone she hardly knows.
>Intelligent?!
>Beautiful?!
>Is...is he trying to butter you up?
>You watch him stumble back, and reach out instinctively.
>"If I manage to find a way to save myself from death, I promise not to hold a grudge. Auf wiedersehen, Fraulein."
>You watch him stumble off.
>You...
>Kinda hope he finds a way to heal himself.
>No, now you want to help him.
"Hey!"
>He stops, and turns.
>Shit, do you even know anyone who can help?
>You're not sure, but you can't just let him die!
>Especially since...you're the one who made him like this.
"I'll...come with you. Maybe I can find someone who can help."
>He smiles.
>"I'd appreciate that.