The final test

I glared at the lady and then said: "Fine then.. Lead me to the next one."

The lady didn't respond and started leading the way. I put my phone on vibration and followed her. She then stopped at a tunnel. The area around the tunnel was covered in thick fog that decreased the visibility.

"Where are we..?" - I asked, looking up at her.

".....We're close."

"How close exactly?"

She then started walking through the dark tunnel, replying: "Very."

I followed, until she stopped in her tracks shortly and stared into the darkness. I looked up to see her expression, she seemed to be waiting for something.

"This is the place…" - She said.

In the far distance, a light illuminated the far end of the tunnel and slowly reached me. I turned at it, at the same end, a moving figure could be seen faintly. It was a person hovering above the ground, moving straight through the tunnel towards us.

Once he got closer, I noticed it was a man and his features were more clear. He had long green turban shaped hair, and a white outfit. His eyes were red and his chin and forehead had silver plating, and earrings with the initials "TD". The strange man stopped and stayed idle mid-air. He then moved sideways to let me and the lady pass while bowing down.

I looked at him and then at her, he finally spoke in a polite manner: "Welcome, Master. And welcome, Miss Gushiken."

"Hello Terence. Please, show me and Natsuki the way."

"Gladly.."

I held my bag strap tightly and RTTC came out. He then glanced at me, saying: "Oh, and Ms. Gushiken.. There is no need to be alarmed by my rather strange arrival."

I looked up at him and said: "I am used to keeping my guard up." - I then made RTTC disappear.

Terrence chuckled, "Of course. You are just like your father after all..", he then floated forward through the tunnel while the lady followed him, and so did I while I glared at both of them.

"I learnt to be that way after having stand users try to kill me one by one, and especially a guy who decided to come from the shadows.." - I looked away.

"Ms. Gushiken's experience is indeed admirable.. However, I doubt she is prepared for what this test will include." - He commented - "It is the final test after all. Hm hm hm.."

"And I have to do it by myself.." - I started sweating.

"Tests are usually done alone. And like any other test, cheating is not allowed. It is you who is being tested after all." - He said, looking at me.

Terrence and the lady then stopped before an entrance. The entrance was decorated to appear as a Tiger's head, and it's throat being the path. I stopped after them.

"This is it." - She said, looking at the entrance.

"That's as far as we go, you will need to carry on by yourself." - Terrence informed me.

I then thought to myself: "Here we go.. again.." - I nodded and walked forward but was interrupted by her asking - "Do you know what you will find behind those doors?"

"...No."

"Before you continue.." - She said, I turned around to face her as she continued - "There is something you need to keep in mind."

"Which is..?"

"Do not stray from your true goal. No matter what happens or what you find in there…" - The lady then became cold in her expression and voice, saying - "...Because you will suffer."

"I have experienced different types of pain.. I am only doing this to know what really happened to my dad. I won't give up until I have a proper answer. So if this is the price I will have to pay, I am willing to do it." - I said, walking forward and opening the doors in front of me.

"....As you say. Go, now."

The path had an extremely long stairway leading downwards. I sighed and started sprinting down the stairs, saying: "I don't have enough patience to do this calmly."

I then tried to see the end of the stairway, there was a strong light at the end of it. Soon enough, I reached the end and stopped a bit late, panting a bit. Before me, there was a large vault full of treasure. I looked around. The treasure was so vast and bright, it illuminated the room completely.

"...Wow." - I said, noticing a path leading forward. I started following the path. From the sides of the path and at the end was all the treasure hoarded inside the chamber. There was also a small postal that had a rusty lamp on it.

I looked over at the postal and picked it up. I noticed the lamp seemed to have some gravures on it but they were covered by barnacles so I scrubbed them off. The gravure appeared to be the tiger entrance.

"The entrance..?"

The lamp suddenly shined in a pinkish light, I got surprised and let go of the lamp as pink smoke forced it's way out of it. Soon enough, the smoke cleared out and the lamp stopped shining.

"What the hell just happened..?"

A large shadow casted onto me from behind. I looked behind me and jolted, quickly backing away. It was a huge robotic humanoid, releasing the pink smoke. It then pointed it's hand towards me, shouting: "YOU GET THREE! THREE I SAY! My name is Cameo. Allow me to thank you for freeing me from the lamp… Most people would choose the treasure over the rusty old lamp, but you found the right thing! For that, I will grant you three wishes, anything you desire!"

"A-Anything..?"

"Your deepest heart's desires.."

"Sounds fishy to me.." - I regained my composure and looked up at Cameo who was floating mid-air with crossed arms, dead silent as I continued - "I wish for Killer.Chr to not have access to the game, meaning, he will be stuck in the void leading to his death."

"Can't happen."

"Wha- WHY?!"

"I cannot grant a wish that asks for someone to die."

"Technically, he is not alive right now.."

"I can bring him back.. If you wish so." - He then suggested.

"N-No thank you. He is the last person I want to see in the face of this universe.." - I then thought to myself, looking away - "I do want to see my father again.."

"I wish Monika could come to me." - I made my first wish, looking up at him.

"Very well…" - He then raised his hands in the air, shouting - "HAAAAIL 2 UUUUU!" - Cameo turned into pink smoke, disappearing.

I looked around as the smoke cleared, a few coins rustled from a heap of gold. A hand burst out of it, someone was trapped inside.

"Woah, what the– Is it really her..?" - I said as the hand started moving around, trying to come out. It had a brown uniform sleeve.

I walked towards the heap of gold and pulled the hand out of the treasure. A girl with coral brown hair with a long ponytail on a bow got pulled out, gasping for air.

"M-MONIKA!" - I smiled.

"N-Natsuki..?! Where.." - Monika backed away, looking around, utterly confused.

"Kind of a long story."

"I could use some explaining!"

"O-Okay! I am here because.. I am having a test.. A final test.. If I pass it, I will know what happened to my father and why all of this is happening.. I need to know what happened.."

"A-A test..?" - She pulled out her keyboard - "And how did I get here?"

"Some kind of robot genie came out of the rusty lamp over there.. I wanted you here with me and boom, you're here. I know you won't believe me though.."

Monika flashed a smile, saying: "We've all seen stuff, why wouldn't I believe you? I'm glad to know you still appreciate my help though."

"Of course.." - I smiled slightly.

Monika looked up at the genie who was sitting on top of the heap of gold, asking: "Is that.. the genie?"

"Yeah.." - I replied, looking at the genie as well.

"Tell me your second wish so I can grant it for you."

I then stared at Cameo, and mumbled: "Maybe… Bring my father back to life..?" - I looked down.

".... "Maybe"? You sound unsure." - He then commented.

"I-I don't know if it's possible.. But if it is.. Grant it."

"Your wish is my command… HAIL 2 UUUUU!" - He then turned to smoke once again and disappeared.

I got surprised. Monika asked: "...What just happened…?"

"Is.. Is he really gonna..?" - I said, looking around. Cameo appeared behind me, replying: "Yes."

"Wait.. His body is still at the destroyed village, buried..!" - I said, turning to Cameo.

"I can still do it." - Cameo declared.

"He technically brought me here, so.. It is quite possible." - Monika said.

"D-Do it."

"So, is that your THIRD wish?"

"Third? That was my second."

"Nope.. Your second wish was the answer to the question if I could bring your father back to life. And my answer was yes. Second wish granted!"

"...THAT'S NOT HOW WISHES WORK!"

"I asked whether you wanted me to answer or not. I did as you ordered."

"You didn't have to count it as a wish, it was a simple doubt I had. Not a wish."

"It is now, we can't do anything about it. You still have your third and final wish though. And that's bringing back Dadsuki, if I'm correct?.."

Monika looked at me, worried as I replied: "No. I've changed my mind."

"Say?"

"I wish you would go back into the lamp you came from and not come back."

"....Ho ho.. Ho ho ho ho ho.. HOHOHOHOHOO! OHHHH.." - Cameo laughed for a good minute while I stared at him. RTTC came out while he continued - "I have never heard a wish such as that one.. Good one, really!"

"So are you gonna do it? I've made my wish. You do your part."

Cameo's eyes flashed in a bright blue light as he said: "Do you actually want to waste your golden opportunity on that..? Do you think I am an idiot?" - my eyes started glowing in a bright shade of red as my anger started growing as he continued - "What do you think you're doing here, huh?"

"I am here for my final test but news flash, bozo.. I am tired of these tests."

"So.. You'll give up at the very end?"

"No, I won't. I want to pass this test, by crushing you."

"When I grant a wish, it's real. I granted you the confirmation that I can indeed bring dead people back to life. Wouldn't that make your third wish quite obvious?" - He asked me while I stared at him with anger - "I'm waiting."

"....Bring Dadsuki Brando back to life, and bring him here."

"Glad you came back to your senses." - Cameo then spread his arms, saying - "HAAAAIL 2 UUUUUU!" - And one last time, he dissolved into smoke, disappearing.

I suddenly heard the earth slowly cracking. I backed away, saying: "Woah.." - The ground opened up and a large man with pink hair and pink pigtails came out.

My eyes started watering as I saw him. Dadsuki came to his senses and noticed me: "..."

"D-Dad.."

"....Nat…Suki…"

I sprinted towards him and hugged him while he stood still, saying: "You're alive…"

"I should be the one saying that.."

"Why… Why did you bring me back?"

"Because.." - I looked away - "I feel lost without you by my side.."

Dadsuki looked away as well, saying: "You shouldn't have done that.."

"Why not?"

"I knew that I would get killed eventually.. This test was for you to grow without me."

I wiped my tears and looked away, saying: "I'm tired of these tests. But I did learn.. And a lot happened." - then thinking to myself - "This.. His attitude feels off."

"You're growing too attached to me. What will you do on your own, Natsuki?"

"I have to grow up mentally.. But.. I need you by my side..!"

"I was there for you long enough. Now you need to carry on by yourself."

"B-But–" - I tried to protest.

He turned away from me and I grew silent, and then he said: "Natsuki. Only one of us can go. That's how it works."

"Was it all for nothing then..?!"

"No, there is something really good about this.. And that is the fact…" - He then turned toward me slowly - "THAT I GET A TASTE OF YOU!"

"WHA– I KNEW SOMETHING WAS OFF!"

Dadsuki's jaw opened wide and revealed numerous sharp teeth. I jumped away from him, shouting: "SERIOUSLY?!"

He then jumped at me and bit down my leg, RTTC kicked him away while I closed one of my eyes. He managed to bite a chunk from my leg and backed away. I tried to heal myself while he escaped in the heap of gold, however Monika jumped at me from behind and bit my neck.

"SERIOUSLY-" - RTTC kicks her away with all its strength but Monika also managed to get a chunk from my neck and ran into the heap of gold.

I got one of my blood bags from my bag to quickly heal myself and sighed: "I knew there was something fishy about those wishes.." - I wiped my mouth and continued - "I'm alone after all, fun.."

Cameo then appeared in front of me, I growled and RTTC punched him but he blocked the punch, I then said: "You fucking tricked me, you bastard.." - RTTC started making a punch barrage on him but with his armor, he blocked all of the hits. My eyes glowed in a bright shade of red.

"Your wishes were pretty boring!" - Cameo said, kicking RTTC in the jaw with great force. RTTC held his foot and I commented - "Nice foot.", throwing him across the room.

"I don't think so!" - Cameo stayed mid-air and swung his leg, throwing RTTC across the room. I landed on my feet. He then charged at RTTC and made a large swing with his long arm. RTTC tried to break his arm and it stayed intact - "That's a tough stand you got there."

RTTC punched his face repeatedly. Cameo blocked the punches and pushed my stand away.

"Underestimating me.. Was a big mistake." - Cameo tried to hit RTTC with both of his arms but it blocked - "You withstood that attack?!" - He then went for a punch in the gut. RTTC kicked his fist away and with great speed, punched his gut instead.

Cameo looked surprised and I looked angrily at him as he backed off after taking the punch, RTTC then continued punching him as his guard was down.

"Con- UARGH!" - Cameo then threw a large chest at RTTC - "NEVER FUCKING TRICK ME AGAIN!" - RTTC dodged and before it dealt its last punch, I noticed "Monika" and "Dadsuki" jump out of the heap of gold, charging at me at the same time.

RTTC disappeared and I jumped in the air.

"Tch.. After her!" - Cameo ordered.

I shot lasers from my eyes at both of them while in the air.

"ARGH!" - "Monika" screamed after falling from climbing the heap of gold while drooling.

"Gah! You're.. Finally growing, Natsuki.." - "Dadsuki" said.

I started breathing heavily and shot lasers at his brain, hitting him.

He fell to the ground - "N-Natsuki.." - His face turned back to normal and he closed his eyes after going unconscious. I looked over at him, while sweating since I wasted a lot of energy from using those attacks.

I looked at "Monika" and then "Dadsuki". "Monika" got down and looked at "Dadsuki", worried. I then turned my gaze to Cameo as he said: "Heh.. After all you've went through to bring him back, you ended up killing him in seconds."

Tears started rolling down my cheeks due to confusion while I said: "W-Wait.. THEN WHY DID THEY ATTACK ME?! D-Did I.."

"Have you forgotten, Natsuki? About your final test! Were you not told you wouldn't be ready for this?" - Cameo asked.

My eyes started glowing red.

"THEY TOLD ME, YES!"

"Oh, you poor thing.. Is there anything you can do now?"

"Don't.. Call me.. Poor thing.." - I said, frustrated, jumping in the air and holding onto a pillar of the upper floor - "I… Am tired of these tests.. I am tired of everything."

I looked at "Dadsuki" as he got up and shook my head. "Dadsuki" 's lips cracked, revealing his teeth, saying: "Natsuki.. This is important.. I.. I am not complete yet.."

"Not complete..?"

"Dadsuki" 's lips and cheeks crack more, saying: "As you can see.."

I turned to Cameo as he said: "In order to bring back a life… A human sacrifice is needed. It's not cheap. Are you ready to do it?" - I looked at my own hands as he continued - "Ho.. Ho ho ho.. Don't you get it yet? This is YOUR test, Natsuki! Your father is falling apart from that hit in his brain! How much would you do to help him?!" - Cameo's eyes flashed blue - "Would you go as far as giving your own flesh and blood..?"

"....No."

".....Pretty disappointing. Looks like you aren't fit for this test."

My bangs covered my eyes as tears rolled down my cheeks from anger.

"It's okay, Natsuki. You don't need to force yourself." - "Dadsuki" said.

I then looked over at Cameo and RTTC came out, as Cameo asked: "What are you thinking, huh?" - I jumped at Cameo at high speed and RTTC punched him with all of it's strength, as I replied: "I will kill someone instead."

Cameo grabbed RTTC's fist and said: "Oops.. Looks like you really weakened after using those laser eyes!"

I checked for blood bags in my bag, my eyes widened and I looked over at "Dadsuki" as he said: "Looking for this?" - He was holding empty blood bags in his hands while blood dripped from his mouth - "This was good.. But I need more."

Cameo kicked RTTC back to the upper floor while I was looking away, saying: "What are you waiting for? Go offer your sacrifice!"

I managed to keep my balance and both replicas jumped at me but I sprinted away. "Monika" then said, while reaching closer with "Dadsuki" : "You've got nowhere to run, Natsuki.."

I pulled out one yen from my pocket and RTTC turned it to a cupcake. I ate it to gain some of my strength and more energy.

"Don't be so greedy, Natsuki.. We want to eat too." - "Dadsuki" said.

"Heh.." - I finished the cupcake.

He then jumped at me while Monika ran after me and I said: "OH SHI–"

I sprinted to the other side of the first floor while "Monika" followed, saying: "Come back, NatNat! I'm here to help you!"

RTTC punched "Monika" downstairs, resulting in her arm falling off.

"Dadsuki" then walked up to me and I turned to him, saying: "Don't make me hurt you."

"You're making this harder, Natsuki. I thought you of all people would do what was needed to complete me." - "Dadsuki" said, stopping in his tracks and looking me in the eyes. I looked him in the eyes and grew silent as he continued - "You brought me here.. Do you not want me back after all? I had my hopes up.." - His face slowly starts crumbling.

"....You're already dead." - I said, angrily, punching him away and started looking for Cameo.

Cameo suddenly appeared behind me and grabbed me, as I shouted: "NANI?!" - RTTC came out as he continued - "Pretty good.."

He then let go of me and faced RTTC. RTTC grabbed his neck as soon as he turned to it and Cameo grabbed it's grabbing arm and tightened his grip, saying: "What are you gonna do?.. Choke me to death? Let me see you try."

I was turned away, RTTC tightened its grip around Cameo's neck and I turned to him, my eyes still glowing red. His voice stiffened as he was being choked, while I said: "And you, Cameo.. You will know what happens when someone messes with my head like this.."

"Y-Yup.. Your stand was able to overpower mine and catch me off guard.. And you managed to fight your friends too.. Quite the spirit there.. Could it be said you passed the test..?" - "Monika" and "Dadsuki" then grabbed me from behind as he continued - "I don't think so."

My voice started glitching as I tried to get away from them: "ɎØɄ ₮Ⱨł₦₭ ɎØɄ ₵₳₦ JɄ₴₮ ₱Ʉ₮ ₥Ɇ ₮ⱧⱤØɄ₲Ⱨ ₳ⱠⱠ Ø₣ ₮Ⱨł₴ ₴Ⱨł₮, ₵₳ⱠⱠ ł₮ ₳ ₮Ɇ₴₮, ₳₦Đ ₲Ø Ʉ₦₱Ʉ₦ł₴ⱧɆĐ?!"

"I think I can.. I love nothing more than to play with people's hearts!"

Cameo grabbed both of RTTC's arms despite being choked, all the while, RTTC managed to grab his head and break his neck and then make both replicas let go of me. Cameo held his head intact, saying: "N-Nope.. That's not enough to kill someone." - I stopped glitching as Cameo grabbed "Dadsuki" 's head and tightly gripped it, continuing - "This is how you kill somone…"

My eyes grew wide as he laughed. I saw him trying to break free from his grip but his head got slowly crushed in Cameo's hand. Cameo then threw him to and he fell on me, saying "Na.. Natsuki… It's me… You.. Wouldn't take my life again, would you..?" - I looked him in the eyes as he continued - "Natsuki.. Will you do what's needed to bring me back? It's okay to give up sometimes.."

"That's where you're wrong.. I'm stubborn.. Looks like I'm more stubborn than you are. Therefore.. I refuse to sacrifice myself." - I smiled slightly, my bangs making a shadow over my eyes.

"What?.. After all of this, you will refuse?" - He quickly grew angrier and RTTC came out. "Dadsuki" tightly gripped my uniform while I was pinned down and continued - "You will either obey.. OR I WILL DO IT BY FORCE." - His mouth opened, revealing rows of sharp teeth.

I kicked him away from me, shouting: "LET GO OF ME AT ONCE."

"UARGH!" - The part that got kicked on his body cracked and dirt fell out of it. I got up and fixed my uniform. Instead of bleeding, the wound appeared to be a crack instead. "Dadsuki" who was in front of me was not a being of blood and flesh, as I suspected.

"Heh.. Not the real one." - I said, smirking, ready for an attack.

"This betrayal.. How dare you.. GYYOOOAAARGH!" - The beast that I thought was my father then charged at me. RTTC then flew at him and punched through its stomach, saying: "You wish.. You never once showed your stand."

"KAH!" - Its skin then became dark and he fell apart, revealing to be nothing but a construct of dirt.

"Dirt.." - I looked down at it and turned to Cameo.

"Exactly. You were fooled by a mere dirt doll, and one is still here!" - Cameo said, pointing at the dirt doll of Monika.

"I'm gonna kill you.." - I said.

I saw the doll ambush me from behind and try to sink it's teeth into my neck but RTTC hit its elbow in its mouth to protect me. Making its teeth get kicked in its throat - "G-GUH!" - The beast became agitated and attacked me with her claws, going after my eyes. RTTC punched through its stomach as well as I backed away. It then stopped and fell apart just like the dirt doll of Dadsuki did.

I slowly turned to Cameo, my anger was already going off the charts as he said, clapping: "Congratulations.. You saw through my machinations.. BUT! Do you think you have the strength to beat me? LET'S SEE, SHALL WE?" - Cameo then prepared a heavy sweep attack with his long arm - "HAAAAIL 2 UUUUU!"

RTTC appeared behind him and I crouched, RTTC grabbing his arm as he said: "Where is your stand to protect you now, hu– Now.. You think you can break me..? Try it!"

RTTC tightened its grip on his arm, slowly crushing it. The arm plates protecting Cameo's arm slowly started breaking as he said: "WAH! HOW?!" - He started wiggling and panicking - "Where– Where did you get the strength?!"

"Next time, remind yourself, I'm Dadsuki Brando's daughter. Be mindful of who you're messing with." - I said as Cameo used his other arm to try and grab Rotten to the Core.

RTTC prepared to punch through his stomach as he said: "H-HELL NO. YOU WON'T GET ME ALIVE!"

"...You think so?" - RTTC then dealt the punch, but as his back was pierced, and before receiving critical damage, Cameo dispersed into pink smoke and vanished. I looked around and a chest in the area shook a little.

I walked over to it and kicked the chest open and a man jumped out of it, screaming, he had long orange hair and a bald top, he started shouting: "P-PLEASE FORGIVE ME– I WAS ONLY FOLLOWING ORDERS! IF YOU SPARE ME, YOU WILL GET ALL OF THIS TREASURE!"

"I don't need the damn treasure.." - I then raised my hand up to his neck as he shouted again - "B-BUT I NEED MY LIFE! DON'T TAKE IT AWAY, I BEG OF YOU! EEK!"

"Now.. Tell me a good fucking reason why I should spare you after you bamboozled me like that? Those were dirty, dirty tricks.."

"I-I am nothing but a pathetic human being! Killing me would be a waste of time!

"Not really.. You made me lose a lot of blood so.." - I stabbed his neck with my nails and started sucking his blood - "Buon appetite for me."

The pathetic Cameo desperately tried coming up with excuses to save his miserable life until he lost all of his blood and became a dry husk.

"It's a matter of survival after all. Anything works." - I let go of his corpse and threw it away. The heaps of gold and treasure became darker and lost it's shine - "Time to get out of here.."

They all fell apart and became dirt, turning the whole place into a cave, I started sprinting upstairs towards the entrance while, soon enough, the place started shaking and crumbling behind me. I got to the surface and the tiger shaped door closed behind me as everything behind it crumbled.

"You've done quite well, Miss Gushiken." - I turned to who was talking to me. It was the same butler with tall turban-like green hair who was now floating in front of me - "I am very impressed with what you did there.. I saw everything. You have the applause of this humble butler." - Terrence smiled, clapping and then bowing down.

"It was promised to me that after that test, I would know the truth behind my father's death."

"Oh, don't worry, dear Ms. Gushiken.." - A dark portal opened under me and Terrence as he spoke, I looked under me surprised as a strong force started dragging us both inside. Terrence didn't struggle, neither did I as we let the portal lead us as he continued - "...Soon enough, EVERYTHING will become clear."

- Judgement -

Stand user: Cameo

Destructive Power: B

Speed: B

Range: C

Persistence: B

Precision: D

Development Potential: D

Ability: A fairly powerful stand that represents itself as a genie named "Cameo" who acts friendly towards his victims and claims to fulfill three wishes to anyone who frees him from the lamp he is "trapped" inside. He uses dirt to construct people or objects his targets may wish for, to toy with their heart and torture them painfully.