It's about time we get back to George and his side of things. Disclaimer: I don't own Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, or Overlord.

Spirit Tracks Chapter 30: On the Matter of Politics

George sighed as he stood outside the throne room, drowning out the babbling of the nobles and the royal family. "Annoyed?," Starlight said as she walked out. "I'm surprised you decided to leave," George noted. Starlight just smiled. "It is my right as a princess. Besides, I've heard the same arguments and drivel from the noble faction for years. You've heard it once you've heard it a thousand times." "I've always hated politics," George said, "Ever since me and Dad had to deal with vampires in Korea back in the 50s. The vampires didn't even need to do much to create that war, just apply a match to a powder keg."

"And of course Boullope refuses to listen to Gazef simply because he's of common birth," Starlight said, shaking her head, "He just can't get his head out of his rear." They had heard about the trip Jircniv had made to Nazarick. Two in fact, one in secret to discuss their plans, and the second to instill a sense of dread in potential double agents. Of course, George's friends knew what was going on behind the scenes. Not that George liked this sort of dabbling. "None of the Joestar clan before me has ever had to deal with politics like this. Well... That's not entirely true. An ancestor of ours once did."

"How do you mean?," Starlight asked. "It all goes back to the legend of how our family got our star-shaped birthmark," George noted, pulling back his collar to reveal his own birthmark, "It almost looks unnaturally perfect, yes? According to an old account from Medieval times in my world, this first appeared on the neck of our clan's first patriarch, Joffrey Joestar, while he was on trial for accusations of heresy. This birthmark appeared on his neck just before the verdict could be given, in front of dozens of witnesses including one king, and was taken as a sign that God believed in him. He was thus pronounced not guilty."

He smiled. "When his firstborn son also bore the same birthmark, it was clear that God favored the Joestar family, and any who shared their blood. Some even claimed that the only thing that could defeat a Joestar was another Joestar. We also share a bond with each other, to the point where we can sense each other's location at any given time. This has also been made rumor, but I've seen the proof that it is true. Right now, I could tell you more or less where each of my family members is, from my Uncle Giorno who's having lunch with friends somewhere in Florence, Italy, right down to Holly who's in the kitchen in the lower basement."

Starlight looked shocked. "I hope she's not bothering the cooks." "I wouldn't worry," George said, "My nephew Jotaro always said his favorite food was Holly's cooking. And she really is a good cook. After forty-some odd years of living in Japan, she's mastered the art of Japanese cooking better than some of the local chefs." Just then, Raeven burst out of the throne room, looking very irate. George couldn't help but wonder how bad the talks had gone that one of the nobles would storm out of the proceedings. "Something the matter, Marquis Raeven?," Starlight asked.

"Off-hand I'd say he hates politics as much as we do," George noted. Raeven sighed. "You're not wrong." He invited the two of him to his inner chambers. "The entire noble faction was focused more on each other's throats than the empire. It's been a problem for a long time now, even before the Spirit Tracks started disappearing. Our capital's natural defenses have made us feel as safe as a turtle in its shell, and as such we've grown complacent. It's also why Baharuth has chosen a war of attrition rather than a drawn-out siege. We have the defenses to survive the latter, but Baharuth has the resources to win the former."

He leaned back. "And while the king takes care of his people, he lacks the guts to do anything about the nobility. It would be better if he would just disinherit Barbro and have Zanac inherit the throne instead." "I wouldn't worry about that," Starlight assured him, "If things go the way we predict, Barbro will no longer be an issue. After all, I know you also have your suspicions about his involvement." Raeven nodded. "Yes... So that's what this is all about. This might change things for the better. If we remove the negative stigmas from the kingdom, it could return us to our glory days."

The idea behind the war was that Nazarick, which was calling itself the Sorcerer Kingdom, was claiming to be an old kingdom that existed prior to Re-Estize. While the Ancient One confirmed the tomb was indeed the last remnant of such a kingdom, it was agreed that the nobility would never accept this as fact, nor would they acknowledge Nazarick's claim on E-Rantel, which they said was once within their borders. George was walking through the barracks, observing a conversation between Gazef, Climb, and Brain, when he sensed a presence near him.

Summoning Tusk in Act 4, he spun around, Tusk's fist stopping just short of a young man dressed in a business suit. George quickly recognized him as the individual he had knocked aside during the demon attack. "Thanks for not hitting me again," the man said, "I'm one of Momonga's team, Ulbert Alain Odle. There's something I think you should be made aware of." His Stand, the humanoid goat dressed in a business suit, appeared. "When you knocked aside my Stand, called My Band, it activated its curse. Now in your case, what with your own Stand and the mental training you built up from learning Hamon, the effects are minimal at best. But to most who attack my Stand, its curse leads them to believe that they are a superior fighter."

"That explains my sudden bouts of aggression," George realized, "So how do I stop it? Because sooner or later those feelings will build up to the point I can no longer control them." "It's simple," Ulbert replied, "You need to beat my Stand a second time. Those who can't suffer from severe depression at how useless their perceived strength was, but those that do will be released with a newfound feeling of humility. And your Stand is much stronger than mine at full power, so it shouldn't be a problem. Don't expect me to go easy, however."

"Fair enough," George said, "So, shall we arrange a fight during the upcoming war? That would make it more convenient, and no one would ask questions." Ulbert nodded. "Sounds like a good idea." The talked for a bit before Ulbert teleported out. Hekkeran spotted the exchange. "So what was that about?" "That was one of Momonga's faction," George said, "As we were told, he was the one behind my recent increase in aggression, which is actually caused by suppressing his real power. What of the tracks' expansion?"

"We increased the tracks by transporting some iron and wood between stations," Hekkeran reported, "As well as getting a craftsman to the lizardman territories so they could build better defenses. Speaking of that, I'm told Baharuth will be using the tower station as its backdrop." George nodded. "It's the only way to identify the ones who oppose the Spirit Tracks." "Ah, that's right," Hekkeran said, "There's one more thing. Barbro... He's been asked to investigate Carne Village to see if they have information on Momonga." George narrowed his eyes and clenched his fist in anger, knowing what Barbro would really be trying to do.

So at last, the final Stand of Momonga's team is revealed. Let's take a look at it.

My Band (Song by D12)
User: Ulbert Alain Odle
Ability: Unlike most short-range power type Stands, My Band is very much visible to non-Stand users, looking very much like a demon that has possessed Ulbert. This ties into My Band's effect. The Stand starts very aggressive, and attempts to attack anyone who approaches Ulbert with violent intent. It seems weak at first, easily knocked aside. But this is ruse. Because the first time My Band is defeated by someone, it triggers its curse, causing the person to let the easy win go to their head. They will think themselves a superior fighter, to the point that they will start to argue with those who think they should be working together. It is most effective on team leaders. When My Band is confronted again, suddenly it is a lot stronger. If the target manages to win a second time, the curse will end, though they will have a newfound sense of humility. If they can't beat My Band, they will be crushed by depression at their apparent weakness. My Band's curse is less effective on Stand users who can recognize My Band for what it is, or on those who have strong mental discipline.
Power: B
Speed: A
Range: C
Durability: B
Precision: C
Potential: B

I got the idea for the Stand power from the story behind the song itself, where Eminem is getting into an argument with the rest of the group over his rising fame at their expense. Read and review.