The Blade's Edge (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders x Male O/C)

Chapter 39: The Beginning of the End, Arriving at the Mansion

Raymond (Gladius) POV

I still don't know what happened to Hol Horse, we hadn't seen him since that vehicle crash and that was hours ago! 

Since then, we'd had a run-in with an operative from that Speedwagon Foundation who'd gone off to search for the mansion for us. It was also worth noting that Iggy the dog had done a runner as well. So there was that.

As we wandered, Joseph said something that caught my attention. "You know, once this is all over, you don't have to go back to being a mercenary." I turned to face him as he elaborated.

"You don't have to sell your skill. The Speedwagon Foundation would be honoured to have someone like you working with them. They'd pay you well, so you'd still be able to provide for your son." I had trouble coming up with an answer. In the end, all I said was.

"Sounds interesting, I'll think about it."

Once that was discussed, we went out searching for Iggy. Polnareff expressed annoyance at the dog's sudden runner. Joseph on the other hand displayed concern. Things got strange when Jotaro abruptly stopped and turned around.

Gyalzen asked "Jotaro, are you alright?" Avdol asked "Is someone following us?" For a moment, I thought it was Hol Horse again, but Jotaro answered "No, I thought I heard a voice, like someone calling us. 

We all followed his gaze, and I'll admit my eyes widened as Iggy rounded the corner! He was clearly injured, missing a LEG! Polnareff exclaimed "IGGY!" And ran over, we all did. 

Avdol asked "You were attacked, weren't you Iggy?" This clicked something in my head. I leaned down, looking closely. Seems his wounds had been treated, but I could see what looked like the remains of slash marks. I knew one of DIO's remaining lackeys who could do that.

I muttered "I know who it was." As they turned to me, I explained "The Stand user, Pet Shop. A feral bird wielding the Stand, Horus. I'm impressed Iggy here was able to overcome him." As I said this, the sound of footsteps was heard.

"He's right. It appears Iggy had a run-in with the enemy. I saw a boy holding him, he was half-dead. The doctors from the Speedwagon Foundation treated his wounds. Just like my eyes."

It was like a ghost. The others all exclaimed in unison. "KAKYOIN!" The others rushed over, including Gyalzen. I hung back for a moment, simply smiling at the exchange as Avdol asked how his eyes were.

Kakyoin expressed joy in seeing them all alright, before turning to me and saying. "It's good to see you again Gladius, or I suppose I should call you Raymond now. The Speedwagon Foundation doctors told me you were helping us now. I was glad to hear it."

I nodded, saying "Good to see you up and about as well Kakyoin. I honestly thought you weren't going to get here." Kakyoin chuckled "No. I was able to make a quick recovery, compliments of the Speedwagon Foundation." He turned to Jotaro and the two shook hands.

As they did, Iggy leapt from Joseph's arms. Instead of running away though, he stopped and looked back at us. Kakyoin explained "Iggy may have been indifferent towards people and Stands before, but it looks like he's trying to lead us somewhere. I don't know what happened between him and the enemy Stand, but now it's a matter of revenge."

Joseph said "But just where is he taking us?" With those words, we all followed after him.

As we did, a truck towing a car drove past. The car we recognized as the car the Speedwagon Foundation operative we met,  had been driving earlier! Judging by the wreckage and blood, it was clear what had happened! 

Joseph asked "Could this be the work of the Stand user Iggy encountered?" To which I answered "Yes, Pet Shop may have been an animal. But he was ferocious. I identified he was the culprit by the slash wounds Iggy has. They fit the savagery of that beast."