MLJ: SAM CH 20 HOW MANY BRIGADIERS DO YOU WISH? PT 3

MY LITTLE JOJO: STANDS ARE MAGIC
CHAPTER 20: HOW MANY BRIGADIERS DO YOU WISH? PART 3
OPEN THE GAME!

"...My Stand?"
>? -"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
>A silence ensues, during which you're sure the book would have given you an expression as if asking if you're really that stupid
>? -"Are you really that stupid?"
>Yeah, exactly like that, but via facial expression
>How'd it know-
>? -"What you thought?"
>Stop that
>? -"No. I couldn't if I wanted to."
>SA -"So, what does-"
>Remembering it was sentient, Shining turns to the book, so as to not offend
>SA -"What do you do anyways?"
>? -"Simply put, my master can copy the ability of any Stand by simply placing a part of it onto one of my many pages and closing me."
>Sweet!
>Wait 'till Starlight hears about this!
>SA -"Whoa, that sounds insane!"
>?- "Mind you, the ability is at BEST half as effective compared to its original, and using it wears out the page it's imprinted on, until it crumbles into dust."
"Is that why you were asking me to grab some of Chimney Sweep's Stand?"
>? -"Of course. It's so simple, yet versatile!"
>SA -"What about my Stand?"
>You turn towards Shining, a confused look on his face
"Hmm?"
>? -"You have a Stand?"
>SA -"「CRY THUNDER」"
>A knight leaps out from Shining, nearly knocking the desk chair over
>A large shield with a mirror surface rests strapped onto one of its forelegs, while a large sword sits clenched between its teeth
>? -"My my! What does it do, if I may?"
>SA -"Anything that gets hit in the reflection is damaged physically."
>Shining demonstrates, standing in front of the shield and delivering a hard right to the mirror, bloodying his nose
>SA -"Voila! What do you think?"
>He gestures to the Stand like a showpony on stage revealing the empty box where a magician once sat
>? -"Now THIS is something! Sunny, would you kindly place me upon the shield so we have some form of defense?"
"Sure. Don't call me Sunny though."
>? -"Whatever you say, Sunny."
>With a groan, you telekinetically grab the book and press it on the shield of Shining's Stand
>? -"Press a bit firmer."
"Why?"
>? -"Think of it like getting the hoofprint of somepony's soul. You're not gonna get a clean print if you just tap it."
>With that, you press harder
>As you do, you read the words on the spine
"「RENAISSANCE MAN」."https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7_eVDWSNVUY
>RM -"Yup, that's my name."
>You lift the book from the shield and inspect the page you pressed it on, now an entirely reflective surface
"That's pretty cool."
>SA -"What say we test it out?"
"Wha- SHIT!"
>Watching as Cry Thunder brings its sword over your head, it takes a second for you to bring Renaissance Man above you, with the page you've imprinted open
>As the blow lands, you feel pain shoot through your head
>At the same time, the ceiling above Shining cracks slightly, dust falling over him
"Y'know, it'd be great if you could get the other person's approval before violently striking them!"
>SA -"Ah! Uh, sorry, it's just that I haven't had a good pportunity to use Cry Thunder."
>As Shining withdraws his Stand, the page falls out of Renaissance Man, crumbling into nothing
"One hit and it's done for? Really?"
>SA -"My Stand's pretty strong."
>RM -"*groan*You don't say."
>SA -"So now that that's out of the way, we should probably get to the hospital, so we can talk to Chimney Sweep and Coco Pommel."

>Ooooooh, fuckin' 'ell
>Didja go an' get blasted on that imported Neighponese beer again?
>What'd they call it?
>Sake?
>No, you think it's pronounced Sa-Kay or somethin'
>Or was it bourbon?
>All you know is that you must have binged on SOMETHIN' what with this Faust-forsaken headache
>You're hoping you didn't drink most of your stock
>It's for the customers, after all
>? -"Ms. Sweep?"
"AAAAAAAUGH!"
>CP -"Nonono! It's just me, Coco!"
>Oh
>Right
>It was that whole shebang with the vampony an' the flyin' orange unicorn
>That happened
>Your heartbeat slows as you move both your hooves over your chest
>Sorry, you RIGHT hoof
>The left one seems to be wrapped up in endless amounts of gauze, hanging above your head
>Oh right
>The vampony nearly sliced your hoof with a scythe that nopony else could see
>That ALSO happened
>CP -"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you! I was just worried."
"I'm fine luv. You doing alright?"
>CP -"Yeah. I'm just glad you're awake."
"Wait, I was asleep?"
>CP -"Yeah. You passed out before the ambulance arrived."
>Huh
>*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
>All of your attention is turned to the door as Coco walks over and opens it, to check who it is
>As Coco opens the door, you recognize the orange unicorn and... Prince Shining Armor?
>What the 'ell is he doin' here?
>CP -"Oh. Hello there! You're the unicorn we were trying to save! And with Prince Shining to boot!"
>SB -"The name's Sunburst. Sorry I never intoduced myself earlier on account of... y'know, being dragged to the hospital for blood loss."
>CP -"It's nice to meet you, Sunburst. And It's quite a surprise to see you here, Prince Shining."
>SA -"Well, considering the circumstances, I felt it necessary to get as much information as I could get. I understand this is the room of a Ms. Chimney Sweep?"
>CP -"Yeah, she just woke up. Did you want to speak to her?"
>SA -"Indeed I do. Do you mind if I..?"
>CP -"Oh! Right, of course!"
>Coco moves out of the way, letting the prince walk in and move to the side of your bed
>SA -"It's good to see you, Ms. Sweep. Is it alright if I ask you a question?"
"Sure. What's up?"
>SA -"I was hoping you'd tell us anything more about your assailant. Do you think you know anything we might not?"
>Searching through your mind, nothing comes up
"'Fraid not, your highness. All I know's that the pony poofed inta dust when he stepped into the sun and that he was attackin' me with a scythe that no one else saw."
>SA -"Are you sure that's all?"
"Yep. Sorry, your lordship."
>SA -"No, it's fine. I think Sunburst and I are going to take our leave-"
>SB -"Actually, I was hoping to know more about Ms. Chimney's Stand."
>Stand?
"What's that?"
>? -"You know that black powder you're breathing?"
"Who was that?!"
>Sunburst groans before lifting something out of his cloak
>SB -"Sorry about that. That was my Stand Re-"
>RM -"I can speak for myself, you know."
>SB -"Yeah well, most ponies aren't used to talking books. Or talking Stands, for that matter."
"What's a Stand?"
>Prince Shining gives you a quick rundown on Stands
>So they're some sorta soul magicy things
>That's pretty cool
>But that still leaves one question
"How did you get them?"
>SA -"Well, I got mine whe- *ahem* FROM Princess Luna."
>SB -"And I got mine yesterday."
>SA -"Why, how did you get yours?"
"I've... kind of had it all my life."
>Both the prince and Sunburst look confused, while Coco listens on intently
>SA -"All your life? Wouldn't your parents notice that sort of thing and wonder what was going on?"
"'Course they did."
>It's why they called you Chimney Sweep, after all
>That and they said you were so small you could slide down one no problem
>It's not your fault your tiny
>*COUGH COUGH KAFF*
>Eugh, and here's the worst part of havin' a freely controllable powder you literally breathe
>Your mouth gets all chalky and.. ugh
"Would one of you mind getting me some water?"
>CP -" I'll go get it."
>With that, she's out in the hallway
>RM -"Now then, I was hoping you could... help us out a bit."
"What do ya mean?"
>RM -"Well, ya see..."
>Renaissance Man gives you a quick rundown of his abilities
>You suppose you could give him some of your Stand
>It's not like your using it or anything
>Breathing onto the open page, Sunburst presses down firmly on the powder
>CP -"I'm back."
>Coco enters with a full cup of water
>Oh thank Faust
>Coco brings it to your bedside table, and Sunburst floats it up to your mouth for you to drink
>CP -"I just realized something."
>SB -"What's up?"
>CP -"Everyone has a Stand here but me."
"What's up?"
>CP -"Well... I'm wondering... maybe, if I had a Stand... maybe your hoof wouldn't have been injured like it was..."
"Oh don't worry about it. You didn't need one ta buck him into the street. I'm pretty sure he went flying a good ten feet."
>CP -"...I guess."
>She rubs her foreleg and has an unsure expression on her face
>Poor thing
>...thought the mare whose foreleg was nearly sliced off
>Nonetheless, she seems so sad
>SA -"Oh come on. You were the one who saved the day! How can you be so sad at a time like this?"
>The prince wraps a foreleg around Coco
>SA -"You certainly did more than the guards. That's gotta count for something right?"
>That seems to put some cheer back in her
>CP -"Yeah. I guess so."
>SA -"Now if you'll excuse us, Sunburst and I need to head back home. I've got a letter to-"
>? -"Uh, sir?"
>A guard steps into the room, whispering something into Prince Shining's ear
>Judging by his expressions, something has gone tits up
>SA -"What do you mean it's gone?"
>Some more whispering happens
>SA -"Yes I know Private Long Haul was holding onto it. Just get to the point."
>SB -"What's up?"
>SA -"When the assailant crumbled into dust, a purple gem fell out of his hind leg, and we confiscated it. Now it seems it's gone missing."
>SB -"Wait, did you say a 'purple gem'?"
>G -"Well, it's not exactly 'missing,' sir."
>SA -"...What?"
>Some more whispers andOHOHOH SHIT THE PRINCE LOOKS ANGRY
>SA -"He SOLD IT?!"

<=====TO-!
HOLD ON A MOMENT!

INCOMING BONUS SEGMENT!

MY LITTLE JOJO: STANDS ARE MAGIC
BONUS CHAPTER 20a
IIIIIIIIIT'S SHOWTIME!

>Be Long Haul, your average guard pony
>Sitting by the crime scene, holding onto some evidence while other guards investigate further
>From what you've heard, some weird shit went down around here
>A unicorn (the royal crystaller, if you can believe it) flew into this alleyway
>Then there was something about a scythe (which no one can find)
>One of the locals nearly had their hoof cut off
>And to top it all off, the attacker just... *poofed*
>Not like a unicorn though
>He... crumbled into ash
>It's befuddling
>Just... *poof*
>...
>...
>Sure taking their sweet time, aren't they?
>...
>Ah, you're not one to judge
>It's not like you're the one having to investigate this shit
>" 'Scuse me, good sir."
>Who might that be?
>Turning to your left, a unicorn with a red and white mustache stands before you
"What's wrong, dear citizen?"
>"I was just wonderin' what happened here. Seems like quite the ruckus is goin' on."
"Just a scuffle that happened earlier. Nothing to see."
>"Strange times we're livin' in my friend. Strange times indeed."
"Whatever you say."
>For a minute or so, the unicorn just sits there, not speaking or anything
>Why?
>It's like he's waiting for something
>A gust of wind seems to pick up and blow dirt into your eyes as you eye him
>Buck!
>Using your elbows, you wipe your eyes to clear them
>"You doin' alright there, Mr Guard?"
"Yeah, fine, just... nothing. Look, is there something you need?"
>"Nope. Just curious is all. I'll be headin' on my way now."
"Yeah, sure, whatever. Good day ci-"
*BUMP*
>A *clang* rings in your ears as something hits the ground
>Aw shit!
>"My sincerest apologies dear sir. Seems I didn't look where I was goin'."
"It's fine. I just -could you please leave? You're interfering with-"
>"Now what's this?"
>In the interfering unicorn's magical grasp is none other than the purple gem you've been asked to keep safe
"Sir, I'm going to need you to give that back!"
>"Are ya sure?"
"Yes! It's under the custody of the royal guard!"
>"Is it?"
"YES!"
>"Now calm down good sir."
"Not until you give back the evidence!"
>"Now hold on. You don't even know what it might contain!"
"That doesn't matter!"
>"Does it?"
>...
>Does it?
>"Did you even bother ta think about what this horrid jewel may contain?!"
"Well, no, but-"
>"But nothing! None of our venerable guard should have to endanger themselves even getting NEAR these... MONSTROUS gems of horror!"
"Oh come on, I'm sure it's perfectly safe..."
>Right?
>"Safe?! Don't you know?"
"Know what?"
>He slaps his hooves on your face in surprise, smushing your cheeks together
>"YOU DON'T KNOW?!"
"Kn-now what?"
>The unicorn covers his eyes in a gesture of sorrow
>"One of Equestria's finest doesn't know..."
"KNOW WHAT?!"
>"These gems harbor... ghosts!"
"..Ghosts?"
>"Why yes! Gems like this one are said to harbor evil spirits that haunt you for eternity!"
"...Who says that?"
>"Why I do! I'm an expert on these sorta things."
"A-alright, but I have to keep watch over-"
>"Well do ya really wanna do that when it's filled with ghosts?"
"Well- No, but- I can't just give it to you!"
>"How about this? I'll take it off your hooves for a cool 50 bits?"
"I don't know. I mean, I'm not even sure you're an expert on ghosts!"
>"Well I'm hurt. Really now-"
>He stares intently into your eyes
>"Would I lie to you?"
>...
>You guess not
"Okay."
>"Why thank ya, sir! I assure you, you will NOT regret this!"
>With a magical swipe, the gem disappears under his hat, and a bag of bits lands at your hooves
>"Y'all have a good day now!"
"Y-you too."
>You're glad you got that haunted gem away from you
>All thanks to that trustworthy fellow you just met
>What a nice guy
>...
>...
>...
>...
>...
>...
>...
>...
>...
>...
>He was lying, wasn't he?
>...
>? -"Private Long Haul, we're gonna need that gem back."
>...
>"Privat-"
"BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-"

<=====TO=BE=CONTINUED=====

Thanks for reading!



BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!

MLJ: SAM BONUS CHAPTER 20B
DREAMS OF AN ANON
HEEEEERE WEEEEEE GOOOOOO!

>Hmph
>Your covers are making you too hot
>You take them off
>Now you're too cold
>You put them back on
>Now you're too hot
>Now you can't sleep
>And you have school tomorrow
>School is stupid
>It's boring
>Momma's gonna be mad that you didn't sleep
>Like when she caught you playing your GameBoy in bed
>And you hate when she's mad
>And now you can't sleep with the heat and that noise and uuUUURRGH
>You slam your anger out with your fists on the bed
>Wait, that noise?
>Yeah, It's coming from outside your room
>It's like someone's yelling, but it's muffled
>You can't sleep anyways, so you get up and open your door
>The hall's dark, but you follow the noise
>It's coming from Mom and Daddy's room
>Walking gown the hall, you finally come upon the door, some light leaking through the cracks
>"Oh Ricardo..."
>"Oh, Miss Mouse..."
>"What in the fuck?"
>"...Ah shit, he's home!" You hear someone whisper
>Dad!
>He's home already?
>You turn around and try to whisper to him
"Daddy, I think someone's try-"
>He cuts you off with a finger to your lips and a shush
>He looks angry
>"Go to bed Anon."
"I'm sorry Daddy, I-"
>"Shhhhhh, It's alright. You're not in trouble. Just go back to bed."
>You don't want Dad to get madder, so you do as he says and head back
>You go back under the covers and pretend you're asleep
>For a few seconds everything is fine
>Then the shouting starts
>It gets louder, and louder and louder
>Worse and worse and worse
>It hurts to listen to
>You open your eyes to find the door beginning
>Stop
>STOP
>STOP FIGHTING
>STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-
>...
>Everything stops
>The door
>The shouting
>The rustling curtains on the window
>Everything
>The door opens, revealing, of all things-
>Princess Luna
>"So you are the human we have heard about."
>It all comes back to you
>Ooooooooh goody
>"This seems to be quite a distressing dream. How long ago was this? We estimate you were... 6 when this happened?"
>...
>"Well?"
"I'm over it."
>"We beg to differ."
"And I ask that you leave."
>"Have you told anypony about this?"
>...
>"Anon? You can't just give me t-"
"No."
>"Nopony?"
"No one."
>"Why?"
"I don't know, ok? I just... I want to forget about it. Now please leave, or do whatever mumbo jumbo you have to to make it go away, alright?"
>"Well, what if said mumbo jumbo involved talking about it?"
"Then no."
>"Then it won't go away."
"You're a princess of the night, yet you can't make one simple dream go away."
>"We could, of course. However, that would not be solving the problem. We aim to make sure our ponies' nightmares don't come BACK. As such, pushing it away would be akin to pushing a swing away so as to sit in the spot it rested above."
"Look can you just make it go away for now? I'm not ready to go and talk about it."
>"Then when will you be ready?"
"I don't know, alright? Get off my fuckin' back."
>"This dream could get off of yours, if you'd simply-"
"The fuck do you want from me?!"
>...
>"Fine Anon. We shall make this dream more pleasant for thee."
>Your old bedroom shifts into a calming pond, with the moon overtop and a beach with trees surrounding it, with your bed becoming a giant lily pad.
>"But remember Anon, the swing doesn't stay up in the air forever. Eventually..."
>Her form begins to dissipate
>"It must come back down."
>You rest your head, just glad things are peaceful


<=====TO=BE=CONTINUED=====
Now with new ending song!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=suRrw0SJxgY