Raymond (Gladius) POV

"Ah Raymond, you finally act. Very well, I shall humour you..."

In an instant, DIO appeared on the ground a short distance from me, a malicious smirk across his face as he spoke "I had wanted to finish off Jotaro first, given the similar nature of our Stands. But if you're so eager to die, I won't stand in your way."

I said nothing, instead I summoned Ace of Swords and began preparing my Iron Maiden attack. My Stand began conjuring and juggling an assortment of bladed weapons. Gladius swords, rapiers, scimitars, axes, knives and spears, all bouncing between its hand.

DIO noted my silence. "Not a word out of you? So, you want to go quietly then. Can't say that I blame you, in the presence of me, DIO and The World. I can imagine you're pretty speechless. HAHAHA!" He let out a laugh before he began to walk.

Why didn't he just stop time now and attack? Why did he waste time building suspense? It was clear he was toying me. Each step only made my nerves more on-edge.

He drew closer and it was now my life flashed before my eyes. I once again wondered if it had been chance that I was born a Stand user. Or was it fate, planned from the moment I was born. 

Perhaps it was the actions of DIO's brother all those years ago that ensured I would be here now. Facing down the very Vampire who'd try to have my ancestor killed. Had my bloodline's fate become intertwined with the Joestar's.

Then again, it had taken me this long to get to this point...

Flashback...

I'd first awakened my Stand when a man tried to rob me in the street. I'd wanted the man to go away and my Ace of Swords answered, stabbing him through the head. I never told anyone what had happened that day, but it was an event that stuck with me.

I was haunted by his bloodcurdling screams. Ace of Swords appeared many times in my life before I gathered that it was seemingly an extension of myself. I spent time learning what it was capable of.

As soon as I was old enough, I left home and travelled England, looking for work, looking for possible answers. I started small, helping small-time gangs with my talent before moving on up. Though I often refused assassin jobs due to my memory of that thief's death.

A few years ago, I found myself working for a major crime syndicate in Las Vegas. I'd been hired as a bodyguard by the group's leader, an irritating and cowardly man who ran an underground operation. It was on this job I met, HER.

She was around my age, wasn't one of his employees. Just a patron at the establishment my employer owned. Suffice it to say, we got talking. 

"Aren't you a little young to be working security for some big-shot?" That was literally the first thing she asked me. I'd had people comment on my age before so that wasn't new. I even came up with a default response for it.

"You'd be smart not underestimating me ma'am." Usually, my stern demeanour would be enough to deter people, but not this woman. Instead she remarked "Oh really. Then perhaps you'd be willing to buy me a drink then."

And that was how I met Sylvia, we became friends quite quickly and agreed to stay in touch. Which we did, for a good three years. Occasionally meeting up, even long after that job had ended. Until one time, I received a letter from her.

Inside was a picture, a picture of a new-born baby boy. 

I didn't need to be told, I knew what she meant. I flew back to America to see her and the baby. I learned that he was named Sylvester. Fitting, Sylvia naming our son Sylvester.

We talked things over, however me and Sylvia were never an item, just friends. Not to mention, in my line of work, I couldn't afford to grow close. It was the hardest time of my life, Sylvester became the most valuable person to me.

In the past, I did my job because it was all I was good for with my Stand. Now though, I had a purpose, Sylvester was my son, I loved him very much and I made him a promise. I would provide him with enough money that he wouldn't need to resort to a life like I did.

I had planned to go back and visit him after completing a job in Egypt, when an elderly woman approached me.

A woman with two right hands...

Back to present day...

After DIO was defeated, I wanted to go back and see my son. However with the revelation of his Stand, I didn't know how this would go. Everything I did now, I did for him. If DIO found out about Sylvester's existence, I don't know what he'd do. The idea sickened me.

I was pulled right back in to the moment as DIO continued walking towards me, that grin stretched across his face. Ace of Swords continued to juggle weapons in a circle. It was now that DIO muttered "Seems we've got some more company."

I briefly looked back to see I'd miscalculated. I'd hoped I'd knocked Polnareff out for longer, however there he was, emerging from the hiding spot literally a minute later, clutching his head and muttering "Hey what's the big-." When he saw the situation I was in, he stopped in his tracks.

In my brief moment of distraction, The World lunged forward. I snapped back into reality, instantly executing my plan. Ace of Swords spun like a whirlwind, causing the weapons it had gathered to be fired in all directions! No matter what he tried, he would be cut to ribbons by at least three blades!

I yelled out "DIE DIO! IRON MAIDEN!"

DIO retaliated by yelling "THE WORLD!"

DIO POV

Time stopped around us, Raymond right in front of me, hand outstretched in front of him, mouth open in mid-yell. Both Polnareff and Jotaro were out of range. Raymond however, was right there. As were a handful of weapons. 

The World reached out and turned each one's trajectory, each weapon now aimed at the very person who sent them. In these last few seconds, I leaned close into his face, grinning. 

"You know Raymond, had you been loyal, you would have been one of my favourites. Your Stand was a gold-mine of untapped potential. On top of it all, a part of you reminded me of my younger brother." I paused for a moment, Damian's death flashing in my mind.

"But..." I paused again. "Damian is dead. And now you shall join him. Farewell Raymond." Stepping back, I grinned maliciously and said. "And time moves once again."

So it did. In the blink of an eye, Raymond met his end...

Raymond POV

"DIE DIO! IRON MAIDEN!"

"THE WORLD!"

It all happened so fast, I threw the weapons out in all directions. And yet in what seemed like a second, my eyes widened in shock. I couldn't speak, I found it hard to breathe. I gasped for a moment, looking down.

Every weapon I'd just thrown was now stabbed into my body, my Iron Maiden attack had been redirected so I was now being stabbed like I was actually in an iron maiden!

I couldn't support my body anymore so I collapsed to my knees. Continuing to stare up at the sky with wide-eyes. I was in a trance of sorts as I took ragged breaths as I felt blood flow from the fifteen stab wounds littered all over my torso.

Polnareff's voice could be heard crying out "RAYMOND!" As I collapsed on my side. I rolled onto my back, staring up to the sky, I could see Ace of Swords still present, but barely, he too was littered in holes now as his form began to wither away, just like Joseph's Hermit Purple.

My view was soon obscured as I saw both Polnareff and Jotaro come into view. Polnareff dropped to his knees at my side, cradling my head. He spoke "Come on Ray, stay with us. You can't die! Why did you not let me help?!" Why Raymond, WHY?!" 

I gasped, I raised my hand up and reached into my jacket. Finding what I was looking for, I pulled it out. My ancestor's diary, now with a blood stain across the front, staining the century's old leather.

I could feel my energy leaving me, with what I had, I held it out Jotaro reached down and took hold of it. I felt a lone tear fall from one of my eyes as I managed to rasp out. 

"P-please. Give to... S-Sylvester B-Baltimore... F-Florida.... M-my son. I-I'm, sorry... S-sorry I was an a-adversary to you all." Polnareff snapped "I told you to shut up about that!" Jotaro however simply said "I'll find your son and I'll ensure he gets this."

I smiled, blood trickling from my lip as I muttered "T-thank you..." That was all I could say, my vision began to fade, I closed my eyes. Allowing myself to pass on...

After that, I felt nothing...

Jotaro POV

As soon as Ace of Swords faded in a wisp of black mist, I knew he was gone. I could still feel a light pulse, however it was no good. Polnareff yelled "Damn it! Why didn't you let me help! Avdol, Iggy, you. I hate it when people up and die on me!"

My thoughts were mixed, I didn't like Raymond, not in the slightest. But he'd died an ally, and Polnareff's words indicated they'd become friends. I was about to say something when we were interrupted by DIO's voice, sarcastically remarking.

"Another falls. A shame, he would have been a useful underling. But he chose his path and paid for it." Polnareff turned to him growling. "You BASTARD!" DIO ignored his rage though and said. "With Raymond out of the way, we can finally conclude our little match. Wouldn't you say Jotaro?"

I turned to face him properly. "Fine. The sooner I can kick your ass the better." In an instant, DIO called out his Stand, having it rush forward. Before he could land a strike, Star Platinum lashed out with one of its own. Both fists clashed with equal force!

Raymond's death would be avenged. Just like Avdol's, Kakyoin's, Iggy's and my grandpa's!

Timeskip...

??? POV

Lord DIO's fight with Jotaro had since moved elsewhere. Raymond's body had been left propped up against a nearby wall. Blood still leaking from the wounds littering him. I came across it by pure chance. I'd hoped to rendezvous with DIO once he defeated the Joestars and their little friends.

I just happened to come across Raymond's body and saw an opportunity. Stepping from the shadows, I approached him. Pressing a hand to his neck, I could tell he had only a slither of life left in him.

I spoke "When I met you, I sensed there was something off about you. I knew that you wouldn't share mine and DIO's ideals. However you do possess great power, power that if given to the right person, may benefit our cause."

Summoning my Stand, it struck its hand across his face. Finishing him off and allowing me to extract what I wanted from him. Taking the items, I analysed them both with a blank expression. Two discs, one for a memory, one for Ace of Swords itself.

"The more Stands I collect, the better. Yours is a powerful ability in itself. It was just wasted on you. I shall find it a more suitable host."

I held one of the discs up to the street light, Ace of Swords' image glimmered from within it...

Author's Note: And that's it for this chapter. Only the epilogue left of this story now. And yes, Raymond is dead. The second of my O/C's to die. Similar to Damian in my Part 1 book, I felt this was the best course for the story. You'll see in future books. I really hope you enjoyed, I hope you enjoy the epilogue as well and as always, thanks for reading.