Inside the mansion, Rook sighed, "It's been ten minutes… and already they have not returned. Miss Nevins said that ten minutes, or we burn the mansion down."

He then replied, "Since Miss Nevins instructed us to aide her, but I say we go. We must split up for any disturbing signs. Miss Scarlet, you, Mundy, and Steven will split up over there. We'll do the rest."

Mundy stated, "But we have to find the others, as well."

Yamabuki agreed, "Agreed."

Scarlet said, "Right. I owe A-Fist, anyway, for saving me."

Mundy said, "Let's go, love."

Steven, Mundy, and Scarlet departed, as Yamabuki and Yoko leave. Rook halted them and said, "WAIT! Before we traverse, just know this… You three are on your own. If any of you get lost or get seriously injured, I won't come to your aide. Make sure you'd understand that."

Chazz huffed, "Good grief…" and walked off to join Steven, "I'm sticking with Steven, thank you."

He walked off, as Cassandra said, "Yoko, he means it. I can tell…" she petted her and whispered, "I'm scared, too, but we have to fight."

Rook said, "The others will be fine. Steven and Mr. Princeton will watch Scarlet and Mundy. I'll be at your aide. The reason I say that you're on your own is that goal is defeating MIO, once and for all. Your safety comes first, above all else. And even my safety, as well. So, if I was to be defeated, do not come at my aide, when fighting the enemy. You three are new to the fold, so I'm telling you this now. We must not get each other killed, trying to help one another. There's too much at stake."

Yamabuki, Cassandra, & Rook agreed, as Yamabuki said, "We promise."

She held his hand and said, "If we make it out alive, treat me to some American gourmet!"

Rook smiled, "That's an if. If we survive, you, Cassie, and even Yoko, I'll treat you to. But we must destroy MIO, before we do."

Yamabuki shouted, "Alright, let's do this!"

They snuck into another side of the mansion, looking for MIO or Steven Nevins.

Episode 39: MIO's World (Part 1)
Chapter 5: PLAY BALL!
The Bad News Spirit Callers!

The game between Peter & Dr. Irie was about to begin. Peter was at bat first, as Irie was pitching. Peter started to swing endlessly, as Michelle asked, "Eh? What are you doing?"

Farra said, "Don't tell me this is your first time in a game like this."

Peter stated, "It's been a long time since I played a baseball game. Last time I played it was an NES Port on the Wii, before I retired it. I love how these baseball games are fun and simple. But nowadays, the batting movement is a bit tricky to master, with the new next gen consoles producing more baseball titles, every year. But as far as baseball is concerned, I follow the rules, where I go. So, I'll relearn the controls, along the way."

Asahi said, "I get it! He's going to use practice swings, in order to get to know his surroundings in a baseball game on a VG."

Irie smirked, "Impressed, I must be. Now, my pitcher is #15, as my birthday December 3rd. 12 and 3, add them up, and you equal 15."

"Batting first for the Jaguars: #7!"

Farra said, "Here we go."

Two Phantoms of Peter appear, as one Phantom calls out with snacks, "PEANUTS! POPCORN! CHEWING GUM! STEADY PRICE!"

Michelle gagged, "Are you kidding me?"

Farra cried, "How'd he do that?"

Peter said, "Ignore my Phantoms. Just make it feel like you're really IN the stadium. Well, Irie? Nice vibe in the bleachers."

Irie growled, "Right. The first pitch…"

The ball went passed Peter, but he didn't swing. The umpire called "STRIKE ONE!"

Irie threw the ball again, and this time Peter swung, long after the pitch, which was dead center, "STRIKE TWO!"

Farra argued, "Hey, Mighty Casey, are you trying to forfeit our souls?"

Irie threw the ball again, and this time, he swung and missed. "STRIKE THREE! BATTER OUT!"

Michelle strangled him and roared, "QUIT FOOLING AROUND, PETER! YOU'RE BETTING YOUR SOUL, SO MAKE IT COUNT!"

Peter sighed, "Gimme a break, Michelle. It's only the first inning. Just give me time to prepare. Besides, my team's already down one out. And besides, I don't want to grind my way to get some runs in, just yet."

Farra barked, "What the hell are you talking about?"

Peter stated, "You got a problem, Farra? You play it! If not, fuck off! You three are to make sure he doesn't cheat or anything."

Irie replied, "Precisely, Peter. Even if you're an infant, playing an Apple Computer, or a Pippin, I'd still give my all to defeat you. But yes, you have gone rusty, when playing video games. But the last two games I played were luck and sheer intimidation. You, however, will be a walk in the park."

Peter said, "Girls, you listen to me. I want to beat him in this game, no matter what. I want to beat him in his own game, more than I want to send him to the plastic surgeon. My only goal is to save my friends."

Irie said, "Say what you will, it's just the beginning, as it's only the first inning, and you're down one out. But remember, while we will play a full nine-inning game, if one of us hits an eleven-run lead, then the game is over."

Peter holds his controller up and said, "Fine. We play for keeps. Now that I know how to hit, I'm ready."

Irie smiled, "Very well."

Another Devil Batter appeared. "Batting second: #3!"

The second Phantom was calling out, waving a huge bat prop, "D! E! V! I! L! GO JAGUARS!"

Peter swung, but missed. "STEE-RIKE!"

Michelle said, "This isn't happening… It's turned into a runaway train of madness!"

Farra said, "So much dark energy! What is the Big Guy planning?"

Peter missed again, and the umpire shouted, "STRIKE TWO!"

Asahi said, "And what's worse, he's missing every single pitch, by 20 to 40 centimeters."

Peter swung once more and missed again, "STRIKE THREE! BATTER OUT!"

Peter sighed and smiled, "Not always it starts to fire up in the first inning."

Farra groaned, "He's constantly screwing us!"

Peter's first Phantom called, "PEANUTS! POPCORN! CHEWING GUM! STEADY PRICE!"

Asahi whistled, "OH! Popcorn, please! Hold the butter!"

The Phantom called, "$3.50, ma'am! Pass it down."

Irie chuckled, "For someone who channels the darkness, it's like it's some sort of hometown flavor for me… since I'm the home team."

The third batter comes in, as Irie chuckled, "And now, my turn at bat, as soon as I strike this guy out."

Michelle whispered, "There's something about Peter's banter. He's absolutely bonkers, but he's calm and collected, just like the girls. This guy's an unstoppable force of nature! Then why is he losing?"

She then realized, "I think I know… He's planning to psych him out. Or is he saving his skills for later?"

"Batter next: #22!"

He missed the first two, as Irie smiled, "Well, here's to a glorious 1-2-3 inning!"

He thought, "My next pitch will be low and outside. But I'll directly hit a changeup on him to fool him."

He cheered, "And we go to the final pitch, and it'll be MY TURN to bat!"

Peter smirked, "Are you sure about that?"

Irie gasped. He accidentally threw a fastball, and then…
"Are you sure about that? What the hell is he meaning? Are you sure about that? What the hell does that even mean? This guy's an amateur! He's weak!"
SMACK!
Peter hit the ball, and it flew dead center. Farra cried, "IT'S A HIT!"

Peter said, "Finally. Got the ball into the air."

Asahi cried, "IT'S STILL FAIR!"

Michelle yelled, "And it's still going!"

Irie gasped, "So… what he said earlier that he understands how to hit now… and he ditched the practice swings… HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING? I DON'T BELIEVE IT! But all the flairs… and all the practice… was he-?"

The ball flew off into centerfield, and went into the stands.

"HOME RUN! JAGUARS! 1-0!"

Irie gasped in horror, "A HOME RUN?!"

Fireworks went off, as Michelle cheered, "A HOME RUN! OH MY, GOD! IT WENT OUT OF THE PARK!"

Peter smiled, as he said, "Always aim for the sweet spot."

Irie slammed his hand down and roared, "GIESE, YOU BASTARD! WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY, JUST NOW?"

Peter asked, "Aim for the sweet spot?"

Irie roared, "NO! WAY BEFORE THAT! Now that I know how to hit, I'm ready. What was that supposed to mean?"

He glared at Irie, "It means you know what."

Irie was stunned, as the others were amazed. Farra said, "Whoa… So you were planning on this, from the start? A reverse Casey at Bat…"

Irie growled, "How could he have rejuvenated his sports video game skills, after eight swings? Darkness Devil has the same precise movements as does Star Platinum. Now I know why Lord Nevins thinks those guys are a nuisance… and that my wife, Sawako, lost to those bastards! Fine… He said that we're playing for keeps? Don't celebrate too soon, Giese… 1 to nil."

Irie smirked, grabbing his controller, "This guy's a formidable challenge… in spite his laidback persona, this guy's tough as an ox. From what I sense, he destroyed Black Haru, Lewis Andrews, Matsukage Nishikinomiya, and Oboro Tsukimigusa; not to mention Rena Ryugu. He even used his skills and intimidation to kill two of NR9's top assassins, and became enemies of the World Government. I will make you regret shouting those words out!"

"Batting next: #35!"

Irie threw the next pitch.
SMACK!
It blasted off into right field, and went out of the park, again.

"NO WAY! ANOTHER HOME RUN!" Farra cheered, "And on the first swing, too!"

Irie gasped in horror, "What?"

He seethed, "If this keeps up, I won't be able to bat, at all!"

XXXXX

And after two more batters stepped up, Peter scored two more runs to make it 4 to 0. Irie was impressed, but he was annoyed. Nurse Atum said, "Doctor, I believe that this is no ordinary player."

Michelle said, "Hey, doctor! I have a proposal for you… If you free Heather's soul now, and let us go, we might spare you. I mean, Big Lad's very generous of a good game, and show of sport."

Farra snuffed, "This, coming from the guy, who rage quits in a dime."

Peter barked, "I DO NOT!"

Irie said, "Hmm…"

He then said, "No… I decline. My wife was a talented musician, and a cheater, as well. This one time, I was relaxing at home, and she came onto me and said, "Hey, Kyosuke, wanna play some cards?". What I did next… I slapped her and yelled at her. All she did was meek out "Sorry." Growing up, I wasn't always a good sport in games… My friend once played my in Checkers, but I ended up losing every game. Not even once Sawako gave me a game, since…
When I was fifteen, my older brother always beat me in games, and started to beat him up. He was only 17 years old, and was studying to become a physician, like myself. I broke his ribs, kicked him in the stomach, and even made him vomit up blood! Do you why I did that?"

Michelle said, "No. But I assume that you and your brother didn't get along."

Irie explained, "He knew, when growing up, he knew that I couldn't beat him, in any game. When I heard about Sawako smitten with that D'Arby bozo, I snapped. I had to grow confident, just like him…"

He bellowed, "And that is why I won't be uncertain about myself, this time, than I was before! Sawako and I loved each other, I wish to meet this D'Arby guy, once I defeated The Gang! And then, only then, I will learn why she cheated on me, to that all-natural cheater!"

Peter growled, "So? Take your anger out on me. You're playing me."

Irie smiled, "Very well. Now, let's continue the game… My next pitch… will be a forkball straight down the middle!"

He changed pitchers and said, "But first, I must switch pitchers. #15 is out! I will now use #77, and its high speed fastball of 165km/h!"

"Now pitching relief for the Red Dragons: #77."

He pitched the ball, but the forkball shifted to just a fastball. Peter swung, and he hit it. However, it flew over to the shortstop, and he caught it.

"BATTER OUT! CHANGE SIDES!"

The stadium applauded, as Peter's team ended the inning with four runs. Irie was now up to bat. Michelle was astonished, "I don't believe it. He was going for a forkball, but Peter knew he'd struck for a homerun! Instead, he ended up with an infield hit. But that's fine. Whatever the Big Lad has up his sleeve, he'll maintain the lead."

Farra called, "YO! Phantom Boy! Two hot dogs!"

The Phantom called, "With or without mustard?"

Farra said, "Globs of it! And NO ketchup or relish!"

The Phantom called, "$7, pass it down!"

Farra gave Asahi some money and said, "Well? Pass it down!"

Asahi passed it down, as Michelle sighed, "Are they even serious? Their souls are on the line, and they're acting like children!"

Peter smiled, "Not bad, Doc. Changing a forkball to a fastball. Not bad strategy. But still, it takes skill to know what pitch is coming. But next time, do not reveal which pitch you're about to throw. I was certain about you, when we entered your mansion. Remember when Steven Cooke threw his right, when you predicted his left? I had a hunch that you read his mind."

Michelle asked, "So… You mean to tell me that you knew about his Stand's power?"

Irie said, "We'll save that for later. Right now, it's my turn at bat. Peter, if you've improved on your batting, how about your pitching?"

Peter said nothing, as he turned away. The Phantom called out, with his bat prop, "GO! GO! DARKNESS D! D! E! V-I-L! DARK! DARK! DARK-NESS-D! D! E! V-I-L!"

His Phantom continued chanting, as the rhythmic clapping sounds were echoed in the room. Farra asked, "Okay… I repeat what I said about the Big Guy… He's haunted…"

The first batter for Irie's team stepped up, and pointed at out of the park. Michelle gasped, "A signal for a homerun?!"

Asahi said, "But that's impossible! It's not like he'll hit it out of the park. It might be a base hit!"

Irie called, "I will declare this… a triple! I will NOT hit a homerun, but to make sure I get a run in, before my next batter!"

Peter asked, "A triple?"

Michelle nodded, "Show him…"

Peter prepared to pitch, as he aimed for a pitch towards the batter's waist area. His plan is to walk him, and give him a base on balls, which sets up for the Double Play. He nodded, as he said, "Alright. Irie, chances are that you may only get a single, you have to be weary on what awaits in this predicament."

He fired a pitch, and the batter creamed it!
CLANG!
The ball flew off! Michelle cried, "NO! IT'S FLYING OUT TO RIGHT!"

The ball flew to the right field line, and hits the wall, nearly past the foul line.

"FAIR!"

Farra cried, "AGH! NO WAY! A FAIR BALL, NEAR RIGHT FIELD?!"

The runner moved to second, and traveled to third. The third baseman caught the ball, as the batter slid onto third base.

"SAFE!"

Michelle gasped, "MY GOD! He did hit a triple!"

Peter asked, "Hey, Michelle. You sure this controller isn't rigged?"

Michelle boasted, "FOUR TIMES! Four times I checked, and nothing is wrong with the game and console! I used Hermit Ghost, but no luck on any cheating devices or spells!"

Peter nodded, "Then it must be Nurse Stand's doing. I think it has a hidden power we do not know of. It doesn't just take souls, I know…"

He tried to bean him, but…
WHOOSH!
Michelle cried, "WHOA DID YOU SEE THAT?"

The second batter bent back, and swung the ball.

Farra yelled, "THIS GUY JUST AVOIDED THE BALL! AND HE'S STILL IN THE BOX!"

CRACK!
The ball flew off into left field, and flew out of the park. Asahi gasped in shock, "He… He meant to make that triple!"

HOME RUN! RED DRAGONS! 4-2!

Peter smirked, "Not bad at all… Nice how you avoided my bean shot, again… I was gonna give you the first base… but I guess you got greedy."

The fans cheered on, as Irie said, "Say what you will, this is my home field, depending on your dark magic!"

Farra munches on the hot dog and said, "Looks real to me."

Michelle is stunned, as she said, "HOLY SHIT! I can't believe he knew… He hit a triple, and then a two-run homerun. We've met Stands before, but there's just no way this one can read our minds! If it does, it can read anyone's mind, depending on the intelligence rate."

Asahi said, "Peter's down by 2. And he was going to bean him!"

Farra said, "He's crafty, but this isn't for keeps, anymore…"

Peter said, "Fine…"

He placed the controller down and said, "YO! CAP BOY!"

A Phantom appeared with merchandise, as he called, "Yeah? Whatcha like?"

Peter nodded, as Darkness Devil appeared, saying "Give him the hat…". The Phantom nodded, as he held up a blue baseball cap with a red C on it. The Phantom said, in a malice glare, "Give him hell, master…"

He threw the hat, and Peter caught it. He put it on, and then said, "Alright. Let's continue."

Farra asked, "Was that a Cubs hat?"

Asahi shivered, "Never mind that… He's wearing it, during the game… but look how his Phantom reacted. A cold malice in him, cold as ice, and suddenly…"

Irie gasped, as he thought, "That Phantom Vender… he gave him a hat? And suddenly it went dark."

The baseball stadium's atmosphere suddenly went pitch black and evil, as Peter's aura was coated in black aura.

"No…" Michelle said, "It appears that the two-run shot has set off the man inside the blackness of the darkness, surrounding the mansion… I hate to be Doctor Irie and his Stand, right now."

The fans started to change into black-robed druids, as they chanted in tongue. They also chanted, "Greatus… Nightus… Hiteus… Atarus…"

They chanted in a devilish chant, as Peter said, "Next pitch…"

He aimed low, but Irie hit it to left field. The ball flew towards the left fielder, but misses the glove. He was able to recover it, and Irie's next batter was up, with the runner on second. Irie struck the ball again, but it lands fair, with the runner scoring. It was now four to three. And Irie didn't make a homerun.

Minutes passed, as Irie has the base loaded, with a score of 4 to 3. Peter then took off his hat, and then said, "Well, I'm starting to sweat in this… So, we'll continue without it."

He then said, "And since you're clever on calling out your next move, I'll do it. My next pitch…a straight fastball, high and outside."

Irie gasped, "WHAT?"

Michelle cried, "You're crazy!"

Peter said, "I said it's my next pitch! GOT IT?"

Michelle nodded, "Fair enough…"

She stepped back, as Irie's Stand appeared, "Go ahead. Throw!"

Irie thought, as Nurse Atum's perspective was shown, with excellent night vision. He thought, "Peter Giese, dark powers or not, I know all your moves, even before you try. My Stand is able to see one's mind, much like how one sees in night vision. There isn't a single soul capable of lying. Yes or no? Left or right? I will be able to answer them instantly, upon discovery, by simply asking them. High or low, upwards or down, or any pitch… I'm 100% infallible. I won't lose to the devil… because I can outwit the devil!"

He read his thoughts, "High and outside?"

They boomed out in Atum's ears, "YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!"

Irie nodded, "Right. So, he wasn't lying. He's going to pitch it. But what is he up to, with his dark veil around me? What is he planning? My wife lost because of intimidation by Chazz Princeton, but I won't lose to a man that oozes fear!"

Peter nodded, "Right. Here we go!"

Peter threw the ball, and it headed straight for Irie. Irie cheered, "DON'T FORGET THAT IT'LL END IN AN 11-POINT LEAD! IT'LL BE MINE, 7-4! I CALL A GRAND SLAM!"

WHOOSH!
The ball curved left. He gasped, "WHAT? A CURVE?! I thought he was throwing a high outside fastball!"

Irie hit it, but it grounded to third, throwing it to home. The catcher caught it, and tagged out the runner.

"A grounder to third! The THROW TO HOME! AND OUT!"

Irie was stunned, "A fielder's choice to home! He… He didn't! Even if he were a Zen Master, or a genius con artist like this D'Arby, he couldn't have possibly possess that kind of control over his soul!"

Peter responded, "I'm going high and outside, again."

Irie gasped, "Again?"

Peter's mind boomed out, in Nurse Atum's ears, "YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!"

Irie shivered, "Peter Giese… You are cheating, are you?"

"NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!"

Irie said, "But… he's going to throw it?"

"YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!"

The pitcher threw the ball, and it changed to a forkball going right and low inside. Irie creams it…
CRACK!
But the ball hit foul, down to left field.

"A low ball! And a fly ball, way back into left field! And… FOUL BALL!"

Irie cried, "AAAAAAAAGH! A FOUL BALL? He can't be… YOU'RE CHEATING! That means you lose!"

Peter's mind read aloud: "NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!"

Irie cried, "But… What did he do? He rigged the controls? Is this your Spirit Caller's doing?"

"NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!"

Irie panted, as he whimpered, "He… he's not rigging it? This guy is haunted. What could it be?"

Farra said, munching on her hot dog, "Seriously… I think Dr. Irie is losing it. And in this now-morbid stadium, even the ballpark franks are a bit weird."

Asahi asked, "How so?"

Farra sniffed it and said, "Huh… I smell grilled."

Irie roared, "I KNOW FOR A FACT YOU CHEATED! YOU HAVE TO BE! TELL ME NOW!"

Peter's mind thought aloud: "… … … … …"

Irie seethed, as he was demonically possessed, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! WHAT GIVES? SHIT! I forgot… It has to be a question of yes or no. I can't let him respond to that."

Peter said, "Looks like I was right. Judging from your scared expression, your Stand has the power to read minds, and answer only through yes or no questions. Who's cheating who?"

Irie sniffled, "No… Are you trying to break me?"

Peter said, "Maybe."

He then smirked, "Your wife said it best… It's not cheating, unless you get caught."

Irie smiled, "Better words said to my lovely Sawako. So be it. I know when I am defeated. So, let's continue. I still have one out, one strike and the bases loaded."

He snapped, "Bastard! You… You think this is a game to you? Are you taking me for a fool? HOW DARE YOU? YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO YOU'RE SPEAKING TO?"

He yelled out, "BUT KNOW THIS… YOU DARE INSULT MY WIFE'S CHOICE OF WORDS AGAIN, AND EXPOSE YOURSELF AS THE CHEATER YOU ARE, NURSE ATUM WILL SURGICALLY REMOVE THAT SOUL OF YOURS! NOW, PITCH!"

Peter held his controller and said, "Well, shall we continue? Next pitch… Fastball, high and outside."

Atum sensed him, and then, "YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!"

Irie said, "His soul's not deceiving me. He's trying to figure me out. I'll figure you out, you bastard! I've have much of this, already! This ends know! I'll find out you're cheating, if it's the last thing I do!"

Peter threw his pitch, and Irie swung. The ball changed to a forkball, and it hit towards the pitcher, in a ground ball. It went passed the pitcher, as Irie cheered, "YES! Even after I knew it changed, I win!"

The shortstop caught it, and threw it to second, in which the second baseman threw it to first.

"DOUBLE PLAY! THAT'S THREE OUTS! CHANGE!"

Irie dropped his jaw, and screamed, "A DOUBLE PLAY?!"

Michelle sighed in relief, as Peter smiled, "I never intended for you to be struck out, just yet. Always build the drama in baseball. Unlike how you struck out with Sawako…"

Farra jeered, "That's what he said!"

Irie hyperventilated, "I don't believe it… I DON'T UNDERSTAND! How did he do that? Up to the last second, his soul showed the will to pitch straight! Yet somehow, it changed from a high outside fastball to a forkball! WHY? WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? THIS DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE! HOW? How is this wretch of a warlock deceiving me?"

Peter's dark aura faded, as it was back to normal. He said, "And I'm done. Second inning, you're up to bat, Doc… unless of course you're done."

Asahi sighed, "Phew… That's better."

Farra cried, "ANOTHER BALLPARK DOG HERE!"

Irie swatted Peter's hat down and shouted, "SHUT YOUR MOUTH! AND YOU, STOP ORDERING HOT DOGS, LIKE THIS IS REALLY KOSHIEN! Wearing that hat, and taking said hat off was suspicious! The cheating began, from the moment you unleashed this dark hellish aura around me!"

Peter said, "Come on, dude! The atmosphere is back to normal. I won't do it again. I like to show off, knowing how I do things, a devilish way. It's for show~!"

Irie yelled, "GET OFF OUT OF YOUR SEAT! I'm going to examine it!"

Peter got up, as Irie examined every place he was sitting. Irie thought, "Shit! Nothing! NOTHING! HOW did he-? WHY did he-?"

He called out, "DAMN YOU! I don't understand! If it's not your dark aura, then it's the sweaty hat! That's your game!"

He thought aloud, "NO! NO! NO!"

Irie gasped in fright, "He… It wasn't the hat, either?!"

Irie roared at Peter, "Did you use that dark power to hack into the game?!"

"NO! NO! NO!"

"Then, it's Darkness Devil's doing? Or was it one of your Phantoms?"

"NO! NO! NO!"

Irie roared, "JUST ADMIT IT! You are doing something!"

"YES! YES! YES!"

Irie panted, "Shit! This cannot be… I know how to read minds and souls… But this is too much! I read all his moves, and he pitches them differently! How can his mind do one thing, if his body does another?"

Michelle said, "He doesn't look like he's 20-something, anymore. This guy's losing his youthful glow."

Farra called, "YO! Phantom-vender! Another mustard dog! ARE YOU DEAF?"

The Phantom called, "One dog with mustard! Coming up!"

Irie snarled, "I lost to the first two, out of luck and sheer smarts… But I will not be thwarted by him! I am New York! I AM NEW YORK!"

Peter said, "Alright, Doc. 4-3. You're up to pitch. I don't have all day."

Irie sat down and moaned, "Right… Four to three. Give me a second."

He thought, as he was panting hard, "Take it easy, Kyosuke… I'll make a comeback in the next inning. I was this close! And yet, he stopped my rally! I am an expert in medicine, and an expert in souls! I will NOT be outmatched! I NEVER LOSE! I WILL NOT RUIN MYSELF! I WILL WIN, AND CLAIM THEIR SOULS! I AM THE EXPERT IN EVERYTHING, AND THESE IDIOTS ARE NOT GOING TO BREAK ME! DO YOU THINK THAT THESE IDIOTS WILL TRY TO SHAKE MY CONFIDENCE?"

CRACK!
Unfortunately, Peter cracks another home run, as it was now 5 to 3.

Another home run! Three home runs tonight for the Jaguars, folks! It's now 5 to 3!

Irie was completely distraught, as he was shocked, "N-n-n-n-no. He… He just can't stop…"

He started to feel dizzy, and then, the Heather Doll spewed out Heather's Soul. Irie gasped in horror, as Farra yelled out, "DISSSSSSSSSSS-QUALIFIED!" pointing at Irie.

Peter sighed in relief, "Cubs win! Cubs win!"

Irie shrieked, "AAAAAGH! WHAT HAVE I DONE?"

Michelle rushed to Heather, who was coming to, "Heather! Heather, you okay? Wake up!"

Irie shouted, "NO! I DIDN'T ADMIT DEFEAT! WHAT JUST HAPPENED?"

Heather opened her eyes, and Michelle laughed, "Great… She's got her soul back, and she's waking up."

Heather moaned, "What just happened? Ouch…"

Irie protested, "WAIT-WAIT-WAIT! I DIDN'T CONCEDE! I DID NOT ONCE ADMIT DEFEAT! IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!"

Peter said, "But you did. Deep in your heart, you admitted defeat. And that is why you lost Heather's soul, right back to her. Took you long enough to crack. So, I believe it's three straight losses, and it's game over."

He walked off, as Irie saw the controller, as it was wrapped in Michelle's Hermit Ghost. Irie shrieked, "AAAAAAAAAAAGH! That's… That's Hermit Ghost! Michelle's Spirit Caller is holding it!"

Michelle looked on, and then grinned, "Oh, whoops. Sorry, love. How'd that get there?"

She released it, as Irie snarled, "Of all the sneaky… underhanded… You mean… You DID cheat to win? You were telling the truth! You weren't controlling your game! The one who played the controls… was actually, you, Michelle Nevins?!"

Peter & Michelle's mind read aloud: NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!

Irie was completely crushed, as Peter said, "Like your wife said, "It's not cheating, unless you get caught." But you'd have to be smart enough to outwit The Gang. Unfortunately, I never cheat. Nothing beats a clever tactic of psychological warfare, to defeat an enemy who can read minds. Michelle latched onto the controller, after Heather's soul was free."

Irie cried, "What… You never cheated? You were psyching me?"

Peter & Michelle's mind read out: YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!

Peter smirked, "That's right, good boy… Your wife is smarter than that. Too bad you two didn't figure that out, long ago."

Irie was completely befuddled. He dropped to his knees and sobbed, "I… All the… underhanded… dirty… They… They outsmarted me!"

Peter asked Michelle, "Say, want to know one thing… I'm glad you got the idea, without me signaling to you."

Michelle answered, "I am psychic, after all. You can't bet I always know what you're thinking."

Farra helped Heather up, "Get it together, dude. You had a rough day."

Heather said, "Ungh… Yeah, I'm alright."

Irie moaned, as he was still on all-fours, "That man… He… He never cheated… That guy knows strategy, even against my Stand… I was had…"

Michelle said, "Lads… One more piece of business…"

Peter, Farra, and Asahi turn to the fallen Irie, as Farra smirked, "You read my mind. Now then…"

They glared demonically, as Michelle said, "Right, lads. Do away with this button-mashing wanker!"

Irie pleaded, "OH, SHIT! NO! NO! NO! PLEASE FORGIVE ME! SPARE ME! I GAVE YOU HER SOUL BACK, DIDN'T I? Please, mercy, I gave it back to her, as par to our deal! Like they say "no harm, no foul", right? FORGIVE ME, PLEASE? PLEASE? PLEASE?"

Peter said, "If you want our forgiveness, have Nurse Atum give us a second opinion."

Atum read their minds: NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!

Irie shivered in fright, as Farra said, "As for how we're going to kick your ass, we're using BOTH our fists. But… which of us three will be giving you the punishment? Ask one of us, if you'd like."

Irie replied, "Uh… Since you asked, is it you, Miss Stevens?"

Farra's mind read aloud: NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!

Irie shivered, "Then… Asahi's?"

Asahi's mind read aloud: NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!

Irie sobbed, "Ungh… It isn't any of the 2, is it?"

Peter, Farra, and Asahi thought aloud to Irie: NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!"

"NO!"

Irie shrieked, "NOOOOOOOOOOO! DON'T TELL ME ALL THREE OF YOU ARE GOING TO ATTACK ME?"

Michelle griped, "YES! YES! YES!" and she facepalmed herself and grumbled, "oh, my god…"

Peter, Farra, & Asahi unleashed their barrage of punches and lambasted Irie into a bloodied pulp.
"ORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORA!"
"ARAARAARAARAARAARAARAARAARAARAARAARAARAARA!"
"DORARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARA!"

Irie was sent flying, crashing into the sky, which is really scenery.

[Kyosuke Irie – Atum: RETIRED]

They looked up, as Michelle sighed, "Well, judging by the hole, there's our way out. That's our ticket out!"

She ordered, "Lads, let's get the hell out of here, and rejoin the others."

Asahi said, "We'll pick him up, later… I bet he'll have a reunion with his wife, in prison."

They walked together, as Farra said, "Good. When I get home, I got a lot of racing games to cram at."

Peter halted her and gave her $20. He said, "Here. Pay you back for the hot dogs."

Farra smiled, "Thanks." She takes the money, and then said, "But next time, tell me why you brought food from Darkveil… I can feel it to be blood sausages, you know… Not bad with mustard, though."

She marched off, as Peter sighed, "Gimme a break…"

They departed from Dr. Irie's land, and went off to find the rest of The Gang. With Dr. Irie's defeat, Steven Nevins' Egyptian Gods dwindled down to zero. The Gang emerged victorious, eliminating all nine of his hired assassins.

[Gang's Mission – Defeat Steven Nevins' Egyptian Gods: MISSION SUCCESSFUL!]

But the war is far from over, as they now have one more obstacle to fight: MIO!

Episode 39 – The End

Gang Break

Mission Report
MISSION: Eliminate the Egyptian Gods
Rena Ryugu (Geb): defeated by Peter Giese & Cassandra Martinez (Status: killed herself, using her Stand; Deceased)
Hatred (Khnum) & Kurumi Tokisaki (Thoth): badly beaten up, without fighting The Gang, up-close (Status: Hatred currently in Aswan Hospital; RETIRED; Kurumi Tokisaki temporarily out of commission)
Sword of Anubis: destroyed by Steven Cooke & Farra Stevens (Status: sank in The Nile, rusted same; DEFEATED)
Yuno Gasai (Bastet): defeated by Michelle Nevins & Reginald Hadigan III (Status: broken every bone in her body; currently in Luxor Hospital; RETIRED)
Shion Sonozaki (Sethan): defeated by Chazz Princeton, Asahi Sakurai, & Yamabuki Suou (Status: airborne, currently headed to Prison Island, NY; RETIRED)
Sawako Yamanaka (Osiris): defeated by Chazz Princeton (Status: gone completely insane; currently in West Plaza Asylum for treatment; RETIRED)
Kurumi Tokisaki: mauled and battered by Yoko (Status: currently in Cairo Hospital, along with partner, Birch Small, who suffered major damage; RETIRED)
Obsidian (Horus): killed and defeated by Yoko, aided by Cassandra Martinez and Luzer (Status: exploded into nothing; Deceased)
Dr. Kyosuke Irie (Atum): defeated by Peter Giese, Farra Stevens, & Asahi Sakurai (Status: incarcerated, after being pummeled badly; RETIRED)
CURRENT REPORT: ALL Nine Egyptian Gods defeated; MISSION COMPLETE!

And thus, the Nine Egyptian Gods are defeated! All that's left is MIO and Steven Nevins!
Stay tuned for the next exciting chapter!

To be continued…