As Percival Gaynes is stuck in an unknown dungeon, trapped in the middle of America, Cy traversed to Targus City for help. She has arrived, but where is she going?

XXXXX

Meanwhile, in Egypt, The Gang, in an all-terrain van, was treading on to Cairo, as they found a lead: MIO's mansion. After suffering through two more Egyptian Gods, Yuno Gasai & Shion Sonozaki, they have three remaining. The Gang decided to separate in Egypt, splitting into different groups.

Michelle said, "We're here in Cairo. I will have Chazz, Rook, and Yamabuki. Steven will have Farra, Martinez, and Yoko, and Scarlet will be with Mundy, Asahi, and Peter."

What is that which in the morning goes upon four feet, upon two feet in the afternoon, and the evening upon three? That is the riddle given by the Guardian of the Sphinx. The answer… is "man". Legend has it that those who were unable to solve the Sphinx's Riddle were devoured by the Sphinx, itself.

The Gang, having traveled from New York to Cairo, over 40,000 kilometers, they have finally arrived in Cairo.

Rook suggested, "Cairo is immersed. Miss Nevins suggests we split into groups of four, to even the score. Rather than searching, we should work our way from the outskirts to the center."

And so, all around Cairo, they traveled in every direction, asking directions of the mansion. The Gang had already have copies of the photo that Michelle and Scarlet has taken. While the others traveled to Cairo, everyone else has split up. We'll start with Michelle's team.

However, in order to conquer Cairo, to conquer the pyramid that is MIO, three more Sphinxes stand in their way.

Episode 37 – Chapter 1: The Gambler, Sawako Yamanaka!
Cosplay Betting, for keeps!

Disclaimer: For the remainder of this series, the Roman Numerals for the episode number are no longer appearing, due to possible confusion, and that we're close to XL (40).

Michelle and her group arrived at a small outdoor bar, as they showed the photo to the bartender. He said, "Welcome, travelers. How may I serve you?"

Michelle asked, "Pardon me, sir… Do you know where we can locate this place?"

Michelle, Rook, Yamabuki, and Chazz were all serious-looking. But in reality, they're utterly exhausted. Since arriving, they took all day long to find MIO's mansion, and to even ask the patrons in the café, but to no avail. Since MIO and Steven Nevins had relocated recently, the Speedwagon Foundation could not find their location. And as for Mizuki, she has several days, before the Power Core consumes her. If The Gang fails, within the remainder of time, it's all over.

The bartender said, "Well, I wish I could tell you, but I don't help any stragglers or solicitors."

Rook said, "I can assure you… We're NOT solicitors."

The barkeep said, "All the same, you get nothing from me, unless you want to buy something."

Michelle nodded, "Fair enough. Four iced teas, please."

Rook paid the man, as he served the group four iced teas. The barkeep then viewed the picture, as they drank their iced teas.

He responded, "Nope, sorry."

Rook sighed, "Another dead end…"

Yamabuki moaned, "Great… Why don't we stay a while? This is your ordinary café in Egypt."

The barkeep said, "Well, we're more of a Cosplay Café…"

Yamabuki blushed, "FOR REAL?! They do that in Eg-!"

BONK!
Chazz bonked her head, and said, "Good grief… We don't have time for this…"

Michelle said, "But either way, girls serving to us, in costumes, sounds fair enough. We should stay and rest a bit, and maybe have more drinks."

The barkeep said, "Well, take your time, though."

Michelle grumbled, "Cairo has over six million people in population. And knowing this city, it's rather huge. Will we ever find them?"

Rook added, "We know they're here, so someone has to tell us."

Two patrons told Michelle, and say that they do not know the building. Michelle, in disdain, said, "Well, thanks anyway."

She ordered, "Well, let's try somewhere else."

The group departed, but then…

"I know where that building is…" a woman in a yellow dress spoke.

She was young, with long brown hair and glasses. She grinned, as she was sipping on an iced tea. She shuffled a deck of cards and said, "No doubt. I happen to know of that building. To be honest, I'm quite familiar with it."

The others gasped, as the woman grinned. Michelle cried, "HOLD ON! You mean you know what it is?"

The woman said, "I do. Yes. I happen to know of this building, so much. The information that you gave me is the building I am aware of."

Michelle said, "Really? Thank you!"

Rook smiled, "What remarkable news!"

Yamabuki cheered, "AWESOME! At first, we thought it's a dead end, but now, she's going to help us out~!"

Michelle said, "So! You're going to tell us?"

The woman hissed, "You expect me to tell you, for nothing?"

Michelle said, "Oh, my apologies. Here's ten Pounds."

The woman pushed it aside, flashing the Ace of Spades, and then said, "No need… I am very fond of gambling, though… it's a cheap thrill. That's why I chose to make it a habit."

Michelle asked, "A gamble, you say?"

The woman smiled, "If you don't want to do it, say so. But you should know, it's a bad habit. And I'm very fond of gambling, too."

"I have no idea what you're talking about!"

"Lemme make it clear… I was asking you if you guys will play a little game with me. Win, I will tell you what the building you're looking for is, for free."

"Oh, I see. A wager. But I have not the time for parlor games, such as Poker. If I throw another twenty Pounds, will it help?"

The woman smiled, "Oh… Good. Then, how about a short quickie? The fun about betting is to take anything you wish to risk away… Say, for example…"

She viewed in the fields a black cat, seeing two strips of semi-raw fish, in Sawako's plate. She explained, "…Take a look at this cat, the black one atop of the wall. Look closely at its eyes and ears. It's eyeing on these fresh cut fish cutlets."

She threw the cutlets outside, as she explained, "So, here's the bet: Which fish cutlet will he grab, the left one or the right one?"

The woman smiled at them, "It sounds silly, but it is thrilling of its simplicity, don't you think?"

Yamabuki slammed the table and yelled, "YOU'RE PISSING US OFF, YOU HAG! Take Michelle's 30 Pounds and tell us!"

Michelle composed her and said, "Easy, Yamabuki! Perhaps this may be helpful. Don't threaten to get information!"

Yamabuki boomed, "FINE! Then I'll take the risk and gamble, if it'll make you shut up! What's the score, and if I lose, what do I get?"

The woman said, "Well, lose and find out."

Yamabuki growled, "Alright, fine… Then I pick the right cutlet!"

The woman replied, "Okay. Good choice right there. Then if you pick right, I'll pick left."

Rook whispered to Chazz, as he was concerned, "Hey, Princeton, you have any idea on who this woman is? I have strange vibes about her."

Chazz said, "I am, too… But I believe she's an enemy Stand User… … …or a middle-aged gambler who is single and compulsive."

The woman barked, "MIDDLE-AGED?! How dare you call me that?"

Chazz sighed, "Good grief… I didn't mean to say it out loud."

Rook stated, "If she makes any move, use your Ojama Star to beat some sense into her, immediately."

Chazz said, "Understood."

Yamabuki stated, "By the way, you still didn't answer me. Lose and find out? What do I have to pay you? 100 Pounds? What?"

The woman said, "I'm not interesting in your money… Just one thing… You lose, you wear the costume of my choice… I happen to love cosplay, and cosplay is my life…"

Yamabuki gagged, "URK! Is she for real? Now the bitch is a comedian. Cocky woman! The sooner I get the hell away, the better! Cosplay?! That's my department!"

The woman said, "I see you're into cosplay, too, do you?"

"Huh? Oh, uh, yes… But not towards the others, you know. I happen to do it at my school club, to fit into some awesome costumes. Bigger the boobs, the fun for me…"

She grinned evilly, as the woman said, "Fine… Then I guess you're in luck, since your boobs are that fat enough for my perfect cosplay…"

Yamabuki blushed, "Oh, really? And aside from cosplay, do I work at your café? Hmm?"

The woman smiled, "Oh, no. You don't work for me. That's up to the manager of this establishment."

"Whatever. We'll do things your way."

The cat came down and ran for the cutlets. The woman said, "Ah, I see… The cat is after the cutlet."

Yamabuki said, "Like I thought. Come on… Go for the right!"

She thought, "If I were a cat, I choose a bigger fish to eat, and lucky for me, the one on the right is the biggest."

The black cat raced to the cutlets, closer and closer… and then…
SNATCH!
The cat snatched the left cutlet. Yamabuki lost the bet. The woman smiled, "Oooooh, it grabbed the left cutlet. Sorry, Yamabuki Suou… You lose."

Michelle huffed, "Boy, you've done it this time, Yamabuki. How are you going to get out of this one? And here's a question: how are we going to coax information out of her, now?"

Yamabuki griped, "Come on! It dashed to the right cutlet, not the left!"

The woman said, "Now, if you may… as par to our agreement, it's time to pay up… or, in this case, dress up…"

She reached for her bag and pulled out a maid outfit, "Wear this…"

Yamabuki whimpered, as she was shivering, "Mmmmmngh… Why me?"

She dropped her head, as Michelle said, "That's alright. This woman is sick in the head. Plus, I never knew you were into cosplay…"

Yamabuki sniffled, "This is degrading… Someone stole my bag! Cosplay penalties is my job! DAAAAAAAMN IIIIIIIIT!"

Sawako then said to her, "You have no choice… I happen to know that the cat grabbed the left cutlet, and ran off. Of course, you would gamble away your livelihood, wearing this cute maid ensemble. Before I continue onwards, and to why you are asking for this building you requested, I should introduce myself. I am a Stand User, who's hobby is to make cute Cosplay for my victims and slaves…"

They gasped, as Sawako introduced herself, "Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sawako Yamanaka, and I take cosplay and gambling, into a whole new level."

Yamabuki growled, taking the maid outfit. She quick-changed, as she said, "Well, it does fit me well… Nice job on the bust area. Fits me like a glove."

Michelle barked, "Hang on! You mean to tell me that the only reason you know of this mansion…"

Sawako smirked, "Correct. I work for Lord Nevins, your brother."

They all gasped, as Yamabuki smiled, "Who cares? I lost, so, whatever your Stand did, it made a swell cosplay outfit. I like it! We should totally exchange tips~!"

Sawako grinned evilly, "Thanks, but no thanks. You see, my Stand didn't make the cosplay. That was just part one…"

Yamabuki gasped, as she was standing straight. A huge ghostly figure grabbed Yamabuki's spirit and vanished. Yamabuki dropped to her knees, and fell lifeless. Chazz cried, "YAMABUKI!"

Michelle cried, "WHAT THE HELL! MY GOD! WHAT'S HAPPENING?"

He prepared to fight, but Sawako called, "Save your strength! I don't fight… I bet, just to see my cute girls be my cosplay cuties, as dolls. I know you're desperate to kill me, but if I die, then you can't save Yamabuki. My death means that her end comes, as well. See, my Stand and I are a team, in production. I find that it's far easy to win someone's soul, out of a bet. In other words: I make the costumes for my players, and when they lose, my Stand…"

She grinned demonically, "…TAKES THEIR SOULS!"

Rook held Yamabuki's body, as she suddenly have all-white eyes. He felt her pulse and gasped, "No… Without a soul, she has no pulse… She's dead!"

Sawako's Stand squeezed Yamabuki's soul into dough and stretched it. The Stand clapped its hands onto the soul, and turned her into a blue Poker Chip. Sawako held the chip and said, "This is proof that I have defeated one of many members of The Gang, since this kid was one of her many distractions. One less fool to interfere in Lord MIO's plans; and what a fool she was."

She then added, "And you're probably wondering which Stand is powered by? Am I a Jewel Woman? No. Am I a Spirit Caller? No. Do I have a Tarot? Triple NO. I wield the power of Divine Osiris, the Egyptian God of the Dead."

[Sawako Yamanaka – Card #1: Osiris]
A Stand that steals souls of anybody who loses her bets. She is the Divine Osiris.

The black cat perched onto her shoulder and said, "Oh, and this is my cat."

The others gasped, as Rook barked, "Hey! Wait a minute! YOU CHEATED, YOU BITCH!"

He grabbed her blouse, and then yelled, "Gambling, huh? More like cheating! You hustled your way to stealing our friend's soul, YOU VILE CHEATING SON OF A-!"

"Cheating?" Sawako said, "Look, the only reason that I did cheat is that if you saw through my ruse. Fair is fair. If my cat took the right, it still counts. It does love fish."

The cat zipped off and took the remaining cutlet. She smiled, "Oh, look… It's still hungry. Too bad that was the cutlet she bet on."

Rook growled, as Sawako explained, "I have a belief: gambling is like a relationship, which you can deceive on your partner. One sheds a tear first, loses. If you want to beat me up, go right ahead. Otherwise, Yamabuki's soul is gone forever… Besides, I'm not much of a fighting type, so to speak. I don't believe in violence. The choice is yours."

Rook barked, "KNOW THIS! You're not going anywhere in one piece! I will dice you up, for your wickedness, at the least!"

Sawako said, "Do you remember long ago, on the night of September 22nd, 1984, at 11:15pm?"

Rook gasped, "I don't recall…"

Sawako smiled, "I do…"

She reminisces, as she remembered a man in black hair and a mustache, wearing a sweater vest and slacks. "The original owner of Divine Osiris was named D'Arby… D-A-R-B-Y, with the apostrophe after the D. He was a handsome man, and like me, he enjoys gambling… In fact, that same night, when he played a hand at a bar, somewhere in California, he gambled with an American thug named Stephen Moor. And he said those exact same words the Late Muhammad Avdol said to D'Arby, and the same words you just said to me. D'Arby defeated him in a bet, and stole his soul."

She showed a book of collected chips she has been obtaining. She said, "Since his defeat at the hands of Jotaro Kujo, god rest his soul, all of D'Arby's souls were freed. When his Stand retired, he passed on the powers of Divine Osiris to me, as a gift, during my trip to California, long ago… I played a hand, fair and square, I might add, and won. D'Arby said that he was hoping to retire as a gambler, but I had to be his apprentice."

She opened the book, showing soul chips of people she collected. She pointed at a chip and said, "This… is where Stephen Moor is located, again. I ran into him, during holiday, and without betting… I exacted my predecessor's revenge, starting from square one. I played Mr. Moor to a game, and now he's singing a more silent tune in my collection.
I also managed to collect his wife, children, and father. I made it a set."

Sawako smirked, "…and as you see, I collected twice as much, including Yamabuki's soul. Ever heard of the song "Devil Went Down to Georgia"? A hot country song, turned rock song revival. Johnny, you rosin up you bow, and play that fiddle hard. 'Cause hell broke loose in Georgia, and the devil deals the cards. And if you win, you get this shiny fiddle made of gold, but if you lose, the devil gets your soul…"

She held Yamabuki's soul chip and said, "In short, the only way you're ever getting her back is to defeat me in a game of chance. One chance, for your soul. How much is this life worth to you?"

Michelle gulped, as Rook growled, "She's a demon… We cannot face her in this state…"

Chazz said, "So, you plan to take all of our souls, one-by-one? Game on, bitch."

Sawako smiled, "So, what'll it be, gentlemen? Go home, if you're too afraid…"

She then said, "But it's up to you, to take the risk… otherwise, you'd leave Yamabuki behind, as a doll for my cosplay. Have a drink, just to think it over."

She pulled out a chocolate bar, "How about some chocolate? I have plenty to shar-."

SWAT!
An enraged Michelle swat off the table, clearing it. She held an empty glass down, and poured a bottle of liquor into the cup. Rook cried, "Miss Nevins, what are you doing?"

Michelle sat down and said, "You know what surface tension is, Sawako!"

Sawako asked, "No. Enlighten me… Does it have anything to do with whiskey?"

Michelle said, "This is whiskey, alright. Surface tension is a force that prevents fluid from spilling off the glass."

"What is it that you're saying?"

"I'm saying, for my soul, how's this beauty of a bet? Surface Tension is host to this game. The rules are simple: we each toss a coin into the glass of whiskey. The one to make the glass overflow, loses."

Michelle said, as she placed coins down, "I lose, you get my soul. I win, you give back Yamabuki's."

Sawako grinned, "Good."

Rook cried, "WHAT?"

Chazz barked, "Old Hag! You're serious?"

Michelle said, "Yes, I'm aware she is a cheater. Just make sure you two keep an eye on her. I made the bet, so she won't resort to cheating."

Sawako said, "Well, it's fine by me. I'll accept the bet. But I win, you wear cosplay for me… I can picture such a pretty little woman, pushing 40, wearing a beautiful nurse outfit. You're slim and petite, if you didn't have any boobs."

Michelle growled, "DO NOT mention me bust size, you wanker!"

Sawako then held the glass and said, "You filled it to the brim. If you don't mind, I'll examine the glass, to see if you're not playing anything."

Michelle said, "Go ahead. But give your word that you won't cheat… and also, you give your word, if Yamabuki's soul is returned, should you lose."

Sawako said, as she examined the coins and the full glass, "Please. Who do you think I am? I am Lord Nevins' hired gun, and D'Arby's successor to Divine Osiris. I pride myself as a gambler. In the event I lose, you shall receive it, in full. But I won't lose."

Michelle said, "Very well. As I am the maker of this bet, you will go first, milady."

Rook cried, "Miss Nevins, are you crazy?!"

Michelle whispered, "No problem. I got this under control."

She explained, "I'm the master of the glass and coin game. It's more difficult than it looks, on the surface tension, but it should fit about eight or nine coins. As long as I steady myself, I won't lose."

Sawako said, "Do you mind if I dunk more than one coin?"

Michelle replied, "You must, go ahead… but only if it goes at the same time…"

Sawako said, "Five coins…"

Rook called, "HOLD ON!"

Michelle asked, "I think it'll make a ripple!"

Sawako said, "Be quiet! And will you keep your hands off the table?"

Michelle moved her hand, as Sawako slowly dropped the five coins into the whiskey. The whiskey started to shake and spill, but… not a drop was dropped in. The others were relieved, as Sawako said, "See? I don't want you to steady your hand onto the table, just to make me nervous. Your turn."

Michelle said, "You did well, dunking five in one turn. I'll dunk just one, since it's less risky. Now, steady."

She held the coin over the whiskey, and slowly dunked it in. Chazz then glared, thinking, "Seriously, Old Hag, you said to watch her cheat? You're doing it, too, absorbing the whiskey into a cotton ball and pour extra liquor into the cup. That damn cheater. Not bad."

He was right. Michelle secretly had a cotton ball absorbing the whiskey, behind the coin, in Sawako's sight. The coin fell in, and nothing spilled. Michelle smirked, "Now, it's all filled, and the next coin drop goes to Sawako. I won. If you're not cheating, you're not trying… It's not cheating, unless you get caught."

She said, "Well, my heart was racing, since it seemed full. It's your turn, Yamanaka."

CLASP!
Sawako grabbed her left wrist and barked, "I advise that you call me Yamanaka-sensei, thank you! Or Sawa-chan, if you want to be cutesy and energetic! Be formal about my name, next time, you old fart!"

"Sorry, love."

Chazz thought, "I bet she's doing this to piss her off. That's a Nevins for you… Clever old hag."

Michelle called out, "Let's keep going! Drop your coin now, Miss Yamanaka."

Sawako munched on a candy bar and said, "That's better."

She sat up and walked to the side, "Well, for what it's worth, I can't see, with my shadow in the way. I mean, seriously… It's hard to see, if the sun is aimed at my back."

She held up a coin and said, "You never said anywhere to drop it, did you?"

Michelle thought, "I already cheated, so it's far in her limit. I guess it's fair, since she's has no objections."

Michelle smiled, "Not at all. You can do it, wherever you like, love."

She thought, "No matter what she tries, it's over. That damned woman will get hers, knowing that the surface tension is at its limit."

Sawako said, "I can tell that you say that surface tension is at its limits… But you couldn't be more wrong…"
She dunked the coin in and finished, "…than you are now…"

She and Rook gasped, "WHAT?"

He cried, "It went through!"

She cried out, "NO WAY! YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! IT SHOULD BE OVERFLOWED, BY NOW!"

Sawako said, "It didn't overflow to me."

Chazz said, "She's right. She dropped it fair and square. I even had Ojama Star watch over it. It's hard to believe… it's no doubt."

Michelle thought, in shock, "But I made sure! How did she do that?"

Sawako said, "Go ahead. Make it quick… or do you intend to make it evaporate?"

Michelle was nervous, as she breathed lightly, "Okay…"

She thought, "I'm sure it overflowed… I was so sure… I don't believe it… I have to steady myself… Seven coins are in there, and it'll be eight. Therefore, this one's ours, if by some unforeseeable luck…"

She hesitated, as she was about to drop it in, but…
CLASP!
Sawako's Stand suddenly appeared and grabbed Michelle's soul. Rook cried, "NO! MISS NEVINS!"

Michelle's body dropped, as Rook cried, "What gives?"

Sawako explained, as Michelle's soul was being stretched, "SIMPLE! Deep in the heart of her heart, she knew she would lose the bet! I, Sawako Yamanaka, won this gamble, by forfeit!"

Michelle's soul fell in a red chip. Sawako smiled, "That makes two souls from your group, and half to go! And soon, the whole set!"

Rook slammed her down, as he held his blade towards her. She pleaded, "NO! I told you… If I die, you can't bring their souls back!"

Rook roared, "YES, I CAN! NOW DIE, YOU STUPID-!"

Chazz yelled, "ROOK! That's enough!"

The barkeep roared, "HEY YOU! You're making a scene! I'm asking you two to leave this café, right now!"

Chazz yelled at him, "FUCK YOU, ASSHOLE! YOU STAY OUT OF THIS, YOU FATASS!"

The barkeep gasped, "AAAGH! YES, SIR!" and slinked off in fright.

Chazz examined the glass and looked at the bottom. He then snarled, seeing a piece of chocolate on the bottom. He snarled, "Just as I suspected… Sawa-bitch used the chocolate from her bar to tip it a bit. That's why she won, by dunking to the side."

Sawako smirked, "You figured it out, Princeton… Too bad you knew too late."

Rook cried, "SHE TAMPERED WITH THE GLASS?!"

Chazz nodded, "She did. This is how she won. She left some chocolate on the bottom of the glass. That's why she earned another coin. Before the game, she asked to examine the glass, without spilling it, including the coins. And that was when she stuck a piece of chocolate onto the bottom of the glass."

Sawako pushed Rook aside and said, "Like I said, yes, I did cheat, but it's not cheating, if you don't get caught!"

Chazz said, "And how did you do it? Even though the chocolate is melted, she stuck the chocolate to the bottom of the glass, when it was solid. Even though she used enough chocolate to tip the glass, without us noticing, it leveled, once it melted. Even if the surface tension was at its limits, she set it up, so that more coin would fit."

Rook cried, "WHAT? But how would the chocolate melt?"

Chazz said, "Simple… She moved to the side, just to have the chocolate melt away, after dropping her coin in. She used the heat of the sun."

Rook cried, "I never suspected it."

Chazz said, "But it's fine… It's not cheating, if you get caught… However, we're not done… You said you want The Gang's souls… But Yamabuki's isn't a member…"

He pointed at her and said, "Except for one thing… You have me in their way. I'm the trump card! We finish this, with Poker! Everything on the line!"

Sawako boomed, as she said, "Well played, Chazz Princeton! I heard about you, traitor to the Academy of Light! It just so happens that D'Arby was a bona fide poker champion, until the late great Jotaro Kujo outsmarted him!"

Rook said, "Don't do it. You cannot outsmart her!"

Chazz said, "I know. She's not a fighter, so I suggest that you do not do anything rash. She may not be violent, but she's the most dangerous Stand User we've ever encountered, so far. Still…"

He glared at her, "I can't afford not to try… There's no turning back, and we play for keeps!"

To be continued…