Gladius POV

Getting a flight from Egypt to Hong Kong on such short notice seemed impossible. However it seemed luck was on my side, I found a flight with one seat left available for the next evening. So without hesitation, I booked the tickets and that evening, off I went.

During the flight, I had a lot on my mind. Firstly, Enya seemed convinced the group lead by that 'Joestar' would be stopped in Hong Kong. It seemed I wasn't the only mercenary being hired for this task. How many more were there?

There was also the matter of DIO himself. Something unsettled me, when he spoke. Were those, fangs? I pulled out my ancestor's diary and flicked to that one entry that had puzzled me for years. One of the first entries he wrote. 

Reading it again, it seems I'd have to keep an eye on DIO for the time being. Doing this job for him, may give me the answers I needed. I turned the page and flicked through the diary to a page at the very back, where I'd attached something of my own.

I'd had these gifts since I was born, of course I now knew they were called Stands. However there was a specific reason why I continued to be a Mercenary, my son, Sylvester. Out of the money I made, most of it was for him. I couldn't be there for him, but I did my best to provide support.

I'd gotten lost in my thoughts until we were informed we would be coming in to land. Putting the diary away, I looked at the photo DIO had provided, the four who would supposedly be my targets...

Timeskip...

Upon arriving, the first thing I did was plan. I'd thought about this on the plane, if they'd been forced to be landed here. Then it's possible they may not take a plane a second time. What other methods could they use? A boat?

I focused my search on the docks. It was unclear what ship they'd be taking so I remained vigilant for anything that could give me a lead. And it seemed, after about an hour, I found it. I eventually came across a man overseeing one of the ships.

He wore a blue shirt with a red scarf and your typical sailor's hat. If I was to make a guess, I'd say he was the captain of this ship. I figured I'd ask if he saw anything that could help. I walked over and spoke up "Hello."

The ship captain turned to me, for a moment he seemed confused however he responded "Oh, hello. Is there something I can help you with?" I reached into my pocket and fished out the photo of Joestar's group.

"Yes actually. I'm looking for the four in this picture. You wouldn't happen to know anything would you?" For a moment, it seems something flashed through the captain's eyes. He scanned the photo and was about to respond however one of his crewmen cut him off, asking.

"Captain, you okay down there?" The Captain turned to the sailor and responded "Yeah, yeah. Tell the rest of the crew to go down to the hold and make sure everything is secure. I'll come aboard once I've finished up business here." The sailor replied "Yes captain." Before going aboard.

The captain then proceeded to walk around me, speaking "I might know something, those same people have hired my services recently. They'll be here within a few hours, we were just making the final preparations before they arrive. Which leads to tying up one last loose end."

My eye twitched for a moment before a sudden loud splash was heard! I turned around, my Stand appearing in an instant. However it was too late, a large blue figure lashed out, gripping onto both my Stand's skeletal wrists and restraining it in place!

Behind me, I heard the Captain speak "So, you're another Stand user as well huh? I'm surprised. But it doesn't matter, whatever your Stand can do, I assure you that underwater, my Dark Blue Moon is supreme!"

Image of Dark Blue Moon:

Power: C

Speed: C

Range: C

Stamina: B

Precision: C

Development Potential: D

I turned to the Captain, seeing him take his cap off as his expression turned to a smirk. "I'll tell you a little secret before you're dragged into the depths. I'm not the real captain, the real captain is already out of the picture. Just as you will soon be."

Image of Imposter Captain Tennille:

He laughed as my Stand tried to wrestle out of the blue creature's grip before saying "I'm assuming you're another assassin after Joestar's little band? Well guess what, I'm not interested in splitting the reward with anyone, let alone a lowly punk like you."

I spat "Damn it!" Before utilising my Stand's ability. An axe appeared in its right hand, swinging the weapon around, I managed to cut the blue Stand's arm causing its grip to let go. It lunged into the dock's waters.

I spun around to glare at the false Captain as he smirked "A Stand that generates weapons at will. An impressive trick. However as I said before, once we hit the water my Dark Blue Moon will have you sleeping with the fishes."

I shot back "Well it's a good thing we're not underwater, isn't it?" The fake captain's smirk didn't fade as he said "Guess again." As soon as he said these words, I turned to my Stand. My eyes widened  as I noticed a cluster of barnacles forming across the axe I'd summoned.

Before I could react, the captain had rushed forward and tackled me! We both fell over the dock's edge and into the waters below! I just about managed to take in a deep breath before being submerged underwater.

Once I'd composed myself, I looked up to see the imposter captain floating opposite me, his Stand floated just behind him as he grinned at me. "Welcome to the depths. Down here my Dark Blue Moon is undefeated. Soon you'll be added to the list of victims."

When I didn't respond, he spoke "Allow me to tell you something before you die. It's actually possible to communicate through your Stand, just think of what you want to say and your Stand will say it."

I gave this a go. Sure enough, my voice began to come out. "Very well, but I have one question. What's a Dark Blue Moon?" The captain gestured over his shoulder to his Stand. "It's my Stand, named after the Tarot card the Moon. You mean to say you haven't named your Stand? HAHAHA!" He let out a laugh before pointing at my arm.

"Hey now, would you look at that." Looking at what he was pointing at, my eyes widened. A cluster of BARNACLES began to appear on the axe I'd summoned earlier and were beginning to latch on to the skeletal hand of my Stand.

The captain continued laughing "HAHAHAHA! Fool! This is one of Dark Blue Moon's abilities. When your Stand struck it earlier, I was able to plant barnacles across your weapon. They'll soon cover your Stand completely and render it powerless to my next technique."

His Stand raised both its arms and began to spin them. I wasted no time lunging forward and swiping at him with the axe from earlier. However, being underwater, I was unable to move as quickly as I wanted, he effortlessly swum over it, going over and stopping behind me.

He kept on mocking "I told you already boy, in the water I have the advantage. I bet I can guess what you're thinking. How long can I keep this up? Who'll drown first, him or me? Well I'll tell you what! I have a lung capacity far beyond that of a normal human. My record stands at six minutes and twelve seconds!"

Pointing once again, he said "Even if you could defeat me, could you do it before you drown? A shame we won't be able to test that, with what I have in store for you!" It was at this point I realized why his Stand was spinning its arms.

The water around us began to rotate. I used my Stand to form a knife and attempted to throw it, however it got caught in the swirling stream and flew off to the right. The captain boasted " Even at its current state, the force of this whirlpool is too strong for you to throw a projectile! Not to mention, the barnacles are continuing to grow! At this point your Stand grows weaker!"

He was right, the whirlpool increased in strength to the point where it was now flinging me around in a loop. The barnacles had nearly engulfed my Stand's right arm completely, the axe was stuck to my hand now, I couldn't get rid of it to free-up for another weapon. However, that's when I thought of something.

I was stuck with the axe, but my other hand was still free. Raising it up, a sword appeared in its grip and in a swift slice, it began to cut along its own arm! The imposter exclaimed "What are you doing?!"

Through my Stand I was able to communicate. "The blades my Stand creates are sharper than any you'd encounter normally. With the level of precision it has as well, I can cut your barnacles off with no issue!"

One by one, the barnacles were coming away, being sucked into the whirlpool's stream. Soon enough they were completely removed and I was free to think about ending this. Even now, the imposter was gloating.

"So what if you removed the barnacles! I have one more trick up my sleeve!" As he said this, I felt a sharp slicing pain strike my face, then another on my leg. More and more came, it took me to realize what they were. Scales! 

The imposter explained. "You said your blades were sharp? Well, I can promise you this, my scales are sharper and quicker than any pathetic tool you can summon! HAHAHAHA!" Fortunately for me, with my arm free, I could get rid of the axe and summon another sword in its place. 

With them both I did my best to deflect the oncoming scales, only a few of them got through and it was at this point I came up with my plan. I found that as I spun my blades, due to my Stand's speed, it pushed my back almost like a boat's propeller. 

The imposter asked "What are you planning to do now huh?! This fight is over, no matter how you look at it!" I shot a glance toward the imposter and angled myself. My Stand took this chance to go full force, propelling both it and myself towards him!

His eyes widened as he cried "WHAT?!" I shot towards him like a torpedo, once I was close enough, I spun around, banished the swords and summoned a spear in their place. The tip of which stabbed right through his lower abdomen!

Time seemed to stop form him. In an instant, Dark Blue Moon vanished, the whirlpool stopped and we were both left drifting in the water. Blood seeped from the wound, floating upwards in the water as the imposter gasped "B-but... H-how... How did you beat me..."

I could have left him there, swum back to the surface and let him die down here. However instead, I grabbed him by his shirt and began to pull him up slowly, it was a difficult task. But finally, I surfaced with what little breath I had left, by the end, I feared I'd pass out..

Upon reaching the surface, I gasped for air. I gripped the side of the dock and pulled the imposter up. I slumped him over the edge of the dock before pushing myself up. Now stood on firm ground, I hunched on my hands and knees and caught my breath.

My head snapped to the side as I heard the imposter ask "Why, why did you save me?" I looked at the blood stain growing on his shirt. I glared blankly and spat in an annoyed voice. "Don't thank me. I don't like killing people unnecessarily. I have no quarrel with you, except for the one you made."

I knelt over and summoned a knife with my Stand, holding it in a threatening manner as I said. "Now, tell me, where are the Joestar's heading using your boat?" The imposter coughed up water for a moment before answering.

"T-they wanted passage to Egypt, however I planted an explosive on the ship. Even if I fail, they won't be getting far. There are more Stand users out there you see..." This piqued my interest, I asked "What?"

The imposter laughed only to be cut-off by a cough. "Strength, the Devil, Temperance and more. In Singapore... They won't get far." It was clear what my next steps would be, this imposter wouldn't win a four against one fight, if his bomb failed, it's likely the Joestars would arrive in Singapore. Where more of these Stand users would await, myself included.

Without a word, I stood up and began to walk away only to hear "Hey!" I turned to see the imposter glaring at me. "You're making a mistake turning your back on me boy. What's to stop me from killing you here and now?"

My expression was serious as I said. "The mercy I show is your last chance. Try anything and I'll have Ace of Swords slice your head from your body." I smirked "I took your advice. My Stand needed a name, I felt I'd name mine after a tarot card as well. Ace of Swords fit the bill. Good luck."

I continued walking, leaving the imposter behind as I muttered "Ace of Swords... Good pick". I had my next goal, find a boat to Singapore. I wasn't about to chance a plane again, I was lucky to get the one from Egypt to here. 

From my own encounter, I knew the imposter wouldn't succeed against Joestar's whole group alone and he didn't seem like the sort to accept an alliance. My only question now though...

Was how many more Stand users had DIO hired?

Author's Note: And that's it for this chapter, the first Stand battle for this whole series, and just a taste of what's to come. I really hope you enjoyed and as always, thank you for reading.