The final chapter for Battle Tendency is here. Disclaimer: I don't own Jojo's Bizarre Adventure or My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

Battle Tendency Chapter 24: A Peaceful Ending

Kars struggled as he was thrown out of the atmosphere and into space. 'No!,' he thought, 'I won't let it end this way! I am still the perfect being! I can survive out here, if only long enough to return to Earth!' He immediately sprouted air jets from his body in an effort to change his trajectory, but this only served to make things worse as it provided more holes for the frigid environment to enter him. With no chance to return, Kars kept shifting through adaptations until he finally got caught halfway between organic and mineral, frozen forever as he drifted through space, unable to die even though he wanted to. Eventually, his conscious thought ceased, leaving his immortal body an empty shell, drifting through the vacuum.

"You have no idea how worried we were, Jojo," Caesar said as he looked at the hero of the hour. Joseph was laid up in bed at a Venice hospital with several bandages all over his body. "I was fortunate," Joseph admitted, "Thanks to the Red Stone of Aja, I was able to project a Hamon shield strong enough to protect me from the re-entry, bolstered by the rock I was on. I didn't hurt that I also landed in the ocean." He held up the stone in his remaining hand. "Looks like Mom was right about this. Though I still think it might have been easier if we had destroyed it and then hunted Kars down. Still, this is an even sweeter victory. Kars got what he wanted, but by now I get the feeling he's regretting it."

"Come now, Jojo," Suzi Q said, "You need to keep your strength up." She offered him a cherry, but teased him a little with it before he was able to grab it from her. Applejack and Caesar laughed at their antics. "Most of my injuries will heal within a few days thanks to my Hamon breathing," Joseph noted, "So all that's left to do is wait for the prosthetic arm Stroheim offered me as thanks for stopping Kars. Speaking of which, whatever happened to Wamuu?" "He said he found evidence that other tribes of his people may still exist in Europe," Applejack explained, "He wants to try and reconnect with them."

"His only experience with his people has been Kars and Esidisi," Caesar noted, "It'll do him some good to get to know the more peaceful side of his species." "By the way," Suzi Q said, "I couldn't help but notice you two are sporting rings now." Applejack blushed as she showed off the wedding ring Caesar gave her. "Yeah, we were so excited to have survived after the horror Kars put us through we chose to marry right away. I've already told my family about it, and they said they couldn't be happier."

"You know Suzi Q," Joseph said, "Since we seem to play off each other so easily, we should consider getting married as well." Suzi Q became excited. "Really? Oh Jojo, nothing would make me happier! Though that'll have to wait until you've recovered enough to get out of bed." "I still can't believe that crazy series of coincidences that let us finally beat Kars," Applejack said, "It's like Mother Earth didn't appreciate Kars breaking the rules of her natural order and wanted him gone." Joseph snickered. "Want to know something funny? As Kars was being launched into space, I bragged that I had planned the whole thing. It was a lie of course, but his scream of anger at thinking I outsmarted him was so satisfying." That got the group laughing out loud. It was a laughter of relief at having survived a foe more powerful than any encountered throughout history.

A little over two weeks later, Joseph and his friends returned to New York, expecting to meet with the rest of their circle. Stroheim, Mark, and Donovan couldn't join them because of the war effort, but perhaps that was for the best. Joseph was a little confused that no one was waiting at the airport, but got word that the group was having a funeral. "I wonder who died recently," Joseph said, "I hope it's no one we know." Caesar and Applejack looked at each other and grinned, while Suzi Q seemed oblivious.

When they got to the cemetery, they saw the group. Joseph gave his two friends and new wife a signal to be quiet, then snuck up on Erina and placed his hands over her eyes. "Guess who?" Erina seemed to be in greater surprise than Joseph expected. Smokey also looked over, hardly believing the voice he was hearing. "Hey guys," Joseph said, "I finally got back to New York. I was curious why no one was waiting for me, so I made some inquires. Imagine my surprise when I heard you were all attending a funeral."

He looked at the group and smiled. "Lisa Lisa, I see you've healed up nicely. And Messina's here as well. I managed to finish healing myself. Though I did need a new arm, but luckily Stroheim was accommodating. I was hoping he could jazz it up with a few gadgets, but now that we're on the brink of war with Germany I guess that's right out." He got confused at the surprised looks his friends and family were given him. Just then, several workers accosted him. "Hey there! This is a funeral, have some respect!"

Joseph argued with them before knocking them aside. "Jeez, can't a guy get in touch with his family and friends!?" "Jojo!," the group said as one. "You're telling me Jojo's alive!?," Smokey asked in shock. Joseph looked confused. "Well, yeah of course I am. And why are you all looking at me like you've seen a ghost?" He then noticed the headstone and freaked out when he saw his own name on it. "What in the hell!? Why is my name on a tombstone when I'm still alive!?"

The group then heard the raucous laughter of Caesar and Applejack from nearby. "We didn't have the heart to tell you," Caesar explained, "But prior to getting the order for your new arm, Stroheim sent a report to the Speedwagon Foundation that you had died after defeating Kars." Joseph's jaw dropped. "And he didn't bother to correct that report afterward!?" "Come now, Jojo," Suzi Q said as she approached, her more sultry appearance shocking the group as they didn't immediately recognize her, "You'll catch a cold standing out in the rain."

She offered Joseph an umbrella, her wedding ring visible. Messina realized what was going on. "Hey, that woman is Suzi Q! And that ring!" Joseph looked surprised again. "So you don't even know that we got married!?" "You got married!?," the group replied in shock. "And they aren't the only ones," Applejack pointed out, revealing her own wedding band. Suzi Q blushed. "It's just crazy. I've become Missus Joseph Joestar. Just the thought of it..." She sighed dreamily.

"Hold on Suzi Q," Joseph said, "There's still something I'm confused about. I can excuse Stroheim not informing the Speedwagon Foundation of my survival due to being busy with his military duties. But I thought I asked you to send a telegram to them letting them know we'd be coming and what happened to me." He quickly went through how he managed to survive, surprising the group. Then he got angry when he realized what must have happened. "You never sent the telegram, did you!?"

Suzi Q thought for a moment. "Uh... I don't really know." "To me that sounds like 'no'!," Joseph growled. Suzi Q chuckled, as Joseph moved his fingers in a way that made a distinct mechanical sound. "Now now," Suzi Q said nervously, "Let's not get all clicky fingers..." She then started running in the opposite direction, calling out, "I never sent it! I'm sorry Jojo!" "Ah, Suzi Q!," Joseph called out in frustration, "You had one job, woman! One job!" "Y'know," Applejack said, "We probably could have sent that telegram ourselves." "Maybe," Caesar agreed, "But I thought it might be fun to play one last joke on Jojo." They joined the rest of their family and friends as Joseph pulled Suzi Q into a loving hug.

Lisa Lisa, also known as Elizabeth Joestar, reconnected with her son Joseph Joestar. Together with her daughter-in-law Suzi Q Joestar, the three of them moved to America. In 1948, Elizabeth found love again, marrying a Hollywood screenwriter that she would spend many happy years with. Caesar Zeppeli joined Applejack, now Jackie Zeppeli, on her family's new orchard just outside of Manhattan, settling into the same peaceful life his father once had. William Zeppeli eventually retired to his family's historical home in Naples. He would eventually die peacefully just after World War II ended, at one-hundred and seven years old. Wamuu soon found another tribe of his people in an underground city in Norway. He found it difficult to adjust to a peaceful life at first, but soon found himself enjoying it.

Erina Joestar carried on a teaching career until 1950, when she too died peacefully. She was surrounded by her friends and loved ones. Her husband, Jonathan Joestar, continued on, determined to live until he knew for certain that had seen the end of Dio. Until then, he continued his own career in archaeology. Robert EO Speedwagon continued to progress the medical and financial world through his oil company and foundation. He eventually died of a heart attack in 1952. His wife, Lydia Speedwagon, also known as Twilight Sparkle, died peacefully three years later.

Dire and Messina continued to expand the school of Hamon, knowing that many of the stone masks Kars had made still remained on Earth. Dire eventually died peacefully in 1963, prior to which he passed the title of Master to Messina. Smokey Brown worked to pay for his college studies, where he eventually earned a degree in political science. In 1970, he would become the first black mayor in a city of his home state of Georgia. Rudol von Stroheim would never see Joseph again. He fell in battle defending the retreat of his soldiers, including Mark and Donovan, on the Stalingrad front in 1943. He is still remembered as a proud German soldier who died for the sake of his country.

Years began to flow by, and before long Suzi Q bore Joseph two beautiful children, a son whom he named George Joestar III, and a daughter he named Holly Joestar. George soon discovered his own talent for Hamon, but Holly was a far gentler soul. Eventually she grew up and married a Japanese jazz musician, much to Joseph's chagrin since it meant she would be living halfway across the world from him. Luckily, he had his grandfather around to ground him.

"You really should remember how easy it is to fly across the world now," Jonathan reminded his grandson while they were at the airport. Their age was now quite evident, though they still looked to be the same age regardless. "I guess you're right," Joseph admitted, "Maybe I'm growing senile. Or maybe it's just anger that my son-in-law is constantly on tour. I'm surprised Holly hasn't complained." They got ready to board their flight. "By the way," Joseph said, "Did the arrow work?" "Yes," Jonathan replied, "I now have a Stand of my own. Along with the one you've suddenly acquired, we have all we need to finally track him down..."

Next Story: Steel Ball Run

This ending was just about perfect, and if not for the teaser at the end you'd think it would end there. However, the next part isn't Stardust Crusaders. I had something else in mind. Read and review.