?
?
"It seems we are rather close to seeing our guest's full potential… How interesting… I look forward to seeing it."
Pisa
Italy
When Sana and Shizuka escaped their prison and stumbled into the street, they were greeted by a relentless downpour. They glanced around, trying to get their bearings. It was a neglected, shadowy corner of the city, where the council had long since given up on maintenance. Homeless men huddled under makeshift shelters, seeking refuge from the rain. Overflowing bins spilled garbage onto the pavement, and the walls were a chaotic canvas of graffiti tags layered upon each other.
They had lost their phones in the attack, and neither particularly wanted to spend potential hours looking for them in what turned out to be a massive and intricate labyrinth of rooms and passageways.
Sana was still inconsolable. Shizuka felt bad for her ever since she found her trapped. "This is just a high school girl, she shouldn't be dealing with this shit." Shizuka had her fair share of trials during her formative years, but it never involved being tortured. Palaces and Shadows were tame compared to what Sana had just been through. "Hmm… Shido was pretty bad, though."
Sana managed to partially heal their electrical burns during their escape, which provided some relief. They felt a sense of comfort knowing that the enemy had either given up or had been taken out by someone else—most likely the latter. Their aimless wandering concluded when they noticed Vuoto and Beneficci seeking shelter from the rain under an awning in front of a bakery. The bakery was very out of place in the dingy area of the city they were in, with high quality displays and an inviting aroma wafting out the door.
Vuoto and Beneficci noticed the drenched escapees and waved them over.
"Hey guys!" Vuoto greeted, "Where'd you go?"
"What do you mean 'where'd we go?!' We got kidnapped!" Sana complained.
Beneficci blinked as they joined each other under the awning. "Yeah, we know. I think he meant what took you so long."
Shizuka scoffed. "We must've had very different traps because we were electrocuted over and over."
"I think mine was going for that but I have a long-range Stand so it was no problem to disarm." Beneficci said.
"I spat my metal plate out of my mouth and shorted out the battery."
"Well I'm glad you're okay, then." Sana said sarcastically.
"Oh! I forgot to mention," Vuoto turned to Shizuka. " I saw Viale and another guy for like a split second a few minutes ago. They disappeared so fast though — it must've been the enemy's Stand."
"Must be some kind of teleportation. That makes sense. Do you know where our stuff is?"
"I have your phone, Shizuka, but I couldn't open it to call anyone."
She handed Shizuka the phone from her pocket . Shizuka instantly dialled Giorno, as Viale had lost his phone in that twenty-sided dice when he lost his Stand.
"Hey Shizuka," Viale answered.
Shizuka mouthed 'it's Viale' to the others. "Hey, what happened to your dad? Why'd you pick up?"
"Oh he got shot and is currently passed out on the ground. I need Sana to patch him up, by the way. I'm at the Tower of Pisa."
By the time the group reconvened at the Tower, it had all but stopped raining. People were coming out of their homes and hotels to enjoy the Italian springtime.
Viale had propped his unconscious father on a park bench, his limp body sitting peacefully next to his son. Viale had found a pair of sunglasses and slid them over his father's eyes, and he had the man's arm around his shoulders. To an outsider, it looked like a son was helping his father over a tough hangover.
Scollipi stood to the side, holding his Stand to prevent it from getting away from him.
"Rough night?" Shizuka joked, half-eyeing the unknown Scollipi.
"Hurry up and heal him please. He's heavy." Viale said, "Also, shut up. Remember that night Vuoto was attacked? You were hammered."
Sana left Shizuka's side and put her hand on Giorno's shoulder. "What happened?"
"This guy had a teleportation Stand, basically. He could teleport to anywhere he'd been to within the past day. He had a bunch of sniper spots set up around the city."
Sana thought back to her prison, and how thought-out it was for a close-ranged Stand like hers and Shizuka's. "How'd you beat him?"
Viale rolled his shoulders as the air around him as ｢Blue Sky Mine｣ emerged from his body. It resembled ｢Mr. Blue Sky｣ with its stature, but it was observably less bulky. Gone were the multicolour stripes, being replaced with muted shades of blue and realistic lightning-bolt patterns running down its body. Its eyes were perfectly round and a deep shade of red. It looked a lot more human than the robotic Mr. Blue Sky.
There were a few gasps as Viale announced, "This is Blue Sky Mine. My Stand." He looked right into Vuoto's eyes and winked. "Hey, Vuoto. Welcome back to my life."
Giorno stirred. "Mhm… you got your Stand back?" Viale nodded and withdrew his Stand. "Good." He checked his watch. "We have to go. Our train is in half an hour."
Before he could leave, Scollipi called out. "Don Giovanna, Signor Giovanna, do you have a minute?"
Giorno rolled his newly healed shoulder and signalled Viale over. "What's up?"
Scollipi adjusted his Stand in his arms and revealed Giorno's face etched into the marble. A wave of panic washed over Giorno as he went light in the head. "What… what does this mean?" he asked. Of course, he knew exactly what was meant by your face appearing in the ｢Rolling Stones｣.
"It means your days are numbered, Don. You will die soon."
Beneficci had learned her lesson and was now more paranoid than ever. ｢Hotel California｣ flew as high as it could while staying in range, wanting not to get jumped like they were earlier in the day.
It was a brisk speed-walk to the train station. Viale caught his father giving him the parent's version of a stink eye as he grumbled about the bloodstains on his suit. He seemed to ignore the bullet hole on the right shoulder that was certainly not Viale's fault.
Sana walked next to Viale. "GioGio?" she caught his attention, "Thanks… for beating that guy."
"My pleasure?"
"No, I mean it. What was his name? Richiamare? He dropped me in a puddle with a car battery in it."
Viale's eyes narrowed. "Good thing I stopped him."
"Yeah, but, I have a question." Sana looked him in the eye. "Where is he? What did you even do to him?"
Viale stopped, but was urged along by Shizuka from behind. He knew there was a chance that someone asked, but he had hoped they didn't.
He eyed Beneficci. "He's… taken care of," Viale finally said, his voice low and guarded. "You don't need to worry about him anymore."
Sana frowned, not entirely satisfied with the vague answer. "Taken care of how? Did you…"
Viale cut her off, his tone firm but not unkind. "Sana, some things are better left unknown. Trust me, he won't be bothering you or anyone else again."
Shizuka placed a reassuring hand on Sana's shoulder. "Viale did what he had to do. Let's focus on moving forward."
Sana nodded slowly, still processing the information. She knew Viale and Shizuka were right, but curiosity gnawed at her. For now, she decided to let it go, trusting in her friends' judgement.
Beneficci and Shizuka watched him knowingly. "Keep an eye on him." Shizuka said.
Train Carriage
Between Pisa and Firenze
Vuoto, for one, was overjoyed that his best friend could see him again. They had managed to secure seats next to each other on the train, allowing them to catch up after what felt like an eternity apart.
"So, what can your Stand do now?" Vuoto asked, his curiosity piqued.
Viale's aura flared with a vibrant energy. "Pretty much the same as the old one. I can go into surfaces, of course," he said, demonstrating by dunking his head into the tray table in front of him. His head disappeared into the surface, only to reappear a moment later. "I can finally use my d20 again. I lost my phone in '4' this whole trip." He paused. "But uh… something else happened during the fight. It's probably easier to just show you."
He brought his hand up in front of his face and focused his new power. Slowly, his index finger began to shrink and elongate, transforming into a sharp point. Vuoto's eyebrows shot up in astonishment as he recognized the ability.
"That's… that's Zeppeli's Stand! What the hell? How?!" Vuoto exclaimed, his voice a mix of shock and awe.
"I don't know," Viale admitted, shaking his head. "I just reawakened my Stand and I could use it. Before you ask, I've tried other people's Stands too. No dice. It's just Zeppeli's Stand."
"That's so weird! I wonder why it's only that one…" Vuoto's face brightened slightly. "Hey… wanna prank someone with it?"
"Absolutely not. That would be an insult to Zeppeli's name," Viale responded firmly, his expression serious.
"Sure, but didn't Zeppeli hate you and your dad?" Vuoto asked, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Viale sighed, his gaze distant as he recalled the past. "Yeah, he did. But that doesn't mean I should disrespect his memory. He was a formidable opponent, and I've learned to respect that."
Vuoto nodded, understanding the gravity of Viale's words. "I get it. It's just… so strange to see you with his Stand. It's like a part of him is still here."
"Maybe it is," Viale mused, a thoughtful look on his face. "You know… I think he might've appreciated a good prank on Giorno."
Giorno poked at the phantom hole in his shoulder and let out a sigh. Knowing that you don't have long to live was certainly a wrench in his plans for the world. Scollipi had promised that he would drop his Stand off the Tower of Pisa to stop its pursuit, so he no longer had to worry about that.
He was also conflicted about Viale re-entering the fight. On one hand, having another competent Stand user on their side was a large advantage. On the other hand, Giorno never wanted his son to be involved in this conflict.
It was a never ending fight with himself and with his wife. Grace knew what she was getting herself into, but when she was pregnant with Viale, they had vowed to keep him as far away from the Stand life as possible. But as always, Stand users attract other Stand users.
He sat in his own section of the train next to Rossi at the end of his carriage, separated by the rest of the group in the carriage behind them. The rhythmic clatter of the train on the tracks filled the silence between them.
"What was he like?" Sana's voice cut through the monotony, startling Giorno slightly.
Giorno definitely did not jump at Sana breaking the silence. "What was who like?" he asked, his voice steady but his eyes betraying a hint of curiosity.
"Viale. Before he came to Venice." Sana sat across the aisle from him, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharp and probing. Giorno looked quizzically at Sana, his brow furrowing.
"He was… much the same as he is now?" Giorno replied, though his tone suggested uncertainty.
"That's bullshit. Who he is now and who he was when he got to Accademia Ilmagistrale are two different people," Sana retorted, her voice firm and unyielding.
"I'd like to think I know my own son better than someone he met a few weeks ago," Giorno said, his tone growing defensive.
Sana stared him down, her gaze unwavering. "Are you so sure? From what he's told me, you weren't around long enough to actually get to know him."
Giorno stiffened and straightened his back, his eyes narrowing with a warning glint. "Miss Rossi, let me remind you what I do for a living."
"What's his favourite colour?" Sana asked, her voice calm but challenging.
Giorno blinked, momentarily thrown off. "Blue?"
"Nope, red. Who's his favourite musician?"
"Jeff Beck?"
"Wrong. It's the Bee Gees. When's his birthday?"
Giorno paused, his confidence wavering. "This information has nothing to do with keeping my son safe."
"You're right. But if you don't know this stuff, you might as well just be a bodyguard, not a father," Sana said, her voice softening slightly but still carrying an edge of truth.
"I don't need your input in my very private family affairs," Giorno snapped, his voice cold and final.
"Please. You need all the help you can get," Sana replied, her tone unwavering and filled with determination.
"You don't get to tell me what I need," Giorno retorted, his eyes narrowing as he glared at her.
"From what I've heard, your entire organisation is in shambles, your wife is a damsel in distress behind enemy lines, and you've lost your Stand arrow. Summary – you need help, big time." She took a breath, her words hanging heavily in the air. "I'll admit, I'm not the best fighter. You probably outclass me in healing too. I saw you hesitate after I healed you back at the Tower – you didn't really think Viale could take out t-that guy on his own," she stammered, her voice faltering slightly. "I've seen Viale fight – he's amazing, he's unstoppable, but that doesn't matter when his own father doesn't have faith in him."
Giorno's expression hardened, but a flicker of doubt crossed his eyes. The train continued its relentless journey, the rhythmic clatter of the tracks underscoring the tension between them. Sana's words struck a chord, and for a moment, the Don of Passione seemed almost… vulnerable.
Giorno Giovanna exited the train's toilet looking considerably grumpier than when he entered. He caught Vuoto's snickering from around the corner, and sighed.
"Gioviale, come here," he called out, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation.
Viale rounded the corner completely straight-faced, his eyes betraying a glint of mischief. "Yes?" he responded, feigning innocence.
"I take it the… cling wrap… was your doing?" Giorno asked, his tone stern but calm.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Viale replied, his expression unwavering.
Giorno wasn't impressed. "I may not have seen you do it, and I may not have proof, but know this: I am watching."
Viale's cheeks tightened, holding back a smirk. "What an odd thing to say. What would I have to do with any transparent kitchen products covering toilet appliances?"
Giorno stared at his son, his gaze piercing. "I was your age once. Don't think I don't know."
"Know what?" Viale retorted, his voice dripping with faux innocence.
As the two parted ways, the air shimmered in the corner across from the toilet compartment, and Shizuka burst out laughing. Her laughter echoed through the narrow corridor, adding a layer of surrealism to the already bizarre situation. She had been using her Stand ability to remain invisible, witnessing the entire exchange unfold.
Giorno shook his head, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Despite the prank, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Pulling one over on Giorno Giovanna was not a simple feat.
Worst of all, he could have sworn he saw a boy whose life was cut short in Gioviale.
Accademia Magistrale
Staff Room
"I got word from Shizuka and Giorno. Right now, they need information. They're going to search around Florence for an informant. You two, find what you can in the school."
Fragi and Matito internally thanked the lord almighty for Polnareff's Stand. They had captured two guards in Coco Jumbo and had been using their bodies for infiltration for days now. It was hard on Polnareff, keeping his Stand active the whole time, but he said it was like stretching his legs for the first time in years, and didn't mind the exercise.
It was an odd sight — two students pretending to be mafiosos around dozens of real gangsters. Matito made liberal use of Take On Me to watch around corners, and Fragi was there as an emergency shield, with Stayin Alive working on whatever body he was currently inhabiting.
For a gang, Apatia was surprisingly organised, with rosters and timesheets for patrolling the corridors. Those who weren't in the school were in the city doing what they usually did to keep up appearances. Only Capos and the Don were consistently on campus. One of these capos was staring directly at Fragi and Matito as they entered the staff room.
"Antonio, Fred," he greeted, and returned to reading the newspaper. Fragi and Matito gave each other a look and skirted around the outside of the room. "You two are horrible at espionage."
"W-what?"
"I know you two aren't Antonio and Fred. If you were, I wouldn't be able to concentrate and read the paper like this." He folded the paper. "Antonio is known to enter rooms with a bold entrance, and Fred is always talking everyone's ears off. So, what do you two want?"
They knew they were caught.
"We want information." Matito decided to say it outright, after subtly reading his Stand and learning they weren't going to get away without a fight.
"Information? Very well. I will trade you information, in exchange for something else."
"What could you want?" Fragi questioned.
"I am a simple man. I enjoy games, you see? Any game – board games, video games, card games… I play them all. But I can never find an opponent that's… skilled enough to beat me. So I pose this: we play a game. If you win, I will give you one question. Anything you want. If I win…" a figure slowly manifested on the table in front of him, "I win your souls."
To Be Continued =