Butterfly Effect

So, it's finally come to this point. All things come to an end, and this is it. Part 3, Stardust Crusaders, is ending. For those who've read this fanfic up until this point, I really hope you liked it and the time you took was worth it. More words in the epilogue.

I do not own JoJo's bizarre Adventure

Chapter 23: The value of experience

The crusaders who fought and defeated DIO took a short breather to calm down after taking down their enemy. Key word being short, as it would take multiple days to fully calm down. That kind of time wasn't the only problem either. Just because the vampire had been slain, didn't mean their problems were over. In fact, their remaining issues were just as urgent. After all, the injured crusaders required urgent treatment!

The contacted Speedwagon Foundation dispatched several ambulances with the best doctors that money could hire, as well as, in Caesar's case, a hearse with funeral workers.

Jotaro hopped into the ambulance that carried his grandfather, staying with him as the medical workers treated him. Luckily, there weren't any life-threatening issues.

Marco, after having the rubble on top of Kakyoin and him cleared away, continued assisting the medics in preserving Noriaki's life until the redhead was attached to medical equipment and was provided with liters of compatible blood. Following that, he entrusted the cherry boy's life and his own to them, starting to receive treatment himself. He asked the nurse to administer anesthetics quickly, so that he wouldn't have to think about his father's death and start crying.

Polnareff and Avdol also supported everyone with the best of their abilities, driven to ensure a well conclusion for everyone after the cessation of their common trouble.

All in all, after a long and painful day full of hardships and suffering, mental and physical, every party involved worked hard to ensure a quieter night.

XXXXXXXXXX

At dusk, while the others were asleep, the two Joestars were awake. Joseph was back on his feet and very fit, despite the sustained injuries of the past day. They'd driven out into the desert with a transport vehicle for a special 'sendoff'.

From inside the vehicle, the young Joestar took the collected body of DIO and placed it on a patch of sand.

Until the sun rose and the first rays started shining, the pair of them kept waiting, observing the vampire's corpse.

When the rays finally shone onto the body, DIO's flesh started crumbling and turning into dust. His entire essence was turning into nothing. After some seconds, the vampire's entire existence was resolved to nothing but tiny dust about to be added to the endless Sahara desert, some remaining pieces of cloth and jewelry that'd be eliminated afterwards, and unfond memories.

"This is it…" the old Joestar concluded, not batting an eye. "DIO has stolen many things from people. Everything he had was stolen from others over the course of the last century."

"There are many people who'll never come back…" Jotaro commented, hoping they'd find peace with DIO's absolute death.

"That's right. Too many important people…" Joseph regretted that those who died couldn't be saved.

"The things we've lost can't be compared to the importance of the earth. But because of them, we're still alive."

Looking up in the sky, they saw giant images of Caesar and Hol Horse. The two of them were facing the other way, but still eyeing the Joestars. Both Jotaro and Joseph weren't sure if those images were really the souls of their fallen comrades or just their imagination. Though still, they believed that those two were now at peace.

Caesar! Hol Horse! It's all over…

And so was the Joestar family's grudge. A century old grudge finally came to an end with the death of their nemesis.

XXXXXXXXXX

Air France Flight 92 to Paris, passengers now boarding. Please proceed to Gate 18.

Air Italy Flight 89 to Rome, passengers now boarding. Please proceed to Gate 12.

Around noon, the crusaders assembled for the final time inside the airport. Their ways were about to part.

"So you're returning to France no matter what? You have no family there, though. Why don't you come to New York with me?" Joseph offered.

"France is still my homeland, even if I don't have anyone to return to. It doesn't matter where I go, I'll always end up back there." Polnareff stated, Iggy then jumping atop his head. The frenchman's expression softened following that. "Besides, I won't be completely alone."

Knowing that the crusaders were splitting up, the dog realized he had to pick someone to go with. In the end, he ultimately chose Polnareff. When they first met, the naughty dog bullied the frenchman. But while they were together, he ultimately warmed up to the goofy man.

"Please contact me if anything happens, I'll fly there immediately." Polnareff added, letting everyone know that they'll never be truly alone.

"Well, he can always go visit you." Marco commented, then coming to a realization. He first addressed the old Joestar, but then turned his head towards the frenchman. "Speaking of visiting, why don't we pay each other a visit soon, Polnareff? I want to see what your place is like."

"Yeah, sure." Polnareff gladly accepted, giving him a thumbs up.

"Ahem…" Joseph spoke up again, clearing his throat to gather everyone's attention. "Since I'll be lonely compared to the past weeks, how about I invite you all to a trip to New York with me in a few months maybe?"

"Now that I think of it, Polnareff wasn't with us yet when we started our journey, so he must also come visit Japan for everything to be complete." Kakyoin chimed in, getting a nod from Jotaro as support.

"And after that, how about returning to Egypt again? On peaceful terms." Avdol continued, smirking lightly.

So many opportunities, so many places to visit. The crusaders' travels weren't quite over yet.

"We really should keep in touch, everyone. Let's value what we've gained and cherish our connections." the Zeppeli suggested, inviting everyone to stand in a circle and wrap their arms around each other's shoulders for a team hug.

"For sure."

Despite their losses, each and every one of these men gained something invaluable from their joint experience. Separating wasn't easy, but thanks to this, they could always look forward to meet each other again.

The crusaders did perform a team hug, arms firmly around shoulders, everyone looking at everyone.

When it was time to stop, the egyptian was the first to say goodbye.

"Bye, brothers, have a safe flight home."

"Thanks, Avdol! Stay safe too."

"Until next time."

"Give me a call soon."

"I will."

With that, the crusaders finally split up, walking away in four directions. They were soon going to be far away from each other, spread over different continents. But in their hearts, they were always going to be together.

XXXXXXXXXX

On the plane back to Japan, Jotaro and Kakyoin were having a little talk. They were currently having lunch, a tasty one at that. High quality sushi, since the wealthy old Joestar booked first class tickets for everyone.

"Hey, Kakyoin, what will you do when we're back? Any plans?" the young Joestar asked.

"First, I think I'll go with you to your home. I want to see if Holly-san has recovered." Noriaki honestly answered. "After that, I'll probably go back to my place. My parents' worries will go away when their son who suddenly vanished without a word returns alive and well after several weeks."

"How about I arrange a driver for you, Kakyoin?" Joseph offered with good will. "Can't expect you to just walk back home when Tokyo is so massive."

"Thanks a lot, that would be great." the redhead thanked him with a smile.

"Will you continue to go to school with me?" the young Joestar inquired, worried that his new best friend would leave, since he'd only transferred to his school after DIO infected him with a flesh bud and mind controlled him.

"I intend to, JoJo." the cherry boy reassured him, smirking softly.

"Good to hear."

One more happening to make everyone happier.

XXXXXXXXX

"Ah!"

Inside a mansion in Tokyo, a middle-aged white woman in pajamas with a star-shaped birthmark woke up from deep slumber. Her mother, a blonde old lady without such a birthmark, who was beside her, reacted in surprise.

"Holly! Why are you up?"

"I just got better all of a sudden!" she revealed with a cheerful, healthy voice. "And I feel them… They're coming back, mom!"

"Eh?" The mom, Suzie Q, didn't know who her daughter was referring to.

"Papa and Jotaro! They're coming back!"

Coming back after they successfully finished their mission and ensured a happy end. They were returning to see the spoils of their hard, legendary efforts.

The End

And? How did you like the story up to this point? Was I able to write a happier Stardust Crusaders?

Because man, I hope I was able to provide a non-canon alternative to the original, where the ending left me unsatisfied with too many casualties. First the Zeppeli family line ending in Part 2, then Iggy, Avdol and Kakyoin's death in Part 3.

I know that canon is the ultimate and only true version, but fanfiction is a place where normal readers can elaborate and precisely tell their complaints and preferences. And I hope that with this story I managed to present someone something "preferrable". But not just a 100% happy, too idealistic and unrealistic version, but something that still maintains pain, loss and emotions.

So, was this fun? Were all the hours I put into writing this many chapters over a few years worth it to those of you who bookmarked and or favorited this fanfic? Please let me know.

About what's following, I have news. Part 4 will be written as planned, though with some skipping here and there for the parts that won't be affected by any changes in this timeline, with a clear focus on the "main" storyline. Part 5 will be scrapped, since Polnareff wouldn't be fighting Diavolo solo due to Avdol, Iggy and the Zeppeli family surviving, and together they'd defeat him before the events of canon Golden Wind. Instead, after Part 4 has concluded, I'll write a separate Vento Aureo fanfic that has nothing to do with the timeline of this fanfic, similar to how my A villain's new life story has its own independent timeline.

With that, see you next time.

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