Chapter Text
It was suppose to be a simple mission.
Reports of an illegal drug trade in a smaller district had reached Giorno's ears from an unspecified source. A second anonymous source revealed at least one stand user on the rogue team. Aware it could be either a potential threat, a trap, or absolutely nothing, Giorno didn't want to start a fight if it turned out to be a false lead. What more he could never lead his team into a possible trap.
During breakfast Giorno gave Narancia orders for a reconnaissance mission at the abandoned restaurant news of malicious movement had been discovered. Giorno concluded someone within the organization's unit feared retribution and ratted out his team to avoid the new boss' wrath.
"Are you clear on your orders?" Giorno asked the older teen.
"Yeah, yeah, I got it," Narancia replied and shoved another spoonful of cereal in his mouth.
"Be serious," Fugo scolded and elbowed Narancia in the arm.
Narancia groaned and glared at Fugo while a stream of milk dribbled down his chin.
"Don't screw this up, we're unaware of how many are involved," said Fugo.
"If it is a whole unit, including stand users do you think it's safe for him to go alone?" Mista inquired.
"I agree, it might be better to send backup," Bruno suggested.
"I'll go," Mista volunteered and pulled the gun from his pants.
"We'll need you if it's decided we need to raid," Giorno said. He looked over to Fugo and ordered, "I'll have you go with Narancia."
Fugo met eyes with his boss and nodded.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" questioned Mista.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Fugo snapped, tossing the milk-coated spoon on the table.
"Relax," Abbacchio ordered, not removing his gaze from the steaming cup of tea. "We've sent Fugo on countless recon missions in the past."
"Indeed, I'm confident in my decision," Giorno agreed.
Narancia smiled, having not been on a mission with Fugo in some time, at least not since Giorno took over Passione. Fugo was usually wrapped up in paperwork and the only time they got to spend together was during meals and a few fun activities they spent with the other team members. They had been so busy, Fugo hadn't had time to tutor him anymore, not that Narancia complained, but he did want to spend more time with his first true friend.
The two finished breakfast and hurried to ready themselves for the mission.
On his way to his room Fugo overheard Mista say to the remaining three, "I'm just saying his stand is too dangerous. If he and Narancia get ambushed, how will he be able to defend himself without hurting Narancia?"
Fugo's heart sank at those words. It was a true fear he felt most days when he was sent out on a mission, and the fuel for many nightmares, yet to hear them come from the lips of a supposed friend hurt on a deeper level.
"Let's not think that way," Bruno interrupted. "This is a simple mission. Once they have their information they will escape without any harm."
Narancia met up with Fugo in the hallway as they walked towards the door. Narancia noticed the downcast look on his friend's face and frowned, but chose not to say anything. Fugo was not one to openly discuss his feelings, and more often than not snapped at Narancia to drop it, if not also punching a wall.
Standing by the door was Bruno with the car keys in hand. Narancia's eyes lit up as he bounced forward to accept the keys only for the capo to place them in Fugo's hand.
"Hey, I'm older," Narancia whined.
"And Fugo is a better driver," Bruno countered much to Narancia's displeasure. He blew a raspberry at Pannacotta then headed outside.
Before Fugo left Bruno stopped him with a firm hand on the shoulder.
"Remember, this is only recon," Bruno stated. "Only use your stand if it's necessary."
Fugo nodded then headed for the car. Narancia was already seated in the passenger seat, buckled up, and searching for a CD.
Fugo sat down as Narancia selected the desired disc. The key turned the ignition and Narancia wasted no time inserting the rap CD into the player.
"I got an idea," the dark-haired boy said. "How 'bout you drive down there, and I can drive on the way back."
"I'm not riding passenger to your driving," Fugo argued.
"Aw, you're no fun," Narancia groaned and crossed his arms, wearing a pout.
"Take this seriously," Fugo scolded. "This is an in and out mission. We find out what we need to know and we get out. Giorno made it clear not to engage in battle if we don't nee-"
"Blah, blah, blah, I get it," Narancia interrupted. "You don't have to keep lecturing me like I'm some kind of dumb child."
The two sat in silence for a moment, the sound of the engine and the music from the CD player providing the only noise. Fugo flipped on the turn signal and directed the vehicle towards their location.
"I am taking it seriously," Narancia finally said in a quiet voice.
Fugo glanced over at the older teen then returned his gaze to the road.
"I get it, you don't like using your stand, and I promise I won't let that happen," Narancia added.
Fugo only sighed in response, a tone that clued Narancia to drop the subject. The dark-haired boy leaned on his elbow against the window, humming along to the melody of the familiar tune.
After a fifteen minute drive Fugo parked a few buildings away from where the drug trafficking supposedly took place. The two boys released their seatbelts and exited Bruno's car. The smells from the shops secreted the scents of bread and sweets into the air. Narancia made a mental note to visit this area on a day they weren't tied down with a mission.
They walked along the sidewalk, slowing their pace as they passed by the restaurant that had gone out of business over a year ago. Two vehicles with tinted windows parked outside the supposedly empty building raised suspicion.
Through the dusty windows Fugo saw movement. He looked over at Narancia who nodded and the two picked up their pace.
They turned the corner and walked around the butcher shop next to the abandoned restaurant. The two teenagers hid themselves between the shop's brick wall and a massive dumpster. Narancia placed a hand over his mouth and nose, gagging at the repulsive stench of rotting flesh emitted from inside the metal bin.
A part of him wondered if they were merely squatters, and the people who tipped off Giorno got spooked and revealed false information. Narancia reminded himself that was why he was currently on the mission.
The teenager hid himself against the wall and released his stand. Aerosmith flew over the building giving its master an account of the amount of people breathing inside.
"Eight," Narancia whispered.
"Are you sure?" Fugo asked.
Narancia glared at his partner and hissed, "I know how to count to eight."
"That's debatable," Fugo mumbled under his breath.
Narancia sneered at Fugo and opened his mouth to speak, but just then the back door of the restaurant flew open causing Narancia to jump.
Fugo grabbed the skinnier boy and pulled him against the brick wall. With one hand over Narancia's mouth and the other around the boy's waist, Fugo peered over the dumpster. Narancia willed Aerosmith higher to give off the illusion of a typical airplane in the morning sky.
A large man stepped out onto the pavement. The shadow of his hat's brim covered his eyes. A second man, tall and robust followed his comrade. The larger of the two put his hand up to his face and glanced up in the direction of Aerosmith.
Narancia peered over the dumpster, his mouth slightly open as he spied the two men staring directly at his stand. He swallowed and slid back into place.
"They're both stand users," Fugo observed.
The smaller man called another out. A lanky figure crept out of the darkened building. His beady eyes followed his teammate's finger who pointed at the airplane in the sky. The skinny man stood with his mouth open, squinted his eyes, then wrinkled his nose at the other man.
"There's nothing there," the third man complained. He twitched and shakily pointed his arm at the restaurant. "Now's not the time for paranoia. We gots people coming in a half hour, and I just know Louie is a snitch. He prob'ly already tipped off the new don."
"That confirms it," Fugo whispered.
"Someone tipped him off," the man in the hat growled. "That plane is a stand, belongs to one of the don's direct men."
Narancia gasped and Fugo cursed under his breath.
"That brat's around here somewhere, have Louie, Maso, and Piero scout the area. An extra five percent cut to whoever offs that little sh-." He turned to the other stand user and ordered, "Call for backup."
"We need to go now," said Fugo as he helped Narancia up. "They know who you are." Fugo hoped they at least didn't know what Narancia looked like.
The two headed in the direction away from the abandoned restaurant. Narancia kept Aerosmith above just incase.
They turned the corner and slammed into the body of Maso, a stocky man in his thirties. The man grinned at them, revealing three teeth missing from his smile.
"I recognize you, you were standing with Giovanna," he said and grabbed hold of Narancia by his shirt straps. Maso frowned at Fugo. "Don't know you, but who cares, I'll snuff you out too."
"Aerosmith!" Narancia yelled and the airplane dove down.
Bullets shot from the machine, searing into the older man's chest. Maso yelled and released Narancia as he fell to the pavement. He frantically looked around for the direction of the seemingly invisible gun, his wounds bleeding profusely.
The commotion caught the attention of Louie and Piero, both approaching from behind. Fugo helped Narancia to his feet and the two ran for the car, while Aerosmith attacked both of their pursuers.
"Is anyone following?" Fugo yelled.
"I can't scout and shoot at the same time," Narancia rebutted.
The ground beneath them shook then crumbled, causing both to trip. A seven foot tall creature, two feet wide, made fully of rocks appeared. His massive foot slammed onto the road again, causing the teenagers to falter. Another stomp from the stand and the road ripped in two all the way across, creating a six foot deep crevice directly behind the boys.
The giant they saw on emerge from the restaurant stepped up beside the creature and chuckled. "How do you like my friend Rock of Ages?" he taunted. "We can't let you go tattling to the don, so my friend here's going to crush you."
"Destroy them, Fredo, so we can get back," said a baritone voice from behind. The teenagers looked to see the man wearing the fedora, the supposed leader of the rogue organization, stood on the other side of the crevice. "I left Matteo behind, but I don't trust the other two."
Narancia directed Aerosmith towards Rock of Ages. The bullets from the tiny airplane bounced off the rock creature. Rock of Ages leapt up and decked Aerosmith, causing Narancia to fall back, clutching his stomach in agony. Blood dripped down his chin.
The ground shook as the stone creature made his way towards the teens. He grabbed Fugo by the collar and yanked him up. Rock of Ages adjusted his grip on the blond, the stone fingers wrapped around his throat.
Ignoring the pain in his abdomen, Narancia jumped to his feet and sprinted towards the stand user with his knife in hand. Rock of Ages kicked the advancing boy, causing him to skid on his back across the pavement. Narancia's head stopped just at the opening of the crevice.
Fugo tried to pry the stand's fingers from his neck, to no avail. Rock of Ages gripped tighter, causing Fugo to gasp for the little air that forced its way into his lungs. The boy struggled, suffocating, kicking his feet. He felt the panic start to rise. Without the aid of oxygen Fugo tried to calm himself, not let the panic take control.
Fugo glanced over to see the other stand user making his way towards Narancia. He opened his mouth, but no oxygen entered as the stony fingers tightened on his windpipe.
His arms fell by his side and he felt dizziness set in.
Narancia shakily sat up. Aerosmith dove into Rock of Ages from behind, the collision causing him to release his hold on Fugo. The blond fell to the ground and gasped for air, filling the entirety of his lungs. He coughed twice then looked up to see the other man approach Narancia with a drawn gun. Fugo stared at the six feet opening in the road.
With closed eyes Fugo took a deep breath and summoned Purple Haze. The advancing man stopped in his tracks as the new stand screamed. It was only the second time Narancia set eyes on Fugo's stand, and he felt himself glued into place.
"It's a bluff, he won't attack with his friend here," the leader stated.
Fugo gritted his teeth. Just who was this man and how did he know so much about their stands?
With a grin Fredo ordered Rock of Ages to commence the assault.
Fugo rushed over to Narancia and pushed him into the six foot hole. He then turned his attention on the man holding the gun at him. It wasn't the first time he stared into the barrel of a revolver, and likely wouldn't be the last.
Rock of Ages rushed Fugo. Purple Haze attacked, severing one of the bulbs as he clobbered the torso of the enormous stand. A rat scurrying across the pavement was caught in the range of the virus and melted into a puddle of goo.
Fredo screamed as he felt his flesh tear away.
The leader snarled and then trained the gun on Fugo. Purple Haze turned towards the other stand user and advanced, screeching. The man stepped back and tripped over a tear in the road, causing him to drop the revolver.
Fugo's heart skipped when he heard groaning and saw hands emerge from the crevice, gripping onto the pavement. Fugo called off Purple Haze, who halted and drooled, growling, and ready to assault the final enemy. Narancia crawled out of the hole and landed a glare on his opponent.
Aware he couldn't fight off both Aerosmith and Purple Haze on his own, the enemy stand user retreated. Fugo jumped over the two feet long split in the road and followed after the other man. Fugo stopped when his opponent disappeared from view.
A force of red hit his body, knocked the wind out of him, and slammed him to the ground.
"We'll be gone soon, but you won't be able to communicate any of this to your boss," the man spoke from the shadows.
Fugo stood up and looked around in various directions, but there remained no trace of that man. He never even got his name. Fugo groaned at the soreness in his body, but there were no real injuries. When they returned home they'd report their findings and with the help of Abbacchio's stand they'd track down where the team fled to and deal with them there.
Fugo heard heavy breathing and turned to see Narancia closing in to him. He opened his mouth to call out to Narancia, but to his surprise his voice wouldn't work.
"Where'd he go?" Narancia asked. He stepped a few feet ahead of Fugo and cursed that their main target escaped. "We just need to hurry back. We know their hideout, they can't get far. Together we'll take them out. Right?"
Narancia noticed the panic on Fugo's pallid face.
"Fugo, are you okay?" Narancia asked. He took hold of both of Fugo's elbows. For a moment he worried Purple Haze had accidentally injured Fugo in the battle with Fredo, but couldn't see any evidence of the virus eating away his friend's flesh.
Fugo opened his mouth again, but all he could manage was a shrill squeak.