Gladius POV

As soon as my eyes shot open, I knew something was amiss. Sitting up, I muttered to myself "Is it morning already?" However my eyes widened as I got a look at my surroundings. I'd been in the desert when I'd fallen asleep, but now I'd been transported to some kind of fairground!

I quickly got out of my sleeping bag and looked around. How the hell did I get here? I tried remembering what had happened the night before, Kakyoin had freaked out about the baby they were travelling with being a Stand user, Polnareff had knocked him out and I'd gone to sleep shortly afterwards.

I turned when I heard Joestar's voice behind me, asking in an equally confused manner "Why are we sitting around in the middle of an amusement park like a bunch of idiots?" 

Jotaro got up and quickly grabbed my collar snapping "Did you have anything to do with this?!" I snapped back, angered by the accusation "Of course not! I told you earlier, my Stand creates weapons, I can't do something like this!" 

Polnareff's reaction caught my attention though. He seemed genuinely frightened. "T-this is-. All of you, be on your guard! W-we're in a DREAM world! A horrible one, we've entered a world of NIGHTMARES!"

Joestar didn't really seem to mind, at the revelation of it being a dream he just lead back down. Polnareff turned and spoke "Listen, Kakyoin was telling us the truth! BABY, STAND! We're in enemy territory."

I stepped forward, asking "Wait, so this is the work of that baby you were with?!" Polnareff nodded "Yes, and for some reason the Stand revolves around dreams. If you wake up, you forget all about it." I muttered "I see. Dan was right."

This caused Jotaro to ask "What are you talking about?" I explained "When I interrogated Steely Dan, he told me that there were more Stand users out there. But he had no clue about identity or abilities. I can only assume this is one of them."

Polnareff realized that if Kakyoin was knocked out, he'd be here as well. He went off to find him however that's when Joestar pointed out "Polnareff, my God! What's going on with your hair!" True to his word, Polnareff's hair began to grow. 

It started out wobbling before shooting out in a number of directions, latching on to some nearby columns, the chain on Jotaro's coat grew bigger and wrapped around his neck, Joestar's prosthetic hand that I didn't know he had until now grew larger as well as heavier, causing it to crash into the ground as Joestar yelled "Holy shit!"

I looked down and my eyes widened as I saw the sleeves of my coat grew longer as well before abruptly wrapping around me like a straight jacket! I asked in anger and annoyance "What the hell is going on?!"

Around us, a series of high pitched laughs sounded around us as Polnareff began rambling, "Anything can happen in this world. There are no rules, nothing makes sense! He has total control over EVERYTHING! Wait, I remember there being one rule, if he wants to slice us to pieces, he'll have to use his Stand! And nothing BUT his Stand!"

As soon as he said these words, I noticed the lumbering figure approach us. It resembled a mechanical clown holding a scythe. I asked "Who are you?!" The figure just responded "This is my Stand, Death 13. Now you are at its mercy."

Image of Death 13:

Power: C

Speed: C

Range: E

Stamina: B

Precision: D

Development Potential: B

The Death 13 Stand yelled out "LALI HO!" Before lunging forward with its scythe. I spat "So, that's how you want to play this? Very well." It seems both me and Jotaro had the same idea. 

Polnareff tried warning, "You two, it's no use! It's impossible for us to bring our Stands into this world!" However regardless, we both called out respectively "STAR PLATINUM!" "ACE OF SWORDS!"

Contrary to Polnareff's words, both our Stand's appeared. However something seemed, off, notably, they both appeared in an almost cartoonish puff of smoke. And almost straight away, our own Stands TURNED ON US!

Star Platinum began punching at Jotaro while Ace of Swords summoned a battle-axe that it swung down at me, I barely managed to avoid the attack. Both our Stands burst out into fits of hysterical laughter.

A frying pan appeared in Star Platinum's hand which it repeatedly bashed itself in the face with, Ace of Swords on the other hand, began convulsing and writhing, at first I was confused however this soon was replaced with disgust.

Dribbles of red emerged from the black cloak and soon ORGANS began leaking out! ROTTING ORGANS! All the while my Stand continued laughing and convulsing as the grotesque body parts emerged from its cloak.

This only lasted a minute though as both the Stands suddenly began spinning until their faces were now replaced with those of Death 13. In unison, they spoke "LALI HO! WE'RE FAKES!" They both vanished in a puff of smoke.

Only to be replaced by another figure, a twisted amalgamation of our Stands! One half of its body was Star Platinum, the other, Polnareff's Silver Chariot, it had Death 13's head and wore Ace of Swords' top hat.

Death 13 explained in a mocking voice "A Stand is a manifestation of the mind, and what are dreams if not the mind laid bare?! My Death 13 has trapped you in your subconscious, which is why you can't summon your Stands! But, had you summoned your Stands before you fell asleep, you could have brought them with you. Like the clothes you're wearing, sleeping bags and your prosthetic hand. Death 13 will never be forced to face another Stand! And only a Stand can defeat a Stand, so I will always come out on top!"

He had already begun gloating of his victory, I mean, I didn't blame him. How could you defeat a Stand without your own Stands?  All hope seemed lost, however it was in that moment that I heard another voice speak.

"LALI HO."

Looking up, I was left surprised to see HIEROPHANT! Death 13 brushed it off as another fake and flicked it in the head. However in a swift movement, the Stand grabbed Death 13 around its throat and began choking it!

This was the REAL Hierophant Green, which could only mean one thing.

Looking around, I spotted him, sat on the nearby teacup ride. And I'll be honest, I never thought I'd be pleased to see Kakyoin of all people! Death 13's restraining effects wore off, my sleeves returned to their normal size as Polnareff also pointed out out Kakyoin's presence.

Kakyoin spoke "Did you forget I'd summoned Hierophant Green by the time I was knocked unconscious? I had it burrow underground to conceal itself. Now, it's time for your punishment, baby."

Death 13 flailed its scythe around, trying to strike at Hierophant. However given that it was on his back, he was only making a fool of himself. I grinned, genuinely impressed that Kakyoin found its blind spot with no issue whatsoever.

As his friends went over to greet him, apologising for last night's antics, I just remained transfixed on what was happening. I honestly wish I'd thought to have Ace of Swords out when I fell asleep, I'd have loved to have got a chance to take out Death 13 myself.

That's when something strange happened, the clouds began moving at rapid speeds, blowing through the sky. They joined together, taking on the form of a HAND! Jotaro warned "Kakyoin, you've got to get Hierophant away from its back now!"

However the warning came too late, the hand grasped hold of Death 13's scythe and brought it around! The scythe swung across, cutting not just Hierophant, but itself in half! Kakyoin dropped to the ground as Hierophant fell back.

Death 13 however simply moved its cloak to reveal that it didn't HAVE a body, just a pair of arms attached to the golden plating and a head. The Stand proclaimed "LALI HO! Haven't you figured it out?! Death 13's body is hollow! It's only a head, arms and scythe!"

This confidence was only short lived as Kakyoin proceeded to stand up, no injuries whatsoever. For a moment I was left confused however as my attention snapped towards Death 13, I realized what had happened. Kakyoin said "Surely you didn't think Hierophant would be that careless."

I remembered my own encounters with the Stand, it could convert its limbs into green tendrils. As Hierophant ripped away Death 13's cloak, I saw it had done exactly that! Not only that, but the tendril in question had retreated into Death 13's EAR!

I actually felt a chill run down my spine as Hierophant disappeared into Death 13's body, the arm holding the scythe moved on its own until it was aimed at its own neck. Hierophant could actually do all this? Had I underestimated Kakyoin in our previous encounters?

Kakyoin spoke up "I told you before, Hierophant was in your blind spot, and your scythe couldn't cut him. Now then, unless you want to be destroyed from the inside out, how about you heal the cuts on my arm? Anything is possible in a dream right? Healing a cut should be easy."

Death 13 stammered "R-Right." I closed my eyes and said "Well done Kakyoin, thank you. It seems that's two debts I owe you lot." Kakyoin gave a nod in my direction...

Timeskip...

My eyes slowly opened to be met with the sun shining down on me, sitting up I placed a hand to my head and muttered "Ugh, what the hell happened last night?" I tried my best to remember, however it was all a blur.

Looking to the side, I saw Polnareff, Joestar and Jotaro still asleep in there sleeping bags however Kakyoin's was empty. I looked over to see him by the campfire. Getting out of my sleeping bag, I approached him, greeting "Hey."

Kakyoin turned to me, startled for a second however he soon calmed down. "Oh, hey. Sleep well?" I sighed "I don't know, I feel like there's something my mind's  blocking out. What about you though? You seemed a bit, out of it, last night."

Kakyoin shrugged "Oh, that? Don't worry about it. I'm fine now." I briefly looked over at the baby who was already awake as well before asking "What're you up to?" Kakyoin explained "Just making breakfast, you want some?"

I shook my head, responding "No, thank you though. But I'd best be going. Don't want to cause any problems with the others when they wake up." Kakyoin nodded in understanding before asking "Where are you going?"

I'd already made my decision. I said "I'm going to go back to Cairo, Joestar gave me an interesting perspective regarding a mystery I've wanted solved for years. I'm going to question DIO and get his answers."

Kakyoin's eyes widened "You're going back to DIO empty handed?!" I nodded and said "He knows something and I aim to find out what. Regardless of how he reacts." Kakyoin said nothing but nodded nevertheless.

There was nothing more to say, I packed my stuff together and prepared to leave the camp. That's when Kakyoin called "Gladius!" I turned and gave him a sideways glance as he continued "You should come with us. You're a powerful Stand user, I haven't forgotten that you defeated me in our first encounter. We could use your help."

I gave a thin-lipped smile before saying "I appreciate the offer. But we have different goals. This is something I wish to do alone. I don't know when we'll next encounter one another. But until then, goodbye."

With that, I walked away, back to the car I'd left near the plane wreckage. Of course, I knew this would be the last time I'd be driving this car, it had served me well from India to here, but if I was going to Cairo, I'd have to go by plane. It didn't matter though.

I had questions and now it was time to get the answers from DIO...

Author's Note: And that's it for this chapter. Technically, this is the end of the Death 13 arc, however we have one more chapter left before we reach the end of this act of the story. I hope you enjoyed and as always, thank you for reading.