A/N: Thank you for checking out this fanfic! This was first posited on the r/StardustCrusaders reddit as an OC tournament, and I decided, with the permission of the people in charge of the tournament, to novelize it! I hope you enjoy!
From the Memoirs of Johnny B. Goode
The Shining Sandstorm Incident. The most overtly public Stand User war in human history. I'm going to apologize if I sound like I'm waxing poetical or skipping details here, but I draw upon the memories of a good friend of mine, and firsthand accounts of events.
Since time immemorial, a certain group of Hamon and Stand Users have watched over the planet, protecting the people from all manner of bizarre events. Wherever a supernatural event turned up, these warriors would appear to deal with it, and hide it so that the public never became aware of such things as Vampires, gods, and the most dangerous foes of all, Stand Users. Due to their nature of cleaning up the messes left by bizarre incidents from the shadows, they were called "The Cleaners". Under their guidance, the world knew its most peaceful eras, and even when big supernatural events did happen they were quickly squashed, whether by the Cleaners directly or by their assistance of a hero from the background.
Everything changed, however, when DIO attacked.
The Cleaners had already been steadily losing members over the centuries, but even then they had continued to perform their sacred duties despite it all. Yet when DIO finally surfaced with his Stand known as "The World", the Cleaners faced their biggest crisis yet. Before even the SPW were made aware of this threat, the then leader of the Cleaners, Major Tom, set out with his two closest friends, the last of the Cleaners' order, to stomp out DIO, to prevent this incident from increasing in scale any further. Yet they were unprepared for just how powerful the vampire had become, and had underestimated his ability to gather a veritable army of Stand Users in a fortnight. These miscalculations cost them greatly, and by the end of that journey, the only survivor of the once proud order was Major Tom, with not a defeated Stand User, nor even a hindered DIO, to show for it. Retreating to the shadows to lick his wounds, Tom had no choice but to simply watch and wait as the Crusaders from Japan arrived to deal with the vampire, his friends avenged by the hands of strangers. A deep shame filled him, and he disappeared, vowing to never show his face on a battlefield again. He would not reappear for several years, and by then, the world itself had changed beyond anyone's belief.
With the defeat of DIO, the SPW gained a considerable bit of power, and without the Cleaners to prevent it they started up research on Stand Users, quickly becoming number 1 in the world in the field. It wouldn't be for a few years until the Cleaners would reform. However, during their absence another group stepped forth to fill the void. They'd come to be the world's largest collection of Stand Users since the Cleaners themselves, and inherit the mantle of the defenders of the world.
We skip forward a few years to attend a particular event, soon after a climactic battle in Florida, where a certain priest was prevented from attaining the power of Heaven. The event: the biggest SPW security breach in history! Someone had hacked into SPW servers, and busted all their most private information wide open. Suddenly, the entire secret history of the world was leaked out onto the internet, sending conspiracy theorists nuts and sending the SPW into a state of unparalleled panic! Everything, about Stand Users, the Joestars, Hamon, everything had been compromised! To make matters worse, the mastermind of this incident was not caught for 5 whole years, they'd gotten in and out without a trace, and even their capture came from a betrayal rather than the SPW actually tracking them down. Even if there was a trace, it was doubtful that the SPW would've believed they'd found the right person if they had. This mostly due to fact that the "mastermind" of this attack was an 8-year-old girl.
Her name was Ana Khan, and in the coming years she'd assemble her own group using the information she'd taken from the SPW. They would come to call themselves "The Blues Brothers".
This group, which had been created without warning and almost entirely grown by accident, would eventually grow in power to rival the Cleaners at their peak! Unlike the Cleaners however, they weren't exactly around to deal with bizarre incidents, but were quite a bit more laid back. They were mainly a way for Stand Users around the world to get to know each other, and know that they weren't alone. They had started as a chat room online, a kind of social network for Stand Users if you will. Also Unlike the Cleaners, the Blues Brothers were more of a family. Though most of them hadn't even seen each other face to face before, the sense of camaraderie was so strong that if one was in trouble, the nearest Blues Brother in the area wouldn't hesitate to lend a helping hand.
Yet the Cleaners had started to reform at about this time as well. Major Tom came out of hiding, following the defeat of Father Pucci, and had been inspired by the efforts that had gone into the priest's defeat. Yet with the priest's fall more and more Stand Users had shown up, not all of the friendly. Some created by the arrows, others by left over Discs, some by yet other means, such as a rare rock found in Chile. Finally, with the world in the state of affairs it was, it had dawned on Tom that the world needed the Cleaners, now more than ever. He sent out a message to all available Stand Users, those who had retired from the Cleaners a while before, their families, or whatever other Stand User he could encounter: to bring the Cleaners out of retirement for good. Thanks to Tom's efforts, he had succeeded in restoring the Cleaners a bit, but he would no longer be considered the leader with the new, more decentralized organization. Instead, the quote-on-quote "leadership" was shared between a new trio, that of Michael J., shadowy crime boss, Soulja Boy, the world's most dangerous cripple, and Major Tom himself, though he was reduced to mostly guidance in the wake of this new generation.
May 28th, A Small Apartment in a small American town.
Major Tom sits in his humble, one-bedroom apartment. He sits alone, with dim lights and nothing more than the sound of rain against the glass and the faint sound of a radio in another room is audible. Tom sits, with tired eyes, lamenting days gone by. His left hand, grasping for life at a bottle of whiskey, it's obvious he won't let it go easily. He takes another swig to ease the pain. Suddenly, he hears radio change station, he hears the story of a "massive information leak on bizarre happenings." His head lifts up, staring into the other room. With a groan and a stretch, he stands up, and takes another large swallow out of his bottle. As he walks to the next room, he hears the radio start to distort and crackle. As he stumbles through the doorway a crack of lightning hits the sky, and he sees a figure standing in his kitchen, toying with the radio.
Tom is taken back, but comes to his senses soon enough, deciding to reveal his ground control. This isn't the first time he's been robbed in this neighborhood. Ground control takes a swing at the figure, hitting him in the stomach. he intends to melt the person. To his surprise, the attack does...nothing. Tom feels a tingle through his body, similar to when you bump your elbow by accident, but instead only in his hand and wrist, the same place ground control focused his attack. Tom starts to feel sickly, but it quickly wears off. The shadowy figure starts to speak.
"Relax. I'm not here to kill you, unless you make me, that is." The figure laughs to himself. There's an awkward pause. Tom withdraws his stand. Tom responds, "I don't know who you're looking for, but you've got the wrong man. I'd like to ask you to lea..." "Am I not looking at the one they call Major Tom...the current leader of the cleaners?". Tom, again, is taken back by the man's statement. "I... don't do that anymore" Answers Tom, in an almost shameful tone of voice. "I know." Responds the figure, as he walks through Tom's kitchen, "And that's why I'm here".
Tom looks around and scoffs "Buddy, I've heard this speech hundreds of times. The cleaners are dead." His tone takes a sterner demeanor. "Ah you see, that's where you're wrong" the figure walks up to the kitchen counter and throws a handful of files with various pictures of people and stands attached. "I have contacts," Adds the figure, "I know people, powerful, powerful people, who have an interest in the cleaners coming back." Tom continues analyzing the folders. "However this is under one condition" Tom responds inquisitively "And what is that?".
The shrouded figure walks towards Tom. The figure has an unlit cigarette in his hand. "Borrow a lighter?" Asks Michael. Tom instinctively lifts his thumb, igniting it and lighting the cigarette. Tom sees the figure's face for the first time. Tom is surprised, as the figure in front of him doesn't appear to be human, but some type of stand? The unnamed man smiles "I've always wanted to see you do that." The man walks away from Tom, toward a window where he looks out into the night sky. Tom comments "I didn't know stands could smoke..." The figure looks puzzled, letting out a "Hm?" before realizing what Tom meant. "Oh, no, it's not quite like that. My stand is part of me, you see." Tom thinks that this is bizarre, but quickly remembers that he's seen one like this before. He nods in understanding.
"The beginning of a new era requires a new set of eyes, new leadership. And, even though you've become legend in the eyes of those who fight to bring peace, that's all you are now. Legend." Tom wants to retaliate, but he gets a sinking feeling in his chest like the man is telling the truth. "I propose that this new organization of the cleaners is split into three leaders. Me, You, and a very powerful man who could not be here for... medical reasons." Tom knows that he'd never give leadership of the cleaners away, not in his lifetime, but...this kid...he seemed different. The words resonated with Tom. He knew this was the only way to bring them back. "...alright", Tom replies after a moment of thinking, "I'll… take your deal…". His heart sinks, a feeling like he just sold his soul to the devil. The man smiles again, and walks over to Tom, placing his hand on his shoulder. "This is the dawn of a new age, my friend."
"What can I call you?" Tom asks the man, "do you have a name?". "My name… you can call me Michael." Responds the man.
There are a few seconds of staring out the window together, before Tom takes a swig of whiskey, without realizing it's empty. This upsets Tom.
Tom walks away from the window in silence, towards his fridge. Michael breaks the silence "I'm...I've always wanted to meet you. You're like a legend to us." The tone of Michael has become less commanding and more… personal. Tom laughs while looking in the fridge, "Well, kid, you're looking at me." Tom stands up straight with his arms stretched out ironically. "The 'legend'."
From the Memoirs of Johnny B. Goode
The newly reborn Cleaners saw the quickly developing Blues Brothers as a threat in the making. If they grew at this rate, it would leave the Cleaners irrelevant, or worse, it could endanger the safety of the members. At this point any interruption to the healing process of the Cleaners could wipe out the organization for good, so in an attempt to shut the Blues Brothers down before they got any bigger, they tipped off the SPW using members on the inside. They told them exactly who had hacked into their servers 5 years ago, the now 13-year-old girl known as Ana. The SPW acted immediately. However, instead of punishing the girl who had cracked them wide open, the SPW took another, more unexpected route: They legitimized the Blues Brothers, offering to enlist them as a task force! Ana, taken aback herself, accepted the offer, and thanks to the alliance the Blues Brothers more than doubled in number!
April 11th, 2011: The Home of Ana Khan
I was eating breakfast with my brother when it happened. He was taking the toast and tea up to Gabriel when there was a knock at the door. A young Japanese man in probably his early 30s with a massive pompadour stood in the doorway.
'Ana Khan?' he asked, obviously reading a note he was given.
'Yes,' I replied with my hand on the doorknob, ready to slam it.
'My name is Hig- Josuke Higashikata and I've come on behalf of The Speedwagon Foundation to speak with you. May I come in?'
I had to hold back my excitement. A real Joestar had turned up at my house looking for me! 'Hang on,' I said, dashing into the kitchen and grabbing a knife. Don't worry I'm not crazy. I got back to the door and made sure he didn't see the knife, 'So you're Higashikata Josuke then?' I asked in Japanese.
I'll be honest there, I mainly did it to show off.
He stuttered for a moment, 'Yes.'
'Prove it!' I exclaimed and slashed my cheek with the knife. In hindsight I probably should've just asked to see his birthmark but I have a bit of a flair for the dramatic. And in my defense, it worked.
He yelled, 'Crazy Diamond!' and a blue and pink stand appeared in front of him and put his hand to my cheek. I touched it too.
The wound was gone.
'Ok, you can come in,' I smiled at him. A few moments later as Josuke was politely not complaining about British tea making, my worried looking brother came down the stairs and into the kitchen, 'Ana! Who is this guy?' he half-asked half-shouted.
'Oh he's a friend of mine from Japan called Josuke. Josuke meet my older brother Firo,' I gestured to my tall, muscular, and bewildered brother.
'Is he... like us?' he whispered to me from across the room, forgetting that Josuke was between us.
'Yeah he's a stand user too. Weren't you supposed to be going for a run before your training?'
He looked at his phone, 'Oh bollocks! Is he gonna hurt you Ana?' I shook my head and waved at him, 'Bye Firo,' I made sure he saw the 5 rings on my hand before he left the room, 'So why are you here friendo?'
He took another sip and politely didn't complain about that either, 'Well like I said before, The Speedwagon Foundation sent me here to get you to do something for them.'
I will admit I was a bit worried here because the last interaction I had with SPW was when I hacked into their servers to get information about stands and stand users. But that was years ago, they probably wouldn't still care about that. I hoped.
'They still remember when you stole that information from them.' Fuck! 'Don't worry, they're not angry about it, in fact that's why they need you.'
'I'm listening.'
He reached in the bag he brought with him and pulled out a folder with the words "Blues Brothers" on the first tab, 'They're willing to pay for travel and hotel privileges if you go around the world and put this team together. They need you to do it because we understand a lot of them have...' he paused, 'Certain trust issues that would make them not want to do this if some Speedwagon guys asked them.'
'So why do you need The Blues Brothers?'
He held up a finger because he was drinking, 'Not me, mainly Jotaro, I'm not with Speedwagon.'
'So why do they need us then?'
'Well I think it's so they have an on-call group of stand users that they can use to deal with stand problems. I don't really know. All I really know is that they pay highly.'
'So I need to go around the world during my holiday, meet all of my friends in The Blues Brothers, possibly go on an adventure, and I get paid for it?'
'Pretty much.'
I stuck my hand out to him, 'You have yourself a deal friendo!'
From the Memoirs of Johnny B. Goode
This was a nightmare scenario for the Cleaners, and tensions ran high between the two groups. The Blues Brothers were eventually made aware of the Cleaners, and the Cleaners were forced to recognize The Blues Brothers as legitimate threats to their existence. For this conflict to end, with the least number of casualties possible, something drastic had to be done.
April 12th, 2016: In which someone gets very bad news and makes a plan.
Michael J's telephone rang. He picked up, merely expecting another pointless caller, having gotten the wrong number.
MJ: Hello, this is Sam Baker, from King's Hardware. Who is this?
TJ sighed in exasperation and annoyance at his brother.
TJ: It's TJ. I really don't get why you do that, Michael.
MJ: What? Oh, hello! Sorry. Didn't realize it was you. How are you? No trouble at the Foundation?
There is exactly 11 seconds of awkward silence, before either man chooses to speak again.
MJ: Ah, TJ?
TJ: You didn't answer my question. Why do you do the King Hardware thing? It's not like anybody outside me and the gang actually call this number.
MJ: Oh, that. I'm afraid it's to guard against spies and crank callers. Can't be too careful, after all.
TJ: Seriously? That's it? Man, you are way too paranoid.
If TJ could see his brother's face, he would be able to spot his annoyed expression. He could tell that Michael was annoyed by his sarcastic tone, however.
MJ: Hi, thanks for calling! I am Michael J., I'm the leader of the J. Gang, admin of the Cleaners, and a Stand user! I like information, collecting revolvers, watching bad movies while upside down, and privacy! My dislikes are shoes, giving my bodyguard baths, leather, and silly questions. My little bro is named TJ, he's 24, 5'9, is diagnosed with mild kleptomania, has fetishes for traps, potato salad, torn clothing, and is currently infiltrated into SPW! Let me tell you how his Stand works! While I'm at it, let me introduce you to the rest of the gang! I'm sure they'd love to meet you!
TJ: Alright, I get it! And could you stop bringing up the potato salad thing! It's embarrassing!
MJ: Not until you pay me enough not to. Anyways, why did you call? It isn't Saturday yet.
TJ: I have some news from SPW.
MJ: Okay. Ah, TJ, what sort of news would be so big you would need to call me at ... 1:30 in the morning? Isn't it your shift over?
TJ: I was doing overtime in order to erase some things a video camera caught me doing, and-
Michael sighed, assuming the worst from his brother.
MJ: was it anything with potato salad? Did you make another insane trap? Did you tear up your uniform?
TJ: NO. And in either case that's beside the point.
MJ: Did somebody ID you? Who are they, I'll send someone.
TJ: No. Nothing like that. My cover's still solid. You know the Blues Brothers?
MJ: Yeah. They've been a thorn in the Cleaner's side since that 8-year-old hacked SPW. The Cleaners have been trying to assert ourselves as the dominant source for Stand user support and SPW information.
Another period of awkward silence, merely three seconds this time.
MJ: Why?
TJ: Well, I, um, I found out that SPW have reached out to them.
MJ: Are you serious?
TJ: Saw it with my own eyes.
MJ: Pardon me for a moment.
MJ: (Heard muffled through the phone.) WHAT! WHAT! WHAT THE HE-
The phone abruptly hung up on TJ.
April 15th, 2016.
TJ's phone rang. He hesitated for a moment, but upon recognizing the caller ID, he picked up.
TJ: Hey this is Sam Baker, from King's Housewares.
Michael sighed. Why did his own brother have to be like this?
MJ: Hello brother. How did you know it was me?
TJ: Dude, caller ID. Besides, it's either you or the cat.
MJ: Hey, don't talk about my bodyguard like that. Anyways, I have to apologize for my outburst.
TJ: What happened? I was worried.
MJ: I accidentally crushed the phone, then ate a carton of ice cream while petting le chat.
TJ: Putting that high school French to use, eh?
MJ: Yeah. Well anyways, I have some things to bounce off you.
TJ: Could you make it quick? I only have like 5 minutes before my break is over.
MJ: Okay. To lure the BB, SPW would have to cater to their leader. I know that girl is both very smart, and very obsessed with the Joestars. I think to get her on their side, they would send one of them. I don't think it's Jotaro. Repider was chatting about meeting him around the time of the offer. And he sure as hell wouldn't let Jolyne go without him, probably at all. Joseph's pretty decrepit, so he's out. Good?
TJ: Yeah, seems alright.
MJ: I was chatting with Crazy Frog, the Passione member. They mentioned that their "Boss" was having a meeting in Milan around that time. In either case, I don't think he'd go if he was asked at all. It was probably Higashikata.
TJ: ...And? Why does that matter?
MJ: I... guess it doesn't. Sorry, I guess I got sidetracked again.
TJ: So what are you going to do about it? I mean you have the Cleaners, and you have the Gang. Why does it matter if your rivals cut a deal? It's not like we're affiliated with SPW.
MJ: Let me put it another way. Right now the Blues Brothers, like us, are not in the good graces with SPW. But if they become their attack dogs and build trust, then the Cleaners won't matter anymore. We won't be the best source of rare SPW information, we'll be hounded by the Blues Brothers, and our support system will collapse if the BB has SPW tested and sanctioned their methods. While I may not be interested in working with the SPW, it doesn't mean I can ignore them legitimizing the BB.
TJ: Wow man.
MJ: You know, thanks for putting me back on track. I was gathering information about the Joestars for 2 days, for a pointless reason. Really glad You're my brother.
TJ: I have to go now. I have some leads to catch, and I think some people need to be punched out of searching for me. Wish you luck.
MJ: Hey, before you hang up, did you like the painting I sent you?
TJ: Yes. I absolutely loved it. Very funny.
Michael heard a click sound on his end, indicating his brother had hung up on him.
MJ: ...bye.
A few hours later. On a private Cleaners message board.
Michael_J_admin: Hey. you mind listening to my plan?
xXxeventhisdonut420sniper69mlgproswagsahoyxXx: k
MJa: I forgot how much I hate your username.
psa: k
[xXxeventhisdonut420sniper69mlgproswagsahoyxXx has changed their username to RODAROLLADA]
MJa: Ok you know that's not funny. We agreed on this. Don't poke that anthill.
RRD: oh man sorry
[RODAROLLADA has changed their username to xXxeventhisdonut420sniper69mlgproswagsahoyxXx]
psa: this good
MJa: Fine. Anyways, will you listen?
psa: takk 2 1 of the others im busy
psa: talk*
MJa: Doing what, spying on your associates?
psa: no u
MJa: You got me.
MJa: Anyways, I was thinking of having some of the Cleaners not working for SPW do some freelance for them. So that the BB will feel threatened and go after them. And also sending some to take out BB Stand users and force them to fail their missions. Erode trust, you know. That way we can keep others from making the Cleaners irrelevant.
psa: u can just let go
MJa: No. I'm proud of the Cleaners. And besides being a super useful source of information, I think it's helpful. To make sure none of them end up like...
psa: k
psa: plan seems good
MJa: Ok. Thanks. Love you.
psa: luv u
[xXxeventhisdonut420sniper69mlgproswagsahoyxXx has disconnected from the chat]
(A few minutes afterwards)
Michael J. sat in his temporary home, an old SPW base. It was disused and musty, a far cry from the clean openness and serene gardens of the J. Gang compound. He could hear his bodyguard watching over him from the loft, and the occasional car whizzing by. He could hear most things now. Right now, he was worried, fretting over SPW and the Blues Brothers. He had a plan, and it was an alright one. But the Blues Brothers would resist. Michael didn't especially want the Cleaners in harm's way, but it was this or extermination.
Michael wondered if this was his curse. The wicked fate destined to befall him. The bastard child, born before his mother married the psycho that birthed his little brother. He reached up and touched the spot. The one he always covered. That, even when his entire body had escaped his past, still remained. Like an anchor.
Even on the smooth 'skin' of Michael's upper left shoulder, he could feel it. A pentagram, a five pointed star.
The mark of his father.
From the Memoirs of Johnny B. Goode
One day, in mid-2016, a new mission was assigned to one of the Blues Brothers, a man named Filos: To investigate the old mansion of DIO in Cairo, which housed a mysterious map, and prevent any potential hostile Stand Users from entering the Mansion. Filos accepted with some hesitation, but flew out to Cairo anyways. Ana can be quite persistent. However, the news of the operation somehow leaked out to the Cleaners, and a Cleaner named Jozen was sent to intercept and instead secure the mansion so another Cleaner could pick up the map. Neither Stand User knows exactly what the map does, only that the higher ups suddenly wanted it, and so they both descend upon DIO's Mansion, and a new bizarre chapter begins in this secret history of the world…