Monster King: Thanks!

Delrosario: I wanted to name the chapter "Nice II", but it didn't really fit a Stand as scary as Astronaut In The Ocean. Also yes, he can definitely make one.

Bearticguy7: Sounds like Giorno's ability a little bit, cool!

Euphoria: Toga drank his blood, so she turned into him. She doesn't have any Pillar Man DNA, she just used her Quirk to mimic him, like she does in canon. As for Josefumi being Josuke's son...that's gotta be a no, unfortunately. I've already given a few hints as to how he comes about.

The Detective IS Part 8 Kira, the Part 4 version adopted Part 8's personality after he lost his memories. It was hinted that he'd be a part of Gappy in an earlier chapter. As for the rest, I don't know.

My version of Josuke/Gappy will also have a slightly different appearance to reflect his new origins.

Ezel Bayrakdar: The New Stranger is a direct result of the old one.

Dumpstertrashfire123: I wanted to make the creation of Rock Humans a bit more unique, and I had planned for Kars to start introducing LTP's endgame plots, he's basically responsible for the whole plot of Jojolion. There will be Rock Human allies in the sequel...as for the traitor, I have something big planned for them.

Also yes, it's Phantom of the Opera! The upcoming arcs will take a bit of inspiration from it.

delIriusemerald: Interesting! Stand Ideas are not closed, but now that the story has transitioned to more of an arc-like format, I can't always fit everyone in if they don't fit the current arc, and then my piss poor memory forgets.

It's a REALLY overpowered Stand, but it's pretty good! I may end up using it if it fits the arc.

Forever Alone might be used soon!

KuJo Stories: Great idea! Antimatter sounds like something fun to play with.


Author's Note: One problem that I constantly see with the MHA fandom is that people take MHA a bit too seriously. It's a bit cheesy, and that's okay. People genuinely thought that just because there was a war, it should be dark and tragic...but that abandons what the story is about at it's core.

It's gotten to the point where people are hating on gags, even though the series is full of them.

MHA isn't a war story, it's a story with a war in it. I'm not saying that there hasn't been problems with the writing, that comes with every series, no mangaka is perfect. Hori has made some iffy decisions, but you can see the purpose behind them. People have to realize that MHA has not changed, it's still the same optimistic story, and it can be corny as hell.

It'll probably have a happy ending, it would be out of left field if it didn't, if I'm being honest.

JJBA is a series that isn't afraid to kill off it's protagonists, and Araki does it in such a way that it is still a satisfying conclusion. It isn't afraid to kill off it's cast, but it does so in a way that impacts you, and it doesn't just mindlessly butcher them. Every death in JJBA has a purpose, and we still get happy or bittersweet endings.

One challenge I am constantly facing is how to balance the two. MHA's inspirational optimism and JJBA's impactful sacrifices and slightly darker themes. I don't want my story to be a slaughter fest by any means, nor it's sequel, because it is half MHA. At the same time, I want to keep themes from JJBA, which is why there will be some impactful deaths towards the end.

It's a hard line to walk.

Anyways, onto the chapter!


Fate is like Gravity.

DIO Brando's philosophy, while coming from a man who is practically evil incarnate, is an unavoidable truth. While Fate can be defied, it is far from easy, and it is often done without anyone's knowledge.

Kyoka Jiro unintentionally saving Gyro Zeppeli from his family's curse would be a prime example. Even today, she has no idea that she changed a trend that had been occurring for over a century.

Free Will also exists, and that is another unavoidable truth.

However, that does not completely rule out Fate and it's influence. Stand Users are still drawn towards each other, families such as the Joestar and Zeppeli clans destined to be allies and partners, the next Joestar bearing the moniker of JoJo being drawn into their own bizarre adventure.

Those can never be changed. Some encounters are unavoidable, some enemies are destined to fight regardless of the situation they are in. No matter the universe, some people are just destined to meet.

A traitor in UA, despite the fall of All For One...was inevitably forced back onto their treacherous path, regardless of how much they cared for the friends they had made. A traitor that was tricked into/forced to carry out an assassination plot on his beloved teacher, hiding in fear from people he considers friends...

Fate has decreed that a traitor and a villain is what this tortured soul shall be...and it is too late to turn back.


"So...someone was climbing through the window?" Izuku asked. "I heard strange noises..but..."

"It looked like a student Izuku, it genuinely did." Momo responded, holding out her staff in front of her. "Ever since Tombstone brought it to our attention on Nabu Island...a traitor doesn't seem so far fetched anymore."

"But why?" Izuku asked, his eyes pointing towards the floor. "Who would want to...?"

Johnny was silent, still in his star-studded pajamas, but despite his getup you could tell he was in 'Serious' mode. The thought of a traitor was likely not very comforting for him either...

"We don't know, but considering that they were seemingly collaborating with a copycat Stranger, their motivations have been called into question. We previously theorized that All For One might've been blackmailing them...but now I'm wondering if they could be loyal to him...working with The Stranger to avenge him or something..." Momo said, rubbing her face. She stopped, squinting her eyes in confusion.

Would someone in Class 1A really be that malicious?

"I...can't bring myself to believe that though...our class has been through so much together..."

Izuku nodded, and that's when Johnny finally spoke.

"People...are more inclined to believe comfortable lies...than uncomfortable truths." The blond Joestar said, and he went quiet again. Momo and Izuku looked at each other, acknowledging that he had a point.

They couldn't rule out the traitor being malicious either, no matter how much it hurt.

*Thump!*

Johnny whirled around, pointing a nail bullet at one of the windows...only to find a small bird trying to get in, carrying a piece of paper. He paused, and went over to the window to open it, letting the bird inside.

It landed in his hand, and turned into his pen.

"Uncle Giorno..."

"Your uncle sent a note?" Izuku asked, peaking over Johnny's shoulder. However, one he did, the air became significantly colder around his childhood friend, and Izuku could clearly see why.

-:-

Johnny,

We don't have much time. Your father and I are being targeted by an automatic Stand, after an assassination attempt on Jotaro failed. Please contact Mr. Joestar as soon as you get this. The only way we can survive is if the user is found.

Love,

Uncle Giorno.

-:-

"He added a 'love' at the end?" Izuku muttered. "While he's being attacked?"

"Looks like the hunt for the traitor will have to wait." Johnny replied, and dialed up his great-grandfather. "I hope to God that the old man is up."

"Someone just tried to kill Dr. Kujo?" Momo asked quietly. "You...you don't think it has anything to do with..."

"If it does...that traitor better lay low for a while." Tusk was angrily grinding it's jaw behind its user. "Because I can't guarantee that I won't break every bone in their body."

"Why was your dad targeted? Why...would any of our classmates want to..." Izuku sat down for a second, clasping his hands together. "He's been so good to us..."

"It's not confirmed that the traitor is behind the attempt, we still don't know what the situation truly is...we need answers." Momo responded.

"OH MY GOOOD!" Even though they were some distance away, the muffled sound of Joseph Joestar screaming over the phone was unmistakable and unsurprising.


"Jotaro, to your left!"

"ORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORA!"

Star Platinum sent a flurry of blows at their attacker, but the Stand simply ducked into the water again. The room was filling up even more now, and both Joestars were on top of a table, watching each other's back.

"Persistent little fucker..."

"We're running out of dry land." Giorno said with a grimace. "At this rate you may have to stop time so we can get out of the room."

"I already had to stop time a few seconds ago. I'll need time before I can do it again."

Astronaut In The Ocean was circling them, judging when to strike. The room was still filling up with water, and it was going to continue it's attack until the bitter end. There was no way to counter the water, not when the Stand could just make more of it.

"I have an ace up my sleeve Jotaro." Giorno stated calmy. "I don't want to activate it until we can be 100% sure of the user's location. It's our only opportunity to actually retreat from this thing."

"So we keep it at bay until then." Jotaro pulled the brim of his hat down. "Yare yare daze...this fight is such a pain in the ass...I hate fighting automatic Stands."

"While it's automatic, it seems to posses a degree of intelligence." Giorno observed. "It's using tactics to try and outmaneuver us, even setting up ambushes. It isn't mindlessly pursuing...it's doing it strategically."

As if on cue, Astronaut In The Ocean's hand suddenly emerged from Giorno's face.

"WHAT?!"

"THE SWEAT GIORNO! IT'S ATTACKING FROM YOUR SWEAT!" Jotaro yelled, and used Star Platinum to bash away the Stand's hand before it could grab anything. "WIPE IT OFF!"

Giorno had been perspirating from constantly having to dodge the enemy Stand, and that allowed it to attack them from it once there was enough. That's why it was keeping up it's attack, it wanted them to sweat since there would be water on their bodies.

"SHIZUMERUUU!"

Astronaut In The Ocean rose up from beneath their table and began shaking it, trying to get them to fall in the water. Eventually, it began pushing from it's underside, threatening to topple their only salvation over, and them with it.

"Shit...I have to do it!" Giorno exclaimed. "Gold Experience!"

"MUDA!"

Giorno's Stand punched the table, and a tree sprouted from it, carrying the two Joestars above it. The table transformed into roots, holding their new perch in place.

"I was hoping to use this tree to carry us out of the building so we could pursue the user...but I suppose it'll have to do as a means of keeping this Stand at bay a little longer." Giorno said with a huff. "It can't attack the tree without the damage being reflected, but the water will likely start forming here as well."

"...it should work for a little while." Jotaro said was the tree burst through the top of UA's roof, carrying them above the iconic 'H' shaped building. "We can't run from this thing forever though...dammit Gramps, locate the bastard already..."


Wolf threw his head above the water, sighing in satisfaction.

He had decided to go for a swim to pass the time, a pretty consistent hobby of his. It built muscle, and he really was a man of the sea at heart. It was one of the few things that brought him peace.

Yet, in the back of his mind...something was eating away at him.

"Ten minutes...it has been about ten minutes, and Astronaut In The Ocean hasn't returned." Wolf muttered, checking one of his many watches. "The longest it has ever taken to drown someone is three...I hope it at least got one of them."

His Stand was perfect for silent kills. Most of them were simply ruled as accidents or suicides, due to the lack of fingerprints or clear motive. When Wolf hated someone, they never quite knew he had it out for them.

Or that he was watching them at all.

He always preferred to strike when his intended target was at their weakest, whether it be physically or emotionally. After discovering that a student was likely the culprit behind the attempted bombing, it was likely eating away at Jotaro Kujo's heart. He trusted the kids he taught, but know some of that trust has been proven to be unfounded.

"Eleven minutes...still not dead." Wolf muttered, annoyed. "Well, I suppose I should've expected it to take a while, with two experienced Stand Users as my opponents."

He reclined back into the water, enjoying the sound of the tiny waves crashing peacefully on land.

"Oh well...they can take as long as they like...I don't mind the wait."


Izuku hopped onto the roof of the Heights Alliance, watching the ever expanding tree that was growing from UA. The tiny silhouettes of his teacher and their resident crime boss were scrambling up the branches, clearly in a hurry.

'I have to do something, anything! At this rate that automatic Stand might actually get them...Dr. Kujo can't stop time consecutively, he'll tire out after a while.

But what do I do? I can't just run up there and punch it...'

Johnny was still waiting for a Joseph to find the user, so until then they just had to pray that the two Joestars above could hold out. Interfering in the fight could be dangerous for both them and the Stand's intended targets.

Standing aside and cheerleading wasn't an option though, they had to help in some way.

'I know! If I can control Blackwhip, I can use OFA's speed to pull them to the user in no time. Still...Blackwhip is really unstable, the last time I used it was fighting Kars, and I tore apart everything around me.'

Still, he was also enraged at the time, so that probably played a part.

Suddenly, something closed around his throat, and Izuku froze. Icy cold breath brushed up against his neck, chilling him to the bone, as the intruder that had him around the neck began to speak.

"You should really pay attention to your surroundings."

"Y-you're..."

The Stranger chuckled, and leaned forward. "Now now...let's not try anything. I could easily break your puny neck like a twig...besides, I don't really want to kill you at the moment."

"You're the one behind this, right?" Izuku asked, his nerves acting up. He really didn't like this guy's touch, everything about him was icy, as if he were being grabbed by a corpse dipped in liquid nitrogen.

"Perhaps...do I detect a look of recognition in your eyes?"

"You seem somewhat familiar, yes."

The Stranger walked Izuku over to the edge of the building, and poked at one of his arms. "These braces you wear...is it because of Kars?"

"...yes...you seem to be a fan."

"Heheheheh...in a way. Kars left his mark on a lot of things before he was defeated. He left a mark on you...and he left a mark on me." The Stranger said, tightening his grip. "I only benefited from him though, I was blessed by what he did...you clearly weren't as fortunate, Midoriya."

"You know my name."

"Oh yes, I do. I couldn't forget it..."

Izuku turned to look at the masked horror. "I know you. I don't know how...but we've met before."

"-and we'll meet again, no doubt about that. Midoriya, the reason I'm holding you back right now...is because you almost directly encountered your traitor."

Izuku's eyes widened, and then narrowed. "So there really is one...and they're working with you."

"Yes! They hate your guts Midoriya, they hate all of you. My eye inside of UA is a villain, through and through. They were the one that planted that bomb near Jotaro Kujo's office...and if it wasn't for Giorno Giovanna...your childhood friend would be an orphan."

Izuku glared at the Stranger, gritting his teeth. "Don't you dare try to hurt JoJo!"

"That actually wasn't my intention. I want Jotaro dead to get that meddlesome time stopping ability out of my way, although hurting your little group is certainly a bonus." The Stranger purred out, taking delight in watching Izuku becoming angry. "Besides, why would I want to go after Jotaro myself, when your "classmate" is so keen on doing it for me?"

"We'll stop you...and your plant in Class 1A. You hear me? Whatever you're planning...we will put an end to it, and that " blessing" you got from Kars won't help you." Izuku growled out. "That isn't a threat, it's a promise."

"Do you know why I even mentioned the traitor?"

"..."

"It's because you have no idea who it is! It could be your best friend for all you know...even that dumbass Pikachu lookalike! You can't trust anyone now, because that little tidbit of information is stuck in your brain."

Izuku looked out at the tree, picturing Class 1A. The comradery that he felt with them was strong, and even now he found it hard to believe that a single one of them would ever mean him harm. Still...the evidence pointed to the contrary...

The only people he could truly put his faith in were those who were already in the loop. People he had already entrusted with the secret of OFA, and have risked their lives alongside him. The Musketeers were truly his only comfort in this situation, the only friends he could be sure were actually on his side.

"If you don't think we can smoke this traitor out...I'm afraid you'll be disappointed."

Izuku suddenly ripped the Stranger's hand off of his throat, and turned around, grabbing the startled monster by the scruff of his cape. The OFA user was giving the Stranger a glare unbefitting of a smiling hero, and more akin to that of Johnny.

"My friends are smart, smarter than you. If anyone can find this traitor and get answers out of them, it's them. Me? I'll do whatever it takes to protect them-"

The recent memory of Kars punching a hole in Katsuki's side flashed through Izuku's mind.

"-and if they're hurt, or worse? I'll make sure you feel every ounce of fury that I can dish out. I know that doesn't sound very heroic, but so help me...no power you could have can stop my resolve to keep them safe."

"...you've changed!" The Stranger said, his lipless mouth widening into a disturbing fleshy smile. "I see! So you have resolve now, is that it? Good! Veeeery good! That makes things much more interesting..."

"Maybe I have...but one thing hasn't." Izuku said, letting the Stranger go. "I'm the Deku that does his best. So if you don't want to be punted into the stratosphere...I suggest that you get lost."

"Fine, I'll get out of your hair...I distracted you long enough anyway." The Stranger said, mockingly throwing his hands up. "You heroes are all the same...always thinking you're King Shit, when you're just regular shit. You especially... I think you honestly believe you can save everyone..."

The Stranger cocked his head to the side, grinning.

"...but sooner or later you're going to see how hopeless that endeavor is. We're past the point of no return now...so long Midoriya, see you soon."

Izuku glared at the Stranger as he faded into the darkness. He wasn't entirely sure why...but he felt an odd sense of deja vu during that encounter, and it really pissed him off. This new Stranger had this aura about him that unsettled him, and it was infuriatingly familiar...and yet entirely new.

Some people are just destined to fight...


'Is the user nearby, or are they far away?' Giorno thought to himself, observing his surroundings from their bird's eye view. 'Something tells me they're at a safe distance...meaning we need to pursue this user as soon as possible.'

"SHIZU...MERU!"

The enemy burst from part of the bark, and Giorno barely managed to avoid being grabbed. He had already been dragged away by this Stand once...he knew that a second time would be the end of him.

"MUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDA!"

Gold Experience unleashed a flurry of kicks into part of the tree, causing branches to slam into Astronaut In The Ocean, carrying the enemy Stand away from the water before it could retreat.

Jotaro swung onto a branch across from it, and threw Star Platinum at it, clocking the enemy Stand in the helmet and sending it off of the tree, toppling to the ground below.

"Good thinking Giorno...but it won't fall for the same trick twice..."

"How long is Mr. Joestar going to take?!"

"Hermit Purple is never 100% accurate. He's probably fuming right now." Jotaro said, wrinkling his nose. "His Spirit Photos could be of anything in the entire world...it'll take him a while to find them."

Water continued to pool on the bark, and Astronaut In The Ocean reappeared above them. With a grunt, the automatic Stand splashed them with some of the water, and it's hand emerged from Jotaro's sleeve.

'It's splashing us! As long as there's enough water on our bodies for it to fit through, it can attack!

I don't think it can drag us through though...the water isn't wide enough for a human being, but it can still try and-'

Astronaut In The Ocean threw a punch directly at Jotaro's face, and Star Platinum barelymanaged to interfere.

'It's trying to soften us up first with physical attacks, so that we'll tire out and it can drag us off easier...' Jotaro observed. 'Yare yare daze...I can't even afford to stop time, at least consecutively...but I can for half a second.'

Star Platinum's fist closed around Astronaut In The Ocean's, and time resumed.

The enemy made a sound akin to a gasp as it found itself within Jotaro's grasp, and attempted to pull free, but couldn't.

"Your ability is quite impressive." Jotaro complimented, his lips turning into a smirk. "However, you really should've saved the whole 'appearing on our bodies' move for later...because using it on me was a mistake."

Astronaut In The Ocean's torso, still above Giorno, appeared to be in shock. It's only exposed hand was shaking, it hadn't expected Jotaro to catch it.

"Your tactics rely on your incredible speed in the water, and your ability to create said water. You use that to catch your opponent off guard...the fact that you have to be sneaky means that you lack physical power, something that Star Platinum has plenty of...so all I had to do was a brief Time Stop once you made the mistake of getting close."

Star Platinum grinned as it squeezed even tighter.

"Because Star Platinum isn't letting go. Now you're the one that's trapped!"


If Joseph Joestar hadn't been reverted back to his youth, he might've had an ulcer by now.

Ten random Spirit Photos laid at his feet, as well as ten smashed cameras. Joseph's already unruly hair was sticking up even more as he brought out his eleventh camera, a vein popping out of his forehead.

"HERMIT PURPLE! DO SOMETHING ALREADY!"

Joseph smashed the camera...and then punched it again...and a third time...

A photograph popped out, and the frustrated Joestar plucked it from the dented table, holding it extremely close to his comically angry face.

"Come on...come on..."

The photograph developed...

...

...

...

...

...

"A ROCK?! GRAAAAAH, WHAT THE HELL?!" Joseph slammed his fist into the table. "MY FAMILY IS BEING ATTACKED, AND ALL YOU CAN GIVE ME IS A ROCK?!"

The eldest member of the Joestar clan angrily tossed the photo and camera aside, and angrily punched a flower pot off of his windowsill. Protecting his family was his number one priority, it always had been...and the fact that his Stand wasn't cooperative in their time of need was seriously getting under his skin.

"Where is this damn Stand User?! Who is trying to kill them?! I need that answer more than anything!"

That's when he noticed that Hermit Purple was doing something. The dirt from the potted plant was being moved by the purple vines...

"Oh...I see...I was using the wrong method of Divination." Joseph said, a relieved grin making it's way onto his face. "Now this...is more like it."

A map of Mustafu was being drawn in the dirt, forming a big 'X' where Joseph's intended target was. Joseph looked at the 'X' for a moment, dumbfounded...before smirking.

"So...the user is there. I wouldn't call them an idiot by any means, considering how they've got Jotaro and Giorno in a corner...but that location of all the places just screams overconfidence!" Joseph said, his smirk turning into one of his classic mischievous grins. "And I do love stomping an overconfident opponent."


Wolf blinked as he heard footsteps, and slowly turned his head...

To find two menacing figures standing behind him, one of them holding his Stand's hand hostage.

"So..." Giorno began.

"You're the one..." Jotaro continued, glaring at him, Star Platinum's hand tightening over Astronaut In The Ocean's, which was still contained within the moisture on Jotaro's sleeve.

Wolf looked at his trapped Stand, then at Jotaro, and then at Giorno...and let out a brief huff.

"How'd you know where I was?"

"I guess you could say we know a guy." Giorno responded. "End your attack...or we'll do it for you. You have nowhere else to run."

Wolf emerged from the water, calmly regarding his opponents. There was no fear in his black eyes at all, just cold resolve.

"You do realize...I am here for a reason, right? That I picked this exact spot to lay low while my Astronaut In The Ocean drowns you...for more than just a desire to go for a nice swim..."

UA's swimming pool casted a light blue glow on their enemy as he gave them a small, confident smile.

"I did it because I have the ultimate defensive, when I'm submerged in a body of water."

Astronaut In The Ocean's hand disappeared, and Jotaro glanced at his arm, before turning to their opponent with a glare. "What did you just do?"

"What does it look like? I deactivated my Stand." Wolf replied. "You had it in quite the hold, I admit...no one has managed to restrain it before...but that problem is easily corrected."

"Why the hell are you doing this?"

"Why? Well...I suppose there's not any particular reason...to be honest, you people annoy me. I just want to live my life without stress, without some righteous brat up in my business...and you're training those righteous brats." Wolf explained, licking his sharp teeth. "There really isn't some deeper reason other than that. I'm not fighting for a cause or anything..."

"How many people have you used your Stand on? You speak as though you're experienced with this ability." Giorno said.

"I never counted."

Wolf suddenly spat water onto the deck, and the water began to expand.

"Nor will I care...when Astronaut In The Ocean takes full advantage of our environment."

'Shit...so spitting water on the floor is how he activates it!' Jotaro realized.

"On the contrary, you're in a worse position than we are." Giorno said, and he adjusted his collar as he stepped forward, walking directly towards Astronaut In The Ocean. "I know exactly how to counter your defense, now that I've had experience with your ability."

The pool exploded, water flying everywhere, as Wold laughed.

"Sure Giovanna, sure! Except this whole pool is flooding the area, since it's more than just a puddle! I could attack from anywhere!"

Jotaro was about to progress forward, when Astronaut In The Ocean rose from his side.

"ORA!"

Too slow.

The water was up to their knees now, and Astronaut In The Ocean was manifesting rapidly all around them, almost as if it were teleporting. It's speed was unparalleled, even Star Platinum was having trouble following it's movements.

"Go ahead, just try and stop time! Try and do whatever it is you do Giovanna." Wolf said as he began backing away, grinning. He was stepping out of Star Platinum's range, sooner or later, Jotaro wouldn't be able to reach him within his 5 second duration.

"You bastard!" Jotaro yelled, and was about to give chase when Astronaut In The Ocean blindsided him, grabbing him and yanking him towards the water.

"STAR PLATINUM: THE WORLD!"

He barely managed to stop time before he was pulled in, and broke himself free, but he had wasted it. With no other option, he began trudging through the water in pursuit of Wolf, trying to get as close as he could in order to hit him with a beatdown.

'I have to end this! This Time Stop has to work, otherwise this Stand will overwhelm us...just a bit further...'

3 seconds, 15 meters away. Wolf was a strong swimmer.

'Just a little further!'

2 seconds, 9 meters.

'COME ON!"

1 second, 4 meters.

0 seconds, 2 meters.

Time Stop ended, and Star Platinum's fists went flying in an attempt to beat Wolf down before his Stand could use it's speed to catch up with him.

"Too slow Kujo! Take a look behind you!"

Jotaro turned around, only to watch as Astronaut In The Ocean dragged Giorno under the water. He had been duped into abandoning Giorno during the Time Stop...

"GIORNO! NO!"

Wolf suddenly lept onto him, and sunk his teeth into Jotaro's shoulder, just below his neck. Jotaro grunted in pain as the serial killer bit down, and ripped flesh. He quickly elbowed the serial killer in the gut, and tore his shoulder free, spraying blood into the water.

When cornered...it seemed as though Wolf had given in to his more animalistic urges, thanks to his status as a former shark heteromorph.

Astronaut In The Ocean reemerged...without Giorno.

"Guess that means Golden Boy is through...it's only you and me now, Kujo." Wolf said, his sharp teeth stained with blood.

'There's no way...not Giorno...he couldn't go down like that..."

Blood dripped into the water as Jotaro turned to face his opponent, Star Platinum at the ready. Astronaut In The Ocean appeared from beneath him to grab at his legs, and Jotaro barely managed to dodge. Leaping out of the water, Star Platinum angrily began punching towards Wolf, desperately trying to take the user out before saving Giorno was no longer possible.

Astronaut In The Ocean grabbed his ankle before he could reach Wolf, and yanked him down into the water.

'SHIT!'

That's when something emerged from behind Wolf...

"What...?"

"MUDA!"

Gold Experience rammed it's fist into the side of Wolf's face, and Giorno Giovanna rose from the water, glaring at their opponent. "I believe I said I had a way to counter your defense, did you not hear me? You can't drown me anymore."

Wolf snarled, and lunged at Giorno, but Gold Experience drove a fist into his stomach, and headbutted him on top of it.

"H-how? HOW?! Astronaut In The Ocean carried you too deep into the water for you to swim up in time, it wouldn't have come back if that were the case! HOW DID YOU SURVIVE?!" Wolf screamed.

"Simple."

Giorno adjusted his winged collar, revealing horizontal slits across his throat.

"Gold Experience can create living tissue, from any species."

"You...you...gave YOURSELF GILLS?!"

Gold Experience jabbed a finger into Giorno's throat, digging out pool tiles that he had turned into gills. "I inserted them into my throat before Jotaro stopped time...I've had my Stand for years now, this is far from the first time I've had to do something like this. You really should've done research on me before pursuing Jotaro...you might have won."

Giorno grabbed Wolf by his throat and held him up.

"Now...cease your attack."

"...tough luck Giovanna. Astronaut In The Ocean won't stop until you're dead...or I am." Wolf choked out, smirking as blood dripped from his mouth. "You'll have to kill me."

"What makes you think I won't?"

Wolf did a double take. "Huh?"

"Just because I associate with the heroes, and I share their desire for justice, doesn't mean I follow their rules." Giorno coldly replied. "In case you forgot, I'm running a mafia. I have no problem with killing you at all, especially since you seem to have no regard for innocent life...Jotaro, could you kindly move slightly to the right?"

Jotaro gave him a nod, and did just that.

Wolf screamed, and Astronaut In The Ocean rushed forward as Gold Experience cocked back it's fist...but it would never make it to it's user in time.

Gold Experience launched into a brutal beatdown, mercilessly pummeling Wolf into the water that he was so sure would protect him.

"MUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDA!"

'Wolf cried out in terror as the Stand continued to beat him to death, his mouth filling water to muffle his scream.

"MUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDA! WRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHH! MUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDA! MUUUDAAAAAA!"

*CRUNCH!*

The final blow bashed in Wolf's skull, as it had sent his head flying into the side of the deck. Blood flew everywhere as half of his face was caved in. The enemy Stand User let out one last wheeze, before falling limp into the water. Giorno coldly turned away, glancing back to say one last thing:

"Arrivederci."

Giorno threw his head back and sighed in relief...and Astronaut In The Ocean cracked, and crumbled away. The two Joestars sat in the middle of the pool, with Wolf's dead body floating towards the deep end.

"...I need to do so much paperwork..." Jotaro muttered, looking at Wolf's corpse with an annoyed expression.

"Sorry, but you heard the man, it was the only way to stop the Stand." Giorno replied, Gold Experience touching Jotaro on the shoulder, replacing the tissue that was bitten off. "What matters now is that we're safe...for now."

"Whatever this is...it's far from over." Jotaro responded. "We never caught the bomber...they got away, so this bastard served whatever purpose he had."

"We should tell Johnny that we did it...I'm sure he was keeping watch when we were on the tree." Giorno said, sitting next to Jotaro on the deck of the pool. "I'm getting real sick of water though...I think I'm going to head inside."

"Of course...thank you Giorno...you saved my life tonight."

Giorno patted Jotaro on the shoulder and smiled, before opening the door into UA, and exiting from view.

Jotaro just sat there, staring at the ripples in the water...contemplating the evening's events...


The common room was silent, and Tenya Iida didn't like it.

A large portion of his classmates seemed to be in a sour mood, especially Johnny, Izuku, and Katsuki. While Katsuki being in a bad mood was nothing new...this was something different.

'What happened to get everyone like this? I know we're still recovering from Kars, but this seems to be new.'

Iida adjusted his glasses, and walked past Gyro. The Italian gave him a look and a nod as he went by...

Even Gyro Zeppeli of all people.

Kyoka and Momo were sitting by themselves, having a muted conversation, and the topic looked serious. Johnny was across from them, with Izuku next to him.

"What is going on?" Iida muttered. "It's always them...that particular friend group always seems to know more than what they're letting on..."

"I can't say much about that."

Iida realized he had just said his thoughts out loud, and found that Kyoka was giving him a look from across the room. Of course the girl with enhanced hearing would pick up on his muttering. "Sorry...I didn't mean to sound rude."

Kyoka turned to Johnny and exchanged a few words with him under her breath, and he gave her a brief nod, and began walking over. "Keep this between you and me Iida...have you seen anything suspicious in the dorms recently?"

"You mean other than your group?" Iida asked, and Johnny huffed.

"Yeah, other than us."

"No...although someone was up last night crying for some reason..."

Johnny's eyes widened. "Did they say anything? Do you know who it is?"

"I'm afraid not...JoJo please...let me know what's going on. It's my duty as Class President to make sure you're all alright." Iida begged.

"That's the only reason I'm talking to you about this. You're one of the people we...can safely rule out." Johnny said, and took Iida by the arm, leading him away from the common room. "...someone tried to kill my father last night."

"What?!" Iida hissed. He couldn't believe his ears, although a Stand attack wasn't anything new...Jotaro being a target was. "A Stand User broke into the school again? A villain? I mean...Kars damaged UA's defenses, so I guess that makes sense but..."

"Three enemies, two got in that way...one was already inside."

"What are you saying JoJo?"

"...keep an eye on our classmates." Johnny replied, dead serious. He then turned around, walking back to his girlfriend. "You're the best man for the job, Class President...and please tell me if you see something."

Iida was frozen in place, confused and frightened by the bizarre request. Deep down...he had a feeling about what Johnny was alluding to...and the mere thought was enough to chill him to the bone.


The Stranger ran his hand along a dusty organ, and pushed a few keys, opening up a secret room. In the middle of the room was a computer, and it was already set to contact the UA Traitor.

The villain cracked his knuckles, and typed out a message.

Boss: Good work, now onto your next mission.

Sucker: It was a bomb.

Boss: Oh come on, what did you think it was going to be? Did you really think it would be a listening device?

Sucker: I could've killed Dr. Kujo. That's my teacher!

Boss: That's the entire point of getting a UA student to do my dirty work. I have another job for you, since you failed the last one. I want you to keep an eye on Izuku Midoriya for me, can you do that?

Sucker: Midoriya?

Boss: Midoriya. Keep an eye on him, that's all. You don't even have to attack him or do anything to sabotage him, I just need him watched.

Sucker: I can do that.

The Stranger snorted, closing the laptop, and removed his mask. Setting the mask down, he took a look around the secret laboratory used by Doctor Garaki, and picked up a human skull from a bin to his right.

It was only natural to repair the mask...in fact, he wanted to improve it. It was broken, shattered by AFO's attack...but now he could mold it into something really terrifying.

Soon...Hero Society would know fear.


"A rock?"

"Yeah, I don't know why, but Hermit Purple took a picture of some kind of rock when I was hunting for the Stand User." Joseph said, handing the photograph to Josuke. After he had confirmed that the user was defeated, he decided to present his findings to his son. "It has a coppery gold color, any ideas?"

"...Dad, this looks exactly like the metal that the Stand Arrows are made from."

"Hm?!" Joseph took a closer look. "Yeah, you're right! Does that mean...oh...OH NO!"

There was only one explanation for why Hermit Purple would have taken a picture of this rock...because it was something Joseph needed to be wary of...

It was a second meteorite.