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madimpossibledreamerMain Points:
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure/Buffy the Vampire Slayer AU
Chapter Summary: Johan strategizes.
Word Count: 1609
Rating: Teen (Buffy|Jojo's level violence)
Note: HERE THERE PROBABLY BE BUFFY/JJBA SPOILERS
He’ll need to be ready, before he challenges Dio to be a duel at dawn. He’s got to be ready for the usual bag of tricks—blood drinking, supernatural strength, speed, and endurance, freezing the blood in his veins, laser eyes—like he said, the usual.
He can’t use the church. Dio would just bide his time and do that evil laugh getting ready to pry an oyster out of its shell, if the oyster could panic and feel fear. He thrived on that, really. And he’d only get more pleased at the thought of hostages. He’s definitely not the type to play fair.
He probably shouldn’t try to mirror vampirism, either, since it kind of, you know, means he can’t use hamon without dying, and would put him at risk of any other defensive measures they’d think to put in place, never mind any possible lack-of-conscience related side effects doing so would cause. The Cthulhu statue was kind of a wake-up call. (Never mind that the kid with the radio Stand should have been the ‘caution, do not proceed’ sign. Xander’s never claimed to be the fastest kid in class.) Honestly, he’s not even sure it works on non-Stand Users, but he’s not eager to try. It’s kind of annoying, because it means he’s not grown as much as he’d thought. Here, he’d had a Stand! He could be the hero! But here he was, falling back on the same stuff, over and over, because he didn’t have the imagination to do much more than copy, and with the powers of his Stand, that was an absolute crime. Empty, limitless potential, the blank slate that can be written over and over again…he’s on the verge of realizing something, he knows it, just not…
All right, review time. Joseph wasn’t kidding when he said he liked the Art of War, so he’s got some sort of tactical backing for all of this. War based on deception—that was one of Joseph’s favorites, but there’s other points of interest, too. Like forcing the enemy to make a move, rather than being the one forced to make a move. Like choosing the battlefield. More modern weapons could help, but Dio had definitely proved simple guns weren’t enough. What he wouldn’t give to borrow Buffy’s birthday present. Sure, a rocket launcher might not work any better than a bunch of grenades or a machine gun, but they’d at least buy him some time. Explosives…there’s a thought. Preparing a trap for an ancient snake demon could actually be good experience for this, not that he’d thought he’d ever say that. It definitely means he can’t choose somewhere in town, if he goes that route. He’s got a lot of Hamon techniques, a good number of which Dio’s never seen. Still, he’s aware that Sendo exists, and he’s got a bit of an imagination, so he can probably adapt quicker to that than to anything else. Probably the most pertinent question in this whole mess is whether vampires without Stands can see Stands. Probably not, but then, apparently Buffy had been seeing them, so it’s not as clear cut as Josuke—grandpa, wow, that’s weird to think—would say. No clue if he can stop time, but that feels like one of those Stand-specific things that he’s not eager to try to copy, because Pretender does have limits on that front. Crazy Diamond, either. He can’t create a portal to wherever Mom’s portals go, but gets the feeling navigating would be a cinch. Still, she’s not here, so that doesn’t matter. Gold Experience…well, he can’t Requiem, but there’s a thought. He might be able to mimic what he can’t actively copy with Hamon, and the fact that Giorno even exists…hmm. Hamon infused life. Like the beetles he’d—Giorno’d—used on the sadist doctor, or something.
The Ripple works better with water, but it’s not as if Lotus Juice actually creates water, and touching it would render him in danger of whatever Fitz has done to the water. Maybe there’s some sort of water-training trap here somewhere? Jonathan hadn’t run into that specifically in his trip, but it’d make sense—early knights had to deal with moats, right? And they even had to swim in that heavy armor. Or, well, probably drown, if it was that heavy. The lake, sure, where Jonathan had fought Bruford, but the residents probably wouldn’t be happy if they blew that up, or whatever, and the knights probably constructed some sort of Indiana Jones trapped training ground for that, too, as a potentially better alternative. He wishes he’d asked Bruford before he left, but the sooner they can start preparing the battlefield, the better. He glances up, and yeah, the castle’s still there, but Dio had been straight-up living there, while Jonathan had only visited, so he’d have an advantage in that venue.
“Are you planning on moving sometime today?” Speaking of Lotus Juice.
“Just thinking. You know how hard that is for me.” The elbow in his side says that the blond isn’t pleased with his self-depreciation this time. “Sorry, sorry. We’ve learned a lot, but it looks like the graveyard was a bust.”
“Things like people brought back from the past aren’t puppets and aren’t just acting out the past?” the blond clarifies, and Johan grins.
It’s a bittersweet feeling, being on the same page with someone like this. Because the last two times he can remember being so totally in sync with someone were with Caesar (not him, but the memories are so close—) and Jesse. And the blond’s not the type to let many people this close, physically or emotionally. He’d elbow Fitz back, but they’d just end up squabbling like children, and while that seems like it’s something Fitz sorely needs, they don’t have time for it right now. He tugs the cap his friend’s wearing down just a little bit, amused at the glare and fussy fixing, before he moves on.
“But even better than that. Because the zombies have two masters—the Dynamite Rabbit and Dio, so if we can get them fighting each other, that’ll deal with most of their army. Not that Dio, especially, is a wimp if we’re fighting just him, but it’s definitely better than him plus a bunch of zombies.” Which he knows because of experience. And—hang on, duh, he’s overlooking something really obvious. Copying memories is hardly the only way for the lessons of the past to be handed to the living. “Fitz, Speedwagon wouldn’t happen to have come back to Windknight’s Lot after they left, would he?”
The gleam in the Speedwagon heir’s eyes says he’s keeping up just fine. “He came back to pay his respects to where they spread Mr. Zeppeli’s ashes, and donate money for the rebuilding of the town. The townsfolk insisted on a very thorough tour in their gratitude, and he kept a rather thorough diary. Now, I haven’t had the fortune of reading it myself, but as you might remember, Mum told me quite a number of stories. Where’s your battlefield of choice, Jojo?”
“Somewhere with water. Lots and lots of water.” He remembers they’re near the sea, so there’s probably something. He snorts at the blond raised eyebrow. “The town might not be called Windknight’s Lot anymore, and it’s a little easier to get here, but the population’s still a lot of farmers and they probably use the water from the lake for most of their self-sustaining efforts. I don’t want anyone to starve. Better than being eaten by a zombie, or Dio, but still, I’d prefer to avoid that if I can help it.” He might be channeling Jonathan a little.
Fitz smirks. For once, he’s not fighting his position, here, or Xander, or—he’s comfortable, in other words. “The historian in me is protesting loudly. The punk in me is telling the historian to shut up, because you’re right. The knights had exactly the sort of training ground you’re looking for, and the ancient ghosts would probably prefer it be used for an honorable fight rather than preserved through cowardice. I suppose I’ve been chosen as your Second, based on that choice?”
Something in Johan’s mind vaguely informs him that’s some sort of dueling reference. He ignores that, clapping an arm around the blond’s shoulders. Early on, his friend would have pushed him away, or at least stiffened, but his smile merely grows, now. “Absolutely. I’m a terrible influence. Did I tell you about the time I blew up my school? And on that note, now that you’ve learned to melt things, maybe you can look into destruction with a little more explosive results.”
Fitz chuckles, shoulders shaking with mirth, and Johan can’t help but join him. This? Thinking things through, controlling the battlefield? This is a rush. Like flying a plane with one eye. He’d hope the pride would outweigh the surprise, but it’s hard to predict, with Buffy, Giles, Willow, an entirely new branch of the family he knows better than they know him…eh. Fitz looks proud, and that’s enough for now.
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure/Buffy the Vampire Slayer AU
Chapter Summary: Johan strategizes.
Word Count: 1609
Rating: Teen (Buffy|Jojo's level violence)
Note: HERE THERE PROBABLY BE BUFFY/JJBA SPOILERS
As it turns out, the ‘how’ is pretty easy. Dio was lucky he’d dealt with such a straight-shooter. Even DIO only had to deal with Jotaro, he of the ‘punch first ask questions later’ tendency. (Not always. He was a really deep thinker if he felt like it. It was just…such a pain, most of the time.) Dio’s biggest problem was his ego. Now, it’s not like he wasn’t cunning, too. So he’d come into this expecting a gentlemanly fight, but the second he caught something off, he’d be on guard.
He’ll need to be ready, before he challenges Dio to be a duel at dawn. He’s got to be ready for the usual bag of tricks—blood drinking, supernatural strength, speed, and endurance, freezing the blood in his veins, laser eyes—like he said, the usual.
He can’t use the church. Dio would just bide his time and do that evil laugh getting ready to pry an oyster out of its shell, if the oyster could panic and feel fear. He thrived on that, really. And he’d only get more pleased at the thought of hostages. He’s definitely not the type to play fair.
He probably shouldn’t try to mirror vampirism, either, since it kind of, you know, means he can’t use hamon without dying, and would put him at risk of any other defensive measures they’d think to put in place, never mind any possible lack-of-conscience related side effects doing so would cause. The Cthulhu statue was kind of a wake-up call. (Never mind that the kid with the radio Stand should have been the ‘caution, do not proceed’ sign. Xander’s never claimed to be the fastest kid in class.) Honestly, he’s not even sure it works on non-Stand Users, but he’s not eager to try. It’s kind of annoying, because it means he’s not grown as much as he’d thought. Here, he’d had a Stand! He could be the hero! But here he was, falling back on the same stuff, over and over, because he didn’t have the imagination to do much more than copy, and with the powers of his Stand, that was an absolute crime. Empty, limitless potential, the blank slate that can be written over and over again…he’s on the verge of realizing something, he knows it, just not…
All right, review time. Joseph wasn’t kidding when he said he liked the Art of War, so he’s got some sort of tactical backing for all of this. War based on deception—that was one of Joseph’s favorites, but there’s other points of interest, too. Like forcing the enemy to make a move, rather than being the one forced to make a move. Like choosing the battlefield. More modern weapons could help, but Dio had definitely proved simple guns weren’t enough. What he wouldn’t give to borrow Buffy’s birthday present. Sure, a rocket launcher might not work any better than a bunch of grenades or a machine gun, but they’d at least buy him some time. Explosives…there’s a thought. Preparing a trap for an ancient snake demon could actually be good experience for this, not that he’d thought he’d ever say that. It definitely means he can’t choose somewhere in town, if he goes that route. He’s got a lot of Hamon techniques, a good number of which Dio’s never seen. Still, he’s aware that Sendo exists, and he’s got a bit of an imagination, so he can probably adapt quicker to that than to anything else. Probably the most pertinent question in this whole mess is whether vampires without Stands can see Stands. Probably not, but then, apparently Buffy had been seeing them, so it’s not as clear cut as Josuke—grandpa, wow, that’s weird to think—would say. No clue if he can stop time, but that feels like one of those Stand-specific things that he’s not eager to try to copy, because Pretender does have limits on that front. Crazy Diamond, either. He can’t create a portal to wherever Mom’s portals go, but gets the feeling navigating would be a cinch. Still, she’s not here, so that doesn’t matter. Gold Experience…well, he can’t Requiem, but there’s a thought. He might be able to mimic what he can’t actively copy with Hamon, and the fact that Giorno even exists…hmm. Hamon infused life. Like the beetles he’d—Giorno’d—used on the sadist doctor, or something.
The Ripple works better with water, but it’s not as if Lotus Juice actually creates water, and touching it would render him in danger of whatever Fitz has done to the water. Maybe there’s some sort of water-training trap here somewhere? Jonathan hadn’t run into that specifically in his trip, but it’d make sense—early knights had to deal with moats, right? And they even had to swim in that heavy armor. Or, well, probably drown, if it was that heavy. The lake, sure, where Jonathan had fought Bruford, but the residents probably wouldn’t be happy if they blew that up, or whatever, and the knights probably constructed some sort of Indiana Jones trapped training ground for that, too, as a potentially better alternative. He wishes he’d asked Bruford before he left, but the sooner they can start preparing the battlefield, the better. He glances up, and yeah, the castle’s still there, but Dio had been straight-up living there, while Jonathan had only visited, so he’d have an advantage in that venue.
“Are you planning on moving sometime today?” Speaking of Lotus Juice.
“Just thinking. You know how hard that is for me.” The elbow in his side says that the blond isn’t pleased with his self-depreciation this time. “Sorry, sorry. We’ve learned a lot, but it looks like the graveyard was a bust.”
“Things like people brought back from the past aren’t puppets and aren’t just acting out the past?” the blond clarifies, and Johan grins.
It’s a bittersweet feeling, being on the same page with someone like this. Because the last two times he can remember being so totally in sync with someone were with Caesar (not him, but the memories are so close—) and Jesse. And the blond’s not the type to let many people this close, physically or emotionally. He’d elbow Fitz back, but they’d just end up squabbling like children, and while that seems like it’s something Fitz sorely needs, they don’t have time for it right now. He tugs the cap his friend’s wearing down just a little bit, amused at the glare and fussy fixing, before he moves on.
“But even better than that. Because the zombies have two masters—the Dynamite Rabbit and Dio, so if we can get them fighting each other, that’ll deal with most of their army. Not that Dio, especially, is a wimp if we’re fighting just him, but it’s definitely better than him plus a bunch of zombies.” Which he knows because of experience. And—hang on, duh, he’s overlooking something really obvious. Copying memories is hardly the only way for the lessons of the past to be handed to the living. “Fitz, Speedwagon wouldn’t happen to have come back to Windknight’s Lot after they left, would he?”
The gleam in the Speedwagon heir’s eyes says he’s keeping up just fine. “He came back to pay his respects to where they spread Mr. Zeppeli’s ashes, and donate money for the rebuilding of the town. The townsfolk insisted on a very thorough tour in their gratitude, and he kept a rather thorough diary. Now, I haven’t had the fortune of reading it myself, but as you might remember, Mum told me quite a number of stories. Where’s your battlefield of choice, Jojo?”
“Somewhere with water. Lots and lots of water.” He remembers they’re near the sea, so there’s probably something. He snorts at the blond raised eyebrow. “The town might not be called Windknight’s Lot anymore, and it’s a little easier to get here, but the population’s still a lot of farmers and they probably use the water from the lake for most of their self-sustaining efforts. I don’t want anyone to starve. Better than being eaten by a zombie, or Dio, but still, I’d prefer to avoid that if I can help it.” He might be channeling Jonathan a little.
Fitz smirks. For once, he’s not fighting his position, here, or Xander, or—he’s comfortable, in other words. “The historian in me is protesting loudly. The punk in me is telling the historian to shut up, because you’re right. The knights had exactly the sort of training ground you’re looking for, and the ancient ghosts would probably prefer it be used for an honorable fight rather than preserved through cowardice. I suppose I’ve been chosen as your Second, based on that choice?”
Something in Johan’s mind vaguely informs him that’s some sort of dueling reference. He ignores that, clapping an arm around the blond’s shoulders. Early on, his friend would have pushed him away, or at least stiffened, but his smile merely grows, now. “Absolutely. I’m a terrible influence. Did I tell you about the time I blew up my school? And on that note, now that you’ve learned to melt things, maybe you can look into destruction with a little more explosive results.”
Fitz chuckles, shoulders shaking with mirth, and Johan can’t help but join him. This? Thinking things through, controlling the battlefield? This is a rush. Like flying a plane with one eye. He’d hope the pride would outweigh the surprise, but it’s hard to predict, with Buffy, Giles, Willow, an entirely new branch of the family he knows better than they know him…eh. Fitz looks proud, and that’s enough for now.
