Hope y'all had a nice Thanksgiving, everyone! I sure did. This month might be a bit slow. Maybe. I've got the holidays and my birthday coming up soon. Turning the ol' 25. Looking forward to it all. Anyway, thank you once again for the support. Without further ado. let's continue the story.

Ch. 37
Sign Your Name

JANUARY 16TH, 1989
14:25
CAIRO, EGYPT

Back when she was little, Della Brown was afraid of confrontation. It was her parents' senseless murder that made her develop that fear. She always felt that, if she confronted someone, they would come back for her and beat her to death. This persisted well into her adulthood. And yet somehow, while she avoided it, confrontation always found her.

But things changed when she met Jojo. The entire time she was around him, she couldn't help but admire his bravery. Foolish and risky as it was at times, his actions were rather inspirational to her. Her fear slowly but surely melted away, and she was doing things she never thought she would be doing. It began in the dinner back then, where she threw a salt shaker at him. And her bravery slowly grew from there, from defending an innocent girl to hunting down a hospital attacker.

Now, it all came to a head when the once timid Della Brown willingly stepped forward to take on one of Dio's men. She wasn't attacked, nor were her friends. She entered the mansion on her own volition. Her bravery had reached such a peak that, should the time come, she would selflessly throw herself at Dio. For a time, she felt that it was her own Stand that brought her bravery. But looking back on the past few months, she came to an understanding that All My Love had nothing to do with it.

It was Jojo's bravery that helped her grow beyond her fears.

And yet, like her boyfriend, her actions came with risk. She had decided to call the younger D'arby's bluff, and in response, she and several of her friends were dragged into a dark pit. Joseph had called out to the others remaining to burn the mansion down should they not return. And then, the hole closed up. They soon landed on solid ground, but were surrounded in deep darkness. They couldn't see anything, but their other senses worked perfectly.

I can hear water nearby, she thought, keeping her perked. And… it smells like the sea… Just where did he take us..?

"I guess he captured us, then," said Joseph right nearby. "But… if this is still an illusion… Are we above ground or below?"

He received no answer, but light immediately flooded the room. Or rather, outside. They were on a small islet in the middle of the sea, barren save for a table with four TVs, a table with some wine, a cabinet, a framed door, and D'arby himself. Where are we..? Are we… Are we still in the mansion..? Is this still an illusion or did we just get transported elsewhere..? More importantly… How did he know what I would do..?

"D'arby knew I was gonna bluff him," she said, unmoving and staring him down. He didn't move to the right when I tried faking him out, but to the left, away from my real punch… How..?"

"It might be possible," started Joutarou, his worry hidden behind his stoic tone, "that if we don't solve that mystery… then we will lose to this guy…"

It wasn't just trying to figure out this man's power. It was also trying to figure out why they were outside rather than inside. "This salty wind," mused Joseph. "And the wet sensation of the sea water… It's too impressive not to be reality… Just what is this..?"

"Would you care for a drink," D'arby asked politely, ignoring their befuddlement. "I assure you, they are real. They're not poisoned."

Joseph ignored his offer and asked him, Are we still inside the mansion?"

"That's right."

"... Where, then?"

"I cannot say."

"The basement?"

"Perhaps…"

Joseph approached the door and opened it. There was no magical exit for them. "Is this a Stand? This illusion?"

"That's right."

"Your damn Stand's power?"

"Wrong."

"Dio's?"

"Wrong."

"Whose, then?"

"I don't have to tell you that."

"According to information from the Speedwagon Foundation, there should be two to three more Stand users here besides Dio. Is that right?"

"I don't have to tell you that."

"Seems like there's plenty of answers you 'can't tell us'," Della stated. "How do we know you're telling the truth?

"You can think I'm lying," he said understandingly," but unlike my brother, I neither lie nor cheat." Joutarou scoffed, clearly not believing a word he said. Given how Daniel J. was, he had every reason not to trust the younger D'arby.

"So this means," started Joseph, "We can't move onward unless we defeat you?"

The butler bowed "Exactly."

This guy's starting to get on everyone's nerves, thought Della as she noticed how irked everyone else was by his constant, almost condescending politeness. He's so full of confidence, just because he trapped us. "Have you forgotten that you're surrounded four to one? We're in a rush, so all we have to do is just attack you all at once."

"Oh dear," mused D'arby, who didn't seem too worried. He stepped over to the cabinet and shot them an ominous smile. "If you rush this, y'all will end up losing. Before we get to that, allow me to show you… I believe my brother showed you his… But this… is my collection…"

And then he opened its doors. Inside was a modest collection of creepy, plastic dolls lining every wall. Each one was unique, wearing beautiful clothes, hand-stitched clothes and crafted with such incredible attention to detail. They were all so lifelike. But Della could not appreciate their beauty. Like his brother's book of poker chips, there was more to these dolls that met the eyes, and it made her feel disgust.

"While it's not much," he continued, "I collect things, just like my brother. Well, when you're proud of a collection like this, you want to show it off to others in hopes to hear their compliments about it."

"You sick bastard," growled Della, knowing his dolls' true nature. "How could you take pride in showing others the countless innocent souls you've robbed?!"

As if on cue, one of the dolls, a blonde woman in a decorated red dress, had its eye twitch to the side. She shook in place, some drool dribbling from her red lips and a tear streaking down her cheek. And then, to everyone's shock, she spoke in a tiny, pleading voice. "D'arby… Oooh… Speak to me… Terrence D'arby… Oooh… Why am I lonely..? I want you speak to me… Please speak to me..! Speak to me..!"

All of the other dolls slowly came to life, twitching and moaning their captors name. Some were even begging to be saved. It was a horrific and saddening sight.

"Oh my god," muttered Joseph.

"They're alive," gasped Noriaki. "T-These dolls are alive…"

Y-You," growled Jotarou in contempt, just as shaken as the others. "They really are souls…"

"I make dolls as a hobby," explained the butler. "And dwelling within them are real human souls. To be open with you, this is my Stand's ability. My brother's collection is boring. Simply lining up those soul coins just for fun is so simple and shallow. I can enjoy mine by dressing them up and talking to them. For example…" He took the crying woman doll and stroked her cheek. His touch had a calming effect on her, his name coming from her in content sighs.

"Her name is Sonia. She was a fun woman with such splendid experiences in love. Her skin is beautiful, and she loves Chanel clothes. Right now, she's wearing something small I made for her, a Gianni Versace design. A shameless, beautiful woman wherever she goes. And over here-"

"Shut the fuck up already!" The words tumbled out of Della's mouth before she could stop herself. It took everyone off guard, even Joutarou. "Just shut up... You're no different than your brother. In fact, you're worse! You think just because you have manners makes you any less of a psychotic bastard? No! You're sickening! You and your brother's obsession with soul collecting is sick!"

D'arby didn't look too offended. He simply put the doll back and closed the cabinet. "Anyways, I think you experienced this when you played with my brother, but human souls are quite strange. When you lose, the very moment you acknowledge your own defeat, your soul's energy is brought down to nearly aim for that moment and drag out the soul! That is the principle of our Stands!"

"I thought I told you," growled Della as her Stand came out, "to shut your mouth!"

"Oh, but you better listen to me!" His smile grew more sinister. "At least, you should, Della! You've already fallen for my trap!"

"What're you talking about?!"

"Oh, Della… A while ago, I read your attack, whether it was a left punch or right punch. It left you in shock, didn't it? And why was I able to read it? It's still a mystery to y'all. Well… You didn't admit defeat, but you still felt that shock… It left a weak spot in your soul. While it was just a small amount, I was still able to touch it. So, what do you think happened when I touched it..?"

She didn't quite understand what he was talking about until she felt something grasping her arm. Rolling up her sleeve, there was an imprint of D'arby's Stand's hand clutching it, right beneath her skin. It barely hurt, and while it didn't feel too foreign to her, she knew it had the strength to break it off. He sure was determined to get their souls, no matter what. But she wouldn't allow the others to risk themselves just for her.

"My Stand, Divine Atum, has left his hand digging into your soul." His Stand appeared and showed one of his hands was gone. "If I broke your arm like this, Lord Dio would be pleased, don't you think..? But the instant I do that, your friends will beat me without giving me a chance. I'd rather not have that. So how about this instead? Why don't you wager your souls on a game? If I admit total defeat, then I'll let go of your arm."

I guess that explains the setup, thought Della, glancing at the table where the TVs and game consoles rested. The D'arbys seem to rely on games rather than raw strength. But it makes sense. The games they play, virtual or not, rely on mental fortitude and concentration. And if we let our guards down, then our soul is vulnerable to them… That's how he got a hold of me… But I'm not gonna break…Not here…

She approached D'arby, almost in his face, and glared him right in the eye. "Fine by me," she said with a confident edge. "I'm already in your trap, so I might as well. But I'll tell you right now, you will regret targeting me."

"You really are a fiery one," he complimented unworriedly. "But I have to ask that you wait your turn. I wish to play against your friend Kakyouin first."

"Not a chance." She raised the arm his Stand was holding onto. "It's my soul you're holding. It's my soul I'm going to wager. I'm not letting my friends put their lives on the line just for me while I stand back and watch you take their lives. Sure, I have confidence in them, but I'll be damned if I don't finish what I started when I stepped into this mansion."

"Della," muttered Joseph, a mix of worry and appreciation over her courage. "Are you sure..?"

"Yes. Besides, I still wanna find out how my punches were read." She called back her Stand and approached the table, giving it a quick look-over. It was unlike any normal setup she had seen: four TVs, a controller connected to each, and a bizarre, futuristic console jutting out of the space in the middle connecting them all together. Several game cartridges lay nearby. "What is this..? I've never seen anything like this…"

"A Nintendo Entertainment System," answered D'arby. "The Japanese call it the Famicom. Besides dolls and gaming, I have made a habit of tinkering with gaming hardware. This is a modified console made to play on four screens at once. Of course, I had to modify these games as well. You will never find this type of unique experience elsewhere. I'm hoping to one day pitch this idea to Nintendo."

"See, why can't you just do that instead of stealing souls? You'd make quite a name for yourself." Her attention turned to the games. They were all multiplayer, and she knew a handful of them. F-Mega was a one-on-one competitive racing battle game. Fast and tricky. 2-Golf was, as the name suggested, a golfing game. A bit boring for her tastes. Then there was Pro Wrestling, a WWF-like game she beat many times before.

But she chose none of these games. While she would have a small advantage of knowing how to play, she would end up losing anyway. D'arby would be able to guess, match and overcome every move she threw at him. So she looked for a game she never played before, one she could play without her actions being read so easily. And the answer came in the form of a baseball game appropriately called Oh! That's A Baseball.

"This one," she proclaimed, holding the cartridge up. "I bet my soul on it!"

D'arby gave her a curt nod and uttered a familiar, "Good."

As she set the game in, Joseph's Hermit Purple wrapped around and dug into the setup. "There's no sign of trickery in the hardware or software. The TV and games are as normal as you'd find them anywhere in the world."

The butler took a seat and politely said, "I'm different than my brother. I do not cheat."

Della did the same and said," Fine by me. But if your Stand's hand does anything to me while I play, you will regret it. If Joutarou can break your brothers fingers, so can I."

"You have my word. Fair warning, Della. You might have picked the baseball game, but this is actually the one I'm best at."

That was the last thing she wanted to hear. But as the title screen flashed to life, she knew there was no turning back. I've come too far to do that now. As risky as my choices are, I will never back down… There's a lot riding on this battle… I'll show this lunatic what for and beat him…

The rules of this game worked the same as regular baseball. There were nine innings, and the winner was the one with the most points. If there is a point difference of eleven or more, then it would be a cold game and an automatic victory. The first course of action was to choose the stadium to play in. She cycled through them before picking Blue Sky Stadium, the distance between center field and both ends is 120 and 95 meters.

"Now," said D'arby, "please select your team." There were only six, and she chose the first one on the list: the Jaguars, symbolized by the black wild cat against a purple flag. Her enemy looked impressed over his TV. "I see... You've chosen a team that emphasizes on offensive ability… Two of your batters have an average of 40%… Good choice… In that case, I'll choose the Red Dragons. Their competitive record against your team is 21-21. A team worthy of being the Jaguar's biggest rivals."

"Whatever," said Della indifferently. She then chose her pitcher, with a maximum pitch of 161 km/h, a power level of five and an ERA of 2.18 (whatever that meant).

"I see… You're bringing someone really tough… My pitcher's jersey number 15. Because I was born on January 5th." She still didn't care. "First bat or second..? Which would you like?"

"First."

"Okay. Jaguars bat first. Now, may you summon your Stand for a moment?"

This was an odd request, but she did so, keeping All My Love out. The screen before her went blank, keeping only the team logos. She then noticed some pixels forming above the Red Dragons logo, taking the form of Atum's head. "A little modification I added myself," explained D'arby, holding up a stylus of sorts. "I can draw our Stand's faces on our players. And here," he quickly and expertly drew a pixelated form of her fairy-like Stand's face, "is All My Love."

With everything ready, the screen showed off both teams momentarily before it split away to the playing field. "PLAY BALL," shouted a digitized voice from the game. She was ready to bat. D'arby's pitcher winded up, and before he threw it, she immediately swung. The ball flew straight and into the catcher's mitt. "STRIKE!"

"H-Hey," exclaimed Joseph. "What the hell was that just now..? Why did you bat early..? You swung before the ball even left his hand!"

Her only response was to keep swinging. It wasn't just to practice. In fact, she already had an idea on how to play. But this was all a ruse. She had a plan. Her only hope was that D'arby didn't catch on.

"Della, what're you trying to do now," asked Noriaki worriedly.

"Don't tell me," mused a disbelieving Joseph, "you've never played a baseball game… no..! Have you ever played any video game before?!"

"Don't screw up," grunted Joutarou, who wasn't as worried as the others but could clearly tell she was up to something.

She only smiled and said, "I know the rules. I'm just trying to learn how to play."

Joseph's jaw dropped before he lost his composure on her. He got by her face and nearly screamed, "Your timing is way off and your swings are clumsy! With how you're playing, of course you're a beginner at this game!" During this, the pitcher threw again. This time, Della swung after the ball was caught, just as she got a second strike. The old man looked livid and shiny with sweat. "My god, you're an amateur! How can you have chosen a game you never played before?!"

"STRIKE THREE," exclaimed the game. "BATTER OUT!"

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME, DELLA!" He was now screaming and clutching her by her shoulders. "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?! YOU ALREADY BET YOUR OWN SOUL! YOU CAN'T BACK OUT OF THIS NOW!"

"You think I don't know that," asked Della, smirking up at him. "It's only the top of the first inning. Have a bit of confidence in me, Mr. Joestar. I got this. I know what I'm doing."

Before Joseph could argue, an irked D'arby spoke up and said, "Della… Let's say, for argument's sake… that you're pretending to be an amateur as your strategy to catch me off guard… Let me advise you that it's useless. I won't be letting my guard down any time soon. Even if they're a baby at this, I'll defeat any opponent who bet their soul with my full power."

"I really haven't played this game." She smiled to her opponent. "But I'm confident I can beat you in it if I keep playing."

"Fine by me. Just don't forget the rules."

And so she continued to play as horribly as she was before. She had a general idea how to play, but she continued to exaggerate the fact that she was a newcomer. It was all part of her plan, which she prayed would work Her next batter was struck out, much to Joseph's dismay. Joutarou and Noriaki stood beside her, watching with intent and without worry. Perhaps they had caught on. She daren't ask, however. Right now she was focused solely on the game.

"STRIKE," cried the game's digitized announcer.

"STRIKE TWO," he cried again.

"Top of the first inning," mused D'arby confidently. "Two strikes, two outs, no ball…. And here's… the pitch…"

And just as his pitcher winded up his ball, Della casually announced, "Hey, I just learned how to bat!" It had the desired effect. D'arby's confidence faltered as the ball was thrown. Her batter didn't miss this time, but smacked it away.

"Holy shit," exclaimed Joseph.

"Nice swing," complimented Noriaki.

"It's going out of the park," Joutarou pointed out. One of the outfielders tried to chase it down, but to no avail. The ball went over the fence, and the screen shone with the two very victorious words: HOME-RUN.

"HOME-RUN! IT'S A HOME-RUN!" Joseph broke out in relieved hysterics and hugged Della. The plan had worked. If she can keep this up, she would undoubtedly win.

But the only person not celebrating was D'arby, who leaned over and barked, "Della! What did you just say?! You 'learned'?! You 'just learned how to bat'?!"

"I'm not gonna repeat myself," she teased. "Now let's keep playing. This game's pretty fun."

Her words were getting under his skin. The hand beneath her skin trembled in anger. But the younger D'arby did not back down. He kept his composure all throughout, even as she scored herself three more home-runs. Joseph's worries melted away, giving way to excitement and cockiness with each and every hit she landed. It got to where he got in her opponents face and started to openly threaten him.

"Alright, D'arby," he sneered. "I doubt you'll listen, but I'll give you a fair warning. If you let us go and guide us to where Dio is… we might spare your life."

He was silent and unfazed, but he set his controller down to speak with them. "My brother… was a gambling genius…. and a cheater as well… He would travel the world in pursuit of gambling thrills, winning a lot of money and claiming souls for his collection… He thought it was his purpose in life. However, ever since we were born, he has never said to me, 'Hey, brother… why don't we… play some poker?' He never did.

"Ordinary brothers would usually play games, right? But he never had time to face a good opponent such as myself. Not once. Do you know why?" Nobody responded. "When I was fifteen, my brother had a thing for my girlfriend. We're ten years apart, mind you. So kicked him until his ribs were broken and he threw up blood. All he had to say at the time was that he was at fault. Do you know why?"

"Get to the point," said Noriaki mildly.

"As a child, my brother knew he could never win against me. There was a reason why he couldn't. And now, while Della Brown might have knocked some out of the park, she's actually very worried, just like my brother once was when he was little."

He wasn't wrong. In fact, Della openly admitted it. "You're right, D'arby. I am worried. Especially about your power. But that's still not gonna stop me from trying to beat you."

"You're confidence will soon run out." He turned back to his screen. "Let's continue! I'm substituting pitchers! From jersey number 15 to 77!" And so he did, to a weaker, yet faster pitcher. "And now, I'll announce my pitch! From now on, I'll throw a fork ball right down the middle!"

Why would he just announce that all of a sudden, she wondered. Is he trying to bluff me? Should I trust him or... No… He hasn't lied… At least, not yet… I'll hit his fork ball… Yes… "Just do it, then."

She was ready to hit a fork ball. The pitcher winded up and immediately threw, straight down the middle. And fast. But would it fall or not? Will it fork? It didn't, and by the time Della realized it, she had already swung. It didn't connect too well, the bat hitting a pop fly. The ball didn't fly far before one of the Red Dragons caught it.

"OUT! CHANGE!"

He changed it… He changed it as I was was ready to hit a fork ball… D'arby knew… Just like he knew which hand All My Love was gonna hit him with… How the hell did he know..? She pushed the thought aside for now, her focus back on the game. D'arby's batter held out his bat and aimed it to he left of the field.

"This," he announced, "is my home-run call! Are you going to throw it into an inner corner? Lower than that? Then I'll knock it into the left stands."

"Another call," mused Noriaki. "Joestar-san, are you certain nothing in the console and game are rigged?"

"Absolutely nothing," confirmed Joseph. "Nothing at all… And we've been keeping an eye on him for any cheating…"

Which meant something else was at work, undoubtedly his Stand. It had a secondary ability besides stealing souls. She had an idea on what it was. But she needed proof. She looked back at the game and aimed the the ball cursor directly against the batter. If all things went right, she would only hit him. Once it was set, she charged her pitch and tossed it.

And to everyone's surprise, he moved out of the way and batted it out of the field. Her opponent chuckled and gloated, "My first point." And so, Della's theory was right. His Stand can read thoughts. Nobody else has been able to do that. Not even his brother… This is bad… I may have to change my plan…

"D-Damnit," muttered Joseph as D'arby's next batter taunted her. Another home-run call..!"

"This time," he announced with another chuckle, "shall be the outside corner, okay?" She aimed this time for a low straight. And just as she charged her throw, he predicted her throw. "And you'll throw low, correct? A straight… correct?"

He did it again. His batter scored again. This went beyond reading a player. D'arby's Stand was able to accurately predict her pitch. There was no doubting it now. And as he earned another run and raised the score 4-3, he biggest question that ran through her mind was how to stop this? How does she prevent him from reading her mind? Unless…

Maybe I can trick him, she wondered. I can still win this fight…

"Heh heh heh… Looks like I turned this game around quicker than I thought… So, what's next? Inside corner? Straight down the middle? A high ball? A curve ball? Where will you throw it?

Just think like the boys… Trick him… Let him think you're cheating… break him…

"Hey, Joutarou," she said, turning to the youth. "Can I borrow your cap?" Joutarou raised and eyebrow but complied and handed it to her. She then put it on her head and tilted it over her eyes, making the visor obscure them from her opponent.

"You fool," scoffed D'arby. "Do you really think I'm playing as dishonestly as my brother would?"

"Della, that's not it, argued Joseph. "Hiding your eyes with that cap is useless!"

"Joestar-san is right," Noriaki agreed. "He's not looking at the television screen's reflection in your eyes. Moreover, he can't possibly hear which buttons you press on the controller or where the cursor is going. He's not cheating at all."

"We've been watching him for a while now," added Joutarou. "So why…"

Della didn't even look at them when she explained, "The heat's getting to my head. And I need to concentrate on this game. Anyway, let's not keep D'arby waiting." She glanced up at him and smiled. "I'm gonna call my pitch next. High, outside corner, straight."

Everyone looked surprised, Even D'arby. But none more surprised than Joseph. "W-What?! What did you just say?!"

"You heard me." She tipped the cap up and winked at him. "You're hearing must be going, Mr. Joestar. I'm making a call… High, outside corner, straight." The old man looked both worried and confused for a moment, but after a second, there was a knowing gleam in his eye. He's caught on to my plan… Let's hope the gamer here doesn't. "So, do you believe me, or not?"

Said gamer sneered and muttered, "You foolish… bitch… You said a straight, high and to the outside?"

Damn straight. "Here comes the pitch." She winded up and threw her ball. But D'arby looked confident. He undoubtedly read her mind again, and was ready to score another point.

"Don't forget, if there's a point difference of eleven, then- WHAT?!"

The ball she had thrown wasn't a high, outside straight like she had called, but it instead went low and curved. Her actions betrayed her thoughts and caught D'arby off guard. He still hit it, but it rolled its way to the third baseman, who threw it to first base and netted an-

"OUT!"

Yes, she cheered in her head. It's working! "My next throw's gonna be the same." D'arby's eyes widened in shock. "Straight, high and outside." Yessir, it is! His eyes widened more, a nervous sweat beginning to break out.

"Della," he growled. "Don't tell me… you're actually cheating me, aren't you?!"

She didn't speak. I'd like to think I am.

"WHAT?!" His response was exactly as if she read her mind. The next ball was thrown, an inside, low fork ball. It struck, a pitcher fly, caught by the same player that threw it. Another out for the Red Dragons. At this point, D'arby rose from his seat and barked, "Cheater! Della, you bitch! You tampered with the console, didn't you?!"

Of course not.

D'arby didn't seem to believe her. Or perhaps he did. "I know you're cheating! Tell me how you're doing it!"

Silence, just as she had been remaining this whole time. But it looked as if he didn't get any answer at all this time. And in this moment, everything came to light. "So that's how it works," Della realized. "Divine Atum's secondary power… You can read minds, but only for yes or no questions. But it's like your big brother said. 'You can't call it cheating if you don't notice it.'"

To have his own brother's words thrown back at him made the man grit his teeth in fury. He was being outsmarted, and he could do nothing about it. "How dare you use that against me so shamelessly… You flippant little… Just who the fuck do you think you are..?! Go ahead and throw! Throw, Della Brown! I'll uncover your cheat and drag out your soul!"

"Are you done" whispered Della with an eager edge to her voice."Then let's keep playing. My call's the same as before." Straight. High and outside.

And this time, despite her call, it changed once more. A fork ball, one that D'arby tried hitting away, only to result in another out With three outs, it was time to change to the next inning. And at this point, he was a panting, sweaty mess. His disbelief and internal struggle was almost satisfying to watch. He had yet to see what she had done. Everything was working perfectly.

With a smile and a tilt of Joutarou's cap, she pointed at him and confidently said, "You're gonna lose, Terrence."

"BOISTEROUS BITCH!" D'arby reached out and slapped the cap off her head, with no change to her smile at all. "PUTTING THAT CAP ON WAS TOO SUSPICIOUS! The moment you did that was when the cheating began! STAND UP! I'm checking your seat and controller!" She complied and moved out of his way. He looked all over, even under the set-up, but to his dismay he couldn't find anything.

"Sorry about the hat," apologized Della as she picked it back up and returned it to its owner.

"No problem," assured Joutarou. "You looked cool in it."

"D-Damnit," mused D'arby, almost at wit's end. "I don't understand… I don't understand..!" He glared back at them and pointed at the cap, a manic look on his face "That's it! That cap's exactly how you cheated! Isn't it?! Ah ha ha ha ha ha!"

Della shook her head. Nope, she thought, which cut his laughter short.

"T-This is how you're cheating!" He slammed his hand on her TV screen. "It's around here!"

Nope.

"Y-You're using All My Love to cheat! Isn't it just as fast as Star Platinum and Preciosa?!"

Close, but still no.

His patience was running thin, his hands slamming on the table and his voice now a scream again. "I KNOW YOU'RE CHEATING! ADMIT IT, DELLA!"

She smiled. You're goddamn right I am. The whole situation was almost too much for the younger D'arby. He was stressing out badly. He still hadn't figured out how he was being played, and it was taking a massive toll on his youth. He no longer looked like a young man, but older, like a man in his late forties. It was a miracle his hair hadn't grayed out. "It's still your turn," reminded Della. "Hurry and pitch."

Her opponent slowly returned to his seat, still panting and sweating. "Four… to three," he muttered desperately. "Just one point… and I can turn it around… I'm a gaming genius… I'm undefeatable… I'm a gaming genius..! I'm undefeatable..!"

But he was tricked once again when Della scored her fifth run of the game. The Jaguar's were winning 5-3.

D'arby looked devastated.

He swayed in his seat. And, in his moment of weakness, the hand around Della's arm was removed. "S-Shit," he gasped. I-I accidentally let go of her soul!"

"Hey, you're right," she happily announced, rolling back her sleeve. Atum's imprint beneath her skin was gone. "That means I won!"

"N-No, no! I didn't admit defeat! It was an accident! I accidentally let go of your soul!"

"Oh, don't make excuses." She stood up and laughed rather condescendingly at him. "You lost the same way your brother did. You admitted defeat in your heart. Therefore, you forfeited my soul!"

"I-I still don't… HUH?!" He looked over at her setup and went pale. He couldn't have seen it normally, but looking now,. he saw how she actually cheated. Wrapped around her controller was none other than Hermit Purple. "Y-You mean... That was it..?!"

Joseph looked back and realized he had left his Stand out. "Oh, oops... Shit…"

"S-Such a trick… was the cheat..?! The controller… Damnit… It wasn't being used by you, Della… but by you! Joseph Joestar!

Her thoughts were probably the same as Joseph's. Yes it was. And you fell for it. "That's right, D'arby," she admitted, although she felt he already found out. "I figured that, if you were reading my mind, I had to find a way to counter it. But I couldn't just change my mind at the last second, otherwise you'd know. So I hinted to Mr. Joestar what I wanted to do. That is, for me to think of my pitch and for him to throw a completely different one. I'm pretty sure your brother could have figured that out."

With no more arguing, he fell to his knees, beaten at his own game. Della was proud of herself. A crazy, nearly impossible plan that only a Joestar would come up with, and she was the one to pull it off. It was a spectacular victory, one even they would be proud of.

"Thanks for catching on, Mr. Joestar," she said as everyone gathered together. "That was pretty intense."

"Who would have thought you'd come up with something that insane," said Joseph with pride. "That's something I'd expect from my grandchildren!"

Joutarou tipped his cap and smiled. "I figured it out the minute you asked for my cap. You're a smart one, Della."

"You were very brave to take him on yourself," admitted Noriaki. "Had I played, I would have chosen a game I knew… And who knows what would have happened then… Thank you."

Della covered her cheeks and blushed. "Oh, you guys… Stop…"

"Damnit… From behind…"

They nearly forgot about D'arby, who sounded as if he was going to strike them unaware. But they wouldn't have it. "Now then," muttered Joseph as they all turned around, scaring the gamer with their dark gazes. "All that's left is to figure out what we do with you."

"F-Forgive me," he nervously pleaded. "I gave back Della's soul! She's not in my grasp anymore! Y-You'll forgive me, right..? Right..? Right..?!"

"Should I," asked Della delicately. "After what you wanted to do? Mr. Joestar said he would consider sparing you, but why don't you use your Stand to figure the answer out yourself."

No, no, no, no, no! He shrieked, having just figured it out.

"Now, let's put this to bed, shall we?" She summoned All My Love, her fists clenched and ready to strike. "Left or right? Which one will it be?"

"I-I think it's the left," he whimpered, "that you'll use..?"

No, no, no, no, no!

"T-The right..?"

No, no, no, no, no!

His eyes widened "B-Both of them..?!"

Yes, yes, yes, yes!

YES!

"A-Are you gonna do that 'AMOR AMOR' thing?!"

"Yes, yes, yes," muttered Joseph, his head on his hand in exasperation. "Oh my god…"

Sure enough, All My Love unleashed a stream of "AMORAMORAMOR" and pounded away at the younger of the D'arby brothers with all her might. She made sure he felt enough pain before shouting one more "AMORE!" and punching him into the distance. He went flying and screaming, but rather than landing in another island, something unexpected happened. He crashed into the sky and left a man-sized hole in midair, like something out of a cartoon.

"What the hell," Joutarou whispered.

"It looks like he was punched into a wall," Joseph pointed out. "It's as I thought… This hallucinatory world is a room somewhere in the mansion…"

"So what're we waiting for," asked Della, who ran off towards the hole. "Let's get out of here and get back with the others! We've got a mission to finish!"

~+JO*JO+~

"Forgive me for disturbing your slumber… As I'm certain you know… the Joestars have entered the mansion about ten minutes ago… Furthermore… I must report that D'arby has been defeated…

"..."

"D'arby…"

"..."

"... was a genius… While he had the capability of winning, why do you think he lost..? Enter, Vanilla Ice…"

"...

"Pardon me…"

"... The Joestars… They seem to believe, in the bottom of their hearts, that they can give up their lives to save their mother… his daughter… Even Kakyouin and… er… yes, Avdol and Polnareff… Even they think they can defeat me, Dio, in exchange for their lives… They all believe that, by running from me, Dio, they are really running from their own lives… How ridiculous…"

"..."

"However, these foolish thoughts are quite important. That man, D'arby, may have openly sworn fealty, but he was not prepared to die for me, Dio… Therefore, with that bit of thinking, he couldn't claim his victory… D'arby will never understand why he lost…"

"... Ice… Behold the scar upon my neck… If I were to, perhaps, drink the blood of one more person, then this wound shall be completely healed… And this body of Jonathan Joestar's, which I've yet to be accustomed to… shall be completely mine… Ice… may you offer your lifeblood to me..?"

"Yes… With pleasure…"

"..."

"Please accept this!"

"...

"You decapitated yourself for me… I am happy… However, Vanilla Ice… I cannot accept this lifeblood of yours… Someone else will be used to heal my wound… There is no need for you to die… My blood… Shall restore you… If it is you… you will definitely win…"

"...!

"... Lord… Dio…"

"It'd be best if the body was your own… You will familiarize yourself with it inn due time… I leave them to you… Vanilla Ice…"

"... Lord… Dio… Your expectations… shall be fulfilled… I will surely kill them… I shall… see to it…"

"..."

"USHAAA! GWOAAA! OGOAAA!"

"...

"At least leave through the door… Your Stand can disappear completely from the space of this world…"

"... He has such an abnormal, yet undying loyalty to you… He has hardly known you his entire life, and yet he would give his life to you… Are they all truly drawn to you through gravity, as you've said..?"

"I believe so. And yet… I wonder… if his loyalty could be a substitution for resolve… I don't know… I don't know whether I can call it resolve… Could anyone equate abnormal loyalty with that and preparedness..? Or are they two completely different things… Lennox… Do you believe that his type of loyalty… is something unsuitable for heaven..?"

"... I do not know… We will just have to wait and see… After all… in reviving him, you did make him substantially weaker.

"... He may find a way to overcome that loss… I have faith in him and his Stand… The miasma of emptiness… Cream…"

~+JO*JO+~

He had been sitting outside with the others right at the entrance. While the others waited with bated breath, Joaquín was using his solely to channel his hamon. Not only was he using it to ease his nerves, but he was using it to count down how long it would take before they could enter. Ten minutes, he thought. Abuelito told us we had to wait ten minutes before we can go in… I would have thought they'd be back by now, but… They haven't… Guys… Della… Please, please be okay…

After exhaling for five minutes (having inhaled for five beforehand), Joaquín rose and cracked his knuckles. "Time's up," he grunted. "It's been ten minutes and nobody's back. I'm going in."

"You're serious, aren't you," asked Jean Pierre worriedly, scrambling to his feet. "You don't think we should wait a bit longer, should we?"

"No. You heard Abuelito. We go in if they don't return. And we do what we came here to do… find Dio and finish him off…" He turned to them, his eyes blazing with determination. "I'm heading inside. And I'm not coming out until I find him. As for the others… I'm certain they're okay… Now, will you guys come with me?."

The Frenchman's brow furrowed, the concern leaving his face. "Of course I'm going to join! I promised I would help defeat him! I'm not going back on my word!"

"Mohamed? What about you?"

The fortuneteller's gaze was hardened as well. He was determined, but he looked as though something was weighing on him. "Gentlemen," he said cautiously. "Before you rush in, I have but one thing to say… If either of you go missing within this mansion, or even if you are injured… I cannot help you… Iggy… This goes for you too…"

Both friends looked back at him, but neither with any contempt. This wasn't an unusual thing to say, but it held much weight to it. Throughout their entire adventure, Mohamed had always managed to save them just in the nick of time. Back in India and on the island. He always had their back. But here, within the heart of the beast, it was no longer a guarantee.

"This may sound cruel, but our journey has always been to defeat Dio… Whether I am slain or separated from you both, I want you to promise me that you will not come to my aid. We must think of our own safety first. We must all avoid being taken out just for trying to help one person."

"It's not cold at all," Joaquín said understandingly. "You're right. It's not every man for himself, but when it comes to our lives, we can't just risk it so blindly… This is Dio and his men we're facing… Any one of us could die… When the time comes, we'll have to save ourselves… To be honest, I wouldn't put it against any of ou if I got into a big fight and you both ran. I'd rather know you can fight in my stead should something bad happen."

"As would I," agreed Jean Pierre. "Both of you…" He stuck his hands out to them both. Joaquín and Mohamed took them, and then one anothers'. "It's been a blast… These past few weeks… I'm glad I got to spend them fighting by your side."

They all smiled. It had indeed been quite the journey. Nearly fifty days travelling all across the Eastern world. And he got to do it with the best company he could ask for. Three great friends, his grandfather, his brother, and his girlfriend. Joaquín couldn't have asked for better company. He was just as proud as the Frenchman was to throw himself into the lion's den to end their long and bizarre adventure.

"If we come out of this alive, I'll treat everyone to a great dinner. I promise."

"And to Iggy as well," said Mohamed happily.

"Alright then," exclaimed Joaquín, stepping up to the door and looking down the endless hallway. "Let's go for it, guys! Preciosa!"

His Stand, along with Silver Chariot emerged as everyone pressed against the walls. The Preciosa rapped his knuckles against them as Chariot's rapier tapped the floor. They were searching for hollow points in the floor, just in case there was another hole. When it was safe, everyone moved up several feet and continued the process several times. They were no closer to the end of the corridor, however.

Looking into one of the entrances he was beside, Joaquín beheld an unnerving sight. Stairs upon stairs, leading up and down, through arches and into nothingness. It was a maze that would make M. C. Escher proud. "This is bad," he muttered as they walked in. "It looks like it all just goes on forever…"

"Mr. Joestar asked me to set the mansion ablaze," said Mohamed thoughtfully. "However, It is too dangerous to set fire to such a vast maze… Therefore… Magician's Red!" His flaming Stand burst to life beside him. His beak opened to exhale a small fireball into his hands, which opened to form a bizarre weather vane that burned in six directions. "This flame can detect lifeforms… Humans, the breathing of an animal, cutaneous respiration-"

"Cutaneous what," asked a confused Jean Pierre.

"Things that breath through their skin," answered Joaquín. "Like frogs. Learned that in high school."

As the flame hovered before them, the fortuneteller continued "It can sense the movement of objects. Even the movements of Stand energy. We follow it into the maze. Mr. Joestar and the others were taken underground… Let's head downwards."

The group followed him and the flames into the seemingly endless maze. The flames did not react yet. According to Mohamed, each flame pointed to a specific direction: left, right, forward, backwards, up and down. It can sense things within 15 meters. If it finds something hiding from them, the flames would grow in whatever direction it is. Sure enough, after Mohamed explained this, two of the flames burned fiercer than before.

"The flames have reacted sooner than I thought," he announced in a whisper. "There is something forward and to the left."

Everyone kept their guard up, paying attention to where the flames directed them. Even Iggy stood his ground. But Joaquín could hear his snuffling, as if he was trying to find whatever they had sensed. Sure enough, the moment he picked something up, The Fool materialized and revved forward. Its claws slashed one of the walls of the arches. It crumbled and revealed a squat little man with a bleeding slash across his chest, howling as he tumbled out.

"Hey, hey," exclaimed Jean Pierre as they approached the fallen man. "Who the hell is this guy?" It didn't matter. With this man's defeat, the entire room changed. The multitude of stairs faded away until they were left a large room with a billiards table. A grand staircase lay before them. The Frenchman was left awestruck. "The mansion's maze! It's gone!"

"Our little attacker here must have been using a Stand," said Joaquín. "There's no other reason why." He turned to Iggy and flashed a smile. "Good job, boy. Couldn't have found him without you." To which the Boston terrier barked proudly.

With everything back to normal and the flames no longer reacting, everyone could finally return to searching for the others. But as Iggy and Jean Pierre went on, Joaquín noticed that Mohamed had stopped in his tracks. He was looking at something on the wall his hand rested on. "Mohamed, what is it," he asked. But he didn't reply, his gaze only on what looked like scratches. Upon closer inspection, he saw that it was a sentence.

When you look at this writing and turn to look behind you, you will-

The last word was obscured by Mohamed's thumb. But somehow, he knew what it was. They both did. There was only one way such a sentence would end, even before he moved it aside:

Die.

There's nobody else here, Joaquín thought, looking around the otherwise empty room. Either Iggy or the flames would have detected someone already. Even Preciosa's hearing could pick up any noise… So where…

And then, they felt it. An indescribable, yet intense killing intent growing right behind them. The two turned around and beheld a terrifying sight, a pale, black-hooded beast with its lower half swallowed by its fanged mouth. It was floating in midair and surrounded by a rippling sphere of air. W-What the fuck is that?! A Stand?! But that's impossible..! Nobody sensed it..! I didn't hear it..! Where did it come from..?!

Before he could run, Mohamed suddenly swung his fist and screamed, "EVERYONE, LOOK OUT!" Joaquín had no chance to react as he was punched right into the other two. And as he fell, he was able to see Mohamed for a brief moment. Time seemed to have slowed down for him. The creature had lunged towards him and disappeared. And the fortuneteller…

Had vanished. All that remained were a pair of bangled arms falling lifelessly to the floor.

He was gone.

He was dead.

And when Joaquín realized what had happened, all he could do was scream his name in grief-stricken terror.

"MOHAMED AVDOOOL!"

~TERRENCE T. D'ARBY: RETIRED~

~KENNY G.: RETIRED~

~MOHAMED AVDOL (1961-1989): RIP~

I could not save the death for the next chapter. I could not. I felt that it would have a bigger impact if I did it now. That's why I changed perspectives back to Joaquin, so that this would be possible. It's the perfect set-up for the next, chilling chapter in this story.

So, for the fight with D'arby being cut down... That came down to two things. One, it's a long enough arc as is. I don't wanna make this story longer than it already is. And two, Della has grown since we first met her. And given it was her that stepped inside and whose soul was grabbed, it would make sense that she would put herself on the line for her friends and prove herself capable of handling top Stand users. She's come a long way, really.

Also, I made a boo boo. I made Kenny G. a vampire in this, cause I thought Over Heaven mentioned him being one. It doesn't look like he was at all. I ended up fixing this.