Prior to the journey to the Forest Temple, Momonga and his group were making plans. Once the Spirit Tracks were restored, they had their chance to stake their own claim on the world. To that end, they needed to learn as much of it as possible, beyond the use of Stands. That meant learning what other powers were possible, what was where, how the political scene worked, and what criminal elements existed if any. The most logical place to start was E-Rantel in the Re-Estize kingdom.

Herohero volunteered to infiltrate the higher society of the city as a wealthy merchant, using the rebranded gold from the tomb to show proof of his wealth. As part of that, one of the Pleiades, special assassins that dressed as maids, was chosen to pose as his wife. The one who volunteered was Solution Epsilon, a human slime who had gained an attraction to Herohero due to the possibilities his Stand presented to her as a woman. In addition, they would be aided by the loyal butler of the tomb, a dragonoid named Sebas Tian. Sebas looked like an old yet fit man, but was actually in his twenties.

It wasn't long before Herohero, going under the pseudonym Hiroshi Balba, learned of a group called the Death Spreading Brigade, and a mysterious individual who combined Stand power with something called Martial Arts, special techniques that could either enhance skills or deliver devastating blows. Curious, Herohero had summoned Shalltear as extra insurance. "Despite not having a Stand of your own," he explained, "Your strength may prove the tipping point when encountering him. Please keep in mind that we don't know just what this person's Stand might be, only rumors."

"Of course," Shalltear said, "To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure I'd be more useful with a Stand. Your former master, DIO Brando, gained a Stand after becoming a vampire yet was still defeated." They were being driven through the city by a man named Zach. Herohero had already pegged the guy as a member of the very group they were targeting and confronted him over it. Once they learned his backstory, that his sister had been sold into slavery while he was conscripted into war, they made him an offer. Betray the Death Spreading Brigade in exchange for assistance in finding his sister. Since said brigade never helped him, and they'd likely do unspeakable things to his sister if they ever did find her, Zach agreed.

For his first job Zach was asked to do what he normally did like nothing was wrong, single out rich folk for the brigade to do with as they liked. And here was a prize the group knew the brigade couldn't resist, a rich merchant with plenty of gold on hand and a flawless blonde beauty as his wife. Before long the group was ready to make its move. While at a local inn, Solution made a very vocal dislike about her meal and announced her decision to leave.

Zach was passed a small communication spell as he left to play his part. Inside their shared room, Solution kept a secret eye on the meeting. "He made contact?," Herohero asked. "Yes," Solution said, "He's making an impressive performance, but it seems he understands his place. Though he did make it seem like he's still with the brigands by asking to have his turn inside me. But the charm we slipped on him notes that he hasn't decided to turn on us last minute."

Herohero chuckled. While they did believe Zach's story, they were hardly naive. It would have been all too easy for Zach to double-cross them, so they made sure to have a few contingency plans in place. Later the group was being driven to the ambush site. With them Shalltear and two of her brides. "So Shalltear," Herohero said, "I don't think I've ever heard of a vampire being born." "Both my parents became vampires because of odd stone masks," Shalltear explained, "I was the result of their union."

'The same type of stone mask that gave DIO his vampirism no doubt,' Herohero thought, 'So some of them made their way to this realm.' 'Heads up,' came Zach's voice through the communication device, 'I've just sent the signal.' "Very good," Herohero said, "Shalltear, you head out first. It will get the brigands to lower their guard. The first one to approach will likely be the leader. Feel free to kill him, it will send the others in a panic. The rest must be captured to sort out back at the tomb. And above all, we need to find their hideout."

"Of course," Shalltear said. The carriage was quickly stopped and a gruff voice called out, "All right, come on out of there." Shalltear grinned as she complied. The brigand had a leering look as he spotted the pale beauty. "Well now. We weren't expecting extra company, but I won't complain. I trust you won't resist." He reached out to grab Shalltear's breast, only to gasp in shock and pain when his hand came clean off. "I'll thank you not to touch without permission," Shalltear said, slicing through the brigand leader's neck to decapitate him.

The two vampire brides emerged next. "Remember, the others are to be taken alive, but feel free to remove the odd limb if necessary." Zach watched from a safe distance as the brigands were corralled and captured. One spotted Solution and Herohero and made to run them through. Solution smirked as she stood in the way of the blow, but Herohero saw the blade was longer than it looked. "Chemical Romance!" Zach gasped as Herohero's body got sucked into a small sphere, only to be replaced by a gelatinous copy.

The brigand, having not seen this, thought he scored a victory, but gasped when he saw no blood coming from either target. "Lord Herohero," Solution said, "May I have this one? Please?" Herohero shrugged. "I suppose he deserves a harsh lesson for his arrogance." Zach watched in disgust as Solution's slime body absorbed and consumed the brigand, his screams quickly being drowned. "Glad I wasn't serious about wanting to be inside her," he noted, "It would not end well for me."

"Mistress," one of the brides said as she held up one of the captive brigands, "This one has knowledge of their base, where a powerful Stand user resides." "That would be Brain Unglaus," Zach said once he saw the melee was over, "Not only is he a Stand user, he has powerful Martial Arts. He was able to fight on equal level to the legendary Gazef Stronoff." "Gazef is a powerful Stand user in his own right," Sebas noted, "Lord Herohero saw his Stand's power first-hand. If this Brain can fight on equal level, he is one to investigate."

"Then with your permission Lord," Shalltear said, "I shall attend to this matter personally." "Very well," Herohero replied, "But remember that Brain must be kept alive. Keep in mind that even if he cannot handle someone of your power, that does not mean he is weak." Shalltear nodded. "Yes, I remember. It's all about the context. What of anyone else that may be inside the base?" Herohero shrugged. "We have plenty of subjects for experimentation right here. Feel free to dispose of anyone else you find." Shalltear smiled, then rushed off at surprising speed.

Brain was quick to hear about the vampire ravaging through their hideout and went to investigate. He gasped when he saw the young woman, having finished feeding on one of the other brigands. "You must be Brain Unglaus," she said, "I am Shalltear Bloodfallen. I've heard you possess some unique skills. I've come to test them." Brain chuckled. "So you came all this way just to see me. I gotta say, I'm flattered. But given you finished eating one of my allies I doubt you have any good intentions regarding me."

He placed a hand on his katana, and suddenly a field of energy surrounded him. "This is a Martial Art I developed on my own. It's a sword field that increases my perception to its utmost limit. I've learned a few Martial Arts over time, and can combine otherwise incompatible ones using my Stand..." A golden energy surrounded him. "Hybrid Theory!" Several flashes of color appeared, and Shalltear licked her lips as she felt his strength increase. "This should be fun. Allow me to test the limits of your skill."

She stepped into the field without fear, then began to quickly block a number of sword slashes that seemed to come from all angles at once, before blocking a more frontal attack with just her palm. She was pleasantly surprised to feel some blood seeping out. "That's impressive for a human. That Stand of yours means I actually have to try and defend myself." Brain backed off for a moment as he saw Shalltear heal herself. "Looks like I'm not strong enough yet."

Shalltear's nose suddenly twitched. "Seems there's interlopers outside. I must not be the only one to have ferreted out your little hideout. We'll have to continue this another time. But I will say this much..." She started to turn around. "You'll never get stronger simply preying on the weak. Your talents would be far better suited fighting those that are strong." And with that, she rushed outside. Brain sighed. "Something tells me she only showed a fraction of what she's capable of. Maybe I should take her advice to heart."

Back in the present, Herohero finished the story. 'The last thing we heard was Shalltear encountering a group of adventurers, likely tasked with removing the brigade on the payroll of Slane. One of them was the adventurer Brita, who explained that their handler, an elderly woman named Kaire, took control of Shalltear using her Stand, Calling All the Monsters.' "Likely the Stand that took control of Hamsuke," Momonga noted, "Where are they now?" 'She spoke of joining an ally at the Forest Temple,' Herohero explained.

Momonga nodded. "All right, thanks for the intel." He stopped the spell. "There are two Stand users waiting for us at the top of the temple, one of them has control of a valued friend. George, Gyro, I should mention this friend is a vampire, so..." "Relax," George said, "We'll aim for the one controlling her. Our Hamon should be able to pick them out. It's this other unknown Stand user that concerns me." They started to approach the top floor.

"Why bring this vampire here?," said a large humanoid figure. In front of him was the elderly Kaire, Shalltear next to her. "I thought our faction's leader could make use of such a powerful being. My Stand had yet to take control of a vampire, and I could not pass up the chance." "Our leader has more than enough muscle for our plans," the figure said, "In fact, he has no more need for you. Which is why I will be doing nothing to prevent your assassination." Kaire looked confused. "What assassination?" She then found herself frozen before several sharp nails ran through her throat.

As she lay dying, the figure smirked. "That assassination." Shalltear started to regain her senses as Kaire finished dying. "Good, you're feeling better," came a warm voice she was grateful to hear. "Lord Momonga!," she called out as she turned around, seeing the familiar armor of her master. Sobbing in relief, she ran to hug him. "I have no idea what's going on, but I realized that someone was trying to control me! Thank goodness you came to save me!" "Quite the reverse," Momonga said with a grin, "It's more like you were brought to me so I could save you."

"So much for allies," Hekkeran noted. The figure approached, revealing himself to be a lizardman. "That woman had been useful for gaining soldiers, but our leader can copy them endlessly with his own Stand." "Well," Peter said, "Now we have a clue as to what he does. So what of you? Why's a lizardman working in this project? If anyone needs the Spirit Tracks, it's your people." "They are not my people anymore," the lizardman replied, "I was exiled from my tribe because I backed a leader that encouraged cannibalism as a means to survive during a food shortage."

He breathed deep. "Now I, Stagnox, have been tasked with making sure this magic well remains closed. And so I shall... With the power of my Stand! The Beetle!" Instantly a suit of armor appeared over him, looking like an armored carapace seeping with poison mist, the horn looking like that of a stag beetle, and possessing wings as well. He rushed in to attack, prompting Hamsuke to make the first move. "Tiger by the Tail!" Stagnox found himself having to block to avoid damage, and even then he was sent flying across the room.

"Beware the mist!," Starlight called out, "It's poisonous, and likely a by-product of his Stand!" Stagnox quickly charged at her, but she was ready. "Dove and Grenade!" Her body became covered in metal, including a protective covering for her mouth and nose, as she used the added durability to stop Stagnox's charge. She then stomped on the ground, sending him flying when the earth erupted beneath him. Quickly he stopped himself in mid-air using his Stand's wings.

He quickly flew in with a diving charge, knocking Starlight over, where she was caught by George. "Thank you," she said, "But he hits hard, and his Stand provides solid defense." Stagnox charged again, this time slamming into Momonga, though Momonga's own armor and swords allowed for a stalemate, causing Stagnox to throw Momonga behind him using his horn. He then took to the air again as Peroroncino attacked with Black Crow. "There's no way you'll find the strength to overpower me!," Stagnox declared.

"Hekkeran!," George called out, "Now's the time to use your Stand's munitions!" "On it!," Hekkeran replied, "Ticket to Ride!" Stagnox looked surprised when the legendary train appeared and surrounded him with its tracks. "It has a new user?" He didn't have long to ponder this, as he found himself having to defend against the four powerful weapons that Ticket to Ride had on hand, especially it's powerful mortar launcher. As Stagnox plummeted to the ground, George ran to intercept him. "Tusk Act 4!"

The Beetle got slammed with Tusk's Hamon charged fist, and it just kept on attacking. "ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA!" Stagnox got flung across the room, his Stand holding but showing signs of damage. He charged again, this time managing to slam into George, who only barely managed to put up a Hamon defense to prevent major damage. Momonga rushed in and batted Stagnox aside with his blade before calling on his own Stand. "Undead! Vacuum Wave!" A secondary wave of cutting air sliced through the room, nailing Stagnox as he put his guard up.

"George! Gyro!," Hekkeran called out, "We've got one more trick up our sleeve! Follow me!" He leapt onto Ticket to Ride, George and Gyro following. The train Stand sped up until it began to charge right at Stagnox, before opening its cockpit to allow the two Hamon users, mounted on their steeds, to shoot out at high speed. "Tusk Act 4!" "Ball Breaker!" Both of them launched their signature projectiles, charged with Hamon. "Complete! Twin Railgun Overdrive!" Stagnox was hit by both attacks, which finally broke through his defenses, striking him down.

"My only regret...," he said as he started bleeding out, "Is I never... Got to see my sister Crusch... Find a mate..." He collapsed, his Stand dissipating. Starlight then approached the magic well in the center. "Now... How do we activate this...?" Her answer came when the well seemed to activate on its own, glowing as a device rose out from its depths, before twisting like the gear it resembled, finally shooting a beam of energy that ran along the Spirit Tracks, returning to Down at the Station.

"That's created a few new tracks," Starlight noted, "Perhaps the Ancient One can explain how the magic well reactivated without us really doing anything." "We have our own plans to make," Momonga said, indicating his faction, "But if our paths cross again, we'll be willing to lend our aid. Good luck in your quest. May we all get what we desire from this venture." And with that, Momonga's group left. "We should head back to the station tower," George noted, "This mission has only yet begun."

I hope that makes things clear. Momonga and his team are not really with George and his friends, but they're not against them either. Also, I included a new paragraph from my original draft to highlight just how strong Stagnox could be, insuring the fight's difficulty didn't come solely from how durable he was. I hope the effect is what I wanted.