Guest(s?): Sorry, couldn't tell if it was the same guy or not. Anyway, if someone was willing to turn my story into some sort of comic dub, go right ahead! Unfortunately, I lack the talent to do so.

Bearticguy7: Another great pair of stands! I can't wait to try and use them!

Jr: Thank you!

Mr-SandisComicsMadder: I'm sure Diego would have tried to file a copyright claim or something, but he probably would've ended up liking the guy. I mostly just wanted to show that Tombstone wasn't going to be a straight up good guy, and that he does end up killing innocent people, albeit unintentionally thanks to Toga's manipulation.

nocringeman: Toga is officially Santana's right hand. The bloodsuckers are sticking together!

jkgaming: I'm sure there are more stand arrows out there, but there would have to be another meteorite for that to happen, or they could try doing something with the Devil's Palm.


"Now in other news, a body was found strung up on the side of a building, a new victim of Tombstone's bloody rampage across Japan. The victim has been identified as Akio Hazemada, a high school student. While the boy's family is desperately searching for answers, authorities have assured us that they are doing everything to bring this gruesome vigilante to justice."

Katsuki Bakugo's frown deepened as he listened to the news. Having had a personal encounter with the vigilante, he knew Tombstone wouldn't hesitate to kill somebody. He was now thoroughly convinced of Akio's innocence, but it was now too late to prove it.

He also remembered what he did to the poor bastard.

In Katsuki's mind, he was only having fun. Akio had been abnormally small for his age, so Katsuki used to pick on him for it. The sad thing is, Katsuki only did it so he could feel big.

Was Akio's death his fault?

Katsuki shook his head and grimaced, pushing said thoughts out of his brain. There was no time for second guessing himself, he was going to be the best, the hero that would surpass All Might. He would be the number one hero, someone that everyone could look up to, someone that everyone could aspire to be.

Still...he couldn't help but feel...off.


"Julius-"

"Don't call me that, I changed my name a long time ago." Gyro said, sitting across from his father in the common room. Gregorio eyed his son. "Fine 'Gyro', this has gone on long enough. What I saw yesterday was proof that you are in over your head, and that this failure of a school is going to lead you to an early death. For MONTHS I have been writing to you, ordering you to come bac-"

"I'm not your soldier anymore, padre. I've told you multiple times, I don't want to be an executioner, and I don't want to be held down anymore."

Unbeknownst to Gregorio, Gyro's four best friends were listening in. Momo looked like she was about to explode, Johnny just looked bored, and Kyoka and Izuku were having a muted conversation.

Truthfully, Johnny wasn't worried. He knew that Gyro would never go back with his father, even if the Italian loved him. He was just glad that Gregorio seemed to be looking out for Gyro's safety, in his own apathetic way. Gregorio Zeppeli was no Susan Cummings.

Johnny grinned to himself, remembering Gyro's reaction to his mother's maiden name. The family had silently agreed to refer to her in that way, so they could try to heal through humor. It was actually Kyoka's idea, as it was a compromise to their debate from the other day. Since she didn't like Susan getting brought up, if she was talked about, it would be in the form of a joke.

"I'm only doing what's best for you, Ju-Gyro. It is Zeppeli family tradition, and...I thought you would be proud of your heritage, of your destiny."

"I was...at first. Then came the day when I actually had to execute somebody. Tell me, Padre, why was my first execution going to be a little boy? An innocent little boy no less."

"It was going to be an easy job, a beginners-"

"Killing a child? EASY?! Maybe physically, but for anyone with a conscience that would be downright GRUELING. I know that you have abandoned attachment, you need to in order to do the work you do...but I can't do that. I couldn't kill a child, so I went all the way to America to win enough money to bail him out, and you know what?"

"What?"

"I met two Joestars, and one told me of my TRUE family history. We were heroes once...people willing to lay down their lives for the greater good, and then we became cowards. No, the Joestars didn't tell me that, I came to that conclusion myself. We invented a power greater than Hamon, and we used it for execution? The Spin can be used for so much more, and it HAS been. We saved the WORLD during the Steel Ball Run, and the Spin was used to do it."

"..."

"And you know what else?" Gyro reached into his pocket and pulled out a photo. It was of the very same little boy, now dressed in a containment suit, with Melissa Shield right beside him. "He mailed this to me, and thanked me for setting him free. I can't tell you how long I sat there and pitifully sobbed over this...he can have a life again, he can go out in public without worrying about hurting people...and I did it. I helped him, I saved him. This, this right here, is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I want to save people like him, not kill them."

Gregorio stared at Gyro for a moment, before getting up. "You're really dead set on this...fine, you can play hero for a while, but when things don't turn out the way you want them to, don't tell me I didn't warn you. In the meantime, you taught the Joestars our family secrets, and as such I believe you should at the very least have your steel balls confiscated."

"You're kidding."

"I am not, hand them over. I believe I am being quite lenient."

Gyro sighed, and handed over his prized weaponry, and Gregorio put them in his bag. He then pulled out an object wrapped in cloth and set it on the table. "This was for you...before you left. I will remain in Japan a few days more, if you happen to change your mind. Goodbye for now, my son."

Gregorio left the room, and Gyro watched as his father departed from UA with a frown. His friends slowly came around the corner and stood beside him. "Are you okay?" Johnny asked.

"Yup. Yaomomo, would you mi-"

Momo handed him a new pair of steel balls that she had just created, and Gyro grinned. "You read my mind."

"You're a man of simple pleasures. I'm sorry you couldn't get through to him."

Gyro sighed and walked over to the package on the table. "He's dead set too, and it's probably killing him that I'm abandoning what he perceives as the family legacy. For Italians especially, family is everything, it's part of our culture. So for me to deviate like this...he didn't show it, but I hurt him." Gyro began unwrapping the cloth as he continued. "He can look down on me all he wants, count me out, but I'm standing my ground, I'm going my own way."

Johnny noticed Kyoka was scribbling something down, and smiled to himself. Clearly, Gyro had given her lyrics.

Gyro held up a sword, and sighed. "How the hell did he manage to sneak this onto school grounds?"

"A sword?"

"An executioner's sword, used in beheadings. Apparently this one was made for me..." Gyro swung it around a few times, before carefully holding out the handle to Kyoka. "Here, you can have it."

"Me?! What about...it's supposed to be yours isn't it?"

"It's a reminder of a life I've never wanted, besides, you're the one who fought off a stand user with Pluck, you're probably better at it than me."

"O-okay." Kyoka slowly took the sword from Gyro and examined it. It had a purple handle, and a silver blade that was about the length of her arm. In the center of the hand guard was a small emerald embedded into the ornate design. Johnny looked at Gyro in exasperation. "Great, now she has something to threaten me with, thanks Gyro."

Izuku chuckled and patted Johnny on the back while Kyoka glanced at him mischievously. "I would never, ever threaten you with a sword, why would you think I would do that?"

"You're you."

"I wouldn't actually use it."

"I know, you'd just get really scary and start swinging it around like the madwoman you are."

Kyoka kissed him on the cheek. "Then you know it's best not to mess up in the future." And with that, she retreated to her room, waving goodbye with a smirk.

"She's already threatening me."

Momo giggled. "You two really are cute together...I'm glad that situation was taken care of though, I was worried he was going to take you away from us."

"Yeah...I know my father is controlling and all...but he really does have the best intentions. I want to at least patch things up with him before he leaves. Maybe I could get him to stay for the Cultural Festival?"

"That might be a good idea. I wish my dad was coming..." Izuku said.

"What dad?" Johnny asked. "I have never seen your father, ever, and I've known you since we were six."

"I know! I haven't either! I kind of want to get to know him, you know? See where he is?"

"I'm sure he's just getting milk." Gyro said with a smile.

Izuku stared at him for a moment, before laughing. "Come on Gyro! Cut me a break!"


Valentine watched the group as they continued discussing how Izuku's dad could be living in Transylvania with the hobgoblins, a slight smile on his face.

He was really starting to care for them, and it was pointless to deny it. Back during the Steel Ball Run, he would have never imagined himself in this situation, dead, floating around, sneaking cat pee into Gyro's drink.

Having fun.

He could completely understand who Gregorio Zeppeli was, because he was the same way. A man who valued his duty more than anything. More importantly, Valentine could understand just how much of a sad and lonely life it really was.

He had a wife, she left him. He had a father, died when he was but a child. He had a mother, he cared for her until her dying breaths. Then he was alone, with nothing but his mission to keep him sane, nothing but his country...

Who knew that it would take losing that too for him to finally find some semblance of happiness? With the people who took it away no less?

Valentine floated over to the coffee machine and turned it on, startling the others. He turned to Johnny and Gyro and waved.

Johnny actually waved back. They were making progress.

How could he drink coffee if he was dead? Honestly, Valentine had no idea. For once, he didn't really have a theory, other than Jesus was slowly granting him his privileges back. Either way, he was a ghost, so it was nice to be able to do the little things. Things he had taken for granted when he was alive.

Valentine floated over to the television and turned on the news, slowly sipping his coffee, while Izuku and Momo stared in bewilderment. To them, he looked like a floating mug watching TV. Honestly, Valentine didn't really care, he was just content to relax.

Then he heard a cough, and he turned to see Jotaro had joined him on the couch. "Hello Dr. Kujo, how may I help you?"

"I heard you were having trouble with the Detective."

Valentine nodded. "From what I've heard, he appears to have history with your family?"

"His name was Yoshikage Kira. He was a serial killer living in the Morioh area during the 90s, and he was...one of the deadliest enemies the Joestar family has ever faced. His stand was extremely powerful, he had the ability to turn anything he touched into a bomb."

"Yes, I would imagine that would be quite dangerous." Valentine said, scratching his chin in thought.

"His target was young women, which, believe it or not, this school has a healthy supply of. That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I'm still not sure whether or not to fully trust you, but you're MUCH better than he was. If he comes here again, I need you to tell me, especially if he's showing signs of regaining his memories..."

"Are you worried he's going to target the students?"

"Yes...Jiro specifically. If he gets his memories back...she's Josuke's prodigy, and he's the Joestar that beat him. He might...kill her out of revenge, and..."

"She's important to a lot of people, and he wouldn't stop at her." Valentine finished. "I'll keep an eye out, any signs I should look out for?"

"He used to sever women's hands and keep them, calling them his 'girlfriends'. Anything involving hands is a bad sign."

"That is...extremely disturbing."

"Tell me about it." Jotaro got up and sighed. "Yare yare daze...I can't believe I'm trusting you with this...but you're the only active ghost that could be on our side, so I don't really have a choice."

"I know." Valentine took a sip of his coffee. Even when he was dead, he still couldn't escape the pressures of war. First, a war for the Corpse, and now a war for humanity.


"Alright everyone, I believe we should discuss recent events." Iida said, addressing the class. "Now, it's common knowledge that the school has been under attack for quite some time."

"My tongue is still sore, ribbit." Tsuyu said.

"Well that was Zeppeli's father's fault. But yeah...the weird thing is that these stand users only seem to be targeting our class. Class 1B isn't being attacked at all, or 1C...so...what is so special about our class that we are a priority?" Iida asked, pushing up his glasses.

"Maybe because of the USJ? We have been through more than than other classes, so maybe we're more of a threat or something?" Mina suggested. "I mean, we also have two stand users in our class, and Dr. Kujo said that they attract each other, so..."

"That would make sense, considering those two always seem to be wrapped up in it...although I sort of remember some sort of incident with Jiro...I just remember seeing her bleeding really bad, but when I asked her about it she said I must have had a nightmare or something." Uraraka said, concern on her face. "But that was the day the common room got trashed..."

"We shouldn't assume the worst, Jiro seems completely fine. It could very well be possible that the nerves from the situation got to you. Still, something is going on at this school, and our class is caught right in the middle of it." Todoroki replied, although he had a strange look on his face.

"Yeah, plus I don't think we should bother Kyoka about stuff like that right now, since she's putting so much effort into writing a song for the festival." Tsuyu said, putting a finger to her chin. "But I think we should keep an eye out."

Kaminari was staring at his feet, his gaze never wavering. "Maybe...we should follow JoJo and Gyro a little bit, maybe we could get some answers?"

Mina looked at Kaminari, her eyes searching him as he continued to look down. "I don't think we should breach their privacy Kaminari...and this is coming from ME. What kind of friends would we be if we spied on them?"

Kaminari leaned back, uncomfortable. "I'm just saying, maybe they know a little more about the situation than they're letting on, considering they are the stand users."

"Shut up Dunce Face." Kaminari turned to see Bakugo standing in the hallway with an apple in his hand. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you have ulterior motives."

"I-I..."

"I said shut up. I've known JoJo for a long time, and I know damn well that he isn't the type to backstab people, even the people he SHOULD. You're not going to investigate them, understand? Or I'll beat the hell out of you."

"I'm not accusing JoJo about being a villain or anything, I'm just saying he might be hiding stuff."

"If he is, it's for a good reason, so maybe it's best if you don't know. Now quit being a jealous bastard and mind your damn business." Kaminari turned red and put his head back down, Bakugo had accurately guessed his true intentions. Bakugo turned and walked off, taking an abnormally large bite out of his apple.

"As crude as Bakugo put it, he's right. JoJo and Zeppeli are our classmates, and while they undoubtedly have their share of secrets, they aren't secrets that would harm us in any way. We can't just expect people to share everything about themselves." Iida said. "As their classmates, it would be downright disrespectful of us to distrust them without proper reason. Even if we don't get answers right away, it doesn't matter, Class 1A is undoubtedly in danger, so we should all be on our guard, alright?"

"Right!" The class responded.


"Oi Ears."

"It's Jiro." Came Kyoka's response. "What is it? I'm busy."

"Look...I know we don't get along very well, and personally, I think you're a bitch. But I have to work with you, and I don't want any shitty drama getting in the way, so I just wanted to tell you about Dunce Face."

"I know how he feels about me, and remember what I did to you on I-Island? Call me a bitch again, and I'll use a steel-toed boot."

Bakugo winced, but continued. "I'm pretty sure he's gonna try and dig up dirt on JoJo in order to make you stay away from him. He was talking about following us around and shit. If he finds out about OFA, then everyone will know, since that idiot can't keep his mouth shut. Not to mention-"

"I get it, I'll bring it up at the next meeting. As for the whole dirt on JoJo thing, you don't have to worry too much about that, Johnny is pretty open with me, except for the secret he shares with Gyro, but that's their thing and I don't wanna cross any boundaries that he isn't ready for me to yet. I know a LOT about him, and I doubt anything Kaminari finds would surprise me."

Bakugo stared at Kyoka. "He really trusts you that much, huh?"

"Yeah...what's this really about? Because relationship stuff doesn't sound like your cup of tea."

"Do you need a drummer?"

"HUH?!"

"Look, my mom made me take music lessons as a kid, and I'm available. I want this concert to be the very best it can be, so I think I'm the only one other than you who's any good at them, and I'm pretty sure you're singing, right?"

"I didn't actually...hold on I need to sit down and question existence."

"The offer is sliding off the table, fast."

"Okay Porcupine...but you better be well behaved, because I'M in charge of this, understand?"

"Yes." Bakugo said through clenched teeth. Clearly, he didn't like getting bossed around, by a girl he didn't like all that much no less, but somehow Kyoka could tell that there was more to the explosive teen's offer that met the eye.

"Good boy, now, I've got lyrics to write, and once I'm done I'll give you a tempo to work with. Welcome to the band Kacchan!"

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!"


At the front of UA's gates, a man stood looking up at the building with a somewhat manic grin on his face. He slowly pulled down his half-moon sunglasses and scanned the building with his beady little eyes. His hair jutted out to the side with two bushy pigtails, which had bells hanging from them.

"Very good!"