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“Hey Dad?” I stare down at the cup in front of me. The coffee inside is a light brown, and has a small swirl pattern from the cream I had just poured into it. The mug warms my hands to an almost uncomfortable degree.
“Yes Irene?” Dad says putting down his own cup of coffee. The mug has a picture of a starfish on it, supposedly the one that got him into his career of marine biology.
“I’ve been having… strange dreams lately.”
“What kind of strange dreams?” His voice is cool, disconnected sounding almost. He isn’t actually disinterested, he just always sounds like that. Uncle Polnareff said when he was a kid, you would think he hated you with how reserved he was.
“Well, they all have the same premise. I’m in prison, and all this crazy shit happens to me.” I’m realizing I'm struggling to explain it to him. Mostly because I don’t really understand either.
“Is it just you? Or is there anyone else who appears?”
“Well, it’s everyone for some reason. Anakiss, Hermes, Wes, even you and Emporio. There’s also this green haired girl who every time I see her, there's this. Pain. This piercing thing that makes me feel like I’m gonna cry whenever I wake up.” I feel it as I talk about her. It feels like my heart is being pulled from my chest.
“What do we do in these dreams?”
“I don’t know how to describe it… It’s like we’re fighting something, but I can never really see what’s happening. Except for one thing, a strange, thread thing that comes from me. It just looks like an ordinary string, yet I’m sure I can control it.”
“Is there anything else about these dreams?” Dad is focusing on me, staring right at me. Like he’s trying to peer into my soul.
“There’s this one guy I’ve never seen his face. He wears a priest outfit, and I’m sure he’s doing something awful. At some point he. He um.” I see it perfectly. Those weird CD shaped things coming out of dad’s face. Him slumping on the ground.
“He what Irene?”
“He kills you dad. He steals something from you, something important, and I watch you die.” That dream comes up the most out of all of them. I sometimes see myself in the isolation ward, or out in the courtyard, or even far away from the prison, down at Cape Canaveral. What I see most though, is dad’s limp body. Those CD things being taken from him. The sequence where I drag him down to the beach so that the Speedwagon foundation, the company Dad works for, takes him away.
“I see.” Dad looks down at his coffee cup, and picks it up. Taking a deep sip from it. He places it back down, and rubs his face. Then, suddenly, he has a notebook in front of him. I didn’t see him take it from his pocket. It’s like it’s not there one second, there the next. “When did these dreams start Irene?”
“They started a couple weeks ago. Why?”
He writes something down. “Yes, but when? And have you talked to Anakiss about these dreams at all?”
I shake my head. “I dunno. Right after we went back home with everyone after our last visit, and no, I didn’t think he’d be too interested. They are just dreams after all.”
He jots something else down. “How are Anakiss and Emporio by the way?”
“They're good. Anakiss went with Hermes to take Emporio to Disney. They wanted to do something fun while we hung out.”
“Good. And Wes?”
“Not sure. Might be hanging out with his sister, Perla. Haven’t talked since we all hung out on Friday."
“Good. You know your mother and I have been so happy you found such a good group of friends.”
“Thanks Dad, It’s honestly surreal how suddenly they all came into our lives at once.”
“Are you and Anakiss going to adopt Emporio any time soon?”
“I don't know how we can, he’s not in the birth registry at all. As far as the American government is concerned, he doesn't exist.”
Dad gives a small smile, his eyes shining. My uncles always say he never smiles, which can’t be true. Cause he smiles all the time with me. “Don’t worry about that issue. It'll get sorted soon enough.”
“The foundation cannot be that powerful dad.”
He just chuckles, and takes another sip. “Come on Irene, haven’t the stories from your great grandfather been enough?”
“Are we really sure he didn’t make up that stuff about the… what are they called? Pillar men?”
Jotaro sighs. “Trust me, I know it sounds farfetched, but I did have someone confirm all of it was true.”
“Was it Shizuka? C’mon she’s also kinda crazy”
“That’s no way to talk about your family Irene.”
“Alright sorry sorry.”
We spend a bit more time just talking, about how Dad has another paper he’s getting published, how my college classes are going. One of my classes is even based on biology, though specifically microbiology. Which dad never had much of an interest in unfortunately. Eventually, I get up from the table, and stretch.
“Alright, I better head home Dad. Thanks for coming all this way to come see me.”
Dad gets up, and hugs me. “Of course, Just say the word and I’ll be on my way Irene.”
“Augh Dad you’re so cheesy!” I don’t say it with any malice though, it’s nice to know he cares so much.
We say our goodbyes, and I head back to my car. Back home once more.
—
“Emporio Alniño. That is your name, yes?”
Mr Jotaro stands in front of me. A gigantic, behemoth of a man. Just as tall here as he was when I had met him. Apparently his grandfather and great great grandfather were just as tall as him, if not taller. “Yes, Mr. Jotaro. That is my name.”
He sits down on the chair in front of me. Resting his hands on the table. The room we are in is plain, a small conference room in the speedwagon foundation. He told Jo- Irene that he needed to talk with me for a bit about the papers they’re forging for me. “So, you met my daughter outside of Green Dolphin street prison, yes? Her and Anakiss, Hermes, and Wes?”
I nod, and look down at the table. “Yes, that’s all correct sir. I had been wandering for a long time before finding them outside of the gas station.”
“I see. Were you aware of them before meeting them?”
“I don’t quite follow Mr. Jotaro sir. What do you mean?” I swore I would never talk about it again. I mean how could any of them understand it? I barely understand it myself.
“What I mean is Emporio, did you know my daughter and her friends before meeting them?”
“No sir. I met them that day outside Green Dolphin.”
He nods. “Alright, then let me ask you this. Are you familiar with the concept of a Stand?”
I do my best to look confused. “A Stand? Like, what you put sheet music on?”
“No? Then you shouldn’t see this.” A purple, ghostly form steps off from Mr. Jotaro. A head of wild black hair, a loin cloth, and powerful muscles. The most powerful Stand in this universe. Star Platinum.
“See what?’
He calls back Star Platinum, and sighs. “Look, Emporio. I’m not trying to scare you. I have no intention of hurting you either. You seem like a good kid, but I need you to tell me the truth.” He stands up, and walks over to the side of the room, where a small table covered in various things lay. Including two pictures. One of Jo- Irene, himself and Mrs. Kujo. The other appears to be a much younger Jotaro with a group of people I don’t recognize. Mr. Jotaro comes back with a small book and opens it around the middle. “Ever since meeting you, Irene, Anakiss, Hermes, and Wes have all had similar dreams. Dreams of a prison, a strange green haired woman, a priest, and you. However, they all seem to differ slightly. Wes recalls the Priest fighting him, with strange rainbows and snails surrounding him. Anakiss remembers blaming himself for the green haired woman's death, Hermes remembers her sister dying, and Irene remembers seeing me dead. Other than these 4 things, their stories all perfectly match.” he shuts the book and stares at me. “And they all recall seeing you specifically.”
“I’m not sure Mr. Jotaro, maybe it’s because we’ve been so close lately?” I feel myself sweating. They’ve been having dreams of before? I didn’t think they could remember anything.
“I myself have not been getting these dreams. It has only been those four. So tell me Emporio. Have you been having these dreams?”
“I… N-no. I haven’t. I’m sorry. I don’t know why they’re having these dreams or anythi-”
He holds up his hand to silence me. “I’m sorry I have to do this Emporio, but I am going to have someone else help.” Jotaro stands up, and walks to the door, and says something outside of it. He steps aside, and a man wearing fashionable clothes walks in. His hair is swooped to the side, and he has on a headband. Two pin nib earrings hang from his ears, and he sighs as he enters.
“Really now Jotaro, you want me to use Heaven’s Door on a child? What do you think of me?”
“You’ve done it before.”
“That was because I was under attack, and much younger. “ He finally looks over at me, taking in my appearance. “And frankly. I cannot see what this child could possibly have that requires me to use it on him?”
“Rohan.”
“Fine, fine, but you owe me Jotaro. “ he steps towards me, and draws something in the air, summoning a strange, small human-like Stand wearing a hat. “This won’t hurt for more than a second, Emporio? Was it? I promise.”
He puts out his hand to my face, and there's this strange feeling of pain bursting out of me. I watch as book-like pages suddenly whoosh from my arms and face. “Ah! AAAAAH!”
“W-what did you do to me?? W-what are these paper things??” The air suddenly gets tense, and I realize something very quickly. “I’m guessing. Non-Stand users don’t see the pages. Do they.”
“No. They do not Emporio.” Jotaro walks towards me. Standing beside that Rohan man.
I sigh, and rub my hands together anxiously. “Alright. I’m a Stand user. And I-”
“Jotaro, are you seeing this?” Rohan says, he dashes forward and grabs my lapel. Staring intently at my face.
“Augh!”
“Rohan! Be careful!”
“Look Jotaro! His pages are full of nonsense! I can’t read even half of this!”
Mr. Jotaro comes closer, his face somehow becoming more serious than usual. “Emporio. Who are you?”
“I don't know how to answer that…”
“My Heaven’s Door allows me to read the information of everyone it is used on. Like pages in a book. However, I can only read a few things from you. Your name, your Stand and its ability, and that is it. Everything else overlaps and becomes a big mess.” He lets go of me, puts a hand up to his chin as if he’s thinking.
I feel myself breathing in relief, as my hands close themselves again. Guess he deactivated his Stand.
“Listen Emporio.” Mr. Jotaro says as he helps me back up. “It is imperative you tell us the truth. Who are you? Where did you come from, and why did your presence start causing these dreams? Does it have anything to do with your Stand?”
“Burning Down the House allows me to find ghost rooms. Places that once existed but were demolished or destroyed in one way or another. I can also use the ghost objects in said rooms. But that's it. It's not a fighting Stand like yours-“
“So you know my Stand. “
I sigh. “Ok. Fine. I'll try to explain it… but it might not make any sense.”
Rohan speaks up. “We have been through a lot young man. Why Mr. Jotaro-“
“Quiet Rohan. Let him speak.”
“I met everyone before. Irene, Anakiss, Hermes, Wes. You, Mr. Jotaro. In Green Dolphin Street Prison. I was born there, and grew up within its walls. Irene went to prison from a conspiracy by some Ex-minions of DIO.”
Mr. Jotaro and Rohan stiffen. “You know about DIO?” Rohan says leaning forward.
I ignore them. I just gotta get all this out. “The conspiracy was to take you out, Mr. Jotaro. A Stand user had the ability to steal memories and Stands from others, and he attacked you to steal Star Platinum, the memories of DIO’s journal, and take you out in the process.”
“DIO’s journal? Why?”
“To obtain heaven.”
Mr. Jotaro is quiet for a second, and nods. “Keep talking.”
“Irene, Anakiss, Hermes, Wes, and…” *I shake a bit. I haven’t said her name out loud since, well. “The green haired woman. Her name was F.F.”
“Why isn’t F.F. Here?”
“Because she can’t be. The Stand user who can steal memories and Stands. His name was.” I gulp. ”Pucci. Father Pucci. The Stands and memories he stole turned into Disc like objects that could be implanted in others.”
“Fascinating. What an amazing Stand!”
“Rohan.”
“Sorry for being intrigued by the unusual.”
“Father Pucci threw one of the disks into the water. Creating a group of sentient plankton named F.F. or Foo Fighters. She later became one of our closest allies. Before she… She died.”
Rohan pulls out a notebook and is scribbling something down extremely fast. Mr. Jotaro leans forward. “Keep going Emporio. Please.”
“Father Pucci killed her, and her disk was destroyed as she died. When I started seeing everyone else I hoped I would see her again but. She. She probably can’t exist without him.” The tears are falling hot and fast. I can barely see beyond them now.
Mr. Jotaro puts his hand on my shoulder. “Maybe we could stop instead. Continue this later.”
“No. No, I have to continue.”
He nods. “Then continue.”
“We fought the priest again and again. We did eventually get your Stand and memories back, but it just kept getting worse after that. F.F died, Wes had his memories forced into him, since he had them stolen by the priest. Then his ultimate ability activated.” I shudder again, thinking of the snails, thinking of myself turning into a snail.
“Was everyone a Stand user?” Mr. Jotaro interrupted. His eyes are harsh, definitely the man who killed Dio.
I nod. “Irene, Anakiss, Hermes, Wes. All had Stands.”
“You may continue then.”
“Wes activated his ability, rainbows were spilling out everywhere. Turning people into snails. Oh, Mr. Jotaro, it was awful! Father Pucci killed Wes, since his Stand almost got him killed.” I gulp. It's like a flood gate now. I can't stop talking about it. I have to keep going. “We fought him at Cape Canaveral, with his evolved Stand. It reversed gravity, you got to a point and suddenly the road went up. Into the sky. We fought him for a bit, feeling like we were finally winning, when. It activated.”
“What did?”
I shiver. Thinking of the strange horse-like Stand. It was both beautiful, and horrifying. “Made in Heaven. Its ability was to accelerate time, and Pucci was in control of it. The center of it all, able to move faster than we could ever react to, and he took us out one by one. First you Mr. Jotaro, then Anakiss, Hermes. Irene used her Stand to attach the two of us to a dolphin as the sky above continued to go faster and faster. Irene faced against father Pucci, and cut me free. Hoping to give me enough time. And Irene she.”
Mr. Jotaro looks down. Staring at the table. “She died?”
I nod. Tears keep coming now. I can see it clearly. “The universe kept going faster and faster until. It reset. I was back in the prison. Right before you and Irene lost to Father Pucci the first time. And you lost your discs. Though it wasn’t you. Not really”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Anyone that died while time is accelerating. Didn’t come back. You and Irene included. Then, I felt it. Felt like the devil himself was looming over me. Then he appeared like an angel of death. Ready to kill me to finally reach his true goal of heaven...”
“So how did you win?” Rohan says. Coming close. Hands on the table.
“He followed me into one of my ghost rooms, and tried to accelerate time in it to kill me. But I had one last gift. Weather report. The Stand of Wes. In disc form. When I put the disc in, it didn’t seem to matter how strong it was. It acted on its own almost. Attacking Pucci. Destroying him. As if Wes's Stand still held the memory of Wes himself. Of his hatred. His justice. Pucci died in a pool of his own blood from time accelerating. Then suddenly. I was outside Green Dolphin.”
“Then you met my daughter and her friends.”
“Then I met your daughter and her friends.”
Mr. Jotaro stays silent, rubbing his face. While Rohan straightens his back, a manic grin on his face. “Fascinating! So that must be why my Heaven’s Door couldn’t read your history! You are from another timeline!”
“I guess so.” I look back to Mr. Jotaro. “I’m really sorry about all this. I didn’t think anyone would remember. Anything really.”
Mr. Jotaro looks up, tipping his hat out of his eyes. “You haven’t done anything wrong, Emporio. In fact it sounds like you had quite the ordeal.”
“Yea I’ll say…” I try to shake the memories from my head. They’re just so vivid. Even after trying to ignore them. “So… what now?”
“Your story is going to make for some excellent inspiration for Pink Dark Boy. Especially that green woman. I mean a woman made of plankton! Marvelous!”
“Rohan.”
“What? I am considering this the price of my use of Heaven's Door.”
Jotaro sighs, and looks back at me. “We’ll finish forging some documents for you. Help you settle in. As for after that? That's up to you.”
“Shouldn’t I tell Irene and the others?”
“We’ll see if the dreams get worse. Then maybe we can tell them. My daughter has never actually been in a Stand fight. The closest thing was her coming to Morioh with me when she was a child. Even then? She never saw an actual fight.”
I nod. “ That makes sense… thank you for being so understanding Mr. Jotaro.”
“Of course Emporio. I know what it's like to be in a terrible scenario and have to fight your way to save as many people as possible. If you ever need to talk, let me know.”
“Thank you Mr. Jotaro.”
“Just Jotaro is fine. Now let's finish your papers.”
——
“Alright. For today’s lab. You will pair up with the person next to you.” The professor adjusts his glasses, looking over the small classroom.
“Damn. Really? I haven’t even talked to the girl next to me.” I mutter under my breath, but nevertheless, I turn to face the woman I’m going to be stuck with. “Guess we’re working together huh. What's your name?”
The woman faces me, she has really bright blue eyes, and hair that kinda looks like a strange hat.
She smiles, in that happy if a bit too excited way. “Flora! Flora Foo. Nice to meet you!”
“Flora is a nice name, mine’s Irene. Ya know, I’m surprised we never talked before this. You seem like the type to introduce yourself to everyone.”
She shrugs. “You didn’t seem like the talking type.”
“Fair enough, I get that a lot from people. Apparently my dad had the same look when he was my age”
“Well I’m glad you are the talking type! You seem pretty cool!”
The rest of the lab passes by in a blur, it was about identifying plankton types, and Flora was an expert. She said her and her sister Atroe used to study them as kids, due to Flora’s strange interest in them.
We click immediately. Something about her feels so familiar, and comfortable. Like I'm sure I've seen her somewhere. Though I can’t quite place it. After all our classes are done, I decide she has to meet everyone else. So I sent a text to Wes, Anakiss, and Hermes to meet up at Anakiss and I’s place.
We pull up right as everyone else does, even Dad with Emporio.
I roll down the window and yell out to everyone, just as they’re parking. “Hey! Great timing. I have someone I want you all to meet.”
Hermes gets out of her car, and leans against the hood. Looks like she tried on some beads in her hair today. Looks good on her. “Well stop hiding them then for christ’s sake!”
Wes, and Anakiss get out of Wes’s car, they must’ve hung out while I was in class. Wes stands up straight, while Anakiss runs his hand through his hair. Emporio and Dad get out of Dad’s car too, though Emporio looks weirdly nervous. Hopefully the meeting of his forged birth certificate went well.
I signal to Flora. Who opens the door and gets out. She waves at everyone excitedly. “Hey! I’m Flora Foo! Irene has told me a lot about you all. “
—
I stare at the woman as she steps out of the car. I’m in shock. My whole body is shaking, and I feel like I'm about to cry. “Oh my god. She. She got to come back. She came back too.”
Jotaro looks down at me, noticing my distress. “Emporio? Do you recognize her?”
I nod, and try to cover my mouth so as to not give it away to Irene and everyone. “It’s her Jotaro. It’s F.F. She came back.”
Mr. Jotaro makes a small noise, and walks towards the group, warmly greeting F.F. And everyone. I feel like I’m gonna pass out. They’re all here. She’s here. I thought for sure I’d never see her again. Yet here she is.
“Emporio. Come here for a sec!” Irene calls to me, motioning me to come over. My feet shuffle across the ground. I don’t know what to do. I should be elated, and yet I’m terrified. She should be dead. Yet she isn’t.
“Hey buddy! Irene’s told me a lot about you!”
“She has?”
“Mhm! She said you're super smart and were super brave when they met you.”
“Oh well I wouldn’t say I’m particularly brave or anything.”
“And humble! What a kid!” She laughs but then touches her cheek. “It’s weird. I feel like. I’ve seen you all somewhere before.”
I feel cold. “Really?”
“Yeah…” She stumbles a bit. Reaching up to her head. “Why can’t… I remember…”
“Flora?” Irene reaches out, touching her arm.
She pulls her arm back suddenly. Yelping in pain. “Ow! Jolyne! You shocked me!”
“Sorry! I didn’t mean t- Jolyne?”
“You remember.” I breathe heavily. Getting closer to F.F. Who looks freaked out. “Flora please.”
“I. Wh… why do I… oh… my head..” She clutches at the side of her head, knees buckling under her head. I swear if I squint, I can almost see the black goo of her plankton bubble at the corner of her eyes. Then I blink and it's gone.
“Flora! Emporio! What is going on?” Hermes says, getting closer.
“Yeah. You both look kinda pale. Should we bring you inside?” Anakiss asks, standing up from the car.
“I. No! I’m fine! I’m fine! Augh what is happening!”
“Flora?” Jotaro asks, laying a hand on her shoulder.
My name's not Flora!” She looks up at Jotaro. Eyes determined. “It’s Foo Fighters.” She immediately groans and clutches at her head again.
I gasp, and cover my mouth. Tears are already dripping. “Y-You remember! You remember!”
“Ok can someone tell me what the hell is going on here?” Hermes comes closer, she looks annoyed, and maybe kind of scared.
“Yeah seriously. What is going on with you b-“ Anakiss stops, and grips at his head. His eyes suddenly shaking. “F.F. I. You. You’re the woman. The woman I let die.” He stares at her. Breathing heavily. “You died F.F.”
The air was thick with tension. Everyone’s eyes are so big, and so scared. Yet I don’t care. They’re remembering. After all this time. All this fear and uncertainty. They’re remembering! They’ll remember me, they’ll remember what they lost, maybe they’ll get their Stands again, maybe they’ll. They’ll remember Pucci. They’ll remember their crimes, the things they did originally. What if Wes remembers Perla’s death? Or Hermes seeing Gloria die?
Mr. Jotaro steps forward. “Everyone. Inside now. We have a lot to talk about.”
They all stare at him. Anakiss and F.F. look afraid, Irene and Hermes look confused, and Wes. Wes looks. Scary.
“Alright Dad. Come on everyone.” Irene leads the charge back inside, she walks with confidence, yet I can tell she feels awful. “My head hurts so bad. What the hell is happening?”
I startle, and look back up at Irene, who is way on the top of the steps to the apartment. She hasn’t called us, yet I heard her clearly. What is going on? Then I see it. The blue string that seems to come from Irene’s finger. Waving slightly in the air. “Oh god.” I back away from it, into Mr. Jotaro. “It’s. It’s Stone Free.” The string suddenly recoils back, darting back to Irene. Where she looks at her hand, confused.
“Come on Emporio.I had thought this could wait, but it appears not.” Mr. Jotaro pats my head, and starts to walk up the stairs, following the others who were already making their way up. I think I was the only one who noticed Stone Free’s string. Or at least, Irene and I are the only ones to see it.
—
Before long, we’re all back inside the apartment. The atmosphere is tense, and no one is looking each other in the eye. Irene stares at her hand, brows furrowed. Anakiss has his head down on the table, F.F. and Hermes sit on the couch opposite to each other, and Wes. He seems the most calm. Though that doesn’t mean much.
Mr. Jotaro stands up, and looks at everyone gathered. “I think it’s important we start with one thing first and foremost.” He turns to F.F. “Have you been dreaming about anyone here?”
Foo looks up at him, and slowly nods.
“Who.”
She points at every person in the group, and then gulps.
I step towards her, she looks at me scared. “You dream of someone else, don’t you Foo?”
She nods again.
“Who F.F.? Please, we need to know.”
She shakes her head, and buries her face in her hands.
Mr. Jotaro steps to her, and places a hand on her shoulder. “Please. Flora we need to know.”
She looks up at him from her palms, before hiding her face again. She draws in a shuddering breath. “Father Pucci.” She says.
Instantly, everyone else gasps. I wheel around to see all of them clutching their heads. Wes has fallen to one knee, and is squeezing his eyes tightly as he grips the side of his head. Hermes is breathing heavily, shaking. Anakiss and Irene both have their heads against the table. Anakiss bites his lip while Irene’s thread slowly stretches from her finger, twisting slowly in the air, before darting back into her hand.
“What is happening??? Are you all okay??” Mr. Jotaro says, panic in his voice. He looks around at everyone with the most fear I’ve ever seen him have. Even during our fight with Pucci.
“I remember.”
We turn towards Wes. Who is slowly standing up, he looks over at me, at Mr. Jotaro.
“I remember Pucci.”
The air in the room takes a chill, as it feels like a wind is circulating through it. Despite no windows being open.
“Oh god. It’s Weather Report. His Stand, the thing that almost killed everyone.” I walk towards Wes, cautiously. Those eyes I’ve seen them like this before. When he was filled with blood lust to take down Pucci. “Please. Wes, calm down. He isn’t here!”
He looks down at me, and the murderous look slowly fades. He stumbles backwards, bracing himself against the kitchen counter. “Sorry I… what, was that?”
“Emporio. You seem to know what’s happening. I suggest you tell us now.” Anakiss looks up at me, his pink hair cascading over him in beautiful waves. If I squint I can almost see his prison uniform.
“Yea! What the hell is going on Emporio!” Hermes gets up from the couch and stares at me. “This freaky shit started happening with you! So I demand you tell us now.”
I look at Mr. Jotaro, and he nods. It’s time for me to say it all. Remind them of who they once were. I sit on one of the dining table chairs, and look at everyone’s faces. Some are scared, some look mad. Irene looks concerned. “Alright. It’s a really long story, and an upsetting one. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
—
Silence fills the room. They stopped asking questions when Foo died. They stopped saying anything when Wes died. It was tough at first, I had to explain the concept of a Stand to them. Though only Irene didn’t ask any follow up questions, instead she had stared down at her hand until the moment I talk about waking up outside the prison, and meeting them all again for the first time.
“Bullshit.”
“Hermes?” I look up at her. Her eyes are hard, and she’s looking down at the coffee table like she wants to break it in two.
“I mean! C’mon! Can you really imagine me killing anyone, or anyone here for that matter. Plus, Gloria had nothing to do with Pucci, so why is she alive now if she died in the other timeline! And the idea of this whole Stand thing! What a dumb idea.” Her voice is kinda shrill, panicking. She looks at everyone, pleading almost. “Please. Tell me you think this is crazy too right?”
“It does sound farfetched.” Wes replies.
“It does sound weird, but what about the dreams?” F.F. asks, knees pulled up to her chest. She was really shaken after hearing how she died.
“Emporio is telling the truth.” Mr. Jotaro says. Leaning against the wall.
“How could you know that Dad?” Irene looks up, a stony look coming over her face.
“Because, I know a Stand user who can read an entire person's history like a book. Yet Emporio’s was completely blacked out. Near unreadable. No person could do that to themselves. Plus, Emporio knows too much about things he should have no knowledge of. Like DIO.”
“DIO was real Dad?”
“I wish you believed your great grandfather more, Irene. He is a wise old fool.”
“What does this mean for us?” Wes finally speaks up, his tone is cool as always. There's an edge to it though, one that sounds too close to when he remembered it all.
“I don’t know.” Jotaro rubs his face, before looking back up at Wes. “I think it means you all, on some level, remember what happened.”
“Are we just copies, or fakes made from the ashes of who we were?” F.F. asks.
“No.” Mr. Jotaro shuts her down. Staring over them all. “You all fought valiantly in another life, you saved the world, and in doing so. Your reward is to all be alive, and here. Just know that not everyone who fought for the world survived.” Mr. Jotaro looks down, hat covering his eyes.
“Dad?”
“You can keep living your lives. Maybe even find greater purpose in them. You have fought and won, and now, you all remember.”
The group is quiet. They all look at each other cautiously, like something bad is going to happen. There's a couple of sideways glances at Wes. I bet what I said about the rainbows probably scared them pretty bad.
“You said my name was Jolyne in the other universe right?”
“Yes. I did.”
“And my Stand, Stone Free, you said I could unwrap myself into thread?”
“You were very good at using it, and you were so strong. You made everyone else feel brave just by being around you.”
She stares at her hand a bit more, not saying anything. I’m about to ask if she saw the thread earlier, when suddenly. Her hand slowly unravels, as a long blue thread spools out of her body. There’s gasps all around us. “You said a Stand was the shape of someone's soul. That no two Stands are the exact same.”
“I-I did yeah.”
“So. I must be that same woman who fought the mad priest. Who helped bring us to this brighter world.” She looks at everyone, then turns to me, then Mr. Jotaro. “I’d like to use my old name. I want to grow strong like she did, so that way if anything else happens. I can save people again.”
“R-really? You mean it?”
“Irene, are you sure? It’s a tough job. Dealing with the evil in the world.” Mr. Jotaro looks down at Irene, eyes soft.
“My name is Jolyne, and yes I’m sure. If I did it once, I could do it again.” She turns to me again, and smiles. “Thank you, Emporio. For bringing me back.”