Gladius POV

Wandering for a good hour or two didn't yield much results. I didn't know where they'd gone, or if they'd split up at all. I walked around aimlessly for a moment, not encountering a separated member of the Joestar group. 

EXCEPT Joseph. I exited an alley onto a busy street where I saw him in his skirmish with Empress. Given that Nena was already dealing with him, I opted  to step back and leave. I did get a good look at a fully-developed Empress.

Image of Empress:

Power: C

Speed: E

Range: A

Stamina: A

Precision: D

Development Potential: D

From the brief glimpse of the Stand I'd got. My opinion of Empress hadn't improved, it also confirmed that if Nena attempted to betray me, I'd simply just cut Empress to ribbons before it could grow quick enough.

I didn't stick around for long though as I went on to continue looking for any other stragglers of the Joestar group. That in itself didn't take too long, as while I was looking around, I came across a familiar face.

In fact, I think we were both caught off guard for a second. As I rounded a corner to walk into another alley, I came face-to-face with none other than the last member of Joestar's group. The Silver Chariot user, Jean Pierre Polnareff!

It took a moment for either of us to react however as soon as he comprehended that I was in fact, in front of him. He stepped back in a tense stance, stating with a fierce glare "You!" I stepped back as well, snarling at him and replying. "So it would seem."

Over his shoulder, I saw Nena stood with her feigned innocent look on her face. Looking back at Polnareff, I spoke up "I'm honestly surprised that I'd be meeting you in particular, so soon after our last encounter. I should congratulate you on defeating J.Geil. And regarding that, I must ask something."

Polnareff looked confused. "What?" I answered by asking "Tell me, his Hanged Man Stand. Did it by any chance jump between reflective surfaces when one was destroyed?" Polnareff's confusion only increased as he answered "Uh, yes?"

Snapping my fingers, I said "I knew it. I'll tell you this, had you not returned from that fight, J.Geil would have been my target. In my life, I've never met anyone I hate more than I hated him." This provoked Polnareff to ask an interesting question. "Then why work for DIO? I doubt he's much different."

I didn't feel like explaining the 'why' of it at the moment. Instead I just said "I have my reasons." As soon as I'd said this, Ace of Swords appeared over my shoulder and conjured a rapier mirroring Chariot's own.

Glancing to Nena, I warmed "Stand back ma'am, you don't want to get involved." I grinned, looking to Polnareff yet again and saying "As I said last time, I aim to keep this fair. Now then, shall we?" Polnareff's confident grin appeared as well as he answered "Sounds good to me. Let's do this. SILVER CHARIOT!"

With that, his Chariot appeared and darted forward. Instantly going in for a swift barrage of stabs. With my own Stand's weapon, I was able to parry and retaliated with the exact same moves. 

Both our Stands lashed out in relentless stabs, small cuts appearing on both of us, though neither let up for a while. I laughed "Fool! I admire your bravery Polnareff, but do you really think you can beat me?! You needed Kakyoin's assistance last time and as far as I can tell, he isn't here to save you now!"

As this happened, my Stand moved to the side, causing Silver Chariot to stab forward, miss and become vulnerable. With the blade in my hand, I took this chance to aim for a stab through his Stand's stomach, intent on ending things quickly.

However Chariot's speed did rival my own after all, so before the attack could land, Chariot avoided it and went to aim at my Stand's head, or at least, the void that represented it. Raising the sword I'd conjured, I was able to catch this though.

With my other hand, I conjured another blade, this one resembling a scimitar which I  swung around promptly, catching Polnareff off guard and landing a large but shallow cut that sliced his chest. He lurched back and grunted in pain.

Still, he stood his ground. Glaring at me with gritted teeth as he exclaimed "Fine, you leave me no choice. Behold my Chariot's secret technique!" Before I could ask what he meant by this, his Stand was engulfed in puffs of smoke.

I noticed that the armour encasing Silver Chariot began to break away, shooting off in various directions. By the time the smoke cleared, all that remained of the Stand was a cybernetic-looking skeleton. The skeleton seemingly divided up into four. Though judging from the flickering effect they gave off, it was clear they were merely afterimages.

As they rushed forward, Polnareff explained "When my Silver Chariot sheds his armour, his speed increases drastically. You may have been able to keep up before. But how will you fare now?"

He was right, his Stand's speed had increased by quite a margin. I threw a handful of knives towards him only for each one to miss its mark as Chariot effortlessly dodged and landed a slash that cut across my cheek.

I let out a growl before reaching up, wiping the blood away with my hand and looking at it. I frowned in annoyance before turning back to Polnareff. "Your Stand has become faster. But it makes little difference, I can assure you of that!"

Polnareff just gave an arrogant smirk. "Oh yeah? That's what you all say, and you can never back it up in the end. Empty words won't change the outcome of this fight." I leaned forward, one of my eyes widening as I exclaimed "Empty words you say?! Try this!"

In a quick motion, both my blades were replaced with a pair of axes as I pointed forward, commanding Ace of Swords to charge. It did just that, lunging forward and swinging the axes downwards in a cross motion.

Chariot easily evaded this attack by leaping upwards, however this was what I wanted. I knew with Chariot's limited range, it couldn't get too far away. So, I began work on my trap. I threw some more knives, however as I did so, I conjured a spear and waited.

Just like before, Chariot managed to avoid the knives, darting back towards the ground. However as it did, I waited. Analysing the situation until I finally came up with the opportune moment. As soon as it came, the spear was thrown.

Even with its speed, Chariot couldn't evade the spear, causing it to stab into Chariot's shoulder. Blood spewed from the same area on Polnareff's body. He nearly fell back before clasping his wound. Just about keeping his footing.

I conjured another blade and lashed out, however even with the injury, Chariot barely countered and it was here I remarked. "That wound seems painful, painful enough prevent you from focusing on dodging my attacks. You may have been faster, but from our two encounters, I've found your Stand to be so predictable."

Raising the blade to finish him off, I said. "You are an impressive and honourable warrior, I'll give you that. But you handed me victory on a silver plater. Thank you." Polnareff didn't withdraw Chariot, intent on fighting to the last. When a gurgling sound filled the alley.

It took a moment to realize where it was coming from. It caught both mine and Polnareff's attention and made us pause our battle, looking around. My eyes widened as I once again saw Nena, this time she was hunched over, clasping her stomach.

Then she suddenly began VOMITING! Polnareff exclaimed "What the hell is this?! It's nasty! What's wrong Nena?!" I looked in disgust as I noticed strange objects appear in the vomit, bones, rotting fruits. All sorts. I spat "Nena, what the hell are you doing?!"

She didn't answer though, instead she hunched over again before suddenly lurching back. What happened next nearly made ME sick. Her body ripped open, eyes turning blank as a large woman in a purple attire emerged with a shrill shriek!

Image of Nena's true appearance:

So, this was Nena's true nature. I assume Empress allowed her to hollow out her victim's corpses and wear them like a suit. The young girl I'd interacted with was merely a shell. THIS was who Nena really was!

For a moment, neither of us reacted as Nena's body collapsed to the ground. Eventually though, I sighed and approached, checking for a pulse. Upon finding none, I looked up and clarified "She's dead. Damn." So much for THAT partnership.

My attention shot to Polnareff as I scowled "Take THIS POLNAREFF!" I summoned and prepared to throw a knife at him only for another voice to call out through the alley. "HERMIT PURPLE!" Before my Stand could attack, a cluster of purple thorny vines lashed out and whipped, knocking the knife away and causing it to disappear.

From behind Polnareff, emerged another figure. Of course, I recognized him from Singapore as Joseph Joestar, he eyed me with a stern look as the purple vines retracted into his hand.

Image of Hermit Purple:

Power: D

Speed: C

Range: D

Stamina: A

Precision: D

Development Potential: E

Joseph's attention shifted to Nena, saying "So, that's the Empress' Stand user... She attached her Stand to me as a tumour with a human face and camouflaged herself as a beautiful woman." He looked at me.

"And you, you were in on her scheme weren't you? You call yourself 'Gladius' right? You first attacked Kakyoin in Singapore but fled when we arrived. What was your plan here? While Empress dealt with me, you'd distract another?"

Polnareff still seemed shaken from his encounter with Nena, however Joseph spoke again. "Your plan has failed. I suggest you run along before you get yourself killed. Trust me, if your friend's fate here isn't proof, you should know DIO isn't a man to be trusted."

I scowled at the pair, Joseph continued "In moments, Kakyoin and Jotaro will be here. And you'll be even more outnumbered." He was right, I knew full-well I would be unable to face them all together. I only had one route.

"Then leave, I wish to at least move my comrade's body. For now, go on your way." I felt like a fool, once again having to by the one to step-back. However it wasn't weakness or cowardice, it was strategy.

Timeskip...

I buried Nena in an unmarked grave outside Varanasi. The only indication of its existence was a lone stone that I'd placed on it. I said no words, I didn't care for Nena, in fact she kind of disgusted me. However I had enough courtesy to not leave her body in a random alley.

This short detour though had allowed the Joestar group to move on their travels. I'd wasted no time getting back on the road. 

The hunt was far from over, however things were only going to escalate from here...

Author's Note: And that's it for this chapter. The Wheel of Fortune arc is next but that will only be one chapter and most of that chapter will be also part of the Justice arc. I really hope you enjoy and as always, thank you for reading.