Age 738, Tuesday January 10th 1989.
What is that which goes on four legs in the morning, two at midday, and three in the evening? So goes the riddle of the Sphinx, the legendary guardian of the pyramids. The answer: Man. Those travelers who answered incorrectly, the tale continues, were devoured by the ravenous Sphinx. Now, thirty thousand kilometers from Japan, Jotaro and crew have finally reached Cairo. But before they can reach Dio, the team must navigate the many "Sphinxes" that stand before them. The group made it to an outdoor bar as the bartender turned around. "Greetings, strangers. What can I get you?" "There's something we want to ask you. We're looking for this building. Any idea where it is?" said Joseph as a picture of the building slid on the table.
Joseph and the others were exhausted. They had been searching for the building in the picture since their arrival. Taken with Joseph's psychic photography, the picture reveals the current whereabouts of Dio. Dio was now in a new hideout, and the Speedwagon Foundation
could not locate him. Where is Dio? Failure to locate him soon, will spell certain doom for everyone.
"Honored stranger, this is a café. It is customary to order drinks before asking questions." said the bartender pointing at the drinks behind him. They ordered drinks. The bartender focused on the picture then said "Never seen it." "Cairo is a city of six million. There must be at least two or three million buildings. How are we going to find him?" thought joseph. "We know he's here. There has to be someone who knows." thought Avdol. "It's easy to locate him with ki, but I can only do it from a certain radius." thought bardock. Around the cafe the picture was shared. "This building, huh? How am I supposed to tell from a little picture?" "Sorry, doesn't look familiar."
"I see. Sorry to bother. Let's go. We'll inquire elsewhere." said Joseph as they started walking away. "I know where that building is." said a Gambler.
"What?" they all thought.
"I'm rather familiar with it, actually." said the man shuffling a deck of cards before fanning them out on the table in a circle then turning the cards over like dominoes. "Was that you?
Did you just say something? I thought I heard you say you know where this building is." said Joseph, shocked. "Indeed. I do know where that building is." said the man calmly.
"What? Really?" said Joseph walking over to the table. "What news!" said Avdol.
"Yes! I can't believe we just stumbled upon someone who knows where it is!" said Polnareff.
"Where is it? Tell us! Where?" said joseph. As the man flicked a card up as all the cards stood up before falling over into mini triangle shapes.
"Are you expecting something for nothing?" said the man
"You've got a point. Sorry about that. Here's ten pounds. So, where is it?" said Joseph handing him a bill.
"I am a gambling man. A sucker for cheap thrills. You could even say I'm an addict. It's how I make my living, you know. Tell me... do you like to gamble? I'm not sure what you're getting at. Gambling. If you don't fancy it, just say so." said the gambler as an ace of spades appeared in his fingers.
"I told you I'm not sure what you mean." said joseph.
"What I'm saying is, would you like to play a little game? If you win, I'll tell you the location of your building." said the man.
"You mean a bet? Look, I'm a lucky guy, but we don't have time for poker right now. I'll give you another twenty pounds, so tell us." said Joseph.
"A bet can be anything. it won't take long. For example, take a look over there. See that cat?" said the man as he threw two pieces of fish on the ground. "So, two pieces of dried fish… Which will the cat eat first? The right one or the left one? How about it? It's simple but oddly thrilling." said the man.
Polnareff pounded his fist on the table as all the cards fell down saying "Enough games! Just take the pounds, and tell us"
Joseph placed a comforting hand on his forearm "Polnareff, that's not the way you ask someone for a favor." the man laughed. "OK, fine! I'll take the bet. I will pick the one on the right!"
"Good! Now it's getting fun. Then I'll bet on the left." said the man.
"Hey, now… Hey, Jotaro. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" said Avdol.
"Yeah... He might be a Stand user. He could also be a compulsive gambler." said Jotaro. "He is a stand user," said Fasha. "If he tries anything, attack with Star Platinum." said Avdol. "Got it." said Jotaro.
"And if I lose, what do I owe you? A hundred pounds?" said Polnareff.
"I don't need money. How about your soul? Yes, your soul will do just fine." said the man.
"What? What kind of joke is that? Cocky prick. I wish we could get out of here and away from this freak." thought Polnareff.
"So?" Said D'arby.
"Yeah, whatever." said Polnareff, sealing his fate.
"Ah, the cat has taken notice of the fish. He's heading right." said the man. The cat sped up.
Polnareff laughed, "He's going for the one on the right." said Polnareff. "If I were a cat, I'd pick the bigger piece. The one on the right looks bigger!" thought Polnareff. The group was looking outside. The anticipation was palpable. As the cat ran, he picked up both fish.
"You all saw it. He took the left, then the right, then ran. I won." said the enemy.
"Hey, smooth move, Polnareff. Just perfect. Now how are we supposed to get the information out of him?" said joseph.
"Now, then. As per our agreement, time to pay up." said the man.
"Huh? Pay what?" said Polnareff.
"Your soul. That is indeed what you just wagered. Your soul! I am a Stand user who steals souls! It's much easier to take people's souls when they lose a bet. That's when my Stand swoops in to take its prey!" said joseph. As Osiris grabs hold of Polnareff and yanks his soul out of his body.
"What the…" said joseph.
"Polnareff!" said jotaro.
"Hold it! I wouldn't kill me if I were you. It's too late! If I die, Polnareff will die, too!" said the man.
Polnareff's body fell as Avdol caught him. "Polnareff!" "Hey! He has no pulse. He's dead! Polnareff is dead!" said joseph. Osiris mashes Polnareff's like putty before Osiris's hands slap together forming into a poker piece with polnareff's face.
"This is Polnareff's soul. Now Lord Dio has one less enemy to get in his way. Such a fool. I almost forgot. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is D'Arby. D-A-R-B-Y. There's an apostrophe after the D." said D'Arby. Gambler, stealer of defeated souls, and user of the Osiris Stand. "And by the way, this is my cat." as the same cat that was used to get Polnareff's soul. Avdol grabbed a hold of D'arby. "How dare you! You call that a bet? You're cheating," said D'arby.
"Cheating? Is that so? It's his own fault for lacking the insight to consider all possibilities. You see, gambling is an analogy for a man's relationship with his fellow man. It is a dance of deception. The one who cries loses. Are you going to kill me? Go right ahead. If you don't mind losing your friend's soul, that is." said D'arby smugly.
"You listen to me! Don't think you're walking out of here alive!" snarled Avdol.
"Do you remember what you were doing on September 2nd, at 11:15 p.m.?" said D'arby calmly.
"What are you talking about?" said Avdol, letting go.
"I remember quite clearly. I was in California gambling against an American named Stephen Moor. He said the same thing you just said." said D'arby as a flashback of him playing against him. D'arby pulled out a binder filled with victims he won. He pointed "This is him. The chip below him is his father, and the one next to him is his wife." Everyone was shocked. D'arby held up the poker chip with Polnareff's face in the middle, in between his fingers. "If you want Polnareff's soul back, you have no choice but to continue our little game." said D'arby confidently.
This made everyone stop and think. "This man is evil incarnate." thought Avdol. "Challenge accepted" thought Nappa giving a smirk. "He's planning to take each of us,
one by one." said Jotaro.
"So what'll it be? You're welcome to go if you're scared… I'll just keep Polnareff here for safe keeping." said D'arby confidently, giving a little chuckle. "Here... have a drink and think about it. Care for a piece of chocolate?" said D'arby holding out a piece of chocolate.
Joseph walked over and knocked everything off the table leaving the drink and glass cup. Joseph set the cup and poured the drink in it. Filling it to the top.
"Mr. Joestar, what are you doing?" asked Avdol. As Joseph pulled up a chair and sat down, memories of his past battles surged to the forefront of his mind. In the midst of the chaos, he was transported back to the moment he faced Wham, one of the Pillar Men.
Flashback
In the moonlit ruins of a forgotten temple, Joseph stood alone, facing Wham. The Pillar Man's imposing figure loomed before him, radiating a deadly aura.
"Joseph Joestar, you will not escape this time," Wham declared, his voice a cold and calculated menace. "Your tricks won't save you."
Joseph, though tense, maintained his signature smirk. "We'll see about that, Wham. I've always got a few tricks up my sleeve."
The battle was fierce, with Wham's divine sandstorm technique threatening to tear Joseph apart. Joseph, desperate and resourceful, devised a plan. He pulled out a makeshift rope with metal balls attached and began spinning them, as hamon activated creating a makeshift electric barrier.
"Trying to block my attack with such a primitive weapon? How laughable!" Wham sneered.
Joseph's mind raced as he recalled the basics of Hamon training. Channeling his energy into the spinning balls, he aimed them directly at Wham. "I've got you now, Wham! Ripple Overdrive!"
The metal balls, charged with Hamon energy, struck Wham with a surprising force, causing the Pillar Man to stagger. Joseph used the distraction to set up his final gambit.
"Let's see how you handle this!" Joseph shouted, throwing a grenade at Wham's feet.
As Wham instinctively kicked the grenade away, it detonated a hidden cache of explosives Joseph had planted earlier. The explosion sent Wham reeling, his body severely damaged.
"You... tricked me..." Wham gasped, struggling to stand.
Joseph approached, breathing heavily. "It's not just about strength, Wham. It's about using your brain. You never saw it coming."
End Flashback
Back in the present, Joseph's eyes gleamed with determination. He had outwitted Wham, and he could outwit D'Arby too.
"Do you know what surface tension is, Barbie?" said joseph. "It's D'Arby. My name is D'Arby. You mean, how the liquor appears to almost overflow but remains delicately on the brink? What do you have in mind?" said D'arby. "The rules are simple. We take turns dropping coins into the glass. Whoever makes
the liquor spill loses." said Joseph dropping coins on the table. "Hey, old man…" said Jotaro. "You can't mean... Mr. Joestar!" said Avdol. "I'll bet my soul!
"Good!" said D'arby.
"What? This is insane! Don't! You know he cheats!" said Avdol.
"He can't cheat! I decided the rules!" said Joseph, pushing Avdol back.
"Jotaro, keep a close eye on him so he doesn't try anything funny," said joseph. Jotaro's eyes narrowed.
"OK! Fine, I accept. But first. Mind if I inspect the glass and coins?" questioned D'arby.
"Of course. You have the right to make sure I'm playing fair." said joseph.
D'arby looked over the glass on both sides. Then inspecting the coins by rubbing them on the table.
"A question. What guarantee do I have that you will return Polnareff's soul if you lose?" questioned joseph. D'arby held up the glass in one hand then flipped a coin in the other and caught it.
"Gambler's honor. If I lose, I assure you I will pay. But I will not lose." said D'arby setting the cup down on the table satisfied.
"Fine. You first. Go ahead and drop in a coin." said joseph.
"Mr. Joestar!" said Avdol clenching his fist.
"Leave this to me." said Joseph, then he focused.
"The old "coin and glass" trick is my specialty. Surface tension is surprisingly strong. There's room for at least eight or nine coins. I just have to stay calm and make sure my fingers don't shake." thought joseph.
"May I drop more than one coin?" said D'arby.
"Sure, as long as you drop them all at once." responded Joseph.
"Well, then. " said D'arby, holding five coins over the cup.
"Five coins? Hey, that'll create a wave on the surface!" yelled joseph.
"Quiet please! Hands off the table." said D'arby as Joseph removed his hands. As they all watched in silence. As the coins slowly moved closer to the liquid. D'arby paused then lowered even more as the coins hit the liquid. D'arby waited until the ripples stopped then dropped them. The water rippled before it went back to normal as the liquid sat above the rim. Everyone let out a gasp. While D'arby breathed heavily.
"It's your turn," said D'arby.
"You've got nerves of steel, putting in five coins at once. I'll go with one. It's too close to call." said Joseph, picking up one coin, dipping it into the water and dropping it into the cup. "Typical… He's squeezing a cotton ball between his finger and the coin, and dripping liquid into the glass. He's adding more liquid to the glass! And he told me to watch for cheating? Not bad, old man." thought Jotaro.
"The glass has reached its limit! One more coin and the booze will spill! I win! Just like he said, it's not cheating if you don't get caught!" thought Joseph, laughing.
"That was a close one. I thought it was going to spill. Your turn, Obi." said joseph. D'arby grabbed Joseph's wrist. "It's D'Arby. Don't make me say it again! My name is D'Arby! Not Obi, not Barbie!" said D'arby angrily. "Sorry," said Joseph sheepishly.
"He's screwing up his name on purpose to piss him off. The old man. is a natural gambler." thought jotaro.
"Let's keep playing. It's your turn to drop in a coin, D'Arby." said Joseph. D'arby pulled out a chocolate bar and was biting it nervously.
"The shadow makes it difficult to see from here. I'll drop in the coin from the right side of the table, " said D'arby. "Drop it in from wherever you want," said joseph.
"The glass is already at its limit, thanks to my little trick. There's no way the liquid can take another coin. It'll spill over with just the slightest touch." thought Joseph smirking.
"You're thinking the glass has reached its limit. That it's impossible, right? Well, you're wrong…" said D'arby, dropping the coin into the cup successfully.
"Impossible! No! Why didn't it spill!" yelled Joseph standing up.
"What do you mean, why didn't it spill? You saw for yourself, I dropped one in." said d'arby, eyeing Joseph skeptically.
"He made no suspicious moves. I was watching with Star Platinum. He dropped the coin in fair and square. There's no doubt about it." said Jotaro.
"I was sure of it! I was certain I added enough liquid to make it spill with one more coin! I don't get it. There's no way it couldn't have spilled! How could this be?" thought Joseph, shocked.
"Go ahead Mr. Joestar. Hurry up. Or are you trying to wait until it evaporates?" said D'arby. Joseph was shaking as he sat back down.
"I can't believe it." said Joseph looking at the liquid that was going to spill as it was an inch above the rim.
"Mr. Joestar!" shouted a worried Avdol. As Osiris claimed Joseph's soul.
"In his heart of hearts, Joestar realized he had lost! That's why his soul emerged. I, D'Arby, have won this bet!" said D'arby as the cup was overflowing.
"Polnareff, forgive me. Holly, I've let you down." said Joseph before being made into a poker chip.
"Mr. Joestar!" cried Avdol.
"Old man!" cried Jotaro.
"I won't let your sacrifice go in vain." said bardock.
"Two down! Now, then. Let's continue our game. Unless you've decided to abandon these two
and crawl off with your tails between your legs." said D'arby holding up Polnareff and Joseph.
"You Swindler" yelled Avdol rushing forward and grabbing hold of D'arby and pinning him to the ground. "You don't get it, do you? If you kill me, your two friends die too." said D'arby smugly.
"Avdol, stop!" said Jotaro. "Hey! If you're going to cause trouble, I'll have to ask you to leave!" said the bartender.
"Shut up and stay out of this!" said Jotaro with the Saiyans cracking their knuckles.
"Yes, sir!" said the bartender, backing away. Jotaro picked up the cup dumping the Liquor out of it, noticing chocolate on the bottom of it. He saw the half opened chocolate bar on the ground.
"You're too late, Jotaro." said d'arby, still on the ground. "Is something wrong with the glass?" said Avdol, looking back.
"This is why the coin didn't make the booze spill over. There's a tiny bit of chocolate on the bottom of the glass. He must have stuck it on when he inspected the glass and coins at the beginning of the game." explained jotaro.
"You know the rules. It's not cheating if you're never caught. " said D'arby smugly
"What do you mean? How could a piece of chocolate allow him to drop in an extra coin?" questioned Avdol.
"It's melted now, but it was a solid chunk at the bottom of the glass. Just enough to slightly tilt the glass, but not enough for us to notice. Once it melted, the glass became level, making room for another coin."
"What? But… How could he have known the chocolate would melt at that exact moment?" questioned Avdol.
"He used the sun. It slipped my notice. When he moved to the right side of the table, he allowed the sun to shine directly onto the chocolate, thereby melting it." said Jotaro.
D'arby got up and smiled.
Bardock stepped forward, a fierce determination in his eyes. "I have a game. One from Planet Vegeta, a test of battle tactics."
D'Arby raised an eyebrow. "A game of battle tactics? Interesting. But I'm unfamiliar with it."
"No matter," Bardock replied. "Shugesh, bring out your stand, Mercenary."
Shugesh stepped forward, his stand materializing and projecting a detailed holographic map of Planet Vegeta onto the table. The terrain was varied, with mountains, forests, and strategic points.
"This is a little game for Saiyan War Tactics," Bardock announced. "We each command an army. The stakes are the same: I wager my soul"
D'Arby's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Very well. I accept your challenge."
D'Arby adjusted his gloves, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "So, Bardock, let us begin."
Bardock nodded, his gaze unwavering. "Prepare yourself, gambler."
The holographic map shimmered, projecting a vivid representation of Planet Vegeta. Both players positioned their forces, the game beginning in earnest.
D'Arby studied the game mechanics, his mind racing. He observed Bardock's aggressive maneuvers, noting his preference for direct attacks.
"You're bold, Bardock, but sometimes boldness can be a double-edged sword," D'Arby mused aloud, setting up feints and deceptive formations.
Bardock smirked. "We'll see, gambler. My experience on the battlefield will be your downfall."
Bardock secured an energy resource zone, boosting his army's power.
Bardock captured the resource zone, confident it would secure his win. "This will be over soon, D'Arby."
D'Arby chuckled softly. "Don't count your victories before they're won." He placed subtle traps around the zone, luring Bardock's forces into overextending.
D'Arby began to play mind games. "You must be so sure of yourself, Bardock. But have you considered what you might be missing?"
Bardock's eyes narrowed. "Stop your mind tricks, D'Arby. They won't work on me."
D'Arby bet on securing minor power-ups. "Sometimes, the smallest advantages can turn the tide of battle," he said, almost to himself.
Bardock, focused on the main battlefield, ignored the forest terrain. D'Arby quietly strengthened his central forces.
Sensing victory, Bardock committed his strongest units for a final push. "This ends now, D'Arby!" He went all in, betting everything on a direct assault.
D'Arby, having analyzed Bardock's tactics, prepared his counter. "All in? Very well. Let's see how you fare against a prepared defense."
The clash was intense. Bardock's units met D'Arby's defenses head-on. The battlefield was chaotic, filled with the sounds of combat.
"You fight well, Bardock," D'Arby admitted, "but your overconfidence will be your undoing."
D'Arby's prepared defenses, bolstered by power-ups, turned the tide. His forces withstood Bardock's assault and launched a counterattack.
Bardock, realizing he was outplayed, gritted his teeth. "I underestimated you, D'Arby. You win." the hologram vanished as Mercenary vanished.
Osiris took the Bardock's soul as it was made into a poker chip.
"Avdol, sit back down, he knew what he was getting into." said Jotaro as Avdol was nearing D'arby. Avdol sat down.
"All right, D'Arby, get your cards. We're playing poker." said Jotaro.
"Jotaro!" said Avdol and Fasha.
"Very interesting! Poker is my absolute favorite!" said D'arby
"Poker? This is a man who just outsmarted Mr. Joestar and then Bardock! It's too dangerous!" said Avdol.
"I know, he's tough. He may not use strength, but he's the most dangerous Stand we've ever faced. Well. There's no turning back." said Jotaro.
D'arby pulled out cards and poker chips.
"Before we get started, there's something I want to check. Shuffle those cards." said jotaro pointing at the stack of cards.
D'arby shuffled the cards by cutting it doing Overhand and Riffle Shuffle
"They're shuffled. What now?" said D'arby waiting.
"Draw a card from the deck. It doesn't matter where. Just make sure no one else sees it." said Jotaro. D'arby picked up two thirds of the deck.
"OK," said D'arby.
"I'll tell you which one it is: the six of hearts. I'll name the cards in order from the top. Five of spades, queen of diamonds, jack of spades, ace of hearts, seven of diamonds, six of clubs, king of clubs, two of diamonds." said Jotaro as D'arby layed out the cards.
"He's right! And D'Arby shuffled the deck. How did you." said Avdol with D'arby shocked.
"I can tell you the entire deck. Star Platinum saw the order of the cards when they were shuffled." said Jotaro.
"Very interesting. But all I have to do is shuffle the cards where you can't see them." said D'arby.
"Don't you get it? It's not going to be so easy for you anymore to cheat with me as your opponent. Just something I thought you should know." said Jotaro.
"Good," said D'arby.
The security seal. An unbroken seal means the deck has not been tampered with. Jotaro opened a new set of playing cards. D'arby had a book called The Cincinnati Kid. which he flipped through the pages to seek inspiration.
"One joker. I don't see anything unusual. It's a normal deck." stated jotaro.
The page number is 538, 540. No, page 556. Hasn't failed me yet. I can tell which page it is simply by touch. Jotaro's Star Platinum may have incredible visual prowess, but I can remember
everything by touch. I know the exact location
of every card, shuffled or not.
"OK! Open the game!" said Jotaro.
D'arby drew the 1st card "Ten of hearts."
Jotaro drew a card from the bottom "Seven of clubs."
"I'll be dealing then," said D'arby. "I need to shuffle the cards at an angle Star Platinum won't see." thought D'arby as he did an Overhand Shuffle. While Jotaro kept a close eye on the deck.
"Cut the deck." said d'arby as Jotaro cut the deck. D'arby looked closely at the deck when it was cut.
"And now I'll deal. Jotaro, Me, Jotaro, Me, " said D'arby smirking, keeping the second card sticking out. dealing 4 cards total. Before star platinum broke D'arby pointer finger on his right hand as he dealt the fifth card.
"What? What happened? Jotaro, his finger! Star Platinum just broke D'Arby's finger!" said Avdol. The Saiyans cheered.
"I told you. You won't be cheating anymore." stated Jotaro.
"He tried to cheat? When? He was just dealing the cards.I didn't see him do anything suspicious." said Avdol.
"No. Take a good look at the cards in his left hand." said Jotaro, The second card is sticking out. "That's the card he tried to give me. He pretended to deal the top card, but was about to deal me the second card from the top. Which means…" said Jotaro flipping over D'arby's cards while star platinum flipped over the top card. "The top card would have gone to him. He would've had three tens with that card." said Jotaro. On the table were 10 of clubs, 10 of diamonds and 10 of hearts.
The so-called second deal. A sleight-of-hand technique in which the dealer deals
the second card in the deck,instead of the expected top card by an expert, the cheat is almost imperceptible. What's more, D'Arby knows the location of every card in the deck by touch.
"You trash. How dare you break my finger. I was being nice." said D'arby, sneering. Star platinum threw the card as it embedded it into the table.
"You're lucky I didn't rip it off. Good grief. I guess I can't let you cut the deck anymore. Someone else is going to do it from now on. That boy over there on the hill looks like he could help."
"Good," said D'arby in pain.
"Avdol, ask him to come here. " said Jotaro pointing.
"Certainly," said Avdol walking up the hill.
"Impressive…" Avdol stopped. D'arby got out a cloth and tied his broken pointer finger to his index finger then around his hand. " To cheat successfully, one must exploit the element of surprise. It takes more than sharp eyes to prevent that. It appears I underestimated you, given you caught my second deal. I'll accept my fractured finger as punishment. And now, I'll devote my full concentration to our game, Jotaro. I haven't done so since my colossal gamble on May 17th, 1986… against a Japanese man known as Shozo Mayama. I won his eight Tokyo properties,
and his soul! His wealth had not dulled his gambler's instincts. I'm not here for Lord Dio. I'm here because I was born to be a gambler!" said D'arby passionately as Orsis divided Joseph, Polnareff, and Bardock's souls into six chips each.
"What do you think you're doing? Those are Mr. Joestar's, Polnareff's and Bardock's souls!
"I've split their souls into six chips each. In poker, if you think you might lose, you can fold. You need to be able to drop out and up the ante, so we can't play with just two chips. Winning back six chips is the equivalent to winning one soul. Got it? Now, Jotaro. If we play, you'll get your chance to win back the chips. But I still haven't heard you say it." siad D'arby.
"Fine. I'll bet my soul." said Jotoro calmly.
"Good!" said D'arby.
"Jotaro…" said Avdol.
D'arby placed six white poker chips in front of Jotaro. "Those pure white chips represent your soul. Once I win all six, your soul is mine." said D'arby smirked.
The kid was fetched as he dealt out the cards.
"I'll bet one chip of Polnareff's soul and bardock's." said D'arby tossing the chip as Jotaro pushed one of his chips.
"Let's begin!" said D'arby, holding up his cards.
"In this game of poker, each player is dealt five cards. Players have one chance to improve their hand by swapping out cards. But it's the betting that makes poker a game of psychology." explained Avdol to the Saiyans.
"Now then, I suppose I'll raise." said D'arby, placing one of Polnareff's souls and bardock's on the table. D'arby placed down his hand.
"Keep in mind Jotaro, those six white chips are your soul. Think before you make your move." said D'arby. The kid looked wide eyed. Avdol walked up and whispered to the boy. "Listen, it's okay if you don't understand. You don't have to worry. Just cut and deal the cards the way you know how."
"OK." said the boy.
"Give me three cards." said Jotaro as he was dealt three cards. Jotaro picked up his cards remaining stoic as usual
"My, my, that's quite the frightful glare. You must have a very good hand. I guess I'll play it safe and bet one more Polnareff and one Bardock.."
"Call," said Jotaro, putting one more chip down.
"If you don't fold, you need at least three chips per game." Said Avdol explaining the game to the Saiyans.
"All right! Come on, Jotaro!" Said D'arby.
"Two pairs, eights and nines." said Jotaro, laying his hand face up.
"Oh, sorry. Two pairs, jacks and queens." Avdol gasped as Jotaro kept calm. " That was close. I almost lost that one. So then…" saId D'arby giggling as he took everything bet.
"He has only three left. Jotaro." said Avdol astonished.
"OK, next game. Deal the cards." said Jotaro, placing one chip in front of him. As D'arby placed one Jotaro chip in the middle. As the boy dealt out cards.
"Only the next game may be your last." said d'arby as he checked his deck. A three, three kings and a 5. "One card." Said D'arby. D'arby placed down another Jotaro chip.
"What's wrong, Jotaro? Hurry up and look at your hand. Decide whether you'll change or fold." said D'arby. "Jotaro?" said Avdol.
"No, these cards will do." stated Jotaro remaining Stoic.
"What?" said Avdol as everyone was in shock.
"Um, pardon me. What was that? I think I misheard you. I could have sworn I heard you say "these cards will do."" said D'arby placing a hand by his ear..
"You heard right. These cards will do. I'll play with this hand." said Jotaro.
"I know that!" shouted D'arby getting angry hitting the table. "I'm asking if you intend to play those cards without looking at them."
"These cards will do." said Jotaro, staying calm.
"Don't mess with me! Answer me! How can you play without looking at the cards?" shouted D'arby, getting angrier.
"Avdol, I have a favor to ask," said Jotaro.
"A favor? Of course, but why won't you look at your cards?" said Avdol.
"Answer me, Jotaro!" said D'arby.
"I'll raise you another two and. I'll throw in Avdol's soul." said Jotaro as he put in his remaining soul and all 6 chips.
"Wh. What?" thought D'arby shocked as he twitched. While jotaro remained calm.
"D'Arby, you are impressive. Sure, you're no match for our Stands physically, but you're cunning and calm under pressure. I'm no gambler. You could read me like a book. I would certainly lose
against the likes of you. But I trust Jotaro. I don't know why he won't look at his cards, but if he asks me for my soul, I won't waver. My soul is in Jotaro's hands." said Avdol.
"I see. Seems you both have cracked under the pressure. Boy! I said "one card"! Hurry up and deal me!" said D'arby.
"Yes, sir." said the boy. "Master D'Arby, I dealt just as you asked. His hand is worthless. I'm sure of it. My skills as a dealer never fail. You've won. I know it!" thought the boy.
"Jotaro thinks the boy has nothing to do with us. But everyone in this café and everyone within sight of this place is my associate! Even the bartender and those men over there! No matter who deals, I can't fail! My directive is infallible. Jotaro's hand has to be a weak one. Though, admittedly, not looking at the cards was a bold move. He caught me by surprise, albeit briefly. It's a bluff! How dare he bluff against me? Does he really think I'll fold? What a fool." thought D'arby. "Very well. I'll match you with six Polnareffs. And… I raise you Joseph's and Bardock's soul! A total of Twenty-one chips!"
"What? " everyone thought. "What? Hold on a minute! Jotaro doesn't have any more chips!" said Avdol.
"He's out of chips, you say? Of course he does." "What do you mean?" said Avdol. "All my Stand needs is a written it will be able to take a soul." said D'arby holding out a paper and pen. "Whose soul could you be talking about?" said Avdol. "Did you forget about your friend Kakyoin, in the hospital? You can bet his soul!" said D'arby.
"What?" said Avdol as all around him the Saiyans began to Muttler.
"Panic, fool! Show me your doubt and fear! Let me see you lose that cool composure! How dare he try to bluff against me? I'll destroy him. I'll turn that poker face into a miserable ball of anguish!" thought D'arby.
"Fine. I'll see you with Kakyoin's soul" said Jotaro, placing six more chips in the middle..
"Jotaro! You can't bet a man's soul without his knowing!" said Avdol as Jotaro signed the contract.
"I guess it is kind of selfish." said Jotaro as a cigarette already lit appeared in his mouth.
"Hey, Jotaro! What did you just do?" said D'arby shaking,
"What did I do? What are you talking about?" said Jotaro, expelling smoke.
"You just lit a cig…" said D'arby but his words stopped.
"What's wrong? Not feeling well?" said Jotaro.
"This little. Such confidence! Could he have… Could he have used Star Platinum to swap the cards without my knowing? Stupid brat!Don't look at me with that worried grimace! If Jotaro finds out you work for me, I'll murder you!" thought D'arby taking deep breathes as sweat dripped down his forehead. "Damn fool! have four kings. The only hands that could beat me are four aces, a straight flush, or a joker-led five of a kind. To get any one of those hands, Jotaro would have to switch all five cards. Sure, with Star Platinum's speed, there's a chance he could have
switched one of the cards. But five? Could he have switched all the cards right under my nose? No! Completely impossible! There's no way I could have missed him replacing all five cards. Not the great D'Arby! All right, Jotaro! Your time's come! He lit a cigarette to psych me out! He's bluffing!" thought D'arby hyping himself up. Only to witness a blue drink suddenly appear on the table by Jotaro. Jotaro took a sip. "You got a drink? When did you? How dare you mock me? Come on, let's do this! My hand is–" said D'arby. As Jotaro cut him off.
"Hold it. I haven't raised the pot yet." said Jotaro.
"What?" said Avdol. "Raise? You don't have anything to…" said D'arby scared. As Jotaro put down twelve chips.
"I'll raise you my mother's and Father's soul. Is that ok father." said Jotaro looking over. Sadao nodded.
"What?" said D'arby, screaming.
"Your mother, Jotaro, you're betting on Holly's soul?" said Avdol.
Jotaro stood up saying "I came to Egypt to save my mother. If I lose here. she'll die anyway. She won't mind if I bet her soul! Now D'Arby, you better bet something that matches my parent's soul. I want you… to tell me the secret of Dio's Stand!" D'arby fell off his chair gasping. "He knows… He knows Dio's secret. But Dio does not take treason lightly. If he tells us,
D'Arby's as good as dead. Jotaro... If you're that confident, you know your hand will win,
don't you? You wouldn't let us down, would you? You've got the winning hand, right? Jotaro?" said Avdol, gasping. While Jotaro remained calm and collected.
"Well? Call or fold? Spit it out already, D'Arby!" Yelled Jotaro.
"I'll say it! I'll say it, I'll say it! I'm the world's greatest gambler!I can do this! I'll call!" thought D'arby was crumbling the cards in one hand leaning against the table as the pressure was too much., "Call… I'm going to call!" thought D'arby. "Ca… C... Ca... C." "I can't! I'm petrified! I'm speechless! I'm too terrified… The words won't come!" thought D'arby. "C." "I can't breathe." thought D'arby. "C.. Ca. Ca…" D'arby passed out. The Saiyans cheered,
"His eyes rolled back." said Avdol. "He fainted on his feet!" screamed the boy. "The pressure was just too much." said Jotaro as d'arby flipped the table as all chips hit the ground steaming. Two ghostly figures shot down. "Mr. Joestar and Polnareff's souls are returning to their bodies!" said Avdol.
"Inside, he had already given up. Deep down, he knew he had lost. That's why the souls were released." said Jotaro. They noticed the bent cards on the floor.
"Four kings? He had four kings! Jotaro, what was your hand?" said Avdol crouching and retrieving jotaro's cards. Avdol and the boy gasped.
"I knew it.: said the boy falling over as Avdol was stunned. "Your hand was Crap!"
"Even Star Platinum wouldn't have been able to swap cards in front of an expert gambler like D'Arby. Luckily my bluff and intimidation worked. But with such a worthless hand. Good grief. Had I known, I would've freaked." stated Jotaro.
"Freaked? Jotaro, you bet our souls on that worthless hand?" said avdol. D'arby heard this and started laughing as he went mad. As his binder of souls exploded. "His collection of souls appears to have been released." saId Avdol.
"Come on, everyone! Let's play mahjong! Backgammon is a lot of fun, too. And, oh, I love a good game of dice. Even if you have no chance!" said D'arby rolling around on the floor.
D'Arby, User of the Osiris Stand.
Status: Retired
"I doubt we'll be able to get Dio's secret out of him now. He was a formidable opponent. He almost single handedly took us all out. He was impressive." said Jotaro as Fasha joined him. "Yes, he was fierce." Said Avdol. "Ugh, what just happened?" muttered Polnareff. As they walked out of the cafe. As the Saiyans cheered.
At the check in station. KIng Yama was grumbling; he looked up to see a stampede of spirits join the line. Making his line longer. "More paperwork, I hate the D'arby brothers." said King Yama