Morioh Docks

Josuke and the Phantom Thieves were awaiting the arrival of his contact. Ann said, "Who exactly is this guy?"

Josuke said, "He's my nephew, although really I kinda see him like my uncle."

Ann raised an eyebrow.

Josuke said, "His grandpa is my dad. It was a whole thing between him and my mom some time ago while he was still married."

Ann didn't pry any further, beyond, "I'm sorry to hear that."

A boat was hurtling towards the dock, catching their attention.

Josuke said, "That's him."

The boat pulled to a crawl as it slowly approached the docks, a massive door unfolding and landing on the wooden dock board to reveal the man in white and gold clothing.

He stepped off the ship, holding a stoic expression. He had a briefcase in hand, and he eyed Josuke.

Ryuji said, "He's not...pissed is he?"

He stepped towards them, his gaze seemingly unbreakable. Ryuji shuddered. Haru gulped.

Then he shot a hand out towards Josuke, causing the Thieves to jump back in fear.

Josuke took the man's hand and said, "Good to see you Jotaro."

Jotaro nodded and said, "So...these are the Thieves. Which of you is the leader?"

There was a few seconds of frightened silence before Futaba said, "Yep...there she is!" pointing out Ann.

Ann was pushed towards Jotaro by Futaba.

Ann was shaken, but was able to ignore the nerves to introduce herself.

"Ann Takamaki...uh...acting leader of this group of Phantom Thieves."

"This group?", Jotaro raised an eyebrow.

Ryuji said, "We got friends and our real boss is with them in Italy. Met up with some big time gang-star named Giorno Giovanna."

Jotaro chuckled as he said, "Giorno Giovanna...what's he been up to...well I guess you answered that already. Alright...are you sure this will work?"

Haru said, "It worked for our friends. It has to work for us."

Jotaro sighed and dropped the briefcase, clicking it open. Inside was the gilded arrow, which he grabbed and handed to Ann. Ann said, "Alright who's first?"

Italy

Ulg'Urin roared in anger as his thralls spread through the city.

Then something started buzzing near him. A fly. Something so small and unassuming. He swatted at this fly, and it buzzed away. But then it returned.

He swatted at it again, and it buzzed away.

And again.

And again.

And again.

Finally Ulg'Urin yelled out and swung his fist into the fly. He finally connected, sending it rocketing into the floor. But suddenly something happened. A similar blow and force struck him in the back and sent him into the floor. He slowly rose up, blood leaking from his head.

Ulg'Urin yelled, "What was that?!"

His body began getting peppered with blow after blow from some unseen force, fired off at machine gun speed. He was launched back, sliding against the ground.

"COWARDDDDD!" he cried out. "Show yourself!"

Giorno was hiding behind a building with Ren and Morgana.

From their perspective, Giorno had summoned his Stand known as Gold Experience, sending him to strike at Ulg'Urin. Gold Experience was a golden humanoid with a rounded head, almost shaped like a bike helmet, with adornments of purple and green, with white wings on its shoulders.

Ren said, "Ok, so Gold Experience making a fly out of a rock, I get, but how did hitting it hurt this guy?"

Giorno said, "Any damage to the life I create is reflected back at the user. Hopefully that weakened him. My Stand's strength isn't the best, so I'll back you and Morgana up while you two take the lead."

Both Ren and Morgana nodded. Giorno continued, "Your Stands are closer range than mine. You're not gonna be able to attack without stepping out from here. Good luck."

Ren stepped out of the shadows, adjusting his glasses as Morgana leapt off his shoulders.

Ulg'Urin brandished his sword, and said "You didn't take much convincing to show yourself."

Ren said, "Whatever it is you're looking for, you're not gonna find it hurting people."

Ulg'Urin smiled and said, "I want your power. My matriarch seeks it..."

Ren said, "Omnigul..."

Ulg'Urin shouted out, "You are not worthy to say her name!"

Morgana said, "So she and Crota had more children than we thought..."

Ulg'Urin said, "Grandchild...my mother is her child..."

Morgana was given pause. Nobody could normally hear him unless they were a Phantom Thief.

Morgana said, "What...how?"

Ulg'Urin said, "We Hive are beyond language. Through the power of the mind no language barrier exists..."

Morgana said, "Well you're not gonna hear anything different from me. Stop this and leave."

Ulg'Urin replied, "You wish this attack to end, tell me the source of your power."

Ren put his hand to his chin and said, "Interesting...counterpoint, we beat you into the dirt and you leave with your sword between your legs."

Ulg'Urin growled and charged. Ren summoned his persona: Arsene. It a dark humanoid with a red suit and tophat and a fiery smile for a face. It had long black claws and high heel shoes wrapped in red pants.

Ulg'Urin couldn't see Arsene as it swung his foot towards Ulg'Urin's sword clashing with it. To Ulg'Urin, it was stopped in mid air.

Ulg'Urin thought back...to lessons he was taught by Omnigul. To honing to spirit energy. Such things were saved for witches like Omnigul or Voshyr or Kinox. But Omnigul was smart enough to know the benefits of being well rounded. He recalled this training, focusing energy to his third eye. His weapon was ablaze with green fire as Arsene's form became semi visible to him. He smiled and swung a his free fist into Arsene's stomach, damage which was transferred to Ren, sending him flying back.

Arsene's strength lessened the damage done to Ren but it winded him nonetheless. Morgana summoned Zorro, clashing swords with Ulg'Urin. Ren used his distance to summon Arsene again. Arsene gathered a mass of red and black energy and fired it at Ulg'Urin. The beam exploded into streams tearing into Ulg'Urin's armor and binding him. This allowed Morgana to land a few piercing strikes into Ulg'Urin's body.

With one final motion, Gold Experience appeared, landing precise blows at his open wounds. It cried out "MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA" in rapid succession with its blows.

It powered up one fist and struck it at Ulg'Urin's head.

Before he knew it, Ulg'Urin was launched out of his own body. An untethered conciousness stretching a single split second across eternity. He saw himself struck by Gold Experience's fist. He felt pain surging through every supposed nerve in his body. His face stretching and contorting to the fist. A tooth knocked loose and flung from his mouth, torn from his gums at terrifying speed.

When Ulg'Urin returned to his own body and time resumed, he was sent rocketing through the air. When he landed, black blood was leaking from his mouth and face. He panted as he saw the three more ready for battle than ever. He grunted, "This...isn't...over!"

He let out a howl, and black orbs appeared all across the city and around him, removing their threat from Italy.

Ren said, "He's a sore loser, isn't he?"

Giorno said, "And a coward... but a vengeful one. He follows spiritual energy. My energy. As long as I'm here my home will be in danger."

Ren said, "Then come with us. We could use power like yours. You can bring the arrow."

Giorno said, "No. I won't bring the weapon to Oryx's feet. But...your first offer sounds appealing."

Morioh

The Phantom Thieves had unlocked the power of their Stand Personas, learning how to fight from Jotaro.

Jotaro said, "Remember, your Stand is an extension of you. Every hit you take it takes."

Futaba said, "So...my Persona was a little bit different from everyone else's. I wonder how it would manifest...this calls for a little experimentation."

Futaba spread her legs and called out, "Come forth, Necronomicon!"

A mass of energy swirled around Futaba. Various screens appeared around her, giving her information on each of the Thieves.

Futaba said, "That's new...before the Necronomicon turned into this UFO that let me float above the battlefield. Now it's just screens..."

Jotaro said, "Probably for the best. A UFO floating in the sky would draw a lot of eyes."

Josuke said, "So...what's the plan? We just wait for this Omnigul to show up?"

Futaba said, "That might not be necessary."

She flashed up one screen showcasing an AR display over the town. A scan flowed through the town, flashing various dots in different buildings across Morioh.

Josuke asked, "What's that?"

Futaba smiled and turned the screen to her and the thieves, and the same dots flashed over them with another scan.

She explained, "I can track that spirit aura stuff. If Omnigul's is any different I think I can isolate the wavelength her power generates from the Stand user powers. We can get the drop on her."

Ryuji shouted, "Alright, Oracle! That's the kind of shit we like to see!"

Jotaro said, "I'm not keen about charging into a fight against someone I've never met with people I barely know...but if it's as bad as you say we're not gaining anything by letting her get the drop on us."

Futaba said, "Ok...let's see. Everyone's Stand energy reads at a range of...50-150...whatever that means...wow Jotaro yours is almost 250. I guess this must be measuring Stand strength. wait...456...the only one."

Jotaro said, "Where?"

Morioh

Alleyway

Josuke had gathered Okuyasu and Koichi, and said, "This is the place?"

Futaba said, "Yeah...you seem scared..."

Koichi said, "This place is...cursed."

"Cursed?", asked Haru.

Koichi said, "It's a purgatory. Only stand users can see it, and once you enter there's only one way out. Just follow me and whatever you do...don't turn around."

One by one each of them entered from the main road. The alleyway forked, the left path leading to a mailbox with a dog poo pile and a newspaper on the floor.

Koichi explained, "That fork over there. Whatever direction you go it's gonna keep bringing you back around like a loop. The only way out is walking backwards to the Main Street. If you turn around to go to Main Street, you're as good as dead."

Jotaro said, "Good grief...you think Omnigul knows about that part of this alley?"

Ann said, "I doubt she found this by accident."

Josuke said, "Either way, keep your eyes forward. Use your Stand if she tries to go behind you."

Ann said, "If both sides loop, we should split up."

Futaba, Ryuji, Josuke, and Koichi went left.

Ann, Haru, Jotaro, and Okuyasu went right.

The left group passed the mailbox, preparing to find the loop.

Josuke asked, "So...is this like the exact same path looping over and over or are there layers to this?"

Koichi turned to Josuke with a furrowed brow.

Josuke continued, "I mean, if we loop this pathway enough times will we maybe reach her or are we just going in the same circle?"

Koichi's eyes widened as he said, "Oooohhhhhh. I'm actually not sure. I've never entered this place to find someone."

Futaba said, "The indicator went fuzzy when we came in. All I can tell is that she's hiding in this alleyway. Other than that..."

Ryuji jogged ahead, checking each corner.

The right path looped around again and again.

Kinox was invisible, floating behind the right side group. She was drawn to Jotaro's power. All she had to do was force the three guarding him to turn around.

Haru said, "I feel something...something...cold..."

Okuyasu smirked and said, "Yeah it's the 6 foot stone face with us." He and Haru giggled. Haru's smile was short-lived, as she said, "No, but seriously. I didn't feel this when we first walked in. Something is..."

Jotaro was suddenly choked. He grabbed his neck as he was foisted into the air. He was launched in front of the group, held the same way they were facing. Kinox materialized, Jotaro in her clawed hand. She said, "Make one move and I twist him the other way. You know what happens if I do."

Haru said, "Omnigul...!"

Kinox sighed and said, "No...we can't all be as great as my mother...I am Kinox."

Jotaro yelled, "Forget about me! Waste her!"

Kinox said, "You will do no such thing. My mother wants this power, and will do anything to claim it."

Ann said, "Your mother wants it?..."

What about Oryx?

Suddenly Jotaro was lurched out of Kinox's grip, hitting the ground with a massive thud.

The left group appeared, having concluded their next loop. Koichi had summoned his Stand, ECHOES Act 3. A short white humanoid figure with green markings all over it, Koichi had used its ability called 3 Freeze to dramatically increase Jotaro's weight, wrenching him free of Kinox's grip. He released that power, and reactivated it on Kinox, pressing her to the floor.

Haru shouted out, "Milady!"

Haru's Stand, known as Milady, emerged. It was a hollow Victorian era dress with one hand holding a mask where the face would be. The skirt was metallic, and unfolded to reveal an armament of gatling guns. The guns fired on Kinox's weighted body. Some bouncing off, others embedding into her skin.

Ann yelled out, "Carmen!"

Ann's Stand, known as Carmen, emerged. It was a pink skinned lady with black hair done in curled pigtails and a flamenco dress. She had a green vine whip, and a pair of human bodies with heart shaped heads. They spat torrents of flame at Kinox, burning her bulleted body.

Ryuji called out, "Captain Kidd!"

Ryuji's Stand, known as Captain Kidd, emerged. It was a skull faced pirate draped in a black leather coat, surfing on a small pirate ship that fired off torrents of lightning at Kinox.

Kinox screamed out, before slamming the ground creating a black orb around her to vanish.

Josuke rushed to Jotaro, healing his wounded body with the power of his Stand, Crazy Diamond.

Jotaro said, "Where'd she go, Futaba?"

Futaba pulled up her Necronomicon screens, searching for Kinox's signature. "Nothing", she said. "Wherever she went, it's outside of my scanning range."

Koichi said, "Let's get out of here. Backwards, this way."

One by one they began walking backwards, exiting the cursed alleyway.

Omnigul waited in the subway, as Kinox and Ulg'Urin appeared before her. Kinox was a burnt mess and Ulg'Urin spat up buckets of blood.

Omnigul dropped to them in a panic. "MY KIN! What has happened?"

Kinox said, "They were more formidable than we thought, mother..."

Ulg'Urin said, "It's not over. I'll recover and tear their heads off, one by one..."

He spat up more blood. Omnigul said, "Recover first. We must retreat for now..."

She pressed a hand to her child and grandchild, forming a dark orb around them before vanishing.

Morioh

Exiting the alleyway, Futaba was scanning for Kinox, finding the signature suddenly reappearing in the air some ways away.

She said, "I see her signal...and one other enormous one.. They're getting farther away...rapidly...I think they're leaving the planet..."

Ryuji smiled and yelled, "Awwwww yeahhhhhhhhhhh!"

Okuyasu said, "We did it! We drove her back!"

Haru whispered, "You didn't even do anything..."

Jotaro responded to Okuyasu, "For now..."

Everyone looked at Jotaro.

Jotaro said, "They're not gonna stop coming for us that easily...if it gets worse than them it's not gonna be good for the rest of you. If you have some extra seats on your crew, Josuke and I are gonna join."

Josuke said, "I am? Jotaro, I have school and homework here!"

Jotaro said, "I'll write a note for you. School won't matter if it's gone in a month, a week, or a day. It's our power that draws them."

Josuke sighed and said, "Alright alright. I'm in."

Koichi said, "Josuke, how long will you be gone?"

Josuke said, "Not long. If this Oryx is anything like Kinox, we'll be back before you can even blink. Until then, this place is you and Okuyasu's responsibility. And if my mom asks tell her Joseph took me on a long father son field trip or something."

Koichi smiled and said, "Ok. You can count on us."

Okuyasu said, "Don't be too long or I'm making the moves on your mom."

Josuke said, "If I die, I will still crawl out of the grave to beat you up if you try it!"

The three of them laughed away.

Italy

"You're leaving?!", Trish and Mista shouted in Giorno's room.

Giorno said, "Only until this 'Oryx' is beaten. As long as I'm here they'll keep coming after me, and by extension the rest of you."

Mista said, "So what do we do until then?"

Giorno said, "What we've been doing. Mista. Trish. I'm leaving it in your hands now"

Mista smiled and hugged Giorno before saying, "You can count on us. Just give Oryx an extra special hit from me!"

Yusuke said, "According to Ann, the two strongest Stand users on their side have agreed to join us too. I suppose we shouldn't keep them waiting."

Ren smiled and said, "I guess not."

He pulled a small earpiece out of his pocket, placing it in his ear and said, "Hey? Is the Infinity still here? Tell Goku we're ready for pickup."