Part 3

Part 3 subtitled Crimson Abyss took place from June 24th to December 29th of 2019, and unlike parts 1 and 2 who had a liner story structure, part 3 had two storylines running simultaneously which came together at the end of the part. Few characters returned from previous parts because of the nature of the two storylines.

## Introduction:

New York Lore: The Granville Payne Academy is a prestigious school, well known for its unique classes and student environment. Many who graduate from this academy go on to shape our modern world. However, hidden behind its well polished halls and rigorous classes lies something far more sinister....

Italy Lore: For years the gang Red October ruled the black markets of Italy, pushing out all competition and running their operation with an iron fist. Two years ago, following the death of their leader Dante Aventus, the gang collapsed. Ever since then there has been a power vacuum in Italy. Now comes the time to decide, who will replace the greatest power house Italy has ever seen? Who will seize the throne for themselves? What ambitious gang will rise above the others? And what other hidden forces might be at play? Only time will tell.

## The events of the part:

2 years have passed since the fall of the leader of Red October Dante Aventus at the hands of Blue Christmas and Italy is in an uproar. A power vacuum has left gangs fighting for control and struggling to assert their dominance and seize the throne of Italy for themselves. Among them is the new upstart gang Crimson Phoenix, led by its mysterious leader Claudius, a man rumored to be as powerful as the Crimson Titan Dante Aventus. Within days the ambitions of this man become clear as he uses his ever growing collection of criminals and stand users to rapidly spread his control over Italy, crushing any who stand in his way. But of course something such as this never goes unnoticed, and over in New York Project Requiem gains word of the firestorm raging across Italy. They quickly respond, with two members, Chase and Caleb, heading over to Rome to stop this gang before things get out of hand. There they quickly find themselves allied with the Dream Police, a collection of righteous stand users who also oppose Crimson Phoenix, who had already defeated them once in battle.

Meanwhile, as battle rages in Italy darkness also takes hold over New York. Granville Academy, a prestigious boarding school known for its exceptional classes and top notch education, has just begun its fall semester, with a fresh wave of new students. Among these students it turns out are several stand users, and it isn't long before fights begin to break out between these teenage stand users. Although soon enough it becomes clear that these fights are not simple disagreements between children, but rather something more. Someone is pulling strings and causing chaos within the school in order to achieve some goal. Over the course of several battles, including against the mythical 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the students of Granville Payne academy learn that Romeo Valentino, a history teacher, is the one behind the attacks, and that if they want to survive they'll have to confront him directly.

Over in Italy the Dream Police, Project Requiem, and anyone else willing to stand against Claudius and his gang begin to make preparations. Through the use of mind reading via Caleb's stand, X&Y, the allied stand users have gained extensive knowledge of the location, members, and resources of Crimson Phoenix, and they have planned to initiate their final strike in order to destroy the gang in a decisive confrontation. In New York another final confrontation has begun, as the Granville Students have managed to find and confront Romeo inside a large catacomb network under the school (check lore for more details). Here they learn Romeo's true intention was to acquire a relic that lies in rest deep within these catacombs, a golden pendant of unknown power, and use it to some end. They attempt to face him directly, only to find themselves utterly wiped out. Several of the students end up dead, and the others are greatly injured as Romeo escapes the school and makes his way to Italy, where his final plan will come together.

In Italy all preparations have been made for a raid on the Crimson Phoenix hide out, except there’s one problem. Crimson Phoenix isn’t in their hideout, rather their in the middle of the city, in a standoff with police as they seemingly defend a single specific location. The allies quickly make their way over there and engage the gang in direct battle. Over the course of the battle Crimson Phoenix finds itself practically wiped out, as the allies manage to defeat almost all of them, not without losses of their own of course. Soon only Claudius remains, and it doesn’t seem it will be long before he’s overwhelmed and defeated. But soon enough reinforcements arrive, as Romeo appears at the scene and quickly helps Claudius push back their opponents. It soon becomes clear that the two men have been working together, though their plan still remains unknown, though it won’t stay that way for long. As Claudius continues to hold off the allies Romeo makes his way over to a very specific location near a warehouse and finally reveals the purpose of his pendant. Through the sacrifice of his own life he is able to revive the Crimson Titan himself, Dante Aventus. A battle quickly begins between the remaining Dream Police/Project Requiem members and the revived Dante. Soon it becomes clear that his ability has evolved from its original form and, though it lacks its requiem ability, is impossibly powerful. In the end, after even more allied stand users fall, the only way to defeat him is by an overwhelming attack that not only kills him, but kills Caleb as well. Thus concludes the final battle of part 3, and thus the story of Red October truly comes to an end.