We get yet another crossover from Phantom Thieves Origins. And a bit of a surprise as well during the chapter. Disclaimer: I don't own Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Kamen Rider, Yu-Gi-Oh, Juni Taisen, the Persona series, Evangelion, Overlord, or Future Diary.

Stars Are Eternal Chapter 10: Zodiac Rising

It had seemed a simple matter at first. Shinji Ikari found himself attacked by twelve Stand users calling themselves the Zodiac assassins. Whatever they were, the crumbled to dust easily under the power of Cruel Angel's Thesis, quite a far cry from the powerful warriors they believed themselves to be. But then they turned up again, and again. As if they were immortal. A massive explosion was heard outside his high school, getting the attention of his fellow pilots. Asuka was distraught by the disappearance of her boyfriend, and could only be consoled by virtue of the fact that her Hamon told her he wasn't dead yet.

"Just what is going on with these Zodiacs?," Kaworu asked, "Where did they even come from?" Aigis used her computer brain to do a quick search. "They are a group of twelve warriors themed after the Eastern Zodiac, one for each animal, and each possessing a low-level Stand to compliment their abilities. The real issue is that all twelve are presently under contract by an individual known as Akira Tetsuressha. So why are they here now? And more importantly, who hired them?" "Could it have been Lorenz Keel?," Rei wondered.

"I doubt he has the influence to hire them from a prison cell," Asuka pointed out. Lorenz had been formally charged with multiple crimes after the failure of Instrumentality and Adam's healing of the world. "Maybe it's one final eff you from Lilith," Asuka suggested. Kaworu shook his head. "Father assured me that every trace of Lilith is gone. No, there has to be some other explanation." That's when a call came in from Mari. 'Guys, those Zodiacs are at Zero Point! They've split into four groups of three and are at each of the cardinal directions! They're making some of kind of challenge to the remaining pilots who are with 'that Joestar boy'!"

Asuka raised an eyebrow. "Okay, this can't be Keel. He never even knew Shinji's connection to the Joestar family. He only knew him as the son of the Ikari couple that kept giving him trouble." "And Shinji's connection to the Joestar clan is tenuous besides," Kaworu noted, "Yes, he's officially a Jojo, but the only reason he's connected is because his cousin happens to be the son of Joseph Joestar." "Someone's been looking at the Joestar line," Rei realized, "Very closely at that. We'd better look into this." The quartet nodded as they headed off.


Meanwhile in Morioh, Jogo had been visited by Goro again, who showed him two distinct calling cards. "One of these cards matches the normal routine set up by the Phantom Thieves," Jogo noted. "But the Phantom Thieves just got done stealing that painting, the Golden Labyrinth. Why would they act again so soon?" "I believe this may be the reason," Goro said, showing the second calling card. This one had the twelve symbols of the Western Zodiac all in a circle. "I'm sure you've heard of the Zodiac assassins," Goro noted, "As it turns out they have counterparts in the Western Zodiac, all of them notorious criminals."

Jogo looked at the two cards. "They're both for the same item. A competition." Goro shook his head. "For the Phantom Thieves it's a matter of protection. They've done this sort of work before. Go after a treasure some dangerous criminal is after, robbing them of the glory, then dealing with said criminal and returning the object safe and sound. Note the wording on the Phantom Thieves calling card." Jogo read the card. "We are the Phantom Thieves, Joker, Violet, Skull, Mona, Panther, and Fox. Tonight we'll be borrowing the Feline Passion. Hold on, isn't that the new portrait done by that up and comer artist Yusuke Kitagawa?"

Goro nodded. "A prominent pupil of the famous Ichiryusai Madarame. This portrait was featured prominently in a recent gallery Madarame held to celebrate the works of his myriad pupils. In fact, this particular portrait sold for a good three-hundred thousand yen." Jogo whistled. "That must be some portrait." Goro showed a photo taken of the portrait, featuring a young blonde teenager in a casual pose, the image of a jungle cat painted around her like an aura. Jogo whistled in appreciation. "Just where did he find this girl?" "I think she's a local high school student," Goro said, "Anyway, given the two groups of thieves are convening tonight, I think it prudent to go looking for them."


The four heroes arrived in Zero Point, each of them taking a direction. It wasn't long before they ran into the Zodiac assassins. "Well this is interesting," said one warrior dressed a little like a rat, "Looks like we have some new problems. As if the fact that the Joestar kid survived wasn't enough of an issue. Why did we take this job anyway? We still have that other job that wasn't completed." Another warrior with ox horns drew his blade. "The one who hired us on this assignment did offer us a surprising amount of gold for our efforts. And we do have a professional duty, after all."

"You guys gonna talk?," Asuka asked, "Or are we gonna dance?" The four groups of fighters readied themselves. "Inounoshishi, Warrior of the Boar! Killing Bountifully!" "Dotsuku, Warrior of the Dog! Killing by Biting!" "Niwatori, Warrior of the Chicken! Killing by Pecking!" Facing these three was Kaworu. "Power of AT Field! Kaworu Nagisa!" These four were at the south, with the next group over in the east. "Sharyuu, Warrior of the Monkey! Killing Peacefully!" "Hitsuji, Warrior of the Sheep! Killing Deceptively!" "Uuma, Warrior of the Horse! Killing Silently!" Aigis revved herself up. "Power of Overclock! Aigis Idabashi!"

Up in the north was the next group of warriors along with Asuka. "Younger Tatsumi Brother, Warrior of the Snake! Killing for Money!" "Elder Tatsumi Brother, Warrior of the Dragon! Killing for Money!" "Usagi, Warrior of the Rabbit! Killing Psychotically!" "Power of Hamon! Asuka Langley Soryu!" Finally, there was the group in the west. "Tora, Warrior of the Tiger! Killing in a Drunken Rage!" "Ushii, Warrior of the Ox! Killing Systematically!" "Nezumi, Warrior of the Rat! Killing All!" "Power of the Lightning Mode! Rei Akagi!"


Nearby a large figure smirked as the fight proceeded. "They should be nothing without their Joestar ally." He started to chuckle, only to stop when he heard something impact the ground behind him. He turned and gasped, as it was Shinji who had landed. "Power of Cruel Angel's Thesis! Shinji Ikari!" "But how!?," the figure asked in shock, "You're supposed to be the weakest of the Joestars!" "In terms of weakest Stand I think either George or Giorno might be in that category," Shinji admitted, "But my Cruel Angel's Thesis is actually one of the strongest Stand out there!" The figure grinned. "We'll see how strong it is… Motley Crew!"


While this was going on, Goro gave Jogo a few files on the Zodiac criminals as they were driven to the spot where the Feline Passion was held. "Valkyrie Gotou. Capricorn. A demolitions expert wanted for multiple cases of illegal arms possession." "Just to clarify," Jogo said, "None of these criminals are Stand users?" Goro nodded. "They just happen to have supernatural abilities of another nature." He kept the files coming. "Thomas B Tholls. Aquarius. A wanted arsonist. Ironically, he can control various forms of liquid." He flipped to the next file. "Fuji Nocturne. Pisces. A skilled doctor… Who uses her medical practice for murder."

Jogo grimaced as Goro handed him the next file. "Meland Sherry. Aries. A war criminal who would often use the bodies of enemies to provide warm clothing for soldiers fighting for her country. She's a talented hypnotist, though it's been proven to be ineffective against Stand users." He got out the next file. "Luke Michael. Taurus. She kidnaps babies mistaking them for her own, but she always returns them when they grow up." "Sounds disturbing," Jogo noted, "You'd think she'd realize by now where she's going wrong."

Goro got out another file. "W2222 and M2222. Gemini. Products of an illegal super soldier program. The program was meant to produce a solitary superior soldier, so despite their competence they are considered a failure. They are wanted for the theft of a nuclear submarine and a military aircraft carrier… Simultaneously." He got the next file. "Caesar Caesar. Cancer. Wanted for treason in two different countries that he was originally negotiating with. Against each other, of course." The next one looked like a general. "Dandy Lion," Goro said, "Sign of Leo. A former military commander wanted for forcing his unit to commit perfidy."

Jogo looked confused. "A form of deception," Goro explained, "One side in a battle acts in good faith to their enemy, only to break their promise when the enemy's guard is down." Jogo nodded as Goro handed him the next file. "Andy Almull. Virgo. Despite the dress that is a man. He's wanted for numerous counts of forgery, serving elderly rich men, waiting for them to die, then forging the will to make himself the beneficiary." "At least he has the decency to wait," Jogo noted, "Who's the next guy?" "Aaron Smith," Goro replied, "Libra. A judge that many claim is even worse than Gallerian Marlon. He was removed from his position for multiple accounts of obstruction of justice."

He got out the next file. "Skull Pyon. Scorpio. Not much is known about him, except that he has tried to take the identities of several people." He then got out the last file. "And finally we has Sashitari Usuki. Sagittarius. Wanted for the assassination attempt of several prominent officials, all with the use of a simple bow and arrow." Soon enough the car reached the museum where the painting was. As expected, there were officers everywhere. One officer noticed Goro. "There seems to be a complication. Even though confirmation of the Zodiac criminals was confirmed earlier, there's also a confirmed report that they were captured by Speedwagon operatives the day before the calling card was issued."

Goro looked shocked. "Then who sent the calling card?" That answer came in the form of twelve bodies hitting the ground and dissolving. Spotlights hit the top of the museum to see the six Phantoms engaged in combat with three people, before said three leapt to the ground with the Phantom wearing a bird mask. "Joker!," Goro called out. "Good to see you again, Akechi," the man named Joker replied, "Forgive the shock. These were nothing more than copies created by a Stand, hired by these three." The three individuals grouped together. "We are the Shadow Thieves! Here to surpass all others!"

The first Shadow Thief did a pose. "Number 014! Greedy Sarameya!" He summoned a three-headed hound wrapped in flame. The next one followed suit. "Number 020! Giga-Brilliant!" He summoned a ant-like creature with blade-like wings. The last one also posed. "Number 061! Volcasaurus!" He summoned a giant dinosaur with stone-like skin and red-hot spikes. Jogo realized what was going on. "They're shard bearers." "Shard what now?," Joker asked. "People who have been fused with shards from a Stand called Egoist," Jogo noted, "They share the Stand's ability to slow down time, but it only effects non-Stand users."

"Fortunately!," came the voice of Yomotsu, "My teammates are similarly unaffected!" He and his crew turned up on the roof. "My goal here is the shard bearers," he said, "But I don't mind tangling with the notorious Phantom Thieves in the name of justice." The skull-masked thief, appropriately named Skull, cracked his knuckles. "Bring it!" Yomotsu and his team activated their bucklers. "Justice Rangers…" "Go Twelve!" Down below, Goro saw what was happening. "Is that vigilante going to interfere?" "My team can handle him," Joker assured him, "And we already have the Feline Passion in a safe place. Let's remove these so-called thieves first before returning it."

Joker swiped a finger across his mask. "Phantom Leader, Joker of the Shadow! Stealing Covertly!" "Master Investigator! Break the Chain, Goro Akechi!" "The Eleventh Jojo! Jogo Higashikata!" Joker moved to strike at Number 061, Goro moved against Number 020, and Jogo attacked Number 014. The flaming dog managed to launch Jogo into the air, but that didn't really help. "Activate Gyro!" A helicopter blade appeared on his Stand's left arm, letting him stop in midair. "Activate Flash!" A large flashlight appeared on its right arm, shining a blinding light that stunned the shard bearer.

Meanwhile, Joker was slicing through Volcasaurus' hard skin, causing it to back up with each slice. Giga-Brilliant tried to dodge as Goro fired on it. Soon all three shard bearers were backed into a corner. "Activate Rocket and Drill!," Jogo called out. Both utilities fired up. "Cosmic Mind!" "Break the Chain!" "W Boiled Xtreme!" The three powerful Stands ploughed through the shards, destroying them easily. Up above, the other Phantom Thieves were dealing with Yomotsu and his group. "Anything Goes!" "Just Live More!" "Be The One!" "Life is Showtime!" "Switch On!"

As Yomotsu and his group were knocked off the roof in a flurry of elemental attacks, Joker rejoined his team as they flew off, leaving the Feline Passion wrapped up in front of one of the cop cars. Goro finished cuffing the three would-be Shadow Thieves. "Damn it…," their leader said, "That prince-like guy Barbro said this would be easy…" Jogo looked shocked. "That's the villain Uncle George defeated! What is he doing out of the alter verse!?" The thieves tried to clam up, only to freak out when Goro caused three arrows to land within inches of their crotches. "Talk now!" The three of them nodded.


Barbro felt more of the additional copies he had created crumble. "You certainly learned a lot in the last few years," Shinji noted, "Enough to make your copies talk and even look normal. But they're still weaker than the genuine article." Barbro growled. "Let's see if numbers can succeed where quality fails!" Before he could move, however, a bluish portal appeared. And out of it stepped Jogo. "Hey Shinji, been a while." Shinji smiled. "Well if it isn't my favorite nephew." "Damn it all," Barbro said, "I was supposed to only deal with one Joestar at a time."

"I really only barely qualify as a Joestar," Shinji pointed out. He pointed to the star on his neck. "This mark? Just a tattoo. I don't share Joestar blood. It's just that I happen to be the cousin of an actual Joestar." Barbro looked confused. "Basically my grandmother is his aunt," Jogo explained, "You basically spent all this time starting off on not only one of the strongest Jojos, but someone who is basically from a branch family." Barbro growled. "All those years of training my Stand. Getting in contact with the few allies I still had outside captivity… And you just throw it all in my face! You will pay for this insult! Motley Crew!"

Several copies appeared, only to get cut down by Cosmic Mind, which was in its unlocked state. "Shall we take care of this guy?," Jogo asked. "I think George wouldn't mind," Shinji said with a grin. "Cruel Angel's Thesis!" "Cosmic Mind!" Barbro and his Stand found themselves pummeled again and again. "DAME DAME DAME DAME DAME DAME DAME DAME DAME DAME DAME DAME DAME DAME DAME!" "UCHU KITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Barbro got knocked flat by duel attack, his Stand disappearing.


George Joestar III showed up to where Barbro was being held by Speedwagon officials, driving his motorcycle. "Well well," he said when he saw Barbro, "Guess wounded pride lasts, doesn't it Barbro?" Barbro remained silent. "You were probably better off in the dungeons at E-Rantel," George noted, "See, Speedwagon has recently developed a new type of prison designed to hold Stand users. This time, you won't get to train your Stand." Barbro looked surprised. George pointed at the cuffs. "Even those cuffs are made of the material in question. Now if you'll excuse me, Brother, Starlight and I have some official business to deal with in the Holy Kingdom." Barbro hung his head as he was lead off.


Mitsuharu and Shinzo watched the news about Barbro's arrest. Having heard the entire story, Mitsuharu frowned. "There's no way Father Roche isn't behind this. He's trying to accelerate the rate at which the shards are destroyed." "It would be in his best interest," Shinzo noted, "I wouldn't put it past him to go as far as destroying shards that are clearly not going to mutate. Let's hope Minami's invention works. More numbers against Father Roche would be greatly appreciated." "At least we have one less hunter coming after us," Mitsuharu noted, "Honestly, I'd rather fight the New Morioh Warriors." Shinzo laughed. "Now there's an idea. I think I'll challenge Jogo to a proper fight."

I realize the revelation of fake Zodiac criminals is a little anti-climactic, but honestly they only ever existed in the light novels, which have never been translated or ever finished as far as I can tell, and there wasn't enough information on them in the wiki or TV tropes. Much of what I wrote I made up based on their appearance or title. Hope the return of Barbro, brief as it was, made up for it. Let's get to the breakdown.

001 002(END) 003(END) 004 005(END) 006

007 008 009 010(END) 011 012

013 014(END) 015 016 017 018

019 020(END) 021 022 023(END) 024(END)

025 026 027 028 029(END) 030

031 032 033(END) 034 035 036

037(END) 038 039 040 041 042(END)

043 044 045 046 047 048

049 050 051 052 053 054

055 056 057 058 059 060(END)

061(END) 062 063 064 065 066

067 068 069 070 071(END) 072

073 074(END) 075 076 077 078

079 080 081 082 083 084(END)

085 086 087 088(END) 089 090

091 092 093(END) 094 095 096

097 098 099 100 101 102

103(END) 104 105 106 107 108

Finally got this squared off… Anyway, no new Stands to reveal, either here or in Phantom Thieves Origins. Hope everyone's staying safe and healthy out there. I for one am glad that while normal casual dining is out, we can get pickup orders, meaning I can still get my exercise. I just need to be mindful of who I pass by on the sidewalks. Read and review.