A Devil with an Angel's Heart

Chapter 24, Part 2

||Jotaro

He woke up due to some noise. When he opened his eyes he saw that Polnareff had dodged the Anubis sword swung by the barber who had cut himself in the chest. "Don't tell me....The Stand took control of the barber?!" Polnareff muttered, "So what Kate said was true!" The barber possessed by Anubis growled Polnareff's name and swung the sword. Polnareff summoned Silver Chariot, blocking the attack. "In the end it doesn't matter! I'm still way outta your league, buddy." Polnareff declared. Jotaro chose to stay out of this for now. This was Polnareff's fight after all. Jotaro just hoped Kate wouldn't find out about this. He was mad at himself, he shouldn't have let his guard down, especially after Kate had warned him! She would be furious! The barber and Polnareff were locked in a stalemate. Silver Chariot's rapier was pushed back, giving the Stand a cut on the forehead causing the same to happen to Polnareff. Great, now Kate would definitely ask questions as to how this happened. At least a cut like that could be easily explained. "What? How are you so strong?!" Polnareff wondered. "If you must know, I took the liberty of learning Chariot's moves during our last fight! I won't lose twice to the same opponent. I must admit, the will of that girl was stronger than expected, but even she wouldn't be able to beat me twice! Do you understand?" the barber revealed. Jotaro got up but before he could even think of doing anything Polnareff told him to stay back. "Trust me it's too dangerous to try using Star Platinum's bare fists against this blade! The sword will slice through them! Kate was right! The barber is the puppet! And that's not even the worst part; this Stand is even stronger than it was before!" Polnareff declared while Silver Chariot drew back his arm a swung his sword to deliver a mighty attack. However, the Anubis Stand blocked it causing Chariot's sword to vibrate and ring. The barber chuckled menacingly, "Too much for you? I suppose I should be grateful you've shown me the limits of your defence, "That's very kind of you. Now, then. Let's see if you have what it takes for my next attack. Shall we, Polnareff?" The barber charged, swung his sword and though he blocked it Polnareff was pushed back and sent flying into the mirror. "Polnareff!" Jotaro let out hating to be made standing on the side-lines. The barber screamed and attacked Polnareff relentlessly. The French had no choice but to back up, crawling back on the floor. "His powers keep increasing with every strike! I can't keep parrying forever! Sooner or later he's gonna get me!" Polnareff noted. The barber drew back for one final powerful attack. Polnareff took a nearby blanket and threw it in the air. The blanket shielded him from view shortly stopping the barber. Chariot aimed his rapier, "Now, take this!" The rapier was launched, bouncing off of a beam and heading straight towards the barber. But the enemy dodged! "How in the...?!" Polnareff wondered. "In case you haven't realised the obvious. I know all your moves now. It doesn't matter who my wielder is, as long as I've battled you at least once. I'll never ever, never, never ever, never lose twice!" Anubis declared. "I'm not gonna win this without my rapier..." muttered Polnareff, "Jotaro! Help me out here!" "Star Platinum." Jotaro summoned his Stand, the purple figure appearing behind him. Anubis noticed and came charging toward the teen, sword brandished. Star Platinum punched the barber square over the face sending him flying through the window. "Think that finished him off?" Polnareff asked. "No, that punch was shallow, even though it took just about everything I had. Shit. This guy's strong. It's been quiet a while now since we encountered a Stand that only relies on strength." Jotaro answered. Meanwhile, several men had surrounded the barber. "Hey, Khan, are you all right? Hey..." one of them said. The barber possessed by Anubis sat up, "Not bad, Star Platinum. The rumours of your speed were true. But now that I've seen it, I can easily defeat it." "Hey Kahn, what's wrong with you?" the same man who had asked whether he was all right spoke up as the barber stood up. "Stay back! Your friend is being controlled." warned Polnareff, "If you don't wanna be sliced in ribbons, go back inside and hide!" The man did as told while Jotaro and Polnareff approached the possessed man. "We're in major trouble, Jotaro. The more we fight this Stand, the faster it gets. And its next attack will probably its fastest and strongest, yet! We have to be ready for whatever this glorified butter knife throws at us." Polnareff warned. The barber jumped high into the air brandishing his sword for a powerful attack as he came down. Jotaro pushed Polnareff aside, "Move, Polnareff! I'm the one he's really after!" "Get outta there, Jotaro." Polnareff shouted. Star Platinum appeared and stopped the blade between his hands. "What? He caught it with his bare hands?!" the barber was caught by surprise. Star Platinum gathered his strength, still holding the blade and broke it with a loud 'ora'. "Amazing! For him to take that great a risk!" the barber exclaimed, "Now it's become abundantly clear. The secret to Star Platinum's strength isn't its speed or precision. It's Jotaro's nerves of steel and ability to make quick decisions! Yes, now I know...for sure." These words left the barber mouth before he collapsed and Anubis lost his control over the man. Jotaro panted, this had been a risky move, "Is he dead?" he wondered. Jotaro knelt down, about to touch the sword. "Hold on a second, Jotaro. He's just knocked out!" Polnareff stopped him, "Whatever you do, don't touch that sword." The French came running towards him. "You snapped it in half, but the Stand's powers might still be lingering. I'm sure Kate could tell us more to that, but she's not here right now, so we should be extra careful. This sword controls anyone who touches it while unsheathed. Let's get the blade inside without touching the hilt." Polnareff used the scabbard to scoop up the broken blade. Once it was inside he sighed in relief, "Now what? If someone draws it again, we're done for. The damn thing has already learned all of our abilities. I don't think we're gonna get any second chances. By now, I even think it risky to give it to Kate's contact. Just think about it, a demon possessed by Anubis? Even if demons are harder to possess, the consequences would be fatal..." Polnareff pondered. Jotaro's eyes fell upon the river not too far from them, "Why not toss it into the river to rust at the bottom of the Nile?" he suggested. "The Nile, huh? That sounds like a great plan to me!" Polnareff agreed. Jotaro was relieved, now Kate would never have to know of their blunder. They could just say Polnareff was clumsy and hit his head somewhere and that they decided the fastest and safest solution was to toss the sword into the Nile. "Hold it! This is the police!" a man yelled from behind. Of course. Why couldn't things be easy for once? Was it his shitty luck or was it Polnareff's? "This is perfect timing! This guy needs a hospital!" Polnareff explained. Jotaro doubted that the police would make this easy for them. "I have multiple reports of a brawl at the barber shop!" the policeman declared, "What are you doing with that sword?" he interrogated then took a hold of the sword, demanding Polnareff hand it over. The two started pulling the sword back and forth. "Hey, stop it, would ya? Don't pull it out!" Polnareff growled. However, the sword was accidently pulled out as Polnareff pulled on the hilt to keep it in his own hands as it was too dangerous for the policeman to take it. Polnareff stopped in his movements for a moment before his eyes started glowing purplish. "No, damnit!" Jotaro muttered under his breath. "These eyes. That stare. Polnareff's being controlled by the swords spell." he thought. This was the worst possible outcome! Now, Jotaro would have to fight and defeat his friend and beat a Stand that kept learning. Maybe now it was good that Kate wasn't here. Jotaro didn't want to start to imagine had Anubis fought Kate, learned her moves or even worse managed to possess her and user her abilities against him. "Hey! You there, you drew the sword!" the policeman yelled, gaining Polnareff's or rather Anubis attention. Anubis chuckled, "I drew the sword, did I? Officer, you should really be more careful with your accusations since you call yourself a servant of the law!" Polnareff brandished the broken sword. "Take it easy! What are you doing?" the officer asked. "I'm simply attacking the culprit who unsheathed the sword!" Polnareff grabbed the man by the collar and swung down his sword. Jotaro kicked the policeman aside, sending him flying into a nearby closed shop and thus saving his life. "I don't know who you are and where you're hiding but I think it's safe to say Polnareff's under your control." muttered the raven-haired. "Come to think of it. I've never had to fight Polnareff before. And I can't pull punched with Chariot as an opponent. If I'm not smart about this, I could end up killing Polnareff." he thought. Polnareff chuckled, "As I've said before, at this point I've already witnessed Star Platinum's entire repertoire of moves. And if I've done battle with you before, then I will never lose again!" Polnareff declared and swung the broken Anubis sword. Jotaro dodged the several stabs and swings that were delivered his way. Finally he summoned Star Platinum, the Stand punching Polnareff but only hitting the blade of the sword. The purple figure then had to block a punch delivered by Silver Chariot. Polnareff kept swinging his sword and all Jotaro could do was block and parry. "His speed...it's incredible. He's getting fast enough to outpace me! I have to find a way to stop that sword!" this ran through his mind. The sword came down from above. "I'll catch it again!...He sped up!" he thought as the blade bypassed Star's hands and now came straight for the Stand's face. "I'll take your head!" the possessed Polnareff exclaimed. Star headbutted the sword, the blade cutting into his shoulder instead. Jotaro didn't feel the pain, too much adrenaline was running through his veins. But this gave him the opportunity to punch Polnareff with Star Platinum. They both went flying back. Polnareff broke a phone mast and Jotaro broke a fire hydrant in the process. Jotaro sat up, seeing that Polnareff was still down, "His speed and power are overwhelming. Without a doubt this is the fastest Stand I've ever faced. At the rate I'm going this won't end well. I have to fight Polnareff with everything I've got, or I'm dead." he thought. Polnareff started laughing, "So, you headbutted the sword after you realised you couldn't catch the blade. Honestly, I didn't think you were capable of something like that. I almost had you, but now...I've acquired that skill as well." Polnareff chuckled again, "Jotaro. I can tell that you're thinking that the only way to survive is to kill your friend Polnareff. Even if you wanted to, it's naïve to think it's that easy. Take a close look, Jotaro. What I'm about to show you will put and end to this once and for all." Polnareff declared after he had gotten up. Jotaro got up as well, "So let's see if you can beat this, Jotaro!" Polnareff summoned Silver Chariot who now held both swords, his own rapier and the Anubis sword. Now that would have been a job for Kate.... Feast your eyes on Silver Chariot and Anubis: Two-sword technique!" Polnareff declared. After a short visual stand-off Polnareff started spinning the two swords, then attacked. The two exchanged punches and stabs at an incredible speed. Jotaro mostly on the defence. He received a cut on his cheek. "Damnit." he thought, "This extra sword...coupled with this accelerating speed. Even Star Platinum won't last long." "What's the matter? Are you feeling a little tired, Jotaro?" Polnareff taunted. Star Platinum kicked Silver Chariot's leg away, causing his opponent to lose balance for a moment." I'll stop him before he kills me!" he though to himself and used Star Finger to destroy Chariot's armour. Polnareff only chuckled shortly, "My right arm is as light as a feather now. Interesting. I guess that was an option! You didn't see that coming, did you? Round two armour release!" Jotaro indeed was surprised but now he had to go into offence! And thus, Star Platinum rained down a barrage of punches, each accompanied with a ora. "You fool! Your ridiculous 'ora, ora' is no match for two swords wielded by two master swordsmen!" Polnareff declared. Chariot moved behind some bushes and cut them. Star punched them out of the way and once he was finished he realised the enemy's plan. He had walked straight into the trap. Star's hands were pinned together above his head by Chariot's rapier. "You stomach is wide open!" declared Polnareff and stabbed the teen into the gut. "I got you now!" he cheered. Jotaro spit out lots of blood. Anubis turned visible in his purple aura, "Master Dio! I have exterminated Jotaro! I, Anubis, have finally put him down! Victory is mine!" he cheered. Jotaro panted and summoned Star Platinum, who had disappeared after being stabbed, again. Star grabbed the blade in the teen's stomach. Anubis laughed, "Just forget it! You're not going to be able to pull out that blade. Just give up already. I'm not sure if your tiny brain has realised it but I've surpassed Star Platinum. And now the final thrust." announced Anubis, while Star Platinum's fingers tightened around the blade. Jotaro spit up more blood, "The final thrust?" he asked. "Yes, precisely! Once I slice open your bowels Master Dio will rejoice!" Anubis affirmed. "Please, stop this. Don't drive the blade in any further." Jotaro said, "It...It'll be murder." "Nice try! but you won't get any mercy from me! I can't wait to spill your guts!" Anubis declared. Star Platinum faded away, then reappeared in a burst of energy and punched the blade, breaking it. He repeated the process steadily increasing speed, breaking down the sword piece by piece. "What?! You're breaking me! I have to pull free!" Anubis screamed, "No, stop!" Star only stopped when he reached the hilt, the sword completely destroyed. "Maybe I'm wrong, but weren't you saying something about slicing me open?" Jotaro inquired before Star destroyed the hilt. The vision of Anubis burst into pieces and disappeared. "I told you it'd be murder. But the murder I was talking about was yours." Jotaro held his stomach wound, then removed his hand, the sword piece still stuck inside falling out, "You're a pretty easy target when the sword isn't moving around." The teen fell onto one knee starting to feel the exhaustion and pain of the fight. "What a pain in the ass. This is the toughest opponent I faced. That last attack took everything I had. Luckily it was just enough to defeat him before he learn it like the rest of the attacks. This is new, I've never been so exhausted!" He slumped forward, grunting in pain, "I have to find Avdol and the old man..." Polnareff who had collapsed after Anubis's defeat started stirring. "What in the world just happened?" Polnareff wondered, holding his head, "The sword didn't possess me like the other guys did it?" "Yeah, it did. But it's over now." Jotaro panted, "Forgive me, just get the old man and Avdol. I'm too tired to walk." "WHAT THE HELL?! Would one of you please tell me what happened here?!" When Jotaro thought that Anubis was the toughest enemy he had fought he was certainly proven wrong by Kate's booming voice. He and Polnareff had yet to deal with the woman's wrath. "There I take my eyes off of you for one minute and this is what happens?! You have five seconds to explain this to me, and it better be good!" Kate growled, glaring at the both of them. Polnareff gave her a quick rundown of what had happened. "I don't care as to what happened! Tell me how it happened!" Kate demanded, so Polnareff did as told, knowing better than to try and hide it from her. "What?! Are you telling me this happened because you gave the sword away?! Seriously! How can someone be this stupid. I mean, I kinda expected it from Polnareff but you, Jotaro?! Really?! How could you fall asleep on a mission of such importance! I even told you to be careful! Argh! I knew I should have taken it with me, even though I didn't have the time to waste it on it, but I was stupid enough to believe you two competent enough to finish the job!" Kate growled. "We're sorry, Kate..." Polnareff started. "Sorry my ass!" Kate yelled, not caring that several spectators were around, witnessing the two huge men being scolded by a girl only half as big. Though, no one said a word. He anger rolled off of her in waves and everyone knew better than to approach her now, well almost. One incredibly stupid individual dared talk to Kate. "Excuse me, miss? You are incredible. Why don't you dump these two dumbasses and come with me instead?" Kate whirled around. Oh, if looks could kill. "You imbecile! You have no right to say that. These two dumbasses you're talking about just so happen to be my dumbasses. So move you ugly face outta my sight or I'll send you to hell with a personal recommendation to send you straight to the hellhounds for lunch! Useless worm!" Kate yelled, causing the man to flinch, now under direct bombardment with Kate's unbridled wrath. With sheer unimaginable strength she lifted the man by the collar and threw him into a nearby shop window, then she whirled back around, glaring at the two men. Polnareff had sat up, offering Jotaro a band aid. "Give me that!" she roughly snatched it out of the French's hand, "As if that will help anything. Go and get Avdol and the old man! Whatcha' waiting for? Go!" she growled, then took a deep breath, then disappeared. Polnareff suddenly noticed Iggy. "Iggy, what are you eating? Is that a lollypop? Eating right off the ground again...You filthy mutt." he said before finally leaving to get the other two men. After a short moment Kate returned, first aid kit in hand. "Think you can make it to that bench over there? Oh, hello Iggy." she asked, her voice much softer, now, that she had rained down her anger over the two. Jotaro nodded and, slightly leaning onto Kate made his way to the bench. Kate had no qualms about taking his shirt off to see the extent of his injuries. Her eyes fell upon his stomach wound, "Do I wanna know how this one happened?" she asked. Jotaro only shook his head in answer, too tired to say anything. Kate sighed, all right. You're gonna have to lie down for this one." she explained, then added that this would hurt. That was all the warning he got, before Kate cleaned the wound. Her anger hadn't completely passed, yet, as she wasn't exactly gentle while patching him up. Her movements were rough, a little lesson for him to be more careful in the future. But Jotaro couldn't complain, her immense anger only proved how much she cared. He smiled slightly as she worked away. When she finally turned to tend to his face he muttered, "I'm sorry." "You'd better!" grumbled the female.