Hello everyone, I had some troubles publishing this chapter, this is the 4th time I'm trying, I also fixed some grammar mistakes, hopefully I didn't miss any more.

Stardust Crusaders PLUS1

Chapter 5

Journey of the Brave

Kakyoin stood up and headed for the door.

"Hey, hold on!" Asaki grabbed his arm. "You're still recovering, we don't know if my powers have side effects."

"I feel perfectly fine. Now, if you'll excuse me." Kakyoin pulled his arm out of Asaki's grasp and went outside.

"Please wait!" Asaki followed Kakyoin. "Why do you want to leave so suddenly?"

"I have a bad feeling, that's all." Kakyoin kept walking, looking at every room he passed.

"A bad feeling? Wait…" Asaki paused for a moment, he was starting to understand the situation. "You don't think that Miss Holly is in danger?"

"It's certainly possible, after all this time, she hasn't answered Mr. Joestar's calls." Kakyoin said.

"Is it possible that she's been attacked by an enemy?" Asaki said, picking up Kakyoin's pace.

"I don't know, but I have a feeling we need to find her soon."

The pair continued to search for any clue they could find about Holly. When suddenly, not far from them, Joseph's scream could be heard.

Such a gut-wrenching scream of pain made Asaki start to sweat bullets. "Please, please no, tell me we're not too late!"

Asaki bolted, Kakyoin following closely behind, they both arrived at the kitchen, the first thing they noticed was Avdol next to a fainted Holly, the second was Holly's Stand weakly glowing.

"We have to find him... We have to find DIO! And kill him!" Joseph's anger was felt in every word uttered.

"Find DIO you say?" Kakyoin spoke. "Do you have a clue of where he is?"

Everyone looked at Kakyoin, he stood there with a silent determination in his eyes.

"Unfortunately, no." Joseph said. "Every time I used my spirit photography he's surrounded by darkness."

"We've used every method to find even the smallest detail." Avdol took out some Polaroids. "Yet we've found nothing."

"Wait. Why didn't you tell me?" Jotaro took one of the photos. "My Stand may be the key to finding him."

The purple spirit came out, its eyes were fixed on the photo, searching for the slightest detail.

"The reason it can catch a bullet or pull out a flesh bud without harming the host is thanks to its dexterity, but this dexterity is so great because of its incredible perception." Jotaro was as confident as ever.

The Stand locked on a corner of the photo, it was very subtle, but something in the wall behind DIO stood out.

"It found something, I'll make it sketch it." Jotaro looked to the others. "Someone give me a pen and paper!"

Avdol quickly looked for the items. Could it be that after such a long time, DIO's location would be found?

"Here." Avdol gave them to Jotaro's Stand, it wasted no time and started to draw with great speed and precision.

"Wow, such skill, that would make any mangaka jealous." Asaki said to himself.

"There, it's done!" Everyone looked at it, it was a highly detailed drawing of a fly.

"That fly… I've seen it before, I'm sure." Avdol grabbed his temple, it was at the tip of his tongue. Then, like light at the end of a tunnel, clarity struck. "Yes, it's the Nile Tsetse Fly, I've seen them many times in my trips to the Aswan region!"

"Which means that he's in Egypt!" Joseph exclaimed, his hope had been restored, the greatest obstacle had been dealt with.

"So he's still in Egypt." Kakyoin said.

"What do you mean 'still'?" Asaki said. "You already knew he was there?"

"3 months ago, I was on a family trip in Egypt, that's when I met him and he turned me into one of his 'loyal followers'." Kakyoin said with disgust. "It seems he wants to stay there."

"Then let's not waste more time, I'll buy 3 tickets for the next flight to-"

"Hold it, Mr. Joestar." Kakyoin interrupted. "I think you mean 4 tickets!"

"You want to come?" Jotaro looked at him.

"Of course, is there a problem?" Kakyoin smiled.

"Why the hell would you want to do that?" Jotaro said.

Kakyoin simply kept on smiling. "Who knows? I guess I just want to."

"Pfft." Jotaro turned around. "Do what you want."

Joseph ran to his room, he had calls to make. Jotaro helped Avdol to carry Holly to her bed, leaving Kakyoin and Asaki alone in the kitchen.

"You really want to go with them?" Asaki asked, his eyes were gloomy.

"To be honest, the thought of facing DIO terrifies me to my core." Kakyoin said. "But JoJo gave me my life back, I want to repay him."

Asaki covered his face with one of his hands, his face changing to an expression of frustration.

"I used to have a brother, he was my hero in more ways than one." Asaki started to speak. "When we were kids, I would always follow him, he was the older one so he always protected me, he guided me, he made sure I was happy. But it wasn't because I was his brother, he was like that with everyone, he always made sure to be there for those who needed him, he was a kind soul."

Asaki started to shudder, he felt his eyes starting to tear up. "It was the day before he entered university, he went out to celebrate with his friends, that's when… when on his way back, he saw an older woman being robbed, he went to save her, but… but the bastard was armed! He stabbed my brother!" He turned to look at Kakyoin, his tears freely running down his face. "The wound was too deep, it was fatal, he died in the ambulance. When I heard the news, I was devastated, I couldn't believe it, I was mad! If he hadn't gone that way, if he hadn't gone out, if he hadn't intervened, he would still be alive!"

"Sometimes, bad things happen to good people." Kakyoin said.

"I know, that's how he was, he died true to himself." Asaki wiped away his tears. "You are no different to him, Kakyoin. You would risk your life to repay a debt you made up."

"Do you have a problem with my decision?" Kakyoin's face turned serious.

"Yes, I do! I have a problem with everyone that acts that way!" Asaki shouted. "…That includes me too."

Kakyoin remained silent, he waited for Asaki's next words.

"When I helped Jotaro yesterday, I was terrified, but I also felt my resolve, even if I hadn't crossed a word with him, not even once, I felt like I couldn't just keep quiet and leave. And when the nurse got hurt by you, I felt true anger, I wanted to make you pay." Asaki looked at Kakyoin. "I know now, how my brother must've felt that day. I understand now, I've learned not to turn away from what you think is wrong. And now, I feel that again."

"Wait, are you saying…" Kakyoin was surprised.

"I won't let another kind soul leave this world! I won't' let Jotaro and Mr. Joestar suffer the same loss I did!" Asaki's earring was shining with the morning sun, his pose showed confidence for the first time. "I'll protect Miss Holly, I'm going to Egypt!"

Kakyoin was surprised, he didn't think Asaki had it in him. "DIO has many followers from all over the world, they'll try to kill us. Could you take that risk?"

"All the more reason for me to come!" Asaki put a fist to his chest. "My Stand can take care of your wounds, I won't let any of you die!"

Kakyoin chuckled. "You criticized my reason, but yours is even simpler." Kakyoin went outside. "Let's go tell Mr. Joestar we need another ticket."

ゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴ

"I just want to make sure you understand that this is not a vacation." Joseph said. "I cannot guarantee your safety. Death is a real possibility, you understand?"

"I do." Asaki sat in front of Joseph, his eyes looking directly at him. Joseph was a master at reading people, there was nothing in his gaze that showed hesitation.

"Jeez, you went from almost crying at my little joke to willing to go on such a dangerous journey." Joseph said.

"I am scared, but I want to help her. She made me, a complete stranger, feel like I was truly welcomed. To think that she would die by such an evil… I can't let that happen!" Asaki stood up. "Please, let me go with you!"

"You won't take no for an answer, am I wrong?" Joseph sighed. "Very well, you can come."

"Thank you! I will help however I can!" Asaki bowed.

"I guess you already know what you are going to tell your parents, right?" Joseph said.

Asaki looked at him with a blank expression. "Well…"

"I knew it." Joseph thought for a moment. "I have a plan."

"Really? What is it?" Asaki was looking expectantly.

"We'll say you were chosen to be an exchange student." Joseph dialed a number on the phone. "I can forge some documents. Would you like that too, Kakyoin?"

Kakyoin, who had been listening quietly, turned to Joseph. "I'd rather not lie to my parents, I'll just leave without saying a word."

"You would rather leave your parents worried sick than deceive them?" Joseph said.

"When I return, I can explain the situation as best I can." Kakyoin smiled gently. "It's selfish, I know, but I think it's for the best."

"That sounds cruel." Asaki couldn't understand Kakyoin's decision, maybe it was because his parents already experienced the loss of one of their sons, the pain of leaving without saying anything would be even greater.

"Hey, old man." Jotaro entered the room. "Mom woke up."

"What?" Joseph and Jotaro went to Holly's room, she was awake but still in bed.

"I don't know what came over me. Sorry I scared you." Holly smiled softly.

Jotaro stared at her, from her back, Holly's stand was still visible. "She can't see her back, she doesn't know it's there."

"Well, you look better." Joseph said. "Here let's brush your teeth."

Joseph helped Holly brush her teeth, brushed her hair, cut her nails and gave her an apple to eat.

"Ok, that's enough of that, time to cook!" Holly started to get out of the futon. "Hey, how about I make-"

"DON'T MOVE! YOU STAY IN BED!"

Jotaro's scream made everyone silent, Holly and Joseph looked at him in shock.

"I mean… if you faint, it'd be such a pain to carry you again." Jotaro lowered his hat.

Holly touched the back of her neck, a knowing look on her eyes.

"You are right." Holly covered herself again. "Having a cold from time to time is not that bad when everyone… is so nice… to me…"

Holly closed her eyes again, her breathing sounding weak.

"Holly! She passed out again." Joseph touched her forehead, the heat was worse than ever. "She acted like nothing was wrong, even with a fever like that. She noticed the Stand on her back, but she didn't say anything. Even in this situation, she didn't want us to worry."

Jotaro remained silent, only listening to Joseph's words. The face of his mother looked peaceful, even when she was enduring such an ordeal.

"Don't worry Mr. Joestar, we'll save her." Avdol entered the room, Asaki and Kakyoin by his side. "Over here, gentlemen!"

A group of people in suits entered the room, carrying many machines.

"Who are these people?" Jotaro asked.

"Doctors from the Speedwagon Foundation." Joseph said. "Holly will be in good hands with them. Let's give them some room to work."

Everyone went outside, the doctors bringing more and more things into Holly's room.

"Avdol, have you ever seen this before? A Stand that turns against its user I mean." Asaki asked.

"I have, it's a rare occurrence, but common enough that I noticed it when I saw it." Avdol looked at the sky. "Right now, it's just her back, but eventually it will spread to the rest of her body. Her fever will turn into a coma and eventually she will die."

Everyone felt the grim pressure in the air. "A kind woman like her… she's the type of woman I would like to fall in love with. She makes me feel that it's my duty to make her smile again." Kakyoin said.

"Mr. Joseph." One of the doctors came to the group. "We have a report."

"Speak, how's my Holly doing?" Joseph said.

"I'm afraid her condition is grave, even with all the medicine in the world, she cannot be cured." The doctor read a paper. "However, we can slow down the process."

The doctor handed the paper to Joseph. "50 days! With our care, we can make Miss Holly last 50 days."

Joseph read every word carefully, sweat slowly forming on his face.

"I see, I leave her on your hands." Joseph said.

"We'll do everything we can." The doctor went back to Holly's room.

"Jotaro, before we leave, I would like to name your Stand." Avdol said.

"Name it?" Jotaro asked.

"Yes, as you know, I am a fortune teller. The Tarot, the cards of fate, will guide us to the nature of your Stand." Avdol handed Jotaro the deck. "Do not look, let chance be your guide!"

Jotaro drew a card, when he turned it, The Star card was revealed.

"I see, The Star… Then your Stand shall be named Star Platinum!" Avdol declared.

"That means yours is the last one to be named." Avdol looked at Asaki. "Have you decided its name?"

Asaki summoned his Stand. "Yes, I have. My Stand's name is Scorpions!"

"Ok everyone, let's go!" Joseph said.

Everyone took a step forward, the first step of their journey!

ゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴ

Somewhere in a dark room, a pale figure rested on a bed.

"Hmm, so they've found me…" The pale figure, DIO, grabbed a freshly taken spirit photograph, thanks to the purple thorny vines surrounding his hand. "Hermit Purple, the Stand of the Ripple, even such a weak Stand has its utility."

"They know you are in Egypt? Are you certain, my lord?" An old, small woman was right next to him, she was clutching a staff twice her size.

"Yes, they are coming." DIO looked at the photo, it showed Jotaro and company about to enter a car.

"If that's the case, then I will summon the deadliest assassins to stop them." The hag had a perverse smile plastered on her face. "None will reach you, my lord."

"Interesting, they managed to free Kakyoin without killing him." DIO turned to see her, his face was obscured by darkness. "Enya, can I leave this in your hands?"

His voice was as seductive as it was terrifying, but the old woman smiled like always. "Yes, the Joestars and their allies will all perish."

"Good, then leave now." As soon as Enya left the room, DIO touched the star mark on his neck. "Can you feel it, Jonathan? The end of your bloodline is drawing near…"

TO BE CONTINUED

Stand User: Asaki Shirogane
Stand Name: Scorpions

Power: C
Speed: B
Range: A
Durability: C
Precision: B
Potential: A

Ability: It can produce a clear liquid from the tip of its finger. The properties of the liquid can be changed by the user.