Stand Up, Face the Music - A Bizarre Encounter

ItsFulgrim

❤︎⊹𝓢𝓪𝓲𝓷𝓽⊹❤︎
The quiet beat of a tempo resounded from a small, rental studio in the nearby area, followed by a high energy track that was heavy enough to even be bothersome to those not used to this style of music.

Evelyne Romero, banged a drumstick against a set of cymbals, while using her free hand to record and edit her current work, she was focused, maybe a bit too much, she hadn't gone out in hours, her bob haircut was messy, and her curls only made it all even worse, the woman looked like a manic, and she felt like she may turn into one very soon.

It was a long day, her tracks, as always, were moving and widely accepted by very popuar artists, it was a win, at least for most it would have been. Eve had been trying a career as a singer herself, to no success, she had a whole biography on her website, all of her collaborations listed and written down neatly, and yet, she was unable to get much further than a few hundred plays on her music every week.

Today her main focus for anger had been simple, she had gotten a comment on her latest track that stated: " This is just a copy of Shore Mendrik's music. >:[ "

She almost spat out her coffee when she read it... SHORE MENDRIK?! That kid didn't have an ounce of knowledge in terms of music production. He was a pretty face, and had a decent voice, nothing else, all his music came in without input from him, all from some random artist who would go fall into irrelevancy any time soon.


Her piercing gray eyes reflected a mix of intense focus and jelousy, but they hid melancholy as well, she had always wanted to make music and be famous, but now she was 27, and she was still stuck, making music for others, helping to their success and getting no credit.

It was late, and she was starting to give up, she hit a large, red button on her console, and stopped the recording.

With a deep, tired sigh, she took her oversized jacket, put it on, and stormed out of her studio, locking it before leaving, of course. Her ripped jeans didn't help to keep her warm. At least her chunky boots made the trek across the rough pavement easier.

Eventually her pace slowed down, the rumble of her stomach forcing her to search for a convenience shop to get something to eat. truth be told, she was not picky, she had survived on a diet based around cup noodles for most of her early adulthood, now she could afford anything, yet, she still wanted a fimiliar taste, so she picked one from a shelf, and kept on moving around the store, browsing more than anything.


This were, harsh times, she was expecting a miracle, as fantastic and unlikely as it was.
 
Maxwell looked at his phone again, he had half an hour until his shift ended. He let out a heavy, tired, underpaid sigh, filling an endcap of a shelf with boxes cake mix. He was tired, and he knew damn well he was opening tomorrow. He thought about just calling in sick, that would be nice.

He had been working here since he was sixteen, and he had gotten absolutely nowhere. The pay wasn’t great, hell, he could barely get by, even when he was donating plasma on the side. He moved out to get away from his narcissistic mother, he didn’t regret a thing, but he wished he had more stability.

He looked at his phone again, only a few minutes had passed. It always seemed like the last half hour passed the slowest.

Emptying the boxes and filling the endcap, the man shuffled to the back room, walking slowly to kill time. He wondered how long he could hide in the bathroom before his manager caught him.

In his thoughts, Maxwell unknowingly bumped into a woman who was buying some cup noodles.

“Oh, um, sorry.” Maxwell said, embarrassment flooding his mind.
 
She was, surprised to say the least, she was now looking at a random jar that, she wasn't even sure what it contained... Pickled something? Whatever, she thought, turning to look at the man who'd bumped into her, he was taller, that's for sure, but even then she didn't let her size hide her rather, large character, thankfully she didn't lash out at him, instead, making an awkward joke to save him from the shame.

"Woah there pal- You almost made me drop these uh... Whatever they are." Evelyne smiled, weakly but honestly before looking over a shelf by standing on the tips of her toes, cashier was empty.

"Mind helping me with these?"


She might've looked at him a bit too long, as if analyzing him, but it wasn't out of evil or with bad intention, she was like this with everyone.
 
Maxwell was relieved she didn't lash out at him. He had gotten yelled at a few hours ago because something an old lady wanted wasn't on sale anymore, and it was somehow his fault, and he was glad this woman hadn't yelled at him.

“Uh, yeah, he must have gone on break without telling anyone. I don’t blame him.” Maxwell told himself more than her.

Quickly, he signed into the register and rung up her items, not really paying much attention to her. She was pretty, but it would be weird if he stared at her for too long.
 
Evelyne offered another kind smile, thinking of making small talk, he'd been the first person she had talked to in maybe two days, she was stuck in her studio all that time. Maybe a retail worker would've prefered not to get small talk from a stranger, especially at closing time, but she didn't think of that.


"So... Long time working here? I remember seeing you, stacking items before-" For once she realized she might be acting, just a tiny bit creepy, and cringed at her own words. She tried to lighten the mood again, despite how awkward both of them might've been.


Due her pitiful attempt at being friendly, she didn't notice someone coming through the door of the store, hooded, walking hunched over and with a backpack in hand. Suspicious was the kindest way to refer to the newcomer, they stayed close to the back of the store, avoiding the gaze of those already within.

She was starting to pick her items up, not before paying of course, but was soon distracted by the stomping of their... Unpleasant companion. The stranger stood still, a few feet away from them, but she tried not to pay it too much mind, maybe they were just waiting in line behind her?

Eve suspected otherwise despite the optimistic idea.
 
Maxwell nodded, for he got the question quite a bit, it was a smaller store, and he had quite the recognizable face.

“Yeah, um, for quite a few years.” He replied, a little distracted by the sketchy guy walking into the store. He hadn’t seen this guy before, but that was nothing new, for he had seen new people every day. The thing that was troubling him, however, was that he looked like he was up to no good. He looked like one of the teenagers that came in every once in a while to steal stuff.

He told her to have a nice day, then waited for the next guy to check out. Something was going on, but he didn’t know what yet.
 
"Oh, that makes sense, yeah... Thank you for your help. Have a nice day now. "

She waved lightly and began to move away with her purchase, she left behind a keychain, but wouldn't notice until about a minute later, for now Maxwell had a new problem, a very, very big problem.

The large man approached, still shadowed by his clothing, and retrieving something from his bag, two things in fact, a heavy arrow and a bow. No guns, no knives, the man looked a bit ridiculous with the medieval looking weapon, if it wasn't for the sheer height and broad shoulders he had.


Finally he spoke after a very, very long silence, but he didn't want money, nothing close to that.


"You look miserable... Tell me, do you hate your life? Wouldn't you wish you had, a bigger purpose... If you could maybe, evolve?"

His voice was raspy, low, he didn't sound particularly ancient, but he sounded dangerous, and was currently pulling back the string of his bow, along with the adorned, golden arrow that shimmered under the ligh of the shop.


"Go on.... Answer."
 
Maxwell looked up at the man, narrowing his eyes. He wasn’t really wanting to die for this place, so he opened the register.

“Just take the money, man.” He sighed, losing more and more of his soul the more this happened. He didn’t care about this guy’s cult, and he didn’t want to die for the three hundred dollars in the register.
 
"I care not for money, I asked you a question, reply or..."

He raised his bow, tightening the string further as he pulled it back, the arrow seemed to almost shiver in anticipation, its chosen victim right before it, but was soon distracted, by the return of the woman who was, not pleased to see whatever the hell was happening.

She assumed the same as Maxwell, a mugging, so she did what any reasonable person would do... And took out a small handgun from her purse, a mere self defense revolver with 8 rounds.


"You seriously go around robbing a convenience store, with a goddam bow and arrow? Who do you think that you are, Robin Hood? Get out, or I swear I will pull the trigger."


The man, though surprised at first by her boldness... Did not change his mind, and released the arrow, which if it did get to its target, it would go through the arm of the poor store clerk.

Evelyne was clearly not happy with the action, and began firing, with poor aim of course, she had never had the need to use her firearm before, but she was sure at least one would get him, and one almost did... But the bullet simply, stopped mid air, and crumpled into itself.

She was, confused, even more so when she was thrown against a shelf violently by an unseen force, rendering her smaller frame useless.

"Pitiful" The man said, slowly moving behind the counter to retrieve the arrow, if Maxwell didn't stop him. "But I praise your guts... Perhaps, you will be next."

By this time, anyone that had been even grazed by the arrow, would see something, a blur, a speck, something moving behind the attacker, two hands, without a body, simply two hands, metalic and with some sort of bolt adorning its knuckles. A ghost, a spirit.

HIS spirit.
 
As the arrow pierced his arm, Maxwell yelled in pain, and something felt.. different.

He sat there, staring at his wound. He was bleeding pretty badly, but at least he was hurt on company time, meaning he’d get a payout for this, well, probably.

Then, he looked up at his attacker, seeing the spirit of the man.

He wondered if he could do that, so he focused on himself and everything that had happened before.

But nothing happened.
 
He squinted his eyes, as if searching the potential in him... And he didn't see it, he was dissapointed, and retrieved his arrow with a sickening pull. No sort of worry for Mawell's well being.

"I must not doubt the ways of the Arrow... And yet, I fail to see what It sees in you..."

He then walked up to Evelyne, a grin growing in his face.

"Now this... This one, will be a proper specimen, to showcase evolution in its finest form... If she survives that is."


The string of the bow making a soft ruffling sound as it was once again tightened, despite Evelyne's blood pouring out of the very clear wound on her forehead, she attempted to raise her hand, which still furiously held the handgun, but she didn't manage to move it beyond a few inches above the ground.

To Maxwell, the spirit was now fully visible, clear as day, moving around as if it scanned for any danger that lurked, but it didn't get far from its owner, merely a feet or so in front of behind him, someone perceptive enogh would notice this, it had a limit.


"A fighter's spirit... Truly remarkable, you chose to defend one with a weaker spirit than you, but this will make you learn. Best of lucks to you, as the Stand Arrow strikes true..."



And so, the thumb of the rope against the flexible wood resounded in the shop, followed by the whistle of the projectile departing, and sinking into the side of its target at full speed, causing her to whimper, and release her weapon weakly on the ground.
 
Well, shit.

Maxwell sat here for a moment, reevaluating his life choices. He probably wasn’t going to survive this whole ordeal, but he didn’t want this woman to die, too.

Slowly, Maxwell stood up, wincing and whimpering in pain. He was hurting, and he was thinking about just laying back down throughout the whole thing. Something about him felt different, like something inside him was untapped.

He suddenly gave into it, hoping something interesting would happen, and it did. A humanoid.. thing that looked like a busted-up machine-man manifested in front of Maxwell, and he looked quite surprised.

“Uh, leave her alone!” He stammered.
 
Something DID happen. The man turned to look at the figure, such strange, raw power, anger? Not quite, it was more, bravery? Determination? He couldn't say, but he wasn't going to let there and let this man learn how to use his newfound Stand.

"So it seems the Arrow was not wrong- No matter, you will not live long enough to experience the fullest of evolution... Double Threat of Danger! Strike this unworthy host!"


The two, detached fists moved quickly as he steped forth, throwing punches in the air, in an attempt of throwing Maxwell off balance, he suspected Double Threat of Danger was not nearly as strong as this... Thing, but he didn't want to see if his theory was right.

He could sense it however, even without looking at the woman, she was manifesting something from within her, she had survived the Stand Arrow's power, but her wounds... Were a different story, he needed to deal with this unexpected foe quickly, and tend to the woman's wounds, to continue on his journey.


"Go on then! Fight, you are but an insect to the greater kind, you will fall now... In the name of the evolution of humanity, I shall not let you leave this place alive."
 
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Maxwell's Stand, though new, tanked most of the hits, swaying like a drunk.

"Uh, do something!" Maxwell ordered, pointing at the man that had just shot him with a bow and arrow. He was scared, but he wouldn't be able to make use of the money he got from the company if he was dead.

Obediently, the Stand manifested an object that looked like a giant hammer, and once complete, it smashed down toward the man, hoping to crush him to paste.
 
The hooded figure jumped back in surprise, shaken by the sudden attack of the towering Stand, he wasn't hit, by sheer luck, but his Stand was as lucky, one Double Threat of Danger's arms had gotten stuck under the large hammer. He whinced in pain, attempting to retrieve the missing half of his spirit in an erratic way.

Evelyne was starting to regain her conciousness, but she couldn't move, she was starting to suspect she'd been paralyzed, maybe her spine broke when she crashed onto the shelves... Maybe she was simply dazed. All she could do was watch the two men fight with, whatever in the world these things were, and listening to the hooded one ramble endlessly about evolution or something along those lines, it was pretty pathetic, even in her state she could clearly see this man was against the ropes, the closer Maxwell got to hitting him, the further he retreated towards the exit.

He was going to escape, but to everyone's surprise, the mechanical lock of the door was busted, as if an electric current had gone through it and ruined the wiring. A quick flash of electricity bounced back to its origin, Evelyne. But it dissapeared quickly, that was as much as she could do in her current state.


She wasn't sure what made the thing happen, she just wished really hard that she could help the man that had been attacked first, and that, thing came out of her, and jumped into action. Had she really lost that much blood? Maybe she hit her head too hard and was now seeing things.


The desperate figure spoke as it lashed out at Disaster Piece again, though it was obvious, its left arm, as well as the man's left arm was harmed, maybe even broken, which was more realistic cosidering the force behind the impact.


"You are unworthy of that Stand..."
 
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Disasterpiece caught the strike all on its own, and the Stand began to squeeze, crushing the opposing Stand. Maxwell didn’t want to kill this man, for he didn’t want to go to prison for the rest of his life.

Stepping from behind his Stand, Maxwell frowned at the man. “You.. gave this to me, didn’t you? This is your fault.” He spat, narrowing his eyes. “Don’t blame me, dumbass.”

The man drew closer to the bleeding woman, wanting to help her out. He turned his head to the man. “Do you know how to fix her?”
 
"If you let me go... I might consider a negotiation... If not, think of her as good as dead, fool."

With gritted teeth, he began to push back with the free hand of his Stand, he hadn't shown all his power, yet, but he felt that wasting it in such a failure was.. Offensive towards his holy Stand. Truth be told, even with his Stand's ability, he wouldn't be much stronger than Maxwell, he had simply not been blessed with a strong Stand, he was a messanger, in his own mind, and he was rather surprised that someone that looked as weak as him had acquired a decent control over his spirit in such a short time.

"She will live... She has awakened her Stand as well... You must be having questions, but you won't get any, not yet at least... With the noise this one made, the law will be on the way. If you both live free after this, I might have mercy and explain your situation... After all, it is the will of the Arrow."
 
“Can you just cut the cryptic shit?” Maxwell hissed as Disasterpiece rose its hammer again, threatening to crush the man. “I mean, I get that you’re supposed to be this mysterious guy, but like, cut the act. Can you help her or not?”

Maxwell’s face was twisted with annoyance, mostly because he was running out of time.
 
Little did Maxwell know Stand users had a habit of being the most fucking cryptic beings in this planet and simply could NOT get to the GOD. DAMNED. POINT. Except this time, he wanted to keep his body not a pancake of meat and bones, thank you very much.


"I said she will be fine! Are you that dense? SHE AWAKENED HER STAND, your fighting spirit, that thing you are using to strike... I awakened it, or well, THIS awakened it." His Stand retrieved the arrow, lifting it in the air.

"Your life will change forever, do you understand? You should be grateful it chose you... You will name it, you will live with it now. YOU are the next step of evolution, is it that hard to understand? Do I have to break it down further?"

Evelyne was finally starting to feel her limbs again, groaning a she tried to sit up, despite the clear pain she was in.


"Who the fuck- Goes preaching about evolution with an arrow? Who do you uthink that you are..."
 
“Oh, thanks for getting straight to the point. No need to get all aggressive.” Maxwell sighed, dismissing the last part of what the man was saying. This guy was crazy, after all.

He did get his response, though. He made Disasterpiece pick the woman up, delicately like a child. Then, he turned his head toward the man that had stabbed them both, narrowing his eyes.

“If you try anything, man, I’ll smash your head in myself.”
 
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