.

Prologue
Sono Chi no Sadame

If there was one thing in Shido's mind, it wasn't the fact that their extended stay in Liverpool, England that bought joy to her foster sister. And it wasn't the rush of life that was England and its spectacles, with its technological advances bridled with past architecture. When he gazed upon the city for the first time, who couldn't brush off the fact that he shivered for some reason.

He shivered because something crept in his mind. That this city called him-

No, a place called him to where he could find home. And it was trying to lead him to where it was.

He kept the fact to himself, especially his worrisome foster sister. The moment he talks about it, it'd be another bloodbath of a talk. Not that they're angry over finding his parents, but the fact that it might be his wanderlust kicking off their scheduled views of the city.

The blue-haired boy, wearing a long-sleeved sweater and jeans, walked through the less crowded streets of England. Unlike the inner foray of the city, the outskirts felt akin to that of an open field. Instead of machinery and futuristic technology, his eyes set upon the trees that bordered near the side road, right outside of some shops.

He was currently in the residential district, wandering off on his own just to sate what was going on in his mind. It didn't tick him off or bang his head when he wouldn't go, but instead a gentle pull and a single whisper crept to him for every waking hour he walked in the city.

"Come… here…"

He had to admit, he nearly looked like a British or an American. But his heritage was Japanese, so they say. That, and his bluish hair that was supposedly bizarre to look at. He brushed it off, possibly thinking that it must've been the stress of him advancing to the later years in high school. Even so, he can't brush off the fact that the city was… in an odd state.

While the inner city saw its better days, the outskirts felt abandon, making Shido realize that it might've been the reason that most of the buildings around the area looked like it wasn't touched. Even if it was a residential area, it didn't feel like a modern one that he'd expect. A few kind words to passers-by, a few bumps that led him to apologize and a few more turns made the tug felt… a bit more soothing.

It wasn't forcing him. It was welcoming him. Akin to how his younger sister tugs his sleeve whenever he was home.

A moment soon and he realized that the tug pointed him elsewhere, away from the pavement. He 'followed' it with hesitation as the green grass soon flooded his vision. By its look, he was currently traversing a hill with a tree on its top. A few steps made, being careful as it was nearly steep at the point, and he finally reached the top. He placed his right hand on the tree, admiring the view around him.

It wasn't full of buildings. It wasn't full of anything but the vast grasslands around him showed the beauty of nature not found in the illustrious city. A few trees stood far away from him, with smalls bumps of 'hills' made the pasture feel more natural.

Confused, he looked around even more. The feeling welled up even more when he looked at a certain area of the vast grasslands; ruins of a large building, possibly a mansion he reckoned. He felt the tug once again, but it felt more strong. As if a burly man, maybe older of his age, tugged on his sweater's sleeves.

A voice crept at him in his ears again, but more audible than before.

"There… your answer is there."

Shido turned to his left, only to see a ghastly image, nearly transparent to the blue sky, smiling at him. It disappeared soon after, making Shido shiver and wonder.

'Should I go there?'

The feeling made him think otherwise. The tug from it instead led him to continue to the ruins. If his answers lie there, then it better be. He walked again to where the ruins where, passing by a small forest with a dirt road which led to the ruins. A small river ran by to his left, with a slant of ground that led to where it was.

He didn't realize it until it was late. He was parched and sweaty from his walk. Despite his well-maintained physique, he could only do so much for a few kilometers. Even if it wasn't a good idea drinking water from a river bank, he still did so in his parched fervor. Refreshed, he swiped his sweat with his forearms and resting near the edge of the bank, sitting on the ground as the shade of a tree gave him comfort from the sun's heat.

A cool breeze soon passed by, rustling the trees. He closed in eyes in joy, as his body shivered up from the sudden change of temperature. He didn't feel a tug at all, but it still made him think to go to the ruins. A few minutes he rested before continuing his journey. He dusted off the dirt in his jeans and stretched for a bit, before hiking back to the high ground where the dirt road was.

For a while, however, a carving near a tree caught his attention. With his full attention, he walked to it and leaned closer, seeing that it was a heart that enclosed two names.

"JoJo. Erina."

Shido muttered, blinking as the sudden thought of two lovers flirting in the riverbank started to show. He blinked, seeing that the illusion was no longer there. He continued to walked further just as the tug made him do so. It wasn't for a few more minutes until Shido could see the ruins clearly, with a better depiction of it to boot.

The ruins, somewhat reminiscent of a destroyed mansion, mantled a fountain in front of it. It wasn't touched for about many years, judging by the concrete's structure. The fountain no longer didn't spout water, leaving only an empty fountain.

He didn't feel a tug anymore, and was instead replaced with a warm touch to his nape. What does it want? Is this birthmark more than just a reminder that he wasn't truly a part of the Itsuka household? Did it, of all the bizarre things in the world, dragged him here?

He pondered and pondered, walking around the destroyed building. He inspected the rubble, even standing on top of it. Nothing noteworthy was found, except for a stoney face that belonged to a statue's. He move the rocks away from it, only to reveal a statue that was discussed months before in Art Class.

"A statue of Venus…"

It was a delicate thing, too. Knowing his art teacher back at Raizen, he might've overreacted and hunted down whoever set the place on fire.

Wait, what?

He noticed it. The place had scorch marks in its rubble. Darkened by black soot with white dust to boot. It was obvious. The place, despite having stone in its architecture, still fell down from a fire. Then again, buildings from that era still had wood incorporated in it. It wasn't even touched by almost anyone, save for a hand mark that was visible from a piece of rubble

The rubble was covered with black soot, but a hand mark was shaped on it. It was a moment too soon to see a skeleton underneath the rubble. Shido nearly gagged from the sight, but soon relaxed as he regained his breathing.

He pieced it all together. The place was burned, but a skeleton was there. And the rubble near it showed that it struggled, meaning that this skeleton belonged to a man who scoured the place after it went down in flames. He gathered his thoughts, sitting at the edge of the drained fountain.

He thought and thought of it, not even noticing what was behind of him the whole time. Instead of disturbing the young boy, the woman herself only looked at the pondering boy with curiosity. He felt distressed but that alone made him even more curious to what happened here, which she knew.

The blonde woman, draped in a brown coat that covered her body and thigh-high black shoes, looked further on the boy, her blue eyes locked on his back. He had blue hair, oddly, with a body figure that was fit yet skinny. More when she looked at his nape. She couldn't believe it as well.

She took a loud step or two, getting the attention of a teenager who took a fighting pose, making him more inexperienced. He glared at the blonde-bunned woman, but that face didn't match with his goofy way of 'fighting' back at the person who appeared out of nowhere.

The more experienced woman laughed at his charade, clutching her hands to her stomach as Shido gritted his teeth in annoyance. The woman had green lips, with two black buns on her hair. Her blonde bangs along with a blonde pig-tail somewhat made it weird for a person who would just one and up him.

"You think it's funny, huh!?" He shouted, clenching his fists.

She soon stopped and looked at him with a smile, almost making him step back by her sudden nature to smile than to be angry or stoic.

"I'm sorry about that," she wiped a tear from her eyes, "It's been a long time since I've seen someone do that in front of me."

Shido looked at the rubble, before looking back at him, "Do you know about this place?"

"Of course," she nodded, "but what I'm surprised of is why we have the same thing on our backs."

He steeled his eyes at her, as she turned back and showed her nape, which made Shido drop his eyes. It was the same birthmark that he had.

"I'm surprised that I don't know you at all."

Shido raised his brow, only for her to huff.

"You see, having a foundation at your back can do wonders. What I'm surprised about is how you're not the result of a…" she scratched her neck, "one-night stand."

"And before you start going angry," she raised her hand, "I'll let you know that we keep tabs on our family tree. In case of inheritance issues."

Shido sighed, looking at her with a frowned face.

The bun-haired woman crossed her arms, "Care to tell your name?"

"Itsuka Shido."

"Jolyne Cujoh, but it's Kujo Jolyne in Japanese."

Shido blinked at her in confusion, "Y-you don't look like Japanese at all!"

"It's what you get when you have British, American and Japanese blood in you. And same for you, you're quite tall for a Japanese kid."

Shido huffed at her comment, disregarding it for more important questions.

"…Still, I don't know why I'm here in the first place anyway. It's just that there's some voice calling me out here and... that's just it," Shido explained, causing Jolyne to raise her brow.

"A weird answer for someone who's just wandering around," Jolyne replied.

"Yeah, but it just happened."

Jolyne scratched her chin, deep in thought before an idea chimed as she snapped her finger, "It might be your Stand!"

"My Stand?" Shido raised his brow.

"It's expected that you wouldn't know. I mean," Jolyne shrugged her shoulders, "it took me a long while before I knew I had one."

"How does that answer my-"

Shido stopped, as he saw a being come out of Jolyne's glowing body. It had a light blue skin, with sunglasses to boot. It was skinny similar to its user, with a face stoic enough that it had a cool feeling around it.

"Wh-who is that?!"

"Stone Free. This is my Stand," she looked at the being floating behind her, its head tilted and looking towards Shido.

"So... that's a Stand?" Jolyne nodded.

"Apparently." The being then started to fade, "How about you summon yours?"

"How do I do that?"

"Simple, think like you're in danger or you want to do something. It's purely instinctual. Stone Free acts because of my will, so you should as well."

"Well... okay then."

Shido closed his eyes, thinking of whatever situation he is in before he'd get a gist of it. When he saw darkness, he saw a small flame flicker before it busted out. The teenager opened his eyes, before dumbstruck as he didn't see anything. No, he didn't feel anything at all. He looked around, including his back, to see wherever his 'Stand' was.

"W-where is it?" He looked around, before locking eyes with Jolyne.

She shook her head, "Well, I might as well do... this."

"What-"

Immediately, Stone Free busted out of its user, quickly throwing a punch towards Shido. His eyes widen, seeing something coming out from his peripheral vision and interlocking its own blue fist with Stone Free's own. A small gust of wind from the blow was felt from the two. Jolyne smiled, but before the being could fully materialize, it faded back to Shido's body. She raised her brow in confusion.

"Did you... call it back?"

"Huh?" Shido blinked, "I don't think so."

"Well, try summoning it again."

The teenager tried again, only to find his effort wasted.

"What?!" He grumbled, "That's just lame!"

The teenager sighed, feeling Jolyne's hand placed on his shoulder, "Maybe you just need to concentrate a bit. But I do think the only way you'd bring it up is a bit of luck or worse; fighting like you're already dying."

"I don't really like the sound of that."

"Well, you'd better be." Her eyes gazed on Shido's, "Say, have you met some Stand users before?"

"...I don't think so."

"I see," she let her hand off of his shoulder, "Odd that you've been in a peaceful side for once. Stand users do attract Stand users, after all."

"Now that just doesn't make sense at all," he crossed his arms.

"You'll know after a while, maybe. Still, you having that star does raise a few flags."

"Like?"

"I don't remember anyone else in the family having bastards," Shido glared at her, "I mean, we had one but we had that solved quickly. Case in point."

"So, what does that make me? A cousin or something?"

She chuckled, "I wouldn't be surprised if you're my... well, uncle. Half-uncle."

"You're joking, right?"

"If only I could but, my family's already weird."

Shido sighed, "So... what now?"

"Well, you do want some answers, right?"

Shido nodded.

"How about I tell you more about my family?" She looked at the rubble, "Besides, this place is where it all began."

"Began what?"

"The two century legacy of the Joestars. One night changed how this world worked."

"Now that's just cliche."

"How cliche is getting your own universe nearly reset?"

Shido stood there in silence.

"I got my answer there, but I guess you'd want to know more, right?"

The teenager nodded, seeing as Jolyne took a seat at the dried-up fountain.

"Take a seat," she patted the fountain, "I'll tell you everything from start to finish."

They sat on the fountain for about three hours or so. Her profound story made him think of it as unreal, even when she showed her Stand, Stone Free, against him. It all started when Jonathan, the heir to the Joestar lineage, crossed paths with Dio Brando, a man who would soon reject his humanity for greater power. His grandson, Joseph, continued his legacy that led him to defeating Kars and the Pillar Men, as much as how absurd it is to win against a god.

Maybe all along, the stars he wished on also included him out of all things?

After that, Dio came back, but with Jonathan's body. Casting off the Brando name, he was soon called DIO, a terror mightier than that of the biggest spacequake in their world. Her father, Kujo Jotaro, soon led to his destruction. Another generation came towards Josuke, who was the bastard son of Joseph. The somewhat gangster protected his hometown from a murderous man who had fetishes for hands, as well as other Stand users.

After that, came the journey of Giorno, who was the fusion of who was Jonathan, DIO and a Japanese woman, much to Shido's imagination. His road to being a 'gangstar' was more than that, as it involved him stopping his boss from ever attaining the power he wanted. And then came her journey. Locked in a prison, and to see her Stand to which she used to stop Pucci, who falsely arrested her in the first place.

And that wasn't the end of it.

Just as before Jolyne could ever beat the crap out of Pucci, a younger version of her father appeared out of nowhere and tells them of a threat greater than their world's DIO; another DIO, but one that has managed to reach heaven himself. And killed its timeline's Jotaro. Her quest spanned even more, meeting the past generations which included the one who started it all.

And if there's one thing she could say to her ancestor… it's that even without a Stand, he can beat the crap out of everyone. That, and the people inside the turtle they were in, oddly. And it went further to help their alternate universe counterparts before finally stopping DIO Over Heaven. And that was something.

And that something led to being better.

The future envisioned her and the rest of the gang to die by Pucci's hands. With Star Platinum: The World Over Heaven's powers, those mistakes were corrected. No one from the past, save for Jonathan's sacrifice, had to suffer the fate of death. Those who died alongside them managed to finally beat their respective enemies without any injury. And it made his father smile as the bother of losing friends didn't reach him anymore.

But time, no matter what you do, will make you age. Something that his Stand couldn't overwrite, as well as the time it rules.

"And after that, we got married. And the massive spacequake," she breathed in, before exhaling, "And that's how it ends."

And her story was over. The over-the-top story that involves his supposed 'heritage' towards the Joestar Bloodline. That the history he shares with her involved series of heroisms untold throughout the ages that still left a mark on the sands of time. Their destiny intertwined with that of the world, and they make sure it stays that way; no matter who they are before it happened.

"I just can't believe a story like that, even if you have Stone Free," he stated, earning Jolyne's sigh.

"It's expected. At least you're not brain-dead enough to easily think that most of the stories you hear are real."

"…Yeah."

He gazed at the sunset, placing his right hand on his neck.

"If that's how it's supposed to be, then no matter what I do, the time I'll do something will come?"

"After all that I said, it better be."

"Still, it's just hard to think that spacequakes aren't the only thing killing people. By the millions, too."

"It's really one bizarre adventure, don't you think?"

"Yeah."

"…You've got anything else to say other than 'Yeah'?"

Shido shook his head, before looking back at the sunset.

"I'm sure my family's just gonna laugh at this, especially my sister."

"And they'll laugh even more when you tell them about my great-grandpa's story."

"Still," he glanced at her with curiosity, "how are you so young? Didn't you say you were 20 back in 2012?"

As a response, she could only close her eyes and breath in, before seeing a spark of energy flow from her body. It covered her completely, before losing its shine.

"The Ripple. Great-grandpa taught me while he still can."

"Funny how breathing can make you younger more than any makeup."

"Now now, a few makeup won't hurt to make someone look better."

"Just an opinion."

"Says you," She paused, before an idea popped up in her head, "You want to see if you have the Ripple?"

"Well, I don't know but-"

Shido gasped for air as Jolyne unexpected thrust her pinkie to his diaphragm, causing him to regain his breath. He started to voice his own opinion, but that was soon diminished when a spark of energy also enveloped him. Just as potent as of Jolyne's, but still unrefined.

"Just practice your breathing and you're good," she sighed, however, "Too bad I can't teach you since you said that your flight's tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah," he nodded, "My last day ends up getting wasted by a story that might involve the star in my neck. At least I know that there's something going on."

Shido stood up and walked towards her. He extended his hand, with Jolyne realizing it as she extended her hand as well. They then shake their hands as the sun set was there to give a somber view of their meeting.

"I'm just gonna keep this a secret to my family for a while. I'd know they wouldn't take it far seriously, starting from punching vampires by using a breathing technique that uses the power of the sun."

"And how my dad can stop time freely? Sure, be my guest."

Shido chuckled, before they broke off from the hand shaking. Jolyne took the initiative to leave first, taking off to the sunset.

"Until we meet again, Itsuka Shido!" she waved at him as her figure was getting consumed by the sunset's light, "And don't bother giving me your number! The foundation can handle it themselves!"

"Yeah!" He shouted and waved back at her, "See you again, Jolyne!"

She was soon far ahead of him, which made him ponder for a moment before leaving as well. The ruins truly did bring them together, even if it was short while. Just to prove that this is truly a home they could go to, no matter what happens or where they will go. The question lies on how he could train his Ripple and bring out his stand, somehow.

But unknowingly for him, Jolyne took a resealable plastic container and placed a tuft of Shido's blue hair in it. She knew because of how absurd her adventures are that she couldn't displace the lingering impossibility in her mind. Because for some reason, or truly all the reason in the world, it just works. And for her, she wishes it to be like that.

His morning back at Tenguu City wasn't the best. Last night still got him on the edge as his foster parents were already departing for a business trip, with tomorrow being the most occasional thing in the world; going back to school in a Friday no goddamn less. That, and Kotori slamming him in his guts first thing in the morning didn't sit well with him. He scared her off with a cringe-worthy tactic, before utilizing the Ripple to rejuvenate his injured gut. He breathed and felt the rush of energy slowly healing him and his abdomen.

Shido then swapped to his school uniform before going downstairs, still watching his terrified foster sister tremble behind a sofa chair. He then scared her off before telling her that everything was back to normal. And at times, it didn't sit well for him. He could only sigh as he prepared their breakfast. Eggs, toasted bread, bacon and milk. The standard.

Just as he placed the last plate on the table, he then called at Kotori, who was licking a lollipop first thing in the moment. It didn't make him hesitate as he approached behind her.

"What did I say about eating candy before breakfast?" He grabbed the lollipop's stick, his hands and her mouth competing for the piece of candy

"No, onii-chan! Can't you leave us two in peace?!"

"And not eat breakfast?" He crossed his arms and glared at her, "You sure you want me to call Mom right no-"

"No, please. I'll eat breakfast now! I promise!" She took out the lollipop from her mouth and raised it up high, earning a huff of success from Shido.

"Good. Since you're a good girl, I'll let you eat that after we eat breakfast, okay?"

"Yes!"

The middle-school girl, clad in her white uniform, jolted from the couch and sat on the chair near the table where the food was. The blue-haired teenager was left near the couch to where she was, holding the candy she was licking on. And suffice to say, that story did brush off from some of the ingenious that is Joseph. And he had to admit, he has to start being like him… and the other Joestars as well. Mentally and physically.

He then walked back to the dining table, watching Kotori happily munch down the food that he prepared for her. Shido, as well, sat on his table and dined in. He, however, can't take his eyes off from the current situation shown in the news in front of the TV. He shuddered at the thought, but it didn't make him feel scared.

'After what Jolyne-san said, I don't know if Spacequakes are going to be the death of me.'

He shrugged it off and started to eat his strip of bacon.

After a while, Kotori placed her hand on her already-full stomach, just as Shido drank his glass of milk. He gulped in delight and cleaned the smear that was in his lips, before placing the glass back to the table to see his red-haired pigtailed sister standing and leaning towards him, her hands placed on the table.

"Hey, onii-chan. Can we go to a diner to eat lunch?"

He tilted his head and smiled at her, "Nope."

"Uwaahhh, but I wanna eat that new menu that they have!"

Shido crossed his arms and sighed, "After all those trips to the diners back at England, you're still not satisfied?"

"Yep!"

His head tilted down in disappointment, his face turning to that of annoyance. What made matters worse was how she silently smiled as she leaned further towards the table.

"Fine."

"Yaaaay!"

"But no diners this month."

She raised her thumb, "Kotori can handle that!"

He could only put his palm on his face in his sister's annoyance and stubbornness. Swear to any being out there, possibly God or Kars out of all things, that she'd be reliant to him. It was his first step at making sure that whenever college starts to drop by and forces him to leave the city, at least the sense of his sister needing him won't worry him too much.

"But," she placed her finger on his lips, "you have to make sure you'd come!"

"I know, I kno-"

"No! Not even if a terrorist or a spacequake comes there, you have to!"

"Kotori, are you seriously that-"

She used her cry-cute face on him again, and can't complain it either. It wasn't just a one-sided battle, it was a fairly even match that Shido has to win.

"Fine, but remember that our parents are gonna smack me for this."

"Yeeaahh!"

She burst in joy, happily jumping from her seat. After finishing their meal, Shido just stood up and removed his apron before adjusting his tie and getting his suitcase, with Kotori following suit. The two then wore their shoes waiting in front of the door, before going outside the sunny city that is Tenguu City.

Never did he know that his blood destiny would start that day.