Betting Lives to Survive the Game!
The Mane 7 along with the Joestar Brothers are glaring at their newest enemy D'Arby who has taken one of the Shadowbolts into a coin chip as they will have to find a way to free Sour Sweet and beat this guy.
“Alright you bastard, you better let her go or else I’m turn you into mincemeat.” Josuke threatened as Crazy Diamond appeared behind him.
“Hate to break it to you, but even if you kill me right now your friend’s soul won’t return to her body and I can’t even command my Stand to do it. My Stand ability works in a gambling game if you can beat me then the souls I have taken will be release.” D’Arby explained calmly as he drinks his beer.
“Ah shoot, that means we’ll be playing right into your hands no matter what.” Applejack realized.
“Bingo. By the way, Applejack, did you know you can mix the apple cider with this beer and the taste becomes very sweet. Your family make the tastiest apples I have ever had.” D’Arby complimented.
“I would take that as a compliment if you weren’t an evil man taking people’s souls.” Applejack huffed.
“Such a shame, maybe I could have been a good business partner with them. But I guess such things aren’t meant to be.” D’Arby shrugged as his Stand appears.
“So, that’s your Stand.” Joseph said.
“Yep, my Stand Osiris, represents the Egyptian God OsirisW; related to prosperity and life after death. Now, which one of your souls should I take next?” D’Arby pointed at his finger at the group.
“I’ll take you on!” Joseph said as he sat down drop a bag of coins on the table.
“I have a game in mind that I hope you don’t mind playing.” Joseph offered.
“Fine by me, it doesn’t matter what game we play as long as we bet our lives in gambling.” D’arby smirked.
“You won’t be smirking for long.” Joseph grunted.
“That reminds me, what game did Sour Sweet played before she lost her soul?” Twilight asked the Shadowbolts.
“Well, it was which piece of meet a cat would get first. Sour Sweet chose the one on the right because it looks bigger and meatier, but the cat chose the one D’Arby chose and it turns out the cat belongs to him.” Indigo Zap explained.
“Oh my, I can’t believe he would use a sweet animal to cheat.” Fluttershy angered slightly.
“So, what do you have in mind?” D’Arby asked.
“Simple. The goal is put more coins into this glass of beer without making a signal spill as we take turns.” Joseph explained the rules of the game they’re about to play while getting an empty glass cup and bottle of beer.
“Ah, I heard of that game before. The game is to see who can put more coins in the cup without making a spill, very interesting and it’s the game with the most tensions.” D’Arby interested in the game.
“I learned this from a marine soldier I met during my travels with my brothers. It’s all about keeping your hold on the coins still as you drop them in.” Joseph mentioned.
“Do you mind if I inspect that cup, I want to make sure it’s in perfect condition.” D’Arby asked.
“Sure, there’s nothing in or on the cup anyway.” Joseph said.
D’Arby took the cup looking at it carefully before putting it back on the table right in the middle between him and Joseph as he starts pouring the beer into the cup until he stops at the very top, and pour all the coins from the bag into the table.
“I hope you’re ready to lose that gambling pride you love so much because after this, you will take another soul again.” Joseph determined to win this game and save that girl.
“Oh, I’m always ready for anything when it comes to gambling. But the question is, are you ready to bet your soul in this?” D’Arby asked with a confident smirk.
“Is that a trick question? Joseph Joestar is damn ready, I bet my soul!” Joseph declared.
“Hold it, I also would like to bet my soul in this!” Pinkie announced shocking everyone.
“Pinke, are you crazy!” Rainbow asked while shaking her pink-colored friend.
“You’ll get your soul trap in a coin too.” Lemon Zest pointed out.
“I know, which is why Joseph won’t be in this alone, so you better be ready for a losing party.” Pinkie determined as she sits on Joseph’s lap which he doesn’t mind.
“Exactly, two for the price of one. Now, Open the Game.” D’Arby announced as the game begins.
“Hey, wait a minute! What if he cheats again?” Sunny Flare asked worry.
“Don’t worry, we won’t cheat for as long as we’re here. We’ll keep a watchful eye on everything that happens within the game.” Johnny assured that D’Arby won’t get pass their eyes if he tries cheating the game.
“Just a quick question, can we have your word that you will return Sour Sweet’s soul if you lose.” Giorno asked.
“You have my word as a Gambler that I will keep my word and return her soul, I will pay in full that is if I lose and I won’t.” D’Arby promised as he flips a coin in his left hand.
“In that case, you can go first and drop a coin.” Joseph offered.
“Are we sure this is such a good idea?” Rarity asked worry.
“Don’t worry, these boys have been through tough situations before coming to Canterlot High. We just have to believe they can pull it out against that guy.” Sunset said.
“(This game is where I’m good at the most. Surface Tension, as the game is called, is a surprisingly hard game as there is room for eight or nine coins in the glass. Meaning if I’m gonna make it to the nineth round then I will have to absolutely calm and my fingers won’t shake.)” Joseph thought as he steadily controls his breath to calm his body.
“It would be alright if I put more than one coin in the glass?” D’Arby asked.
“Sure, as long as they all go in at once.” Joseph answered.
“In that case…” D’Arby holds a number of five coins above the glass.
“Whoa, he’s going for five from the start.” Pinkie surprised a little.
“That’s a risky move, are you sure about that?” Joseph asked a little concern.
“Gambling is all about taking risk, now please be quiet and remove your hand from the table.” D’Arby said as Joseph remove his hand and the gambler started lowering the coin to the liquid.
D’Arby slowly and steadily put the coins to the liquid making contact as everyone look with their eyes widen and wondering if he will be safe, in an instant D’Arby lets go of the coins and they drop into the liquid sinking to the bottom as the ripples of the liquid moves almost like it could spill a drop, but it stops.
“Now it’s your turn.” D’Arby sighed in relief.
“I don’t think I stay cool from doing that.” Sugarcoat admitted.
“That definitely takes strong nerves of steel to put in five coins.” Joseph commented.
“Joseph, why don’t you let me take the turn for you. I can tell seeing that made you fingers twitching a little.” Pinkie offered to do Joseph’s turn.
“Well, if that’s alright with Barbie boy here.” Joseph mispronounced on purpose.
“It’s not Barbie, it’s D’Arby. And sure, since you also betted your soul I don’t see why not.” D’Arby accepted the terms.
“Okay, here goes.” Pinkie gently move the coin to the liquid.
Then when the Joestar brothers notice something between Pinkie’s thumb and the coin.
“(Cocky sweet girl she’s squeezing the tiny cotton ball to add more liquor into the glass to make it reach its limit.)” Jotaro thought figuring out what Pinkie is doing.
“(That must mean Joseph must have the same strategy and Pinkie already knew.)” Jonathan thought looked at Joseph slightly smirking.
“(And he told us to watch out for cheaters. Those two are smartasses.)” Josuke thought commented.
Pinkie drop the coin into the liquor, and she flick her pink bang as a signal to Joseph.
“(The liquor level has hit the wall.)” Pinkie thought smiled.
“(Exactly, one more coin and we win! Looks like the crying baby will be you.)” Joseph mentally laughed.
“Wow, good job Pinkie. I almost sweated.” Joseph said playing shock.
“Yeah, I was nervous too. Okay, it’s your turn, Dabrie.” Pinkie said and suddenly her wrist is grabbed by D’Arby.
“I already told you, my name is D’Arby, D-Ar-by. Got it?” D’Arby angered.
“(Screwing his name to make him lose his cool a little, clever duo.)” Sunset thought impressed.
“Come now, it’s your turn to drop a coin. D’Arby.” Joseph said.
D’Arby is now eating a piece of a chocolate bar he has on him and move himself to his right a little and grab another coin. Joseph and Pinkie smirks believing they have won this game as they made the liquor to spill even from the slightest touch, that they have outsmarted this guy together.
“You two are probably thinking the glass reaching its limit means you win.” D’Arby said making them stop smirking.
“Well… you’re wrong.” D’Arby dropped the coin into the glass and it went to the bottom without a single drop of liquor to spill much to their shock.
“What… what happened? The liquor didn’t spill?” Joseph confused sweating as Pinkie bites on her teeth cartoon style.
“What’s the matter? You see the result.” D’Arby said.
Joseph quickly look to his brothers if they saw D’Arby do anything, but they all shook their heads as they were watching him closely with their Stands meaning he put the coin in fair and square.
“(Okay, now this is starting to scare me. I added the liquor into the glass just like Joseph wanted, but the glass didn’t spill! What’s going on?!)” Pinkie panicked in her mind.
“Hurry up, it’s your turn.” D’Arby reminded.
“I’ll go…” Joseph picked up a coin over the glass while trying to keep his cool, but the truth is he’s just as scared as Pinkie is. Wondering how could his perfect plan fail him as he tries to think of many reasons.
But the fear of losing has already consume the two funny couple and suddenly their souls are being taken from Osiris and turn into coins.
“What the hell! He didn’t even put the coin in!” Sunset snapped.
“Even though they didn’t say it a loud, in their hearts they have lost this game which is how they’re souls were so easy to take.” D’Arby laughed holding the Joseph and Pinkie coin.
Then Jotaro notices something in the glass, a tiny melted chocolate spot at the bottom tip of the glass.
“Aw, you notice it too late. Jotaro.” D’Arby smirked.
“What’s up, Jotaro. Is there something wrong with the glass?” Jonathan asked.
“Yeah, there’s a piece of chocolate suck to the bottom of the glass. From what I can tell it was tiny solid chunk that he placed in when he was checking the glass earlier, then he moved his body for the sunlight to shine through the glass and melted the chocolate making it even for him to put one more coin in.” Jotaro explained and everyone gasp.
“Are you kidding me? He won because of some stupid chocolate?” Indigo Zap complained.
“Sorry girl but it’s not cheating if you don’t get caught.” D’Arby bragged.
“Damn it, I didn’t think there would be someone who can actually outsmart Joseph like this.” Johnny grinded.
“D’Arby, bring out some cards because we’re playing poker next.” Jotaro declared.
“WHAT?!” The girls and boys gasped.
“HAHAHA! You fool, you should know that poker is my favorite game of all!” D’Arby laughed.
“Jotaro, you can’t be serious. It’s too dangerous!” Sunset stated.
“I know, he doesn’t use physical strength but he’s the most dangerous Stand User we ever face. Now we play for keeps.” Jotaro glared.
“Before we start, how about you shuffle those cards.” Jotaro asked.
D’Arby did just that and shuffle them as Jotaro uses Star Platinum’s eyes to memorizes each cards he is shuffle making sure the gambler isn’t doing anything, and started placing one card after another on each side, but then suddenly his right index finger is broken by Jotaro’s Stand.
“Son of… what you do that for?” D’Arby asked while groaning in pain.
“Don’t think you can cheat with me around. With the precision of Star Platinum, I can see right through your little tricks.” Jotar pointed the deck D’Arby is holding that the second card to the top is slightly sticking out.
“Oh yeah, try to gamble your way out this one.” Rainbow Dash cheered.
“Now, we’ll have to find someone else to shuffle the cards. Like that kid over there.” Jotaro pointed at a little boy.
“Fine, then the pour white chips will represent your soul. When you use lose six chips, then it’s game over.” D’Arby placed a stack of white chips to Jotaro.
“Then get ready because I’m betting my soul.” Jotaro declared.
“Okay, Open the Game.” D’Arby smirked.
Soon, the boy shuffles the cards and place five on each side as D’Arby look at his seeing two numbers and three kings of a kind making him smile of victory claiming his.
“(You fool, you don’t even know that the boy is actually working for me along with everyone in this casino. Which means you and your friends and brothers have already walked into my trap from the very start.)” D’Arby thought smirked.
But then the gambling man notice that Jotaro isn’t picking up his cards which is odd.
“Hey, aren’t you going to look at your cards?” D’Arby asked.
“I’m going to make a raise.” Jotaro said without answering the question.
“A raise, huh? But aren’t you going to look at your cards to see what you got?” D’Arby asked again.
“Don’t worry, I’m confident in my hands.” Jotaro said as he drinks a fancy glass with a little umbrella.
“Huh, what… where did you get that drink?” D’Arby asked shock.
“Am I not allowed to have a drink?” Jotaro asked.
D’Arby is starting to sweat a little thinking he must have used his Stand to get the drink, but it looks like it didn’t change the cards otherwise he would notices it immediately despite Star Platinum’s incredible speed, D’Arby would still know if Jotaro would try to switch the cards from his hands.
“What I’m raising… are the souls of our moms, Celestia and Luna.” Jotaro placed two more stack of chips on the table causing his friends, girlfriend, and brothers to gasp.
“Jotaro! Are you crazy! You can’t just bet our mothers’ souls, they’re not even here!” Jonathan screamed.
“Have you finally lost your mind or something?” Johnny asked angry.
“Stop it, you guys.” Gionro said getting their attention.
“Jotaro isn’t done raising.” Giorno stated.
“What? You’re going to r-r-raise again, are you going to bet their souls too?” D’Arby asked nervous while pointing at the Rainbooms, the remaining Joestar brothers, and the Shadowbolts.
“Not exactly…” Jotaro answered which made D’Arby calm down a little.
“I’m betting all of Canterlot High, the students and the teachers. And yes, the includes everyone here with me.” Jotaro declared.
“WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!” D’Arby screamed shock.
“(I get it now, Jotaro is trying to scare the guy into giving up and it looks like its working.)” Sunset thought as Giorno is thinking the same thing.
“It’s a pretty high wager I’m making, you’re gonna give something to make things even for us. If I win how about you give us all the information on the three Dark Brothers’ Stand powers!” Jotaro said strongly.
This causes D’Arby to fall off his chair and panting with his eyes widen and still holding the cards in his hand while sweating more.
“(That reaction, that means he does know their secrets. But the Dark Brothers won’t take treason kindly, could Jotaro really have a winning hand?)” Jonathan thought asked.
“You’re… you’re bluffing. You can’t make a raise like that.” D’Arby panted.
“Oh yeah, then come up and show us your cards.” Jotaro dared.
D’Arby wanted to call out his bluff thinking it is a bluff, but he couldn’t because his mind is now consume with the fear the Jotaro had actually outsmarted him, seeing through his tricks and making the raise to call him out.
“Well, we’re waiting, D’Arby.” Jotaro said.
D’Arby got up on his feet and try to go all in, but no matter how hard he tried, his arms wouldn’t move and no words came out of his mouth as he sweats more and the next thing everyone knew, the gambler fainted while still standing before he fell.
“Oh, my goodness, he fainted!” Fluttershy surprised.
“Look, his hands have three kings.” Applejack pointed at the cards.
“Wait, if he had four kings then what cards did you have, Jotaro?” Jonathan took the cards revealing to be garbage kinds.
“I knew it, they’re worthless.” The boy said.
“Wait, you knew? You little…” Indigo Zap angered at the boy.
“Let him go, he’s just a victim like everybody else here.” Jotaro said.
“Go on, go tell everyone D’Arby has been defeated and he won’t be bothering anyone anymore.” Sunset said kindly to the boy and he ran off shouting to everyone what happened.
“Jotaro, I can’t believe you bet all of our lives with those lousy cards.” Jonathan angered, but glad that Jotaro won.
“Well, we all know I never had any good hands. Glad my bluff paid off.” Jotaro said.
Then Joseph, Pinkie, and Sour Sweet’s souls went back into their bodies safe and sound.
“Whoa, what happened?” Sour Sweet asked as she is being hugged by her friends.
“We’ll tell you all about it at school. Right now, this guy needs a mental hospital and I don’t think we’ll get any information out of him.” Jotaro stated as D’Arby is unconscious to tell them anything.
Soon, the teenager group left the casino heading back to Canterlot High together as the day have been save through Jotaro’s sheer will and big bluff.
To Be Continue...