I do not claim any ownership to the world of One Piece or its characters.
I do however own the rights to the crew of the True Justice.
Of course I in no way make any profit from this story.
As the first part of this story takes place during the Battle of the Greatest, I've taken a few artistic liberties so it doesn't come across as a plagarized word-for-word copy. That and because I didn't feel like watching or reading that entire arc again to make it one.
This story is rated M for general content.
Ch I
Whitebeard stood on the prow of the Moby Dick, looking down at the swarm of Naval soldiers that lay between him and his son. It had been hell getting this far, with heavy losses among the Whitebeard pirates and their allies. Now all they had to do was fight their way across a plaza full of Navy, three admirals, Garp, and Sengoku.
That wouldn't be so damn hard if he were a younger man and not so damn sick. But then, he hadn't come here today expecting to see another sunrise. He was going to die before the day was out, but he was going to take as many of these bastards with him as he could.
Then there was Dragon's brat, Luffy. He'd never seen someone so reckless who held such potential. And he'd recognized that damn straw hat of the kid's instantly. Though he doubted Luffy knew that before Shanks had given it to him, it had belonged to Gol D. Roger.
"So Shanks, this is who you bet your arm on. You damned fool," Whitebeard muttered to himself.
Just before Whitebeard could leap down into the fray, a great rumble shook the plaza and the bay that had nothing to do with his powers. "What the hell is going on now?!" he snapped.
"Looks like someone else wants to join the part, Pops," Marco said jerking his thumb towards the churning waters of the bay.
As both armies looked on, a massive galleon broke the surface of the waters, signalling the arrival of yet another pirate crew to the already epic battle.
The galleon was over twice the size of the Moby Dick, painted black with rose red railing and portholes, and a large red rose for the figurehead. Above the red sails flew a jolly roger of a skull and crossbones in the center of a rose blossom. (Anyone else picking up on a theme here?) Standing in the crow's nest was a figure with long red hair.
Someone next to Marco asked, "Who the hell is that? Shanks?"
Marco sighed and shook his head. "No, this guy is a much bigger pain in the ass."
Whitebeard looked over his shoulder at the newcomers and his eyes became pinpricks of rage. "What is that bastard doing here?!"
On the execution platform, Sengoku grit his teeth together. "Damnit. The last thing we need is his interference."
Garp let out an irritated growl. "That little brat's just going to spur things even more."
"One more piece of scum to execute," Akainu said simply, his fists glowing red hot.
With his hands casually tucked into his pockets, Borsalino gave a little whistle. "Well now, things just got a bit tougher to wrap up."
When the waters around the new ship had settled, the man in the crow's nest called out, "Sorry I'm late for the party! Must have misplaced my invitation!" The stranger then leapt from his perch with cry of "Devil-Devil Falcon Form!"
As everyone looked on in awe, the man sprouted a large pair of wing that resembled Marco's blue flamed falcon man/bird hybrid form. He soared over the battlefield before reverting back to human form and dropping down to land near Luffy, finally giving everyone a good look at him.
The newcomer stood well over six feet tall, his frame almost as wiry as Luffy's. His pale skin made the black rose tattoos on his neck and shoulder, and the thorny vine one on his left hand stand out all the more. Clad in a simple sleeveless black shirt, black pants, and dark red boots, he stared down the soldiers before him, blood red ponytail whipping in the wind.
Spreading his arms and grinning, the stranger took a bow. "Glad I made it before all the fun was over. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Rhazios D Star and I am the captain of the Blood Rose Pirates. As for why I'm here, I think we all know the answer to that." Clapping a hand to Luffy's shoulder, Rhazios grinned again. "Whatta you kid? Ready to get Ace out of this mess?"
"Hell yeah!" Luffy exclaimed, the fatigue he'd been feeling fading quickly. "Ya hear that Ace?! We're coming for you!"
As the two charged forward, there was a cry of "White Spark!" from among the Naval forces.
It was Smoker, and he was flying straight at Luffy with his lower body converted into smoke.
Rhazios quickly shoved Straw Hat out of the way so that Smoker's attack struck him instead. His eyes glowed white for a moment and then green before returning to their normal grey.
Smoker halted his attack and solidified, though plumes of smoke rose continuously from his wrists. "Out of my way, Star," he growled out. "My business is with Straw Hat."
Giving a mock pout and a little sob, Rhazios replied, "You never write, you never call, and now you're chasing after younger men? I want a divorce!"
"Don't talk like that, you pervert!" Smoker snapped.
Ignoring him, Rhazios pretended to wipe tears from his eyes. "Why do I always fall for the jerks with the rippling muscles? Am I that hopeless a romantic to want a pair of strong arms to embrace me?"
Instead of giving the pirate more ammunition to mock him with, Smoker simply converted a fist into smoke and launched it at him. Before it could reach its target, however, it was intercepted by Rhazios' own smoke fist. "So the rumors about your Devil Fruit are true, then."
"Depends on the rumor. Now how about we stop chatting and get down to business?" Sparing a quick glance to make sure Luffy was still heading for the execution platform, Rhazios once more began emitting smoke from one wrist- as the other became wreathed in flames.
Ace watched the battle unfolding before him with a mix of pride and frustration,. The pride stemmed from the fact so many had come to his aid. But that was also the reason for his growing frustration. He wasn't worth all this. How many of his friends and allies had died here today? How many more would before it was all over?
Even as he wanted to get out of this alive, he didn't want to lose anyone else. Despite how powerful Whitebeard was, Ace doubted that the old man would survive this battle with how sick and injured he was. And as much at that thought hurt, it was something Ace found he could come to terms with, given that he was to die here today as well.
But if Luffy died... Ace couldn't bear to lose his little brother. Not after losing Sabo all those years ago.
Taking a deep breath, he yelled out, "Luffy! Pops! Get out the hell out of here! I'm the only one dying here today!"
They both ignored him, and continued to fight their way towards the execution platform. Too much blood had been shed getting this far for them to turn back now. So it was almost a relief when he heard Sengoku ordering the executioners to carry out their duty.
But just before their blades sliced through his neck, Luffy bellowed out, "DON'T YOU DARE!"
An invisible pulse swept out from Luffy, the strength of his conqueror's spirit haki rendering everyone with poor willpower unconscious. This meant the majority of the Naval grunts and captains were out of the battle for the foreseeable future.
The major players were left standing to take stock of what had just happened. Even Smoker paused to look in Luffy's direction as the haki washed over him.
This gave Rhazios the opportunity to land a solid roundhouse kick to Smoker's head without the aid of his Devil Fruit or any haki. Fun fact, a logia wielder had to see an attack coming or at least be on guard to dissipate around an assault.
"Checking him out again, Smoker? I didn't know you liked them so young. Guess my efforts over the years were all for naught," Rhazios taunted.
Gritting his teeth around his cigars as he got to his feet and returned his focus to the foe at hand, Smoker plucked his sea prism baton from his back. "Before this day is over, I'll see both you and Straw Hat clapped in irons and awaiting justice."
"And what would you know of justice? A Naval dog who barks when his Masters command. If you bastards had any sense of justice, the Celestial Dragons would all be rotting in Impel Down."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Smoker demanded as he swung his baton.
Dodging the strike with ease, Rhazios explained, "The Celestial Dragons, and indeed most nobles of this world, treat their subjects as toys to amuse them. They inflict misery and atrocities upon those under their aegis and call it their right. And what do you mongrels of the military and your Masters do about it? Nothing! Even those few of you who are truly good stand aside and let their corruption fester and spread."
Rhazios locked his gaze onto Smoker's. "That is why I vow to slay all who would dare call themselves nobles."
"Just another monster to put down in the end," Smoker grumbled as his teeth clenched his cigars tighter.
"No question that I am indeed a monster, boyo. But one forged by the hands of the men you serve. I look forward to bringing chaos and pain to them and those who tug your leash. Maybe then you'll see this world for what it really is."
"And what is it, then?"
"Hell, handsome. The lowest pit of hell." A gust of wind lifted up the back of Rhazios' shirt, exposing the brand mark of a slave of the Celestial Dragons.
Just as the two were about to rush each other once more, there was the sound of great rushing flame from the direction of the execution platform. All eyes in the courtyard and the bay looked on in a mix of awe at the swirling pillar of fire that engulfed the platform.
Ace was free.
"Looks like the party's finally ready to start," Rhazios said with an evil grin.
Author's Note: First, let me inform you guys right off the bat that while I know Rhazios' powers right now seem like a god-mode, they are not. I wrote out this fruit in detail in planning and gave it a ton of rules and limits to counteract its obvious strengths. So worry not, this will result in some fair fights.
Secondly, it's good to be back at my craft after such a haitus. I'm sorry to those of you fans of my other stories who may have begun to give up hope,, but working on this new story got me revved for the old ones again as well. I've also got a few other new works in the works.
But most importantly, what's up with Rhazios and Smokey? Sounds like these two had a thing together or something a while ago, doesn't it?
Smoker: We did not!
If the eyepatch fits...
Anyway folks. I'm looking forward to reading your reviews, of this new story. No flames please.