WR2 M8 | Niko vs. The Add-Ons

Written by Zenith

The diner portion of the SALT estate is quite empty. Inside it are the Add-Ons crew hanging out, while Duane and Tonio are cleaning up the kitchen.

UNO out! Boom, baby!

What?! That's your third win in a row!

It's all cool, Knux. All that matters is that we're having fun! Alriiight!

Hey dudes, be careful with my UNO cards. I used my allowance to buy them.

Duane, could you deliver this soup to Niko?

Sure thing! Is this something they ordered?

Not quite. They’ve been having strange headaches lately. This soup will do just the trick.

I'll hop right to it, then!

Duane walks over to Niko’s room and finds them resting on their bed. He gently approaches the little not-cat-person.

Hey, Niko? Tonio made this soup for you. He said it’ll make your head feel totally better.

Hm? Oh, thank you.

No problem, just tell me when you finish and I’ll take your-

Owowowowowow!

Woah! Niko, you okay?!

Niko’s head begins to hurt even more and they put their hands around their head. Suddenly, a little lightbulb begins to float around and pushes Duane to the side. It then floats off to the main dining hall.

Yeowch! What was that?!

Hm? What was what?

Suddenly, the two hear the faint noise of dishes crashing, tables flipping, etc. Duane and Niko run out to the diner’s main room and find the Add-Ons crew fighting around. Tonio is also outside of the kitchen watching the mayhem unfold.

Mamma mia, the diner!

The Add-Ons!

My UNO cards!

The Add-Ons try and fight off this ray of shining light, but it’s very fast and agile, dodging any attacks that come its way.

Woah woah woah! What a slippery little guy!

Can someone PLEASE explain what this thing is?! Gah, forget it! I’M GONNA PUNCH IT!!

No, don't!

Knuckles throws a punch at the lightbulb, but it’s nimble enough to dodge and spin around the echidna, causing him to fumble over. Funky tries to catch the lightbulb but dives face-first onto a table. All that’s left is the demon hunter himself.

Alright, just you and me! Let’s dance!

DANTE, FERMARE!

Dante stops and looks towards Tonio. He notices Niko and Duane, looking visibly worried.

Tonio, my man, seems I got carried away. But uh, care to explain what’s going on?

Tonio circles the anomaly, trying to identify it to the best of his ability.

I knew it...

This here... is a Stand.

You mean, like, the thing you said you have?

I see. So, who's Stand is this?

Tonio steps to the side, indicating that this lightbulb stand belongs to none other than Niko.

M-me?!

So you’re the one who’s been causing all this trouble?!

Niko is unable to control their stand at the time, whatever mess they cause is completely unintentional.
With that being said, Niko... I think it’s about time you take control.

How can I do that?

Simply focus, amico mio. Focus, and you may harness your power in no time.

A-alright...

Niko closes their eyes to try and communicate with the lightbulb. They enter their mind and they get a clearer picture of it. The top of the bulb has its hair shaped like flames, and it makes a small little face.

Um... hi there...

Good morning, master.

Master? Um… is it alright if you could just call me Niko?

With pleasure, Master Niko.

Sure, let's go with that.

Why has Master Niko awakened me?

Well, um... I don’t know how I awakened you. It just kind of... happened, I guess? That’s not important though. If it’s alright with you, can you not run off like that?

Of course, Master Niko. I will remain with you to protect you from enemies.

Enemies? No, they're not my enemies. They’re my friends.

Is it safe to say everyone in this establishment is friends with Master Niko?

Um… well… not everyone. I'm not so sure about that creepy clown or the goose. But, for the most part, nobody here's my enemy.

Then there's no need to attack right now?

No. You don’t have to. And I’m sure they’ll be your friends too. At least, I hope.

Niko smiles in front of their Stand, and the Stand smiles right back.

Master Niko?

Yeah?

What is my name?

Hmm… how does… Ray of Sunshine sound?

Ray of… Sunshine… Master Niko’s stand will now be named:「RAY OF SUNSHINE」.

Ray of Sunshine disappears and leaves the diner alone. Shortly after, Niko collapses from all the exhausting events.

Is Niko gonna be alright?

Looks like they're asleep.

Aw man, Mom's gonna kill me if she finds out these cards got all burnt up...

Not the time, Duane.

Right. I'm sorry.

They definitely need some rest. Don’t worry Niko, Funky will bring ya to your bed!

No need. I will be handling that. Niko is a very special case right now, and since I’m the only other Stand User here, I’ll be keeping a close eye on them. Duane, will you help me?