Tracking Jonathan to his lair, the party has only one strategy left at their disposal to end the madness of the stone mask.
Jonathan had managed to escape the night before, the brief meeting sewing doubt within the ranks of the party. Both Speedwagon and Erina's resolve had been strengthened, seeing more than a mere flicker of their old friend within the vampire. Even the ardent Zeppeli was beginning to think that this man could be saved from himself without death, though how they could go about that was anyone's guess.
The only one who hadn't changed at all was Dio, a fact that made it increasingly clear that he may begin to pose problems at some point down the line. If anything, his desire to kill Jonathan had been amplified knowing that his brother's mind was still within its vessel.
Though their reasoning may differ, the group set out once again to find Jonathan. Being able to move during the day had its advantages, both Speedwagon and Dio having experience in hunting that benefited them in tracking where their target's location might be based on where they'd spotted him. While it was possible he would have simply moved after being found, he was also somewhat injured and might just as easily have stayed put to rest.
After many hours of searching, their most likely candidate was a large abandoned building near the heart of the city. Even in the fading sunlight it loomed like a crypt against the skyline, the surrounding construction acting like tombstones in a graveyard. It had to be where Jonathan was hiding for no other reason than the thematic appropriateness of it all.
"We should head back," Erina suggested as they stood outside its boarded windows and chained front door.
"Nonsense," Dio sneered. "If your cowardice has bested you, you're free to leave. I, on the other hand, intend to finish this as quickly as possible."
"Cowardice has nothing to do with it," she said, clearly insulted by the insinuation. "I'm simply not a fool who would try to pick a fight with a vampire right before sundown."
"And what if he were to escape as we leave for the day? It's quite possible he already knows we've found him." As he said that last bit, he turned his head towards a small gap between boards in an upper window, smiling viciously at anyone who might be watching them from inside.
"You both make excellent points," Zeppeli interjected to diffuse the situation, tapping his chin in consideration. "While it would be strategically advantageous to begin our assault during the day, I'm afraid we may have lost that chance simply by approaching. I must side with Dio."
He childishly turned up his nose at Erina. "Of course," he said knowingly.
"With that said," Zeppeli continued, "we may be able to avoid confrontation entirely if fortune favors us." He pointed to the sun. "There is at least ten minutes left before the sun sets below the buildings there. If we can draw Jonathan into the light by then, we'll have won."
Despite being the one to say this, he could no longer deny the small bit of hope building in his heart that that wouldn't be necessary. "We'll move now," he declared, the warriors began their assault.
Speedwagon used a sledgehammer to break through the locked door, allowing them access to the vampire's lair. Though the earlier comparison to a crypt still held due to the lifelessness of the place, its interior was anything but ghoulish. Someone had seemingly swept up the place within recent memory, not a single speck of dust or trash to be found in an otherwise dilapidated building. Though the actual decor was a bit sparse, its resident had apparently gone to the trouble of hanging plush red curtains behind the boarded windows – for what purpose, no one was entirely sure.
"Stay on guard," Zeppeli warned the group, though his casual consumption of a glass of wine seemed to run contrary to what he'd said. The aura of danger pervading the structure only seemed to grow stronger as the approached a set of stairs, practically oozing downward like a thick fog.
Zeppeli began the ascent, Erina following just behind while using her Hamon to detect anything within ten meters of herself. With a warning of the attack, even the swiftest vampire wouldn't be able to get the drop on them now.
"There's no need to creep about," a voice said from the room above. "If you're willing to talk, I see no reason for violence."
Though this would obviously be a trap in any other situation, the fact it was Jonathan Joestar calling out to them assured the party that they had nothing to fear from a sneak attack. When asked to confirm, Erina managed to expand her Hamon field just enough to detect him on the other side of the room and in no way ready for an ambush.
Heading up the stairs, they found this room to be nearly as empty as empty as the one below. The only thing that set it apart were two chairs (Jonathan occupying one of them), a desk in the corner covered in various instruments, and the wicked mask that started all of this hanging above one of them on the wall.
The baron clenched his fist at the sight of the thing, wanting nothing more than to destroy it that very moment. For the sake of diplomacy, though, he held back his fury. "You wish to talk with us?" he asked, resolving to give the vampire a single chance to convince him after noticing the wounds inflicted by Dio's Hamon had not been healed – a sign that he hadn't taken anyone's blood since they last encountered him.
He nodded. "I just want to tell you that I understand your aggression. If the situation were reversed, I have no doubt I'd be pursuing you just as you've done me. Which is why, against your better judgment, I ask that you cease your attack against me."
"And why would we do that?" Zeppeli asked. "Would it not be easier to simply overpower you now? We have you severely outnumbered and the time of day is our ally."
"And yet you've agreed to talk to me, which tells me there's hope of us coming to an understanding." He smiled, realizing his words were having an effect. "I do not mean for you to simply let me be. I only ask that you give me time to examine the stone mask. My goal is only to find a way to cure to myself."
"Do you think that's possible?" Speedwagon asked. "If there's even the slightest chance..." He looked to the baron, wishing for him to side with Jonathan.
"You speak with conviction," he replied. "I'm almost tempted to agree. As it so happens, we happen to have a lie detector in our party. If you'll allow Miss Pendleton to judge your words...I may allow this."
He nodded to Erina who stepped forward. Slowly, she began to approach the man, looking him over. He'd changed so much since they were children, but even without her abilities she could already tell so much had stayed the same. "Jonathan Joestar," she said, the slightest hint of affection in her words.
"Erina Pendleton," he replied, a deep sadness showing through his smile. "I wish our reunion could have been on better terms."
"As do I," she agreed, placing a hand on his chest. "JoJo, was what you said before true? Do you really mean no harm to humanity?"
"Yes," he replied. "As I said, I only wish to return to normal. If I must face justice for all I've done while in this cursed state, then so be it. I don't want to be a monster."
For the first time since beginning her Hamon training, something had truly taken even Erina's impressive breath away. Tears beginning to form in her eyes, she turned to the group. "He speaks the truth," she said, a wave of relief falling over all of them.
All of them, that is, except for Dio. "She lies," he sneered.
"You wretched..." Speedwagon clenched his fists before grabbing Dio by the collar. "What makes you think you can call her abilities into question? You're nothing but a common crook and a killer, not even fit to stand in the same room as Mr. Joestar!"
"Because," he said calmly, pushing away Speedwagon's arms. "It's just as the baron told us. Vampires have the ability to control the living." He pointed to Jonathan. "Isn't that right, JoJo?"
Zeppeli's blood ran cold. Normally, it would be impossible for a Hamon user to be controlled by a vampire, but if that user had lowered their guard for even a moment, it would no longer be quite so impossible. Had that really happened without his notice? Dishonest as he was, Dio had the eyes of the devil himself, keen enough to catch even the slightest disturbances.
"It's not true!" Erina shouted, Jonathan taking a step back as if to declare his innocence. "I'm perfectly in control of myself!"
"JoJo!" Dio shouted, readying his knives. "To think you'd fallen so far! Release her at once!"
"I've done no such thing!" he shouted.
"Don't listen, Baron Zeppeli!" Speedwagon shouted. "Dio is trying to trick you!"
"Baron, search your feelings!" Dio told him. "A vampire is a creature of pure evil! Is it truly more likely that JoJo has escaped that fate or that he has simply been manipulating these fools and their affection for him this entire time?"
Though it nearly caused him to waver, the baron was no fool. "I should have known," he said to himself. Whirling around, he delivered a crushing blow to Dio's throat. "Vampire or not, I choose to put my faith in the one known as Jonathan Joestar!"
As Dio spat blood into his hand, throat crushed to not allow him to create Hamon, the group approached him. "Dio, without a doubt, you are more evil than any vampire I've ever encountered. You take the guess of a mere man, but your true nature is plain to see by all."
Anyone who observed this situation from the outside couldn't be faulted for assuming Dio's plan had reached its end. His allies had turned on him, taking the side of the man he'd tried so desperately to kill. His only method of defense had been rendered useless by a swift attack from a more powerful foe.
All of this would true if Dio were an ordinary man. But, as anyone could tell you, Dio was far from ordinary. In fact, this was exactly what he'd wished to happen.
Appearing to scramble on the ground as his former allies moved closer, Dio suddenly gripped one of his knives. Tossing it just low enough that Zeppeli couldn't block it in time, he sent it flying towards Erina.
Despite her own ability to dodge or otherwise stop the attack, Jonathan's nature prevented him from simply standing by. He moved himself between her and the blade as it sailed into his gut, realizing too late that Dio had imbued it with Hamon by forcing out the last of his breath through his broken larynx.
As Jonathan wailed in pain, Dio made his move. The seconds ticking down, he channeled his college rugby experience to barrel through both Zeppeli and Speedwagon, making a dash for the mask. Jonathan could do nothing, doubled over in pain and blocking Erina's movements with his large frame.
They could do nothing but watch as Dio grabbed the stone mask from the wall, tackling through the weak wall of the building with all his might. Though he'd no doubt broken his shoulder, it wouldn't matter in a moment. Just as he'd planned, the sun had set.
He placed the mask on his face, what sounded like laughter croaking out of his mouth as he smeared his own blood onto the stone surface. Moments before he hit the ground, the fiendish machine activated.
Took a few days off to recover from finishing that last story. Wrote some stuff in that time and got a new charger for my laptop since the last one started catching on fire. That was something.
What else is there to say besides an angry, "Dio!"? That Slick Rick did it again. Fuck him.
Thanks for reading. Share if you're enjoying. Always remember that you trusted Dio, goddamn it. Look what happened.