I'm excited for a couple reasons. One, I've been eager to post this chapter. And two, at the time of posting the new Anime for Part 5: Golden Wind has just debuted. That's my favorite part and I'm looking forward to when my story reaches that part. Until then, enjoy this chapter.

Nukesaku laughed as he listened to floor. "Vanilla Ice talked a big game, but in the end he died as well! To think he, Kenny G, and the younger D'Arby would fall victim to such cheap tricks! Looks like in the end they were the real losers!" He launched himself into the air horizontally and landed on the ceiling. "They mocked my ability, even threatened to kill me if I got in their way. A mere vampire indeed. Well who's laughing now!? I'll be the one to kill the Joestars and their allies." He smirked when heard several people coming.

It was Jotaro, Joseph, Kakyoin, and Fluttershy. "Jeez what happened here?," Fluttershy asked. "That's a lot of damage," Joseph noted, "And from the looks of it, most of it was created by a Stand, or several. The others probably ran into another enemy." Jotaro nodded. "From the lack of any noise the fighting stopped some time ago. I hope everyone's alright." He whirled his head around. "Hey, I think I hear someone coming."

A young woman stumbled out of an open door at looked at the group in fear. "Ahh! Please don't suck my blood!" "Whoa, whoa, easy there," Joseph said, "We're not vampires, and we don't work for DIO. We're here to save you. We're friends, see?" The woman looked hopeful. "You're really help me? You're really friends?" "Yeah, that's right," Jotaro said. He then punched the woman in the face with Star Platinum. "Friends of justice, that is." Joseph smirked. "And we'll help you... Make your way to Hell."

As the woman landed on her front, it turned out to be Nukesaku, who was using his strange ability in that he had an additional front on his back, complete with another face. "Impossible! How did you see through my perfect disguise!?" Fluttershy laughed into her hand. "Perfect? Check your hands loser, you forgot to switch them around." Nukesaku looked at his hands, and gasped when he saw they were still oriented for his regular face. "Damn it, I always forget that part..."

"That's a pretty crucial detail to consider," Kakyoin noted, "Especially since we've picked up the habit of looking at people's hands thanks to J Geil." "So loser," Jotaro said, "How about you take us to DIO?" Nukesaku growled. "You dare to underestimate me?," he said as he reoriented his body. He then leapt into the air, fangs bared. "I'll kill you here and now! I've been given the blood of Lord DIO! I am immortal-- Urp..." His bite attack had been stopped on Star Platinum's wrist. "Uh oh..."

"Immortal, huh?," Jotaro said, "That means you're a vampire like DIO. This is perfect then. We can use you as a test subject to see how durable he is." "Oh my god...," Joseph said, actually feeling sorry for Nukesaku. Star Platinum and Music in the Trees pummeled Nukesaku over and over, Fluttershy throwing in some poison barbs for good measure. Nukesaku was thrown through several pillars. Though beaten up, he was still conscious and breathing.

"Oh wow, he really is immortal," Fluttershy noted, "The venom in those barbs I used is fatal in under three seconds." Jotaro picked Nukesaku up. "Though it's clear immortality doesn't mean indestructibility. So loser, the sun is going down soon, so why not take us to DIO, or we'll start dismembering you bit by bit." Nukesaku gulped. "O-Okay... But if I can ask a question... How did you know my nickname is Loser?" Jotaro looked flabbergasted at that question. "Gimme a break..."

On the third floor, the other half of the group could see the darkness start to swell. "This presence," Jonathan said, "I've not felt it in a hundred years. DIO is close at hand." "You can almost feel the darkness in the air," Polnareff noted. "Did you see those women downstairs that were drained?," Hol Horse said, "DIO sure likes to display his leftovers. I can't believe they all came to him willingly." "He used to need someone else to find food for him," Jonathan noted, "I guess he's improved since then."

"Jonathan Joestar," said a familiar voice. Jonathan narrowed his eyes. "DIO." Sure enough, DIO was there at the top of the steps. "Still alive after a hundred years," DIO noted, "I must say, for someone who lacks my eternal youth you look quite well. I never would have guessed Hamon could slow your aging down. Is Twilight here as well?" "Twilight died several decades ago," Jonathan said sadly, "Shortly after her husband." DIO nodded. "I see. That's the price we pay for longer lives, I suppose, whether immortal or otherwise."

He looked at the rest of the group. "And I see some other familiar faces. More recent at that. Polnareff, Avdol, and Hol Horse. I must admit, Hol Horse, had I known you'd go with your Zeppeli family instincts and join the Joestars, I would have pegged you with my spores as well." "It wouldn't have helped," Avdol said, "We've found someone capable of removing them." "Yes, I'm aware of Jotaro Kujo's precision," DIO said, "I must say, it'll be a delight to see it firsthand."

"You don't seem surprised that we all made it this far," Polnareff noted. DIO shrugged. "I confess I expected some of your group to reach me in the end. But to think you'd all survive up until this point. That takes a good combination of skill, luck, planning, and maybe a miracle or two. It's an impressive feat to say the least." "I'm sorry I never found you on that boat a hundred years ago," Jonathan said, "I might have been able to end it. But who can say for sure?"

Polnareff started to step forward. "DIO. The last time we met you managed to enslave me. But now I feel no fear when I look at you." "Then you are already far beyond most mortals," DIO said, "Step forward to face me then, if you are not afraid to die." Polnareff started to walk up the stairs, but as he climbed he suddenly blinked as he realized he was right back at the bottom with the others. "The hell was that?," Hol Horse asked, "That was clearly DIO's Stand but I didn't see it or feel it activate."

"One minute I was starting to approach DIO," Polnareff said, "The next I'm back down with you guys." "It's too bad only one of you decided to climb," DIO said, "It would have been easier to mock you if you all climbed as one, only to fall victim to my Stand simultaneously. But because Polnareff climbed alone, you're now aware I used my Stand. Up until now, you've encountered twenty-one of the tarot-based Stands. My Stand is the final tarot Stand, The World." A golden humanoid wearing armor appeared behind DIO.

As he spoke, the wall nearby broke away, revealing sunlight pouring in. DIO flinched as he backed into the shadows. "Looks like I'll have to retreat for now." He disappeared deeper into the darkness. "You guys," Fluttershy said, "You're all okay." "That man that fled into the shadows," Jotaro said, "That was DIO wasn't it?" "That was him alright," Joseph said, "Granddad, did you get a good look at his Stand?" "Yes, it's the oddest power I've seen," Jonathan said, "One second Polnareff started climbing the stairs toward DIO, the next he was back next to us. It happened so fast not even my Hamon could track either of them."

"That's not merely moving fast," Kakyoin noted, "That's practically stopping everything but himself somehow." "At least we know DIO's old weakness to sunlight still stands," Joseph said. Avdol then noticed the bag Kakyoin was carrying, which Iggy sniffed as it wiggled about. "What's in here?," Avdol asked. "Just a loser we picked up along the way," Kakyoin said as he dropped the bag, making it give off a muffled yelp. He then punched at it. "Hey, we've got no time to waste! Make sure to answer our questions!"

He opened the bag to reveal Nukesaku, healed from his pummeling but sporting a strangling vine courtesy of Fluttershy. "What's at the top of this staircase?," Kakyoin asked. Nukesaku gulped. "It's... It's a tower. There's a room at the top where Lord DIO sometimes rests during the day." "Is there any other way up?," Kakyoin asked. Nukesaku shook his head. "No... That staircase is the only way." Kakyoin then punted the tiny vampire. "Then take us up there!"

At the top of the room, the group saw a large coffin surrounded by candelabras. "Are we sure it's not Dracula we're after instead of DIO?," Fluttershy joked, "This just seems way too cliche for a real vampire." Jonathan shrugged. "DIO likes to show off." Jotaro used Star Platinum to smash the nearby window open, letting in some sunlight. Nukesaku shrank back from the light pouring into the room and onto the casket. "Keep your guard up," Joseph said, "DIO may not even be in the casket."

The group surrounded the casket from all sides. Avdol and Hol Horse from the top. Iggy, Polnareff, and Kakyoin from the left. Jotaro and Fluttershy from the right. And Joseph and Jonathan from the bottom. "Okay Loser," Joseph said, "Open the casket." Nukesaku gulped, but moved to comply. "Lord DIO, please understand I'm not betraying you. I'm only doing this so may kill all those fool at once! I believe in your power!" He opened the casket as the group got out their Stands.

As the casket opened, the group was shocked to find Nukesaku had somehow wound up in the casket, completely segmented. "Wha... What...? But I was just... Opening the casket..." "It's DIO!," Joseph realized, "It's the same phenomenon that happened back at the stairs!" "I didn't sense any movement," Jonathan noted. "I didn't smell anything," Iggy pointed out. "It's like he can instantly freeze everything around him," Fluttershy said. Jotaro looked around. "We need to get out of here! Out into the city!"

The entire group leapt out the nearby window, Hol Horse grabbing Iggy's sand glider as the others used their various Stands to cushion the fall. "That power is clearly stronger than anything else I've ever seen," Kakyoin noted, "And we didn't even see it activate." "Dad once fought a Stand user that could compress time," Jotaro said, "But even that seems to pale in comparison." "It's like an oncoming truck," Avdol said, "You can tell it's coming just from the sound of its engines." "He's even more powerful now than a hundred years ago," Jonathan realized, "I knew he gained great power from his Stand, but this is more than I realized."

"Guys," Fluttershy said, "The sun's going down." "We've got no time to wait for the next dawn," Joseph said, "But we can't just rush back in there. We'll wait for him to come out to us. Tonight, DIO must die, there is no alternative." "Let's split up," Jotaro suggested, "Whatever his power is, there's no way he's strong enough to take us all at once if we're spread out across Cairo." They immediately headed off in different directions.

Night began to fall as DIO emerged from his mansion. "I can't feel any of their presences in the city. They must have split up. Even with the power I've gained I can't search the entire city in one go. I'll need to do it the old-fashioned way." He didn't notice Jotaro, Polnareff, Hol Horse, Iggy, and Avdol in the bushes at the foot of his mansion as he left to go into the city. As he did, he smiled at the passing vehicles. 'You fall asleep for a century and look how much technology advances. And those fool teachers at Hugh Hudson Academy thought everything worth discovering had already been discovered. I just wish they were still alive so I could laugh in their faces.'

He went to open a car door, only to sigh in frustration when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see a large man who looked to be dressed as bodyguard. "Don't you dare touch that car!," the man barked, "It belongs to Senator Wilson Philips! Do you even who you're dealing with!?" "Don't care," DIO said as he grabbed the man's arm and broke it like a toothpick. He then opened the door as the man crumpled to the ground bleeding, then sat down next to a jovial looking man that he assumed was Senator Phillips, not that it mattered.

"Why hello there, young man," Phillips said, "You shouldn't be so rude." He gave a good natured laugh before DIO grabbed his front teeth and pulled them out like he was plucking a wishbone. "Get in front and drive," DIO said in a commanding tone. "Who the hell do you think you are!?," Phillips said, his earlier politeness gone. "The most powerful man in this car," DIO said, "Now drive before I break off more teeth." Phillips growled. "Do you have any idea who I am!?" "I don't particularly care," DIO retorted.

"I am Senator Wilson Phillips!," Phillips shouted, "I was first in all my classes since high school! I was captain of my college wrestling team! I became a famous politician! I have a thousand-acre estate in Hawaii, and supermodel wife that's twenty-five years than me to go along with it! I've crushed all of my enemies before now! And one day, I will become president of the United States!" DIO yawned. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I wish Speedwagon was alive to hear you yammer on. He'd do even worse than I just did. Also, president? The bar for US president must not be very high if an actor like Ronald Reagan can get elected."

He then grabbed Phillips by the nose. "Now I'll only say this one more time..." He broke Phillips nose and threw him into the driver's seat. "Drive." Now freaked out, Phillips tried to get out of the car, only to get surprised when he somehow looped around and wound up back in the car. DIO couldn't help but smirk. 'I may just get some fun in before the final battle with the Joestars.' He smiled as Phillips kept trying to exit the car, only for DIO to active The World each time and have Phillips right back inside the car.

It wasn't long before the arrogant politician was reduced to a mental wreck. "Now then, if you wouldn't mind," DIO said, "I need to catch up to that truck over there." He pointed to a truck that had Joseph, Kakyoin, Jonathan, and Fluttershy in it. "If you don't catch up," DIO said, "You die. Are we clear?" "Y-Yes sir!," Phillips said as he got in the diver's seat and hit the gas, putting pedal to the metal in an effort to catch up. Up ahead, Joseph checked the rear-view mirror. "I can sense DIO coming up behind us. His bloodlust is strong."

"We split off from Jotaro," Fluttershy said, "DIO can track us using the body he got from your father, but he can't tell the difference between one Joestar and another until he sees them in person, right?" Joseph nodded. "That will give us an edge. Our priority should be figuring out what DIO's Stand can do." Elsewhere, the other group was getting onto some bikes. "You ever ridden a motorcycle, Hol Horse?," Avdol asked. "Sure on occasion," Hol Horse admitted, "Not my preferred method of travel though. They tend to be gas guzzlers. And as a farm-raised man I have a tendency to prefer animal transport."

DIO scoffed as the limo wound up getting stuck in traffic. 'Just my luck... I can already feel them getting father ahead. Well, only one thing for it.' "What are you waiting for?," he warned Phillips, "Keep driving." "But it's impossible," Phillips pleaded, "The traffic is too congested." "Then drive on the sidewalk," DIO suggested. "But it's packed with pedestrians!," Philips argued. DIO shrugged. "Your point?" The screams as people tried to get out of the way of the limo sounded like a symphony to DIO. 'Ah, you can't get music like this using just horses. I mean, you technically could using modern CDs, but that's just semantics at that point.'

He smirked as he saw the senator starting to lose his mind. 'What a weak little man. It makes his earlier bragging seem harder to believe. He probably thinks this is all a dream. Anyway, they're sill too far ahead. My Stand's power may be all-encompassing but its attack range? Not so much.' "Get closer," he demanded. Just then, he heard something hit the engine. He raised an eyebrow when it he saw it was seed pods from Music in the Trees. He looked to the side to see Hierophant Green. "Ah yes, I forget their range is far longer. Hmm, one attack I could deflect with just a finger... But in this case... Oh, Senator. I think you'd better duck."

He dove under the seat as the seed pods burst open and Hierophant Green let loose an Emerald Splash attack. He then had The World manifest and strike Hierophant Green, causing it to fly into a nearby sign post. "What was that...!?," Phillips said in shock, "And what are these pods in the engine!?" "There's no need to explain," DIO said, "Just keep driving." "But the engine!," Phillips complained. "Those pods only pierced the hood from the look of it," DIO noted, "The engine should still be fine. Now drive."

"That was reckless Kakyoin," Fluttershy noted, "You should have left it all up to me. I may not be able to project Music in the Trees very far, but it's plants increase its effective range tremendously." "I know," Kakyoin replied, "But I made a promise not to lose to him again." He looked at the blood on his hands that came from the crash. "That was ten meters out. So it's a close-range power type like Jotaro's"

"Only a ten meter effective range," Joseph said, "By contrast Applejack's Stand can be projected up to twenty meters." "And it also used its fists to attack," Jonathan said, "So its gimmick must be whatever it was doing back in the mansion." Fluttershy suddenly threw up a large leaf shield and something impacted into it, prompting Joseph to stop the truck. They got out to see Phillips had been thrown at the truck. "Heh, this is a dream...," he muttered, "There's no way a senator can die, so it has to a dream..."

"Poor man," Fluttershy said as he used her jasmine essence to place Phillips into a deep sleep. They then leapt to the nearby roof as DIO approached. He looked at the sleeping senator. "Looks like someone lucked out. I don't particularly care whether or not you live, but I am feeling merciful since I have bigger fish to fry." He looked up at the fleeing group. Kakyoin took off his glasses. "I have an idea that might just give us the secret of his Stand. Fluttershy, I'll need your help to minimize the risk." Fluttershy nodded.

The two went over to set themselves up. "You know," Kakyoin said, "Everytime I looked at Hierophant Green, I'm reminded of something. I never had any friends growing up. My family moved a lot, and it didn't help that I couldn't connect with anyone because no one else I knew had a Stand." He chuckled. "It wasn't until I met you guys that I learned your cousin Asahi and her boyfriend Ryusei, who were classmates of mine in high school, are also Stand users. I think they were trying to tell me that, but I always brushed them off under the assumption that they wouldn't understand me."

He stood up. "When you get right down to it me and Jotaro have nothing in common other than being Stand users, but over these last four weeks... That's been enough. Just knowing that I've met people like me is enough to consider them friends. If we make it through this, I think I'll look up Asahi and Ryusei again, and apologize for brushing them off." Fluttershy smirked. "I think you've got a death flag waving in the wind." Kakyoin shrugged. "Maybe, but that's why I need you're help."

He turned serious. "My theory is that DIO can use his Stand to stop a moment in time. This next technique will show whether or not that's true. But if it is, then DIO can slip through and possibly kill me. That's where you come in. I need you to make the thickest Oak Shield you can muster to protect us both." "You think it'll help?," Fluttershy asked. Kakyoin nodded. "If it can block my Emerald Splash, I'm confident it can withstand a vampire's punch."

As they set up, DIO leapt to the rooftops. "I only saw four leave the truck. They must have split up." He suddenly found himself having to deflect an Emerald Splash. "That came out of nowhere! I barely had time to deflect it!" He leapt up, and had to do it again, he then realized what was going on. Hierophant Green was spread out in the surrounding area like a web. "That web will attack you when you touch it," came Kakyoin's voice, though he couldn't see him, "It surrounds you for twenty meters in every direction. It can sense you and your Stand's every move. Now take this! Twenty Meter Radius Emerald Splash!"

DIO looked as he briefly saw Kakyoin near a radio tower and grinned. "The World!" In an instant, time froze around DIO. He leapt over to where Kakyoin was, his eyes closed, breaking the strands as he went. "This is the ultimate tarot power. The power that reigns over... What!?" In the instant before DIO had activated his power, Fluttershy had erected a large Oak Shield. DIO was flabbergasted. "I can only maintain the time stop for so long. Well played, but you won't get out of this unscathed." He and his Stand punched the barrier hard. "And time continues..."

As time started up again, Kakyoin and Fluttershy found themselves flying away, pushed along by the Oak Barrier. Fluttershy had just enough time to dispel it to avoid it crushing them as they impacted on the nearby building. Joseph saw the entire thing. Kakyoin impacted into a nearby water tower, still barely conscious. Fluttershy crashed into the roof, completely stunned and knocked unconscious. Kakyoin started to move, but felt great pain as he did. "It looks like Fluttershy barely cushioned herself...," he noted, seeing a nest of vines beneath Fluttershy, enough to prevent lasting injury but not enough to stop her impact entirely.

He then saw a nearby clock tower. "5:15 in Cairo... That's right around midnight in Japan... I wonder how Mom and Dad are..." He grunted in pain. "It looks like I may just survive, but I'm in no further condition to fight... But it looks like my theory was right..." He looked at the remains of his web, seemingly cut through all at once. "Kakyoin," Joseph said as he leapt over. "Mister Joestar...," Kakyoin said, "Where's your grandfather?" "He's being confronted by DIO," Joseph said.

"He has to be warned," Kakyoin said, "I just confirmed DIO can stop time." Joseph shook his head. "I should probably say this now but... Granddad never intended to come back from this journey..." Kakyoin looked confused. Meanwhile, DIO had reached Jonathan. "I believe it's time we finished what we started a hundred years ago." He pulled off his collar. "I'm sure you remember how my new body is that of your son. But as you'll notice from the scar, I haven't quite become adjusted to it yet. I need the blood of one more person to complete the fusion, and the blood of the oldest living Joestar should do just nicely."

"You're not the only one who carries a scar from that day," Jonathan said, rubbing his own neck, "I sometimes still feel a tingle where you were playing with my carotid." DIO gave a genuine laugh. "You've gotten snarkier since I last saw you. Perhaps age has worn away that gentleman spirit you once held so dear." Jonathan smirked. "By the way, I observed what you did to Kakyoin and Fluttershy. So, your power is stopping time. But you obviously can't hold it for long, otherwise you'd have killed us all back at the mansion. And you'd have made your way around Fluttershy's Oak Shield instead of sending it flying."

He manifested Ra. "And that same power lets you dodge my Hamon, but tell me this. Do you think you can stop time faster than the light rays my Stand can emit can strike you?" DIO chuckled. "Only one way to find out." As their fight got started, Joseph helped Kakyoin and Fluttershy down to the ground where Jotaro met up with him. "Are they...?," Jotaro asked. "They'll be fine," Joseph assured him, "But they're in no shape to fight. But Jotaro, Kakyoin managed to learn the secret behind DIO's Stand. It's a Stand of time, and it can stop time for a few seconds."

Jotaro immediately ran out to where Jonathan was fighting DIO, but as he saw them, DIO instantly activated his Stand. It was so instant, yet DIO had to back up a little since one of Ra's light rays was right in front of his face. "Too close... If that had hit me I'd have died here and now." He moved over to the nearby crowd. "At first I could only stop time for a blink of an eye. But gradually, as my neck healed, it started to get longer. Two, then three seconds." He casually pushed aside people and animals that he came across, including one poor cat that he sliced to ribbons than tossed to patrons that were eating.

"My current limit is five seconds," he mused, "I realize that sounds odd considering time is stopped but that's how long it feels from my perspective." He looked at Jonathan. "Jonathan, a hundred years ago I was no match for your tactical mind and power of Hamon. But even with a Stand that can harness the sun itself you're no match for The World's power. But you're biggest mistake was not protecting your body with Hamon!" "MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA!" The World punched Jonathan over and over again.

DIO turned around. "Activating shitstorm in three... Two... On-now." The results of everything DIO did hit at once, disgusting and confusing the customers as Jonathan went flying. "At long last...," DIO said, "Victory." Jonathan chuckled weakly. "Depends on your definition of 'victory'." DIO dropped his smile. "What do you mean?" "Think about it...," Jonathan said, "I am the generation above my son, who's body you stole. So obviously I'm immune to your curse. Where then do you think my Stand Ra came from...?"

"Well, the arrow that was in Twilight's possession, obviously," DIO noted, "But I don't see what that..." His eyes widened when he realized what Jonathan was getting. "No..." Jonathan chuckled as he coughed up blood. "I never intended on surviving this... I knew that even if we beat you, I'd become the new carrier of my great-granddaughter's illness. Besides, I've grown too old, and I miss all the friends and loved ones I've made a hundred years ago. Twilight, Speedwagon, Dire, Zeppeli... Erina... Now that I know there are those that can stand against you in my place... I can die... Without regrets..." And with that, Jonathan Joestar breathed his last, finally dying in peace.

DIO on the other hand, was tearing up. "Even in defeat... You find a way to win... JOJO!" "You called?," Jotaro said from behind him. DIO whirled around. "I never thought you could get this emotional, DIO," Jotaro quipped, "You remained unflappable even as we tore through your ranks. I guess someone winning even as they lose is the final nail in the coffin for you." "Jotaro Kujo," DIO said, "The next in line of the Joestar bloodline. Just the thing I need to cheer up. You see Jotaro, I've noticed that our Stands are similar in a lot of ways, so I've been curious how my The World stacks up against your Star Platinum."

"Good time to find out then," Jotaro admitted, "After all, I have every reason to want you dead." The two Stands started going toe to toe, getting in some good hits that were reflected on their users. "We both lack range," Jotaro noted, "But we do have speed and power. And my Stand specializes in precision and accuracy. You may be faster even without your time stopping ability, but it doesn't matter if you can't even hit me." "ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA!" "MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA!"

DIO smirked. "If that's the case, then allow me to add in my own power. The World!" Instantly time froze, stopping Jotaro's assault. "Once I've dealt with you I'll be sure to deal with your grandfather as well. Then the Joestar bloodline will end, and with it my destiny will be assured." He then gasped when he saw Jotaro's finger twitched and backed off. "It was just a finger... But still that should be impossible. Wait... Our Stands are the same type. Could that mean...? Can he see me even in the frozen time, or was that just instinct?"

Before the question could be answered, time resumed automatically, as Jotaro stopped his earlier attack. "Jotaro," DIO said, "Were you able to see me just now?" "What are you talking about?," Jotaro asked. He and DIO started leaping across the buildings using their Stands. 'Well, it doesn't matter if he can see me. What matters if he can move within the frozen time. I remember the first few times I tried using my power. I had wanted to test my Stand's speed and power, so I ordered one of my servants to shoot at me. Naturally it was an ordinary shotgun, so even if my Stand wasn't very fast I wouldn't die.'

He closed his eyes. 'I still remember that sensation, like time was standing still for a split second. At first I thought I was seeing things. A trained boxer can see their opponent's punch in slow motion, and if a person is in mortal peril, a second can seem like an eternity. At first I thought I was experiencing something along those lines. But it was no illusion... The World could stop an instant in time, enough to catch all the pellets at once.'

He grinned. 'Enya and I were so excited when we learned this. We believed that with enough practice, I could reign over time itself. All I had to do was believe, for belief is the essence of all Stands. They have the power to defy the very laws of science and nature, but one must believe that they can. So I continued to practice, until I saw the very wheels of time intertwined with my Stand, as if The World was piercing through them. My heart never felt so light as on that day.'

He looked back at Jotaro. "Now Jotaro, show me how powerful you are! The World!" Time froze again, and Jotaro's hand started to twitch once more. DIO moved his hand and Jotaro's seemed to move at the same time in the same direction. DIO smirked as he looked at his wristbands, and removed the magnets that had been attached to them. "So he put a magnet on me. It must have been when we were exchanging blows." He breathed a sighed of relief. "I was honestly fooled for a moment there. I must admit Jotaro, you're far superior to your ancestors."

He called out The World and moved out to attack. "But it's still a useless trick compared to my time freeze!" Just as he got close to attack, Jotaro suddenly smirked, and Star Platinum punched right through The World. "The hell...?," DIO said as he felt the impact. "Thanks for the compliment," Jotaro said as time started moving again, "But that magnet wasn't to trick you into thinking I could move in your frozen time... It was to trick you into thinking I couldn't. Avdol, now!"

"Magician's Red!," came Avdol's voice, as DIO found himself surrounded by flames, as Magician's Red kicked DIO into a nearby store. "It was only for a second that I could move in your world," Jotaro noted, "But it was enough time to punch you." DIO picked himself up, but barely. As he had crashed through the window, his leg was amputated by the glass. "A very clever strategy...," DIO admitted, "Acting like you couldn't see in the stopped time, using the magnet, you even had Avdol follow at a distance waiting for the moment I let my guard down."

He leapt over and drained the saleswoman that was nearby while also grabbing his leg, recovering completely. He then rushed out of the store and past the two Stand users. "You must have learned about my ability from the others," he noted, "You only moved for a second this time because you had to wait for me to approach. But I wonder how long you'd be able to move now that you don't need to hide it. Two, maybe three seconds. Or perhaps the full five I can stop time for. Or maybe you really can only move for one. There's no way for me to know without testing it first."

He then brought out a series of knives. "So I'll have to rely on a foolproof method of killing you." Jotaro and Avdol gasped. "He must have gotten those from inside the shop!," Avdol realized. Jotaro quickly leapt into the air as DIO did. DIO just smirked. "The World!" As time froze, DIO started setting up the knives all around Jotaro. "A few near Avdol as well I think," he decided, "It won't be enough to kill, but it will take him out of the fight. It's the Joestars I must kill right now, which is why I left Kakyoin and the girl alive."

He positioned the knives near Avdol, including one aimed near his neck in such a way that it would paralyze him without killing him. As he did, he spotted Star Platinum starting to punch away some of the knives from Jotaro. "Hmm, only a second it seems," DIO noted, "But he got a good head start. Let's see how he does. Time should begin moving again right about... Now." Avdol gurgled out a weak cry as the knives plunged into him. Meanwhile Jotaro continued to use Star Platinum to try and defense himself. "ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA!"

It was just enough to avoid the full onslaught of knives, but Jotaro still got a few in his chest. "One more just in case," DIO said as he threw the last knife right at Jotaro's head, seeming to impale it. He then watched Jotaro fall before checking Avdol's pulse. "Still alive, as I thought. I can't waste a potential servant, especially one so powerful." He got back up. "Now, to check and make sure Jotaro is dead. These Joestars always have a nasty habit of surviving otherwise fatal situations."

Sure enough, DIO hadn't realized that Jotaro had stuffed his jacket and hat with magazines. "Gimme a break...," Jotaro muttered, "I managed to avoid a fatal injury, but I still got damaged badly in my arms and leg. I'd better play dead for right now... Wait for a chance to strike. Hol Horse, Polnareff, and Iggy are still nearby, after all." DIO landed nearby. "If he is still alive, I'll need to stay out of his range." He saw a nearby street sign. "This will do nicely." He broke the sign off and made to wield it to decapitate Jotaro.

But before he could swing, a shot rang out that cut off the sign from the rest of the post. Two more shots hit his wrists forcing him to drop the post as sand started to wrap around him, restricting his movements. He then heard Polnareff yelling as he felt Silver Chariot's rapier go through his brain. "First time I ever took the first shot," Hol Horse said as he appeared, "Now, Iggy!" Iggy leapt onto DIO's face, barking ferociously. 'Oh sweet Christ, why is the dog still alive!?,' DIO thought, 'I hate dogs!'

Iggy started tearing into DIO's hair, disgusting him. 'Damn it, he's even worst than most dogs! Does he really have to go for the hair!?' "Attaboy Iggy!," Polnareff said, "Don't forget the coup de grace!" "You bet!," Iggy called out, "This one's for Danny, you canine killer!" DIO's eyes widened in horror as Iggy farted right in his face, causing him to stumble backward. 'Oh good, it gets worse!' "Mon dieu Iggy," Polnareff said as the terrier landed on the ground, "Maybe take it easy on the coffee gum for a little while."

DIO growled. "The World!" As time froze, he used his Stand to extricate himself from the sand and remove the rapier from his brain. "All this just to humiliate me, Polnareff?" he growled, "I was so caught off guard you could have used that time to wiggle the rapier around in my brain and destroy it to kill me. How foolish of you not to go for that." He kneed Polnareff in the stomach, then walked over to Hol Horse before elbowing him in the ribs. "That's for the betrayal, not that I didn't see it coming what with you being a member of the Zeppeli family."

He then narrowed his eyes as he walked over to Iggy and kicked him. "This is why I hate dogs!" He took a deep breath. "And time continues...," he muttered allowing the effects of his actions to occur. Polnareff and Iggy went flying into the nearby walls, Iggy getting hit harder because of his smaller size, and Hol Horse doubled over from the pain. Just then, several police officers arrived and pointed their guns at DIO. 'I guess I should have expected this, what with all the ruckus I've caused. Even if no one realizes what I've done, they can clearly connect the dots and realize I'm responsible.'

He grabbed one of the officers with his Stand and pulled him over, knocking the other one out at the same time. "I need to borrow your gun, officer," he said, pointing the barrel at Jotaro, then forcing him to pull the trigger. The shot seemed to hit Jotaro in such a way that it would hit his heart. Jotaro mentally chuckled as Star Platinum easily stopped the bullet. 'Star Platinum can easily catch a bullet fired from point-blank range. A bullet fired from that distance is nothing. Still, it's clear DIO is intending to focus on me now that the others are incapacitated.'

He quickly held his breath as DIO listened. "Hmm... I don't hear him breathing... What about his heartbeat?" Jotaro quickly had Star Platinum grab his heart to stop it while DIO put his ear to the ground. 'This is a really stupid idea... But it's the only way I'm gonna trick DIO.' DIO picked his head up when he realized he couldn't hear Jotaro's heartbeat. "It seems like he's dead... Should I risk getting in close to make sure..." He thought about it. "Well, I may not have a choice. Hol Horse rendered the sign post useless, and I'm hardly a good enough shot to try that route again."

He got in close, intending to feel Jotaro's pulse. Jotaro chose that moment to have Star Platinum release his heart and grab DIO's hand. "What...!?," DIO called out. He tried to activate his Stand, but didn't have enough time as Jotaro smashed Star Platinum's fist into DIO's skull. The impact sent DIO sailing, as Jotaro went to check on the others. "You guys okay?" "He pretty much knocked the wind outta me," Hol Horse said, "I'll live, but I don't think I stand a chance against him. I'm better off getting Avdol to safety."

"I'm more or less okay too," Polnareff said, "I can still walk at least. Iggy, are you alright? I saw you hit the wall pretty hard." "It coulda been worse...," Iggy muttered, "I managed to use The Fool to cushion the blow... Got hit pretty hard though... I can't afford to use my Stand anymore until I recover... I just need to rest..." Polnareff picked the little terrier up. "I'll look after him. Jojo, you get after DIO. You're the only one who can stand against him at this point. Mister Joestar is too busy looking after Kakyoin and Fluttershy."

Jotaro nodded and walked over to where DIO was. Naturally the century-old vampire was still alive, but only due to his immortality. Jotaro's attack had pushed DIO's vampire physiology past what he could regenerate, at least on his own, and the effect could be seen as he struggled just to sit up on some nearby stairs. He growled at Jotaro. "So you used your Stand to stop your heart... Risky move... If I hadn't chosen to approach you, you could have easily killed yourself on accident..."

He tried to get up, only to slip and cause further injury. "Damn it... My legs can't move..." He then felt Jotaro splash him with something, and gasped. "Gasoline! Do you really think to immolate me at this point!?" "There's no guarantee that would work," Jotaro noted, "After all, you survived burning to death in the old Joestar mansion. In actuality, I'm using this to smell you out. No matter where you run. That said..." He turned on his lighter. "Burning you now would certainly weaken you enough to keep you in one place until the sun rises."

The sound of a taxi could be heard, and DIO chuckled. "That will have to wait. The World!" Time instantly froze, and Jotaro watched as DIO made his way to the taxi. Once he grabbed the bumper, DIO let time start once more. As the taxi sped off, Jotaro scoffed. "So he wanted to keep his ear to the ground to listen for traffic." He pulled a knife out of his shoulder. "But I won't let him get away so easily." Star Platinum took the knife from his shoulder and threw it, popping the taxi's tire and sending DIO tumbling across the pavement.

"You've hurt or killed a lot of people I care about DIO," Jotaro said, "I'm not about to show you mercy." DIO noticed he was near a manhole and tried to open it, but Jotaro had already thought of that and moved through the sewers himself. "Damn you! The Wo--" Jotaro stopped DIO before he could call his Stand with another blow to the vampire's skull. "You're old enough as it is," Jotaro quipped, "I think you've stopped time for long enough."

"ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA!" As DIO went flying, he chuckled. "I've finally out-smarted you! Don't you realize where we are? Or do all the streets look the same to a tourist?" Jotaro gasped. 'Damn... Don't tell me...' Sure enough, DIO landed near Jonathan's body, and began drinking the corpse's blood. "A final gift... From my one-time brother! Jonathan, I truly hope you rest in peace, but I will soon send your descendants to join you!"

He cackled as he experienced the new rush of power. "This is incredible! Joestar blood... In a Joestar body... The rush of power is so... Intoxicating! And how perfect that it's akin to a father helping his son grow stronger!" He laughed madly as he started scratching his head hard enough to draw blood. He then plunged his hand deeper into Jonathan's corpse, sucking it dry. Jotaro scoffed. "Do you always enjoy desecrating the dead? Not just creating zombies, but now drinking corpses dry. As if I didn't have enough reason to kill you."

DIO laughed. "Then let the final battle begin! After I defeat you, finishing off the rest of your friends will be all too easy! The World!" Time stopped as Jotaro and DIO leapt at each other. Jotaro was starting to learn how to move longer in the frozen time, enough to strike at DIO multiple times, even breaking his hand through his Stand. But DIO chuckled. "It's now been six seconds... And time is still frozen! The blood of Jonathan Joestar has made me stronger than ever! And Jotaro, it looks like you can't move anymore!"

He laughed harder than ever. "It was a hundred years ago that I achieved immortality! But that rush was nothing compared to the power I feel now!" He began digging into his temple with his finger. "This rush... This energy! I never thought I could get so strong! So powerful!" He closed as his eyes as he continued to smile. "Nine seconds... But it looks like this is my new limit." He summoned The World and aimed it's fists right at Jotaro. "MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA!"

Jotaro found himself sailing across the Cairo sky. "Damn... Even thought I'm so angry at all he's done... It seems I'm not angry enough." DIO smirked. "Angry enough? How interesting! Let me see if I can kill you before your anger can be enough for you to kill me!" The World kicked Jotaro across the Nile and onto a nearby bridge. 'His attacks... They're becoming less creative, but more destructive. And now it looks like he's getting ready to freeze time again.'

DIO smiled. "This will end it Jotaro Kujo! The World!" As time stopped, Jotaro saw DIO disappear. 'That can't be good. I only get two seconds to react. I need to time this right. I think... I think I've learned something more valuable than merely moving in DIO's stopped time. I just need to use it at the right moment.' His eyes then widened as he saw a dark shadow come over him. DIO laughed. "Take this! Road Roller!" Jotaro grunted. "Star Platinum!"

"ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA!" Star Platinum punched with all its might on the bottom of the road roller as it came down. "MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA!" The World started doing the same from the top to keep the road roller going. "Eight seconds now!," DIO noted, "And you'll be flat as a pancake before times up!" The road roller crashed to the ground. DIO breathed heavily. "Finally... It's done..."

He started laughing. "The World has defeated Star Platinum! Now no one can stand before me! All humans will soon kneel power my wisdom and power! This world now belongs to D--" He suddenly realized he was frozen in place. 'Why can't I move? Why can't... Why can't I... No... No! NO NO NO NO NO!' "Eleven seconds," Jotaro said from behind DIO, "I guess that's your limit." DIO couldn't believe his ears. 'NO! NO! NO! NO! BULLSHIT! BULLSHIT!'

"That's right DIO," Jotaro said, "I can stop time now too. I did it right at the nine second mark, and used that to get out from under the roller. Now it's my world you're in. How's it feel to have someone sneak up behind you while you can't move? At this rate, it won't even take a second to kill you." DIO was now furious. "J... Jotaro!" "Tell you how it feels from my perspective," Jotaro said, "It's like a guy who can hold his breath underwater for about a minute."

He grabbed DIO's shoulder. "And just as he comes up for air at the very end... Yoink! Someone grabs his leg and drags him underwater. Something like that, right? I'd feel sorry for a guy like that... But not for you. After all, it's because of you that my mother is dying, but you don't even care about that." Star Platinum kicked at DIO's legs, breaking them. "That one was for Fluttershy," Jotaro said, "You're lucky she's still alive, or I'd have ripped them off altogether. And now... Time continues."

DIO went tumbling across the bridge, screaming in pain. "Look at you DIO," Jotaro said, "Completely helpless and pathetic. I have no sympathy for you. But it'd leave a bad taste in my mouth to kill you here while you can't defend yourself. So, how long would it take you to heal your legs? Three, maybe four seconds? As soon as you do, I'll have Star Platinum split your skull. If this was a Wild West gun duel, it'd be the moment were one of the cowboys says, 'Draw.'"

DIO had a lethal grin on his face. 'A bad taste you say? Are you afraid you'll regret it? Your reasoning stinks like a rat turd in a bathroom. That foolish honor will be your demise. I don't think like that. All I have is a simple goal... Just one! To win and dominate at all costs... That is all that can fulfill me! The methods don't matter, only the end!' He waited until his blood started to spurt, then kicked, blinding Jotaro. "It's over!," DIO announced, "Die Jotaro!"

"Star Platinum!," Jotaro called out, his Stand striking The World right in the knee hard, stopping the attack. Star Platinum's hand started to crack as blood spurted from Jotaro's hand. DIO grinned, but not for long, as The World started showing cracks of its own, and they were getting wider and spreading. "Wha...!?," DIO said in disbelief. The cracks continued to spread across The World as it started to crumble.

DIO screamed in rage and pain as the effects were copied on him. "How can this be happening!? It's impossible! I am the great DIO!" Before he could continue ranting, his head exploded. This time he didn't have time to sever it. DIO was officially dead. Jotaro breathed a sigh of relief. "You'll be dust when the sun comes up. The reason you lost was simple, DIO. You made just one mistake..." He swiped a finger across his hat brim. "You pissed me off."