The universe is cruel. Is it not? Replaying the ending to such misery is doing nothing for my boredom. Giving him chance after chance. But I will give him his due, managing to almost make a happy ending. Dear reader, there are always happy endings and sad ones. And I believe they have suffered enough. Even if watching my former self suffer is slightly entertaining.

Regardless just know I do this for Jonathan. Not because he means anything to me. But so, he and I can fulfil what was supposed to happen all those years ago.

'Click'

Silence. The short yet sharp sound echoed through the decay lining the walls; spreading along the carpets and stone floors littered with rubble.

Reaching their ears.

"They're here.

Dio grabbed Jojo's wrist with such force it nearly ripped it off. The stitching reaching its limits as Dio pulled Jojo behind him down the corridors up to his room.

But Jonathan pulled his wrist out of Dio's grasp as they got to the door.

"What are you doing?! Aren't we going to meet them together?"

Dio looked between Jonathan and the hall. Boundless and unyielding. A straight line to them.

"They'll destroy everything I've made." He turned back to Jojo. "What I've been building for you." A whisper escaping his clenched jaw.

"They won't. I'm sure they'll let me stay with you. Maybe if you gave them what they wanted we could settle this and-

"You want to stay?"

Silence. Only a sincere look could Jonathan give Dio.

"Set things right. It's ok if you still hate them. As long as they are ok." A moment of hesitance. "Or would you rather it be a deal?"

Dio's hands now firmly in the grasp on Jonathan's. They wrapped around his hands with shaking strength.

"A deal?"

"Give them what they want. They'll leave you alone, I'm sure. And you can have me. I'm what you want? That's why you brought me back? Isn't it? To be a part of your world."

"It can't really be a deal if you want to stay willingly. But I'll play along."

And Dio walked with Jojo back along the corridor. No tugging. No iron grip. No dragging along.

"I thought you wouldn't agree."

"Neither did I. But I suppose some creatures, some humans, are worth listening to." A quick but cheeky smile flashed on Dio's face as turned for a glance at Jojo. "But you must remember. After this is done, If I see that darn Jotaro-"

"I know. I know." Jonathan looked at their hands intertwined. warm and soft. Maybe this life after life won't be that bad. "You don't want to see what could happen anymore either. Do you?"

Dio stopped. And turned, making sure to look Jojo in the eye. "How do you know? About-"

But Jojo only replied with his warm smile and nodded to continue walking.

"You're tired of it too?"

"I'm tired of you being reckless and hurting everyone."

"You must admit I'm a formidable foe when in the mood."

"Beheading Jotaro surely proves that..." Jojo muttered to himself. Some scattered thoughts of doubt about all this.

"So, uh you don't think that maybe-" Polnareff walked behind the other Crusaders. Looking between various decor and decay.

"I'm sorry but I don't think Dio would listen." Avdol gently walking beside him.

"With all the shit that we've had to deal with, just once could it be easy? Just once can we not have a stressful stand battle? No gambling, no chases. Just one conversation, Miss Holly is saved, and we can all go home?!" Polnareff was trying his best to keep composure.

"Dio has done more than just hurt my mother. I think it best if he was taken care of properly." Jotaro stopped and looked behind him. A glance of understanding. Stands at the ready.

"Gramps?"

At the end of the corridor, Jonathan stood. A pleasant friendly smile of hope. His hand firmly grasping Dio's. Dio though tugged it away. How embarrassing.

"Here to get this over with?" Jotaro spat out his fag and smooshed it into the carpet.

Dio barely flinched, only a grimace passing on his face.

"We are actually here to talk. Aren't we Dio?" Jonathan's smile slightly fading as he looked between the Crusaders and Dio.

"Ha! Called it-"

"Shut up traitor."

Dio was unafraid to stare them all down. The stare going through Polnareff, taking his brief moment of joy.

"What are you proposing?"

"I give you what you came here for. And then you leave. Fail to leave us in peace, and I'll be making sure your body no longer has a head."

"Don't you think-"

"Ah-ah Jonathan, to get what you want you have to bargain. With consequences.

"We came to lift the curse on Miss Holly!"

"All of you?"

"Yeah, and some revenge is in order."

"Revenge? How petty. Look where 'revenge' got poor old Jonathan." But Jonathan only glared at Dio for his remark.

"Listen, lift the curse from my daughter and we'll do as you ask."

That tone of voice. Joseph rarely ever used it. But it came through. Making sure there where to be no more casualties.

"And if I don't?"

"We don't leave you alone like you want."

"And you'll take Jonathan, with you?" Dio only stood, picking his nails. His voice as monotone as he could get it.

"Jonathan. I believe it is your choice if you come or stay." Joseph looked his grandfather in the eyes. Sincerity sweeling in his words.

"I appreciate that. Thank you." Jonathan returned such sincerity and then glared at Dio. "Please do this. I think this ending won't be so happy if you don't."

A brief moment of hesitance. A brief reminder in Dio's mind of all the previous ways this had ended. And not wanting to see such horrors befall Jonathan. Not anymore.

"Fine. I'll do as you ask. But remember as soon as you step foot in my mansion again, I'll-"

But another stern look from Jojo calmed him down.

"Just don't come back. Now leave."

"But you haven't done anything?!" Avdol blurted. Iggy growling by his side.

"She'll be fine when you get home."

"I'll make sure he keeps his word."

"Thanks Gramps." A small smirk before Joseph turned away. "Is this alright with you? Jotaro?"

"My only concern is your grandfather."

"Please. Don't worry. I'll be ok. Really." Jonathan gave another friendly smile like always.

"You sure you want to stay with this freak?"

"Dio means a lot to me. I want to make sure he stays out of trouble of course. And I need to stay."

"Fair enough." Jotaro turned away. Giving one last look. One last malice-filled glance at Dio before leaving.

Joseph and the others followed. Not saying a word.

"Wait before you go."

They turned to meet Jonathan catching up to them.

"I noticed your friend in green isn't with you. Is he ok? Kakyoin wasn't it?"

The Crusaders exchanged glances before speaking.

"I wanted to thank him. Even though our time together has been short, I wanted to thank him - and all of you."

"For what mon ami?"

"For being able to meet my amazing grandson. To be able to see how wonderful-a-life you have all made for yourselves. For my great-great grandson; being able to make friends. For being able to get to meet you all." A tear and a smile appearing on Jojo's face. "For having been given the knowledge that my family is alright."

"We should get going, we don't wanna miss our flight."

"Gramps. You should come visit one day. I'm sure you'd love to meet Holly."

"Maybe one day I will. But please make the most of your life, while you have it."

A silent tip of his hat. Joseph left, being the last one to go through the darkness and through the door at the end of the hall.

"Dio?"

It's the eery silence I remember most. After that meeting, I departed. Letting my love say his goodbyes. And yes, hid did make sure I lifted the curse as promised. And now you are expecting for things to end well and for our story to conclude. But dear reader, as long as I live, those pesky Joestars will always have another problem to solve. Another stand user to fight. Another villain will come to try and ruin their hopes and dreams.

Just because I got what I wanted in the end, doesn't mean I can't reach for more.