Following the death of Mossan, inside the turtle, June was examining the scans of the facial print of the boss that killed her. Meanwhile, outside, Pets, Beth, & Nanao were heading off, looking around Sardinia for the assassin that murdered Mossan.

Emily said to June, as June was at a laptop, "Check Interpol and Sardinia's Police Records."

"No luck…" June said, as she was typing in, "It's of no use."

Emily said, "Keep trying. Thanks to Okuma's Stand ability and Kashima-san's photographic evidence, we're close to ending this hellish adventure."

June stated, "But it's of no use, I say! I tried every able mafia member, and no luck… And we haven't gone to the D's, yet."

Emily and June were searching Interpol files and even the Sardinia files, in search of the boss, but with no luck. June added, "Plus, even if she had a criminal record, she'd probably erased her files, to avoid suspicion."

Emily nodded, "That's why Koumoto wants the boss dead. Of course, we'll have to try again… Dammit! I'm certain there must be something. If her identity is at risk, why target Okuma?"

June said, "How about we search the records of the deceased?"

Emily said, "No, that wouldn't be right… But a good thought. Maybe she faked her own death. Get to it."

June typed in, but couldn't find the boss. She sighed, "No hits. I don't get it!"

Okuma moaned, "Hold on! We have to not give up! A moment ago, just a while back, I felt the same thing I felt in Venice. You don't think… the one who got Mossan was… THE SAME BOSS THAT TRIED TO KILL ME?! I know she murdered Mossan, with her own cold hands." He held up a soft rubber bust of the face of the boss.

Emily asked, "Are you saying she's here, right now?"

Okuma said, "Yes. I'm not sure where, but I felt it, like back in New York, and again in Venice…"

June asked, "Emily, what does-?"

Emily stated, "Not right now! We cannot fail Koumoto. If we don't find the boss's identity and kill her, then it'll be all for nothing, and our heads will be rolling! We're not going after the disturbance of Okuma's past! We're finding the boss's identity, fast!"

June typed in, but came up empty. She groaned, "Damn it! Still no use…"

Emily said, "This is one meticulous boss… At this rate, it'll take weeks to find her!"

A voice called, "Don't give up! You've already tracked her quarry!"

June gasped, "Huh? We what?"

Emily asked, "What was that?"

A female robot voice called, "Yer on the right track of finding her. All that is left is a way ta destroy her."

Act V: Episode 12, Chapter 1: Come See me in Rome!
Her name is… Haruhi!

The screen went warped, and the head of the boss's face is split into two. A small AI module appeared on the screen, as it spoke, "I've waited for so long; so long for people like ya, who'd do everything ta track down this despicable woman!"

Emily gasped, "OH, BOLLOCKS! WE'VE BEEN HACKED! JUNE, DISCONNECT!"

The robot voice cried, "NO, WAIT! I'M ON YER SIDE! I wanna help ya! Don't ya wish ta defeat Haruhi?"

They gasped, as Okuma asked, "Haruhi?"

Emily shushed him, as the AI said, "Please, believe me. I knew deep in my heart that a hero like you would one day step in and take down Haruhi! That's why I've always been open on this line. I've waited so long to get the scourge of evil… And that HOPE fills me with ecstasy! I am ON yer side!"

Emily thought, "Haruhi's the boss's name?" She then huffed, "I don't know… I don't think we can trust you. If you knew this Haruhi woman, then chances are that you are on their side! June, cut her off!"

The voice called, "FINE! Cut me off, but know this: I also know that her Stand travels through time!"

June stopped and gasped. Emily asked, "Her Stand… skips time? You mean… you knew?"

"Ya knew that, as well, did ya? …which is why you're in a hurry uncovering her true identity, because ya know that."

Okuma said, "Trust in her! She's on our side! No underling of the boss would survive, knowing her Stand's ability."

June said, "Hold on a second! We can't reveal ourselves to her, just yet."

Emily said, as she agreed, "Alright, I'll bite. Let's hear what you have to say. First off, we need your name, so we can trust you."

The AI said, "That is something I cannot do. My body is no longer at the state of combat, thanks to her… Though, I'm a bit skeptical on fighting this demonic monster. What's important is that ya are actually able to defeat her, or not."

June asked, "Who are you? We need to know, before we can trust you!"

The AI said, "Fine. For now, ya may refer to me as Alter Ego Bookie-05."

"Alter Ego?" Okuma asked.

"By now, I'm certain that yer planning to assassinate her… but her distorting time ability has NO weakness. I am sure that ya remember yer mother's friends' battle with the evil vampire, MIO… But even so, The Boss that yer after is NOT a vampire, serial killer, or a jewel creature! Fight her now, in yer current state, then you're doomed to fail!"

Emily said, "I understand. But you do know a way on how to stop her, right?"

"I DO know that her Stand, Crimson War Goddess, is virtually invincible… I have no other possible outcome to stop it, though. But yes, I do believe there's a chance to defeat her; a slim one. It's possible, but that is why you're to obtain this possibility."

Emily asked, "Where do we find it?"

"Come locate me… Find me in the city of Rome. If ya do that, we will meet, and I will tell ya what ya need to defeat Crimson War Goddess."

Emily barked, "Wait a tick, you really think we can trust you? We don't even know who you are!"

June said, "No, trust her. This Alter Ego knows my mom…"

The AI showed a golden arrowhead and said, "I'm certain that ya remember this…"

The girls gasped, as June cried, "No way! Another arrow?! But… that's not the arrow I know of… back in the prison with Popo!"

Emily cried, "Why do you have that?"

The AI said, "I will tell ya, in due time… But you must come to Rome to retrieve it, and not a second more. Only then, I will give it to ya. Not even SHE knows how to use the true nature of this arrow. This arrow, it doesn't just wake up Stand abilities… It bears a hidden wisdom to it, if ya got the balls. Come to Rome, and I will tell ya its true nature. It's the only way to defeat her! It's the last light of HOPE! It's the ONLY way to prevail!"

Nanao, Beth, & Pets hop aboard a motorboat, leaving Sardinia, and headed off to the destination – Rome.

XXXXX

Meanwhile, Camie chirped, "Dooo-lulululululululu! Dooo-lulululululululu!" She caught three girls, as she pointed at the ice cream cone, "HEY! What the hell are you doing with that phone? That call's for me, dammit!" She snatched the cone, and the girls ran off. She answered it and said, "Hello? Yes, this is Camie. Hello?"

The Boss, Haruhi, answered from within her head, "It's strange, Camie."

"What do you mean, Boss?"

"Koumoto's crew." Haruhi said, as Camie saw the motorboat leave. "I saw them leaving Sardinia. One would imagine the loss of a dear comrade might addle their composures. Miraculously, not a trace of despair haunts over their bodies, in an inch. They have now boarded a boat with a clear goal in mind. Investigate. Return to Mossan's last location, at once. Something's off."

Camie responded, "I… I can do that, but, what am I looking for?"

Camie returned to the pillar, minutes later, moments after they departed. It was dusk out, and Haruhi said, "Fear is what arises… from the womb of an unexpected past. Ever since I learned that he had a son, I felt a sense of disquiet."

Camie said, "I'm not seeing anything out of the ordinary, Boss. All they did was break the monument. In my opinion, they were out of leads, and in anger, they destroyed the pillar and-."

"NO! I can feel it! I know what they've done!" Haruhi growled, "Those traitors! They found information that I don't possess!"

Camie asked, "But how can it be? There's no way they can learn any information in such a rush!"

Haruhi replied, "This is unimaginable! Listen, Camie! We must make our move now! Before it's too late! You have to track them down, yourself!"

"GOT IT!"

Haruhi added, "Also… Have Peko and Mikan come join the pursuit, as well. I would've preferred not to rely on those dregs, but… we won't need them, again. Listen, Camie. The only way to deal with fear is to crush it into dust. The time has come for us to act! We must triumph over our fears, once and for all! That is what it means to be truly alive."

XXXXX

Aboard the boat, Pets said, "So, from what I hear, we have to go to Rome. What the hell could she even want for us, anyways? Can we even trust this woman?"

Nanao said, "I do not know. But we have no choice. I have a bad feeling about it, but this Alter Ego is onto something… Man Motoyama's death will not be overlooked. Emily Maynard said to go to Rome, so we are going."

Beth nodded, "I hope you're right. Nanao, tell us if we're near Rome."

Nanao remarked, as she looked on, "Affirmative. We should be there, by nightfall."

Meanwhile, in the turtle, the AI said to the others, "I would like to tell ya a story… In Greenland, long ago, there is a place called Cape York, where the Inuit people live. It is famous for creating a massive crater by a meteorite, which has fallen to Earth, thousands of years ago.
In 1978, while a group of surveyors were surveying for natural resources within the crater, two of the men were stricken by an unknown illness. They both ended up with blisters all over their bodies… and blisters in their blisters… until they died, turning into unrecognizable pureed cobbler. On top of that, one of the men shot his finger with a spark of light from its fingertips… or rather, he shot electric energy towards the doctors, who were treating him, searing off several digits from the doctor's hands.
Subsequent investigations discovered later that the mysterious virus, which appeared from tens of thousands years ago, resided within the meteorite. The virus may have flown here on the meteorite. Scientists believed that it was somewhere in space, both the virus and the meteorite."

Emily asked, "A virus? What about it?"

The AI said, "I tracked it down. This arrow is made of the same material as the meteorite from Cape York."

They all gasped, as Alter Ego continued, "Centuries ago, a man who sought the absolute power of the gods found out about the rock and created arrows from it, one of which I have in my possession. There are about 8 arrows in total. The arrow I showed ya is one of them. The behavior of this killer virus culls lifeforms, in a theory called "Viral Evolution". Most who contracted this virus did not survive, but the few that do seem to possess some protective trait. And as if they are rewarding this trait, the virus gives them a new life ability. This is already proven with your own bodies, since there's no evidence to test it out on any of you."

June realized it and said, "So… This must be how Stands are created…"

"This is the root and principle of that arrow."

Emily said, "I see… But what does this secret way of using the arrow do that we're supposed to retrieve?"

The AI said, "That will be explained, once ya come find me in Rome. But I will only tell one of ya about this secret… because it is imperative that no one else must know the true power this arrow holds. But rest assured, once ya find that out, I guarantee ya that it'll take ya to another dimension. It's the only way to stop Crimson War Goddess, once and for all!"

June and Okuma turn to Emily, as she responded, "We're not sure if this is true, but if we must know…"

Kana appeared, "Trust her. I've heard enough." They gasped, as she explained, "I do not know what goes on here, but I am curious. We cannot affirm the truth of your words. However, if the Boss learns of our exchange, she'd likely end your life." She then boasted, "Alter Ego, we'll take the job! Name your rendezvous point!"

"Come see me at the Colosseum. Once ya get there, you'll know. I'll be there waiting, regardless of time. Soon… all will be revealed."

Night fell, as the group was getting close to Rome.

Upon arrival, two drunks were parading around, near a mailbox, as one was going ballistic, about to pee in a mailbox.

Nanao and Pets were on lookout, as the rest were in the turtle.

"Uncouth." Nanao remarked, viewing from her binoculars, "Some people are too lively at night, especially with their alcohol intake."

Kana asked, "What's wrong? Is something amiss?"

Nanao replied, "No, it's just… There's so many drunk people here, and those two are blocking our entrance. Our best bet is to wait for them to leave, before we dock."

Kana added, "Right after this, we'll obtain a car. That should get us to Rome in 45 minutes."

"Affirmative." Nanao said, "I'm sure we'll make real good time. Clouds are obscuring the moon, too."

Pets saw two more drunks, and then barked, "Hey, Nanao, I see a couple more napping, over there."

Nanao moaned, "We're surrounded! What's wrong with these jerks? These guys cannot hold their liquor."

The drunk in the gray shirt pulled the other drunk in a red shirt away, and went upstairs. But suddenly…

"WAH?!"
"HUH?"

The drunk was split in half, when his buddy was pulling him upwards. His upper body was pulled out of his lower half, and a green mold appeared from the wound. The men gasped in horror, as Pets cried, "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?"

The man in grey shrieked, as he leapt over the railing, crying, "AAAAAAAAAAAAGH! DON'T TOUCH ME!"

SPLATTER!
The man landed on his legs, but his lower half was covered in the mysterious green goo. Upon landing, his legs and lower body shattered.

Pets cried, "Whoa, did you see that? What just happened here?"

Nanao examined the two on the bench. They died from the mold, lying on the bench.

Nanao shouted, "DANGER! Enemy detected!"

Kana cried, "Another Stand User?"

Nanao aimed, as she cried out, "YES! WE'VE BEEN AMBUSHED! WATCH OUT!"

She gasped, as a part of her hand was covered in mold.

Meanwhile, near the stairway, a woman in silver hair, done in braids, wearing a black school uniform and glasses, was lying by the wall. A girl in long hair, a pink nurse's outfit, and bandages was holding a video camera, watching the action.

The woman said, "Mikan, make sure that this event is recorded accurately. And keep an eye on the battery level. We cannot afford to lose the footage needed. It irks the Young Master so, if the camera isn't working properly, so make sure of it."

The girl, Mikan, whimpered, "S-S-Sure…" She steadily held the camera, as the woman in glasses said, "Good girl. So, I believe that this is where our story begins."

Meet Peko Pekoyama, the Ultimate Swordswoman, and a member of the Elite Guards in Italy, under The Boss of Alternativa. This is her partner, Mikan Tsumiki, the Ultimate Nurse.

Even long before the Killing Game Reset, Peko Pekoyama was once a bodyguard to her master, Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu, Ultimate Yakuza and one of the survivors of the Second Killing Game. Pekoyama and Kuzuryu were once known as members of "The Remnants of Despair", led by its leader Izuru Kamakura. Their sole mission was to bring despair to the world.

But ultimately, the RESET Button hit these Despair Soldiers, and everything went back to normal, and the students that participated in Hope's Peak are spared, never having participated in Junko Enoshima's Killing Game, in the first place. But…

Peko was walking down the halls, as she was calm.

Peko was simply unchanged, thanks to siding with her master and childhood friend. Outside the yakuza, she was a kind and dearing woman. But inside, she was cold and heartless. However, both sides are fueled by ONE trait she holds. Neither Hope nor Despair… only Chaos.
Two months after an assignment, killing an innocent reporter, holding a camera, trying to hunt for reports about the young Fuyuhiko, she was let go by the Yakuza, and took refuge with Alternativa. Fired by Fuyuhiko, after a humiliating botch in her job, she suffered a fall from grace. But The Boss, Haruhi, soon realized Peko's value when the former bodyguard got her Stand.

A girl with auburn hair was killed, lying on the wall, bludgeoned and sliced, with her camera destroyed. Peko was in a black bra and thong, as she held up her sword.

It was not an accident, as she was ordered to repel any and all eyewitnesses of Young Fuyuhiko's doings. It was all Peko Pekoyama's murderous motives. She would instantly kill innocent people to keep the news silent from the world about the Japanese Mob.

Peko grinned, as she was covered in blood. She held up the sword and stabbed another female reporter's head, through her brain.

The Yakuza were known to kill people who know too much, though they mostly do their business for drug and arms deals. But Peko had other ideas on how to "silence" her victims.

XXXXX

Even as a child, while living with Fuyuhiko, guarding his life, she often did normal tasks, moonlighting from her duties.
At the age of 14, she worked part-time at a nursing home, aiding old men and women into curing them of illness. But… for Peko, learning the tricks and trades from fellow Despair Member and partner, Mikan Tsumiki, the young teen was able to kill the elderly people and leave them dead, without ever suspecting her. First, she would switch medicine from her charges, replacing it with unknown drugs, poisoning them. But most of all…

Peko was with a man in a wheelchair, as she whispered to his ear, "Your family thinks you're nothing but a burden. They can't stand you, from what they told me. My apologies for telling you this, sooner…"

The man wailed, as he was shocked and frightened.

Each day, she spread so many venomous lies to her elderly charges, driving those in her care to suicide.

Peko recorded the old man she whispered, who was in a bathtub full of blood.
Miz-K NOTE: We're… NOT telling you what he did. Too gruesome and squeamish to explain… But note to self, NEVER do this at all, especially to the neck and wrists. BLURGH! Sorry, I shuddered.

Sitting in her room, secretly, were 25 videotapes, viewing every one of her patients, leading to a road to despair and death, and recording their reactions and outcomes. Once she had claimed nine lives, she'd move on to her next task. Though, it would give her more ecstasy to unleash bloodshed, without ever lifting a finger.

Peko and Mikan were in a church, with so many people bloodied and mutilated, as Mikan nervously recorded.

Peko was no longer with Hope AND Despair. Her soul was fueled with the impurity of chaos and murder. She was cold and heartless, but still protected her Young Master, no matter what.
Her partner-in-crime, during her depravities, was Mikan Tsumiki. She was the Ultimate Nurse in Hope's Peak, and was rumored to be Fuyuhiko's volunteer doctor. But not much is known about her.

Mikan smiled, as she was grinning and drooling, "Eeeeeeh…"

Their partnership led to a team-up as a part of Alternativa, in which Mikan ONLY obeys the orders of Peko, even though she is too timid and fidgety, at times. And even in so many men and women, the many of even the most foul-hearted Stand Users, the wickedness of these two evil women stands out.

So goes the story of Peko and Mikan.

When we return, in the next chapter, Peko & Mikan will go toe-to-toe with June Nevins and Crew!
But beware… Camie is coming her way, possibly…

Camie was aboard a plane to Rome, as she called from a toy phone, "It seems that, from what I learn, that they are heading to Rome. I got the word that they arrived pretty close to a fishing village, near the city."

Haruhi responded, with Crimson War Goddess on the window's reflection, "Listen, Camie. The task of stopping Koumoto and her gang is currently handed to Peko and her dog, Mikan. But afterwards, it'll be up to you to catch up to them, as soon as possible. Yes, you heard me… Rarely do I give in to revulsion, but for an utter scum of a psychopath like Peko Pekoyama, I'll make an exception. I expect her to reduce Rome into ruins, full of despair and doom."

Camie asked, "You think she may go overboard, Boss?"

"That's why I'm counting on you to intervene. YOU must be the one to seize control. Those two cannot be allowed to know what Tanukichi Okuma knows, nor can they ever find out what Koumoto and those bitches are looking for in Rome! You're the only one I am able to trust. Got that? You, and you alone, are my number one!"

Camie nodded, "You can count on me, Boss. I won't let you down. Trust me. I live only to serve and defend you."

She hung up the toy phone and said to a little girl in blonde hair, "Sorry for hogging the phone like that. You can have it back now. Thanks a lot."

The girl got her toy back, but was confused over Camie's actions.

To be continued…