After a quick bathroom break, the four were back on the couch. The TV was paused on an image of the stone mask, the end of the ending. "Alright, ready girls?" asked Lincoln as he tossed his controller in the air, stumbling to catch it.

"Born ready, bro," said Luna.

"You know it!" said Lana.

"Do it already, I can't wait!" shouted Lynn.

"Okay, starting now!" Lincoln hit the play button as the last few seconds of the ending played, the next episode starting up. The four were stoked for the next episode, wondering what would happen after Dio's defeat. But none of them were prepared for what they were about to watch.

~PB~

The episode opened on a shot of Dio's castle. Dio's screams echoed through the night as he fell in the distance, a small twinkling shape visible due to the Hamon eating at his undead cells. 'Ghhk… the Hamon… has almost reached my head… and brain! Must do something,' he thought as he plummeted. A sudden realization came to him. 'Move, arm, move!' He slowly moved his remaining arm, and with one clean strike, he tore apart his neck and cleaved off his head before the Hamon could reach it. His head plummeted to the valley below as his body disintegrated.

~LBR~

"Are you freaking kidding me?!" shouted Lynn as she held her hands against her head. "They were so close, so damn close! But he manages to live!"

"Can he really survive his head getting chopped off? I thought that kills vampires," said Lana.

"Don't think that's the case here, dudette. Wish it were," said Luna.

"Look on the bright side," said Lincoln. "It's not like he can really hurt anybody as just a head, even if he does manage to live through this."

~PB~

The scene cut back to the distant shot of the castle, this time pulling back to reveal a figure crouching beside a dead tree. The figure leapt into the air, hopping across the rocks. Upon landing by a grassy field, the figure was revealed to be the zombified apothecary owner. He hopped around until he found Dio's head, murmuring in horror.

~LBR~

"Huh, I was wondering where that guy ran off to," said Lincoln. "What was he doing this whole time?"

"'Lord Dio, I'm back from the store, the line was—OH MY GOD!'" joked Lynn.

~PB~

The zombie trembled as he picked up the head of the once-mighty vampire. "Lord Dio," he said. He slowly put the head down and started to wrap it in cloth to carry. "We'll get a new body for you," he said before he jumped into the distance, head of his master in tow. As a sinister sting played, the screen faded to black.

~LBR~

"What does he mean by that?" wondered Lana. "He can't grow his body back, right? He doesn't have hands anymore, and I don't know if he can feed through his fangs like vampires usually do."

"If he can't, he might be able to drink the blood like the rest of us drink," said Lynn. "Not sure where it'd go without a stomach."

"Now I'm imagining his zombies feeding him blood through a sippy cup," cackled Luna.

"Or throwing him Headless Horseman style," said Lincoln.

~PB~

The scene cut to the next morning, the rising sun shining its light on the countryside and the ocean. "Excerpt from the December 4th, 1888 edition of the London press," said the narrator, an overlay of the aforementioned newspaper moving onto the screen. "'It has been reported that 73 of the 452 residents in the town of Wind Knight's Lot have gone missing overnight.'"

~LBR~

"So many people," said Lana in disbelief.

"But JoJo and friends saved so many more," said Luna.

~PB~

"'The police have been pursuing lines of inquiry based on certain witness accounts.'" A still image of Jonathan, Tonpetty, Speedwagon and Straizo gathered around a bonfire appeared, with Speedwagon holding a shovel. '"These accounts state that four were seen burning a man's clothing at the base of a nearby cliff.'"

The scene cut to the stone mask lying on a rock. A shadow appeared as it cut to Speedwagon lifting his sledgehammer, steadying it, then bringing it down. The hammer smashed the stone mask into pieces. "One of the four was reportedly wielding a large hammer and using it to smash a curious stone mask.'"

~LBR~

"Woohoo!" cheered Lana and Lynn as Speedwagon destroyed the mask.

"Finally that dumb mask is in pieces! You rock, Speedwagon!" cheered Lana.

"Speedwagon is the MVP, baby!" shouted Lynn.

~PB~

With a satisfied smirk, Speedwagon lifted the brim of his hat and looked to the sky. "Our work here is done," he said as the intro started up.

~LBR~

"Well, not yet," said Lynn. "But it's just about-"

"Hey, is it just me, or are the sound effects new?" said Lincoln. His sisters listened closely and realized he was right. Originally, the only noise during the opening was the song, but now there were sound effects matching the animation.

"Yeah, you're right? But why start on episode nine?" thought Luna aloud.

"Maybe this is the last episode of the first part?" suggested Lana.

"You could be right, Lans," said Lincoln. "I just assumed that the first thirteen was Part 1, but it could be shorter."

"But that means that Part 2 is twice as long as Part 1!" said Lynn.

"There's not much left for JoJo to do except maybe stop Dio one more time," said Lincoln as he turned back to the screen. "But if this is the last episode, then I'm hoping for a grand finale!"

"YEAH!" cheered his sisters as the chorus ended. If they were excited before, the Louds were elated now.

~PB~

After the opening finished, the episode resumed with a shot of a church. The bells rang as the title of the episode appeared, subtitles translating it to "Episode 9: The Final Ripple!"

~LBR~

"Guess this really is the last episode," said Lynn. "I'm a bit disappointed that this part is almost over, but I'm also chomping at the bit! Here's to JoJo and Dio's final battle being the most epic yet!"

"I'm down with that!" cheered Luna as she threw the goats.

~PB~

The scene cut into the church, where a wedding was in progress. Another cut revealed the groom to be none other than Jonathan Joestar, and the bride was Erina. "'Heir to the Joestar fortune, Jonathan Joestar weds Erina, only daughter of the Pendletons,'" narrated Speedwagon.

~LBR~

"Awwww…" said the Louds in unison, save for Lincoln who just smiled.

~PB~

With a camera flash as a transition, the scene cut to a newspaper that Speedwagon was reading in a tavern. "'The couple will travel to…'" Speedwagon lowered his paper a bit. "'The Americas.' Nice." As he reached for his cup of tea, his eyes widened as he saw his pocket watch. The time read 7:58. "Blazes!" he shouted as he picked up the watch and got out of his seat. "Look what time it is!" Grabbing his hat, he ran out of the bar. "Their ship's about to leave!"

~LBR~

"'Who will give him moral support without me on board?!'" joked Lana.

"You think he paid for that tea?" asked Lynn, her siblings just shrugging.

"Maybe he tossed whatever change he had at the bartender," laughed Lincoln.

~PB~

The cries of seabirds could be heard from the docks as passengers for the ship and their loved ones crowded the area. It was a fine ship with elegant white sails, a black and brown hull, and large paddle wheels on either side to move it. Among the many waiting on the dock were Straizo, Tonpetty, Poco and his sister, and Speedwagon's friends from Ogre Street. Poco was now wearing a dapper brown suit.

"OI!" cried Speedwagon from the distance, catching the group's attention.

"Mr. Speedwagon!" shouted Poco with a smile, waving him over. "You almost missed being able to say goodbye!"

~LBR~

"Okay, that makes a bit more sense," said Lana.

~PB~

Speedwagon held onto his hat tightly as he reached the group. "Sorry I'm so late," he said as he caught his breath. He sheepishly put a hand on the back of his neck. "So then, where are they?"

"They're both onboard the ship," said Poco, causing Speedwagon to panic as they turned to the boarding plank, a few passengers boarding. "It's about ready to set sail."

"What? It is?" asked Speedwagon as he broke away from the group. "Where are they? I've got to see them!"

As he ran across the dock frantically looking around, the focus changed to a priest in a cossack on the bottom of the boarding plank, three other priests on the dock. "Now then, Father Styx," said one of the three, a shorter man with balding hair and folded hands, "we expect to hear great things from your mission to Mexico."

~LBR~

"Looks like we've got another reference!" said Luna. "The band Styx!"

"Sounds like something Charles would love!" said Lana excitedly.

"Not 'Sticks,' dude, Styx! Like the river to the underworld in Greek myth!" said Luna.

"Pretty ironic name for a priest, then," chuckled Lincoln.

~PB~

Father Styx, a man with messy brown hair and stubble, sighed in response. "I'll certainly do what I can," he said before making his way up to the ship.

"Jonathan Joestar!" shouted Speedwagon as he turned to the ship. "Where are you?!" But as he wasn't paying attention, he didn't notice the group of dockhands carrying cargo until they bumped into him, knocking him over.

"Watch where you're going!" shouted a bald dockhand with an anchor tattoo and a handlebar mustache. "What makes this thing so blasted heavy anyway?"

~LBR~

"Try using your knees and not your back, you pansy," said Lynn.

~PB~

"How should I know?" said the dockhand behind him, wearing a bandana. "We've been hired by that Asian bloke, so we move it where he says!"

The first worker smirked until he heard a knocking sound. He let out a confused grunt until a soft "Wry" came from inside the chest he was carrying. A black and white filter covered the screen as he broke into a cold sweat.

~LBR~

"Dio's back already?" wondered Lincoln. "He's probably still a head at this point!"

"Then why would he need to be in such a big chest?" wondered Lana.

"Guess even a detached head can travel in first class," joked Lynn.

~PB~

The dockhand's breath hitched as he looked at the chest and stopped, the others stopping as well. "Oi! Did-Did you boys hear that?" he asked the other three carrying the chest. A better view of it revealed it to be all black, with golden designs on the side and a green jewel in the center of the lid. It was big enough to fit at least two full-grown men inside it.

"Quit flapping your blasted cake hole!" shouted the bandana-wearing dockhand. The boat's bell started ringing as smoke started rising from its funnel. "Now move it! We don't get paid till this job's done!" With grunts of labor, the four kept moving the cargo as Speedwagon stood up.

"Ow! Ruddy hooligans!" he shouted.

"Mr. Speedwagon!" called Poco, catching his attention. Poco was pointing to the ship with a huge smile. "Look! They're up there!" He turned to the ship and waved with both arms to get them to notice the group. "Hello! Jonathan!" The couple could be seen walking to the ship's port side. Erina wore a lighter blue version of her typical dress accompanied by a baby blue hat with a pink ribbon, while Jonathan had a black tuxedo with a large red bow tie containing a green gem. They smiled and waved at their friends on the dock.

~LBR~

"Man, after all the crud that JoJo dealt with," said Lincoln, "it's really nice that he's able to have some happiness in his life. About to see the world with the love of his life, his best friends wishing him luck…"

"It's way overdue after all the people he's lost," added Luna.

~PB~

'What a beautiful sight,' thought Speedwagon with a soft smile, crossing his arms. 'I wish you a long, love-filled life. I'll always be here for you.' Erina noticed Speedwagon and spoke to her husband, the two of them turning to and happily waving at him. 'If you ever need me, just call. I'll be there. Though at the moment, I'd just be in the way, eh?'

~LBR~

"For somebody who tried to mug and/or murder JoJo when they first met, Speedwagon's come a long way," said Lynn.

"I'm proud of him," said Lana. "He's definitely my favorite!"

~PB~

The cruise ship's horn blew as the paddle wheels started spinning, the ship taking off. As Jonathan's friends saw off the young couple, Poco ran across the dock to keep up with the boat. "Bon voyage!" he cried cheerfully. "Have a wonderful trip!" He kept waving as the boat left the dock, the passengers mingling as the voyage began. Little did anybody know of the black chest in the ship's storage, glimmering from the light of the grate above it.

~LBR~

"This must be Dio's master plan," said Lincoln. "He's going to cover the whole ship in glitter!"

Lana shuddered. "That might be the most evil thing he's done."

~PB~

The scene cut to the ship at sunset, a flock of birds flying over it. Japanese text was at the bottom of the screen, subtitles translating it to "En route to America, Atlantic Ocean." The camera panned over the boat as Erina stood by the starboard railing. She gasped as one of the birds landed on the railing. It was trying and failing to get up with its winds, calling out for its flock.

"Poor little bird all alone," said Erina sadly. "Did you lose your flock?"

~LBR~

"Poor little guy…" said Lana.

~PB~

As soon as she asked this, she gasped as another bird flew over. It landed beside its friend and nuzzled it. Erina put her hands on her cheeks and started to cry tears of joy from the cute sight, briefly wiping them away.

~LBR~

"That's adorable," said Lincoln with a smile.

"'Honey, I want a pet bird now!'" joked Luna.

~PB~

"Erina," said Jonathan as he approached his wife. His hands were on his hips as he looked at her with concern. "Something wrong, love?" he asked. Erina turned to him and wordlessly ran up to him, giving him a hug with tears in her eyes. Jonathan gasped in surprise. "Dear, what are you crying about?"

"These tears that I'm crying are from joy," she said as she looked at the birds on the railing. "Joy that I am here with you."

~LBR~

"Is it just me, or is this starting to get a bit sappy?" asked Lynn.

"Just let them have this," said Luna with a soft smile.

~PB~

'Even as a boy, you strove to be a true gentleman,' thought Erina as clips of Jonathan attempting to protect Erina appeared. 'A champion of others, no matter the consequence to yourself.' The flashback ended with Jonathan and Erina gazing happily into each other's eyes. 'And now that proud and noble Jonathan Joestar is here in my arms.'

'And I have you,' thought Jonathan.

~LBR~

"Wait a minute, did JoJo just read Erina's mind?" asked Lana in confusion.

"Apparently," said Lincoln. "Maybe it's a Hamon thing."

~PB~

'When my heart was frozen in despair, you warmed me and brought me back to life,' thought Jonathan as he held her closer. 'I am fortunate to have saved a world that has you in it. I only wish Father could have known you.' He looked up to the multicolored sky solemnly.

"Erina," he said as they broke their hug, holding his hand out to the door, "come! Supper is waiting!"

"Jonathan!" called out Erina as he pulled her by the hand, but it was too late. In his eagerness, his height caused him to bash his head on the metal doorframe.

~LBR~

"Pfft," chuckled Lynn with a hand over her mouth. "You sure picked a graceful one, Erina," she laughed.

~PB~

Jonathan got onto his knees as he held both hands over where he hit his head, Erina covering her face. As he whimpered in pain, Erina lowered her hands. "Um, I wanted to tell you to be careful so you wouldn't bash your head," she said sheepishly. Jonathan slowly turned to her, and they both laughed at the situation. Erina sighed in relief as Jonathan kept laughing heartily. 'I wish that today could last forever.' She smiled as she held onto her hat, a small gust of wind blowing at the ribbons in her hair.

~LBR~

"They really are perfect for each other, aren't they?" said Lincoln with a smile.

~PB~

The scene cut to a metal rosary falling onto the chest in the storage with a soft clink. A cut pulled away to the grate above it, shadows from the bars partially concealing the rosary. "Damn," slurred a voice, "it fell into the engine room." A cut revealed Father Styx to be peering down the grate, a bottle of booze in his hand. "That's a filthy place to go after it." He hiccupped, a close-up showing his cheeks were a bit flushed from drinking. "I could just sell it, but it brings in the shekels." He swerved a bit as he got to his feet. "Dear Lord," the missionary slurred as he took a swig of his drink, stumbling towards the engine room entrance. 'You surely do seem to enjoy picking on me.'

~LBR~

"A real stand-up guy, this jerk," grumbled Lana.

"I'm not even that religious, and I still find him to be a piece of garbage," said Lincoln. "Even if he's slightly better than Dario."

"What do you expect from a guy named Styx?" asked Lynn.

~PB~

The scene cut to the dining hall of the ship, where the passengers were enjoying fine dining and company under the lights. Erina was sitting across from Jonathan at their table. She had changed into a red low-cut dress with white trim and a metal choker, both with a blue jewel. She had also left her hat behind. From a first-person perspective, Jonathan lifted a wine glass filled nearly to the brim with red wine.

"Oh, no," said Erina as she turned her head. "I haven't the experience drinking a man does."

"Just a bit," insisted Jonathan. "Barely enough to get the taste. It really isn't strong at all." He held out the glass to her. "I think it's good."

~LBR~

"I'd complain about this being a bit suspect," said Luna, "but this is Jonathan Joestar we're talking about."

~PB~

Erina blushed as he held the glass a little closer. "Here," he gestured softly as he helped her take a small sip. She smiled as she let the taste sink in, Jonathan smiling contently. But as he averted his eyes for just a moment, he got out of his chair in a panic. A light blue filter covered most of the screen. "No," he whispered under his breath. "It can't be!"

~LBR~

"'That couple across the room is holding hands, and they don't have wedding rings! How disgraceful!'" laughed Lana.

~PB~

The familiar sting of Dio's theme played as the camera zoomed in on what Jonathan was staring at: the zombie medicine man, hair and outfit now yellow. The background turned black as Jonathan dropped his glass, the chalice falling in slow motion until it shattered on the ground and spilled its contents everywhere.

Erina gasped as she saw the look of horror on her husband's face. "Jonathan?"

Jonathan didn't hear her, a pink flash appearing behind him as he put a hand to his head. "Impossible," he muttered. "There is no way! He's here! Dio's alive!"

~LBR~

"Crap, and everything was finally looking up for him too," said Luna.

"Doesn't matter, he'll stop Dio and make everything right again!" cheered Lincoln.

~PB~

The zombie smirked as he saw Jonathan's reaction, letting him catch a glimpse of his fangs. He jumped out of sight, with Jonathan running to chase after him. He stopped beside Erina first, turning to her. "Erina, go!" he urged in a panic. "Back to our cabin now! And don't forget to lock the door!" As he ran to the door that the zombie went through, Erina looked at him with a worried expression.

The scene cut to the engine room, steam coming from the gears and pistons that kept the boat moving. The camera panned over to Father Styx standing in front of the chest. As he reclaimed his rosary, he took another look at the chest. "Eh?" he said as he saw an undone padlock on the lock latch, a round red gem above it. A flash of light ran across a catch between the top and bottom. "Well, that's rather strange. The lock's undone."

~LBR~

"What's so strange about that? It's empty, isn't it?" asked Lana.

"Yeah, but leaving it unlocked like that is just asking for somebody to flip it," said Lynn. "Trust me, I've been there."

~PB~

Styx leaned in for a closer look. "Queer bit of business," he thought aloud as he saw the catch. "I can see a metal catch glinting on the inside there. But that… would mean…" He suddenly backed away in a panic, clutching his rosary. "That this trunk is locked from the inside!"

A click could be heard as the catch was undone, and a glint of light shone off the gem before it was shot from the chest like a bullet. The gem struck Father Styx square in the forehead, shattering his skull and killing him instantly. The force threw his body across the room and onto a wooden crate, the boxes breaking apart underneath him.

~LBR~

Lincoln sucked in air through his teeth, the others looking shocked. "Man, that was brutal."

"At least it was over fast," said Luna. "For Styx and for us."

~PB~

The medicine man, normal color palette restored, jumped into the engine room from the stairs to the chest. He grabbed the lid with both hands and swung it open, revealing red velvet padding inside. It wasn't a chest; it was a coffin.

"Halt!" shouted Jonathan as he ran into the room, putting his hands on the wooden railing. "You can't escape!"

The zombie grabbed something out of the coffin, then turned around. His left arm was bent to perch a glass container, with the head of Dio inside of it. The metal bottom of the container was soaked in blood. "Where is… my body?" asked Dio.

~LBR~

The Louds stared at the paused screen for a while in horror, jaws on the floor.

"Part of me wants to laugh since he looks straight out of Futurama, but that's really creepy," said Lynn, breaking the silence. Lincoln could only nod in agreement as he silently hit the play button.

~PB~

"D-Dio!" shouted Jonathan.

The scene cut to Erina. 'Jonathan is so upset,' she thought as she got out of her seat. 'Something is wrong.'

~LBR~

"And just like that, she completely disregards his warning and signs her own death warrant," said Luna.

~PB~

She got up to reveal the couple at the table behind her, the woman holding her baby as the man leaned forward. As he raised his head, it was revealed that he had turned into a zombie. He smirked with his tongue out as the woman shrieked in horror.

~LBR~

"Oh man, it's Wind Knight's Lot all over again," said Lynn.

~PB~

"JoJo, do you see the condition in which I find myself?" asked Dio as the scene cut back to the engine room. Jonathan was on even level with Dio and his servant now. "Your work. There is a reason I display myself to you like this." Jonathan gasped as Dio continued, the latter glaring all the while. "Why would I show my weakness to my deadliest foe? Because though I once despised you, now I have only the greatest respect for your spirit, your valor in battle! Your power! I see it now, how incredible you are!"

"Dio," said Jonathan evenly.

"JoJo," said Dio.

~LBR~

"Looks like it's time for their last battle," said Lana.

"Yep," agreed Luna. "This will be the end today of the wanted man."

~PB~

A flashback began, showing Dio's study of the stone mask, his transformation into a vampire, and his many battles against Jonathan. "If not for you," he said, "I would never have obtained the power of the stone mask." An image of his detached head appeared on the screen, hair billowing as it got closer. "However, your damnable meddling cost me world domination. If there really is a god, one who plucks the strings of our fate, I am certain that our fates were bound together for a reason."

The flashback ended, dissolving to Dio in the case. The scene cut to Erina running through the halls to find Jonathan before going back to the mortal enemies in the engine room. "Our two existences were only ever intended to be but one. And so, I will take the body of the only man on Earth I respect! Then, I will live in eternal glory!" His eyes began to glow as pink slits appeared in his irises. "For that is the destiny which is waiting for me!"

~LBR~

"'Over your dead… oh wait,'" joked Lincoln, the others chuckling amidst the tension.

~PB~

"There will be no pain. That is the final gift I bequeath to you!"

As Dio's eyes split open, Jonathan moved to guard himself as a pink filter covered him. "Ah! No, not those eyes! I can't!"

"Live on as my body, JoJo!" shouted Dio. Jonathan crossed his arms in front of him just as Dio's eyes shot the high-pressure beams from before. Just as the attack was unleashed…

"Jonathan, wait!" gasped Erina as she entered the engine room. But it was too late. The blasts tore holes through Jonathan's palms, then went on to put holes in his neck. Jonathan gasped as blood oozed from his wounds.

"E…rina…" choked Jonathan as a blue filter covered the screen, the show's logo appearing in the corner.

~LBR~

Once again, the Louds were stupefied by shock. None of them uttered sound, not even a breath. Finally, Lincoln managed to collect his scattered thoughts. "Did that… just happen?"

"No way," said Lynn. "It couldn't have! Maybe it's just a trick for the viewers, and he'll be fine when we get back! Watch!" With that, she grabbed the controller out of Lincoln's hands and hit the play button herself.

~PB~

The episode resumed with a shot of the boat's horn blowing, the ship in the middle of a storm. The waves were rough and choppy as the sails billowed against the heavy winds. The wheels of the paddle steamer were the only thing keeping it marginally on course, the gears in the engine room steaming heavily as they were pushed to their limit.

After being struck by the energy bolts, Jonathan was thrown backwards in slow motion. The attack had shattered the glass in front of his eyes, shards falling onto the wooden floor as a jagged hole was left in the case. Jonathan gasped for air as he hit his back on a wooden support beam, the wind being forced out of him. He weakly reached for his neck, only to cough out blood and fall to his knees.

"No! Jonathan!' shouted Erina from the engine room stairs, holding a hand out.

"Eri… na…" said Jonathan weakly as blood spurted out of his wounds.

~LBR~

"No," said Lynn quietly, dropping the controller and accidentally pausing the show. This wasn't happening. It couldn't happen. Jonathan was the hero! But the screen was saying otherwise. "Jonathan, get up and chuck that ugly snow globe into the sea!"

"He can't… he can't die here, right?" asked Lana as Lincoln picked up the controller. "After everything he's done so far?!"

"I… I don't know, sis," said Luna.

"Let's just keep watching and hope for the best," said Lincoln as he resumed the episode. But none of them could shake the awful feeling they had.

~PB~

Dio's servant smirked as he stuck out his tongue. "Oh?" said Dio coyly. "A pity you wouldn't hear me. If only you had remained still as I told you. Your death, in fact, would have been quite painless." He turned his eyes to Erina. "Torn from your little fairy tale into hell, thrust into a reality you didn't know existed," he said to her. "What will you do now?"

Erina let out a small gasp as she put a hand to her mouth. "Did JoJo never tell you of me?" continued Dio. "The evil that dwells there in the darkness. I may not look like much right now, but surely you remember me. Erina Pendleton. Wait, it's Erina Joestar now, isn't it?"

"Dio!" gasped Erina in recognition as a color shift occurred, the wooden walls and floor turning dark purple. Her hair turned pink as her trim and dress turned red and lavender respectively. Several murky yellow hands burst through the wall, reaching out for warm blood. Erina gasped as she turned around and saw them, only to turn as she heard a man scream. The woman from before was running through the halls with her baby in tow, a male passenger with her.

"The ship's full of monsters!" cried the man as the woman screamed. "Run!"

A zombie grabbed a life preserver and started to spin it on its hand. It threw the inflatable ring at the back of the man's head. The ring bounced onto his head, tearing open his skull as he fell to the floor dead.

~LBR~

Lynn chuckled a little. "Okay, there's something a little funny about being killed by a life preserver," she said.

"It had one job, and it messed it up!" laughed Lana, the others feeling just a little better.

~PB~

As the passenger's body fell, another zombie from the opposite side of the hall started to approach, a fire axe in hand. As he stepped into the light, he was shown to be the husband of the woman. She stopped running and gasped, trembling as the zombie ran up to her. She could only scream as he brought down the bloody axe.

Erina gasped as the woman was thrown down the engine room stairs on her back, falling to the bottom and snapping her neck. If she wasn't dead before, she was now as a puddle of blood formed under her head. Her baby, miraculously unharmed, started to cry in its swaddling blanket.

~LBR~

The Louds gasped in horror, the little amount of good feelings they had whisked away. "Oh, man," muttered Luna. "This is really, really bad."

"Everything was going so well, and he just had to ruin it like always," muttered Lincoln. "Dio won't get away with this."

~PB~

The apothecary zombie laughed, his outfit and hair yellow once again. Dio's hair had changed as well, now lavender. "As you ordered, lord, I drained the life of only one passenger." The scene cut to the zombified ship captain taking a bite out of a crew member, zombies wandering around the dining hall and feasting on those not yet turned. "And now most of the ship has joined our little family! Ahahahahahaha!" He started to approach the wounded Jonathan. "And now we will proceed to America! Isn't that right, Lord Dio?"

~LBR~

"'No, you fool, next is Mexico,'" joked Lynn. "'There, we shall begin Operation Taco Tuesday.'"

~PB~

'I can't speak,' thought Jonathan as he held his shoulder, his suit lavender and his hair blue. 'I can't even… take a breath. I… have to move!' He reached out a shaky hand to Erina. 'Erina… Erina!' He coughed up blood as he reached for his wounds with his other hand. 'I have… to save-'

Before he could do anything, Dio's servant kicked his hand against the support beam. The sound of bones cracking echoed inside the room as the zombie chuckled. Jonathan grit his teeth in frustration as he closed an eye. 'Can't… gather… Hamon…'

"Nyahaha!" cackled the zombie as he pointed at Jonathan. "Well, how the mighty have fallen! This sniveling whelp can't even draw a proper breath now!" Jonathan couldn't respond, holding his chest with one hand and holding onto the support beam to steady himself with the other. "He'll be causing no more mischief with his Hamon! This is what he gets for crossing you, Lord Dio! Now we are going to play!" He tilted his head as his smirk grew wider. "Or maybe I'll just sit quietly and watch while he suffocates slowly! Hehaha!" He stuck out his abnormally long tongue.

"Silence, Wang Chan!" chastised Dio.

~LBR~

"Hey, we finally got his name after seven episodes!" said Lana.

"Wang Chan, huh? Sounds like the band Wang Chung," said Luna. "Not bad!"

~PB~

A purple filter covered Dio as the camera zoomed in on his eyes. "There shall be no insult to JoJo!"

"Huh?" asked Wang Chan in confusion.

"He is the one man capable of bringing me to the apex of my fate!" snarled Dio. "You will show him all the respect which is due to him, by severing his head in a painless manner!"

~LBR~

"That was almost touching for a bit," said Luna. "Key word being almost."

~PB~

"Of course, Lord Dio," said Wang Chan meekly before turning his attention back to Jonathan, lunging forward with nails like razor-sharp claws.

"The body of my dearest foe has become my future!" declared Dio.

"Jonathan!" shouted Erina.

Between the dire circumstances and his wife's concern, Jonathan managed to regain his resolve as he struggled to get into his signature stance. Dio flinched. "He's up to something! Be careful!" he warned. "He might have one last trick up his muscle-bound sleeve!"

~LBR~

"Come on, JoJo," said Lincoln as he tightened his fists. "You can win this!"

~PB~

"Bah, he's done for!" shouted Wang Chan. "Lord Dio overestimates his mighty power!" He raised a clawed hand to slash at Jonathan. "Well, Jonathan Joestar, I'll scoop out what little brains you have with my bare fingers!"

Dio stared intently as a red filter covered Jonathan, the latter crossing his arms. 'Must… save Erina,' he thought as he interlocked his fingers. 'I have to use… the last bit of Hamon left in me! All at once! Please work!'

"Careful! Wang Chan, look out!" warned Dio as Erina gasped. Jonathan held his fingers in a finger-gun position, his index and middle fingers pointed out before he moved his hands and arms into a "Y" shape. Hamon flowed through his arms as jagged sound effects accompanied the warm crackle.

But as his arms sparked and sparkled, the rippling energy faded. The red filter covered Jonathan again as he gasped, falling backwards. A blue image of his body was accompanied by a red close-up of his face. 'Something… broke inside my body,' he thought. 'Something… important….'

But despite that, his strike still landed true. As the color shift was reversed, Wang Chan's head expanded before it exploded into molten flesh. "What have you done?!" asked Dio as his head pushed open the lid of his container. His hair extended like vines and pulled him to the ceiling as his canister shattered on the floor, Wang Chan's body landing on the gears.

~LBR~

"Great, now he's ripping off Bruford!" complained Luna, only to turn and see Lincoln staring at the screen in terror. "Bro, is everything okay?"

"Something broke inside him? Something important?!" repeated Lincoln. "This isn't happening!"

"I told you, he's the hero! He can't die!" shouted Lynn. Luna sucked in air as she looked over to Lana, who was hugging Hops with all her might.

'Just hang tight, dudes,' she thought as she took the controller from Lincoln with no resistance. She hit the play button before giving it back. 'It's not over till it's over.'

~PB~

Jonathan grunted as he hit the floor. 'Th… this is… the end?' he thought as he lay on the floorboards. 'The last… Hamon I have? Too weak to… destroy that zombie completely… but it was enough.' As his Hamon crackled inside the headless body of Wang Chan, it stood up and grabbed one of the mechanisms turning the paddle wheels. With one major component unable to move, the rest of the clockwork slowly came to a stop. The steam kept building up, starting to fill the room.

"What… What is he playing at?!" growled Dio. "JoJo has interfered with Wang Chan's body, disrupting its functions without bringing it to complete destruction. He's made it seize tightly onto a piece of machinery." His eyes started to waver as he realized Jonathan's plan. "And the device it clings to so immovably… is the paddle's screw shaft!"

The scene cut to the outside of the ship. Without its paddles and with its sails open, it was being rocked about by the storm. "The strength of a zombie is sufficient to arrest the paddle!"

~LBR~

"Wa-Was it charged with speeding?" joked Lincoln at the odd wording, trying desperately and failing to alleviate the tension.

~PB~

The scene cut to the pipes, the gauges indicating a buildup of pressure. "If the shaft is stopped, steam pressure in the piston will build up inexorably! Under such conditions, there is but one end!" The scene transitioned to Erina holding up the head of her husband. "The ship will explode!"

~LBR~

"That'll take out Dio and all his zombies," said Lana. "And… and…."

"And JoJo," finished Lynn. "He's gonna stay behind while Erina escapes."

"But that can't happen, right? The hero doesn't die! You said so!" argued Lana.

"He's gonna save the world if he pulls this off," said Luna sadly.

"But there's another way! Just like in the mansion when he kicked the wall! There's always another way!" Lana turned to Lincoln and started shaking him. "There's another way, right? Right?!"

Lincoln just pulled his little sister in for a hug, the two of them crying. "I don't know, Lana. I just don't know." He resumed the episode as they wept in each other's arms, eyes glued to the TV.

~PB~

Erina whimpered as she held her injured husband close. "Jonathan, what's happening?!" she asked. "Why is this happening… to us?"

~LBR~

"Because Dio is a monster!" shouted Lynn as she squeezed the couch cushion.

~PB~

"Y-You must leave, Erina," said Jonathan shakily. "Soon, the ship… will… be destroyed!" Erina's eyes wavered as she gazed into Jonathan's, his stern demeanor fading away as a piano began to play.

"I don't know how the things that are occurring today are possible," said Erina as she pulled Jonathan closer. "It's all too impossible to bear. I don't know whether I should cry or scream. Perhaps I should just faint dead away and block it out."

Jonathan smiled softly at her words as she continued. "But… there is one thing I know." She started to cry as she tightened her grip on his hands. "Erina Joestar will remain with her husband." She closed her eyes and kissed Jonathan. The background became red and orange as a filter covered the couple, adding small twinkles and making the scene resemble an oil painting.

'In the warmth of these lips, I feel the cool ebbing of his life. Jonathan Joestar is dying,' thought Erina. 'But we are together. I want to stay like this. Until the ship explodes and everything burns to ash, until everything is gone.'

~LBR~

"No, don't!" shouted Luna. "You can still survive this! Don't make Jonathan's work mean nothing!"

~PB~

The machinery started creaking as Wang Chan's body kept a firm grip on the screw shaft. Jets of steam burst from it as the pressure became nearly unbearable. As Erina ended the kiss, Jonathan slowly lifted an arm, tapping lightly on her cheek and pointing behind her. Erina turned around to see the infant bawling their eyes out, alone and scared. She turned around and gasped. "Wha…"

"It's alright if you… cry, but you have… to… stay alive, and go on!"

~LBR~

"Okay, if anybody makes ONE Titanic joke, I will slug you so hard you'll see stars," said Lynn, nobody daring to see if she was bluffing.

~PB~

"Just like in a storybook," said Erina, "you want me to come to the aid of a helpless child and escape to safety?" She started crying again as she turned back to Jonathan. "That's unfair! Just sheer cruelty! The only thing that I want is to end my life here with you!"

"That woman died… trying to save her child," said Jonathan, "until… the last. My own… mother… did the same thing for me." The scene cut back to the crying child. "Save yourself. Take the baby. Hurry!" Erina gasped, but steeled herself as she stood up to flee with the child.

"So, your plan is to destroy this vessel, is it?" asked Dio, catching Erina's attention.

~LBR~

"Excuse you, they're having a private moment, sir!" shouted Lincoln, managing to make Lana chuckle. Lincoln smiled as he wiped away his tears, glad that he could cheer her up a little bit.

~PB~

"JoJo, you never give up or give in, no matter the odds, but know this! Determination is not just in you! I will live! There is no one who can defy me! I will take your body as my own!"

Jonathan just weakly looked at Dio, lacking the strength to retort.

~LBR~

"Seems less like he's dying and more like he's got no more patience for Dio's crud," said Lynn.

~PB~

"Zombies, hither!"

The wooden door burst down as a horde of zombies lurched into the room.

~LBR~

"Oh yeah!" shouted Luna, the others laughing. Their good mood had finally returned, although there was no telling for how long it would last.

~PB~

"Devour Wang Chan's body, and restart the piston once you have!" ordered Dio. The wave of zombified passengers slowly shambled over to their target. But they never managed to reach it. Holes started to form in the pipes and boilers as the steam pressure became too much for them to handle.

'The end… has begun,' thought Jonathan. Dio flinched as he heard a loud noise from the screw, turning to see what was causing it. The metal screw started to glow orange with intense heat as flames spread behind it. Finally, the heat and expanding pressure caused the machinery to explode. The zombies, Wang Chan included, were blown back and incinerated by the explosion. Smoke filled the room in an instant, embers floating around like fireflies as scrap metal shrapnel flew everywhere. Erina gasped as she witnessed the blast, only for Jonathan to push her away in a final burst of strength. His body shielded her from the explosion, and three curved pieces of scrap metal flew into his back, lacerating it as he coughed up another glob of blood.

"Ah!" gasped Erina. "Jonathan!" Her husband could only smile back weakly, relieved to see she was unharmed.

~LBR~

Just as soon as it arrived, the cheeriness of the four had long since left. Lincoln had both hands over his mouth as he smothered a scream. Luna was silent, mouth open so wide it looked like it would unhinge itself. Lynn's whole body was shaking like a leaf in the wind. Lana was hugging Hops with all her might, said frog desperately looking away from the screen as he comforted his best pal.

"No…" she whispered. "No, no! JoJo!"

"Is… this the end of Jonathan?" asked Lincoln. Nobody answered him, and he wasn't expecting them to. He was just hoping that he was wrong.

~PB~

Dio snarled. "It's already blowing apart! But there's still a way out! I was protecting myself from the sun's rays well before this! Let it explode! I already have everything I need to survive!"

Long veins shot forward, whipping through the air. A brief filter covered the screen as they wrapped around Jonathan's neck. Erina, now holding the crying baby, gasped as Jonathan was pulled away from her. A cut revealed that the veins were extending from Dio's neck, and he was hoisting Jonathan over the ground.

"Erina, take a good look!" shouted Dio. "Ha! Since JoJo can no longer use his Hamon, I'll remove his head and take his body as my own!" The scene cut to the open coffin, untouched by the flames. "Then I shall walk over and lie down in my velvet boudoir! That humble shelter is marvelously constructed! It could withstand a ton of dynamite!"

~LBR~

"NO!"

The others turned to Lynn. Her head was tilted down, bangs covering her eyes. She had raised a trembling fist, the vein inside popped as she growled. "Jonathan Joestar might die in this episode…" She looked up, her eyes ablaze with fury. "But you are NOT getting away with any of this! JoJo is going to drag you down to hell with his own two hands if that's what it takes! And only Erina and that baby are getting out in that coffin alive!"

"Lynn, calm down!" said Luna as she held her sister's shoulders. She saw that she was crying.

"Let go of me!" snapped Lynn as she grabbed Luna's wrists.

"No, you need to chill!"

"STOP!"

The two turned to their little brother, who gently lifted Luna's hands and turned to Lynn. "Remember what you told me when I was upset about Zeppeli? That it's only a show? So just take a deep breath and relax, please."

Lynn snarled before she begrudgingly followed his directions, Lana and Luna watching apprehensively. She took a deep breath in through her nose and out through her mouth, repeating this several times as her body became less tense. Finally she had calmed down, looking at her brother with a couple tears still trickling down. "Thanks, Lincoln. Guess I overreacted a little, huh?"

"A little," said Lana, "but that's because it's such a good show."

"As long as nobody's hurt," said Luna with a thumbs up. Lynn nodded as everyone got back onto the couch. As Lincoln picked up the controller, Lynn put her arm around him. He smiled and did the same, Luna and Lana following suit as the siblings pulled each other closer.

"Thanks again," said Lynn.

"Hey, what's family for?" said Lincoln with a smile as he hit the button.

~PB~

"Goodbye, JoJo!" shouted Dio as he detached himself from the ceiling, the veins pulling him closer. "And welcome to you, my new eternal body!"

~LBR~

The Louds were silent as they watched, as if waiting for a miracle to show itself.

~PB~

Jonathan reached behind him and grabbed one of the chunks of metal lodged into his back. With great pain, he ripped it out of his body and held it like a knife. As Dio's head got closer, he thrusted it down. A red filter covered Dio as his eyes widened, a green one covering Jonathan to show his eyes still filled with determination. A cut revealed that he had pierced Dio's neck before the horrific head could reach him.

~LBR~

"Yes!" said Lana under her breath as she pumped a fist. The others just smiled.

~PB~

"Jonathan!" gasped Erina as she slowly fell backwards. She landed against the coffin, shielding the baby from harm.

As Jonathan sat against a wooden crate, flames spreading on all sides, he gave a warm smile as he held Dio to his chest, hugging the monster that he once called a brother. "Dio…."

Dio grunted, unable to escape Jonathan's embrace. 'As you observed,' thought Jonathan, 'it may be true that our fate is to be together. I feel an odd warmth for you, for now our lives are interwoven completely. And will end… along with this ship.'

~LBR~

"Even to the man who killed him, who took everything away, he's showing kindness," said Lincoln as he started crying. "He really is too good for this world."

~PB~

Erina sobbed as Jonathan turned to her. "Farewell… to you… my… beloved…" he said as another explosion happened. He managed to give her one last smile before the flames started to spread. Erina flinched as a wall of fire pushed her back, keeping her away from Jonathan.

"JoJo, let me GO!" demanded Dio. "Release me! Think of what we two can achieve! You'd like a taste of eternity, would you not?! I can heal your wounds! You and Erina can live together! Forever!" His eyes widened. "JoJo!"

But Jonathan didn't respond. He stared forward with a blank expression, eyes shining from the reflection of the fire. Dio's eyes started to waver as the realization sank in. "No, it's too late," he muttered. "He's dead." Jonathan's head slowly lurched over as his eyes closed, his body still with a soft smile as it cradled Dio. The music started to slow down as the image became still, once more resembling that of a painting. A description and its translation appeared on the screen: "February 7th, 1889: The Day of Jonathan Joestar's Death."

~LBR~

"Jo… jo…" said Lynn as she started crying again. All four of them held each other tightly, tears pouring down their faces. One of the greatest heroes they had ever seen, a man whose kindness had no limit and whose determination was second to none, a man who had touched all of their hearts despite being a work of fiction, had sacrificed his life to save the world. He was well and truly gone. For a few minutes, they didn't do anything but cry in each other's comfort as they took in the death of Jonathan Joestar. Finally, Lincoln hit the play button.

~PB~

Another explosion went off in the engine room, the flames from the blast enveloping Jonathan and Dio. They even passed over Dio's coffin, now closed. The blast tore through the ship, and one final explosion bigger than any other so far annihilated it. A thick plume of smoke rose from where the ship once stood as the scene faded to black.

Hours passed as small waves made noise on the ocean surface, the storm having long since passed. The sun rose in the East, warm light spreading across the horizon. "Jonathan Joestar passed away, into undeserved oblivion," narrated Erina as the camera panned across the water. "His life was an important part of history, but invisible to ordinary people. Most of humanity, for whom he sacrificed, will never know of his noble accomplishments."

~LBR~

"I think that might be the saddest part of all of this," said Luna. "Nobody's gonna know that JoJo saved so many people that night, nobody but Erina and JoJo's friends once they get the news. And even then, I can only imagine how people like Speedwagon and Poco will react when they learn he's dead."

"He might not go down in the history books, but he'll still be in their memory," said Lincoln. "And that makes me feel a little bit better."

~PB~

The camera showed Dio's coffin floating on the ocean, the water rocking it about. "But his descendants will!" The lid swung open as Erina sat up. She was holding the baby closely, the baby cooing softly in comfort. The nightmare of Dio was over. 'The life within me,' thought Erina as triumphant music played in the background, 'newly created by Jonathan and I, will certainly hear his story!'

~LBR~

"What new life?" asked Lana, scratching her hat in confusion.

"Dudes, she must be pregnant!" said Luna excitedly.

"Wait, you don't think…" said Lincoln as he looked at the case. "Is the second part about Jonathan's kid?"

"It must be!" said Luna. "Come on, let's finish the episode!" Lincoln obliged her as he resumed the episode.

~PB~

Erina slowly closed her eyes as she lay down inside the coffin, exhausted as she drifted into a well-deserved slumber. "Erina Joestar was soon rescued, afloat near the Canary Islands," said the narrator. "And the book of the stone mask was closed, for a time." Images of the part's heroes, alive and dead alike, gathered in the corner of the screen. "But that was only the beginning of a new, bizarre adventure!" The title screen appeared along with more Japanese text, accompanied by translations. It read, "Part 1 - Phantom Blood: End." With that note, the screen faded to black.

~LBR~

"Looks like that's a wrap," said Lynn.

"Wait, it's not over yet!" said Lincoln.

~PB~

The image changed to a waterfall in a rainforest, many exotic birds calling as Roundabout started playing. The camera panned down to a stone temple before transitioning into a room inside of it. The menacing sound effects made a spiral through the room as the camera moved closer. Just before the "To Be Continued" arrow appeared, the camera stopped on a stone pillar inside the chamber. A statue was built into it, or at least, it looked like it was only a statue…

~LBR~

"The first part is over, and I think we just got our first peek at what's gonna happen next," said Lincoln as the ending played. "So what did you girls think?"

"That was so sad, but so cool!" said Lana as she wiped away her tears. "Jonathan was so awesome!"

"You're telling me," said Lynn. "The way he stopped Dio was the best!"

"And now Erina can make it to safety," said Luna. "Phantom Blood was off the chain, from start to finish! And I can't wait to see what Battle Tendency has to bring to the table!"

"Yeah!" cheered Lincoln. "Let's get Part 2 sta-"

But before he could finish his sentence, the four heard the familiar sound of Vanzilla pulling into the driveway. "Mom and Dad are home!" cheered Lana as Lincoln paused the game. Everybody hopped off the couch as their siblings scrambled down the stairs.

As soon as Rita and Lynn Sr. opened the door, they were bombarded by their children's voices. Eleven people trying to talk to them at once just resulted in a mess of words. "Kids, kids, one at a time, please!" laughed Rita.

"Welcome home, parental units!" said Lisa.

"How was the party, Mommy and Daddy?" asked Lola.

"Oh, it was great! Kotaro outdid himself, I should probably give him a promotion!" cheered Lynn Sr. "How about you? Did you have fun?"

"Totes! I put together the cutest outfit for tomorrow!" squealed Leni.

"And I literally held down the fort like a pro," said Lori as she pointed to herself with her thumb.

"That's great, honey!" said Rita.

"And I wrapped up my essay! Just turned it in!" said Luan.

"I knew you could!" said Lynn Sr., giving her a high five.

"Lincoln, how was your show, sweetie?" asked Rita. "Did you find somebody to watch it with?"

"Yeah, me!" said Luna. "And it was awesome!"

"Action packed to the brim!" cheered Lynn.

"And the hero was so cool!" said Lana.

"I'm glad you all liked it," said Rita.

"Yeah, we were just about to start the next episode!" said Lincoln.

"Well, I'm sure you'll be able to enjoy it tomorrow."

"Huh?" asked the four who finished the first part.

"Sorry, kiddos, but it's bedtime!" said Lynn Sr. as he pointed to his watch. The Loud siblings turned to the cable box and saw that it was nearly 10. Between the breaks for dinner and to use the bathroom, and the constant pausing, what should've taken about three and a half hours to watch nine episodes took over five.

"Aw, man! But I was really looking forward to Part 2!" said Lynn. "It's a Friday night, so we don't have to get up early! Can't we just watch one more episode? Please?"

"Sorry, Junior, but you know the rule," said her father. "You can stay up a little later on the weekends, but you've gotta stay in your own room."

"Besides, you need your sleep tonight, sweetie!" said Rita. "Remember, you've got a baseball game tomorrow!"

"Oh right," mumbled Lynn as she rubbed her arm sheepishly. With how invested she was in the show, she had completely forgotten about tomorrow's game. The Royal Woods Kangaroos were counting on her!

"But Mom-" started Lincoln.

"No buts," interrupted Rita. Lincoln sighed as he walked over to the TV, turning it and his game console off. "Don't worry, Lincoln," she said as she kissed his forehead. "It'll still be here when you wake up tomorrow morning. Just don't forget our deal."

"I won't!" said Lincoln as he turned to Luna, their other siblings and parents heading up to get ready for bed. "Luna, are you good for tomorrow?"

"You know it, bro!" cheered Luna.

"And count me in too!" added Lana.

"I'll have time before I've got to leave for my game, so I'll join you guys!" said Lynn. "Yo Luce, Lols! You wanna join us tomorrow?"

"I'll consider it," said Lucy from the stairs.

"Mm, pass," said Lola. "Leni's taking me to the mall tomorrow for a photo shoot. I can't deny my adoring fans!"

"Whatever," said Lynn. "Looks like it's just us tomorrow."

"Looks like it," said Lana.

"Okay, race you to the bathroom, threetwooneGO!" Lynn sprinted up the stairs in a flash, leaving a trail of dust behind her.

"Hey, no fair!" complained Lincoln as he and his sisters scurried up the stairs, trying not to be last in line.

~LBR~

"Stage dive!" shouted Luna as she flopped onto the top bunk. She let out a sigh as she turned onto her back, the top bunk much more comfortable than the couch.

"I'd give that a seven, toots," said Luan through her trusty dummy Mr. Coconuts.

"Psh, that was a nine at least!" laughed Luna as she sat up, looking down at her younger sister. "Yo Luan, how do you think you did on your paper?"

"No idea," said Luan as she set Mr. Coconuts on her dresser. "I mean, I'm the Clown Princess of Comedy! Me writing about something as drab and sad as The Great Depression is almost impossible! Like making a new spin on the 'black and white and red all over' joke."

"Don't worry, Mr. Marshall is an easy grader for these kinds of things."

"Well, now I've got a GRADE feeling about this!" said Luan, laughing as Luna rolled her eyes. "Get it?"

"Yeah, yeah," said Luna as she grabbed her ear buds and plugged them into her phone.

"Hey, I don't have anything else to do this weekend," said Luan. "No homework or gigs. Maybe I could watch that show with you guys!"

"Maybe, not sure if you'd like it," said Luna as she yawned, scrolling through her playlists. "It's kinda serious."

"Yeah, but I heard you guys laughing downstairs! It seems like a ton of fun!"

"It is." Luna finally found the playlist she was looking for. "You can join if you want to. It'll be fun." She put her earbuds in and started her music, relaxing in her bed as the music relaxed her. "Goodnight, Luan!"

"Goodnight, Luna," said Luan as she turned off the lights and slipped into bed. "It'll be fun," she whispered to herself before fading into dreamland.

~LBR~

"And Lynn Loud is victorious!" shouted Lynn as she hopped onto her bed, putting the covers on as she put her hands under her head.

"I wasn't competing," said Lucy as she finished putting on her pajamas. "You were the one who had the idea of a 'PJ race' and just started without me saying anything."

"Sounds like somebody who came in second would say!" said Lynn. "Whoo!"

"Sigh. There's no arguing with you. So how was the show?"

"It was awesome! You seriously missed out, all those zombies that they kicked to the curb were pretty freaky! One of them even had a bunch of snakes in his head!"

"Hmm, interesting. I've seen zombies made of leeches in video games, but this is new. I have to praise the writer for their creativity."

"Yeah, the show was sweet," said Lynn as she casually tossed a softball into the air a couple of times. "It's just too bad that JoJo had to die."

"Gasp! I never expected that."

"Oops, sorry for the spoilers!"

"It's nothing. I find the journey to be more important than the destination."

"Yeah, JoJo got killed by Dio in their last fight." She angrily chucked the softball as it hit Lucy's mattress and bounced onto the floor. "Stupid Dio and his stupid laser eyes."

"Wait, laser eyes?"

"Yeah, it was weird."

"Hm, the season still has more episodes, right?"

"Yeah, we just finished the first part. The second part is twice as long, so here's hoping it's twice as good!"

"I'm sure it will be. Bad dreams, Lynn."

"Yeah, whatever," said Lynn as she rolled her eyes. "Goodnight, Lucy."

~LBR~

Lana hummed to herself as she put Hops into his terrarium. "Goodnight, buddy," she said as he hopped onto his favorite lily pad and started snoring. With all of her furry and scaly friends snoozing, she hopped into bed as Lola practiced her camera poses in her compact mirror.

"Hey Lana, I need a second opinion here. Which of these is more photogenic? This?" She flipped her hair. "Or THIS?" She blew a kiss. Lana didn't see either as she lay on her bed, twirling her hat with one finger. "Um, Lana? Are you deaf?"

"I guess the second one."

"You weren't even looking!" Lola sighed as she walked over to the other side of the room, sitting on Lana's bed. "Okay, something's bothering you. I know that look. So spill."

Lana sighed. "Just thinking about what happened in the show."

"What happened? Did JoJo and Zeppeli take out that brute?"

"Yeah, but… Zeppeli died to make it happen."

"Oh," said Lola as she looked away. "Did JoJo beat Dio?"

"Yeah, he totally schooled him! Left him as just a head! Then he got married to Erina!"

"Oh, that's so sweet!"

"Yeah, but… Dio ended up hijacking their honeymoon trip," said Lana as she curled into a ball, "and JoJo gave his life to stop him and save Erina."

Lola gasped. "Why, that evil little stinker! He got what he deserved!"

"Yeah. But I can't stop thinking about JoJo, you know? I know he's not real, but he was so cool and nice! It really stank what happened to him!"

Lola thought of what to say to make her twin feel better. She snapped her fingers as she thought of something. "Well, you've still got Hops, right?"

"Yeah, he's sleeping in his little habitat, why?"

"And you've got Izzy, Bitey, El Diablo, and the rest of your critters, plus the family pets! And of course your family!"

"What are you getting at?"

"I'm saying that while it's okay to be sad about things, think of all the good things too! I mean, yeah, him dying is a big bummer, but try to remember all the good parts about him, like when he beat Bruford!"

"Hey, yeah! And when he protected Erina, and fought against Speedwagon and his goons! And how he took out Dio with that flaming punch!"

"Wait, what was that last part?"

"Thanks, Lols!" said Lana as she hugged Lola.

"It's what I'm here for. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to have my beauty sleep."

"Sure thing! G'night, Lola!" said Lana as she hung her hat on her bed frame and got under the covers.

"*yawn* Goodnight, Lana," said Lola as she got into her bed, put on her sleep mask, and got comfy.

~LBR~

"Man, that show rocked, don't you think? And I'm glad that I was able to share it with my sisters!" said Lincoln to the audience as he put the extras from the box onto his desk, then got his covers ready. "I know that Part 2 is going to be even better, and that's after a high bar was raised!" As he got into bed, he looked at the audience. "Who knows? Maybe my other sisters will join in on the fun!"

As he got under the covers, his father came into his room. "Goodnight, champ," said Lynn Sr. as he gave Lincoln a kiss on the forehead.

"Goodnight, dad," said Lincoln as his father turned out the lights. But before he could shut the door, Lincoln suddenly thought of all the fathers in the show. George, Zeppeli, Jonathan to an extent, even Dario. "Wait, dad!"

Lynn Sr. stopped moving the door as he turned around. "What is it, kiddo? Need a glass of water or something?"

"I just wanted to say… I love you."

Lynn Sr. gasped as he put a hand over his mouth, tears welling up inside his eyes. "I love you too, Lincoln," he said as he closed the door. Even with the door shut, Lincoln could hear his father sobbing in joy. Lincoln smiled as he got comfortable, Bun-Bun in his arms. As he drifted off to sleep, he, Luna, Lynn, and Lana all had the same thought.

'What's going to happen next?'


And here it is, the final episode of Phantom Blood! Not gonna lie, this was by far the saddest chapter I've written so far, and likely the saddest I'll end up writing. But I hope that you all enjoy it!

I'd also like to thank all of you for making this my most popular story. I really appreciate all of the feedback that I've been getting, inspiring me and helping me improve my work. You guys are awesome, and I'm super thankful!

And now, your next line will be, "I can't wait for the Part 2 reactions!" Starpion out!