“What the Hell is that thing?” – Staz screamed as he turned around. The massive giant towering above him was menacingly hidden in the shadows.

“Toesef Toestar and Daniel Edmund Staz!” – The giant said in an earth-shaking tone. – “You two betrayed The Finisher! Now face the consequence!”

“He knows us!” – ToTo screamed. – “He knows our full names and The Finisher! Who is this guy?”

“Wait ToTo…” – Staz said in shock. – “Do you smell this? This thing is emitting a delicious smell!”

“I’m certain he is not here to offer us cookies.” – ToTo responded. The giant stepped forward, revealing himself to be a massive gingerbread man.

“HE IS THE COOKIE!” – ToTo screamed in surprise, trying to hold back laughter.

“I am going to finish this!” – the gingerbread giant screamed. – “I am the proud messenger and spy of The Finisher!”

“I remember you!” – Staz screamed while preparing to attack. – “You’re the person who tried to recruit me into Finisher’s army! Man you’ve grown!”

“I am going to kill the both of you to please my master!” – The gingerbread giant shouted and was preparing to kick them away. – “Or my name isn’t Era O’tick!”

“Watch out Staz!” – ToTo shouted while shoving Staz away using his Stand, taking the kick from Era. ToTo used Africa to suppress the impact but Era was already preparing his next attack.

“ToTo!” – Staz jumped up on Era’s leg, running up on it to punch Era in the face. – “Hellraiser! Let’s deal with this!”

The fury in Staz showed on his Stand, glowing an ominous red, filled with rage. As he was sending out the punch at Era’s face, the gingerbread giant used his arms to just push Staz away from him.

Staz was not defeated though, he stood up and was prepared to attack again. Era started to kick at Staz, who grabbed his leg and held it firmly.

“Let’s see if you taste good as well!” – Staz started biting on the gingerbread leg but with no avail. It was rock solid and only hurt his teeth. – “Fuck me this guy is stale!”

While Staz was complaining about the quality of the gingerbread he didn’t realise Era’s leg was gone from his hands. Now, as a tiny gingerbread man, he was running up Staz’s back.

“I got you now!” – Era shouted as he grabbed Staz by the hair, trying to pull on it. – “You didn’t realise Careless Whisper allows me to change my size as well!”

“You are a persistent little fellow aren’t you.” – ToTo said while jumping towards Staz, hitting Era off of his head using his Stand.

Era changed size back to giant as he was hit the wall of a house, which crumbled under him in return.

“So his growth is almost instant…” – Staz started thinking. – “While he cannot be eaten either seeing how he’s hard as a rock…”

Era got up and started walking towards the duo. Staz and ToTo were stuck, how could they defeat this enemy and get to The Finisher?

“Hellraiser!” – Staz started repeatedly punching Era’s leg but he didn’t even flinch.

“It’s all futile!” – Era laughed as he prepared to stomp on Staz.

“Wait a second… AFRICA!” – ToTo screamed as his Stand appeared. – “I forgot I had this ability!” – He shouted as it started raining.

“No! You can’t just make it rain and make my dough mushy!” – Era screamed.

“Haha rain goes drip drip!” – ToTo laughed in a victorious tone.

“Hellraiser!” – Staz screamed again as he punched Era’s leg, which broke in half easily, making the gingerbread giant fall on the ground and slowly melt away in the rain, revealing a short young man with glasses and fuzzy hair.

“So this is the guy who was trying to defeat us?” – Staz looked at him with raised eyebrows. – “Now then… Tell us where The Finisher is!”

“He’s gone…” – Era started coughing.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE’S GONE?” – Staz grabbed Era by shirt and lifted him up.

“He escaped… He took a boat and travelled back to Europe!” – Era responded.

“So this was all for nothing?” – ToTo asked.

“I suppose the package is in the hands of Balin A. Thor… And he’s travelling towards Perth…” – Era started giggling. – “He’s a goner.”

“WHAT?” – Staz screamed with confusion in his voice. – “What do you mean he’s a goner? And what do you mean The Finisher just escaped back to Europe?”

“He figured you three would not be stopped even by the three of us… So he left me and another Stand User here in Australia and he realised he didn’t need the package to just travel back to Europe. Your whole journey and hardships were for nothing!” – Era started laughing. – “You guys made fools of yourselves! Brian could still be alive if it wasn’t for that dumb package!”

“Staz… You know what to do…” – ToTo said in a serious tone in his voice.

“HELLRAISER!” – Staz threw Era up in the air and with a quick barrage of punches ended the poor gingerbread man’s life. The lifeless body laid on the ground, covered in mushy cookie dough, all bones having been broken…

Name: Era O’tick

Stand: Careless Whisper

Status: Deceased

“We need to go to Perth right this moment!” – ToTo ordered Staz. – “Let’s get in the car and go, this Denmark trip was useless!”

“Wait, guys!” – A voice sounded from the distance. As ToTo looked back he was met with shock… It was his friend Brender.

“Brender! What are you doing here?” – ToTo asked in awe.

“I’m here to take you guys to Perth a bit faster…” – He responded.

The trip was calm for Bali travelling with the package to Perth. He didn’t encounter anyone or anything out of the ordinary. And after some hours of travelling he finally reached his destination.

“Alright I’m here… Now where could L.J. be?” – he wondered.

As he was wondering around the city aimlessly he started feeling a rumble in the ground.

“An earthquake? Jesus it’s also so loud!” – He said in surprise, trying to find a place to hide. The rumbles in the ground got heavier and the noise got louder as he got closer to a stadium.

“Is that the epicentre of the earthquake? That would be too convenient.” – Bali exclaimed while slowly walking into the building. In there he saw nothing but one person in the middle, the vibrations in the ground seemed to be coming from him. He was a short man with an interesting haircut, wearing a blue hoodie and jeans.

“Hey! Who are you?” – Shouted Bali at the person.

“Oh! Hi there! Do you happen to be Balin A. Thor?” – The person asked. – “My name is L.J. I’ve been expecting your arrival. I was sending out these rumbles using my Stand so you would locate me more easily you see!”

“Oh! I’m glad to see you L.J.! So we finally met. My friends Toesef Toestar and D. E. Staz are at Denmark defeating The Finisher or something but I have the package on me! Here it is!” – Bali pulled the small box out of his backpack.

“Oh great! Please bring them here!”

Bali walked closer and closer to L.J., finally his journey was finished… He reached his destination. As he was reaching his arm out so L.J. could take the package a familiar voice shouted from behind him.

“Bali no!” – It was Benjo… Reaching his arm out to stop Bali in some way but it was too late… The person grabbed hold of the package while a pink figure in what appeared to be spandex with a roof on top of its head appeared behind him and with a deafening blast sent both Bali and Benjo flying back.

“That’s André Barque…” – Benjo got up and started dusting himself off. – “He’s one of Finisher’s pawns… And you just gave him the package!”

“Well you guys should’ve told me what L.J. looks like then we wouldn’t be in such deep shit now would we?” – Bali asked in anger.

André started hysterically laughing. Victory was his, Bali fell for it and the package was now in his hands.

“I win! Wait until The Finisher receives the news!” – He shouted at Bali.

“No you don’t!” – Bali started running towards André. – “I’m going to get that package back!”

“Trap Nation!” – André shouted as his Stand sent out yet another deafening blast, pushing Bali back, blood spouting out of his ears.

“Buckethead!” – Bali’s Stand quickly shot out his guitar strings to latch onto a pole and hold himself in place. – “Fuck I can barely hear…”

“The power of his Stand is the control of soundwaves!” – Benjo explained while shouting and holding his ears to muffle the noise. – “It sends out soundwaves so loud and powerful it basically pushes you back and causes tremors in the ground!”

“Damn it!” – Bali screamed, still holding onto the pole.

“You cannot defeat me!” – André screamed as the sound blasts started to stop. – “If you try to approach me again I’ll just send out yet another wave at you or make the ground shake so you fall over!”

“Benjo, what could we possibly do?” – Bali was out of ideas.

“Soothsayer!” – Benjo shouted.

The three options appeared in front of Benjo

1. Bali shoots his guitar strings to get the package.

2. Bali tries to make a run for the package.

3. Benjo makes a run for the package.

“Option one!” – Benjo chose and almost instantly Bali shot out his guitar strings to try to reach the package but it was pushed back by another sound blast.

“It’s all futile!” – André laughed maniacally.

“Damn it, my Stand is useless against this guy!” – Bali said in despair. – “He just pushes everything away with sound blasts, my ears actually hurt…”

“My Stand is not even suitable for combat to begin with…” – Benjo sighed.

“But mine is!” – A voice said from one of the stadium gates. A tall Polynesian man with long brown hair appeared from the darkness.

“That’s L.J.” – Whispered Benjo as he tapped Bali on the shoulder. – “We’re saved…”

L.J. started walking towards André Barque who was preparing to attack him. The confidence in L.J.’s eyes was such never seen by Bali before.

“Trap Nation!” – André screamed in fright and soundwaves started blasting at L.J., the Earth started to shake violently but nothing was stopping him.

“Above the Law is my Stand…” – L.J. said as a dark figure in a trench coat with grey eyes appeared behind him. – “It allows me to give myself complete immunity against attacks for a couple of seconds…”

“Bollocks!” – André shouted and started backing off.

“Hand over the package… And nothing will happen!” – L.J. looked André in the eyes and gave him a friendly smile. – “I promise I won’t hurt you if you just give me the package right now.”

“Over my dead body!” – André screamed and started charging at L.J., who quickly just punched him in the face.

“You’re done for!” – André’s Stand reached out to L.J.’s ear and started sending vibrations into it. – “I’ll make sure you go deaf!”

“Hah! Silly boy.” – L.J. had a healthy laugh and sent a barrage of punches in André’s way, who fell on the ground unconscious. Only after that did he take the cotton balls out of his ears. – “I had these in my ears just in case… I love playing the saxophone but it can get quite loud especially during concerts and band practice so this is a great solution to suppress some sound.”

“So… It’s over?” – Bali looked in surprise.

“Well… Our friend won’t be getting up anytime soon… But just in case.” – L.J. grabbed the unconscious body and threw it high into the air, only for it to land in the nearby garbage truck next to the stadium.

Name: André Barque

Stand: Trap Nation

Status: Retired

“Now with that out of the way…” – L.J. slowly picked the package up. – “I guess we just have to wait for Staz and ToTo, right?”

“Mr. L.J... ToTo and Staz are in Denmark right now!” – Bali responded. – “The trip could take up to five hours assuming they were able to defeat The Finisher!”

“Don’t worry!” – L.J. giggled. – “I sent one of my good friends there who will transport them faster than driving or walking.”

“They are right here, boss!” – Brender came walking out of a door with Staz following him, carrying ToTo.

“Wow I didn’t know you were a Stand User Brender! Though it was pretty obvious seeing how you asked Brian about Stands almost instantly when meeting him! It’s such a cool ability too! It makes transportation so much easier!” – ToTo was feeling delighted.

“Right on cue…” – L.J. laughed.

The trio, now reunited, shared their fights and memories together as their journey has finally finished… Brender and Benjo bid their farewells and left the group only with L.J. with them.

“We’re done!” – Bali had tears in his eyes from happiness that after so many hardships, fights and losing their friend they could finally put an end to this chapter in their lives.

“Now then… Everyone!” – L.J. announced – “The moment you’ve all been waiting for!”

L.J. was firmly holding the box in one of his arms while preparing to lift the lid off of the top of it. As his hand slowly took the lid off it started revealing something wooden inside the package.

“Don’t tell me…” – Staz gasped in surprise.

“It’s a peace pipe?” – ToTo asked?

“This, my friends, is THE peace pipe that was given to Jacques Marquette in 1673 while he was travelling along the Mississippi River… How it ended up in Australia is something nobody knows… But it’s filled with a special herb mixture that, if smoked by a Stand that’s worthy, will grant 1 wish each for 3 people… You see, I wanted the wishes to go to ToTo, Brian and I… But since Brian is no longer with us and there’s four of us here I shall grant you three one wish each… My wish was nothing of great importance anyways.” – L.J. explained

“Mr. L.J. could you explain something please before we start… About the Organization… What is it even? What does it do?” – Staz asked.

“The Organization is a collection of Stand Users and people who don’t possess a Stand but are aware of the existence of them. We have no name, we work from the shadows and our aim is to bring good to the world, defeating and/or eliminating Stand Users who are a threat to society and want to use their Stands for a bad cause. By delivering the package and eliminating multiple members of Finisher’s army you guys have subconsciously joined the Organization as well. So welcome!” – L.J. giggled.

“Benjo mentioned that the members don’t know each other or barely know some people from the Organization but it seems like Benjo and Brender knew each other quite well already… Even though at Fowler’s Bay Benjo mentioned he only knows of the existence of Brender but has never met him!” – Bali wondered.

“They actually got to meet and got to know each other here in Perth after I called the both of them here to help me out with the final plan for the delivery...” – L.J. started. – “We were aware that Staz and ToTo were heading down to Denmark to possibly defeat The Finisher but didn’t succeed and got his right hand man instead. Brender was the one to offer going there since his Stand allows him to travel faster and bring the two to Perth faster. Everything was supervised, we wanted Brian and ToTo to join the Organization, that’s why the whole trip was planned for them. And now we got three new members!”

“What about The Finisher?” – ToTo asked.

“Jones Tiki is still on the loose…” – L.J. responded. – “I don’t know what will happen to him… Brender and I will try to find him and defeat him for good, he should be headed somewhere in Europe right now.”

“Denmark!” – Bali shouted. – “He’s headed for the actual country of Denmark seeing how he was hiding in the town here!”

“What happened to Horace Loveer?” – Staz asked again. – “Is he a member of the Organization now too?”

“Horace Loveer has been recruited by Benjo to the Organization after his generous donations to your team.” – L.J. answered firmly.

After further questions which L.J. only gave very vague responses to it was time for the wishes… L.J. lit the pipe and gave it to his Stand, Above The Law, to smoke it. After 3-4 puffs the pipe and the Stand started emitting a golden glow from them.

“It’s working!” – L.J. made a remark with his now trademark healthy laugh. – “Let us start with the obvious… Toesef Toestar!”

“I think we all know what I wish for…” – Toesef started. – “After months of being stuck in this toaster body of mine, having limited movements and having a Stand that just makes my life harder… I wish to become a human again! I wish to have a proper body, proper features, how I once looked like!”

“Toesef… I sense something in the pipe.” – L.J. responded. – “If you become a human again, you will lose your Stand… Are you fine with that? You will lose your Stand ability but since you were once a Stand user you will continue to be able to see Stands.”

“Yes… I’m fine losing Africa… It’s been a long and painful ride but this Stand helped a lot… I’m grateful for it and that’s why I wish to let go of it!”

And just as he uttered those words Toesef Toestar began his transformation… A light started shining around him so brightly that none of our heroes were able to see what was actually happening but by the time the light stopped, a tall man with brown hair and a handsome face was staring straight at them.

“Daaamn ToTo you lookin’ fine!” – Bali exclaimed in surprise.

“I’m back!” – ToTo shouted in relief and happiness. – “I’m a human again!”

“Well then… Balin A. Thor! Your turn to wish!” – L.J. gave Bali a wholesome smile.

“I-… I wish to be a famous musician! I want to tour the world and release music! I want to entertain people and bring them joy!” – He said as his heart was racing from excitement.

“Granted! Your agent shall call you soon about upcoming tour dates and studio sessions!” – L.J. laughed. – “Daniel Edmund Staz… What is your wish?”

“I… I don’t know…” – Staz started wondering. – “I basically have everything I need… I wish… I WISH TO PRESERVE MY WISH!”

“Is that even possible?” – Bali asked with confusion in his voice.

“It technically is allowed yes…” – L.J. explained. – “Your wish, though weird, is granted Staz!”

The Stand and pipe stopped glowing, indicating it has run out of wishes to grant.

“Gentlemen! Thank you! With this, The Finisher won’t ever get hold of the package as it is no longer relevant. Goodbye! I wish the best for all of you! I’ll be in touch.” – And with that, L.J. left the Stadium.

It was now an empty Stadium with only our three heroes together, in a circle, staring at each other. They have grown so close together that it feels absurd for them to say goodbye, that it is finally over…

“Well…” – Staz broke the silence. – “Come here guys!”

Staz grabbed his two friends by the shoulders.

“There were a lot of hardships… But it was a lot of fun! The journey was fun because all of you were there!” – Staz pulled them close and gave the two a hug, both of them returning it.

“It’ll be lonely without you.” – ToTo exclaimed.

“If you need anything, anywhere I am in the world, just give me a call and I’ll come running!” – Bali said.

“Likewise.” – Staz responded.

The three of them slowly turned around without saying goodbye, as they were sure they would meet again one day… Then all three left the Stadium quietly, each going their own ways…

The end…?

PROLOGUE:

Toesef Toestar: After having become a human again, Toesef Toestar decided to settle in America, where he would reside for the rest of his life, becoming a small real-estate agent. He gets married in 2005 and in 2010, his son, Tony Toestar is born. He would occasionally give calls to his friends Staz, Bali and Brender, with whom he has become lifetime friends with.

Balin A. Thor: L.J. was right when telling Bali his agent would call him shortly after having granted his wish. He now tours the world with his own band and is a world-famous musician but he does not seem to age? A lot of media coverage is happening concerning this peculiar case.

D.E. Staz: Contacting his previous enemy Akram Bay Bla’ed, Staz now leads a world-leading organization focused around medicine. Him and Akram have figured out a way to contain the Sun’s energy within a single pill, thus preventing physical aging. This allowed both him and Bali, who also took the pill, to continuously look young even when pushing their forties. ToTo refused to take the pill as he wants to live his human life to the fullest, including aging. This corporation would later be dubbed the “D.E. Foundation”. The truth behind the Foundation is helping Stand Users rehabilitate and find an identity while hiding as a medicine researching company. The Foundation also hired most of L.J.’s Organization members including Brender and Benjo.

L. J., Benjo, Brender and Horace Loveer: The four joined Staz’s Foundation to help with the underground Stand research and to reveal the secret behind The Finisher’s Stand-granting pretzels and to find new Stand Users to help the D. E. Foundation.

Jones Tiki aka The Finisher: After having realised he didn’t need the package to escape from Australia, The Finisher decided to settle in Europe… Except he is recruiting a new army to take revenge on the Toestar Australian Delivery Group and L.J… Trying to find a purpose in life, The Finisher roams around Europe aimlessly trying to find anyone and anything with Stands to help raise an army big enough to take down the D.E. Foundation… But that is a story for another day!