DISCLAIMER: I do not own JoJo's bizarre adventure or Rising of the shield hero

DIO was sleeping in his bed, fully clothed, a rare sight to see. The sun's rise soon.

"WAKE UP!"

A woman barged into DIO's room, jumping onto his bed, and then jumping on him.

"WRYYY!"

DIO quickly got up and grabbed the woman's ankle, throwing her through a wall.

"Ouch."

The woman stood up: it was a young woman, seemingly twenty years of age, with brown hair and green eyes. She wore grey overall shorts adorned with golden buttons, with a black tight and black crop top showing off her defined abs. Her hair was riddled with clear crystals, and was shoulder length with her two front bangs styled to stand up like devil horns. Her sandals assisting her as she got up.

"You little termite, let me sleep!"

"I want a stand!"

The woman dashed towards DIO, going in for a kick to his neck.

*TEMPUS EST MEUM*

The woman punched air as DIO stood behind her, his height completely eclipsing her own. DIO finger flicked the back of the woman's head, forcing her to hit the floor with immense force, creating cracks.

"You are too impatient, Senshi!" DIO scolded the young woman.

"Please, I'm ready!"

"No...you are not."

DIO then kicked Senshi's side as she laid on the floor, launching her through a wall onto the yard outside.

"Start small!"

DIO shouted from the hole in his room's wall. Senshi then heard a low growl behind her.

"Good kitty."


DIO sighed. Senshi has only been alive for a few days, but in that time she's shown how annoying DIO's ambition truly is. She challenged every member of the secret army of Riyute, and she almost beat all of them, except the higher ranks. She also tried to fight Raphtalia, but she was knocked out in an instant. That's when DIO told her she'd need a stand to beat Raphtalia at her level. DIO said this to emphasize the difference between the two, but Senshi took it literally, harassing DIO endlessly about getting a stand.

"Despite her appearance, she truly is a newborn."

"True."

DIO internally gasped in shock. Raphtalia entered his room, fully dressed in her Noble Darkness armor, ready for the day's training.

"D-did you-"

"Hm?"

"Nothing. How well have you slept?"

"It was great, I haven't had any nightmares for weeks now!"

"I am happy to hear that."

DIO smiled, while he could not rest peacefully, he was happy that Raphtalia could.

"I had an amazing dream too. I was in a big green forest with colorful flowers and animals everywhere. I was frolicking and playing, and you and Senshi were there."

DIO found Raphtalia's enthusiasm amusing, especially when she describes her dreams to him. They honestly made his day.

"Where is Senshi?"

DIO glanced outside for a moment, seeing Senshi attempting to ride his Chimera.

"Training."

"Oh, that's surprising. I've been trying to get her to do that rather than fighting everyone she meets!"

Raphtalia ranted like an upset mother.

"That woman is so unruly!"

DIO chuckled a bit; she was really invested in raising Senshi.

"She needs to learn some proper manners!"

In that exact moment, a large raven entered through the hole in the wall, a piece of paper attached to its talon. This had been the main method of communication between DIO and Eli. DIO took the paper and read it.

"I just received word: we have forty hours until the next Wave."

Raphtalia gasped, already!? She was surprised, but for the most part unfazed; she was way beyond the power of even Wave bosses at this point, well, going by the first one. In fact, she was more worried about Riyute, while the secret army is more than enough, she had a bad feeling about this Wave. She had no time to understand her feeling however, as a distant voice shouted.

"DIOOO!"

The voice was loud enough to be heard by DIO and Raphtalia, one would think DIO's vampirism allows him to hear it clearer, but Raphtalia has been working on mastering her senses and tapping into the 'Rhythm of The Universe' as DIO put itーmaybe her feeling was connected to that. DIO and Raphtalia blasted off, barely touching the ground as they created small tremors when they did. Senshi saw this and secretly followed behind, moving much slower, but still keeping track of them. The three followed the voice to the center of the town, where a crowd was present. Once the two arrived, the crowd became still, having heard of DIO's immense power and control over Life and Death. At this point, the town's people saw him more as an otherworldly being sent from either heaven or hell. For a majority of them, this would be their first time seeing the man that has helped them so much, and he was just as beautiful and powerful as the stories in the castle town say.

"People of Riyute, do not be afraid, I only seek the one who called me forth!"

The people were hesitant at first, he is a terrorist, but once they saw Raphtalia, they quickly relaxed. Raphtalia had been interacting with many of the town's people, looking around, helping around, and quickly became a huge morale booster, plus she was good looking, her appearance attracted all genders. Change can be scaryーas well as being overseen by a time-stopping vampire, but they don't know thatーso Raphtalia being there made the whole expansion thing go a lot smoother.

"That would be me."

A tall muscular man stepped forward, his hands in his pockets and a hat dangling from his waist. Alongside him, stood a shorter, but equally buff older man in green armor. The duos stood in silence, Raphtalia feeling the tension, grabbed hold of the hilt of her blade, ready to strike.

"JOJO!"

"DIO!"

The Joestar and vampire greeted each other boldly. They approached each other, clasping hands as they met, flexing their muscles to increase their grip, pulling each other in and hugging. Everyone was taken aback, except Naofumi, he was vibing.

"It's been a while, huh!?"

"Indeed, too long."

"I have a lot to tell you!"

"Likewise, my friend."

DIO's and Jouta's smiles could only be matched by the rising sun as they expressed their fondness for each other, genuinely enjoying being together. DIO and Jouta turned to everyone with ridiculously happy smiles on their faces.

"Riyute, I would like to introduce a great friend and hero of the Joestar lineage, Jouta Kujo."

Jouta blushed a little, he was usually the forthcoming one doing the introductions.

"He's so handsome!"

"I wonder how old he is!?"

"With him and Lord DIO here, I don't think I can control myself!"

"Joestar?"

"Egg baby!?"

The crowd had different reactions to the emerald star, but were all positive, considering who introduced him. Jouta looked towards Naofumi, but Naofumi shook his head, its not the right time. Jouta understood and faced the crowd again. That's when he noticed Raphtalia.

"Don't tell me: you're already seducing women again! You didn't get her pregnant, did you!?"

"Raphtalia? Heavens no, she saved my life and we've been travelling together ever since."

"The fact you are openly admitting she saved your ass is astonishing to me."

DIO's smile dropped and he glared at Jouta, who just laughed it off. Jouta stretched out his hand to Raphtalia.

"I'm Jouta, but you already knew that, so you can call me JoJo."

Raphtalia reluctantly took it, feeling a bit hurt that DIO never mentioned Jouta before.

"Raphtalia."

"Cute name. I'm surprised he hasn't knocked you up."

DIO and Raphtalia's auras flared up, rage directed towards Jouta.

"JoJoking."

They subtly calmed down, returning to a neutral state.

"I see your mission was successful."

DIO was referring to Naofumi as recruiting him was Jouta's mission from the start.

"Oh, yeah. Have you heard from Eclair?"

DIO shook his head sadly.

"I thought you would have, but I am sure she is fine. She has likely trained harder than both of us."

Jouta felt fear just imagining how powerful she must be.

"That's not a good thing."

"Before we continue talking, I think we should head to the mansion."

Raphtalia pointed out how they were discussing all this while there was a crowd of people around them.

"Right. DIO."

Jouta and DIO needed no further exchange and DIO turned to the crowd, getting their attention.

"Everyone! The Waves Of Catastrophe are due to arrive in less than 40 hours, prepare yourselves, and worry not, I, DIO, ensure your safety."

DIO's words quelled the panic that would have been caused otherwise, and this made everyone clear the area, preparing for the Wave.

"Naofumi!" Jouta called.

Naofumi walked over and before he could say anything,

*TEMPUS EST MEUM*

he was suddenly transported to a different location, he looked to see a huge mansion nearby.

"Put me down! You know, I am 300 million years old, I've witnessed the entire history of mankーouch, ouch, ouch!"

DIO held Senshi up by her hair, having noticed her follow them.

"Sit down."

DIO threw Senshi and she hit the ground like a rock skipping on water.

"Woah. Did you sleep with her?"

Jouta asked as a genuine question, to which DIO responded by glaring at him to shut him up.

"Half-dead infant, I saved her, granted her special abilities, moving on."

"Ok, anyways, Naofumi meet DIO and Raphtalia."

"Our meeting is a long time coming, shield hero."

Naofumi was hesitant, he could tell this guy was something else, a different league compared to everyone he's met. It was like encountering the final boss before the actual fight with them at the end. But Naofumi shrugged it off as him having trust issues since Myne. He crossed his arms over his chest something DIO picked up on.

"JoJo's told me about you. It'll be nice to have an ally with your foresight."

"I believe you are the ally I've been looking for. And for all its worth, I know you are innocent."

While Naofumi didn't care about his reputation much, it is nice to see there are people he hasn't met that still consider him a hero. DIO mostly said this to soften Naofumi up a bit, but also because he felt somewhat responsible for the shield hero's fall.

"Then I hope we can work together."

Naofumi was still careful with DIO, but could tell he has good intentions. Then there was Raphtalia.

"Hi, I like your shield."

"Seriously, Raphtalia. You are meeting the shield hero and that's your first line!"

"Thanks."

Naofumi was not sure how to respond, so he went for the more cool emotionless vibe(Ren taught him that), while with DIO he was more professional. With that, the two settled into an uncomfortable silence, the others saw this and intervened.

"So, DIO. I can see you've gotten pretty tough. Level 50 is nothing to scoff at."

"Nothing to scoff at? You think you can beat me?"

"Check my level and you tell me?"

And so DIO did, he hadn't done it in a while. He enjoyed discovering his opponents power and not using numbers to rate them, so he doesn't end up underestimating them. But Jouta's words intrigued him. To his disappointment however, Jouta was at a mere 26. But that's not right, he knows Jouta and already gauged how strong he must be, but these things don't lie. So, either Jouta's concealing his power or he is reading the power of something else. Little did DIO know, both were true.

"How about a good old spar, right before the big event. Me and you; Naofumi and Raphtalia."

DIO laughed.

"Raphtalia, they believe they can defeat not only I, but you as well."

Raphtalia felt her blood pumping and heart racing.

"I'm going to fight the shield hero, yes, yes, yes, YES!"

She internally screamed but kept her cool to impress Naofumi.

"Humorous."

"Hahaha, we accept." DIO grinned, his undead body itching for a fight.

"Alright! Naofumi?" Jouta asked his companion, hoping he'd agree.

Naofumi nodded, he too wanted to test his new abilities in a fight against someone as strong as Raphtalia.

"Then let the battle of heroes commence! Let's rock!" Jouta then thought to himself, "Like a pillar man."

"And me!"

Senshi shouted as she felt left out, especially since Jouta mentioned rocks, she likes rocks.

"Go home!"

The entire group collectively shouted. Senshi gave up and left sadly, settling on watching from a distance.

But now, the momentum was back, the Battle Of Heroes has begun! Tension rose immediately, no one dared to make the first move, after all, there was such a small distance between everyone, any attack would land.

"[The World]!"

"[Charmy Green]!"

"Crescent Soul!"

"Juggernaut Shield!"

The stands separated the two groups with a series of quick jabs and kicks, the main purpose being to gain distance apart. Raphtalia predicted this using her precise senses and created a faint after image that strafed to the right, while she moved backward. Naofumi was momentarily fooled by this, adjusting his body to the right. This left him open and Raphtalia was nearly able to slice his side, but he spotted her just in time, aiming his shield in her direction.

"Charge!"

Naofumi's body suddenly zoomed forward with tremendous force, the air pressure built up from this set the shield on fire briefly. Raphtalia barely dodged as Naofumi was slightly off due to being caught off guard. She was stunned.

"How did he move so quickly with that huge shield!?"

The Juggernaut Shield was indeed gigantic compared to Naofumi's other shields, nearly covering his entire body. Its shiny dark grey center and black sides bulking it up further. The fact Naofumi had to support it with both arms was a testament to this.

"Twin mode!"

Naofumi didn't slow down his assault, activating a new ability. This split the Juggernaut Shield in two, one piece worn on either arm.

"Charge!"

This time, only Naofumi's right arm accelerated towards Raphtalia, she blocked it with the broad side of her sword, it pushed her back, her feet being dug into the ground. Her muscles strained, holding back Naofumi's punch was harder than she thought it would be. Naofumi withdrew his fist and launched another one.

"Charge!"

Raphtalia jumped over it and appeared behind Naofumi, ready for a downward slash. Naofumi looked over his shoulder.

"Charge."

Naofumi leaned back and his left elbow rocketed backwards, hitting Raphtalia in the gut, sending her back into the air. He turned around, his fists glowing bright red

"Owari Ari Ari Ari Ari Ari Ari!"

Naofumi launched multiple shield charges with electrical energy, zapping Raphtalia mid-air, allowing him to continue his combo.

"Ari Ari Ari Ari Ari ARI!"

Naofumi ended with a powerful uppercut, sending Raphtalia a decent distance away. She landed with electrical surges coursing through her veins. Naofumi fell to his knees, exhausted, the Juggernaut Shield drained him immensely. The only way he performed that barrage was with Hamon.

"She's not done. I felt it. Her body was like a diamond, and I barely scratched her."

His words rang true as Raphtalia got up, steam coming off of her body. She had firmly gripped her sword throughout all of that, the Hamon kept her from countering. Naofumi has not yet learned how to store his Hamon within objects, so all the Hamon dissipated from her body quickly. Raphtalia wiped a droplet of blood from her nose. She smiled in excitement.

"My turn."


Jouta and DIO stood silently as their stands brawled viciously. Small bruises and scratches appearing on them as their stands injured each other. DIO healed them quickly and Jouta did the same with Hamon. [Charmy Green] could dismantle its body and form various rigid shapes, and [The World] could break, stretch, compact, and even control removed limbs; these two abilities countered each other nicely. Being 80% stronger, faster and more durable gave [The World] a slight advantage, but that was also nullified by Jouta's ten years more experience fighting with his stand, his moves were a compilation of many action movies, games, dances, videos, and fighting his dad, Jotaro Kujo.

"Enough!"

The stands stopped mid-punch. Jouta raised his brow at this. Was DIO giving up, no far from it.

"I am satisfied. Clearly our stands are equally matched, excluding your ability to channel Hamon through [Charmy Green], but I assure you, Bodily Horror can counter that as well. However, what of in regards to you and I, a vampire and Hamon user."

Jouta considered what DIO was offering and smirked. [Charmy Green] dissipated completely and so did [The World].

"Friendly warning: I've been training my Hamon and...I'd say you're fucked," Jouta boasted confidently, stretching his limbs as he spoke.

"When will you learn: I, DIO, am no ordinary being," DIO stared Jouta down, imposing a sense of precaution in the Joestar.

Jouta charged up his Hamon and DIO sharpened his claws.

"USELESS!"

"HAMON OVERDRIVE!"

The two began their brawl, Jouta going for a chop to the neck, and DIO going for a slash to Jouta's abdomen. Both attacks landed, but...

"What the hell!?"

"Impossible!"

It would seem the two were more evenly matched than they thought, as Jouta's chop barely bruised DIO, not even burning. DIO's slash didn't penetrate any skin, only pinching Jouta. The two flows of life energy collided, neither victorious. They sweat dropped.

"Again?"

"Yeah."

The combatants moved away from each other, preparing stronger techniques.

"AZURE FLAME OVERDRIVE!"

This was part of Jouta's fire creating Hamon, this being the property of Hamon Jouta focused on learning. It focused all the heat into Jouta's fists, making them super hot. Hot enough to be blue in color. Jouta threw jabs at DIO, who evaded them effectively, countering with longer build up attacks, like kicks and hooks. Jouta was trying to overwhelm DIO and DIO was trying to wear jouta down, bit by bit. Unfortunately, as they fought, Jouta's flames grew brighter and hotter, making them harder to dodge. Eventually, DIO got hit by a jab to the shoulder, this burned through DIO and began its spread across his entire body.

"That's more like it!"

DIO's aura twisted into a deep purple, the twisted life flow repelling the Hamon in his body. Since Jouta lacks the ability to store Hamon, the Hamon flowed to the ground, sprouting roses with flame-like arrangements of orange, red, and yellow.

"He couldn't do that before! Makes sense, from what I heard, DIO only had a week or two as a vampire before fighting Jonathan. With more time than before, DIO is mastering his power more in-depth!"

"Surprised? I now understand the true essence of a vampire! And with that, even your Hamon cannot challenge me, JoJo!"

DIO's body regenerated the burnt matter, his body flawless once again. Jouta considered DIO's defenses.

"I get that he repelled it, but...it landed, the initial strike should have left him paralyzed, or unable to quickly recover at least. It must be the armor he's wearing.

Jouta used his player menu to check and confirmed that that was the case, the armor reduced all sun based attacks by 50% and provided complete immunity to ranged solar beams, like the literal sun, Erhard really outdid himself this time.

Jouta focused his breathing into a new rhythm.

"DIVINE WHITE OVERDRIVE!"

This time, the Hamon in Jouta's body focused within the hairs on his arm, with such intense concentration, the Hamon lit up brightly, all spectrums of light combining into a powerful radiant white. Jouta needed sharp breaths to maintain this, thus he could only use it for twenty seconds at most. The Hamon extended beyond his hairs further down his arm before being pointed to one singular point. This made it appear as though Jouta had an energy blade generated from his arm.

"Learned this from one of my all time favorite mangas. I call it the 'God Slicer' variation of Divine White."

"Manga? Is that a sort of Hamon principle?"

Jouta sweat dropped, he'd forgotten about the whole amnesia thing.

"No...I'll tell you later."

DIO looked away from Jouta and pouted his lips, "Such secrecy."

Jouta stood bewildered: exactly DIO's plan. DIO caught him off guard, with no Hamon shielding him, Jouta was struck in the gut. He coughed blood, deactivating God Slicer before he regained his focus and reactivated it.

"Cheap shot!"

"You know you like it."

Jouta and DIO smirked, this was the type of dynamic these two had. They both wanted to grow stronger and better, while showing off at the same time. They used opposing abilities and had intertwined history, and they both don't like Jotaro, but DIO hasn't realized this yet. They were the best of rivalries, DIO and JoJo.

"I'll cut you down to the cell!"

Jouta's words were no lie, the precise beam of light easily pierced through the armor, along with skin, muscle, bone, and cell. DIO needed to be careful, a proper cut would end this fight. Jouta launched a karate chop aimed across DIO's chest. DIO sidestepped it, headbutting Jouta and kicking his chest. This was to disorientate Jouta, in order for him to dispel the God Slicer. DIO grabbed Jouta's wrist with his index finger and thumb, and broke it.

"Gah!"

Jouta screamed, the pain was different from anything he had ever experienced in his life.

"I know how to break you, JoJo, and in more ways than one."

DIO held Jouta's hand and twirled it, the joint between the hand and wrist completely disconnected. This disconnection meant he could not channel Hamon into his hand, no Azure Flame or God Slicer. DIO squeezed tightly, ensuring Jouta felt as much pain as possible, his breathing erratic because of this.

"Weak! Weak! You Hamon users possess such glaring weaknesses!"

"DIO, you're forgetting what Hamon is!"

Jouta dulled the pain in his wrist and broke his bone, allowing him to escape DIO's grip.

"ZOOM PUNCH!"

Without the sensation of pain, Jouta dislocated his shoulder and extended his arm, hitting a shocked DIO in the face.

"ZOOM UPPERCUT!"

DIO was hit by Jouta so hard he was sent high up in the air. While DIO spun in the air, he fired a desperate attack.

"SPACE RIPPER STINGY EYES!"

Jouta smiled. The lasers shot at Jouta, but never hit him.

"[Charmy Green]!"

The stand formed an emerald cup shaped shield above Jouta. As the vampiric essence hit the shield, it curved in the lens of the emerald. This forced the liquid from whence it came.

"WRRRRR...YYYY!"

DIO's head was split in half by his own attack, but this was not the end of it. Jouta cracked his knuckles.

"Now I have an opening! SUNLIGHT...YELLOW...OVERDRIVE!"

Jouta fired hundreds of Hamon punches at DIO, shattering his bones, rupturing his organs, tearing his muscles apart then reaching his core and melting the vampire's insides before dissipating in the air, leaving a cloud of vapor and a strong scent of burnt flesh.

"Punishment...successfully served!"


Sparks flew everywhere as metal impacted metal. Naofumi was rapidly changing shields to keep up with Raphtalia's sword swings.

"She's impossible!"

Naofumi was tired, very tired. He was getting slower and slower, his mana draining every second. Raphtalia barely had a single drop of sweat. He couldn't decipher what it was: how could anyone, even with a level as high as hers, not slow down in the slightest. Its like she was running on infinite stamina, and her movements, like those traditional japanese dancers, she moved gracefully.

"Its like she's following some sort of tune or beat."

Naofumi would need some serious strategy to win this fight.

"Rope Shield!"

The Rope Shield appeared on Naofumi's arm, a rope hanging from it. Naofumi took hold of the rope in his other hand, swinging it slowly at first, and picking up speed as he swung it.

*CRACK!*

Naofumi used it as a whip, cracking it at Raphtalia. Suddenly, Raphtalia stopped, her eyes went wide like a deer in headlights, her rhythm was disturbed. She was stunned for far too long and Naofumi took notice. Instead of continuing the fight, Naofumi grew concerned and approached Raphtalia.

"Hey, are you okay!?"

Naofumi asked with worry, setting his shield to its normal form. Raphtalia didn't respond, and stood like a statue.

"Raphtalia!"

The girl's muscles grew as her veins popped, she gripped her blade like a vice, her eyes blank and her teeth clenched. She swung her blade at Naofumi so hard, when he attempted blocking with his shield, his arm broke.

"AH!"

Naofumi backed up, holding the shoulder of his broken arm. He calmed himself, relaxed his breathing, and repaired his limb.

"Raー"

Naofumi could not even speak before being attacked again, and again, and again. She was going all out, and if he wished to survive, so would he.

"Prism Shield!"

Naofumi brought out his strongest shield.

"Hamon Overdrive!"

The Hamon combined with the Shield and resulted in an explosion of rainbow colors. Hot, bright beams of Hamon aimed straight at Raphtalia. She tried defending against the blast, but the light pierced her skin and attacked directly. She was blown away by the beam.

"She's probably unconscious now with a few second-degree burns. I didn't want to do that, but I had no choice, she would have killed me."

Naofumi walked over to the direction Raphtalia was launched, hoping to heal her quickly to prevent scars.

"No...that's not possible!"

Naofumi trembled at the sight: Raphtalia's armor was mostly destroyed, her scarred muscular body exposed, but she stood firm. Her sword planted in the ground.

"She...planted her blade in the ground so the Hamon would flow out of her body quicker!"

She slowly walked closer to Naofumi, dragging her feet across the ground.

"Stop, Raphtalia!"

Naofumi had no mana or Hamon left to dish out, he was defenseless. She ignored him, persisting onward.

"What happened? She got like this after I used my rope as a whip."

Naofumi realized in that moment, the grave mistake he had made. Raphtalia was a demi-human with scars. Naofumi was well aware of the slavery demi-humans were subjected to, but he never saw it himself. He cursed himself mentally.

"That's why she's attacking me like this."

Naofumi calmed himself and walked over to Raphtalia, not afraid of the possibility of death. Once he was close, Raphtalia threw a kick at his chest, sending him to the ground. A yellow electricity connected the two, their brainwaves becoming one for a fleeting moment. Naofumi felt her pain, and saw her trauma, he empathized with her.

"You're safe, Raphtalia."

"Huh!?"

She snapped out of her blind rage, seeing a bruised and battered Naofumi laid on the ground, bleeding profusely and gasping for air.

"Naofumi!"

She rushed to his side, cradling him and sobbing.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry."

"Raphtalia!"

"Naofumi!"

The two masters called out to their students, rushing to the scene.

"What happened!?"

DIO sternly demanded an explanation from Raphtalia.

"I don't know. We were fighting then I...I..."

DIO glared at her, his gaze pierced her soul, but Jouta interjected.

"Stop it, DIO! She just lost control. We need to focus on helping Naofumi."

DIO's stern expression turned into a much softer one, he had lost his temper.

"I'm sorry, Raphtalia, I sometimes forget your feelings. I apologize for being so self-centered."

He hugged Raphtalia as she cried in his arms.

"Done."

"Hm?"

DIO and Raphtalia gave Jouta confused looks.

"I'm done...he's healed."

Naofumi sat up with a neutral expression.

"Good fight."

He gave Raphtalia a thumbs up.

"Th-thanks," She awkwardly replied, her tears drying faster than a desert.

"That settles it: team Jouta beat team DIO!"

DIO and Raphtalia immediately argued with Jouta's claim.

"You cheated!"

"I won my fight!"

They shouted in Jouta's face with equal vitality.

"Okay, fine. A draw, then?"

Team DIO reluctantly took the Joestar's proposal.

"Now, let's go eat, I'm starving!"

"Oh, Jouta? I wasn't aware you could cook," DIO said.

Everyone laughed at that, lifting the mood. The sun beamed down on everyone as they shared laughter.

At night

DIO and Jouta caught each other up to speed and spoke of their adventures, afterwards they watched as Naofumi and Raphtalia conversed, sharing stories, jokes, and overall having a good time.

"They look cute together, huh?"

"Jouta, they just met."

"Love at first..."

"Don't say it!"

"Fight."

DIO sighed heavily.

"You don't take anything seriously."

"I do! The key is to stay true to yourself and not get absorbed in your goals."

"What are you saying!?"

"Just saying, the kid may be in the body of an adult, but maturity doesn't take place overnight."

"You are one to talk, you are the same age as her."

"Fair, but I had family and friends that were there for me."

"Are you saying I'm inattentive," DIO was growing annoyed.

"I'm saying, treat her like a kid, not a soldier."

DIO looked away, considering Jouta's words, but Jouta wasn't done.

"Don't raise her into a weapon, raise her into a woman."

That was it, DIO knew Jouta was right, I mean the girl trains every morning without rest. Every time they would have a normal conversation, its drowned out by everything else going on, this morning being a good example. DIO realized that he's been using everyone around him just to further his goal, not forming meaningful relationships. Eli.

"You're right, JoJo, I've been so close-minded, just like...my past self."

DIO's expression became sad.

"Hell no, you are WAY better than that guy!"

Jouta placed his hand on DIO's shoulder.

"Thank you, Jouta, I'm not sure what I would become without you."

"Dead."

There was a silence between them for a few seconds.

"SO...you fought stand users from our universe?"

"Indeed, they were my former minions that passed. Somehow, they've arrived here with more powerful stands and the goal of ending my life."

"Passed? That sounds similar to your situation. They must have used the same method as you."

"That would mean whoever sent them knows me as well."

"The only dead person that worked for you with that level of knowledge is..."

Jouta's eyes widened.

"Enya!"

"Who?"

"She's an old witch that gave you the stand arrow in the first place. You killed her after she was caught by my dad to prevent her from spilling the beans."

"So she's the one leading the operation. Its good that you came, now I know my enemy."

Jouta then gave DIO the list of all his dead minions and their abilities.

"Didn't you say they have stronger stands, this list might be useless."

"They seem to keep most of their stands' abilities, usually trading one for a new ability."

"That's a relief, but knowing Enya, she'll play it smart and gain allies here, too, so don't think you're invincible."

"I won't, thank you, Jouta."

"Anytime. Now, I think I'm gonna go hang out with other young people."

"Get out of my sight."

"Gladly."

DIO was left to his own musings, something he didn't mind. Some people may think DIO loved being around people, but that was not entirely true. He mostly enjoyed it because of narcissistic reasons, and occasional fun. DIO sometimes just wanted to be in his own world, not interrupted by anyone, no outside force controlling him, just DIO and his thoughts, though a hundred years of this would probably drive him mad. Its no wonder his stand ability is to stop time.

"Hm?"

DIO heard something odd behind him.

"Hya!"

Senshi burst from hiding, throwing a punch at DIO's face. DIO tilted his head and caught her by the throat.

"Senshi! Youー"

DIO held himself back, gently placing Senshi down.

"You did good, I barely noticed your presence."

Senshi's eyes lit up as she looked up to her only father figure.

"Thank you, DIO!"

Her eyes teared up a bit, that was the first compliment DIO had ever given her. He saw her joy and smiled.

"You should go hang out with the others, I heard them say something about rocks."

Senshi gasped in excitement, running over to the other youngsters at lightning speeds.

"To gain more, one must build upon what they already have."