Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Alpha Directive
Chapter 2: Friends Anew, Flames Of Old
by Kajane Schorl.

Characters are copyright to Hirohiko Araki and Mariano Kleisner, and used with permission with the exception of Jameson and Jonan McGavin, who are created by the author.

".....Ah, here it is. I knew that old thing was here somewhere."
Joseph pulled a weathered leather bag out of the pile of old clothing. Vulpa stood a few steps behind, glancing quizzically at the faded brown cowhide. "So these camera things, they take pictures of whatever it can see?"
Joseph took an old 30,000 yen camera out of the bag, setting it down on a nearby table by the bed, which Vulpa sat down on.
"Yes, usually. But by using it with some of my powers, I can capture spiritual visions and turn them into photographs."
"So magic does exist in this world?"
"To an extent, yes. It's not very widespread, and not many people believe in it.....Oh, and Vulpa? Try not to freak out."
"Oh come on Mr. Joestar, I've seen a lot of shi--YEEP!"
Vulpa squeaked as she suddenly noticed ghostlike, thorny purple brambles sprout from Joseph's right arm. She quickly regained her composure.
"What ARE those?"
Joseph was visibly surprised at the realization Vulpa could see his Stand.
"Oh. My. God.....You can see my Stand?"
"Stand?"

"How do I explain this.....A Stand is a manifestation of someone's fighting spirit, given form and special powers. Normally, only other stand users can see them." Joseph told the wolfess.

"My Stand is named Hermit Purple, and as I mentioned, I can use it to transfer spiritual visions from far away onto film. Watch!" He said before raising his arm high and smashing the camera to pieces.
A photograph popped out of a slot at the bottom. Joseph plucked it from the camera's wreckage and handed Vulpa a different photo.

Joseph said, "The man in this photograph was evil incarnate. His name was Dio."

Vulpa studied the photo briefly. A mucular male creature, blonde and human, but she could definitely feel an evil aura from this man.
"My grandson defeated him, with the help of our friends and I, three years ago. But recently a new person, or should I say demonic creature has been showing up in my spirit photos."
The picture was developing quickly. A male humanlike creature. With blood red skin, white hair, and demonic features.
Vulpa took one look and recoiled slightly, covering her muzzle. The fear and hatred was evident in her eyes.
"I can tell you know this man. I've been trying to find out who and what he is."
Vulpa's face was grim as she replied, "Yes. His name is Omega, and he's destroying my world...He killed my parents and boyfriend, and he almost had me joining them...But why would he appear in photographs here in this world?"
"Perhaps a premonition. Maybe he's finding a way here as well?"

"I hope not." Vulpa said with a worried look on her face.
Joseph's face suddenly lit up. "Say, Vulpa, You wanna go out and walk around a bit? I heard there was a new restaurant and bar that just opened up in town that specifically asked for me to come try their food. I know we just ate but I thought you might like to check the place out with me? You and I can discuss this whole 'Omega' shebang later. Doesn't seem like he's a threat to us just yet."

Key word, Yet. Said a tiny seed of discord inside Vulpa's head.

"...Come to think of it, I bet the kids would wanna look around this place, seems nice enough. We can all go. We...haven't had much of a normal life since Omega killed our families..." Vulpa mused.
"That's the spirit!" Joseph said with a smile.

One half-hour later, the entire gang was walking towards the new restaurant. The "Lyrian Golden", it was called. The first thing nearly everyone noticed on entering was that it had a very.....old-fashioned feel to the dining area. Barrels had been cut up in various ways to act as chairs. Weathered wood and old-looking metal furnishings were every-fucking-where you looked, and the only staff that seemed to work there was the barkeep. A lanky fellow who looked like he hadn't shaved his face in a week. He wore a black military-style cap on his head with a green tshirt over black slacks.
He glanced up from his glass buffing to find a mixed gaggle of humans, two kemono, and a wolfdog strutting up to the bar, and said...
"Ah, welcome to the Lyrian Golden! Feel free to make your selves comfy. How many of you are eating today?"
"One, two, three...seven, sir." Joseph answered.
"Very well." The man said, and added, "We're doing a promotional offer today. First meal's free for anyone who comes in today, it's our grand opening! You'll have to pay for seconds though." The man said, digging out seven menus and handing them out to the group. Wolufu took his in his muzzle, barking out a garbled thank you. Holly and Polnareff sat down first, followed by Jotaro, Vulpa, Joseph, and Ruki. 

They all took a spot at the far end of the bar. Wolufu hopped up into a barrel chair next to his squeeze as a new person came out, this one a feline with tan fur and bright red hair. Like the other worker, he wore a military cap, but this one was red. He was pretty dressed down other than that. White tshirt, weathered jeans, a red canvas sleeve on his left wrist.

Vulpa tensed up visibly as Polnareff suddenly piped up, "Heh, so many of you fuzzballs coming out of the woodwork. You all live underground or something?"

"Yare yare. You fail at jokes, Polnareff." Jotaro said.

"Please, Jojo." Polnareff ribbed. "You wouldn't know a joke if it bit your nose, Mr. Serious."

Jotaro just scoffed.

The new cat walked up with a bunch of menus, handing them out. "Heylo, customers. The name's James McGavin, I'll be your waiter today. Anything to drink? Non-alcoholic is on the house."

"Water, please?" Came Wolufu's voice from the end of the table, followed by a harsh cough.
"The pup can talk too!?" Polnareff said with a slightly raised tone.
Ruki stifled a giggle as Wolufu glared at Polnareff.
"Hey! You're not the only one dealing with weird things."
Polnareff smiled before ruffling Wolufu's headfur. "Easy kid, no offense meant. I'm sure you three haven't seen humans before, so we're even."
"Says you....." Wolufu muttered under his breath.
"I'll take a regular old milk, Waiter. Your name sounds Irish." said Jotaro.
"Aye, you're correct, sir. Born and raised in County Leitrim. If that's everyone?"
Holly spoke up. "I'd like some green tea?"
"Can do." said James. He glanced up from his note-taking and a silhouette caught the corner of his eye...The figure had a shadow like one of those cowboy films...?
James saw the silhouette point something in his hand at the window.......

Oh, SHIT.

"GUN!" James roared seconds before a hail of bullets pierced the window, shattering the glass and sending it flying.

"STAR PLATINUM! THE WORLD!" Jotaro boomed.

By the time James looked back to the group he was waiting on, Jotaro had already unfrozen time. The bullets lay like smoking pepper grains on the floor.

"Those bullets seem.....familiar." Said Star Platinum.
Joseph's eyes went wide. Since when did Star Platinum speak fluent english?!?
The smoke was clearing fast, and the gunman stepped into visibility.

Polnareff was the first to recognize him.
"H...HOL HORSE?!"
The gunman tipped his fedora high, smirking as he looked Polnareff square in the eye.
"Been a while, ya french bastard." Hol Horse's voice dripped with malice. "I wouldn't interfere with this iffin I were you. This is between me and them." He gestured to the three kemono at the table. "Someone's paid me pretty fuckin' handsomely to get rid of these fuzzballs."

"Like Hell, I won't! SILVER CHARIOT!" Polnareff bellowed as his Stand phased from his back into existence. Milliseconds later a ghostly bullet pierced his right wrist, then zigzagged back into his shoulder, repeating this pattern of in-and-out through both of his legs.

Polnareff collapsed to the floor.

Wolufu launched himself at Hol Horse, growling as he closed his jaws around the cowboy's wrist. The momentum from the wolf's speed carried the two of them rolling and bouncing across the street.

Hol Horse cried out in pain as he tore his arm free of Wolufu's jaws during a lapse in grip. Wolufu rolled to his paws, shaking off the road debris.

"Guh!" Growled Hol Horse. "That was my shooting arm you little shit!"

Wolufu smirked. "Sorry bud, but I'm out of fucks to give. Now tell me who sent you, before I tear more pieces of you away."

"Fat chance kid." He raised his arm again to fire another round.
Wolufu expected one bullet but found that A) Hol Horse had a really fucking fast trigger finger, and B) The Emperor had some upgrades.
He turned tail and ran, leading the rounds away from the Lyrian Golden, they seemed to be following him. The wolf cub quickly ran through and considered his options as he ran at light speed, the bullets from the Emperor tailing him constantly. Wolufu eventually managed to shake off three rounds using this process but the bullets from Hol Horse seemed to be adapting slowly, and he was starting to reach his speed limit...
Still, the wolf cub persisted, shaking six more bullets off despite them coming dangerously close to hitting him. Wolufu circled back to Hol Horse, desperate to get another piece of the cowboy's flesh. He leapt at Hol Horse's throat but found a shoulder to bite into instead.

"GAAHHH!" Hol Horse grunted as his shooting arm was laid wide open at the shoulder.
Wolufu pushed backwards with his legs, teeth still firmly dug into his opponent's flesh as he pulled away. He backflipped as he landed. Hol Horse's shoulder was bleeding profusely at this point.
Wolufu smirked with Hol Horse's flesh still in his jaws. He suddenly went wide-eyed and spat the chunk of meat out. "Blech! Tastes like evil."
"You do know spitting is for quitters, right doggy?" Said Hol Horse. The Emperor phased into his left hand. Raising his arm to aim at Wolufu, he fired again.
Wolufu moved in a zig-zag pattern, darting around, then in front of Hol Horse, turning to face the oncoming bullets. With little time to spare he jumped aside as the rounds drew near...

And howled in pain as he felt three rounds pierce his left flank.
Wolufu rolled onto his back from the momentum, quickly rolling onto his non-injured side.
He thought he heard Ruki scream in terror beyond the haze of pain, the smell of burning flesh and liquid copper.

Hol Horse sauntered up to the wolf cub, pointing The Emperor at Wolufu's head.
There was no way he could dodge at this range.
This is it, Thought Wolufu. I'm gonna die. Mama...Ruki.....I'm sorry.

The next thing he saw were two shadows standing over him. One he recognized instantly as Ruki, the other was unfamiliar.
He felt Ruki's familiar healing aura flowing through him.
"You coulda done better than that, kid." Came an Irish-accented, gravelly, slightly mumbly voice.
"I'll take it from here. Take a rest, why doncha."

Wolufu looked up and saw Ruki next to the Lyrian Golden's barkeep.
Jonan, was it?

The man had a straight razor in his hand, and his eyes seemed to have a spark of green lightning behind them.
Hol Horse was dusting himself off idly. "Guess that was a good idea to keep the bullets from harming me." He noticed Jonan getting into a fighting stance.

"You're not gonna get tha' chance again until ya go through me, ya fuckin' yankee."

"Who the hell are you?"

"Your end."

"You serious? That's a damn shame. I'm gonna have to kill you now." Hol Horse raised The Emperor and fired off nine rounds.

Almost instantly a bright emerald green aura sparked into existence around Jonan. The bullets from The Emperor were vaporized. Jonan casually put his straight razor away and produced a long spike from his pocket that appeared to be made from green-colored metal.

Hol Horse was taken aback but undeterred. "Got some nifty tricks up your sleeve, end. But they won't save you. Not against my latest employer..."

"That's where you're wrong." Jonan replied curtly. "We've been fighting creatures like your boss for ages, across the stars themselves. We haven't lost yet."
Jonan raised the spike to his mouth as it began to glow bright green.

"Begin Data Transfer! Target: Cerebral Database 574!"

Jonan raised the spike and slammed it into Hol Horse's forehead. Hol Horse screamed bloody murder in response as a combination of green lightning and flames began to erupt from the wound, spraying outwards and curling around Hol Horse's form. Jonan jumped back and let the magic do it's dirty work.

Ruki could do naught but stare in awe.
Back inside the Lyrian Golden, Vulpa, Jotaro and Joseph were slowly putting two and two together. These guys weren't what they seemed.

The smoke and green elemental aftershocks had cleared in a matter of minutes. There was nothing left of Hol Horse. Jonan picked the spike off of the ground as it emitted a few beeping noises and pocketed it once more.

James ran up to his partner, looking irate. "Nice job ya bloody gobshite! You blew our cover!"

Jonan glared at James. "Not something I can control mate. I've got to get this to Command while it's fresh. Should I leave the explaining to you?"

James let slip a feline growl.

Joseph had half a mind to whip out Hermit Purple on the two cat boys.
Just then, Vulpa piped up and said what was on everyone's mind.
"Alright cat boys, start talking. What the fuck is going on here?"