The Hamon users encounter the zombie Jack, hoping he can lead them to Jonathan.
Jack flew from rooftop to rooftop, stalking the streets of London from above to look for another victim. His mater had eaten once, but he knew that would be barely enough to quench his thirst. It had barely healed his injury.
Despite having been ordered not to, the zombie simply couldn't obey. Seeing Jonathan in so much pain brought him to tears each time. Even if it meant going against what he'd been told (though not hypnotically commanded), he had to find someone worthy of being a meal.
Besides, he was only hunting the truly evil among them. True, the last three victims he happened upon were killed in error, but he disposed of the evidence quickly enough that no one would ever know. He simply needed more practice in gauging the caliber of a man's heart.
He spotted a drunk stumbling around in the street, hanging from a chimney to get a better view. The man wobbled from side to side, ranting about women and money and any number of other barely intelligible things as he attempted to make his way home.
Strangely enough, it reminded Jack of his former self. He was never much of a drinker, but the callous disdain for both himself and the world around him was very much the same. His murders were equal part self-destruction as they were heinous affronts to humanity and womankind, desperately trying to punish others for the lust and sinfulness he felt inside.
But his master had cleansed him of those feelings. It was like a fog lifted inside his mind after he awoke in his new undead form, finally allowing him to think clearly and regret his actions.
That's why he thought it was strange that his first true meeting with his master involved the man weeping at his supposed weakness. Weakness? It was strength of character that prevented the Joestar from simply going on a rampage as Jack himself had done as a mere mortal. The strength of character to allow him a second chance rather than crushing his skull underfoot after he finished feeding.
This, above all else, made Jack feel he was eternally indebted to Jonathan. And, because of that, he'd do what his master couldn't bring himself to do. Though it pained him to disobey and potentially harm their relationship, he knew that keeping his master alive took priority. Even if he came to be hated, he would still carry out his duty like a knight to his lord.
His attention snapped from the random man to the sound of wheels on cobblestone, immediately moving to investigate who could be traveling through London at such a late hour. He tracked the carriage's movements for several blocks, whoever was occupying the ride clearly looking for something.
"It's dangerous to be out so late," Speedwagon said from inside. "Shouldn't we retire somewhere and wait for sunrise?"
"Ideally, that would be best," Zeppeli replied. "However, our enemy-" He cleared his throat, correcting himself. "-target has likely already been made aware of our presence in the city. Stopping now and staying in one location could prove troublesome if he sees us as a threat. For now, we should continue our search and stay mobile."
"JoJo isn't the type for cheap tricks and sneak attacks," Dio said, Erina feeling a bit sick at agreeing with something he'd said. "If he wants us dead, he'll see to it personally and directly."
"All the more reason for us to stop here," Speedwagon reiterated. "Besides, I'm sure the driver is going to be sick of us before long."
With a chuckle, Speedwagon nodded. "You've both made your point. We'll stop here and search on foot en route to an inn." The group disembarked from the carriage a short time later, walking the streets of London confidently despite the darkness and dread hanging overhead.
"Is that..." Jack wondered aloud. He moved in closer for a better look, his eyes going wide upon thoroughly examining that blond head of hair conceited demeanor. "It is!" There was no mistaking it; the man in that group was Dio Brando!
During their nightly chats, Jack's master had told him of how he came to be, describing his treacherous brother and how he plotted to kill him. Though he cursed the man, he had to admit he always wanted to meet him. Not from any sort of admiration but out of a simple desire to eradicate such an evil being.
How overjoyed would his master be if he were to drag home the body of his wicked brother? And these other three devils, as well, since anyone traveling with Dio had to be at least as bad as he was. That settled it. These four would be his target.
Jack approached the group quietly from above, assuming he had the element of surprise on his side and could easily dispose of them in a single strike. Unknown to him was the fact they were all aware of his presence.
"He's still behind us," Erina said, sending her Hamon through the air in waves to act as a kind of sonar. "It's hard to tell if he's being cautious or simply cowardly."
"No matter," Dio said, breaking ranks to turn directly towards the zombie. "I'll simply flush him out."
"Wait!" Speedwagon shouted, Dio having already inhaled a mighty breath of air. All three of them knew how reckless this attack would be, but it was clear that having gained some skill in Hamon was making Dio drunk on power.
"Gatling Blades!" he declared, producing several knives from his sleeves and, with the aid of Hamon-boosted strength and speed, tossing them in Jack's direction. Though he was just able to dodge, the blades impacted the roof he was standing on with the force and frequency akin to the gun that gave the attack its name.
"This is our stalker?" Dio asked mockingly. "Did my brother truly send such a weakling to fight me? Pathetic."
Though he wished to defend his master's honor, Jack was intelligent enough to know that saying anything unnecessary would only give the strangers the upper hand. He held his tongue, readying himself for a much more vicious fight than he first expected.
"Nothing to say," Dio taunted, flicking his wrist to grasp another knife. "You won't have the chance to say a word once I carve out your tongue. Why not tell us where JoJo is hidden while you still can?"
"Such vulgar threats," Erina said as she undid the back of her dress. The garment fell to the ground to reveal a much more battle ready ensemble of a long sleeved blue shirt and black trousers. "You're a zombie, correct?" she asked Jack.
Though he thought better of it, he eventually chose to reply. "That I be," he said. "I'll carve up the lot of you if you don't flee! I swear it!"
"Then there's no mistake," Zeppeli said. "This man was turned by Jonathan Joestar. He's little more than a mindless slave now."
"It can't be!" Speedwagon said, shaking his head. "Mr. Joestar would never do something so horrible to another person!"
Dio merely laughed. "Then I have no more reason to restrain myself, correct? I'm free to kill JoJo once we see him?"
"You'll do no such thing, monster!" Jack screamed, flexing his muscles as hard as he could. Blades began to erupt from his flesh, making for a rather disturbing show of force. His master had questioned why he'd ever think to implant knives into himself like this, only being told it was for emergencies. This situation seemed to qualify.
"Nothing but bluster," Zeppeli said while pouring himself a glass of wine. "This should be a suitable test for the both of you. Defeat the zombie, but avoid killing it. It may be persuaded to give us answers."
"Did you hear, cur?" Dio asked. "I won't be able to kill you this time. How unfortunate...for you!" He tossed another knife, Hamon crackling through the weapon as it flew through the air at speeds only the supernatural could hope to avoid.
As Jack dodged to the side, his arm was captured in a thin silk rope expertly cast so as to avoid the sharpened edge of the knives in his body. Barely having time to register how sticky it was, it pulled taught, a bolt of energy traveling through and severing his limb around where it had caught him.
"Those lassoing tutorials you showed me came in quite handy, Mr. Speedwagon," Erina said, snapping the rope back to herself in an instant. "You've lost an arm this time. Surrender this fight before things get worse for you."
Jack was unable to answer, doubled over in unearthly amounts of pain as he clutched the still crackling stump where his left arm used to be. "Perhaps he needs more convincing," Dio said, casually strolling forward with a knife in hand. "Which of your ears do you prefer, zombie?"
In an instant, a knife erupted from Jack's remaining palm, the zombie shoving his arm forward once Dio was in range to stab him in the gut. "You..." Dio stammered, a look of shock on his face. The ruse quickly fell away, though, the sadistic Hamon user merely toying with his enemy. "You've ruined my shirt."
Jack looked on in horror, his own knife being used as a Hamon lightning rod to blow up his remaining arm. The cut in Dio's orange shirt revealed he was wearing a steel plate around his gut, evidently having grown tired of being struck there. This doubled as an excellent conductor for his solar energy given its proximity to his diaphragm.
"As I was saying before," Dio continued, stomping on Jack's neck cleanly slicing through his left ear. "I was wondering which of your ears you're more attached to. Unfortunately, you lost the right to choose."
Turning his knife over his hand as Jack wailed in pain, he added, "That strike was without my Hamon. I assure you, though, the next will not be as painless. This will be your last chance to tell us where JoJo is hiding, as well as your last chance for a swift demise."
"Please, I...I..."
"Begging for your life?" he said with a chuckle. "How amusing."
"No," Jack replied, tears forming at the corners of his eyes. "I...please… Do as you will with me, but spare my master!" These words shocked the group, having previously assumed the zombie was deployed on Jonathan's orders.
"He has no knowledge of what I'm doing. I even went to hunt without his permission. Which is why...I beg you to spare him! Jonathan Joestar is the most noble man to ever live, granting even one as vile as myself a second chance under his care! Even now, despite his own pain, he refuses to kill any but the most evil!"
"Is that true?" Speedwagon asked, his hope rising once more. "Mr. Joestar refuses to kill the innocent?"
"It is!" Jack replied. "Even the evildoers among us – he lets them run free, to try and reform themselves! Jonathan Joestar is a gentle soul and wouldn't wish this fate upon anyone else. Even my own existence was nothing more than an accident!"
Beginning to cry in earnest, he said, "Which is why...I beg you once more! Allow my master to live! He won't harm anyone who doesn't deserve that fate, so please leave him be!"
"You've bored me," Dio said, stamping the zombie's head to pieces with a Hamon boot. The rest were too shocked to react, first by the zombie's impassioned plea and then by Dio's brutality.
"There was no reason to kill him like that," Erina said, disdain hanging on every word she spoke.
"He refused to give us the information we needed. He served no further purpose."
Speedwagon dried his own tears, muttering, "Heartless beast," under his breath. He wasn't entirely sure which of the two there was the real monster anymore.
"We'll accomplish nothing more standing around like this," Zeppeli said, his own morals shaken to their core. "We require rest and time to consider our next move. Come, we'll find lodging soon."
Erina, Speedwagon, and the baron all began to wonder whether or not Jonathan was truly a monster after all. The theory that he may have retained his heart was becoming stronger with each step they took closer to him. The resolve to do what was necessary when the time finally came to meet with him was beginning to weaken in all of them as they desperately hoped for another end to this journey.
The only one who remained staunch in his convictions was Dio. No matter who or what Jonathan Joestar was, he was absolutely prepared to kill him. Nothing would change that fact.
Here's the next chapter. I'm going to fucking die.
Borrowing a bit of Battle Tendency here with how they're using their Hamon creatively instead of just trying to brute force through battles. Especially the Hamon sonar bit, since I always figured that would have been a really interesting application for it. It travels in waves just like sound, and the sun's rays travel through air, so why not both?
That fight would have been much shorter if Dio could stop time while throwing those knives. I don't think that's possible, though. People can't stop time.
Jack may not be a good person, but he can die happy knowing Dio is much worse. I liked getting to dig into him a bit and show how his old evil tendencies still show through, just redirected in a way. Also making it canon that he and Jonathan just have sitdowns by the fire and talk every night.
Things are going to heat up now that we're shifting into maximum overdrive. I don't know when the next chapter is coming out, but it'll probably be right after the next Persona X JoJo comes out, since that's my schedule right now. Tell your friends about all this if you're liking it so far.
Thanks for reading. Always remember to never trust Dio.