DISCLAIMER: I do not own JoJo's bizarre adventure or Rising of the shield hero
"Ahh, ahh, ahhh!"
Itsuki laid on the ground and screamed in pain as Ren removed the arrow from his shoulder.
"Hold still."
Ren gripped the arrow in the bow hero's side.
"Take a deep breath."
Itsuki nodded, taking a deep breath despite grimacing in pain.
"Ahh, ha, ah!"
Ren pulled it out quickly and immediately covered the wound with his hand.
CRIMSON SWORD
Ren's sword burst with red energy that provided a fiery sheath. He held the blade near Itsuki's wound. The wounded hero clenched his fists, forced to endure the pain.
"Curse you, Naofumi Iwatani!"
Ren moved his sword away and said a short spell. The spell sealed Itsuki's wound, similar to stitching it.
"You learned magic?"
"I only dabbled a bit. I learned a binding spell that connects different points. I was interested to use it with my sword to lock on to enemies during combos, but I haven't mastered it."
"Hmph, I am focused on maxing out my bow stats."
"Well without variation and creativity, you will lack the abilities to wield those stats effectively."
"Not with my eyesight."
"Ah, don't remind me. You treat your talent just as you treat your bow. What's the use of a telescope if you lack the knowledge to identify what you see."
"Are you comparing my superhuman ability to a telescope!?"
"A piece of equipment that means nothing to a common fool; why, yes."
"Common fool!? I, the bow hero of legend? I suppose YOU wouldn't understand since all you do is swing your sword around!"
"Of course, the hero that requires the least physical prowess would see himself as superior!"
There was a long pause between the heroes before they erupted in laughter, holding each other as they did.
"Hahahaha, we'll see whose strategy bears fruit."
"Hahahaha, I don't mind sharing info."
Ren helped his friend stand up. The pair soon noticed the cracks in the ground and buildings around them caused by Noafumi and Motoyasu's fight. Monsters used these cracks to slip into the town.
"We need to stop those two."
"But as much as I hate to admit it, they're on a completely different level."
"True, but we must get through to Motoyasu."
"Hopefully we can."
A spear pierced through Naofumi's stomach and a fist broke Motoyasu's ribs. The shield of Wrath tackled the spear hero of Lust, picked him up and slammed him onto the ground.
*THUD*
Naofumi straddled Motoyasu and punched his face repeatedly. The spear hero had lost the feeling of pain a long time ago and grabbed Naofumi's fists. He pushed Naofumi off of him, jumped up into a flip, and kicked the spear through Naofumi. The shield hero ignored the wound and threw a punch that Motoyasu kicked away, grabbed Naofumi's forearm and punched his elbow, breaking his arm. Naofumi shook it off, backhanded Motoyasu, then grabbed his neck and threw him to the ground. Motoyasu stood up and held out his hand. The legendary spear flew into his hand, and the two continued their brawl, all the while destroying the foundation they stood on and their bodies.
"Motoyasu!"
Itsuki shot an arrow between the two. Motoyasu ignored his friend and aimed his spear at Naofumi.
"You're destroying Riyute!"
Ren jumped in front of Motoyasu with his hands up.
"Move."
Motoyasu finally spoke, fighting against the corruption. Naofumi swatted Ren away and nearly attacked Motoyasu, but was set off balance by Ren.
"They are fighting like animals, totally reckless."
Motoyasu took advantage of this and forced Naofumi to his knees and got behind him. He held his spear in front of the shield hero's neck and pulled while his foot was planted on his back. Cracks could be heard and Naofumi choked on his own blood.
"That's enough!"
Itsuki tried to pull Motoyasu away. Ren helped as well.
"Stop this, he is defeated!" Itsuki pleaded
"It's not done until he's dead," Motoyasu responded.
"This is not like you, Motoyasu, you would put everyone in danger to kill Naofumi!?" Ren tried to get through to him.
"Nothing matters without her!"
Ren and Itsuki didn't need to figure out who 'her' is.
"Where's the man who wanted to save everyone!?" Itsuki scolded.
"What about Elena!?" Ren shouted.
Tears formed at the edges of Motoyasu's eyes.
"Where's the spear hero, our friend, Motoyasu Kitamura!" The bow and sword shouted in unison.
Motoyasu finally broke down, releasing Naofumi and falling to the ground, his pink aura and new spear disappearing. His two friends surrounded him, comforting him. Naofumi, now free, looked at the man before him and ignored him. He was never his target anyway.
"Oh, you're coming straight to me?"
Malty asked with an evil smile.
"I want to kill you with my bare hands."
"Really? Then I suppose we'll need to be closer."
Malty walked forward as well, unafraid to face Naofumi, a sphere of fire in her hand.
"Grandfather? That is impossible!" DIO sternly said to the odd child before him.
"How? I am your son's daughter."
"My...son?"
"DIOPHANTUS, the smartest being in the UNIVERSE!"
"Child, I am from another world."
"I know. My father arrived here twenty years ago."
"Twenty years!? Did he arrive at the same time as Enya? It would explain their children, but...how?"
"Where is he?"
"Back home, in Q'ten Lo."
"The isolated nation populated by demi-humans?"
"PRECISELY!"
DIO flinched at her loud exclamation.
"Why has he sent a child after me!?"
"I came of my own volition, he would not approve of me seeing you, but my options were limited, for my father is imprisoned."
"Excuse me?"
"Excuse ME!"
The loud voice of Senshi echoed through the sky as she came crashing toward DIO, her wings slowly disintegrating.
"[Theー"
DIO had no time to react before his daughter's body collided with his.
"Jesus Christ," Jouta said, something breaking his fall.
"Who?" Raphtalia woke up with a weight on her back.
"Oh, hey, Raphtalia, nice sword," Jouta stood up and smiled apologetically.
"Thanks," She weakly smiled back.
"Senshi!" DIO cupped Senshi's cheeks with a stressed expression.
"D-DIO?" Senshi nervously answered. DIO's worried demeanour was an odd sight for the girl.
"Are you hurt!? What happened to your skin!?" DIO asked while examining her.
"What's wrong? You're acting funny!" Senshi giggled.
"Funny, you say? Caring for you is my responsibility," DIO held Senshi's shoulders as he spoke, "How have you grown so much?"
"I fought a Wave Boss with Jouta! He let me drink his blood and I got this form!"
"He did what!?" DIO exploded.
"DIO! DIO! I know it sounds bad, BUT!" Jouta hid behind Raphtalia.
"I am sure JoJo can explain himself, right, JoJo!?" Raphtalia held DIO back while shooting Jouta a threatening look.
"We were outmatched and she had counters to all of our powers."
"She?" Raphtalia asked.
"The Queen of Bees! Senshi calls her Elizabeth!"
"Calls? She is not dead!?" DIO sounded disappointed.
Jouta had to back up as the two cornered him.
"Don't be mad at JoJo! He trusted me!" Senshi stood in front of Jouta and stared down Raphtalia and DIO.
DIO was surprised by the passion she put in her words, she had never spoken to him like that.
"I see, I apologise. I undermined you when I should have congratulated your victory."
DIO spoke to Senshi with respect, even bowing elegantly.
"!"
DIO felt Senshi wrap her arms around him tightly, almost breaking his bones.
"You don't have to do that! We're family! Right?" Senshi looked at DIO hopefully.
DIO took a moment to process her words, then returned the hug with equal vigour.
"Of course. The blood merely made you complete, my fear was misplaced," DIO saw Senshi give her happiest smile since conception.
"Always," Raphtalia spoke.
Senshi pulled Raphtalia into the hug as well.
"I love you all," DIO looked at his daughters with nothing but pride and joy. Jouta watched on, somewhat envious, his father would never.
"Do you believe you are exempt, JoJo!?"
DIO pulled Jouta into the hug against his will. The moment represented a union between the four, not just as friends or relatives, but as true family. However, it was quickly disturbed by the odd wet feeling of tentacles touching everyone.
"DIONA!"
DIO turned to find his descendant tinkering with golden jewellery, while her tentacles moved almost independently, likely attracted to the warm gathering of other 'Joestars'.
"Huh?" The young genius shifted her attention away from the gold.
"Who's that!?" Senshi asked with sparkles in her eyes, interested in the girl's demi-human features.
"My granddaughter."
"WHAT!?" Everyone exclaimed, taken aback by the revelation.
"I am DIONA, the third generation of DIO's bloodline."
Everyone stood baffled, but Jouta quickly recognized the girl, at least her aura.
"You're the one who's been calling me," Jouta spoke in reference to the sensation of someone summoning him that he felt before he fought Naofumi.
"I INTENDED to find grandfather, but he ignored me!"
DIO and DIONA glared at each other for a moment before turning their backs with a pout.
"Wait! I'm an auntie now!" Senshi ran over and began pestering her niece.
"I'm a rock! What are you!? What's that!?" She tried grabbing the golden object DIONA was examining. DIONA jumped away with the object in her arms.
"Do not disturb my research!"
"Research?" DIO asked, picking the girl up by the back of her collar to eye level. She presented the object, revealing it to be the smoking remain of Spiral's bracelet. It was partially melted, but mostly intact.
"It survived, unlike that Zelddei's arm."
"You believe the bracelet may be of special craft?"
DIONA nodded and DIO took the bracelet.
"Perhaps Erhard will have use for it."
"Erhard! He's alive!?"
"Yes, I had visited him earlier. I presented him with a proposition and he humbly accepted," DIO explained.
"You make it sound as if it was a fair deal," Raphtalia scratched her head in confusion.
"That's a relief! We came all the way here to confirm it," Jouta calmed down emotionally, adrenaline allowing him to ignore his injuries, but with one sigh of relief, he was sent into a world of pain. He was silent as his eyes closed and he slowly fell face-first to the ground.
"This is no place to die, Joestar."
DIO caught him as he fell. Their topless bodies met with a spark of black and gold electricity between them.
"Rock solid, huh? You should give me your diet," Jouta said, noticing how spotless and fresh DIO's body appeared, despite what he assumed was a gruesome battle.
"Human blood is my go-to to start the day."
"Ha! It hurts to laugh."
"I suggest we SPLIT up!" DIONA shouted at everyone, "Grandfather had intended to meet someone, however..."
DIONA gestured to the two newcomers, hoping to hear their names before she continued.
"Senshi Foo!"
"Jouta Kujo."
"They had arrived. Mr Kujo and Ms Foo can accompany me to this 'Erhard', thus grandfather may meet his friend. Afterwards, we may reconvene here."
"I agree. Time is no man's friend."
"Ironic from you, grandfather."
"Time is not my friend, it is my servant."
*TEMPUS EST MEUM*
The next moment, DIO and Raphtalia vanished, leaving Senshi, Jouta, and DIONA.
"Now, where is this Erhard?"
Senshi picked up Jouta in her arms, and the Joestar fought to remain conscious.
"I'll, uh, give you directions."
"Rishia!"
"AH!"
The meek green-haired girl nearly jumped off the roof she was on.
"D-DIO!"
She turned around to see DIO supporting a battle-torn Raphtalia with a katana strapped to her back.
"Raphtalia?"
Rishia nearly ran to aid the swordswoman, but Raphtalia raised her hand to stop her.
"Do not worry about me. I will recover."
"You defeated the Zelddei!?"
"It was hard fought, but we did it."
"I'm sorry I was of no assistance. I didn't think it would have made a difference."
"You did more than I and DIO combined, without you, many innocent lives would have been lost."
"Thank you, Raphtalia."
"No, it is I who must thank you, Rishia."
Raphtalia used all the strength in her body to stand up straight and bow.
"I agree. You did well, and now we must depart. Knights will arrive soon with the monsters gone."
"Depart where?"
DIO smiled and turned in the southwest direction.
"Straight there. The city of gold, Riyute! I lord over the majority of its land."
Rishia found DIO's confident and dominant personality invigorating. She wanted to see the world how DIO saw it.
"But, first, you shall meet associates of mine. They are sure to both amaze and baffle you."
"O-okay?" Rishia was unsure how to feel about that.
"The world is full of bizarre people and objects. But do not feel overwhelmed, feel empowered! New discoveries create new opportunities!" DIO spoke, and despite his words, in a very calm and controlled voice.
*TEMPUS EST MEUM*
Without warning, Rishia was taken from a roof to the ground in front of three new figures.
"HI!"
"Hey."
"Greetings, marksman!"
Rishia waved and smiled nervously.
"We have much to discuss on the way."
DIO took out a rolled-up page, posing with a golden light illuminating him.
