Principal Celestia was incredible at her job, and Canterlot High had little issues under her watch, but things were far from perfect. She loved her students and took both their education and well-being very seriously. She had her worries and her fears, but nothing amounted to the headache that sat in her office, one of the freshman students this year... And her nephew. For the most part he was a quiet child and he preferred his space over his peers. He wasn't a delinquent nor was he lazy in his school work, but as of late he had been lacking and his attendance showed it, as well as his grades. What bothered her most though was the face he had. It wasn't one of guilt or regret like she had expected, but instead there was an odd serenity in his face, a soft expression with an intense gaze, as if he believed he had done nothing wrong.

"Morning Star... What's going on?"

"Nothing you need to worry about, Ms. Celestia."

"I believe it is something I need to worry about. You fell from Honor Roll to C's as of late! That's simply not like you."

"I'll study harder and sleep more at home."

"I don't think that's the issue... Well, the sleeping may work considering you've been taking nap time, but you won't tell your teachers what's going on!"

"It doesn't concern them, I'm still passing aren't I?"

"Passing isn't...! Morning, at this rate your bright future won't be there, you have to take your education seriously! There's-"

"There's still a chance for me to turn my grades around. That's what you were going to say next, right?"

Celestia bit her lip for a moment. She hated it when he did that.

"And now you're thinking how much you despise it when I say what you're thinking."

He pointed to his own lips.

"You lightly bit your lip whenever you get stumped."

"This isn't about me, this is about you. Just, explain to me, what is the issue? Is someone bullying you? Are you not getting the material? Is it me at home?"

He shook his head and glanced to the side.

"No one's at fault here but me, Ms. Celestia. It's not good to bring outside life into school life."

She let out a sigh at that. His professionalism was a double-edged sword for her.

"Well then, if you won't tell me the problem as your principal, then at least tell me as your Aunt. One on one, between me and you, strictly family."

"I don't have anything to tell you. I'm just going through an early rut."

Celestia pinched the bridge of her nose. She had to try harder with him, but her eyes widened for a moment as she noticed something.

"Morning, what's that mark on your face?"

She knew she hit something as his face went from neutral to surprised. He turned his head away from her.

"None of your concern, it was simple accident this week."

Her eyes narrowed at him as she found more and more small but odd things. Such as strange markings that she swore were faint lacerations.

"Is that right? Then, when did you start wearing long sleeved shirts during mid spring? It's almost summer hot around here."

"I've been changing wardrobe for a change, that's normal for a teenager isn't it?"

"Funny. I asked you if wanted go shopping last week and you told me, 'I don't like flashy distracting clothes so I'll pass', or something along those lines."

"Then this plain turtleneck should fit that."

"And that cut above your eyebrow? And there's clearly a faint bruise on your... Are you wearing make-up!?"

Morning's eyes widened as he stood up to leave.

"I-I'll see you at home, Ms-"

"Morning Star, you will sit down and finish this, NOW."

He froze for a moment before he returned to his seat. Celestia took a napkin from her desk and began to wipe away the foundation from his face. She gasped as she brought her hand up to her mouth.

"Oh my...! What have you been doing with yourself?! You look like you've taken up a job as a professional punching bag! Are there more bruises and cuts like these elsewhere?!"

"..."

"Where did you even get these?! Morning Star, you've a lot to explain!"

"There's nothing to talk about! Just leave it alone!"

"How could I leave this alone?! Do you think I don't care about you!?"

"N-No! It's not that...!"

He looked away from her, the guilt finally clear on his face as he folded his arms. She noticed his knuckles were bruised and cut.

"Have you been fighting? I-Is... Is that what you've been doing this whole time!? Where did you find the time for this?!"

"Celestia, just leave it alone... It doesn't conce-"

"It definitely concerns me! What would Luna think if she saw you like this?!"

There was a moment of silence. Celestia released a groan as she rested a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry... But this is serious. I'm here for things like this, let me help you."

Morning Star held a hand over his with a slow nod.

"I know you are, Auntie, but some things I have to do on my own. Like my exams."

"Can you at least tell me why?"

She was surprised to see him look up at her. A cold stare, a black flame in his eyes burned into her, the windows of their souls met as he showed her a side she had never seen before.

"I'm going to solve the truth behind my parents death. It wasn't accident at all, Auntie, and I'm going to uncover it."

"W-What...? What are you talking about?!"

"You asked me, and I answered honestly, there's more to this town than you think!"

"It was a car accident! End of story, Morning! Where did you even get this idea?!"

"Then what about Father! I've never heard of anything about him except how much Mother loved him!"

"Morning, please! It was a long time ago! We have to-"

"I might find out who he is!"

"He was your father, there's nothing more to I-"

" Then tell me what kind of man he was! You knew him just as much as Mother!"

"Morning, listen! T-There's nothing I can say you won't like!"

"If that's true then just tell me! If you can't I'll find out in my own way! Just let me continue my investigation! I can prove it you Mother was kill-"

"STOP IT!"

Celestia stopped him with a shout. She didn't want to do it but he wouldn't have stopped otherwise. Immediately she regretted the action as he stood up.

"I know you didn't like him... I'm sorry, if I remind you of him. I'm sorry, if you hate me too."

"... Morning...! No I...! Morning wait!"

Outside the Principal's office stood a number of both staff and students listen in on the conversation. All flew back as they attempted to act natural as Morning Star marched off with Celestia after him. She stopped as she glanced around with a distraught expression, a sigh as she calmed herself down. She'd get to the bottom of her nephew's behavior and actions, for his own sake. At the end of the school day, Morning Star did his best to ignore the inquiries about his face, though inwardly appreciated the kindness of the people of Canterlot High. One person he considered a close friend, Fluttershy, approached him with a terrified expression.

"I-It's...! It's true...! You've been in a fight..."

Even now he couldn't help but smile her way, a simple shrug followed by a cool sigh.

"Not exactly, it wasn't a physical altercation! A lot of rumors going around but, it's nothing major!"

His eyes moved around the area before he nodded his head to the side. Fluttershy nodded as she followed him off campus. Once on the sidewalk and away from other students, Morning Star sat on a nearby bench with his face in his hands.

"Aunt Celestia found out about my investigations... I didn't apply the foundation enough."

She shook her head as she sat by him with a frown.

"You put on the right amount, we checked before school, but I told you this would happen. I wish you'd tell me at least what's going on do I could do more for you..."

He sat up with his hands shoved into his pockets.

"You've done so much for me already... I don't want you to get involved in something that could hurt you, when it has nothing to do with you."

"You're my friend... I think that's enough for me."

"You're my friend too, but you're others friend as well and like me, they care about you too. So, for them, don't try to pry into it."

"... If you say so..."

She crossed her fingers behind her back as they went their separate ways. Fluttershy took out her cellphone to call a few of her friends. Late evening deep within the town in an alley Morning Star rested against a wall before a looming figure towered over him.

"Well, well, well. If it ain't GioGio, here for a bit more info on the truth?"

"I don't have time for your games, so cut the pretenses, and get to the point. I won't repeat myself."

The figure shrunk back at the stare they received.

"Ey, ey!~ Chill, you need to chill kid, you're too intense! You should also rest for a bit since you look like a mess..."

Morning Star took a step forward, a simple action that was enough to nearly silence the other party involved.

"O-Okay! Okay I get it. The man who killed your father, he's looking for you now as well, he knows you're here and is sending a team of people like us. They're called The Band. Now, usually I'd suggest taking them out but, these guys may be a bit out of your league GioGio."

"Are they coming to kill me or not."

"N-No! No, I don't know anything more than Dr. Jotaro Kujo killed your old man, when it comes to said man. Jotaro however is a Joestar, you both have that birthmark, and that's aa symbol of nobility. I think he wants to see if you're a potential threat to him or not."

"And what about my Mother."

"Ergh... I heard about the little spat you had with your Aunt. I could tell you all about the potential suspects, but unless you're able to uncover more about the relationship your mom had with DIO, we're looking at a list over fifty people. DIO wasn't a loyal man, GioGio, but it seems he had something special with your mom."

Morning Star pulled out a switch blade in one hand, a yelp escaping the throat of the informant.

"W-Whoa! Whoa ho-h-hold up! We don't gotta fight again, you beat me up plenty the first time, jus-"

Morning Star shushed him as he threw the knife into a trashcan within the alley.

"... I wanted to make sure there was no one here to hear us. You need me to uncover the relationship between my parents to narrow down the suspects. I should be able to do that. When is The Band arriving and what should I be expecting."

"Uh... T-They're Stand Users, four of em to be exact, but I only really know one. They're led by a man named Major, crazy guy, smart kind of crazy. You'd have to be crazy to keep fighting other Stands with just one arm! His Stand ability has something to do with memory, but that's about all I was able to figure out! I should have more for ya tomorrow though... Sooo?~"

Morning Star raised a brow at them.

"So?"

"M-My payment! This info ain't cheap! I risk my own hide to get YOU this nifty bit of knowledge!"

"Ah, the payment has already been given. I'm allowing to live to serve me after your attempt on my own life. You should be dead, in a morgue within the police department or thrown into the sea by the docks we met by, the marine life consuming your already rotted body. I hate to repeat myself, Dingo, but you're almost as useless as the action itself. A drug dealer like yourself trying to prey on the kids here, you're lucky I let you live."

"... I-I... I know I smell bad but, you don't have to be so mean about it, GioGio. It's all in the past now! You know about my debt collection, I even gave you my half of my share this week like usual!"

"Think of it as a tax for each day I let you breathe. I'll be in touch, Dingo. Tell your friends I await their arrival as well... The ones you said from, Passione."

Morning Star turned away and walked off. The figure groaned as they began to talk to themselves.

"Giorno Giovanna... You're your father's bastard indeed... Killing my associates. I don't care if your old man was DIO, you useless bastard, he had a bunch of shitty brats with shitty whores. I'll get you back for this humiliation... Yeah, you'll be sorry. You and all those Italian motherfuckers, I'll get rid of you, and them with The Band! Three shitstains wiped off the Earth at once! Hyehyehyeh!~"

They stomped off in the other direction of the alley. When the coast was clear, a number of Morning Star's classmates popped out of their hiding spaces, Fluttershy included. Three hid in the dumpster next to where he leaned. A pink haired one with a bubbly smile.

"Well I'd say this is where the plot, really, thickens!"

Next to her was one with a cowboy hat.

"I'd never guess he was into criminal activity like this...! He seemed too clean a guy in school!"

The last one to pop out from the dumpster had violet hair and a both of the other's hands over her mouth. They released her as she gasped loudly.

"Who cares about all that, look at me, I'm a mess! Why did they have to pick such a filthy location!?"

From the trash can Morning Star had thrown the knife in came out a rainbow haired girl with a pale face.

"Yeesh, he's insane! Are we sure he's related to Principal Celestia?! He almost took out my eye! I shoulda hid with Applejack and Pinkie Pie instead!"

From underneath an empty cardboard box was Fluttershy and evening sun haired girl. Fluttershy kept silent as the girl held up her phone.

"I got everything recorded! Now just to send it to Principal Celestia like she asked and... There! We did it everyone. Now let's get outta here!"

Everyone nodded as they fled the scene. Morning Star looked back but only saw the backs of students he had seen before around school. At first he was curious, but his bus had arrived and it was already quite late, he had snuck out and now it was time to sneak back in. He paid for his bus ride and made it to his house in record time. For him, the day had a rocky start, but he had made progress to his goal. That was until the lights in the living room by the front door turned on. Celestia in a bathrobe sat on the couch with a cup of tea in hand and her cellphone by her side. An intense stare hit him hard enough to make him visibly shrink back.

"A-Ah... W-What are you doing up, so late, Auntie?"

"It's actually three in the morning, so I'm up quite early, but you have no real reason to be coming into the house at this hour. Where have you been, Morning? Or should I say, Giorno Giovanna."