An old man sits at a table outside of a restaurant, sipping a morning cup of tea and reading a novel. A cane rests on his leg and a bowler cap covers his bald head. He has gone by many names over his long life; the name he currently goes by is Kaiser Stroheim. He is a Stand User, and a powerful one at that, one who has fought other Stand User since before most of his enemies were alive.
Two men spy on him from a nearby balcony, watching him through a telescope. "What's he doing?" one of them asks.
"He's just sitting there reading," the one staring through the telescope replies.
"Still? He's been reading for like, fifteen minutes!"
"What do you want me to say?"
"Something different!"
"Okay, fine. He just pulled out a big briefcase full of money and is counting it now."
"Really?"
"No."
One of the spies groans and throws his hands up. "Why are we even waiting?" he says. "He's just an old man, let's kill him already!"
"He's also a Stand User," the other says calmly.
The one without the telescope slams his fist down on the roof. "So are we!"
Three metal birds appear next to him as he says this, punctuating his point. "Screw it, I'm done waiting!" he shouts as he leaps off the roof.
His birds caw and fly towards Kaiser, sharpened talons shining in the morning sun. Moments before the birds reach Kaiser, a great gust of wind appears, knocking the birds away. Their master flies back, crashing into a store window.
He crawls out of the store to see swirling winds surround Kaiser. This wind rips metal fence posts from the ground and throws them into the air. The force of the wind slams down on the impulsive Stand User, pressing him and his birds flat on the ground. The wind shifts and the fence posts crash down, stabbing the birds in their wings. The Stand User screams as blood gushes from his arms.
Kaiser calmly raises a hand and the wind stops. "That is enough for now, dearest Nico," he says.
A tall man floats down from the rooftops, carried by the wind. He wears a black bearskin cap and a red shirt emblazoned by golden crosses. "I apologize for getting carried away," he says as he bows before Kaiser.
"That is quite alright, you merely wounded him," Kaiser says.
"There was another one with him a moment ago, should I fetch him?" Nico asks.
Kaiser sips his tea. "Allow me," he says. He stands up and points his cane at the rooftop where the second spy hides. "You there, man on the rooftop. We have shown your partner a moment of mercy, but this moment is fleeting. Come down or both of you shall meet your end."
The man with the telescope scurries down from the rooftop and runs over to the man who summoned the birds. He helps his partner to his feet, supporting him over his shoulder. Kaiser looks over the two men. Both are young, early twenties at most, and wear ripped suits. The one with the telescope wears a blue suit with a purple tie and the one with the birds wears a purple suit with a blue tie. Other than their different suit colors, the men are identical.
"Twins," Kaiser says, giving a sideways glance at Nico. "Both of you have Stands, I presume?"
"Yes," the one with the telescope and the blue suit says. "My name is Santiago, and this is my brother Salvatore."
"Don't tell him our names!" the injured brother, Salvatore, says.
"Oh no, he knows our names. Now he'll be able to track us down," Santiago says flatly.
"Who sent you?" Kaiser asks.
"It is not our place to tell you who sent us," Santiago says.
"Yeah! We aren't snitches!" Salvatore says.
Nico raises a hand and wind swirls around Santiago's pockets. A wallet flies out of his jacket and floats over to Kaiser. Kaiser opens it and flips through the papers contained inside. "A California driver's license, a passport, twenty Euros, a punch card for a pizza place," he says, reading off the wallet's contents. "And what's this? Two room keys for two different hotels. One of these is for a room at the Hobson, a hotel in downtown London. But this other one, it's for the Reef Hotel in Los Angeles, California."
Kaiser tosses the wallet back to Santiago. "I know for a fact that an old associate of mine, a man by the name of Luther Campbell, owns that hotel," Kaiser says. "Here's my best guess as to what's happened here: about a week ago, a Stand User named Woodstock came to your employer and told him that she had a way to increase a Stand User's strength tenfold, but would only give it to someone she considered worthy, the most powerful Stand User in London. Campbell, not wanting to risk his own life, sent the two of you here to fight on his behalf."
"Yes, that pretty much sums up what happened," Santiago says.
Kaiser Stroheim pulls his jacket sleeve to reveal the silver bracelet given to him by Woodstock. "You will not be taking this bracelet from me. You simply are not strong enough to pose me any threat," he says. "But, there is a way for you to get it and satisfy your boss. I will give you this bracelet, on one specific condition: you deal with a Stand User I am personally unable to fight at the moment."
"If we can't beat you, why would we want to fight a guy you're afraid of?" Salvatore asks.
"I am not opposed to fighting this individual because I lack the strength to do so. Rather, I wish to avoid this battle due to a personal connection with her family," Kaiser says. "Her name is Johana Joestar. I will arrange a scenario where you can ambush her. Upon her defeat, I will surrender my bracelet to you. Do we have a deal?"
It's ten AM on the day after the battle against Stan Mathers. Kaiser Stroheim's bodyguard, Nico, approaches the Camellia Floyd's house. As he climbs the front steps, the doorway sinks back into the wall. White bricks shift out and cover the door.
Nero Zeppeli jumps down from the roof, landing behind Nico, his Stand floating beside him. Viva La Vida swings its fist at Nico, the punch stopping centimeters from the back of Nico's head. Nico doesn't flinch and turns around, staring Neo dead in the eyes. "Sorry for the rude introduction, stranger, but several people have attempted to murder myself and my allies in the past few days, so I am a bit on edge," Nero says. "What reason do you have for coming to this domicile?"
"Nero Zeppeli, age 21, wielder of the Stand Viva La Vida. Son of Holly Joestar-Zeppeli and Antonia Zeppeli," Nico says calmly.
"Pardon me, have we met some time in the past?"
"Also in this house are Johana Joestar, Julius Zeppeli, Camellia Floyd, Kan Nijimura, and Kelly Zuko, all Stand Users. With the exception of Nijimura, each of them is in possession of one of Woodstock's silver bracelets, as are you," Nico says.
"You know a lot about us," Nero says.
"It is my business to know about all individuals who pose a threat to my master."
"And who, may I ask, do you serve?"
"His name is Kaiser Stroheim," Nico says. "From your expression, I take it that you've heard of my master?"
"The name is vaguely familiar, yes," Nero says.
"Master Kaiser has heard of your victories over Fleetwood Mac, Sydney Young, and Stanely Mathers. In light of these recent events, he has decided that fighting with your group would not be beneficial to his continual survival. He would like to meet with Johana and you tomorrow to discuss surrender."
"His surrender or ours?"
"Assuming things go as planned, his surrender. Master Kaiser is willing to hand over his bracelet, as well as the other three bracelets currently in his possession."
Nero thinks for a moment. "Excuse me," he says, stepping past Nico. The bricks covering the door peel away, letting him inside.
The entire team is stood, crowded by the door, listening to Nero's conversation. "So, what are all of your thoughts?" Nero says as the bricks slide back.
"I'm in," Kelly says. "One less fight, plus I don't have to go along? Sounds perfect."
"It's obviously a trap," Julius says, crossing his arms. "He wants the two of you there, alone, for him and his minions to ambush."
"If he wanted us dead, why would he send his minion in to talk peacefully?" Johana asks. "Besides, if he wanted to kill us for our bracelets, why only ask for two of us?"
"Because he's smart. You don't tell someone you want to ambush them, you get them to relax. Then, you stab them in the back," Julius says.
"Hold on, how do we know that this Kaiser guy is evil?" Kan asks. "I mean, we know his dad or whatever was a Nazi...which is admitadly a bit bad, but that doesn't mean he's evil. What's his deal?"
"I don't know what his deal is," Julius says. "All I know is that Joseph fought him once, that it was one of the hardest fights of Joseph's life, and that Stroheim should not be messed with."
"Having a meal with Kaiser Stroheim could illuminate his capabilities to us," Nero says.
"No, it's a stupid idea," Julius says. He thinks for a moment. "Actually, scratch that. Tell him we'll meet with him."
"Okay?" Nero says, confused.
The bricks slide away to reveal Nico staring at the doorway, face blank. "Have you considered our offer?" Nico says.
The bricks slide back closed as Nero talks to Nico. "Little girl, I need you to open a hole on the opposite side of the house," Julius says. He walks forward, reaching in his holsters for his Beatles."
"What are you planning?" Johana asks.
"I'm going to follow this Nico fellow, get some intel," Julius says. "That way, we can find out how his Stand works without meeting with him.
It's midnight. The sun has gone down and London is covered in darkness. Still, Julius has not returned. Johana and Kan sit on the front steps, waiting for him.
"He should have been back by now," Johana says.
"Do you think he's okay?" Kan asks.
"I don't know," Johana says. "Regardless, if we want to find out, we're going to have to meet with Kaiser tomorrow."
To Be Continued In
Chapter 42: Fortune Family and the Eagles, Part 2