Location - Outside of the Colosseum

The Final Battle

"DON'T LET HIM GET THE ARROW!" Mista cried, emptying his entire clip towards Diavolo.

"It's too late, you fool!"「King Crimson」slammed both of its hands onto the Requiem Arrow, piercing itself with it. An ominous blood-red aura surged violently around the velvet stand and the spaces where the arrow had struck illuminated golden rays of light.

"At last, you're mine! I'm truly grateful this path had led to the true power of the Arrow! Hahaha! Fate never fails to reward those who had conquered the adversity of their past. With Fate's designs was finally realized. Now behold as「King Crimson」glorious ascension begins!" With that,「King Crimson」began to shed its shell. Cracks spreading along its body and arm as it crumbles apart. The Arrow swam through its forearm and towards its head, merging with the Stand of the devil.

"H-how could this be? So many lives were sacrificed for us to get here, all for it to fail? How could Diavolo have gotten his hands on the Arrow..?" Giorno whispered in disbelief. However, he had no time to contemplate. Because floating above the three remaining Passione Traitors was Diavolo and his newly obtained「King Crimson Requiem」.

"Oh, how good it feels to be back on the course of victory. Now prostrate yourselves, you filthy vermins. Behold! What you witness before you is the Stand that is at the apex of evolution! The king of all!「King Crimson Requiem」!" Diavolo laughed victoriously, descending from his ascension. Diavolo made his way over to Giorno, all the while smiling maniacally.

"All of your time is up! I will be the one to send you to hell personally, but fret not. You can have the honor of being the first to be executed by my newly acquired Requiem! How glorious! To be slain by a king, my final parting gift to you!" Activating his Stand and skipping time, Diavolo reappeared behind Giorno.

"Giorno! Behind you!" Mista tried warning Giorno but to no avail. Giorno was rewarded with a punch from the back, with enough strength exerted by「King Crimson Requiem」to penetrate his solar plexus clean through with little to no effort. Blood spewed out of the wound and streamed down his stomach. His internal organs ruptured and torn apart from the sheer force of the blow.

"Gagk-!" spitting out more crimson fluid, he looked down to his fist-punctured abdomen. Diavolo leaned in close to Giorno's ear, making it ever so uncomfortable to the dying teen.

"Now perish, Giorno Giovanna." The streets and buildings started to whirl at nauseating speeds, the rays of the sun begin to darken, his vision became hazy, and Giorno felt his body being pulled up to the sky at rapid speeds, back into reality.

-Giorno's Chambers (7:58 a.m.)

"GAAH!" springing upright in his desk, Giorno sat uneased, arms shivering, panting breaths with his heart rate beating twice as fast, and cold beads of sweat accumulating all over his body, dampening his pink attire.

"A dream?" rubbing the crust clear from his eyes, Giorno pats himself to check if this is indeed Reality. Having spent the whole of yesterday studying, cramming, and reading up about the Pony's cellular makeup.

So far, he discovers that Ponies' bodily structure isn't that much different than that of a Human's. The only glaring difference is extra appendages from the diverse groups after comprehending that concept. The thought of healing pony wounds naturally came to Giorno as though as he was treating any other.

Deciding to freshen up before meeting the Princess, he made his way over to the bathroom. Closing the door behind him, undressing, and started to take a shower, letting the sprinkling lukewarm water cleansing his being. But he still couldn't get the dream he had out of his mind; it bothered him to no end. After the defeat of Diavolo, Giorno still had nightmares now and then. He suspected that it could have been developed over the time of meeting Diavolo until his eventual vanquishment. Though he has overcome the hurdle of a monster that is「King Crimson」, the feeling of being unable to save his comrades from death didn't sit well with Giorno, even after discovering his capabilities to mend wounds.

'What's the use of healing others if I couldn't save half of my team?' During his time as the Don the Passione, this thought haunted him, managing to ignore it by focusing on his busy workload and meetings with other country's mob heads. Giorno tried everything to take his mind off his supposed past failures as a team member by overworking himself. Incidentally, this caused him to build up an emotional barrier between himself and his true feelings. Giorno's「Gold Experience Requiem」ability allows him to mend physical injuries, not mental trauma.

Finishing up in the shower, Giorno stepped out and dried himself. Giving his body a good stretch before suiting up. Making his way out of his chambers, the Guards stood at attention.

"Sir Giorno, is there anything we can get for you?"

"I want to meet with Princess Celestia to discuss our plans moving forward. Could one of you take me to her?"

"Of course, Sir Giorno. Please follow me."

Conference Room

Princess Celestia stood at the blackboard, arms crossed and overlooking a map of Equestria. On the blackboard has several locations in Equestria written in chalk, with some getting crossed out. Sitting at the round table behind her is a familiar pink alicorn with a tied-up ponytail mane colored a three-way between cream, purple, and velvet. Princess Cadance, cuffed with a gold necklace. She was in a cyan dress that reached her calves, and a darker shade covers her top with gold bracelets on her wrist.

"Auntie, don't you think you're overtaxing yourself?" Cadance spoke concerned,

"Cadance, you know that I can never take these matters lightly. Sombra and his forces are relentless in their conquest over Equestria. I can't let up now, not when we've managed to grasp a chance of defeating him." replied Celestia without turning away from the map.

"Yes, but surely even somepony like you needs a break, no?" Celestia wanted to dismiss Cadance of her worries, but the sound of knocking coming from the conference door did it for her. Turning to face the door, she answers.

"Come in."

The gold-plated double doors opened, and in enters Giorno being lead by a Guard. Kneeling, the Guard spoke up.

"Your highnesses, Sir Giorno, has requested an audience with you."

"Thank you, Guard. You may leave." Celestia cleared. Taking his leave, the Guard vacates the room leaving only Giorno, Cadance, and Celestia.

"It's good to see that you have rested well, Giorno. Let me introduce you to Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, my niece." Celestia continues,

"It's good to meet your acquaintance Princess Cadenza." Waving her hand in a relaxed manner, Cadance gave a small giggle and returned the greeting.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Sir Giorno. Please call me Cadance."

"Sure thing. Princess Celestia, I'm here to discuss our plan here onward."

"Good, I've been meaning to ask you the same." making his way over to the round table, Giorno took a seat close to where Celestia was standing while maintaining a comfortable distance between himself and Cadance.

"What's the situation right now?" He inquired. Celestia Levitated the map of Equestria over to Giorno, suspending it in the air for all three to see.

"Sombra is currently ruling The Crystal Empire, with his rule he wants to expand his dictatorship across Equestria. Mainly Canterlot. Having tried to do so many times in the past but failing every time, he started sending his Generals to attack the smaller areas and cities. Capturing the innocents that we couldn't save and adds them to his army count. We are trying to figure where he would strike next, however, with his recent attacks. Our resources and rations have taken a massive blow. Should we take another hit like that. I'm afraid that we won't have any leftover rations to feed my soldiers." Celestia explained.

"Can I see where Sombra had recently attacked?"

"It's listed on the blackboard. The names that are crossed out are locations that have been ransacked of supplies and taken over as additional bases of operation for Sombra." Peering behind Celestia, Giorno took a mental image of the locations of the blackboard.

-Appleloosa

-Baltimare

-Cloudsdale

-Dodge Junction

-Fillydelphia

-~~Las Pegasus~~

-~~Manehattan~~

-Ponyville

-~~Vanhoover~~

-Rockville

-Rainbow Falls

"I see..." muttered Giorno. He kept switching his focus between the map and the blackboard, deep in thought.

"Exactly, which is why Princess Cadance and I are trying to figure where the King might engage next. We suspect that Fillydelphia-" Celestia was rudely cut off by the voice of Giorno overpowering hers,

"No, no, what I meant was. I was starting to see a possible connection."

"W-what?! Really?! you might have a lead?!" shouted Cadance, standing up and leaning towards Giorno. After realizing how un-princess like it was of her to have over-reacted, she retook her seat with an embarrassed-apologetic smile.

"Hold on, Princess Cadance. No need to get ahead of ourselves here," Giorno waved it off, which only made Cadance even more embarrassed than before. Turning her pink face, tomato red. This sight was rather endearing to him.

"let me verify with Princess Celestia." Giorno got up from his seat, walking over to the blackboard.

"Princess Celestia, can you tell me the order in which they had taken over the cities on the map? and is it possible for you to project the map holographically?"

"Yes, I can." Celestia shone her horn. Magic swirled around it. The shining particles flew in-between Celestia and Giorno. Arranging themselves into a miniature 3D version of the map.

"Sombra has started his assault with Vanhoover. Next was Las Pegasus, and finally Manehatten. We suspect that their next attack would be Fillydelphia."

"No, he wouldn't attack there. The next spot he would set his eyes on. Is here, Appleloosa."

"What? but why Appleloosa?" Questioned Cadance,

"Look." Giorno pointed to Appleloosa on the holographic map, "Do you see how Appleloosa is situated directly at the far South of Canterlot?" he added.

"Giorno, where are you getting at?"

"Look closely, Princess. Aren't you overlooking a certain village?" Inspecting the map closer, Celestia realized what Giorno was hinting at.

"Are you saying that Sombra's troops will attack not only Appleloosa but Ponyville as well?"

"And subsequently Canterlot, based on the layout of your three-dimension map and in the order in which Sombra has taken over, it seems like he is trying to mislead you to think his next move would be on Fillydelphia, from the pattern of his forces moving downwards from the East of Canterlot. But should we tend to it, it would leave the entire North, South, and West wide open for attacks. We can't afford them to take Ponyville. Even if you had left some men stationed to defend Canterlot, I highly doubt your defenses could withstand the punishment taken from all three directions. At the very least, it would take the enemy several hours to a full day to set up a base in an entire city. We should use that time to ensure that Appleloosa isn't overrun."

"Still, Fillydelphia is filled with innocent ponies and resources that Sombra could abuse. Don't you think that saving Fillydelphia would benefit us greater as compared to Appleloosa?" Cadance voiced her concerns, unsure if what Giorno suggests would help gain any profits from the Holding the Line.

"It would be best to close any exploitable regions in our defense first before going to engage the enemy. Trust me on this, Princess Cadance." Cadance looked over to Celestia, uncertain of whether to trust Giorno's plan or to interject it. Celestia, however, seemed troubled. Desiring to clear her doubt, she questioned.

"Giorno, are you confident that Appleloosa would be the next focus objective that Sombra is trying to overtake?"

"I'm certain."

"Alright, I shall trust your judgment on the matter. Oh yes, I almost forgot to tell you, from now on. You have been granted the privilege of being the 3rd highest commander in the Equestrian Army. Only below Princess Cadance and I, I also trust that you won't abuse this special right given to you, yes?" Celestia added sarcastically,

"Thank you for the honor of entrusting me with this role of leadership, Princess Celestia. I will do my best to live up to your expectations. We should gather the available troops, specifically The Ground Pounders. I will need their specialization in earth manipulation for this mission. I will meet them before the Afternoon to start the operation. Also, I would like to overlook this operation myself. Princess Celestia and Princess Cadance, please stay in Canterlot."

"Noted, I'll talk to Captain Steelhooves for you. I know that there's tension between both of you right now. Please take care of them; they are now under your supervision."

"Thank you, Princess Celestia. I will. If there's nothing left, I'll take my leave now. I have to make preparations."

"No, none at all, you may leave." Bowing slightly, Giorno exited the conference room and faded into the red-carpeted hallways of the palace. Cadance looked over to Celestia, who was staring at the map.

"Auntie, don't you think it's too soon to put so much trust into Sir Giorno Giovanna?"

"I understand where you are coming from, my dear niece. But had he wanted to turn on us, he would have done so already. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's something about him that emanates... righteousness. In any case, we should announce the information regarding the operation too. Let us get to work." Celestia's response sort of place Cadance on edge. Was Righteousness something you could emanate? But no matter how bizarre it may seem. Cadance knew that if her aunt was positive that, Giorno Giovanna, an alien of practically unknown origin, could be trusted. Then she could put faith into him as well.

"I'm not sure if I get what you're saying, but if you trust him, Auntie. So do I."

Aboard the Train - Next Stop Appleloosa - ( 2:34 p.m )

"Why is it so humid?" Giorno breathed under his sweat. The sound of chatter of the Ground Pounders could be heard from the car directly behind him. Before departing from The Canterlot Station, Giorno had packed some metal bearings on his person hidden away in his pouch and a magically imbued ear-piece that allows him to telekinetically communicate to any Soldier aboard the train just by a thought. Other than that, he hadn't packed anything too heavy.

"I can't believe the Princess would trust YOU to lead us," Steelhooves said, sitting directly across Giorno, arms folded and head tilted.

"Captain, I know we started on the wrong foot,.. or hoof. But I don't want our difference to affect this mission. We would need a good relationship if we were to work together. So how about it? Let's turn over a new leaf." Giorno tried Urging Steelhooves, yet. Steelhooves wasn't buying any of it, instead. He just coldly ignored the Gold Joestar.

Sighing, Giorno sees his efforts of rebuilding a good relation with Steelhooves was going nowhere. Opting to sit there patiently with the humid air heating the surrounding. Looking out the window, the sight of rocky mountains and the dry, cactus-filled fields came into view. Leaning back, Giorno tried to relax. But the echo of a voice snapped him to attention.

"We will be reaching Appleloosa in ten minutes, all soldiers. Battle-ready." As sudden as the voice of Steelhooves came on, the chatter in the car behind Giorno silenced.

'Such discipline.' Giorno thought, taking a deep breath. He mentally prepared himself for what's the worse to come.

ゴゴゴゴ

Author's Note

Hiya, sorry about the late update. Remember when I said I sprained my forearm? yea apparently, I fractured my wrist without knowing. So I won't be able to update the story as frequently as I did in Nov. since it makes typing hella difficult. But I still am updating the story, so yay.