The Ludicrous Escapade Pt.3

No Man, No Madnesses

"Are you sure it was here?" Gyro prodded at the ground with his foot. "You didn't misplace it or something?"

"How would I misplace an entire body?" Johnny didn't get why Gyro bothered asking the question to begin with. "Yes! I'm sure it was here. The blanket and rope are all gone, too."

"Guys." You waved them over, pointing to the hoof prints you had found. "Someone stole it. They put the corpse on their horse."

"So there's still an enemy." Johnny inspected the prints closer. "But that's so strange. None of us heard anyone approaching. It's unbelievable. There must be some kind of technique here. Based on where the hootprints lead off to, they seem to be heading East."

"What on Earth does that mean?" Lucy thought everything was over already. "President Valentine is dead, isn't he? Who could it possible be? There's still someone else? What do they want?"

"The corpse." It was what they had taken, after all. You recognized the hoof prints, though, but not exactly who they belonged to. "It must've been one of the participants in the race."

"It's Diego." Gyro practically spat out the name. "I'd recognize that bastard's hoof prints anywhere." Just like the taste of his horse's shit. "You should've just let him die, (Y/N). Now he's gone and stolen the corpse!"

"No... Well, it's not the Diego from our universe. See?" You followed where the hoof prints came from. They led out of the crater Valentine had died in, from between the dirt. "Before his death, Valentine must've given a different Diego a way over. He took the corpse and seemed to follow after the other racers." You wondered if he would come across the Diego actually from this universe. That could prove problematic.

"But if we have to fight Diego..." Gyro wasn't sure if there would be time to do that and win the race.

"Why don't (Y/N) and I take care of Diego?" Suggested Johnny. "You can just focus on winning. I only joined this race to walk again, so I don't care too much about the prize money. I assume the same goes for (Y/N)." Since he recalled you had joined to find a potential way back to your universe.

"Plus, if someone sees any of us fighting him, we could end up disqualified." And you assumed the Zeppeli did not want that. "Oh, but here's your other steel ball back, just in case."

Gyro nodded slowly as he took the weapon from your hand, "Okay... you two better not do anything stupid without me there to help."

"Wait." Mr. Steel stepped forward. If you're planning to chase after Diego, then I have some advice and information to give you. I'm sure you remember how thoroughly prepared and careful President Valentine was. Yes... I remember that the President, some time ago, just before this race began, constructed a shelter beneath Manhattan island. From the events that occurred up until now, if I were to make a guess, I think it was perhaps a place to house the corpse after it was all gathered."

"An underground shelter?" You pulled out a map, hoping Steven would be able to mark its location for you or something.

"In other words... If the corpse gets stored there, no matter what army or Stand ability tries to break in or destroy it, it'll be impossible, a completely safe place. There's no doubt about it! The thief must be heading there! It's in Manhattan below Trinity Church." Mr. Steel pointed to a spot on your map, a place already marked. "It coincides with the goal site for the Steel Ball Run!"

"I guess that's kinda convenient, then, isn't it?" You wouldn't have to take some big detour or anything.

"Well, I sure as hell ain't complaining." Gyro hopped back onto Valkyrie. "Come on, guys. Let's go."

So you and Johnny followed behind him, having mounted your own horses. The three of you waved farewell to Lucy and Mr. Steel, ready for the final stretch of the Steel Ball Run. Only two stages left to complete.