Hello! I would like to start off by saying, I'm SO SO SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT! I APOLOGIZE! Haven't updated since like, June 2022 and we're already in February 2023, hehe... Life got in the way and was busy (*/▽＼*) BUT! Here we are with a brand new chapter! I skipped out on the Vanilla Ice Arc since there would be little changes such has having Iggy & Avdol alive. So I decided to skip it and go straight to Dio's Arc!
I appreciate all of your for your patience, thank you guys so much for the kudos and everything (´,,•ω•,,)
Honestly, can't believe we're already towards the end (╯✧▽✧)╯Though, it makes me a bit sad since this part will come to a close very soon (ಥ﹏ಥ) I started this fanfic back in September, 2018. Time flies (ノ*°▽°*) We're also very close to Part 4! ヽ(*⌒▽⌒*)ﾉ
Anyway, without further ado, Enjoy! ～('▽^人)
Dio's World, Part 1
The Crusaders finally reached the surface and found the main room of the mansion. They halted with a gasp, seeing how much damage had been done.
"W-What in the hell happened here?" Joseph asked. He approached one of the damaged pillars that had a circular hole on it. "It's a perfectly round opening, like if someone pulled out a cork. W-What is it…?"
Noriko glanced through the hole. She noticed behind the pillar was a door with the exact same similar circular hole on it, seeing more of the destruction on the other side. "The destruction goes beyond this room, Mr. Joestar." She pointed out.
"These are clear signs that Avdol and the others encountered an enemy." Joseph stated then turned to his grandson. "Jotaro! Bust the door down! We're going in!"
"Alright." Jotaro stepped forward, summoning Star Platinum.
"ORA!" The Stand cried out as it broke down the door.
xxxx
While the Crusaders are battling in Egypt, back in Tokyo, Japan, a familiar elderly blonde woman, a Speedwagon Foundation agent and a butler were driving off from the airport. They had just arrived in Japan a few moments ago and it's been forty-three days since the Crusaders departed.
"Pull over, Rosas!" Suzie demanded. "You can stop the car here."
The car stopped in front of a soba shop called, "Soba Midokoro" .
"Please, Madam, must we really stop for a soba stand?" Rosas asked.
"Why of course! I haven't been to Japan in ages!" Suzie cheerfully replied. "I need a little something to eat before visiting my daughter!" She turned to the Speedwagon Agent, "Would you be a darling and hold Turtlekins for me?" She handed over the turtle to him.
"You mustn't, Madam!" Rosas insisted but the elderly woman ignored him and stepped out of the vehicle with a video camera in her hand. "This place caters to men, Japanese customs dictate that a lady such as you must not eat here! It simply isn't the place for you, Madam Joestar."
"Oh, hush, Rosas!" Suzie simply brushed off. "I'm going to record a commemorative video to mark the occasion! Very good! Very good!" She began recording her surroundings.
She then points the camera at a man sleeping on the ground using a newspaper as a blanket. "This poverty-stricken atmosphere is simply marvelous!" Putting the camera down, she awed at the sight and approached the soba establishment.
Rosas simply sighed.
"Mr. Rosas." The Speedwagon Agent spoke, approaching the butler. "Have you not told Madam Joestar the condition her daughter Holly is in?"
Rosas froze from the question. He then dropped his shoulders.
"Come on, Rosas! Come, come!" Suzie insisted as she stood by the entrance.
Rosas glanced over his shoulder, "I-I'll be right there!" He returned his gaze back to the man. He placed his hand over his shoulder, forming it into a fists and clenched it.
"I… I have not told her yet." Rosas admitted. "She came to Japan under the impression that Ms. Holly only has mild pneumonia. I have served the Joestar family for thirty years, ever since Holly was in grade school. I know I should tell her the truth but… I lack the courage. We arrived in Japan before I had the chance to tell her."
"Ms. Holly is already at her limit." The agent told the butler. "She only has a few days remaining. If you want me to, I could tell her myself."
Rosas closed his eyes with a sigh, "N-No… It is best I tell the Madam, I've lied to her about Ms. Holly for too long. Is it true that she can be cured if that man named Dio is defeated?"
"Yes. If he is defeated." The agent answered. "Ms. Holly's body is reacting to an energy only a few can perceive known as a Stand, and it is overwhelming her. This malicious energy is coming from a man known as Dio." He informed the butler.
"The Madam cannot see Stands…" He continued. "...but when she encounters the shadows of death, she will sense it. You must tell Madam Joestar at once."
"S-Shadow of death?" Rosas gulped in fear.
"Hey, Rosas! What are you doing?" Suzie called out the butler from the establishment with a bowl of noodles in her hands. "You must try this curry udon!" She has a bright, cheerful smile on her face.
Rosas turned to the agent. The agent simply gave him an affirmed nod.
Rosas turned around and approached the elderly blonde woman. "M-Madam, there is something you must know." He began, pulling the brim of his hat down to cover his face.
As soon as he was face to face with Suzie, something caught her interest in the corner of her eye and let out a gasp.
She immediately walked away from Rosas and approached a vending machine. "Oh! I must film this vending machine that serves peculiar drinks! Good! Very good!" She squealed and pulled out her video camera. "Would you like one, Rosas?"
Rosas went after Suzie, "Madam, please stop! Those are not drinks! P-Please listen, Madam!" He raised his voice a bit higher this time.
Suzie turned to Rosas, raising a brow, "Eh? To what?" She asked.
Rosas closed his eyes, preparing himself. "T-The truth is, Ms. Holly…"
His eyes shot open when he heard Suzie let out another squeal and she wasn't in front of him anymore. She was behind him, approaching a couple.
"This Japanese man is so cool and unique! Good! Very good!" Suzie squealed. "Hello! Hello!" She waved at him, following beside and recording them with her video camera. "Give me a smile!"
The Japanese man shoots a glare at Suzie, "What the fuck?! Who the fuck said you could film me?!" He shouted angrily.
Rosas screamed with panic and quickly rushed over to the car, opening the back door. "Madam! Please get back in the car!" He grabbed the woman, trying to put her inside the car while she's waving a peace sign at the Japanese man.
The Japanese man growled under his breath, "Come back, you bitch! Don't fuck with me!" He began walking over to her. "Gimme that damn camera!"
He grabs Suzie by the collar, "Just who the hell do you think you are, you worthless hag?! Do I gotta make you bleed, ya dusty hag?! Well?!" He threatened.
"Hey! That's enough!" Rosas snapped at the man, his eyes narrowed. "Don't you dare lay a finger on the Madam!"
Rosas roundhouse kicked the man in the chest that it sent him flying backwards. He turned around, leaning towards the blonde elderly woman with a frown look on his face.
"Madam, you must remember the customs of Japan!" Rosas reminded the woman.
"Okay…" Suzie Q replied.
Rosas turned away, his expression softened with sadness overwhelming him but also nervous. "I… I didn't have the heart to tell her that Ms. Holly only has a few days remaining. I can't bear seeing the Madam miserable and in shock!"
They both silently got back inside the car and continued driving on the road, heading towards the Kujo estate.
The ride was silent, nobody uttered a word to each other. Rosas was sweating and clutching the steering wheel because of how nervous he was. Soon the buildings and the busy streets of Tokyo began to disappear as they were now driving past mansions that had huge lands.
They were approaching closer to the Kujo estate and Rosas has yet to tell Suzie Q the truth.
"Rosas," Suzie Q broke the silence as she glanced at the landscape. "I know there's something you want to tell me. I already know what's troubling you. My daughter's life is in danger, isn't it?" She asked, without making any eye contact.
Rosas and the Speedwagon agent gasped. Rosas hits the brakes, stopping in the middle of the road. They were both in shock from the madam Joestar's question and statement.
Suzie Q explained that when she called Holly while she was in New York, her daughter always sounded cheerful and strong. Holly claimed that she just had a cold when in reality that wasn't the case. She even pointed out that when her husband, Joseph, would call her while on the road, assuring her that he's fine and terribly busy. But deep down Suzie knew there was something terrible happening to her daughter and husband. After all, she lived with her husband for fifty years and gave birth to her only child.
"I was terrified," Suzie continued. "Too scared to verify the truth. The more I wanted to see my daughter, the more frightened I was to come to Japan." She confessed, clenching her delicate hands.
The Speedwagon agent turned his head to the side to face Suzie, "Now that we're on this topic, allow me to elaborate." He said. "Ms. Holly's survival greatly depends on the next several days. Mr. Joestar and the others went to Egypt to address the source of her illness, but…. We have yet to hear back from them."
"Please forgive me for not telling you, Madam…" Rosas closed his eyes as he clenched his fists. Disappointed in himself. "There was nothing we could do for your daughter and it hurts. It's too cruel!" Trying to fight back the tears.
"What kind of nonsense are you speaking, Rosas?!" Suzie Q asked the butler, sounding offended by his words. "There's only one thing we can do for my daughter, Holly, right now." She stated with confidence.
Both men gasped from her statement.
It didn't take long for Suzie Q to find where her daughter was from the immense house. The elderly woman stood by the door. Seeing her daughter on her deathbed ached her heart. No parent should ever see their child suffer.
Holly noticed her mother and her face brightened with joy and tried to lift her head up. Who knows how long it's been since she last saw her mother.
Her mother gave a warm smile. "Holly." Suzie Q said and walked inside the room. She sat down and gave her daughter an embrace.
"Mom." Holly said with a smile, tears trailing down her cheeks, returning her mother's embrace.
Before Suzie had gone inside the house, when they were still inside the car, she told Rosas that the only thing that could save Holly was by having faith.
"I don't know all of the details, but I have faith." Suzie told Rosas. "If Joseph and Jotaro are doing their best to save my daughter, then I have complete faith in them. Ever since I met that man fifty-years ago, hasn't let me down once. Once his mind is made up, he'll follow through it no matter what."
Inside the room, Suzie brushed Holly's hair back with her fingers, comforting her. "Have faith in Jotaro and Joseph. Get better, and we can be a family together again."
"Mom…" Holly muttered.
Rosas, who was standing outside the room hearing them, removed his hat. He placed it on his chest and let the tears run down his face.
"Madam… Miss Holly…" He sobbed.
xxxx
Joseph, Jotaro and Noriko ran down the halls of Dio's mansion. Their footsteps echoed through the halls of the building and unbeknownst to them, a small, weird looking man lay on the floor above them with his ear pressed against the floor.
"Vanilla Ice, Billie Jean, Terence T. D'Arby…" The man muttered the names of his former allies. He then scoffed. "The three of you were so stupid." He slammed his hands on the floor to allow him to jump towards the ceiling. Both his hands and feet grabbed onto the corners of the walls.
He let out a mischievous laugh. "I can't help but laugh in sheer satisfaction to think they got what they fucking deserved! Calling me "Nimrod" as if I'm some moron. At least I didn't get myself killed!"
xxx
"Hey nimrod," Vanilla Ice called out. "It is impossible for you to defeat the Joestars and the others with your powers." His back facing the vampire along with Terence and Billie Jean.
"Just stay out of it." Terence suggested.
"H-Hey… Let me in on the action, too!" The vampire insisted.
"You are nothing more than a vampire." Vanilla Ice said.
"Just try and interfere. We'll kill you too!" Billie Jean threatened.
"Just stay where you are and don't go anywhere, Nimrod." Terence said as he, Vanilla Ice and Billie Jean left the room.
xxx
Remembering the conversation from earlier only infuriated the vampire even more. His eyes narrowed, clenched his teeth and a low growl escaped between his lips.
"I'll be the one who finishes off Jotaro!" He declared and jumped off from the ceiling to the floor.
xxxx
After running for so long, the three Crusaders finally reached the top of the endless stairs of Dio's mansion. Noriko spotted a door that was halfway open.
Noriko placed her arm in front of the Joestars, blocking their path, "Wait!" She said. Her eyes narrowed as she sensed a presence behind the door. "There's someone up ahead."
They put their guard up and waited for the enemy to come out but instead a beautiful young woman with long black hair, lavender eyes, wearing a light purple dress and golden boots, shakily stepped out of the room.
The woman's eyes landed on the Crusaders and widened in fear, stepping back against the door.
She let out a panicked screech, "P-Please spare me!" The woman begged, tears forming in her eyes. She took a few steps forward and fell down to her knees. "Don't drink my blood! Please don't drink my blood!" Tears trailed down her face as she sobbed. "I'll do whatever you ask! Just please, spare my life!"
The three Crusaders gave each other a brief glance before approaching the woman.
"H-Hey, just wait a moment, calm down…" Joseph tried to assure her, reaching out his hand.
"I promise I won't try to run away again! I promise! So please… spare my life!" The woman pleaded.
"Calm down! We're not Dio's minions and we're not vampires either." Joseph explained and got closer to the woman. "You can consider us your friends. We'll help you, so just calm down."
The woman's crying instantly stopped and glanced at Joseph with a gasp.
"Friends…" The woman muttered under her breath. "Friends? A-Are you guys really friends and not foes? Will you really help me?"
"That's right." Jotaro stepped into the conversation. "We're friends…"
The woman's eyes brightened and smiled at the Crusaders but that quickly diminished the moment Jotaro used Star Platinum to punch the shit out of her.
"…Of justice, that is." Jotaro clarified.
The punch sent the woman flying backwards and even broke some of her teeth.
"That's right, we'll help you. We'll help you go straight to hell!" Joseph said, as he, Noriko and Jotaro gave a stern look to the woman. "Right, Noriko?"
Noriko simply affirmed with a nod.
The woman groaned from the intense pain. She sat up and turned her head around, revealing a man's face.
He glanced at the group with confusion. "I-Impossible?! H-How?!" The man stuttered in disbelief. "How the hell did you guys figure it out?! My power is invincible!" He cried out in anger.
"Your 'invincible power' is having the face of a woman on the back of your head?" Noriko asked the idiot man with a raised brow.
"You could've at least turned your hands around." Joseph pointed out.
"Eh?" The man briefly looked at his hands and gasped in realization. "S-Shit! I forgot! D-Dammit!"
Jotaro approached the man, "Hey, Nimrod. Where's Dio's room? Tell us." He demanded, giving the small man a dark look.
Noriko stood next to the delinquent. "Don't finish him off just yet, Jotaro." The red-haired girl said. "Instead, let's have him guide us to Dio's room."
Offended by Noriko's suggestion and by Jotaro calling him a Nimrod, the man growled under his breath and stood up on his feet.
"Why you-!" He snarled. "You called me Nimrod! Don't you dare fuck with me!" He opened his mouth, revealing his sharp fangs. He leaped into the air and charged at Jotaro.
"I'LL FUCKING YOU!" He declared. "I AM IMMORTAL! THE BLOOD OF LORD DIO FLOWS WITHIN MY BODY!"
The vampire was ready to devour Jotaro but was caught off guard when his fangs pierced into the arm of Star Platinum instead of the teen.
"Oh? Are you telling me I can't kill you?" Jotaro asked, intrigued by the vampire's statement. "So you're a vampire like Dio… Let's see how immortal you really are."
"Oh my god!" Joseph awed in shock.
The vampire's eyes widened in fear and was pummeled with the barrage of punches from Star Platinum.
"ORA! ORA! ORA! ORA! ORA! ORA!"
"AAUGGHH!"
The vampires screeched in agony as he was sent flying, his body hitting pillar after pillar until he finally landed on the floor.
Jotaro walked over to the injured man. The young Joestar kneeled down and leaned forward to pick up the vampire by grabbing him from his collar.
"So you really are immortal." Jotaro confirmed. "But even a vampire can still be cut into pieces. Come on now, lead us to Dio's room. The sun's about to set."
"O-Okay…" The vampire weakly agreed. His voice sounded muffled due to the swelling from his cheek by Star Platinum. Barely able to keep his head up, he struggled to lift up his index finger. "But may I ask you one thing?"
"Go ahead."
"How did you know they called me Nimrod?" The vampire asked.
Jotaro stared at the vampire in disbelief before covering his eyes with the brim of hat. He let out a sigh. "Gimme a damn break…" He murmured.
xxxxx
Somewhere else in the mansion, the owner of the building took heavy footsteps that echoed in the dark, empty halls of his home. He heard a very familiar voice and walked over where the stairs were. Taking a look at the bottom of the stairs, he spotted the tall, silver-haired Frenchman.
"These curtains are made of some nice cloth." Polnareff remarked. He was sitting down on the bottom of the staircase, wrapping up the injuries he received from his battle against Vanilla Ice with pieces of cloth he ripped off from the curtains beside him.
The Frenchman stood up on his feet once he was satisfied with his work. "Now I should be able to move better and probably even jump." He did a test by doing a small jump and moving his left leg around to see if the cloth would budge.
"It still hurts like hell but I don't have time to lose heart or worry about pain." Polnareff told himself. He then suddenly sensed a presence behind him and glanced at the top of the stairs.
Polnareff recognized the blonde-haired figure and those sharp golden-red eyes.
The vampire stood proudly at the top, giving Polnareff a sadistic smirk with his hands placed on his hips.
"So it's you, Polnareff…" The vampire spoke. "It's been quite a while…"
" Dio… " Polnareff snarled. His ocean blue eyes pierced back at Dio's.
This time Polnareff wasn't going to run away like he had tried to before when he first encountered the vampire. He's prepared to battle him and not back down.
"So we finally meet again, Dio." Polnareff said.
Dio slowly clapped his hands, "Congratulations, Polnareff! Not only did you avenge your sister, you even managed to make it all the way here, alive, from the Far East." He said. It sounded as if he was mocking him.
Polnareff scoffed, placing a hand on his chest. "Well if you're thinking about giving me a prize for my achievement, why not give me your life as a reward?" He reached over to the high-quality curtain and spat his blood on it to enrage the vampire.
Dio narrowed his eyes at the Frenchman before simply brushing it off with a dark chuckle. "I'll give you one more chance, Polnareff." He raised his index finger. "If you descend two steps, I'll let you join me as an ally again. But if you're desperate to die, then climb up the stairs." He offered.
Polnareff formed his hands into fists, "When I first met you, I was completely at the mercy of your malevolent charm. After that day, I was led down a path of utter failure. It was a fate worse than death! I lived for nothing more than to do your bidding!" He grabbed the curtain once more and blew his nose on it to insult the vampire. "But right now, I do not feel any fear at all. All that's left is my will to fight!" He declared, his eyes filled with determination.
The memories of his travels with the Joestars went through his mind. There was crying, fighting, laughing and strong bonds that were created. "Ever since I met Mr. Joestar and the others, this journey of forty-five days and the near deaths of my two friends have only strengthened my resolve!"
Dio licked his lips with amusement, "Is that so? Very well then, climb those stairs."
Polnareff frowned, clenched his fists tightly and took a step forward.
"My, my Polnareff!" Dio chuckled with his arms crossed his chest. "That's quite an interesting decision. By descending the stairs, that means you have chosen to ally with me, the mighty Dio!"
Confused, Polnareff looked down and noticed he didn't move from his spot at all. As a matter of fact, he was moved back by two stairs. Trying again, he took another step but found himself back down.
"W-What the hell?!" Polnareff's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. "I'm sure I just moved up the stairs! I know I did!"
"What's the matter, Polnareff?" Dio asked with a devious smirk on his face. "Have I weakened your unwavering resolve? Could it be that you truly fear me? Or did your subconscious fear cause your body to act against your will?"
Polnareff was beginning to sweat in fear but was trying to push all of that away to show that bastard he isn't afraid.
"That's impossible! I know damn well I just tried going up the stairs!" He started running up the stairs but was back down again.
Polnareff stared down at the floor. "W-What the hell did he just do?" He asked himself. He was starting to worry and tremble. "Was it his Stand?"
Dio let out a dark chuckle, "Come on, Polnareff. How long will it take for you to come up here?" He taunted.
Polnareff averted his eyes back at the vampire, "I-It can't be…" He suddenly remembered what Noriko had said when they arrived in Egypt. "It was Dio's Stand… The World! J-Just what can his Stand do?"
A chair was suddenly pulled out of nowhere next to Dio.
"Polnareff… For what purpose do humans live?" Dio asked. He then walked over to his chair and continued, "They live to attain peace of mind by conquering their fears and anxieties. Seeking fame…" He sat down. "... controlling others… and acquiring wealth are methods by which they attain peace of mind. Some even get married and make friends for the exact same reason. When humans express willingness to help others, or proclaim their actions to be in the name of love and justice… Their true motive is really to attain peace in mind. To achieve peace of mind is the goal of all mankind. So, tell me Polnareff, now that I have enlightened you, why do you still feel anxiety in serving me?"
Polnareff is trembling, sweating and paralyzed in fear.
"This is the simplest path to attaining peace of mind, Polnareff." Dio continued. "Doesn't the thought of challenging me, even knowing it may spell your death, …bring you anxiety?"
Polnareff clenched his fist tightly and placed it over his chest. He hated that he felt he was subconsciously submitting to this bastard.
"You're a very powerful Stand user, Polnareff. It would be a waste killing you." Dio muttered. "Why not sever your ties with the Joestars and your friends, and come serve me for all of eternity? I promise you it'll bring you eternal peace of mind."
"S-Shit! I'm at my limit…" Polnareff thought while hyperventilating. "Avdol, Iggy… Lend me your courage!"
Polnareff gritted his teeth, "Th-That's enough, Dio!" He snapped. "I already submitted to you once!" He jumped forward to the steps of the stairs he was unable to get to. He pointed his finger at the vampire. "... And I refuse to submit to you again before I've even seen your Stand!"
Silver Chariot was summoned and quickly charged at Dio.
Dio narrowed his eyes, "Then you leave me no choice…" He smirked and stood up from chair.
A powerful, golden aura emits from Dio before his Stand finally reveals itself. A tall, muscular build humanoid Stand wearing golden armor. The World bears a striking resemblance to its user by appearance. It looked like a diver, with two diving cylinders on its back connected to the rear of its head gear. Its chin, the base of its abdomen, its crotch and its knees are topped by heart shapes.
As Polnareff expected, the Stand is terrifying. He can feel the immense, overwhelming energy it's emitting.
"Prepare to meet your end, Polnareff!" Dio declared.
"That's The World? Bring it on!" Polnareff yelled.
"Muda! Muda! Muda! Muda! Muda! Muda!" Dio yelled.
As the two Stands are about to clash into each other, the wall behind Polnareff suddenly bursts open. Sunlight entered the lower part of the room, making Dio withdraw his Stand and shield his face from the light. Once the dust dispersed, the two men saw the familiar three figures in the light of the sunset.
"M-Mr. Joestar!" A wide grin spread across Polnareff's face with relief.
"You don't need to worry anymore, Polnareff." Joseph said with a smile, grabbing the tip of his hat.
Dio gave them a devious smile and retreated into the darkness but the Crusaders managed to catch a glimpse of his legs.
"DIO!"
"It's him!" Noriko shouted.
"After him!" Joseph said as he and the others began running up the stairs.
"W-Wait! Before we go after him, I have something to tell you guys first…" Polnareff said.
The three Crusaders halted and turned around to face him.
"I experienced his Stand, The World, just a moment ago… Well, it wasn't so much an experience… I couldn't understand it at all… but I'll tell you exactly what happened!" Polnareff continued, "I thought I was climbing up the stairs towards him but I kept going down instead! I-I'm not sure if I'm making sense right now… but I can't explain what he did. For a moment I felt like I was going insane. This was no simple trick like hypnosis or super speed… It was something strange and terrifying…"
Jotaro looked around the room, noticing Avdol and Iggy weren't around.
"Where's Avdol and Iggy?" Jotaro asked.
Noriko silently hitched her breath, giving Polnareff a concerned look while Joseph waited for Polnareff's answer.
Polnareff clenched his fists and lowered his eyes as his body tensed, "They… were almost killed." He replied. "We had a run-in with an enemy while you guys were taken by D'Arby. Avdol lost both of his arms and Iggy is heavily injured. They were trying to protect me."
"So where are they right now?" Noriko asked.
"Avdol said he and Iggy were going to contact the Speedwagon Foundation to have their injuries treated. They told me to go on without them and reunite with you three."
"I see…" Joseph muttered, lowering his eyelids.
Silence fell in the room as they felt relieved but also guilty. All that mattered was that they made it out alive.
Noriko took a brief glance outside and turned to Joseph, breaking the silence, "Mr. Joestar, the sun's about to set." She reminded the elder Joestar. "We need to hurry."
"Right." Joseph nodded.
Noriko tossed a sack in front of her, ignoring the painful cry that came from the small vampire, Nimrod.
"Hey, Nimrod." She called out the small man, placing a hand on her hip. "What's above this floor? We don't have time to waste."
The man poked his head out and growled at Noriko, " Grr! You bitch! How dare-!"
"Tell us now or else." Jotaro threatened, shooting a deadly glare at him.
"Alright! Alright!" Nimrod squealed in fear as he raised his hands in defense before lowering them. "A-A tower!" He stated. "There's a single room at the very top! Lord Dio rests there during the day."
"Are there any other stairs that lead to that room?" Noriko asked.
"N-No… These stairs are the only way." Nimrod replied.
"All right then, lead us the way." Noriko said.
The vampire whimpered and began walking up the stairs while the Crusaders followed him.
xxxx
The Crusaders followed the vampire with caution while walking up the stairs. Once they reached Dio's room, they found a coffin with a letter D engraved on it with gold.
Joseph glanced over at his grandson, giving him an affirmative nod. Jotaro returned the gesture and turned to the side. He summoned Star Platinum and broke the wooden window to allow the sunlight into the room.
The small vampire hissed and backed away from the window, covering his face with his arms.
"It's him…" Joseph began. "Even though I've never met him, I've known about this man for as long as I can remember."
"This has been a long time coming…" Joseph thought. "I've known him since the day I was born. The same goes for Jotaro. He brings back nothing but bad memories… The Joestar blood coursing through our veins has destined us to battle him…"
"I have no regrets…" Noriko told herself. "The journey we've made, the events about to transpire… I regret none of it…" She clenched her fists tightly.
"What I'm feeling right now tells me I'm on the side of the light." Polnareff thought to himself. "Dio is darkness while Mr. Joestars and the others are on the side of the light. Despite my injuries, I can feel my courage growing. I'm on the side of the light; the side of righteousness!"
"As soon as the coffin opens, we'll attack." Joseph instructed everyone. "But be very careful. We don't know if he's in there or not."
They all surround the coffin while the small vampire stood in the middle.
"Open it up, Nimrod!" Joseph demanded.
A startled cry escaped from the vampire's lips and shakily approached the coffin.
"L-Lord Dio! I-I swear I haven't betrayed you!" Nimrod stammered. "I only led them here because I believe you can kill these bastards! As surely as I believe pissing into the wind will wet your pants! Please understand!"
"Shut your mouth and open up the damn coffin already!" Joseph yelled.
The Nimrod nervously laughed, "P-Please make sure these idiots die in a horrible and painful death!" He placed his hands on the lid. "L-Lord Diooo…!"
Everyone braced themselves. Carefully watching the small vampire slowly open the coffin. There was a figure inside and as soon as the lid was completely gone, it was … the idiot?
Everyone widened their eyes in shock and gasped.
"I-I was the one inside?" The Nimrod stuttered, confused. There was a large gash across his mouth and even he was taken by surprise. "B-But I was just opening the coffin…" And those were the last words that came out of the small vampire's mouth before dying to his injury.
"W-What in the hell?! HOW?!" Joseph cried out. He and everyone stared at the vampire in horror. "I didn't even take my eyes off of him!"
He turned to the others, "Did any of you see Nimrod get inside the coffin?! Or did someone put him in there?!"
"N-No…" Polnareff stammered, sweating in fear. "I was watching him the whole time but when I realized it, he was already inside!"
"It's just as what Polnareff had said earlier! This is not merely a trick or super speed!" Noriko said frantically.
"We're in danger." Jotaro warned, feeling uneasy. "Something here is truly dangerous!" He felt something heavy and immense evil from behind creeping up on him.
And he wasn't the only one either, the others felt it as well.
"LET'S GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE!" Joseph screamed.
Frightened, everyone made a run for it at the opened window and jumped. While in the air, they were shaken by the ominous presence they felt in that room.
"Just what in the world was that?!" Noriko asked aloud. "I-I couldn't see it but it felt much more powerful than any Stand we've encountered so far! It was like knowing a bulldozer is coming for you by the sound of its engine alone!"
"I felt it too. It was a cold, murderous intent!" Joseph said. "It felt like someone shoved an icicle up my ass! If we had stayed, we would've been killed, one by one!"
They all used their Stands to land safely on the lower roofs of the mansion. However, there was another problem, the sun was nearly set below the horizon.
Joseph frowned, gritting his teeth. "This is bad! This is extremely bad! The sun's almost out of sight!"
"His time has finally come…" Noriko muttered, clenching her fists.
"Wait a minute…" Polnareff sat up, realizing what the group could be thinking. "Don't tell me we're gonna sit on our asses until sunrise! I'll make myself clear, Mr. Joestar! There's no way in hell I'm running away from this now!"
"I agree with Polnareff." Noriko stated.
Joseph's frown didn't change, he hummed under his breath, thinking. He looked nervous but was trying to remain calm.
"Look," He said. "I feel the same way but the situation has changed. We encountered his Stand, The World, yet we still have no idea of what it does. If we fight him now, it is like climbing a mountain without knowing which route you'll take, or where the summit is, you'll inevitably get lost! In fact, it's as inevitable as a good belch after drinking a refreshing Cola."
Polnareff's frown lessened, understanding the message the elder Joestar was telling him.
"Dio is definitely gonna come after us." Joseph continued. "He'll want to finish us off before sunrise. We'll use this opportunity to figure out his Stand's ability! It's the only chance we got!" He formed his hand into a fist.
"No! I'm not running away!" Polnareff protested. "Avdol and Iggy nearly died trying to protect me! I'll use underhanded tactics, and burn in hell for it if I have to, but I refuse to run away!" He turned around and ran off from the group to pursue Dio on his own.
"Wait, Polnareff!" Joseph shouted.
"Forget it, Gramps." Jotaro said. "He won't listen to us so we can't stop him."
Noriko turned to Jotaro, "JoJo, what do you think we should do?" She asked.
"Polnareff is fighting him as he pursues him." Jotaro said. "We'll fight him as we retreat. Basically… it's a pincer attack."
"So he'll have nowhere else to run…" Noriko said and raised her hand up to her chin. "But… I can't help but worry about Polnareff. Can you please go with him, JoJo?"
"Noriko's right." Joseph said, "Polnareff will try to take on Dio all by himself."
"Good grief…" Jotaro sighed. "Fine."
"Alright then, let's hurry, the sun's about to set!"
Joseph turned around and leaped off from the roof using Hermit Purple. Before Noriko could follow the elder Joestar, she felt someone grab her arm and turn her around. Her lips were smashed against the delinquent's.
The kiss felt as if it were their last. Noriko wrapped her arms around Jotaro's neck, tightly, while Jotaro held onto her waist.
Their lips soon separated and pressed their foreheads together.
Jotaro's cheeks turned pink and felt hot as well as Noriko's.
Noriko gave him a smile, "Be careful, JoJo." She whispered. There was a hint of sadness in her voice.
Jotaro hummed with a nod. "And you too."
They both know this could potentially be their last day alive. Who knows what will happen. The teens separated from each other and departed from the rooftop.
xxxxxx
Once the sun had gone down, Joseph and Noriko purchased a pickup truck from one of the locals by offering them a whole wad of cash. Settled in their seats, they drove off.
Meanwhile, at the top of the mansion, Dio's eyes scanned the busy streets of Cairo and sensed the Joestars leaving. He smirked and leaped off of the building, allowing the cold breeze through his hair and red cape.
Polnareff, who was hiding in the bushes next to the mansion, witnessed the vampire jump off the building. He gritted his teeth with anger, his fists clenched tightly.
"There you are, Dio." He hissed under his breath. "Running away until sunrise? There's no way in hell that's happening! I'll defeat you my damn self, Dio! Even if I don't know what your Stand is capable of, I'll find a way to defeat you!" He narrowed his eyes, filled with determination. "You're dead you bastard!"
Before the Frenchman could walk out from the bushes, he felt someone grab his shoulder.
"Hold up, Polnareff." The voice said.
Polnareff turned around, recognizing the deep voice.
"Normally I would leave a stubborn guy like you alone…" Jotaro said. "But Noriko and the Old Man insisted on me going with you, so here I am."
A huge smile spread across Polnareff's face, "Jotaro!"
Jotaro smirked, hiding his eyes under the brim of his hat. "Good grief…"
xxxx
Dio strolled through the streets of Cairo and spotted a black vehicle parked on the side.
"An automobile," Dio said and approached the car. "Such impressive speed and power." He placed his hand on it, "In my time, we only had horse-drawn carriages."
The vampire felt someone grab his shoulder, hard, gripping it tightly.
"Hey pal! What the hell do you think you're doing?" A man, wearing a suit and tie, said. He had a stern look on his face.
"This is Senator Wilson Phillips' car! Do I gotta make you spew blood from your eye sockets you piece of-huh?"
Dio, without saying a word and keeping a deadpan expression, simply reached over his shoulder, grabbed the man's hand and twisted his entire arm backwards. The man let out a painful cry and fell to his knees while Dio simply let himself inside the vehicle in the backseat.
Senator Wilson Phillips, who also was sitting in the back seat, turned to Dio with a kind smile.
"My, my… Young folks are so hot-blooded these days." The Senator chuckled.
Ignoring the politician's words, Dio grabbed the two front teeth of the Senator and ripped them off.
Wilson Phillips screamed in agony, bleeding spurting out from his gums.
"Shut up and get in the front seat. You're going to drive." Dio demanded, casually dropping the two front teeth to the floor.
"Wh-Who the hell do you think you are?!" Wilson snarled, covering his mouth with his hand. "You think I'm going to let you get away with this?! I'll make sure to have you locked up for this! You hear me?! Life in prison-!"
Dio grabbed the politician's nose, "I won't repeat myself." He warned.
He threw the Senator to the driver's side, causing the man to smack his face against the steering wheel.
"Drive."
Wilson Phillips, now frightened, decided to make a run for it but as soon as he opened the door to get out, he was back inside the front seat. Confused, he did it again and was once again back in his seat. While the Senator panicked and freaked out, Dio made himself comfortable in the back by crossing his arms on his chest and placing his leg over the other.
The Senator sounded like he was starting to lose his mind, asking himself how he was still inside the car when he opened the door multiple times.
"Make haste until we reach that truck. If you fail, I'll kill you." Dio threatened with a blank expression.
The Senator obediently grabbed the steering wheel, "Y-Yes, sir!" He pressed on the gas pedal and floored it, speeding down the road.
xxxx
Back with Noriko and Joseph, they made a turn to another street, fleeing from Dio.
Joseph briefly glanced at the rearview mirror, "I can sense his dark aura coming close…" He tightened his grip on the steering wheel. "He's coming after us!"
"Are you saying Dio knows exactly where we are?" Noriko asked with worry.
"No. Our shared connection is through the body he's stolen, my grandfather, Jonathan Joestar. We can sense each other through an inexplicably shared wavelength but we can only tell when the other is nearby." Joseph explained. "That's why I couldn't tell exactly where the mansion was, even though we were close. The only thing he knows right now is that a Joestar is nearby. He can't tell the difference between Jotaro and I. He probably doesn't realize we split up yet…"
"I see…" Noriko murmured.
xxxx
Somewhere in the city, Polnareff and Jotaro were trying to steal a motorcycle to chase Dio. Polnareff attempted to rewire the bike but it was no use, it wasn't turning on.
"Why isn't this working?" Polnareff complained, "In the movies the engines always start right up."
After giving a few more tries, Polnareff sighed and turned to the delinquent.
"Jotaro, you think you can make it start?" He asked.
The Frenchman stepped away and Jotaro stepped forward. The high-schooler hard-kicked the engine and the bike started to run. With the help of Star Platinum, he broke the chain off from the front wheel to free it from the light pole and hopped on the motorcycle.
"It started, hurry up and get on, Polnareff." Jotaro said nonchalantly.
"R-Right…" Polnareff stuttered as he stood there dumbstruck before getting on the motorcycle.
xxxx
While Joseph and Noriko are fleeing from Dio, Joseph glanced at the rearview mirror once more and his eyes widened in horror. People were screaming, panicking and running, trying to get out of the way of a black vehicle covered with blood all over the hood that drove through them on the sidewalk.
"It's him! Dio's in that car!" Joseph shouted and began speeding up the truck.
Without any hesitation, Noriko summoned her Hierophant Green and made its way over to Dio's car.
"Noriko!" Joseph cried out.
Hierophant Green placed herself outside of the back window, finding Dio in the backseat of the car.
Dio noticed the green slender figure, "Noriko's Hierophant…" He murmured.
"TAKE THIS, DIO!" Noriko shouted through her Stand, filled with rage. "EMERALD SPLASH!"
The emerald gems were shot through the window, breaking it. Dio smirked and simply flicked one of the gems with his finger, knocking it back towards the other gems away. The projectiles tore through the other window and door of the vehicle, none of them touched Dio.
A startled gasp escaped from the red-haired teen's lips. "W-What the?! H-He didn't move from his seat yet he deflected my attack with only one finger!" Noriko said. "Then how about this?!"
Hierophant Green clasped her hands together against and shot her projectiles once more. Dio flicked the projectiles upwards with his fingers, destroying the roof of the car. The politician squealed in fear behind the steering wheel.
"I can't believe it. He even defected my concentrated emerald splash!" Noriko cried out. "D-Dammit!"
In a blink of an eye, The World had manifested and stood in front of her.
"What the?!" Noriko gasped. "When did he call out his Stand?! How didn't I notice it?!"
The World punched Hierophant Green with its powerful fist and sent it flying through the streetlights. Noriko screamed in pain from the hits her Stand took from The World and streetlights it collided with.
"She was a bit too far away…" Dio muttered in disappointment. "She flew out of The World's range."
The streetlights broke off from the ground and headed towards Dio. Senator Wilson Phillips dodged the incoming streetlights and turned his head to the side to look at Dio.
"W-What's happening?!"
Dio crossed his arms, "Would it benefit me in any way if I told you? Just keep your damn eyes on the road and drive."
Inside the pickup truck, Noriko was bleeding from her head and panting. She was terrified and looked paler than usual as if she saw a ghost. She was lucky to still be alive. The World's attack was about ten meters away, if she got any closer, she would've been dead…
"What were you thinking, Noriko?!" Joseph scolded the teen. "You got too close to him!"
"F-Forgive me… Mr. Joestar." Noriko apologized, trying to calm herself down from the terrifying experience. "I… I couldn't help it…"
She glanced down at her bleeding hands. "Several months ago, he told me, 'There's no need to vomit from fright.' Come on, Noriko, relax, relax…" She told herself. She then formed her hands into fists, clenching them tightly, ignoring the pain from her wounds. "D-Dammit! Never again! I will never lose again!"
"Noriko, are you alright?" Joseph asked with worry.
"I'm fine, Mr. Joestar." Noriko answered. "And I learned a few things about The World."
"What is it?"
"I noticed it's similar to Jotaro's Star Platinum. It can't travel a far distance like my Hierophant Green or your Hermit Purple. It's powerful and its short-range is ten-meters. It also attacked with its fists, meaning it probably doesn't have any projectile attacks." Noriko explained. "His Stand holds a secret far more frightening than anything we could have imagined… but if we can get within ten meters of Dio undetected, I think we may stand a chance of defeating him."
"We need to investigate carefully." Joseph warned. "We can't be too cautious when dealing with an enemy like him." He glanced at the rearview mirror and noticed the car had stopped moving. He furrowed his brows in confusion.
Noriko sensed something incoming and turned around. She gasped, "Watch out!" She cried out. "Something's coming for us!"
The corpse of Senator Wilson Phillips broke through the back window of the pickup truck, forcing Joseph to lose control.
"What the hell?!"
"Mr. Joestar!"
Both Crusaders cried before Joseph crashed into a building and the vehicle burst into flames.
Dio slowly and confidently approached the pickup truck. He pulled the door off the truck from the passenger side and only found the corpse of the politician he just killed. He crossed his arms and looked around, wondering where the two Crusaders could have run off to. His brow perked up and glanced up at the building, catching a glimpse of Noriko and Joseph escaping on the rooftop with their Stands.
His golden sharp eyes made contact with a beautiful pair of lavender eyes. There was hatred and rage behind them and Dio simply gave the girl a devious smirk.
"What are you doing, Noriko?!" Joseph yelled. "We need to get out of here!"
"I got an idea, Mr. Joestar." Noriko announced. There was determination in her face, her scarred lavender eyes averted to the Elder Joestar. "I know how to reveal the secrets of Dio's Stand."
To Be Continued….
I already have Dio's World Part 2 AND 3 chapters written, just double checking for any errors (º □ º l|l)
So you guys could see them be posted a bit sooner than before (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see you guys next time! Take care! ～('▽^人)