So yeah, now we're moving into a larger chapter. After all, we have Polnareff to introduce, and he deserves a BIG entrance.

As Gray Fly was propped up on his seat, Kakyoin looked him over. "I don't see a flesh bud on him anywhere." "I doubt all the Stand users DIO will send against us have them," Fluttershy noted. "She's right," Avdol said, "Gray Fly was always evil. He created accidents for money, after all. It was easy for DIO to recruit him, he only had to offer a paycheck. There's no shortage of hired assassins in the world." "I suppose its good money," Jotaro said, "Challenging work, out of doors, and you'll never go hungry because at the end of the day if there's only two people left on the planet someone will want someone dead."

Joseph then noticed a small plastic cup rolling on the ground. "Something's wrong. I think the plane is starting to dip in altitude." He hurried to the front of the plane to check things out. A stewardess moved to try and stop him. "Excuse me sir, but passengers aren't allowed in the cockpit." "This is an emergency," Joseph announced, brushing her aside. She and her fellow stewardess looked at each other, then saw Jotaro right behind him and instantly became smitten.

"Move aside," Jotaro said as he brushed the two women behind him. "What a shock...," the uttered as Kakyoin caught them. "Whoa there. Sorry about his rudeness, but there is a situation with the plane we need to determine. Is that alright?" The two stewardesses, equally smitten with Kakyoin, nodded numbly. Avdol just blinked in surprised. "This sort of thing happens often with Joestars," Jonathan noted, "And Kakyoin too, apparently." Joseph and Jotaro burst into the cockpit. Unfortunately, all the pilots were dead with their tongues removed.

"Damn...," Jotaro muttered, "Looks like Gray Fly already got to the pilots. He made sure he'd stop our flight even if he lost." "Even worse," Joseph said, "It looks like he's crippled the autopilot. We're on a crash course!" Gray Fly then started cackling behind the group. He was standing weakly and losing blood at a rapid pace, yet he could still managed to speak. "My Stand represents the Tower card, which signals the interruption of the journey! I've made sure you'll never reach Lord DIO! Even if you live through the crash Egypt is still six thousand miles away!"

He breathed heavily as his life began to fade. "This world is full of Stands with powers beyond your wildest imaginings... And those of us loyal to DIO will follow you at every turn! Soon all Stand users will bow and serve him, for his Stand is the one whose power reigns above all others!" And with that, Gray Fly finally died. The stewardesses gasped as he dropped to the ground in a pool of his own blood. "You're real professionals," Jotaro noted, "That's good. It annoys me when women scream. Listen, my grandfather here will be landing this plane in the ocean. Can you do a quick seatbelt check and pass out the life vests?"

The stewardesses nodded. "Do you even have experience with planes?," Kakyoin asked Joseph. "Sure," Joseph said, "But I've never flown a commercial airliner before. The biggest plane I ever flew was a World War II German bomber. But jeez, this'll make the third time I've been in a plane crash." "Third time!?," Fluttershy called out. "Yeah," Joseph said, "The first was when hijackers tried to hold Uncle Speedwagon for ransom, and the second was the aforementioned bomber, which I crashed into a volcano in an effort to kill an immortal being."

"Gimme a break!," Jotaro said, "I'm never getting on a plane with you again!" In spite of Jotaro's concern, Joseph was able to make a safe landing thirty-five kilometers out in the Hong Kong Sea. Rescue choppers soon arrived to airlift the passengers to safety, including the Kujo group. With their efforts, Gray Fly's last job ultimately proved to be his worst, with only seven deaths total, the four passengers and the three pilots. Ultimately, the group was able to reach Hong Kong safely and continue to make travel plans.

Enya looked on as DIO fed on a young woman, who smiled and accepted his touch. "Fear is an interesting emotion," she noted, "It's an emotion that has allowed our species to survive. That sense of terror at a great and terrible threat heightens the senses and prepares us for a number of different options. Flee, struggle, resist, freeze... But when DIO approached and you feel that fear... You also feel joy. It's a truly paradoxical condition."

Vanilla Ice, another of DIO's servants was nearby. "My Lord, DeKurliss has just informed me that Gray Fly is dead, and the plane he intended to crash in order to kill the Joestars has made a safe water landing just a few miles away from Hong Kong. Only seven people were confirmed killed, none of whom were part of the Joestars' team." "A pathetic showing for Gray Fly," DIO admitted, "He must have gotten cocky in his old age." "Not to worry," Ice said, "We've already had the Chariot sent to Hong Kong just in case. His power is sure to overwhelm our enemies."

The Kujo group was gathered in a Hong Kong restaurant to discuss their travel plans. "Going by plane is no longer an option," Joseph said, "Gray Fly's attack made that clear. If we want to get to Egypt quickly and safely we'll need to seek alternate transportation either over land or sea." "That'll slow us down," Jonathan noted, "And we only have fifty days to defeat DIO." The group turned solemn at the thought of Holly, still lying sick in her bed back in Japan.

"It'll be dicey," Joseph admitted, "But don't forget the popular novel of Jules Verne that told of a trip around the world made in only eighty days. And this was in the era of steam engines and air balloons. Granted we don't have the luxury of the International Date Line, but ultimately we won't be needing it. If it's possible to circumnavigate the world in eighty days, then getting from Hong Kong to Cairo in fifty shouldn't be a problem." Jonathan nodded. "Fair enough. Jules Verne did put a lot of accurate science into his works, after all."

"So with that in mind," Fluttershy said, "What's our next move?" Joseph indicated the map they had with them. "I contacted the Speedwagon Foundation and chartered a small boat to take us around the Malaysian Peninsula and into the Indian Ocean. On paper it's a longer route, but in practice it's ultimately faster since we can bypass a number of borders and mountain ranges." "Not to mention avoid the hassle of having to deal with attacks from native tribesmen," Jotaro noted.

Avdol nodded. "A nuisance at worst considering our powers, but a time consuming nuisance. The real danger is enemy Stand users that DIO will no doubt send against us. Gray Fly was just the first, and we don't even know if other poor souls were infested the way Kakyoin was." "Well, if they have been," Kakyoin said, "We may be able to save them. Jojo was able to pull the bud out of my brain. If he can do it once, he can likely do it a dozen times if necessary." He lifted the lid of their teapot and placed it hanging off the side.

Seeing Jotaro's confused look, he said, "In Hong Kong this is used to signal that you'd like more tea." Sure enough, a waitress came by to refill the teapot. Kakyoin then tapped the table twice. "And this is how you say thank you." "You're very worldly," Jonathan noted. "My family has made a number of trips in the past," Kakyoin explained, "And beyond that I have an interest in anthropology. I've done plenty of studying." Just then a young man around Avdol's age approached the group.

"Excuse me," he said, "I'm a tourist in from France and I'm having trouble reading the characters on the menu. Could you help me decipher them?" "We're busy talking," Jotaro said bluntly. "Now now, Jotaro," Joseph said, "Sure, young man, sit down and we'll give you a hand." Joseph tried to order a few dishes that had shrimp, duck, shark, and mushrooms. However, in spite of his knowledge of Chinese characters, he was a little out of practice. He instead wound up ordering rice porridge, clams, stewed fish, and fried frogs, which the Frenchman eyed eagerly.

"Were you reading with your eyes or your stomach?," Jonathan joked, remembering Joseph was probably the least picky eater on the planet. Joseph chuckled. "Sorry about that. Hey, it's on me regardless. Dig in, it's all delicious." Sure enough, the food proved delectable. As they continued to eat, the Frenchman held up a carrot cut in the shape of a star. "They certainly have a fine eye for detail," he noted, "This carrot... The way it's shaped reminds me of a certain birthmark I've heard of."

The group suddenly looked at him nervously. "If I'm not mistaken," the man said, "This mark was supposed to be on the back of a certain man's neck..." He looked back, a sudden look of intent in his eyes. "Are you another one?," Kakyoin asked. Just then, the rice porridge began to bubble. In an instant, a hand wielding a fencing foil burst out of the bowl and made to stab Joseph, who blocked it with his prosthetic hand. Avdol took immediate action. "Magician's Red!" As the great bird Stand launched a blazing attack, the foil whipped around and wrapped the flames around the blade.

The full form of the Stand was now visible, a humanoid warrior wearing silver armor. It brandished the sword and caused the flames to hit the overturned table and form burning numbers and clock hands. "That's a neat trick," Fluttershy admitted. "This is the power of my Stand," the Frenchman said, "The machine of war... Silver Chariot! So Muhammad Avdol, I've accepted your challenge. As you can see, I've carved a burning clock into that table. Before that clock strikes twelve... You will die!"

"Quite the ego you have," Avdol noted, "To attempt to kill me on a timetable Mister... Actually, I don't believe we caught your name." "Pardonne-moi," the man replied, "I had forgotten to introduce myself. My name is name is Jean-Pierre Polnareff." Avdol smiled. "Merci Beaucoup, Monsieur Polnareff. As I was about to say earlier, I believe you are under a minor misconception." He snapped his fingers, and Polnareff got surprised when the burning table was completely engulfed and destroyed, small fireballs raining over the room.

"My flames don't merely travel upward or with the wind as they would in nature," Avdol explained, "My Stand is called Magician's Red because it can control flame freely." Polnareff dug his Stand's sword into the ground. "It is said that the world was birthed in fire. A fitting power for the Stand of the Magician card, which represents beginnings. But I'll have you know, Monsieur Avdol, that my power is not due to mere ego." He got out a few coins and tossed them into the air. Immediately Silver Chariot stabbed into the air, catching all the coins with a single stroke.

"Amazing!," Joseph said, "He hit the coins in the instant they all lined up!" "It's more than that," Fluttershy said, "Some of Avdol's flames got pierced as well. He literally made a kebab out of those coins using them!" "I see," Avdol said, "So this is what you were referring to." "I'm glad you understand," Polnareff replied, "My power is not mere conceit. It can cut through the air itself to create a vacuum. Your fire is useless against it." He dropped the coins then moved to the door.

"That said," Polnareff said, "It would not be suiting to my Stand, which evokes the image of the card of victory and conquest, if I beat you without giving you a fair advantage. Avdol, your Stand is best suited to a more open area, yes? Then follow me, and I'll show you a battlefield where you can fight at your absolute best. My Stand won't accept anything less." The group looked at each other. Clearly Polnareff was different from than DIO's other minions. "I suddenly feel like I'm fighting Bruford all over again," Jonathan noted.

"This is a rather odd location to have a fight," Fluttershy as Polnareff led the group to Tiger Balm Garden, a park on the edge of Causeway Bay that featured plenty of colorful yet strange-looking animal statues. Avdol and Polnareff were staring each other down. "Avdol, I'm told you're a fortune teller," Polnareff said, "Allow me a predication of my own. By the end of this fight, you will be destroyed by your own Stand's powers." Avdol scoffed. "If that is what you think, then let's see how this battle proceeds, and we'll see if you're right."

Silver Chariot struck with its foil, Magician's Red dodging quite well. "What's the matter?," Polnareff said, "Have my words gotten you so rattled that you're afraid to use your flames? Then allow me to take the offensive!" However, as Silver Chariot made to attack, Magician's Red suddenly shot several fireballs out of its mouth. Quickly Polnareff had his Stand deflect the attack, the combination of fire and sword skills carving a nearby rock into a perfect replica of Magician's Red.

"That's not half bad," Fluttershy said. "Merci, mademoiselle," Polnareff replied, "I've performed these sort of carvings while training my Stand before. The statues I've made have actually been featured in a few amateur art shows in my native France. And I couldn't think of a more fitting place for an effigy of your Stand, Avdol. I think it fits in quite nicely." Avdol took a second to breathe before making a few hand gestures. "Stand back, everyone!," Joseph called out, "Avdol's about to unleash his full power!"

Avdol and his Stand crossed their arms as he called out, "Cross Fire Hurricane!" An giant ankh-shaped flame was conjured, covering the entire area in fire. "You think this will be enough to overwhelm me!?," Polnareff called out, "The vacuum created by my Stand shall easily cut away this flame!" Silver Chariot swept the entire field through the flames. "HORA HORA HORA HORA!" The flames got redirected and seemed to hit Magician's Red hard, causing Avdol to get set on fire.

"Not good!," Jonathan said, "Those fires are so hot Avdol can't handle them!" "As foretold," Polnareff said confidently, "You've been burned by your own flames." He then saw Magician's Red make a final lunge at him. "Hmph. At least die quietly." Silver Chariot sliced up the Stand, but Polnareff gasped at how difficult it was. "That blow felt wrong. The resistance was off. Was that... A physical object?" Just then, Silver Chariot was engulfed in flames. The figure of Magician's Red fell to the ground, and was revealed to be the statue Polnareff had carved earlier.

Avdol stood up, completely fine, his Stand right behind him. "The thing I like most about being able to control fire is how easily it can cloud an opponent's sight. I told you earlier, my Stand can control flames easily. While I was creating my Cross Fire Hurricane, my Stand used the volume of flame to disguise the fact that I was also softening up the stone statue to make it appear more life-like, and used it as a dummy shield knowing you'd use that vacuum ability to negate my attack. It seems you were the one who will be defeated by your own Stand's ability. Next time don't try to out-predict a fortune teller. Cross Fire Hurricane!"

Magician's Red conjured the ankh again, this time engulfing Polnareff completely. "It's done," Joseph said as Polnareff fell to the ground, "There's no way anyone could survive being hit by that attack head-on." "Then why is he not covered in third-degree burns?," Fluttershy asked. The group looked and, sure enough, Polnareff was still uninjured in spite of the attack. "I could understand simply surviving," Kakyoin said, "But why is he completely uninjured!?"

Just then, Silver Chariot seemed to explode, pieces of its armor coming undone, the impact causing Polnareff to be launched into the air. He opened his eyes and gave an applause. "Bravo! That was very well done!" "You somehow avoided being completely burned," Avdol noted, "How were you able to pull that off?" "I suppose it's only fair to offer an explanation," Polnareff admitted. He then manifested Silver Chariot, now sporting a much slimmer look. He then leapt down to the ground.

"This is Silver Chariot without its armor," Polnareff explained, "Earlier when you hit my Stand with your Cross Fire Hurricane, you only struck its armor, which protected it, and me by extension. But now my Stand has shed its armor, greatly improving its speed and flexibility. That's why Silver Chariot was seemingly invisible earlier, because it was moving so fast." Avdol nodded. "I see. That's why my Cross Fire Hurricane was able to hit you, because the armor was weighing you down. Though I'd imagine you're now more vulnerable without the armor, meaning my next attack is sure to finish you."

Polnareff chuckled. "That's assuming you can even hit me to being with. You may be right that another hit would spell my end, but allow me to show the full speed of my Stand before you try." Suddenly, Silver Chariot seemed to multiply. "What the hell!?," Joseph said, "Suddenly he has seven Stands!" "No," Fluttershy said, "It's still just one. But it's moving so fast it makes it seem like more than one." Jotaro grunted. "It's like an after-image straight outta Dragon Ball." "Indeed," Polnareff said, "My Stand can move so fast it can literally be in several places at once. Even the sharpest of senses can't follow their movements." The army of Silver Chariots attacked as Avdol moved to counter. "Cross Fire Hurricane!"

The after-images easily dodged, causing the attack to hit the ground and burn a hole in it. Polnareff waved his finger. "Now now, you'll never hit me with such poor speed. Here, let me show how it's done!" Before Avdol could react, Silver Chariot had struck his face precise enough to carve several ankhs into his face. Grunting from the brief pain, Avdol said, "You've certainly trained your Stand's powers." Polnareff smiled. "Merci. I've honed my skills over ten years."

"Then allow me an explanation of my power," Avdol replied, "As you've seen, my Cross Fire Hurricane takes the shape of an ankh. However, it need not remain whole. I can divide it up as needed. Allow me to demonstrate. Cross Fire Hurricane Special!" Sure enough, the giant flaming ankh split into multiple smaller forms. "Don't be such a fool!," Polnareff said, "No matter how many of those flames you toss at me, I'll handle them all!" His Stand's after-images got in formation surrounding him.

"Not good!," Kakyoin said, "There's no way Avdol can get through that!" "So very naive!," Polnareff said, "I'll reflect your power back at you just as before!" However, as the copies moved to make good on that statement, the hole Avdol made earlier seemed to glow brightly, catching Polnareff's eye. "What!?" As massive flaming ankh burst from the ground, catching all the copies off-guard and sending them flying, disappearing one by one until only the original Silver Chariot was left.

"Amazing," Joseph said, "He set up the first shot to dig a tunnel that he could attack from earlier." Avdol walked over to Polnareff, who was now truly suffering from the burns. "I said earlier that my Cross Fire Hurricane could be split up as needed. But I never said they all had to be the same size. While you were busy with the smaller and more noticeable ones, I hid the larger and more damaging one in the hole I made earlier." He took out a dagger and tossed it to Polnareff. "Burning to death is a painful way to go. Use that to end your life quickly."

Polnareff picked up the knife. At first he made to throw it at Avdol, but then pointed it to his neck instead. Ultimately, however, he dropped the knife and collapsed. "It seems I was conceited after all... I believed my sword skills superior enough to handle any fire, and lost. I deserve this fate." He closed his eyes in submission and lost consciousness, but Avdol snapped his fingers to dispel the flames. "He could have used the dagger to stab me in the back, or taken the coward's way out and committed suicide. But instead his honor held true, even overriding DIO's control."

"That's the Chariot card for you," Jotaro noted, "He doesn't seem like a bad guy in the end." Avdol parted Polnareff's hair and found the reason for his actions. "As I thought. He's been infested with a flesh bud as well. Jojo." Jotaro nodded, and got Star Platinum out to remove the bud. Once it was removed and burned up in the sun, Joseph picked up Polnareff. "Well, now that the flesh bud's gone, we can all be bud-dies!" "Wah wah...," Fluttershy muttered. "Yeah," Jotaro said, "I hate people who make stupid jokes like that."