D'Arby the Player - Rev Your Virtual Engines Ready!
The gate to Dio's mansion was open giving the group a full view of the courtyard. Joseph led the way as they cautiously stepped onto the enemy's territory.
"Just as I can sense his presence, he is aware that I have arrived," Joseph said
"That's right," Hanabi thought. "Mr. Joestar explained how since Dio had his grandfather's body he can sense anyone with Joestar blood."
Suddenly a door to the mansion opened by itself catching everyone off guard.
Joseph was the one who freaked out the most. "The door opened! Watch out!"
The door opened fully giving everyone a full view of an empty dark hallway. Knowing that they'd have to enter to proceed on the group approached the door keeping their guards on high alert.
Polnareff peered inside the door looking down a long dark corridor. He shivered looking inside not seeing an end to the dark hallway.
"Polnareff, do not go through that door." Joseph glared into the empty hallway. "We should see at least one or two Stand users before Dio."
Polnareff gasped when something moved at out of the darkness of the hallway. A tall figure literally floated down the corridor towards the group.
"Who the hells that? Is he a Stand user?" Polnareff worriedly gasped.
The man stopped right before the threshold of the doorway looking right at the group. His face seemed oddly familiar.
He bowed putting a hand on his chest. "Welcome. Master Joestar, we have been awaiting your arrival. I am the butler of this mansion."
Polnareff pointed at the man. "I don't know what the hell that is, but it's no ordinary human! But no matter! I'll kill him!" He summoned Silver Chariot.
The man reacted by throwing a playing card at the Stand. The card was sliced in half by Silver Chariots sword.
Jotaro caught one of the halves of the playing cards.
The floating man looked at the group. "My name is D'Arby."
"D'Arby?!" Hanabi shouted
"Yes. I am D'Arby Younger. I am the younger brother of D'Arby Elder, whom you have defeated beyond recovery." D'Arby had a dark look as he focused on Hanabi.
The short girl flinched looking away trying to avoid all eye contact with D'Arby.
"Are you here to avenge your older brother?" Avdol asked
D'Arby gave a humph and smirked. "No, not at all. I wouldn't even think of it. Didn't my brother tell you that the one who loses the battle is at fault? I believe that to be true as well. It his fault for losing. I don't bear a grudge at all."
"I find that hard to believe." Hanabi thought
"I am ten years younger than my brother. I did respect my brother to a certain degree, but we are from different generations. My brother was old-fashioned he had to cheat and swindle to win. He only took on the weak. I believe Lord Dio also recognized this and that is why I am the one he chose to be his butler." D'Arby finished talking and finally noticed the strained looks on everyone's faces.
"Hmmm? What's the matter? If you would like to fight me, please come into the mansion."
Jotaro pointed at D'Arby. "We don't have much time. Hurry up and take us to Dio."
D'Arby's arm moved and a second hand followed behind it.
"Jotaro! Be careful somethings coming out!" Joseph yelled
D'Arby's Stand formed behind him.
D'Arby Younger. His Stand Atum, suggests the God Atum.
It was rare for an enemy to show their Stand right up front.
"So who is it? Who shall be my first opponent?"
"He's annoying! Jotaro, beat the crap out of him!" Polnareff shouted
Jotaro stepped into the mansion bringing out Star Platinum.
"Let's make a wager. The first blow Star Platinum uses against me will be a left-handed punch." D'Arby declared
Jotaro was taken aback by the proclamation.
"What does it matter hit him Jotaro!" Polnareff yelled
"Ora!"
Star Platinum punched with its right fist aiming for Atum, but the enemy Stand dodged the attack.
"H-How could he dodge Star Platinum. The speed is incredible. It's impossible." Hanabi gasped
Atum grabbed Star Platinum's arm as if it was examining it.
D'Arby gave a mocking laugh. "Too bad. It seems I have lost the wager. Just like my brother I love gambling. But I'm not very good at it. As a reward, I shall take you to an amazing world."
A hole appeared on the floor and Atum pulled Star Platinum into it bringing Jotaro in the hole too.
"Jotaro!"
Hanabi, Joseph, and Kakyoin all used their Stand's to grab onto Jotaro to prevent him from falling into the hole.
"Pull him out!"
The three Stand users strained trying to pull Jotaro out but the force of the vortex was too strong. D'Arby's face appeared in front of the three surprising them.
"Oh, very well. You three may enter, too." D'Arby grabbed them and pulls them into the hole too.
"Mr. Joestar! Hanabi! Kakyoin!"
Polnareff had to be held back by Avdol as he reached out for the three.
"Avdol, can you hear me?" Joseph called out. "If you don't hear from us in ten minutes, set the mansion on fire!"
Hanabi did not like this. After the encounter with Fiona being pulled into an illusional world was not something she was ready to do again. It was also a little unsettling that the sky was pink too, just like in Fiona's world. She stood with Kakyoin, Jotaro, and Joseph on a small island.
"This illusion. Are we underground or above ground?" Joseph pondered. Water lapped up on the shore soaking everyone's feet.
Joseph stepped back stepping on a sea urchin as some crabs scuttled by. "This wet feeling. This reality. It's too convincing. Just what is he trying to do?"
"Mr. Joestar," Hanabi got the older man's attention, "When I was by myself the Stand user I encountered created an imaginary world. It was all an illusion created by her Stand but everything in it was real. Be cautious who knows what D'Arby can do."
"Hahaha…."
Everyone looked behind them to see D'Arby standing at a table. The table had a video game system set up on it.
"Old man. Kakyoin. Hanabi. Consider this mystery for me. His Stand, it knew without a doubt that I was going to throw a right punch. Why do you think that is? If we don't solve that mystery this guy will beat us."
D'Arby stepped forward offering the four a drink promising them that the drinks were real and not poisoned. No one took him up on the offer.
"Are we inside the mansion?" Joseph asked
"Yes, we are," D'Arby answered
"Where inside the mansion?" Joseph asked
"I cannot disclose that," D'Arby responded
Joseph fired off more questions not really getting any straight answers from D'Arby. Although he did make it clear in order for them to pursue Dio they'd have to defeat him. Joseph simply suggested that they all bomb rush him. With four against one, the odds were in their favor.
But D'Arby turned the tables on them when he opened a small armoire showing his collection.
Hanabi gasped seeing various realistic yet disturbing dolls inside the cabinet. Horrible moaning echoed out of each doll.
"It pales in comparison to my brother's collection, but one likes to hear compliments about their precious collection when showing it to others." D'Arby smiled presenting the dolls.
One of the dolls eyes twitched causing Hanabi to squeak and grab onto Jotaro's arm. This was freaking her out. It got even worse as the doll's eyes started to tear up.
"D-D'Arby…" The doll moaned out. "Talk to me. Please, talk to me. Talk to me!"
All of the dolls started to moan out louder moving around many of them crying out for help.
"Oh my god!"
"They're alive! These dolls are alive!" Kakyoin exclaimed
"You bastard. They're souls!" Jotaro bellowed
"My hobby is to make dolls and I have real souls inhabit these dolls. My brother enjoyed his soul coins but that so mundane. I change the dolls clothes and even talk to them. For example," D'Arby picked up a doll dressed in a blue dress. The doll seemed to cry happy tears. "Her name is Sonia. I love hearing about her beautiful love stories. She's so beautiful. I'm never embarrassed to show her off." He gestured to another doll dressed like a doctor. "Dr. Elliott is a murderer. He's killed eight people. I enjoy hearing about the people he murdered." D'Arby looked excited as he dug into the cabinet. "I must show you this! The video game master from Japan-"
"Tatshukio!" Hanabi interrupted
"Oh? So you know him?" D'Arby gestured holding up the doll.
Hanabi looked disturbed staring at the doll. Her father always kept track with the latest gaming tech, so he often took her to Gaming Expos. The last one she went to was holding a competition her father was eager to enter, but the reigning champion never showed. And that was Tatshukio.
"He's been hospitalized since he went into a coma after an accident, but now…..it's clear he wasn't in an accident you stole his soul leaving his body an empty husk!"
D'Arby smirked displaying the doll. "His IQ is 190. It was hard to beat him and steal his soul." As D'Arby held the doll Tatshukio cried out clearly scared.
"Both of you brothers are insane. No, you're much worse than your brother." Joseph narrowed his eyes. "You're pissing me off more.
Kakyoin turned his head away. "You act like a gentleman but you're scum. You make me sick."
D'Arby put the dolls back closing the cabinet. Just like his brothers Stand he waited for the perfect time or when the souls power dropped to zero then stole the soul.
"Shut up your pissing me off!" Joseph yelled summoning Hermit Purple.
Kakyoin, Jotaro, and Hanabi summoned their Stand's too ready to attack.
D'Arby didn't look scared and he smirked. "But you must listen! Jotaro, you know you are already under my control. Earlier Jotaro, when I read whether you were going to use your left or right, you were shocked weren't you? And how I read it is still a mystery to you. At that moment though I was able to touch your soul."
Jotaro gasped and gripped his arm. He pulled up the sleeve of his jacket showing a hand gripped tightly onto his forearm.
"Jotaro! Your arm!"
"W-What?!"
"What is that?!"
"I left Atum's hand attached to your soul," D'Arby announced. "I'm sure Lord Dio would be quite pleased. If I were attacked by Joseph, Kakyoin, and Hanabi I'd be utterly defeated. " D'Arby walked over to the table. "So how about this? Why don't we play a little game and wager our souls? If I admit absolute defeat I'll free his arm."
"Yare yare daze. Already under your control huh?" Jotaro pointed at D'Arby, "You're going to regret tricking me, D'Arby."
"I would love to hear you say, I will play a game and wager my soul. But the first to play will be…." D'Arby looked around the group. "Kakyoin. I choose you."
Hanabi was surprised really expecting D'Arby to choose her, or at the least Jotaro. But not Kakyoin.
"Hey what's the meaning of this? You should fight me first." Jotaro declared
D'Arby explained how Jotaro, Joseph, and Hanabi all held relations with each other. If he were to defeat those three first Kakyoin would have no reason to wager his soul and would attack him.
"He talks like he's already won. But he's got everything so planned out. How many steps ahead of us is he?" Hanabi thought
Kakyoin stepped forward. "Very well. I shall be your first opponent."
"What?"
"Kakyoin!"
"It's fine I feel confident," Kakyoin reassured. "I have experience with video games myself." He walked over to the table picking up a game cartridge. "I'd like to challenge you to F-Mega. And I shall wager my soul!"
"Good!" D'Arby smiled
"D'Arby! Where is your guarantee that if I win that you'll let go of Jotaro's arm." Kakyoin inquired
D'Arby didn't answer but walked over to his doll cabinet. He reached into the bottom of it and what he pulled out caused the group's eyes to widen. Hanabi gasped covering her mouth seeing a doll replica of Kakyoin.
Joseph put the game cartridge in the console then checked the system with his Stand. He found no signs of it being rigged.
D'Arby pulled out his chair sitting down. "I am not like my brother. I shall not cheat. Now let's begin."
Kakyoin removed his sunglasses and sat down picking up a game controller pressing start.
Hierophant Green
Power - C Speed - B Range - A
Durability - B Precision - C Potential - D
"F-Mega!"
Joseph, Hanabi, and Jotaro stood behind Kakyoin as the game started up.
"Select your car."
Kakyoin chose car #28 while D'Arby chose car #15.
D'Arby was trying to make idle conversation but Kakyoin just scoffed at the man.
"Are you ready?" D'Arby summoned his Stand that helps hold the game controller with him.
"Enough pleasantries. Just go!" Kakyoin summoned Hierophant Green.
The game loaded up the track and the cars appeared at the starting line.
"Race start in...Five! Four!-"
As the game counted down D'Arby started to rapidly press down on the gas button.
"He's trying to get a turbo boost." Hanabi thought "Even if Kakyoin did that now it's too late, he wouldn't build up enough power to match D'Arby's dash."
"Three! Two! Start!"
D'Arby's car took off the turbo boost giving his car a high acceleration launching him quickly into first place.
Kakyoin was able to get his car to catch up but as it was about to pass D'Arby swerved his car blocking Kakyoin.
D'Arby smirked believing if he just kept blocking Kakyoin he'd win no problem but Kakyoin wasn't giving up that easy.
Using Hierophant Green Kakyoin rapidly pressed the control pad int a circular motion. The fast-paced motion caused his car to spin around rapidly like a top. His car hit D'Arby's knocking #15 off to the side and into the wall.
"I see you've played this game before Kakyoin," D'Arby said
Kakyoin smirked. "I don't need to answer that."
"Yeah!" Joseph cheered throwing up his fist. "This is your chance, Kakyoin! Hurry up! Get your machine back on the course and start!"
The cars started back up and they both used the turbo boost this time, making them tied.
"Alright! They're tied! They're right next to each other." Joseph boasted
"No," Jotaro said
"Kakyoin ended up on the outside." Hanabi inputted.
"If they hit a curve side by side-"
"-The outside car is at a disadvantage."
Joseph was looking at Hanabi and Jotaro with a surprised look.
"W-What's with that look Mr. Joestar?" Hanabi asked
"Finishing each other's sentences. The first sign of a perfect couple!" Joseph shouted pointing at his grandson and Hanabi.
Hanabi's face went red and she buried it in Jotaro's arm, trying to hide her flushed face.
"Che, oldman." Jotaro scoffed looking away.
They turned their attention back to the game and just as Hanabi and Jotaro said as the cars came upon a curve it was clear Kakyoin was going to be at a disadvantage. As the cars took the corner D'Arby almost pushed Kakyoin off the track but he was able to keep his car steady at its high speed and they both made the curve at the same time.
"I've taken a liking to you, Kakyoin! You wagered your soul but you're not scared at all! You rise above fear to work the controls. Only people like you, who give me competition, are worthy of being a part of my doll collection."
Hanabi shivered thinking of the creepy dolls. The boys were right this D'Arby was the worst of the two.
The cars stayed neck and neck, even at the second curve Kakyoin was able to keep them side by side, and again at the third curve.
Joseph kept cheering in the background and Hanabi was honestly pondering how he was related to Jotaro. The older man was so loud and rowdy. With Jotaro, he was stoic and quiet giving this bad boy aloof aura, he never acted like Joseph at all. Although now she could tell where Mrs. Holly got her boisterous and cheerful personality from.
"All right! The fifth corner! Again, at the same time!" Joseph cheered
"Damn you, Kakyoin," D'Arby cursed
"Next is the sixth corner!"
"After this corner is the speed tunnel, the first one to go through is almost guaranteed the win." Hanabi thought
D'Arby and Kakyoin's cars rammed into each other trying to push the other out the way to reach the tunnel first.
"Kakyoin, don't let him push you out!" Joseph said
"It seems you haven't realized it yet, Kakyoin. Are you trying to push me out? Take a look at your #28's power."
At D'Arby's words, everyone looked at the screen. Kakyoin's power was a good chunk less than D'Arby's.
"At the start, you spun and were blown away by my blocking maneuver. Didn't you realize you had less energy after that?" D'Arby gave a giddy smiled as he pressed the excel button and pushed Kakyoin out the way.
"You're going to collide! Let him have the lead! Go into the tunnel after D'Arby!" Joseph said
"I cannot! If I let him enter the tunnel first my chance of winning are gone." Kakyoin said
"There's only one way Kakyoin can get into that tunnel." Hanabi thought
Kakyoin quickly pressed the control pad and using the shove from D'Arby's car he was able to tilt his car upwards and it was able to enter the tunnel at the same time as D'Arby's car driving on the ceiling of the tunnel.
"He did it!" Hanabi thought
"Keep pushing through!" Jotaro cheered pumping his arms.
"Shut up! Your distracting me!" D'Arby yelled
Joseph blinked then laughed looking at D'Arby.
D'Arby and Kakyoin entered the part of the tunnel where the radar was off so they couldn't see the cars in the darkness of the tunnel.
"I can see the exit!"
The cars shot out of the tunnel flying into the air, but Kakyoin was a tad behind D'Arby.
"I've won," D'Arby smirked
"No! You have less power left than me, D'Arby!"
D'Arby looked at the screen and Kakyoin was right.
"That means…." Kakyoin pressed the control pad going for his spin move again. The car spun and hit D'Arby's knocking the other car off the course before it touches back down.
"He's out of the course!" Joseph said
Kakyoin's car landed safely on the track as D'Arby's flew off.
"The one with less power goes flying. It seems you were wrong to think that losing power wouldn't matter. You didn't realize that I intentionally dropped a length behind you, so I could knock you off course."
"Yeah!" Joseph cheered he stopped though when he saw Hanabi. She had a somber look on her face. "Huh? What's wrong Hanabi?"
"Kakyoin….lost."
"What?!"
D'Arby smirked. "She's right. I lost power so you'd push my car off course! Look at the direction my machine is flying!"
D'Arby's car landed further ahead of the course.
"I-Impossible!" Kakyoin said
Kakyoin was right it normally was impossible but the boost D'Arby got from Kakyoin's spin attack gave him just enough to make to the other side of the track no problem.
"Now then, shall we continue Kakyoin?" D'Arby smirked
Kakyoin had a stunned look on his face and Jotaro knew exactly what that meant.
"Don't admit defeat, Kakyoin!"
It was too late. Atum appeared behind Kakyoin ad pulled his soul right out of his body. Kakyoin's body fell forward limp on the table as his soul was pulled into the doll.
"This fool is now an especially valuable part of my collection." D'Arby smiled
Joseph picked up Kakyoin's pale lifeless body.
Joseph and Jotaro glared at D'Arby. "Now now. I'd like to warn you against attacking me in retaliation. If anything were to happen to me Kakyoin's soul would pass on to the realm beyond this life. Haha…"
To be continued ➟