The next day, the men and women were present in the courtyard. The Gang and a few guards were together, as the warden explained.

"I called this meeting in order, as this is a dire circumstance." He said, "Two inmates were missing on the farm grounds." He explained, "Here to tell you more, I hired a local in the facility." He presented a pink alligator puppet and mimicked, "That's right, kiddies. I'm Charla. And I happened to witness what happened that horrible night. The farm grounds are not that far, and escaping is impossible, as the place is surrounded by wetlands."

Farra remarked, "Sir, I'm actually from Florida, and I know for a fact that about 80% of this state is all swamps."

The warden smiled, "You're so correct, Miss Stevens."

Krystle said, "Why don't you mention that they must've killed themselves, by being devoured by a crocodile… maybe a female one…?"

The warden shouted, "HOLD IT! Which one of you said that nonsense?" He spoke, via Charla, "HEY, I'M INNOCENT! DON'T ACCUSE ME OF BEING THE ONE THAT EATS PEOPLE!" He calmed down and said, "With that said, I'd like to have a search party locate the farm grounds, and we shall see what happened that night. I will need volunteers. Keeping in mind that this will not compensate you, nor will it reduce your sentence. This is a team exercise, after all. Now then, Miss Sakurai will explain everything…"

Asahi explained the story, "Thank you, Warden Loco. Last night, at the farm grounds, near the prison, two inmates escaped the jail, and then hid in the area. However, they have not returned, since. As the pink puppet reiterated, there's a slight possibility that the two inmates are still hiding or could be devoured by gators, as this area is surrounded by swamplands."

Charla barked, "I'm no felt puppet! I'm 100% alligator! GOT IT?"

Farra sarcastically said, "Sure you are…" The others snickered. Asahi huffed, "AHEM!"

Farra said, as the snickering subsided, "Continue."

Asahi said, "That is why we are to search this area, for any sight of the two escapees. I will need about four or five inmates to assist us. Naturally, there will be plenty of you, it's fair that five of us guards will supervise. Myself, Cooke, Stevens, Martinez, and another guard will watch you over, to see if you will understand teamwork and morale. Now, who wishes to join the search team? Raise your hand if you want to join in."

Jace raised his hand, as did three other women, and Krystle. Jace gasped, "Huh?"

Chisame asked, "Krystle, what are you doing? You just got out of Solitary. You don't need to tire yourself."

"I don't mind it…" Krystle said, "Why couldn't you join in? At least it's away from you." Chisame growled.

Asahi said, "Very good. A search team of five is plenty. And just to be sure that you get along, or try not to escape, we have a special device made, just for each of you. You may show them, sir."

The guard in a hat and mustache said, "Thank you, ma'am." He held up a silver bracelet and said, "This is the latest device made from the World Government, to prevent escaping. It's tested to prevent further escapees in various prisons, and has passed pre-testing. This is model #800M - Panama Boom, also known as "Invisible Bars Mk III"."

NOTE: Also known as "Panama Sunrise", formerly named finisher of AEW Star Adam Cole.

"All inmates in the search party must wear these in their right wrists, to avoid escaping. In trying to take the bracelet cuffs off, there are harsh consequences. For example, if you try to break it off or dent it, or even think of taking them off, it will explode immediately." The guard continued.

Asahi stated, "This is a device from the original Like a Virgin model. It has the same impact as its previous models. Now, if you stray within 50 meters from us, as one of us will wear the transmitter, they will detonate."

The guard said, "I have the base unit right here. This is the unit that will trigger the bracelets."

Asahi stated, "But don't worry. Anyone who's daring can avoid being killed… that is, if you can handle doing activities, without your arms."

The guard added, "Of course, how will they wipe the shit out of their asses, if they lose their wrists?"

Farra jeered, "Funnnn-nneee…" She stated, "You're volunteered to join this search party… only because we're setting a good example for you guards."

The guard nodded, "Yes, ma'am. I will cooperate. But I lead this search party, got it?"

The others agreed, "Whatever."

They stepped out, as the five inmates saw an ATV. This was the guard's ATV. He called out, "Let's go! All of you! And you four, find your own transport!"

Steven sighed, "Meh, we need the exercise…" He called, "Alright, ladies! Let's move out! Remember, fifty meters, and BOOM!" Krystle and Jace gasped, as their cuffs beeped.

Jace gasped, "We're supposed to… Fifty meters?" he squeaked, "Boom?"

Farra said, "If you wanna live… Run."

They dashed off, as The Gang followed. Krystle cried, "WAIT UP! HEY!"

Cassandra moaned, "Why do we have to run, too? We're not wearing cuffs!"

Episode 8 - Chapter 4: The Hidden Swamp Rat!
E.E.!

They arrived at the farm grounds, as Cassandra panted heavily. Farra said, "You were last. Don't worry, he stopped."

Cassandra moaned, "I can't move another inch!"

The guard said, "Oh, come on, Martinez, walk it off."

Asahi said, "Good work. Everyone's present and accounted for. Make sure no one leaves the range. This land may be huge, but it's more than 50 meters." She instructed, "Alright, everyone will split up, in pairs, and we'll search the areas."

The guard added, "Not so fast! Word of caution – the grassy areas are marshes, and may contain alligators. So be extra careful."

Asahi said, "Make sure that you stay away from the marsh. You're allowed to stand on the grass, but stay away from the marsh…"

Steven added, "Which is deadlier, losing your arms, or being bitten to death by a gator?"

They began to search. Krystle checked the shed, as Jace went to her. He asked, "Got a sec? We need to talk."

"Can't, no… Maybe after we're done here. But…" She said, "I know about your Stand, from Kim."

"Then you heard, huh?"

"Yeah. Don't worry. My friends will handle the prison… but I want Night Samba."

"Alright… but Jace be by your side, always."

Farra called, "HEY! Stop chatting and start searching!" They resumed, as she said, "I can see that Krystle gained a new friend, a new Stand User."

Steven replied, "Keep an eye on him. For all we know, he could be Night Samba."

They followed him, as the guard called, "Where are you going?"

Farra said, "Don't mind us, we're handling these two. They were stalling."

Guard said, "Alright, good. Just get them to find the escaped inmates."

Farra huffed, "Yeah, yeah." Cassandra bowed, "You have to excuse Senora Farra."

They departed, as the guard snarled, "Damned Freelancers… They think they can run the prison and ruin our fun? At least they're following our rules."

Krystle and Jace sneak into the barn, and shut the door. Krystle said, "You gave me the disc… the one from this McQueen fellow, and I learned who Night Samba is. However, before Steven could confiscate it from me… I learned of something."

Night Samba implanted a Stand Disc into McQueen, moments before Jace met him.

"Here… I am christening you with a brand-new Stand… Use your power wisely, McQueen…" It then saw a reflection of a tractor.

"Whoa, you're saying he stashed away from discs in a tractor tire?"

"Exactly… He was collecting discs of Stand abilities and memories, by stealing from various Stand Users, from across the world. It's a stack of them, about hundreds, and he's kept them from the guards."

"So… You mentioned you have a brother… is he a Stand User?"

"No… But he calls his Spirit… Darkness Devil. And even HE lost his disc."

"So, that's why you were searching for your brother's disc…"

Krystle nodded, and then Asahi called, "Hey, you two… If you're done, you have to hurry!"

Krystle said, "Sorry… This is all I could tell you."

They left the barn, as Asahi said, "I want no more privacy between you two… Now hurry up." She whispered to Krystle, "You, you stay away from that guy…"

Krystle whispered back, "Don't worry. He's friendly. I'll explain later."

Asahi agreed, "If you say so…"

XXXXX

Cassandra admired the gardens, as she said, "Oh, Mama Mia… This place has everything… even for a low-class prison, you know how to keep yourselves active."

Farra said, eating a tomato, "There's another shed over there. And look!"

Asahi was with Jace & Krystle. Cassandra said, "It's Asahi, and she's with those two. I know that's Krystle, but the other one…"

"What's the intel on this loser?"

"His name's Jace Brighton – Inmate #MA21599. He's serving 5 years for bank robbery."

Farra said, "Good, we have to tell them."

The guard called, "Hey you guards, I've been looking for you newbs! You think this is a picnic or something? You're not searching at all!"

Farra said, "We are, but we haven't checked the lay of the land… If you don't mind, I'll take flight."

Cassandra stated, "No, you can't… This prison is a No Fly Zone… not even your Sunny Phoenix may be of help."

Farra sighed, "Fine." She called, "Attention! FE40536! MA21599! We'll be searching the shed now!"

Krystle called, "This shed? Okay!" Jace said, "You made us run, so you had fun for once… not that it matters."

The guard shouted, "HEY! YOU WATCH YOUR TONE WHEN YOU SPEAK TO ME!"

Farra barked, "SHUT UP! Are you coming or not? If you don't, we'll tell the warden how you tried to push your inmates into the gator swamp! Now, chillax and zip your fucking lip!"

Cassandra bowed, "Lo siento, sir… She's in a bad mood, today."

They head off, but the guard seethed, "That blonde bitch… She creases me. Why the hell did we get mail-order guards like–." He saw a pile of feces in the distance and grinned evilly. He crept and cried, "LOOK OUT!"

CLANG!
He hit the cuff with his nightstick, and Farra gasped, "WHAT THE HELL!"

"Sorry, it was an accident! I thought I saw a mosquito fly by."

Cassandra cried, "You did not! I didn't see any mosquitoes! You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

The guard pleaded, "No, you got me all wrong!"

The cuff started to beep, as Jace cried, "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO? IT'S BEEPING!"

Farra shouted, "NOW LOOK WHAT YOU DONE!"

"I didn't mean to!" The guard pleaded, feigning guilt, "I thought a bug flew by! It wasn't on purpose!"

Cassandra cried, "Shit, this is bad! MA21599, you know what happens if the cuff gets dented."

"You mean… Jace be go BOOM?"

"Si, senor. You have to calm down…"

Farra stated, "And you, SHOW SOME RESPECT! Was it a bug, or was it just a gag?"

Jace cried, "NEVER MIND ALL THAT! It's gonna explode!"

"HEY NOW, STAY AWAY FROM ME!" The guard cried.

Farra yelled, "YOU HAVE GONE WAY TOO FAR!"

Steven, Krystle, and Asahi watched on, as Steven hissed, "What the hell is going on here?"

Asahi said, "No idea… But I bet Farra's at it again. Why can't she calm down, for once?"

Jace pleaded, "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to say that about you…"

Farra said, "It's alright. Just calm down, and the beeping will subside. Now, control yourself. Panicking will only make things worse!" She gasped, "And god knows if this will go off at any time, in close range! Small explosive, plus two or three people close, equals fatalities."

CLAP!
The guard cried, "I'M SORRY!" His clap startled Jace and Farra. Farra stumbled back, but the guard cackled, "DON'T LOOK NOW, but you're about to fall into some alligator shit!"

They gasped, as Steven roared, "BASTARD! HOKUTO! THE–!"

SHOOSH!
Krystle used Stone Wind to grab a huge leaf, and caught Farra with it. However, the leaf landed on the feces, only to splatter on the guard's pants legs.

Steven gasped, "No way…" Krystle said, "You don't need to stop time… unless you think fast." Asahi went to Farra, as the guard was shocked.

Asahi asked, "You okay?" Farra moaned, "Yeah, I'm fine."

Cassandra gasped, "Caramba… Look at your pants…"

The guard sobbed, as Asahi said, "Now, let's have no more shenanigans. MA21599, how's your cuff?"

Jace looked at his arm and said, "Oh, what do you know? The beeping stopped."

Asahi nodded and said, "See? It's just a false alarm. And it's alright for you, sir…" She glared at him, "However, I already saw and heard of what you did… Once this search party is over, I'll be needing your badge and stick, Ex-Guard!"

The guard stammered, as Asahi said to his face, "Do your job, or don't come back at all." She calmed down and smiled, "Now then, shall we search the shed? This way, people!"

The guard was sobbing, as Cassandra said, "By the way, you should really clean up. Still, how do you clean gator dung off of denim cloth?"

The guard growled, "Dammit… They're onto me. Is this what the warden told us about four experts? They're nothing but a bunch of reckless pricks! But I have to be careful, next time…"

XXXXX

On the way to the shed, Jace asked Krystle, "So, that's your ability, huh? Thanks loads for saving my ass."

Krystle said, "It's alright. I only saved Farra. I didn't do it for you. That guard was antagonistic to another."

They stopped and saw two girls by the shed. Krystle said, "Looks like someone beat us to it."

Jace called, "Did you find anything?"

One girl in a ponytail said, "No, not so much. For some reason, this place is just a stinky barn."

One girl with blonde hair appeared and said, "Nothing in here."

Krystle stated, "Curious, was there anything inside?"

"Only a tractor… possibly left there for gardening and shit."

She thought, "Then that means…" They looked inside, as Jace asked, "So… You think it's a match?"

"I sincerely doubt it… But the tires on the tractor are a match from the disc we saw."

"It's got the same number on the vehicle – #4."

She said, "It's not safe now to look… We'll ask them to search, after the search party is over. And then, we may recover Peter's disc."

The Gang, however, was viewing the marsh. Steven said, "I don't know… Two men escaped prison, only to tread through the marsh. Something doesn't add up…"

Asahi said, "You don't think they could've drowned…"

Farra stated, "It's gator country… So, no telling what." She called to the guard, "YO! You wanna make yourself useful? Tread the marsh. Maybe we can see if they drowned or something."

The guard nodded, "Uh, good idea. But I will need two of you to assist me… Sakurai, you take the base unit to the bracelets, so you come with me." He said to Cassandra, "And you, the tall one… You take ballast."

"Que?" She asked in confusion.

Steven said, "We'll cross the marsh, by foot. Farra, you follow me there, and remove your shoes."

Farra gasped, "Wha–? Oh, no! Not this again! First, it's rats, now, it's croco-gators!" She sobbed, "Bad memories of those damned leeches…"

"Baby…" Steven huffed.

The guard called out, "ATTENTION, SEARCH PARTY! We're done in the land! We will now search the marshlands! They could be eaten by gators or drowned in the water! We'll have to swim!" The party groaned, as he continued, "Sakurai and Martinez will accompany me by the vehicle, while Cooke and Stevens will supervise by foot. Now get prepared, and start swimming!"

One girl huffed, "Ugh… Swamp water? No, thank you…"

Steven said, "We have no choice. We'll guide you, but remember… Fifty meters. Don't tread away from Sakurai and Martinez."

The guard called out, "Let's go, ladies!" Asahi cried, "Start paddling!" They drove off, as Jace said, "Now Jace be seeing things… This vehicle's all-purpose."

Farra stated, "It's a subterranean vehicle that can travel by land and water. Ladies, get to swimming!"

The woman in tan huffed, "Okay, but you'll be sorry, if I get sick of disease."

Farra barked, "Quit bitching and swim, bitch!" She sighed, "I'm doing this under protest, too…"

The girl in the ponytail said, "Yeah… same. What a drag."

Krystle beckoned to Steven, "Steven, you got a minute?"

"What is it?"

"Found a clue… Tractor #4, the tires… There might be discs inside, from the disc you held."

"Hm?"

"Memory Discs… It could be inside the tires. Can you take a quick search and see?"

Steven nodded, "Right. Farra, take over on these girls! I'll be at the storehouse!"

Jace called, "Hold on! Krystle, I'm getting some bad vibes."

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"It's this search party."

"You have nothing to worry about. Steven Cooke will remove the tire, while we head to the guard and others, before the bracelets go off."

"NO! It's not that! I mean, Jace be seeing things, but didn't Sakurai say five volunteers will do it? That's what she said." She gasped, as Jace counted, "And not counting the guard and your four friends… There's six of us standing there!"

He was right. Krystle and Jace were with the three girls, one with tan skin, one with blonde hair, and one with a ponytail… but there was also a girl in green hair and a black outfit.

"When we were running, I never took a good look at their faces. You see the same thing as I see?" He asked.

She replied, "You're right… But… I was thinking the same thing, except I was focused on running. But everyone was wearing a handcuff…"

The girl in green asked, "Wait… Weren't there always six of us here?" Farra gasped, "Hold on…" She counted head and asked, "Wait a sec…"

Jace asked her, "Hey, you noticed too?"

"Y-Yeah… But it really doesn't matter how many there are…"

Farra looked around, "Odd… I don't remember you here. What's your name?"

The blonde called, "I can vouch for her. She was with me, from the beginning. That's Esma. She was a victim of being bullied. You volunteered because your bullies didn't come along."

Farra nodded, "I see… I will help this matter, at another time. But right now, we have to run."

Esma said, "Sorry, but I have no idea who you are…"

BEEP!
The bracelets beeped, as Farra called, "OKAY, LADIES! You want to run, run!" She groaned, "And me without my galoshes…" Steven said, "Farra, we'll discuss this sixth person, later… We have to meet with Asa and Cassie."

"Right! Ladies, let's go!"

They dashed off, as Jace said, "Right! It's almost 50 meters!"

The beeping continued, as Steven called, "LOOK!" The ATV was totalled, as it was tilted in the water. Krystle cried, "THE GUARD'S GONE!"

Steven yelled, "ASAHI! CASSANDRA! THEY WERE ON THE VEHICLE, TOO!"

They went into the water and looked in the vehicle. "Why is it covered in blood?" The blonde asked.

"Don't tell me…" Steven said. Farra asked, "What happened to them? And the bracelets are still going off!"

Jace asked, "Don't tell me that the guard is far away from us, and he's drifting away?"

Farra shouted, "Never mind that prick! JUST FIND HIM, AND THE OTHER TWO!"

The girl in tan called, "Those two were with him, but wherever they are, they're more than 50 meters away."

Esma panicked, "GUYS! THIS IS BAD! WHY IS MY BRACELET ACTING UP?!"

BOOM!
Esma exploded into nothing. Everyone gasped, as Krystle cried, "NO WAY!"

Steven growled, "This is bad… That explosion… Who had the device?"

"THERE'S NO WAY! WHY DID SHE BLOW UP?"

Krystle whispered, "Sabotage… Could it be that someone sabotaged her bracelet, to drive us away from the discs?" She called, "Look 50 meters from the girl that blew up!"

The girl in the ponytail cried, "THERE HE IS!"

She found the guard, mangled and dead, likewise Asahi and Cassandra, who were washed away onto the shore. Asahi coughed, "Dammit… What happened?"

Cassandra moaned, "Madre mia… Remind me never to sail on that thing, again…"

The blonde said, "The guard in black hair, she has the device. We have to meet with her, before we explode, too!"

Asahi gasped, "No good…" The others head to the guard, as she cried, "FUCK! The guard!" She and Cassandra pulled his body to shore, as the others arrived.

Cassandra cried, "EVERYONE, STEP BACK!" She examined the guard, and she shook her head. Farra growled, "What just happened? Who killed that guard, out of nowhere?"

Cassandra moaned, "I don't know… We were far from the others, and suddenly we topsided. Asahi and I swam back to shore, and… Merda! We swam with the guard, and I lost grip of him!"

Asahi said, "Stay where you are, I'll contact help!"

Jace said, "Krystle, you thinking what I'm thinking? If one of those girls did this, it has to be one of them, as a Stand User. I mean, it's three girls, and one of them is responsible…"

Krystle replied, "Wait. Hold on, Jason… if it is one of those girls, then wouldn't they be guarding the discs in the storehouse?"

"You may be right." He said, "Now I don't know anymore…"

"Plus, these girls are prisoners. They wouldn't guard this place, 24/7."

Asahi contacted the prison, "Come in! This is Asahi Sakurai, interim guard, we have a crisis… We were under attack, and the guard somehow was attacked. Unfortunately, he's dead, before we could revive him. See if you can send a medic to carry him off. Over and out."

Krystle said, "Pros… Go fig."

Asahi headed to Krystle, "You know what goes on? Cassie, the guard, and I were attacked."

"I don't know… but if I were to guess, one of those women is responsible for the guard's death."

"As in… a Stand User?"

"Yeah…"

"We'll have to wait and see." She said to Jace, "And you, MA21599, stay on your toes."

"Yes, ma'am…" Jace muttered. He heard a noise, "What was that?"

He saw a bucket, and heard a gurgling noise, "What the hell? There's something inside!"

He kicked the bucket off, and it showed only water inside. Krystle asked, "Jace… You sure there was someone inside?"

"I did… There was a squishing sound, and it was inside that bucket!" He pleaded.

Asahi said, "Okay, I believe you…" She approached the bucket and said, "But it's unwise to kick rubbish, and toss it anywhere." She reached inside, and suddenly a black arm sprouted from inside the water. It grabbed her and was pulled in. "YAAH!"

"ASAHI!" Farra cried, as she ran to the water. Cassandra sobbed, "NO! What the hell was that?"

Asahi was pulled underwater, and with a bunch of tiny black creatures. They started to smear into Asahi's face and skin. She started to gurgle and hit the red button, "Strength!" She shook off the creatures, but the black creature grabbed her and dragged her away.

Asahi shrieked, "HELP! GET IT OFF OF ME!"

Cassandra yelled, "ASAHI!"

Steven cried, "ASA, BREAK OUT OF THAT THING!"

Jace cried, "That's the sound! That's the gurgling sound I heard!"

Krystle was astonished, "Could it be the same creature that killed the guard?"

Farra yelled, "HANG ON, ASA! I'll protect you!" she gagged, "Uhhhh… This is disgusting… Dammit! Why did it have to be mud and algae!"

Krystle called, "Allow me! STONE WIND!" She produced threads and created a makeshift pathway. She dashed forward, and Cassandra followed. Krystle called, "Come on! Let's go save Asahi!"

Cassandra gasped, "Ay chihuahua! You have that ability, and you never told us?"

"You never asked. Don't worry. Just as long as you stay clear of the water."

Her face was showing blue splotches, as her skin was slowly fading. Asahi gasped, "Krystle… She's got a Stand that can do that? The blue spots on her face… it looks like her skin is deteriorating."

Krystle and Cassandra jumped up. Krystle landed a right to the creature, but it swatted her away. It landed a swift right, impaling her gut. Krystle smirked, "Heh! Didn't hurt…"

She showed a hole in her ribcage, made with the threads from Stone Wind. She called, "But this will!"

PUNT!
Cassandra punted the creature, and Krystle lambasted it with a barrage of punches. Asahi recovered, "My god, that was scary. Guys, we have to get away from the water! This thing, it multiplied, when I tried to break free. It was one Stand, then two, then four, and it went on, until thousands were made, and it created that!"

Krystle nodded, "I see… This water creature could be the reason why the guard was killed, and how you went overboard."

Cassandra said, "We have to swim back… And hurry!"

Krystle called, "Grab my threads, and hold on!"

Asahi grabbed Krystle's threads, and Cassandra grabbed onto Asahi. The monster emerged from the water, as Cassandra shrieked, "KYAAAAAAAAAA!"

Krystle yelled, "SWIM WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT!"

The creature was gaining on them, as Jace growled, "Dammit! They're losing speed!"

Farra growled, "That aquatic fuck won't get away with this! ASA! CASSIE! KRYSTLE!"

Krystle swam faster, as the monster went closer. Jace growled, "THAT'S IT! JACE BE HAVING NONE OF THAT!"

He dove in the water, as Farra gasped, "HEY YOU!"

Steven cried, "What's he trying to accomplish?!"

Krystle cried, "JACE, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

Jace went underwater, as he held his hand out, "Krystle, that thread… it's your ability. Here's Jace B Right's ability… Stars will shine at night, and will reign a glittery torrent to you, you black inked mutant! JOHNNY B BADD!"

Stars shot through the water, like guided missiles. It shot at the monster, and it drifted backwards, mildly injured. Jace swam back to shore, as Krystle and the rest arrived. Cassandra cried, "GET AWAY FROM THE WATER! GO!"

They dashed off, as the creature emerged, badly hurt, but remained in the pond. Steven said, "Hmm… So, he's not Night Samba."

Farra smirked, "I'll be damned… Jason risked himself and used his Stand to save the rest. But dear god… Stars?"

They returned to shore, as Asahi said, "Guys, we have a problem… This thing, it's not a monster. It's a Stand! I can feel it!"

He said, "It's okay. We'll get the guards and call off the search."

Asahi removed the device and placed it on the guard's corpse. She said, "Here. This will keep the rest company, until we get things under control."

Krystle asked, "WAIT! What about the discs? There are discs in the storehouse!"

Steven nodded, "I forgot… I was supposed to search in the tractor."

Farra asked, "Is this right? Peter's disc is inside the tractor?"

"In one of the tires. I don't know which, but…"

Asahi said, "Then let's look! If it's not here, maybe it's in another tractor."

Krystle said, "It's tractor #4."

Steven called, "Right! You two mind the rest of the girls, while we search the storehouse. GANG! LET'S GO!"

They ran off, as Krystle said, "Good… Now that they're preoccupied, let's find out who the Stand User is… And if we don't find her, soon… We may never find Peter's disc."

Jace called out, "Hey, a moment of your time!"

The girl in a ponytail asked, "Yeah? What is it?"

Jace said, "Something was odd about you girls… especially what happened to little Atroe there."
"Esma."
"Whatever. I'm still perplexed, perhaps Jace Be-wildered. But I know it's one of you that killed the guard and drowned those two female guards."

The girl barked, "What? Who says it was one of us? We were with you two and the guards!"

The blonde asked, "Well, why couldn't it have been you two? We saw you being chummy with those bitch guards."

Krystle said, "We're not. They're strict, but unlike these bullheaded brutes, these guys play by the book. They were watching over us, for safety. Funny… Do you know any of these four?"

"Never mind that!" Jace called, "I think it's safe to say that these three are Stand Users… Or one of them, at least!"

The tan girl said, "You're insane!"

The blonde barked, "Yeah! How could it be any of us that killed this jerk?"

Jace said, "Look, you saw what happened, when that monster almost drowned those two! One of you better come clean, or else we're all gonna die!"

"Who asked you, perv?"

"DON'T DENY IT! You know this Esma girl, before she blew up! And before her demise, she said she doesn't know you!" She gasped, as he continued, "Any of you back her up? Did you see her with the girl?"

The blonde said, "Like you're to talk. We don't even know both of you!"

The tan girl said, "You do know I was with you from the jump."

The girl in ponytail asked, "Sorry, but do I know you?"

The tan girl yelled, "YEAH! I'm the one that doesn't know your scrawny ass, either!"

"Yes, you do! I was the one calling for help!"

"NO! It was the guard in black hair that called for help, and left us with that guy's corpse, to stay out of trouble!"

Suddenly, Krystle spoke, "Hold on! You, in the black hair… Why is your nose bleeding?"

The ponytail girl got a nosebleed, as she moaned, "Huh? Oh, dear…"

Krystle whispered, "I don't know what, Jace… but after Cassandra punted the Stand's face, I bashed that thing in the face. And one of the girls stumbled a bit. I couldn't see all that, but…"

The girl in the ponytail cried, "YOU DON'T GET IT! It wasn't me! That bitch is the one that did it, because she broke my nose! She did it! See for yourself!"

The tan girl's hand was bleeding. She complained, "Are you serious?! I only did it, but her teeth scraped my hand! I was most definitely here, from the start!" She stated, "If anyone's the killer, it's gotta be one of you! OH! That also applies to you two, as well! When the guard was chastised by those four clowns, you two were talking shit!"

Jace said, "She's right. We were there."

The girl in ponytail said, "Yeah. You two are most suspici–!"

POW!
Stone Wind punched the girl's face. She contorted and fell to the ground.

Jace cried, "What the hell did you do? Could it be? She did it?"

"Actually… I'm not so sure…" Krystle stated, "So… I'm gonna have to smash ALL THREE OF YOU!"

The blonde girl grabbed her wrist, as she said, "Nice Stand, bitch…"

The tan girl smirked, "Yeah… Nice way to save your fellow guards, with that Stand…"

Krystle gasped, "Wait… They can see–? No… It couldn't be!"

The girls started oozing black goo out of their eyes, mouth, skin, and wounds.

The blonde barked, "YOU BITCH! Who the fuck do you think you are?"

The tan girl huffed, "Now my plan's ruined, thanks to you. I was gonna send in the water, and tear you to shreds. Even those two bitches… I could've guessed these Freelancers were them!"

The ponytail girl moaned, "I didn't think you'd protect The Gang, all because you know them… especially with that little trick of yours. But your little thread game won't fool me again!"

They were speaking in a distorted voice, as Jace gasped, "Dafuq?! They're… They're possessed!"

Krystle said, "Worse… The Stand's in all three of them!"

He cried, "HOW? The Stand User has to be one of them! It doesn't make any sense! It can't be all three of them!"

The blonde girl hissed, "You're wrong…"

POW!
"ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA!"
Krystle beat down the blonde girl, and her body oozed out the black slime. The slime went to the tan woman.

"Stand Powers are unique… Each individual gets one. The girls were there in the beginning… The black hair and the shaved blonde." Its ooze spoke and formed a creature, "They decided to go near the tractors, so I decided I possess them and killed them, in the process. However, the tanned musclehead is–."

SMASH!
The head exploded, and the creature emerged with two discs in its head, "The skin I created from the scrubs I killed, last night!"

They gasped, as Jace whispered, "My god… So… Blonde hair, Ponytail, and Esma… They were the three? She's the imposter?"

The Stand spoke, "My divided body is now whole again! I was aware of The Gang's arrival in St. Dolphin, so I was given the powers of my Stand, thanks to Night Samba's gift. Now, anyone who dares enter the storehouse will suffer like these girls and the guard. To repay what I owe him, I will do anything to eliminate anyone that tries to take the discs of memories and Stands that Night Samba has collected!"

Jace gagged, "Who the hell is that?! If that is the Stand, where's the Stand User?"

Krystle said, "I'm afraid that there's no Stand User that controls this thing… The user is… the Stand itself." She explained, "It's a living organism. And it was given a Stand… and the one that was guarding these discs wasn't human to begin with."

He cried, "No way…"

"And since the storehouse doesn't have any water, it replenishes itself with the fluids from inside the human body… and like a car, it needs water to fuel up. And in order to move freely, it collects the water from the body of its victims." She stated, "Even so, if we're to protect the others from the storehouse, we have to make sure that it does not go after them. They were almost killed by that thing."

He cried, "Wait… How can that thing be moving around?!"

The Stand yelled, "I AM CALLED E.E.! YOU WILL CALL ME BY THAT NAME, AND NOTHING ELSE!"

E.E. (aka F.F., or Foo Fighters)
Miz-K NOTE: Thought I be creative for the parody of Stand, F.F.

They prepared to fight, as E.E. stared down at the two. E.E. said, "I have no time for you two… I'm going to turn your friends into dried up raisins."

It prepared, as it explained, "But first, a word of wisdom, before these assclowns die of dehydration…
It is said by astronomer Fred Hoyle… It is wrong to assume, even probabilistically speaking, that living organisms were spontaneously born on this planet. The power of intellect was already a preexisting force in this universe, and it is that intellect which created the origin of life.
To put it another way, it can be said intellect preceded even The Big Bang, and that all organisms and matter itself already possessed that intellect."

"Eh?" Jace was confused.

E.E. said, "You could say that I'm smarter than you two OR those freaks of nature."

Jace said, "No, I'm saying you speak gibberish, for a walking talking living fish food monster…"

Krystle said, "I think it's saying that we're the only ones capable of intellect. This plankton guy is saying that it's even smarter than all of us… combined."

E.E. yelled, "FOR THE LAST TIME, IT'S E.E.! GAH! SCREW THIS! IT IS OBVIOUSLY TRUTH THAT I'M MORE INTELLIGENT THAN ANY OF YOU!"

It raced off, as Jace called, "Damn! We have to stop it! Only… The rest are superheroes, but even so, they cannot fight that thing!"

Krystle said, "All that matters is we save the discs and them…"

He gasped, "Uhh, look again, Krystle… Behind you!"

A black creature appeared from the waters, and grabbed the guard's corpse. He cried, "SHIT! THE DEVICE! I get it now! It's pulling the guard away from us, before we can go after it!"

Krystle said, "I know… But I leave you in charge of that thing!"

"Huh?"

"If we don't place his corpse near the storehouse, that thing will grab the discs and we'll never find them!"

She dashed off, "Just hurry up! I have to warn them!"

Jace groaned, "Aw, man… Why me?"

The creature pulled the guard, as he cried, "Oh, no, you don't, you itchy algae!" He cried, "I have no time to waste! It's better to explode in stars, than to become nothing at all! JOHNNY B BADD!"

POW-POW-POW-POW-POW!
"USHAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
He landed a swift barrage of punches to the creature, but he blocked the attack. The creature slashed his arm off, grinning evilly.

"Hell yeah!" Jace smirked, as the Stand was a decoy. He added, "I even lost an arm, but that's the beauty of stars and glitter… You cannot see from its blinding shine… But still, here's hoping I never use that trick again… I can't believe this doubles as a Cherry." His arm was attached to a sticker of a Cherry Star. He pulled it off and moaned, "Oh man… This is gonna hurt."

He pulled the star off and his arm was reattached. He moaned in pain, and grabbed the corpse. He said, "Good thing I'm the biggest of this group… I can carry this body with ease."

He ran off, as the monster went after Jace. It splashed water all over him in a shower, and emerged from the corpse. "Damn you, you sadistic parasite!"

He dropped the body, and Jace was pinned down. The creature shrilled, as Jace snarled, "Victory screech, huh? Guess again… You think I haven't forgotten about what you did?" He held up a corpse and said, "Look at this dried up skeleton! That's one of the prisoners you sucked dry! Well, Jace B Right, and he has a little surprise for you. Something that will give you a dry mouth! …in a way."

He used his powers to explode the female corpse into dust. It absorbed all over the creature, causing it to break apart.

"Good… This thing can absorb water, eh? Well, if it absorbs dry sand, it breaks. Similar to how you dry out a tampon or a diaper. In this rate, it does not like being in a desert. NOW BEGONE!"

He destroyed the creature, and he hobbled off with the guard's corpse. He moaned, "Jesus Christ… I have to do the heavy stuff for this freak? Krystle Giese's no crazy girl… nor is she one weird woman. Still, I better bring this body to the farm, or we blow to kingdom come." He walked off and said, "If we're to defeat this thing… we have to drain it dry, like it did those girls."

Krystle arrived at the storehouse, but saw E.E. gather the discs. E.E. said, "You made it, but too late…"

"Where are the others?"

"They disappeared… Suddenly, they came here, and vanished. Let alone, they were able to retreat like the cowards they are. I was going to kill them, anyways, but how lucky I am. They never found the discs." E.E. smashed the faucet, leaking water out. "But now, I think it's time for a test… Will you fight me, while in the middle of a puddle I made, or will you cower away like the rest of your friends?"

"Thought so… So, you did hid those discs." She stepped on the puddle and said, "Before I beat you to shit, E.E., I want to know… Who is Night Samba? Also, gathering all these discs, what exactly are you achieving?"

"My, I admire the way you'd protect yourself or your friends… That's not something I can relate to, but I can sense what you're doing… risking your body, just to save everyone…" He grabbed the discs in a huge bag and said, "And to answer who Night Samba is, I'm sorry. Unfortunately, I don't know who they are."

Krystle dashed forward, confirming her suspicions. Threads shot out, as E.E. called, "YOU THINK THAT DAMNED THREAD MAGIC WORKS ON ME?!" E.E. sprouted out vines of slime and said, "Arrogant child! THIS ENTIRE PUDDLE IS ALREADY A PART OF MY BODY!"

It grabbed her neck, and it hissed, "I commend your effort, but all for naught. Were you actually soaking up the field with flour? Well, I was one step ahead of you. In the end, no human can outsmart a superior being like me. I was aware of my environment, and created an area that gives me no weakness at all!" E.E. grinned, "Now, little brat… Your body will be perfect for my host body, for a while, before someone else tries to reach for me."

Krystle said, "Too bad… You won't get it, because you already lost."

The tractor drove off, as Asahi was behind the wheel. Krystle's thread was able to latch up on the side, to avoid dropping the huge to the soil. Jace arrived and placed the guard's body down.

Krystle explained, "When you made this so-called environment, splashing water all over the place, wrong move…"

E.E. cried, "NO! What is she doing?"

Asahi called, "GUYS! Get away from the storehouse! Now that we know what goes on with this thing, we have a chance! I say that they took the bait."

E.E. cried, "That little…"

Steven was by the doorway and said, "We were already here… But instead of finding the discs, we'd figure you bring the discs to us. And then we learn from Krystle that you're fueled by water. It is important to stay hydrated… but with you, Steven Cooke will make an exception." He added, "Oh… and why didn't you hear it? While the water was running, Asa got to the tractor and drove off, with the discs in tow. You were preoccupied with killing Krystle that you didn't hear that."

E.E. snarled, "You… YOU ASSHOLES!" It chased after the tractor, as the others stayed back.

E.E. yelled, "YOU HEARTLESS BITCH! I WILL DRY YOU, LIKE I SHOULD'VE DONE IN THE BEGINNING! THOSE DISCS ARE NOT YOURS TO TAKE! THEY STAY WITH ME!"

Asahi pushed the pedal and sped off, but E.E. was gaining on her. However, E.E. was starting to shrink. It cried, "N-No! NOOOO! My body!"

Jace said, "Soylent fields are softer than the area near the wetlands. The more you run, the more water you lose. The way you're going, there's no water, either!"

It grabbed the tractor and started to drag off, "YOU CURSED HUMAN, I WAS VOWED TO PROTECT THE DISCS!" He let go and fell down.

Jace smirked, "Well, Jace Be Amazed that you would've won against The Gang, but in a battle of wits, you actually lost. Your precious discs are no longer yours."

E.E. was now just a head. Cassandra said, "Santa Maria… A Stand that absorbs moisture? That's why…"

Asahi said, "I got the discs, now all that's left is to destroy this little prick."

Jace grabbed a ball of sand and said, "Allow me! The other creature tried to jump me, but I say let's give him a sand castle burial!"

WHIP!
Krystle struck the sand off, and said, "No… That's enough."

Jace asked, "What are you doing?"

She approached E.E. and said, "E.E., your alibi checks out."

"Wh-What alibi?"

Krystle wrung her shirt over E.E. and it started to absorb a little. She stated, "Only someone like Night Samba would hire thugs to assist them. However, E.E. here doesn't know who he or she is, when I asked him."

Asahi asked, "So… You're saying… He's used?"

Krystle nodded, "Obviously. It was ordered to protect the discs, even if Night Samba ordered it to. But it would run to the fields to protect them, knowing the risk. It was protecting the discs, more than itself. Because of its intellect, it puts its life on the line, out of gratitude… and like he doesn't give a damn about Night Samba."

Jace cried, "Wait, you're letting it live? It murdered five people without a second thought!"

Asahi said, "No, I'm saying that E.E. wants to live because it wants to be surrounded by water and moisture. In fact, it's not even human. Given its existence, if it's not human, it isn't guilty, either."

Steven said, "And the one who's at fault here is this Night Samba. You were just his underling… and that bastard was using you like a puppet!" He kneeled down and said, "E.E., I have a proposition… If you agree to not kill anyone, anymore, we will provide you with all the water you can drink for up to three weeks at a time. We don't want you to wither away… we want your assistance. But in return, Steven Cooke is ordering you to protect the discs, not for you, but for us… You must protect them from Night Samba!"

He continued, "Let me be clear… Steven Cooke doesn't give a damn about these discs. I only want the Memory Disc of our friend, Peter Giese. This woman's brother. Also, I want to know everything about Night Samba's agenda. Do so, and we shall spare you of your dry demise. Deal?"

Jace called, "Fuck me, this is Un-Jace-Be-lievable."

E.E. said, "Your strange sentiments. I don't understand them very well, but I cannot fight you any longer. Not anymore. You win. I'll cooperate."

[E.E. – Defeated]
[Mission Update: Retrieving Peter Giese's Disc from Night Samba: Successful!]
[However, the enemy is called Night Samba. Stand User of Night Samba – AT LARGE!]

That evening, Krystle was able to find the disc and witnessed Darkness Devil's barrage. She whispered, "There it is… My brother…"

Farra said, "Thank goodness. Now we can bring the disc back. Guys, we succeeded in the mission, but… we have a bigger problem."

Krystle said, "She's right. Night Samba. We have to find him, and beat him, for using me… and for what he did to Peter."

Farra replied, "Right. You two wait here, while we get the guards from the prison. I believe we're done here, but it seems that no one will believe our story… A Stand that feeds on water. Not even the Speedwagon Foundation would answer to it. Not to mention the deaths of the inmates and this guard."

"At least we got the discs back." Jace said, "Now we can relax and sit out this prison life, until you guys let us free."

Farra nodded, "We're underway with the hearings about the pardons. For now, we're not sure what will happen. And until Peter wakes up, no one leaves. Not until we destroy Night Samba."

Jace asked, "Wait… if we found his Stand, what about his memories? I can't find them."

Krystle said, "That's because his Spirit Caller is a part of his memories. He has no Stand. It only produces two discs…"

Farra said, grabbing the disc, "Then you better let us hold onto it, until we find a way to bring it to Peter. We'll take it from here, and we'll let you know. We can't let the other guards know. And for all we know, they could be working for Night Samba."

Krystle nodded, "Anything to bring my brother back… Please."

Farra smirked, "You know, if it weren't for you two, Peter wouldn't be here, neither will you guys… or us… Anyways, You two stay here. I'll be back."

She walked away, as Krystle smiled, "Thank goodness… Glad that's over with."

Suddenly, a girl with green hair appeared, as soon as Farra left. She called, "Hey, guys! There you are. I was waiting for one of them to leave and–."

It was Esma. She explained, "No, don't fight me! It's only me, E.E. I hope you don't mind if I be like this, from now on."

Jace asked, "What the hell? Where did you get this body?"

E.E. said, "Oh, this? Yeah, Cassandra said that if I want to stay and drink endless fluids, I have to go incognito… and as luck would have it, bits and pieces of the green-haired girl were still floating around. And I grabbed some extra parts, and snagged a handcuff off of one of the others. She said that I will be using this body, from now on… though the fingers are gonna be hard to use." Its right hand was a bit oozy.

"Hold on!" Krystle asked, "The Gang made you this way to live in the prison?"

"Krystle, my new mission is to protect you." She said, "And by the way, her name isn't really Esma. It's Ertoa. Her prisoner number is FE39265. When she was a child, all she wanted was to be kidnapped. And she didn't even do it for the ransom money, not even the cut. She wanted the thrill."

She grabbed a cup of water and said, scooping up the water on the ground, "That reminds me… I'm thirsty!" She chugged it down, as Krystle asked, "Alright… I know you don't know about Night Samba, but were there others that came here?"

"Nope… Thing is, I never saw the Stand User, either." She said, "Oh, one more thing, those discs there, they are the rejects. They are the ones that Night Samba don't need… Interestingly, there was this strange woman that said that the discs are similar to another Stand called Pale Snake. But that was long ago. Only this woman came here, the other day, learning more of the discs history. You probably heard this, but no matter how strong your Stand is, if you don't have the constitution for it, it'll reject you. And that's why it's the junk pile. To them, they're completely useless. The important discs with the memories must be stored elsewhere. Surprisingly, I didn't know your brother wasn't a Stand User. He has a Spirit Caller, implanted with his memories."

She continued, "I think the reason why your brother's disc was placed here was to bait you. It wasn't after your brother's memories… It was after something much more important. I don't even know what it is, but it's got to be a very important secret."

Krystle whispered, "A secret…"

XXXXX

Asahi said, "The police will arrive for pick-up, shortly. We have the disc, but now we have to travel back."

Steven said, "Right. But about the disc, we can't leave here, not without the truth about Night Samba. And delivering it from the prison will be difficult."

They departed, but they were stopped by a woman in long pigtails. She said, "Not without more answers… but I am here to help you."

They stopped, as she said, "I believe it's time. Meet me at the prison courtyard, at night. I will explain everything. And that disc, do not lose it."

She departed, as the others were stunned. Asahi asked, "Is that–?"

Sirens were made, as she said, "Oops! It's them. You tell them what you know, I'll gather the prisoners."

She rushed back in, as Steven said, "Well, we're done here. But…"

Farra growled, "Just wait… We're going to find out the truth… one way or another. Big Guy, we will protect you…"

Cassandra asked, "So, what about the Euphoria drug case?"

Farra replied, "We'll let the others handle this job. For now, bringing Peter back is our main goal."

Krystle asked, "So… We're going back?"

Asahi said, "Of course. But… I'm afraid we'll have to settle out our story to the others…"

Jace smirked, "Yeah… No one will believe us."

Krystle said, "Oh, E.E., hands up… or else they shoot you."

Asahi asked, "Uhhh… Who's she? I thought she–."

Jace said, "Long story. But come on, we have to go."

They raised their hands up, and Asahi said, "Now, stay raised up, and follow my lead. This way."

The guards arrived, as Steven called, "It's alright. It's under control. We'll explain everything."

Asahi escorted them out, as she called, "Here they are, hold your fire! Safe and sound. But they were victims."

The guard asked, "What happened to the search? And why is that guard dead?"

Asahi stammered with a giggle, "Eh-heh… heh heh heh heh…" She explained, "Funny story…"

And so, Krystle, Jace, and Ertoa (aka E.E.) returned to prison, safe and sound, after a search mission went awry. It is said that the guard, two escapees, and the three volunteers were viciously eaten alive by alligators. And the three surviving prisoners saved them.

But the mission to save Peter Giese is far from over… …including problems back in New York, involving the Euphoria drug. Now that they have the disc, delivering it back to him will be a problem.

Episode 8 – The End

That evening, two people were at the storehouse. The girl in pigtails said, "So it seems… They were able to find Peter Giese's disc. Glad it was just one disc. If it were two discs, Peter would be on life support, and soon… he'd perish. I'm also aware of the four prisoners in my radar…" She held up photos of Krystle, Jace, Kim, & Ertoa and replied, "Still… What was Night Samba planning, when it grabbed his disc?"

A hooded woman appeared from behind her and reached for her. She said, "Excuse me… But do you mind not trying to jump me from behind with your tricks?"

The hooded woman kneeled down and said, "Hmm…" She examined a severed finger and kneeled up. She growled, as the woman said, "Do you hear me, Ritsu?"

Ritsu, the hooded woman, said, "Yeah, I hear you."

"We should head back to the prison. They called off the search, despite what happened. I believe our duty isn't finished yet. Budo is waiting for me, so I will leave you to your job… Father Ritsu."

She removed her hood, showing light brown hair, with her bangs covering her eyes. She moved them and said, "Certainly. I believe that I cannot find any more useful information about what happened… Peter Giese's disc was indeed bait for Night Samba. Krystle Giese. This woman intrigues me. She played the role well… though… Was she able to get the disc back, without hassle? Or was it help from her new friends?"

The woman said, "We may never know. I'll handle everything. The sun is setting. We should leave."

Ritsu nodded, "A while longer, Azusa. I may uncover new clues."

Azusa departed, as Ritsu smirked, showing a dark shadow over her eyes, "Even so, this Krystle Giese and The Gang may have the disc… but that's just bait for what's to come. Those feeble-minded fools will pay for thwarting my plans." She picked up the finger and whispered, "However… I have to act fast. After all, I am on overnight duty, until I deliver a sermon on Sunday."

Ritsu… She was the SAME hooded woman from before. Only, why is she siding with Azusa Nakano of The Watchers? Could she be Night Samba? And to what knowledge she knows about Krystle Giese?

To be continued…