Chapter 48: Users & Arrows
(Site Director Emma's Office, Site-19 - 5:25 AM)
The gang were currently in Emma's office except for Carlos who was standing outside the office. All of them shared their side of the story to Emma and since Rodeo was able to fit the pieces.
"We might be humans who have become Stands, but that creature named 'Ride Me to Hell' was a pure legit Stand that came from a human." He said.
"Then why was that Stand after Dr. Buck?" Collingwood asked.
"Don't know... unless." He turned to Amelia and asked," Amelia, do you have something to say?"
"...I don't have much to say actually, other than the fact that it tried to burn me alive and was chasing me from my apartment until now."
"Amelia, that Stand was hell bent on going after to either kill you or capture you. Are you connected to some important person or project that our enemies might need from you?"
"No."
Rodeo frowned, "...Amelia, hiding things is not gonna help anyone."
"And that Stand could have killed you if it needed to, but it wanted to render you immobile for either kill or capture." Evan stated.
"I know, but I have my reasons not to tell anybody anything."
"Amelia, it might help us in finding out why that person was after you." Green said.
"...I'm sorry, but I can't give you your answers." She said, looking away.
"So you're saying you can't tell us because you're afraid we can't handle the truth?" Rodeo asked.
"Yes!!" Amelia yelled.
Everybody went silent for a moment till Rodeo said.
"...Fine, I respect whatever reason you may have for hiding the truth."
Amelia was surprised that he wasn't mad or frustrated at her for not telling him the truth.
Rodeo then says. "But that doesn't change the fact that the user is still out there."
Rodeo then looks at Emma, "Emma, I need you to tell all foundation sites about the incident today and tell the Stands that are in foundation hands as well."
"I will." Emma nodded in agreement, "Also Rodeo, this 'Ride Me to Hell' Stand... does it exist in the jojo universe?"
"Apparently no. It's a completely new Stand that I witnessed, which might be someone in this world somehow became a Stand user... and I fear it might have been caused by one of 'those'."
Hearing this, Evan's eyes widened because he knew what Rodeo actually wanted to say.
"The Golden Arrows."
"The arrows?" Emma raised a brow.
"I think we should tell them." Evan whispered to Rodeo.
The latter nodded, "Yep."
———
(After One Explanation Later.)
After explaining every fact and information about the arrows, the gang were utterly shocked about what those items were capable of.
"You're saying those arrows are in our world? And that those things can give any human being or animal a Stand? And those who are unworthy will die by the arrows?" Collingwood recalled Rodeo's words seconds ago.
"Very yes."
"Hmmmm. Thank you for telling me, Rodeo. The info you gave will help us a lot. You all can leave now." Amelia said.
Rodeo was about to leave the room first but then looked at Amelia for a moment before leaving the room. Amelia knew he was now worried for his friends and that she didn't even tell him anything yet regarding herself.
Amelia then follows him, with Green doing the same thing. Collingwood and Evan also follows.
When all of them left, Emma makes a phone call which then someone picks up.
[Hello?]
"Is that arrow still with you at the base?"
[Yes it's still with us. Is something wrong, Ms. Emma?]
"Tell everyone in the Serpent's Hand not to touch the arrow and make sure that no one uses it unless any high ranking Serpent's Hand official says so. Make sure the Chaos Insurgency, the other group of interest, or anyone doesn't get their hands on it."
[Yes, ma'am.]
Then the call ends.
Emma sighs, "This is gonna be a rough year."
———
(Down the Hallway)
In the scene, Rodeo and Carlos were walking down the hallway in silence until they heard a voice from behind their backs.
"Rodeo."
The two turn around to see Amelia as she begins to speak.
"Rodeo, I know you want answers and that you're also worried for your friends' safety, but I just can't tell you about my past."
"And I respect that, but I want to ask you something. Back on site-17 when you said you had a rough childhood... Was it more than just that?"
"...Yes."
"I see. And like I sayed, I'm ok with your decision in not telling anybody. But how long do you plan on keeping your past life to yourself?"
Amelia looked down knowing she had no answer to that question.
"Amelia, why are you afraid of telling anybody about your entire past?"
"Because I'm afraid that if I tell anybody... I'll lose them."
Rodeo stayed silent for a minute till then Amelia says.
"I don't know, Rodeo. Maybe my fate is to be alone and be afraid that no matter what I try to do, someone who I want to be close to or try to be close to me gets taken away. I'm just fated to see bad things happen in front of me... Why me? Because my parents didn't pay attention to me in their constant arguments? Was it because I was cold hearted?I just don't know." She said with sadness.
"Amelia, I... know you feel like your the most unluckiest person who had a very rough life and I understand that you don't feel great on what the future as in-stored for any of us... and I understand that your afraid of losing everybody who showed you love, because you never found love and kindness throughout your life."
Amelia looks at Rodeo as he moves forward and hugs her.
"I promise Amelia, I will make things right in this world, not for my sake, but for all of you. My friends. Even if it costs my life."
Amelia then hugged him back and then she asked, "You... really aren't worried about what might happen next?"
"I am actually, but not as worried as you are right now."
".....I'm sorry that you had to go through another fight just to protect me."
"You don't have to be sorry, Amelia. And you already said it once.'
"I know."
Behind them, Carlos was just listening to the conversation the whole time. He then moves forward and wraps both of them in a hug with his six arms and lifts them up which Rodeo couldn't help but laugh at this behavior.
"Trying to learn the human ways of expressing yourself, Carlos?"
Carlos chirps.
"Well at least he's learning something."
Carlos puts them back down, Rodeo and Amelia break away from the hug and then they see Evan,Collingwood and Green approaching them.
"So what were you three discussing?" Evan asked.
"Just being honest with each other."
"So you showed them?"
"Dude, I ain't gonna-"
In a blink of an eye, Rodeo sees his hollow stomach open and again his phone was in Evan's hands.
"You should stop doing that man."
Evan and Collingwood looked at each other and smirked, they then showed Green and Amelia the photo they took and both blushed in embarrassment.
"What happened between you two, huh?" Evan asked with a teasing smirk.
"I..I....don't know." Amelia replied with her words cracking.
"M-Me... neither." Green said.
"It's ok if you don't want to talk about it." Collingwood said.
"Give me that phone." Amelia demands.
"Nope, peace out."
*Pop*
Followed by a pop noise, Evan disappeared along with Collingwood. Amelia and Green then looked at Rodeo who just let out a sigh.
"Don't ask."
"Well that's a picture that I won't forget." Green said.
"Excuse me?" Amelia looked at Green.
"Come on, you looked good in the photo, sure it was embarrassing but hey it's Evan what can I say about that guy."
"Yes, and when I find him I just might-"
Rodeo cuts them off, "Guys, just leave it. Those two are just being playful, that's all. But you both look great in that picture." Rodeo then patted both of them on the shoulder, "Well I'll be roaming around the facility. Tell me if anything goes wrong. See you both later."
Rodeo then gestures to Carlos to follow him and he does so as the two start walking down the hallway. Green and Amelia were the only ones left in the hallway.
"Well that was embarrassing." Amelia said.
"And awkward." Green added.
"That too."
For moments of silence, Green turned to face Amelia and asked, "Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to grab something to eat at the cafeteria?"
"After almost being burned down by a ghostly entity and seeing our embarrassing photos.....sure."
"After you then."
Amelia walks ahead of Green which he follows right behind her. Today was a very rough start of a morning for Rodeo and the rest of the gang.
———
(In an Alleyway in New York - 5:40 AM)
A man was standing in an alleyway wearing a red cowboy hat, and was wearing a gray tank top, over the gray tank top he was wearing an orange leather jacket, a black jeans and had black leather boots. He had pale skin, dark orange eyes and short gray hair. He seemed to be in his 40's.
As he was standing there for a while, a Fiery Horse full of flames, otherwise known as 'Ride Me to Hell' appeared in front of him.
"Well, you came back without the girl." The man said in an American southern accent.
Then, two figures appeared behind him. One looked like a knight who was holding a rapier sword on his right hand and while the other had a bird beak, a lizard-like tail and electricity was crackling around his body while being quite short.
"And what do you two want?" He asked the two figures.
"I expected your Stand here to get Dr. Buck, so where is she, mon ami?" The Knight asked in a French accent.
"Since my Stand came back and materialized right in front of me without her... I think it got destroyed by someone and it couldn't bring her."
"Wow, you are shit at this job, old man." The half bird, half lizard hybrid said with an American accent.
"Don't call me old man, kid. Can't you see that the adults are talking here!"
"Whatever."
"Our client told both of us that we will get paid if we give them the doctor and this as well." The knight brought out something from his back, an object that appears to be...
A Golden Arrow.
"And don't forget the reason we tested this on you is because we need more men on our side. Sure me and the lizard boy can handle one Stand yes, but three in one facility. It's a gamble."
"I do want to ask you. Where did you get that arrow?" The man with the cowboy hat asked.
"That's on a need to know basis, but I will say this, mess up again and I will not hesitate in telling our client your location. Got it?"
"Loud and clear."
"Excellent. Now stay low for a while. No doubt the foundation's guard is up now. We will meet again, mon ami. And I'll message you regarding the next step in our plan."
The knight and bird lizard then started walking away, while the man in cowboy hat just looked at his Stand.
"We still have a long way to go, boy."
To Be Continued ➡
———
A/n: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Consider following me and vote for my stories and keep yourself notified for more chapters. Thank you.
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