The Blade's Edge (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders x Male O/C)

Chapter 30: The Return of Gladius, Battling Back the Flames

Gladius POV

It seems the old monk was already on to me. I can tell he'd be difficult to fight. I'd focus on him afterwards, the fact that him and Avdol had split up gave me the perfect opportunity. Cornering the fortune teller in a nearby alley, I placed one of my Stand's knives to his throat from behind and spoke.

"So, Lord DIO was right. Muhammad Avdol lives. It's been a while..."

Avdol turned to give me a wide-eyed sideways glance. "Gladius?" I let out a low laugh, "In the flesh. Though I must admit, when I first heard you were still alive, I was surprised. I'd thought Hol Horse and J.Geil could have been trusted for at least ONE task. But no."

My face shifted to a snarl "I could slice your throat now, fulfil what they could not. But... Where would the fun be in that?" I got rid of the knife and stepped back, allowing Avdol to face me properly.

I summoned Ace of Swords, had it conjure a scimitar which it pointed at Avdol as I ordered "Summon your Stand. I want to make this interesting. I've heard Magician's Red is quite destructive. I want to put that to the test."

Instead of obeying though, Avdol asked "You were following us in Aswan. How did you get here?" I replied with a malicious grin. 

"How else do you think? I came aboard the same boat as you. You know, my first encounter with another Stand user was the Stand Dark Blue Moon? I took a leaf out of its user's book, killed one of the boat's crew and assumed his role. No one batted an eye. Even your perceptive monk friend."

Avdol asked another question "How long have you been following us?" My grin only grew wider, almost Cheshire Cat-like. "Oh, I just happened to arrive in Aswan, tailing those annoying Oingo Boingo brothers. And they lead me right to you all."

"Oingo who?" Was all he asked to that, I replied "Exactly. Pathetic assassins, but they did their job. Now I can finish up what they started. Beginning with you. All for Lord DIO."

Avdol looked at me confused "Lord? From what I've been told, you never showed this sort of devotion before. Where did this come from?" This question was phrased weirdly as if he already had an answer. Yet he was asking anyway.

I spread my arms out, grinning "Lord DIO granted me the gift of his mercy. I failed him time and again and yet he chose to let me live. He told me I was still an asset to him. I cannot let him down! Now then. If you won't call your Stand..."

As I said this, Ace of Swords conjured a knife and prepared to throw it. This provoked Avdol to call out "MAGICIAN'S RED, RED BIND!"

With a screech and a burst of flames, his Stand manifested. Instantly raising its arms in the air. A swirl of fire built up around me, catching me off guard for a moment. The shock didn't last long though, soon being replaced by a returning grin.  

"Lord DIO told me you were the one who fought Polnareff when he was one of us. You must think that because you've beaten one sword-wielding Stand, you can beat the rest. Is that right?"

Avdol spoke "No, I'm well aware of how formidable you are. Mr Joestar got me up to speed on all his encounters with you. I know winning this fight won't be easy." To this, I glared at him from within the wisps of fire, saying "You won't be winning at all."

A scimitar was conjured in each of my Stand's hands. With a swift swipe from both, I caused the flames surrounding me to scatter. As soon as I was free from the flame prison, I dismissed the blades, instead throwing a flurry of knives.

Avdol countered by having Magician's Red shoot a barrage of fireballs from its mouth. The projectiles collided in mid-air. The fire burnt the knives to ashes which were blown away in the wind. This left us now stood face-to-face, our Stands active over our shoulders.