This falls under the category of "I don't like how this chapter turned out" but I got impatient with myself.

Outside the city, the robot sat on a stump and waved to a seagull.

Marcy's room in the castle had various hand drawn posters for games and anime and homemade toys of her favorite anime and video game characters. In one corner of the room were various Amphibia table top games and board games, including the ever so popular Flipwart. She called the gang here because she wanted to present her plan to Johan. He didn't look that impressed at what he saw. "You wanted to show me a doll house?"

"It's not a doll house," she insisted as she slammed the model of the casino onto the table. "This is a diorama of the Hellbender Casino, the Bearded Dragons' base of operations. And I have an idea how we can take their money. Triple B worked hard on this!" Triple B was her pet name for Bartley, Branson and Blair, those three nerdy newts.

"This ought to be good," said Anne.

"Oh, it is." Marcy placed game pieces shaped like herself, Olivia and Johan at the entrance. "You and I enter the casino here...once inside we need to distract this security guard, I was thinking you could catch me cheating, or something like that. Anyway, while the guard's concerned with throwing me out, Olivia'll sneak in through this security door. Don't worry. Olivia has the security codes from the security guard who's secretly on our side. Now, once inside, Olivia'll have to sneak past the guards to cut the power...when that happens we only have about 45 seconds before the backup generator turns on. During the blackout, though-"

Polly held up her hand. "Why don't you just walk into the casino and shoot everyone between you and the money?"

"Yeah, why not," asked Sprig. "It'll be fun and faster!"

"He's got a point," said Anne.

"I thought the point," growled Hop Pop. "Was to not cause civilian casualties!"

"I said we'll try," said Johan.

"So, what part do we play?" asked Anne.

"You're not."

"WHAT?!" exclaimed Sprig, Polly and Anne at once.

"I'm sorry, but this is not going be like Blue Oyster Cult. We don't know if these guys are even Stand users."

"That's not fair," said Anne.

"Life's not fair," said Hop Pop. "For once, I'm glad no one in my family is taking part in this gang activity."

Johan chuckled. "I didn't say that."

"Eh?"

Johan reached for his bag and grabbed a sheet of paper. "Hop Pop, I need you and the kids to do some grocery shopping for me while you and Anne go on this city trolly tour."

"This is the last time we let Hop Pop pick the activity," said a bored Anne.

Hop Pop looked at the paper. "'Dates, figs, peta bread, falafel mix'? This is the grocery list I made yesterday."

"Flip it over," whispered Johan.

The old frog did so. "'Look for a new weapon.' WEAPON?!"

"I think it's time I got a new sword. New dangers, new weapon and all." He leaned in a little closer and whispered, "And it'll keep Anne and your grandkids occupied while Marcy and I deal with the Bearded Dragons."

"I heard that," shouted Anne. "We are not backing out!"

Johan sighed. "You're just going to keep bugging me until I let you in on this mission, aren't you?" Anne, Sprig and Polly nodded. He sighed again. "Fine. Here. Olivia gave me this." He handed Anne another list. "This is a list of people who have been wronged by the Beaded Dragons. They'll give you something to do while you're out in the city." And Hop Pop can keep you from getting in trouble, he mentally added. I hope.

He turned to Marcy. "Before we actually go through with your plan, Marcy, I have to know, do you know how to cheat at blackjack? Have you ever played blackjack before at all?"

Marcy looked from left to right and said, "Uh..."

Johan face palmed. "Santo cielo. Alright, bring me a pack of playing cards." Marcy brought out an unopened pack of cards and placed it on the table. "Blackjack is a simple game. You play against the dealer. You're given two cards. Face cards are worth ten points," he explained as he passed out two cards to her. "The closest to twenty-one wins. Is you go over, you lose. If the dealer goes over, they lose. It's a game of memory. Cards drawn are the past, ones to come are the future. And the best part? It's beatable."

"You mean cheatable," said Hop Pop disapprovingly.

"It's not cheating if you don't get caught," said Johan. "Now, Marcy, I'm gonna teach you how to count cards. Card counting is based on statistical evidence that high cards (aces, 10s, and 9s) benefit the player, while low cards, (2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, 6s, and 7s) benefit the dealer. High cards benefit the player in the following ways."

He began to count with his fingers. "One: They increase the player's probability of hitting a Blackjack, which often pays out at 3 to 2 odds (although some Casinos pay at 6 to 5). Two: Doubling down increases expected value. The elevated ratio of tens and aces improves the probability that doubling down will succeed. Three: They provide additional splitting opportunities for the player. Four: They can make the insurance bet profitable by increasing the probability of dealer blackjack. And five: They also increase the probability the dealer will bust. This also increases the odds of the player busting, but the player can choose to stand on lower totals based on the count.

"On the other hand, low cards benefit the dealer. The rules require the dealer to hit stiff hands (12–16 total), and low cards are less likely to bust these totals. A dealer holding a stiff hand will bust if the next card is a 10. Do you follow?"

Anne, Sprig and Polly just went, "Uh..."

"I think so," said Marcy.

"It's one thing to think," said Johan as he held up the deck. "It's another to actually do it. For this training session, I'll be the dealer."

After placing a stack of coppers on the table, Marcy started intently at the deck as Johan shuffled then dealt out the Eight of Spades. Eight. The count is still plus sixteen. Ten of Spades. Ten. That's minus one. The count is plus fifteen. Eight of Diamonds. Eight. Still plus fifteen. Nine of Spades. Nine. Plus fifteen. Five of diamonds. Five. The count's to sixteen.

Marcy looked at the two eights. Eights. Split eights. "Can I split these?" Johan split the two. Marcy placed another stack of coppers on the table and Johan dealt the Jack of Hearts. Jack. Count is plus fifteen. The Ten of Diamonds. Ten. Plus fourteen. Johan dealt two more cards. King of Clubs. Nine of Diamonds. Plus thirteen. She added more coins. More cards were dealt. Jack of Spades. Plus twelve. Nine of Hearts. Still plus twelve. Then she saw the Ace of Spades. Blackjack!

Johan was impressed when he saw the huge pile of money on Marcy's side of the table. "Wow. You cleaned me out. I think I underestimated you." He smirked. "You're ready."

"Dude, I had no idea what was going on," said Anne. Sprig and Polly nodded.

Hop Pop warned, "Be careful, you two. You know what happens when you even beat the house? The house beats back. Hard."

"It's not about beating the house, Hop Pop," said Johan. "This is all part of the distraction so Olivia can sneak into the security room and open the safe."

"And how will she do that? She's very well known around here!"

Marcy answered Hop Pop's question by holding up a blue tunic with a hood, white trousers and brown boots. "A little disguise and a change of hair color and no one will be the wiser. I hope."

"I still don't think this is a good idea," said Hop Pop.

"It'll be fine. And this way, no one will be hurt," said Johan. "I hope," he added to himself.

"I heard that!"

Marcy checked her pocket watch. "Ooh. We better go. Olivia is waiting for us outside. I hope you and the Plantars enjoy the trolley tour, Anne," she said, giving her friend a hug.

"I probably won't," said Anne with a smile.

"I know I will," said Hop Pop.

"And that's why we won't," said Polly.

"This is not going to go well," said Olivia as she, Marcy and Johan rode in a snail-driven carriage toward the casino.

"I'm not saying it will," said Johan. "We have to be prepared for anything should something go wrong. You got your weapons?" Marcy held up her dice and Olivia tapped the seashell necklace.

"We're here," said the carriage driver. The Hellbender's Casino's exterior reminded Johan of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. It even had the same pagoda-like design and two Chinese lions at the entrance. He made a face and said, "What an eyesore."

"Alright," said Olivia. "Let's get this over with."

"Hold on," said Marcy. She reached into her bag and pulled out what looked like green fabric. "I bought you some new clothes for you, JoJo."

Johan smiled as he took it. "Give me a minute."

A few seconds later, Johan stepped out of the carriage, garbed in a a green tunic, white pants, a steel ring in the center of his chest held up by red leather straps, a metal plate on his left shoulder, and brown boots. "I gotta say, these Newtopian clothes are surprisingly comfortable," he said as he checked himself out.

"And stylish," said Marcy, giving him the thumbs up.

"Mm," hummed Olivia with approval. "It's certainly better than that school uniform Miss Boonchuy gave you."

"Alright," said Johan. "Let's go in. Remember, act natural."

They stepped inside the casino and the three of them were immediately hit with the smell of stale cigarettes, warm beer, and cheap aftershave. The interior was also Oriental-themed, from the statues to the paintings. Even the staff wore Oriental garments. Must be out of original ideas for a theme.

"Now, we just go to the blackjack table and..."

"THERE THEY ARE!"

Before the trio could figure out what was going on, newts in gold jackets came out of nowhere and began firing their guns at them. They ducked behind a poker table and Johan cursed, "Damn it! How did they know we were coming?!"

"A better question is, how do we get out of this?" asked Marcy.

"We have to retreat," said Olivia. "They have us outgunned!"

"No! We've come too far!"

"Can't you take them out with your Stand?" asked Marcy.

"I can't! They're too far away!" Johan looked around, then saw the chandelier. "Maybe... Marcy, Olivia, you know the Spin, right?"

"Yes. So?"

"Marcy, use it on that chandelier. Olivia, see if you can take out these guards."

Marcy and Olivia nodded. Olivia took off her seashell necklace, making it Spin around like a screw. Then she gave it a flick and it zoomed around the casino with the speed of a bullet, ricocheting off the walls and going through the bodies of the guards before it bounced off a dragon statue and flew right back into Olivia's hand. Marcy Spun the die and flicked it at the chandelier, knocking it off the hook and making it crash onto the remaining guards.

"Now what?" asked Olivia.

"Yeah, I pretty much learned about counting cards for nothing," exclaimed Marcy.

"Help me plant these boom shrooms on that safe behind the counter," said Johan. "Then we take a few steps back."

"How many steps exactly?"

"This should do," said Johan as he and the girls stepped outside the building. "FIRE IN THE HOLE!" The explosion rocked the casino and they ran into the building, took all the money from the safe and placed it in their getaway vehicle. "Alright, let's go, go, go!" Johan shouted to the driver.

"Right away, sir." He gave the snail a crack with the whip and they took off, but they didn't get far before Johan, Marcy and Olivia saw Bearded Dragons and Newtopia guards chasing after them.

"So, they called the cops...big surprise there..."

Marcy turned to Olivia and said, "Can't you tell them we're on their side?"

But the female newt looked worried. "I don't recognize those guards. I think they're the ones that are on the Dragons' payroll."

Johan smiled as he took out his gun. "In other words, you're fine with me taking them out?"

Olivia exhaled. "Fine. Just don't hurt any civilians."

Johan took careful aim and fired at one of the Dragons' snails, causing it to crash into the rest of the snails. He chuckled. "That ought to slow them down. For a while anyway."

"And you think they're not going to retaliate?"

"No. Which is why we have to spend all this money in such a way that they can't get it back. First, we gotta find a place to hide all this cash."

"Any place come to mind?"

Johan thought for a while, then decided, "We'll keep it in Marcy's room."

Marcy immediately looked in his direction, dumbfounded. "Put what in my room? I didn't quite hear that."

"You did. We'll put it in your room."

"Why would you do that? Don't you think they'll come looking for me first?"

"You were wearing your hood up the whole time along with Olivia. I'm pretty sure they didn't see your face."

"You're forgetting one thing, genius," said Olivia. "They KNEW we were coming, of course they would know our faces!"

This made Johan quiet. He thought for a moment, then turned to Marcy. "Did you tell anyone outside of our friend circle about this?"

"No. I didn't!"

"Really? Andrias? Triple B? Lord help us, Diego Brando?"

"No!"

Johan turned to Olivia. "Your suspicion is acknowledgeable, but no."

He returned to his thoughts, before he said, "Screw it. We'll all be in danger if we keep this money. We gotta go on a spending spree right now. That way, the money will be untraceable and the Bearded Dragons will lose more of their income."

"So, we're laundering the money," said Olivia. "Do you know how to do that?"

Johan shrugged. "How hard can it be? Buy expensive stuff one place, resell it someplace else..."

Olivia shook her head. "This isn't going to work."

"You worry too much, Olivia. Oh, but before we do that, we gotta drop Marcy off."

The human girl looked at him, outraged. "Huh?! Why?!"

"Because I need eyes and ears on the inside. If someone has been ratting us out, they need to be taken care of."

Marcy thought it over, then nodded. "Alright. I'll let Andrias know and he'll interrogate the guards." She launched herself out the window with the grappling hook and swung away.

"She could have just waited for the driver to stop and walk out," Johan muttered.

"Alright, JoJo," said Olivia. "Where do we go first?"

"First, we should find a used coach salesman and buy the most expensive merchandise we can find."

Olivia nodded. "Very well. Jaques!" she called out to the coachman of their getaway vehicle. "Your services are no longer needed!"

"Aww..."

The salesman was a very shifty looking newt in a tacky suit, the kind of man who could convince suckers into buying a vehicle at sticker price. "Word is you have a new coach for sale," Johan said.

"I do. But this baby doesn't come cheap," said the dealer, who gestured to a silver coach with gold trimmings. "Got it straight from Ribbitvale."

Johan handed the dealer a huge stack of money. "Money's no problem."

The dealer's eyes widened and copper signs appeared in his eyes. "Sweet Mama Olm..." He inhaled. "Sold!"

He threw the reigns to Johan, who passed it to Olivia. "You drive. I'll keep watch."

They hooked the coach to a snail and then took off. But they didn't get far before they heard the sounds of gunfire. "Bearded Dragons! I told you this wouldn't work!"

"Just shut up and drive, Olivia! I'll cover you!" He leaned out the window and fired his gun at the Dragons' carriages.

"Excuse me?! You do not address a lady with such a manner!" Nevertheless, she did what she was told and did her best to avoid getting hit.

When Marcy arrived at the palace, she found King Andrias waiting for her in the library. She told him of the situation and he put the book he was reading down. He looked at her seriously and said, "To think someone would try to hurt my dearest friend! Rest assured, Marcy, I'll find this traitor and snuff him out!"

"JoJo suspects Diego. Do you think he could have betrayed you? I mean, he doesn't exactly like us."

"Oh, don't worry about it. He doesn't like anybody, not even me. But I trust him with my life."

"So, what are we going to do about the snitch? Snitches get stitches, after all."

Andrias let out a jovial laugh. "I love those Earth expressions! Don't worry," he said seriously. "They will be dealt with. In the meantime, how would you like to help me peruse the library? Every book I've read so far has no clue about the box."

Marcy rubbed her hands together. "Luckily for me, I'm an expert in speed reading."

"Hey, Olivia! Try not to scratch the paintwork or you'll devalue the coach!"

"Oh, forgive me, I'm just trying to keep us from blowing up!"

After losing the Bearded Dragons, Johan and Olivia went to the local weapons dealer. "Tell me you've got some serious firepower," said the latter to the dealer. "And make it the most expensive one there is!"

The dealer looked at him, then at Olivia and said, "You two look a little fancy to be starting a junta, but I got some toys I think you'll like..."

Johan giggled with glee as he placed the axe pistol and ammunition into the back of the coach. "Now what?" asked Olivia as they drove on.

"Now we just gotta buy a fence who's willing to buy this stuff."

Olivia raised an eyebrow. "Do you hear yourself? How would a fence buy stolen goods?"

"Not THAT kind of fence! A fence, also known as a receiver, mover, or moving man, is an individual who knowingly buys stolen goods in order to later resell them for profit. Kinda like what we're doing. Do you know anyone who is willing to take this stuff? A thieves guild, slumlords?"

She stayed silent for a while, then said, "I know someone who might be able to help. I just need to make a call first."

They pulled up to the seedy part of Newtopia, it reminded Johan of those gangster movies you see in Hollywood. Graffiti was everywhere, trashcans were tipped over, scantly clad newts reclined against the walls, smoking cigarettes. "Alright, my friend, if you can call her that will by the merchandise, no questions asked," said Olivia, clearly not wanting to be here.

"Where is she?"

"Right here!" said a female voice. It was a green newt wearing a black jacket, a crop top, tight pants and long boots. "When I got the call from Zeppy here, I was so happy! I rarely see you these days. How's life in the big fancy castle treating you?"

"I told you not to call me that in front of the boy, Billie!" Olivia shouted as she pointed Book of Memories' quill at her.

Johan looked at Olivia. "Zeppy?"

"What, you mean you never told him your name, Zeppy?"

"He wrote a false name in my Stand when we first met, so he doesn't deserve to know it," said Olivia as she dismissed her Stand.

Johan scoffed. "You're still hung up on that?"

"Well, I'll tell him anyway," said Billie. "Her name is Zeppeli. She and I go way back. Used to be childhood friends, until she got older. Then she decided I wasn't good enough to hang out with once she started doing her duties." Then suddenly, she burst out laughing. "Just kidding! We still keep in contact with each other! So, what can I do you for, Zeppy?"

Olivia frowned, then pointed at the coach. "We got some products for sale. Make sure whoever you sell it to doesn't give it to the Bearded Dragons."

Billie scoffed. "Those guys have been a plague on my business for a while now. Always harassing my friends... I'll take it. Anything to get them out of our city."

After Billie left with the coach and pistol axe, Johan asked Olivia as they took a taxi coach back to the Hemisphere Hotel, "Why didn't you tell me your last name is Zeppeli?"

"Why didn't you use your real name when you first wrote in Book Of Memories, Giorgio Giovanna?"

Johan exhaled. "Johan Shiobana is my cover name I use back on Earth during my mission."

"And what mission is that?"

"It involves Stands. I'll tell you about it later when we get back to the castle. And you can't tell anyone this." The two of them stayed silent before Johan continued, "And besides, Shiobana is my real last name in a sense. Kind of."

Olivia looked at him. "I don't follow."

"Haruno Shiobana was my dad's birth name before he and Grandma moved to Italy and she remarried. That's when his name was legally changed to Giorno Giovanna. The reason I used a different name is because not many people know Haruno Shiobana and Giorno Giovanna are the same person and the ones who do know keep it secret. So, when I first met Anne, Sasha, and Marcy, I decided to go by my father's birth name just in case an enemy of Passione was around."

"Why don't you tell Lady Marcy and Anne that?"

"Uh...I want it to be a surprise. Would you mind not telling them my real name? I want to be the one to do it."

"Very well."

They went silent again. Then Johan said, "So, Olivia Zeppeli, huh?"

"What of it?" Olivia asked.

Johan chuckled. "It's just, back on Earth, there's a Zeppeli family. They're close friends with the Joestars. Maybe it's destiny or coincidence that we'd meet."

Olivia snorted. "Definitely coincidence."

As Johan settled in the hotel apartment, clad in his bathrobe and slippers, he heard the door knocking. "Coming." He opened it to find a frazzled looking Anne, Sprig, Polly, and Hop Pop. "What happened to you?"

"We didn't intentionally get separated from the tour if that's what you're implying," said Polly with a forced smile.

"And we didn't cause chaos in the marketplace and started an angry mob if that's what you're thinking," said Anne, also sporting a forced smile.

Johan rolled his eyes. "Fine. Whatever. I'm too tired to deal with your shenanigans right now. By the way, did you get everything on that grocery list, Hopediah?"

"Well, I couldn't figure out what to pick, a sword or a gun...so I went with both." The old frog presented Johan with a pistol sword.

"A gunblade?" the boy questioned as he took it. Earth's pistol swords were heavy and difficult to use, which was the reason they fell out of style in the first place. But surprisingly, this one felt manageable and not too heavy. He inspected it, taking note how the pistol part of the weapon could carry up to six bullets in its chamber. He also inspected the scabbard it came with, taking note of the oriental-like pattern on it. He gave the gunblade a few practice swings before he sheathed it back in the scabbard and said, "I'm keeping this. Thanks, Hopediah."

"No fair," whined Sprig. "I want a new weapon too."

"Kid, it's bad enough you have a sling shot," said Hop Pop. "If you had that gunblade..." He paused, then made a face twisted with horror.

"What's up with him," asked Johan.

"Oh, that's the face he makes when he thinks of the worst thing Sprig could do," said Polly. "Want some cheese?" She held up a big block of what looked like Swiss cheese. "We got it at the cheese factory."

"Uh..."

"So, what happened with you?" asked Anne. "Did your scheme work?"

Johan looked around, then gathered everyone into the closet. "Why are we in here?" asked Sprig. "It's a little snug."

"Okay, I have to take precautions when discussing this," Johan said softly. "Someone tipped the Bearded Dragons off."

"WHA-" Johan slapped a hand on Anne's mouth before she could exclaim.

"So, we had to go with Polly's plan."

"You, Marcy and Olivia went in guns blazing? Woohoo! My plan ruled!"

"So, what did you do with the money?" asked Anne. "Please tell me you saved us some."

"No, that's not the right question," said Hop Pop. "The question is, who tipped off the Dragons?"

"That's just it," said Johan. "We don't know. There's a traitor in our midst and given the fact that some of the guards may be in the Dragons' payroll, it could be anyone."

"Hold on," said Anne. "Where's Marcy now?"

"In the castle with the king, studying in the library. Honestly, I think she's much safer in there." Then Johan thought it over and said, "Who am I kidding, she'd probably trip and cause the bookshelves to topple over like dominoes."

"Have some faith, JoJo," said Hop Pop. "She can take care of herself."

"Yes, that's true. But I still want to know who this traitor is. Oh, and getting off topic, did you know Lady Olivia's last name is Zeppeli?"

"No!" said Anne. "Really?"

"Man," said Sprig. "I missed out on all the cool stuff!"

"I think it's a good thing," said Hop Pop.

In the castle library, Marcy threw the last book she was reading onto the table she and Andrias were sitting at. "This is the last book and still nothing on the music box," she groaned in frustration.

"Well, even I have to admit I'm surprised," said Andrias as he adjusted his reading glasses. "This is one of the most comprehensive libraries in all of Amphibia. Maybe we missed a book somewhere."

Marcy groaned again. "I need more bug-accinos. B-R-B." She left with her five cups of coffee, only to trip on a stack of books and accidentally throw the coffee at a tapestry of an amphibian centaur. She winced at the sight of it. "Ah, dang it! Tell me that tapestry wasn't hundreds of years old."

"Oh, way older than that actually," Andrias said.

"NO!"

"But wait! Marcy, look!"

Marcy pulled back the tapestry, revealing a button hidden behind it. "Hmm. I'ma push it. Bop." The room shook as the fireplace began to open, revealing a hidden staircase. "No way. A secret library wing," she said, excited. "Did you know about this?"

Andrias shook his head. "No. It must be thousands of years old, judging by the smell. Whew!"

"Well, come on. I just know the answers are down there waiting for us," said Marcy as the two of them went down the stairs.

The two of them were completely unaware that they were being watched, as Diego stepped out from behind a bookshelf. "That gullible girl didn't even question how he knew that button was behind the tapestry. How long are you going to keep playing this game, Andrias?"

Meanwhile, in an unknown location, Bishop Hellbender was chatting with someone on the phone. Nearby, his butler and one of the Bearded Dragons watched. "What's going on?" he asked the butler.

"Master Bishop is explaining the situation to his father. From what I can hear, he's very disappointed. He says, that Bishop failed him for the last time and is coming to Newtopia to teach him how to be a real leader."

Bishop hung up the phone, grabbed a sword and sliced it in two. He glared at the two newts and snarled, "We need Passione taken care of before my father arrives."

"What would you have us do?" asked the goon.

In response, Bishop threw the sword at his hand, making him scream. "What do you think I want you to do?!" he shouted angrily. "GO OUT THERE AND KILL THEM! AND FRANCIS!"

"Yes, Master?" said the butler.

"CLEAN UP THIS MESS!"

Francis rubbed a finger in his ear. "Right away."

To be continued ➟