Chapter Text
Arizona, 2010, felt absolutely sweltering during the summer months, like a transparent plastic cover that intensified the heat has been clamped down onto the state.
That was a fact Johnny couldn't ignore, even after he had cooled down with a Coca Cola he bought from the vending machine outside of the dining hall. He checked his watch. 2:10. The hottest part of the day had still not passed, and there was still thirty-five minutes until his next lecture.
Johnny Joestar, 32, professor of humanities and the studies of Christianity.
He wheeled down the length of the wooden-floored corridor, greeted by a few of his students who complained about the heat to their friends. Well, what can I do about the damn sun?, was probably what was on everyone's mind this week.
The university's main building housed a few facilities itself, including a staff room. Which included an air conditioner turned on at all times during the summer for the professors to enjoy. Some students complained to him about the inequalities, "Professor Joestar, why can't we have air conditioners in the lecture halls", or "Sir, can I please inquire about the lack of cooling in the summer", but he always replied with the same answer. "I can't do anythin' about that, sorry."
The university had a garden, which was funded by the student committee and other students via donations and the botanic club. Johnny will admit, they did an amazing job on the arrangements of the lilies of the valley and purple hydrangeas in the shape of Steel State University's emblem, est. 1889. He rolled on the smoothly cobbled stones, a hint of cut grass refreshing in the humid atmosphere.
Johnny swallowed, his mouth already dehydrated. wearing a loose cotton tank top with blue stars lining the hems really helped with the heat. his shoulder length white-blonde hair was tied into a short ponytail curled upward at the ends, and two stray tufts of hair stuck out from the holes he had cut into his beloved, worn once white beanie. Yes, he was wearing a beanie in this heat, but he didn't really mind. it was a fashion statement, he had always insisted to his co-worker, (who was always listening to Lady Gaga on repeat) Hot Pants, when they pointed out his beanie was always on even during the Arizonian heat.
Speaking of Hot Pants, a flash of pink hair caught the corner of Johnny's eyes.
"Hp!"
Johnny shouted, hoping the catch their attention.
They turned around abruptly, purple eyes staring at Johnny with recognition. They paced over, a can of iced coffee held in their hand.
"Hey, Johnny. What's up?" Hp gave the man on the wheelchair a tired smile, "I got out of my lecture just now because I was kinda arguing with a student. We settled on the latter, and as soon as I got out, I went to buy something to drink. The heat is unbearable!" They rolled their eyes. Hp was wearing a light beige shawl, with a hot pink crop top and dark jorts. They were wearing a pair of sunglasses above their head and their usually immaculate, neat bangs were a soggy mess, plastered to their forehead with sweat.
"Wow, rough day. By the way, have you heard of a corpse not decomposing for thousands of years? Is that possible? I just though I would ask you, since you are the expert in Biology here," Johnny continued, "There's no way thats possible, right?"
"Well, there have been cases of very well preserved mummies from ancient civilizations still have a recognisable skin texture," They seemed unsure, "Why are you asking me this anyways?"
"You see, Hp, there was a myth that a long time ago, when Jesus ascended, he left behind his preserved, but scattered corpse for his followers to find across America. So, far none of the parts have been found."
Hp scoffed.
"That's probably just a stupid myth, Johnny. You can't trust anything you hear- "
Ring... Ring...!
The unmistakable sound of a phone rang through the air, interrupting Hp. Johnny scowled as he hurried to retrieve the small phone in his pant pocket. It had a red case, complete with small gold stars dotted around the edges. it also had a small white horse charm hanging off of the sim keyhole on the case.
"Hello?" He muttered into the screen displaying an unknown caller. Mysterious.
The reply was instant.
"Is this Professor Johnny Joestar?" came a male, American voice. It was a bit chirpy, but nonetheless serious.
Hp mouthed: Who is that??
Johnny shrugged.
"Yes, unless there are any 'Professor Johnny Joestars' that I don't know of." He then heard a muffled sound, like a person speaking coming from the speakers, but the signal was too poor to receive the voice properly.
"... Yes. He said he was Mr Joestar." The voice hesitated, before addressing Johnny once again. "Are you free? Can we discuss privately? I understand if you can't right now."
Hp glanced at him and nodded, having overheard the caller. They retreated out of the garden.
"Yes. I am in a private space."
"Professor Joestar?"
"Yeah?"
"Dr. Ferdinand speaking."
"Who?"
"I represent an organization currently conducting research into extremist theology and sacred historical artifacts. Your published work has proven... relevant. It will be appreciated if you attended a small meeting." The voice continued, monotonous.
"I can't just abandon my workplace on a whim," Johnny checked the time once again, although he didn't sound repulsed by the Idea. 2:40. "I have a lecture in five. Please call me back when I'm available, and we can discuss the topic further." With that, he hung up the caller abruptly, unable to take this conversation any further. He clicked his tongue in contempt, and rolled toward the lecture halls, Hp being nowhere to be seen.
-
Dr Ferdinand groaned, slamming the phone on his table. Knowing he was unable to convince Johnny Joestar to show up to a random meeting halfway across America on a weekday, with an organization that he had never heard of in his life before.
Corp.O, in essence, was the largest extremist atheist group internationally, having over 50 million members worldwide.
And why did they need Johnny Joestar specifically? It was because of a recurring topic of research of the professors'. The "saint's corpse parts", essentially living, or dead, material proof that God existed. It was said to have divine powers to perform miracles, and even heal a lame man's legs. Perhaps that was why Johnny Joestar was so keen on finding out so much about it, the evanescent idea of being able to walk again. Every device on the university network was supervised by Corp.O, illegally. It wasn't like anyone is ever going to find out, or take action.
"So? Is he not coming?" A harsh voice stemmed behind Dr Ferdinand, "Francis, there is more time. We can ask the 11 to delay the meeting until Professor Joestar's next available spot." His American accent didn't mask the distaste laced into his words.
"Yes, President. We need to postpone the meeting. We can't request anything of him publicly. He is intellect capable of locating the corpse parts, and we can't let this chance slip through our fingers."
Stepping out of the shadows, Funny Valentine looked almost theatrical, dressed in layers of deep crimson, white, and gold that made him resemble a living symbol rather than an ordinary man. His long coat draped heavily around his shoulders and swept behind him whenever he moved, the fabric catching the air with dramatic flair. Gold trim lined the sharp military cut of the outfit, gleaming against the rich red like medals pinned onto a decorated uniform. His deep navy eyes could pierce through skin.
The high collar framed his face with stiff precision, giving him an unnervingly composed appearance even when his expression darkened. White gloves covered his hands perfectly, spotless and pristine, while polished boots struck the ground with quiet authority. What made the look truly unsettling, though, had been the way he carried himself in it. He stood with the calm confidence of someone utterly convinced that his actions, no matter how cruel, would one day be remembered as righteous. The flowing coat and dramatic colours only amplified that feeling, turning every movement into something grandiose.
Dr Ferdinand pursed his dry lips, refusing to make eye contact with Valentine. He was already busy enough trying to keep the peace between Aurea and Corp.O. Aurea, or Della Rotazione Aurea, was a rogue catholic cult originating from Italy. They were a mysterious organization, and almost no people know it exists apart from certain members of Corp.O and the pope. Their headquarters was near the Vatican city, although not in it, as their members were excommunicated in around the 1500s and banished from the city. They had somehow caught wind of the Corp.O trying to locate the parts of the holy saint, and were now actively trying to protect the secret. The Italian cult was also the only surviving group of people who inherently knew, or even had any clues of where the corpse was.
And they wanted to keep it that way.