Good evening, everyone! Wow, it has been quite some time since this story was updated. I apologize profusely for that, and I hope that is not a trend that will continue going forward. For now, I hope that those of you who had been following this story are pleased with this update! This chapter involves an OC stand user, so I hope you enjoy the deviation from the canon chain of events!

Morning came, Polnareff rubbing Anne's shoulder as they glanced around at their sleeping friends worriedly. When they began to wake, she gasped, going over to them.

"Oh thank heavens, you're alright!" She exclaimed.

"Anne? Why wouldn't we be? Did something happen?" Joseph asked.

"Anne." Kakyoin said lowly, shaking his head. She tilted hers for a moment before Polnareff approached, whispering.

"They don't remember. I didn't either." He said.

"Anne, how is our little guy doing?" Joseph smiled. "I'm sure you watched over him all night. Babies are so cute when they sleep." He chuckled.

"Ah... speaking of babies... Anne, Polnareff, would you care to help me with something?" Kakyoin asked, smirking previously as he eyed the baby.

"Gladly." Anne replied, the three heading over to the basket.

"Good grief... she's supposed to be the motherly one, not you, old man." Jotaro rolled his eyes.

"I was a very good father! Hm... that reminds me... I think I had some sort of dream. I think you were in it, Jotaro. I remember seeing a young boy. He almost looked like you a bit... I'm sure it was you."

"Okay... and?" Jotaro rose a brow.

"Just saying... Jotaro, for what it's worth... if anything good has come from this journey so far... it would be getting to know you." Joseph smiled.

"Alright, enough of the sap." He moved past him. No one saw, but he smiled to himself lightly.

Meanwhile, Polnareff burst into laughter as Kakyoin fed the baby some breakfast, having added a non-fatal, but unpleasant ingredient.

"And when you're done, you're going to get a nice dose of cough syrup. After all, you'll be doing plenty of that once Kakyoin has finished with you here. The thought of being in your position is making me nearly gag myself." She said as she chuckled, glancing over at him.

Later on, they made their way through the desert. As Joseph went to bring the baby to an orphanage in the town they finally reached, Anne came to stand beside Kakyoin as Jotaro and Polnareff small talked.

"How are you holding up, Anne?" Kakyoin asked.

"I'm well, thank you." She looked at him through her mask. "Noriaki... I'm so sorry I doubted you."

He sighed lightly. "I know why you did, Anne."

"Regardless." Anne moved closer to him. "Noriaki, I already told you I'm not in love with you." She took his hand then. "But I do love you- and would do anything to protect you. With that said, I want no more secrets between us. Deal?"

His smile faded for a moment, drawing her into a hug. "Anne, no matter what happens, we're both going to get through this. I promise." Inside, his heart sunk. There was still a very big secret he was keeping from her, and regardless of what he did, he would betray someone's trust- Anne's, or Jotaro's.

"Alright, it's done." Joseph said, returning to the group. "Anne... I'm proud of how you're taking this. I know it wasn't easy to give him up."

Anne thought to herself for a moment. "Joseph... I can't keep living in the past. I have to focus on what I have now. I may have lost a family, but I have found a new one."

Joseph smiled as the others joined them, Polnareff smiling as he placed an arm around her shoulders. "So, where to now?" He asked.

"We're going to continue to the coast here. Once we reach port, we have to cross the Red Sea... and then, we will reach Egypt." Joseph said. They were all silent for a moment.

"So... this is really it, huh?" Polnareff asked.

"It had to come sooner or later." Jotaro said. "Just be glad that most of us made it there alive. Now come on, we have some catching up to do." He said, the group proceeding as they were ready to move on from this ordeal.

Hol stretched his arms, working the kinks out of his neck as he stood beside McBrain. She was in much better shape now, many of her injuries either healed or well under control. She donned a pair of expensive sunglasses, raising them a bit when she saw a boat approaching from some distance away. She turned, glancing at Hol Horse as he adjusted his hat.

"So... sure you don't want to come with me, cowboy?" She smirked.

"Nah... I'll meet up with you in a few days. Figure you've got a better chance of charming Dio than me." He shrugged as she giggled.

"Just think... soon, we'll be rolling in a shit ton of money once we get those idiots..." She replied. "What I would love to do to that bitch..." She curled her lip.

"Hey, just keep it cool, will ya?" Hol said. "Keep your cat fights to yourself."

As McBrain rolled her eyes, the boat approached the port, docking as several attendants hopped up to grab her bags to secure. She glanced at Hol, raising a brow. "Last chance."

"You go on ahead, little lady. You can watch me riding in on the Arabian sunset, huh?" He smirked.

She chuckled, leaning up to whisper in his ear. "Won't be as fun as being ridden on, though." As she smirked, Hol's spine stiffened when her hand reached down to grasp a sensitive spot of his, a drop of sweat rolling down the side of his face. "Don't keep me waiting too long, cowboy." She then lifted her sunglasses to sit on her hair, pressing a lingering kiss on his lips. As she backed away, she flicked her glasses so they fell back on her face, smirking as she spared him one last smile before turning to board the private boat. As Hol stood, his lips glistening with traces of her lip gloss, he chuckled to himself.

"Damn... she really does know how to rodeo." He said to himself as he watched the boat fade into the distance.

The Crusaders continued to traverse through the desert after leaving the small town, having had a ways to go before reaching the Red Sea.

"That was the best sleep I had in days." Polnareff smiled lightly.

"Same. It wasn't a five star hotel, but at least I was able to get some quality rest." Kakyoin said.

"How far are we from port, Joseph?" Anne asked.

"About another few miles... we should reach there by mid-afternoon." He replied. "Assuming we have no setbacks."

"What do you mean? What kind of crazy stand user would come at us in the middle of the desert?" Polnareff asked, and everyone looked at him flatly. "Oh, um, right." He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Hey, old man. Has there been any word on how mom's doing?" Jotaro asked, to Joseph's surprise.

"I was able to use a telephone this morning... she's about the same." Joseph said, glancing over at his grandson. "I know we've had quite a few obstacles to push past, but we're going to save her, Jotaro. You just have to have faith."

"I was just asking how she was doing. I don't need a pep talk." Jotaro replied, pulling his cap over his eyes.

"Hey, what is that up ahead?" Kakyoin squinted his eyes. "Is that... a car?"

"In the middle of the desert? Oh sacre bleu, don't tell me it's ZZ again!" Polnareff exclaimed.

"If that man had any brains, he wouldn't be trifling with us again... no, this car is different. Look, someone is emerging." Anne said.

"Oh great, this doesn't look good..." Polnareff said, Joseph dismounting his camel as a short, heavyset gentleman in a pinstriped suit emerged from the car. The balding, middle aged man held a cigar between two fat fingers, leaning against his car as he took a drag. Joseph approached him, clearing his throat.

"Excuse me, sir... are you lost?" He asked.

"Not at all, my friend." The man spoke as if he were from the Bronx. "Are you?"

"No... we're trying to get to the port over there, we need to take a boat across the Red Sea." Joseph explained.

"Is that so?" The man asked, taking another puff of his cigar. "Well... that's gonna cost you, pal."

"I'm... already aware that there's a fare. I didn't think I would have to pay here." Joseph rose a brow as the man chuckled.

"I ain't talking about cash. I got enough of that coming to me in due time. More than all of yous combined could pay me." He rose a brow as he smirked. "Catch my drift, old guy?"

Joseph clenched his teeth. "Are you working for Dio?!"

The man took something out of his jacket, holding up a contract. "I run a lot of cookie stands, Mr. Joestar. And you know how you make cookies? With dough. I got a big lump sum coming my way if I make a delivery of my own. I already know you've been down a man for a while."

Joseph hissed out a breath. "What can I do to make you allow us to get through here?" As he asked this, the man chuckled.

"Do you have any idea who I am, pal? I'm from one of the toughest neighborhoods in the world. When you live in the streets in New York, you got to know the art of the deal. You're from New York, ain't ya? See, nowadays, the old gangsters like me are a dyin' breed. These kids nowadays can't even wear their pants right. You know why I'm still in big business? I may be a dinosaur, but I still know how to play the game. Everyone knows me. You want a job done, you give Louie Louie a call. You got an enemy? You pay me the right price, and he becomes Louie Louie's enemy. And I tell ya, my enemies don't last long. You want any one of yous to get past me? I ain't leaving here without your head and your pipsqueak grandson's over there. You want the other three to live? You're gonna have to pull all your strings, buddy."

"What's going on over there?" Kakyoin asked as the group watched from a short distance.

"I don't like this. He motioned to you, Jotaro." Anne noted. "He's got to be a stand user... and perhaps a human ash tray." She curled her lip in disgust.

"Then we should get the hell over there and kick his ass." Jotaro said, but Anne held out a hand.

"Joseph may be able to find out something. We can't interrupt him. Noriaki, your stand is the best with distance. Keep an eye out. If things seem to go sour, prepare yourself."

Joseph narrowed his eyes. "I'll ask again. Are you a stand user?"

"Do you want to find out? I'll give you a choice here. You can surrender without too much struggle. I'll bust a cap in both your crowns. Nice, quick and easy. Your friends here pay up whatever they got, I'll let Dio deal with 'em." Louie Louie said.

"Listen, you can do what you want with me, but you're not going to put a hand on my grandson!" Joseph exclaimed.

"That's where you're wrong, pal. I ain't gonna touch a hair on his pretty little head. You wanna make it in this business, you gotta do it with a bang." He said, holding his two forefingers up in the shape of a gun.

"It's getting tense. I may have to use Hierophant Green soon." Kakyoin said lowly.

Joseph noticed Louie Louie smirk as he reached into his belt to grab what looked like a revolver. "Hermit Purple!" He exclaimed, the vines grabbing the revolver and tossing it into the sand a short distance from them. Louie Louie threw his head back in laughter.

"I got to admit it to you, old man, you've got spunk. I almost feel bad that you're a hit. But when Louie Louie's got something to do, he does it." He reached into his car, putting on a matching hat and took out a cane. "Now, you're probably wondering why a money man like myself has a beat up old car like this clunker here. Allow me to demonstrate." He pressed a switch on his cane, the top pointing open to reveal a small, glowing light inside. Suddenly, the sound of the air being rapidly drawn in was heard, the light growing brighter. Just then, a loud noise like that of an explosion was heard, the force driving everything within radius flying back.

The group gasped when Joseph flew back towards them. "Hierophant Green!" Kakyoin shouted, the emerald colored stand shooting its tail out to grab everyone before the sheer force could send everyone flying. He caught Joseph, who winced from the impact. Not far from them, they could hear Louie Louie laughing when the dust settled.

"Now you've all seen what I've got! Like I said, you old geezer, you wanna make it in this business, you gotta do it with a bang! This cane is my stand, Boss Hoss! Because I'M the boss. You can try to get past me, but you're gonna get blasted if you do! Nothing's more powerful!"

Anne was furious. "It seems to possess some sort of mechanism to take in the air around it and build up energy somehow to cause an implosion. How in the bloody hell are you able to survive the impact, it can't just be the fact that you've clearly eaten far too many sweets for your own good!"

"Hey, hey, hey... this girl's got a tongue that can clip a hedge, huh? But she's got brains too. See this spiffy outfit I'm wearing? It's made of the strongest metal that shields and reflects the impact from this here cane. So, while everyone else goes flying, I stay nice and sharp." Louie Louie took out another cigar, lighting it up. "So. What's it gonna be, gang? My offer still stands for the old man."

Stand User Name: Louie Louie

Stand Name: Boss Hoss

Abilities: In conjunction with a metal suit only Louie Louie can access to protect himself from Boss Hoss' attack, the only attack it has is a large, sonic explosion that shoots out strong waves of energy, blowing opponents and other objects away at high speeds. The stand, a rod/node, remains stationary and cannot actually move at all. It manifests its energy from heat and/or any light source.

Destructive Power: A

Speed: B

Range: A

Durability: C

Precision: E

Development: E

"We did not come this far just to be ended here!" Kakyoin exclaimed.

"Tough luck, kid! You ain't got the manpower to get past this!" He flicked open the cane again, the sound of air being drawn in heard again.

"Perhaps not, but we may have the wits. Joseph, do you have your pocket watch?" Anne asked. "Time how long it takes from when he activates the stand to when it implodes."

Kakyoin summoned Hierophant Green to keep a good hold on everyone, the group bracing themselves as sand and debris came flying towards them. Once the dust settled, Joseph glanced at his pocket watch.

"It had been about five seconds." He answered.

"Five seconds?! The hell are we supposed to do in five seconds?! We can't even get to the guy in that amount of time!" Polnareff exclaimed.

"And even if we were to try and come at him from different directions, it won't make a difference. The sand that was affected covers about the size of a football field!" Joseph added.

"Look, none of us have this kind of range. Trying to get to him in five seconds head on is going to be useless." Jotaro said.

"Anne, do you think you can counter the blast with a sand storm?" Kakyoin asked.

"Perhaps at greater distances, but closer to the impact, you may as well be spitting in the wind." Anne answered. She pursed her lip for a moment. "I'm going to perform an experiment. Wait here."

"Be careful, Anne." Kakyoin said as she moved forward, Louie Louie grinning from a distance when he saw her approach.

"Ah, women. They know how to be pushy." He said as he flicked the remaining butt of his cigar onto the ground.

Anne began to break into a run, able to move faster because she was a vampire. Louie Louie chuckled as he flicked the switch, Anne listening to the air and counting to herself. At the last moment before impact, she dropped to her stomach.

"Sekhmet." The large feline appeared, crouching over Anne and digging her claws into the sand. The feline kept her back flat, having to put up a heavy resistance from where they were to stay anchored.

"Huh, not bad, girlie! But you get much closer than that, you're not gonna stay down!" Louie Louie shouted. "I got to admit, the lot of yous are tougher than I expected."

"Let's test the limit of that theory." Anne said to herself as she began to jog towards him. The switch was activated, and when another blast was emitted, Anne threw herself into the sand, Sekhmet being pushed back a bit by the force, her claws dragging in the sand.

"What is she doing?" Polnareff furrowed a brow.

"She's trying to come up with a plan." Joseph answered. Kakyoin and Jotaro watched carefully.

"Anne is a smart woman. She'll come up with something." Kakyoin said.

To Louie Louie's surprise, Anne began to run all the way back to the group. "Jotaro." She turned to him. "Let me speak with you to the side for a moment." She said, the younger Joestar raising a brow before they spoke.

"Do you think Star Platinum can do the job?" Polnareff asked.

"I don't know... he's powerful, but I don't know if he can withstand the blast at close range." Kakyoin said.

"We've dealt with some powerful enemies. I'm sure they're coming up with a solid plan." Joseph said as the pair headed back.

"Here's the plan. Jotaro is going to remain behind. We're all going to do as I was. If we can get close enough to use our stands, Jotaro will come in for the kill." Anne said.

The others blinked, looking at each other. "Why not have Kakyoin come in for the kill instead, his range is better than Jotaro's." Joseph asked.

"Because you have to trust me." Anne said, looking at him through her mask. "Keep his eyes on us. Make him forget that Jotaro is here. Think of this as a more dangerous game of red light, green light."

Kakyoin was not sure of this plan. Anne clearly saw that the closer they became to a blast, the more futile it became. However, he knew that Anne was no fool. If this is what she felt was best, he knew there was a good reason.

"Alright, let's do it." Polnareff said. The four began to head towards Louie Louie, making the gangster laugh.

"This is gonna be fun." He said to himself as Anne glanced back at Jotaro, the two exchanging a nod as he remained behind. Louie Louie activated Boss Hoss, Anne counting in her head upon hearing the air hissing.

"Now." She said, the four getting to the ground and using their stands to hold them down. Joseph used his Hermit Purple to burrow the thorns in the sand to help anchor him down. Hierophant Green kept its tail wrapped around Kakyoin to keep him in place, and Silver Chariot tried to anchor itself and Polnareff by sticking its rapier into the sand, its metal armor beneficial for added weight. Once the dust settled, they continued to move forward. "Remember, the closer we become, the faster we have to duck." Anne reminded them.

Kakyoin glanced behind him, furrowing a brow. Jotaro seemed to be farther away than he should have. Was he just seeing things? "Anne-"

"Noriaki. Eyes forward. Do not look behind you." Anne said without even looking in his direction. Louie Louie flicked the switch, Anne counting to herself. "Down!" She shouted, everyone throwing themselves to the ground. Joseph clenched his teeth, having some trouble staying anchored.

"About how far are we from this guy?!" Polnareff asked. "It's not like a rapier's going to do much to keep us down at this rate!"

"Same with my thorns. Anne, I don't think this is possible-"

"I'm telling you both to trust me. We have to keep moving forward. Keep his eyes on us." Anne said. Kakyoin glanced behind him briefly. Jotaro was now nearly twice as far away.

What was going on here?

"We're probably about fifty yards now." Joseph said.

"Everyone to their feet, quickly!" Anne shouted, helping Joseph to his as they kept moving forward. They noticed she began to head towards Louie Louie quicker than them, leading the pack. A few seconds later, another blast was emitted. "Down!" She shouted, more wind and debris coming at them. Joseph took a moment too long however, not burrowing his thorns deep enough into the sand. He grunted as he was blown back several yards, using his thorns to make some friction in the sand.

"Mr. Joestar!" Kakyoin cried, looking over his shoulder as the dust settled. That's when he noticed it.

He could no longer see Jotaro.

"Keep moving!" Anne shouted from where she was.

"Boy oh boy, you lot is persistent!" He laughed. "I may have to use some gun power here after all... I'm impressed." He adjusted his fedora. "I guarantee you won't get past here. Ah... I can smell that cash. Dio's gonna pay me big, then I'm gonna open up the biggest casino in New York- no, the WORLD! That's right, I'll be bigger than Dio!"

Anne hissed, dashing forward. "Anne!" Kakyoin shouted.

"Anne, get down, it's going to go off!" Polnareff cried. When she wasn't ducking down, he clenched his teeth, trying to run towards her. Sekhmet leapt forward, mere feet from clawing at Louie Louie.

Then, a blast.

"ANNE!" Polnareff shouted. Kakyoin hissed as he had Hierophant Green uncoil his tail, shooting it out to grab a now unconscious Anne before she could be blasted even further. Polnareff ran over as Louie Louie smirked, readjusting her mask before her face burned up. "Anne, wake up!"

"She's knocked out cold..." Kakyoin frowned, Joseph catching up to them.

"She was too rash... give her to me, I'll bring her back to safety." Joseph said.

"Alright, enough playing games!" Louie Louie shouted. "This is it! You're all gonna be sleeping with the fishes!" He said, activating Boss Hoss.

"Shit, we're too close!" Polnareff exclaimed. "There's not enough time to run back that far!"

"Try to hold on to something!" Joseph exclaimed, all of them bracing for impact when suddenly, the unexpected happened. They all gasped as Louie Louie cried out, being launched into the air.

"ORA!" Star Platinum cried as he popped out of the sand from where Louie Louie was standing. The burst erupted above the group when it went off, leaving the ground unaffected. Anne jumped to her feet then, Kakyoin looking on in surprise when he realized she was faking being knocked out. Louie Louie was caught by Star Platinum, who held him dangling by his collar as she stormed up to him, snatching the cane and inspecting it.

"Hm, this is quite fancy. Intricately designed. No one doing a deal with you would expect such destruction from it." Anne said as Louie Louie struggled.

"This is impossible! Where in the hell did this joker come from?!" He shouted as Kakyoin helped Jotaro dig himself out of the sand.

"This was all Anne's idea, actually. While the four of you were keeping his attention, I had Star Platinum punch his way deep enough into the sand to avoid the blasts. We kept tabs on him from the sound waves it made against the ground, so we were able to make our way to him easily." Jotaro said as he took off his hat, dusting some sand off of it.

"Now. This battle is clearly over. You're going to answer some questions, or YOU will be sleeping with the fishes tonight, asshole!" Polnareff shouted.

"Alright, alright! You're probably asking for some dirt on Dio, and I'm telling ya, I got nothing!" He held his hands up defensively.

"Well then. If that's how you're going to play, I could use a snack. It's late afternoon, I could save you for when it's dark and have myself quite a feast." She leaned forward then. "And I promise you, I won't spare a drop."

"I wouldn't rub her the wrong way, punk. Start talking." Jotaro said.

"You must tell us about Dio's stand. What can it do and how can we defeat it?" Joseph asked.

"Even if I told you, you ain't gonna take Dio down." Louie Louie said.

"Just like we weren't going to get past YOU either, right?" Kakyoin rose a brow.

"I'm serious! It's a good thing you've got a braniac and a fast talking 'gal here, because you're gonna need it! I wouldn't even mess with the guy! It doesn't matter how powerful you are, it ain't gonna make a difference." Louie Louie said.

"How do you mean?" Anne asked. "Does his stand emulate one of the tarot arcana?"

"Oh, those card things? It sure does, girlie. What's the thing that Dio wants the most?"

"Power." Joseph said.

"No. He wants to make everyone suffer." Anne said.

"Yeah, but he wants something more than that. He don't want just Egypt, or Europe, or even a whole damn continent, this guy wants-"

"- the World." Joseph breathed. "One of the most powerful cards in the deck."

"What does that mean, Mr. Joestar? How do we defeat him?" Kakyoin asked.

"Don't ask him, ask this clown." Jotaro said.

"I'm telling ya, you can't beat him!" Louie Louie exclaimed.

"And why not? By the way, does he have any more subordinates for us to kill before we reach him?" Anne asked.

"He's got plenty of tricks up his sleeve alright... your stand, it's some Egyptian thing, ain't it?"

"What about it?" Anne asked.

"You think there ain't more like them out there waiting for you? And even if you get all of his people, you will never bring this guy down." Louie Louie warned.

"What makes you so sure?" Joseph asked.

"I can't tell you that." Louie Louie said a bit lower, and Joseph grabbed him by his collar, clenching his teeth as he opened the palm of his other hand so that Hermit Purple began to snake out.

"Look, I have a daughter back in Japan who is getting weaker by the second! Her life as well as my grandson's depends on us destroying Dio once and for all to put a stop to his tyranny on my family! We've all suffered since he came into my grandfather's life and it's going to end now! You either tell me how to save my daughter or I will destroy you instead!" Joseph shouted, Anne glancing at him as she could sense how desperate he was becoming.

"If I tell you what you want to know, I'll be a dead man." Louie Louie said as he began to sweat.

"You're going to be a dead man if you don't." Jotaro narrowed his eyes.

"Fine, fine! It doesn't matter how big and powerful you are, or even how smart. It ain't about that with him. It's about being fast, and you'll never be fast enough because-"

They all gasped when gunfire suddenly sounded, and Jotaro felt himself being shoved to the ground. Everyone ducked down, checking their surroundings when the gunfire ceased.

"What the hell was that?" Polnareff exclaimed.

"Is everyone alright? Mr. Joestar?" Kakyoin asked, helping him to his feet.

"I'm fine… Jotaro?" Joseph asked.

"I'm alright, but he isn't." Jotaro replied, the others looking at Louie Louie.

He had a bullet wound that went straight through his forehead.

"Oh, shit!" Joseph swore loudly. "He was telling us about Dio!"

"That's probably why he was killed off. Someone else is around, keep vigilant!" Anne exclaimed.

For a few moments, all five pairs of eyes scanned the area for any sign of movement. Just then, Jotaro spotted something small moving in the sand. "There!"

"Silver Chariot!" Polnareff shouted, the knight stand trying to pursue it. It was too fast, however, burrowing into the sand. "Damn it! It got away!"

"Did you see what it looked like, Polnareff?" Joseph asked.

"It was wearing some sort of mask… couldn't get a good look at it." He replied.

"Well, if it's a stand, we'll be seeing it again soon enough." Kakyoin said.

Anne sighed, crouching down to take a closer look at Louie Louie. "Shame we didn't find out more… well, at least he'll be a nice snack to hold me over. Excuse me for a moment, gentlemen." Anne said as she lifted up her mask enough to be able to feed.

"Tch. Waste not want not." Jotaro smirked.

"He did tell us one thing. His stand will prove to be a formidable enemy. It will be our most difficult battle." Joseph said as he narrowed his eyes.

"Pfft, are you kidding? It's five against one! He'll be running with his tail between his legs!" Polnareff laughed.

Kakyoin glanced at Jotaro uneasily as he and Joseph exchanged a look of knowing. Anne soon finished feeding, dabbing her mouth. "Well then, are we ready to proceed, gentlemen?"

TO BE CONTINUED | \/

Alright! That was some very nice teamwork, and unfortunately, they missed out on another opportunity to find out more about Dio's stand. Nevertheless, they were able to get out of another sticky situation, and are ready to continue on their journey! Thank you to those who have read after such a long hiatus, and hopefully I will be updating this again sooner rather than later. Until then, please let me know what you thought of Louie Louie and Boss Hoss in a review! Thank you again, and see you next time!