Author's note: One last time...

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece. One Piece is the property of Oda Eiichiro, Shonen Jump, Toei Animation, and Funimation. Please support the official release.

Yo! I'm Hotspot the 626th, infamous writer of One Piece: Straw Hat Family, One Piece: ASL Pirates, and the first STRONG(ER) WORLD. Today, I bring you, in honor of One Piece's 20th Anniversary as well as the first official "One Piece Day" in Japan (July 22), a rewrite of my old story: STRONG(ER) WORLD

Lots of things will be different from the old one. New characters, new ideas, new struggles, maybe even old characters. I hope you all will enjoy this story!

Now, without further delay,

Read, Review, Enjoy!

Scene 1

Before the Message to the World

The high noon sun, at its highest point of producing both brightness and heat, was suddenly covered over by an intense dark mass. Unfortunately, this was no cloud, storm or otherwise. For it was something much worst. It did not allow a single shred of light to pierce through its smoke-like substance as it grew increasingly larger by the second. So large it grew that it could cover an entire Marine battleship in shade. Yet, after awhile, it soon stopped. The dark mass now occupying the sky like a storm cloud just waiting to release the rain above this grass-covered landmass floating in the sky.

"Liberation!"

And with a single command, the black substance became active. From the darkness several human beings began descending from the void. Every single one of them pale like ghosts with eyes almost as dead. Barely any seem to move or even care that they were falling falling several feet to the ground. All crashed to the ground welcoming this sensation of pain. Not only humans; a number of unusual beasts, both large and small, fell with them from the mass of darkness with the same complexion. Each one falling with a crash on top of others or hitting the ground itself. It was a rainfall of horror.

It was horror that was only the face of many men - pirates - as they watch this event unfold. Many of them backing away in fright, even risking falling off the edge of the island. It was utterly terrifying; yet, there were a few impressed by this scene. They were the ones who stood in front of the frightened and cowardly men standing both literally and figuratively tall.

One was a tan-skinned man with long, yellow hair like a lion's mane that near touched the ground but did not cover his head as he had a ship's steering wheel lodged there. On his face is a tuft of hair of the same color. His traditional Japanese rob of black and red tied together with a green sash was covered mostly by his tattered yellow-striped coat. Most interestingly, the man's legs were not of flesh and bone but swords with which he stood perfectly on nor seemed to be suffering any pain from their placement. Next to him, standing a little taller, was a man that looked very much like a clown with his blue hair, scarf that seemed to float without the wind, and white face make up. Yet, the man also wore a lab coat as if he were a scientist; in fact, the expression on his face showed some scientific intrigue towards something. Finally, there was a maroon-furred gorilla wearing human clothes of the same color except the scarf, hat, pants. This mighty animal was unaffected by the scene and instead was giving out a long "ooh".

They, and all the men cowering, are the Golden Lion Pirates, and the most important were of course Captain Shiki "the Golden Lion", Dr. Indigo, and Scarlet.

As the rain of people and beasts came to an end, a grinning Shiki began clapping as if he had been watching a show. "Very nice work," he commented while still clapping, "very nice indeed. I can see why you left Whitebeard's crew with this power to pursue your own ambitions."

"Zehahahaha!"

A distinctive laugh echoed jollily as the dark mass began receding back to its source. It streamed down towards the center of the island where a single large and burly man was the apparent source. The darkness seeped into the body of the black-haired man that looked very much like a pirate captain himself. He wasn't alone though; around him were several men and one horse. One who looked like a wrestler, another man who looked sickly and rode an equally sick horse, a tall thin man with a cross-hair monocle, and a pale man in a dress shirt and leotard wearing a top hat with a cane in hand. Much like the three members of the Shiki pirates, they too were not intimidated by the display of power.

They are the Blackbeard Pirates: Captain "Blackbeard" Marshall D. Teach, Jesus Burgess, Doc Q and Stronger, Van Augur, and Laffitte.

Once the darkness had been all absorbed back in, Teach looked at to Shiki and grinned. "Thanks! That means quite a lot coming from a legend like yourself." He said jovially.

Still grinning, though a bit sadistically now, Shiki began stepping forward towards the group. "It's even more impressive that you actually betrayed Whitebeard and are still alive to tell the tale." He spoke sounding impressed.

"What can I say," Teach said with a shrug and a grin, "guess fate doesn't want me to die yet, Zehahaha!"

Shiki laughed as well. "Ji-ha-ha-ha, yeah, must be." He said disingenuous but still smiling.

Without a second thought over the man's words or tone, Teach then asked, "Does this mean we're officially a part of your alliance?"

"But of course." Shiki stated, now directly in front of Teach. "I like the cut of yours and your crew's jib." He then extended his hand out.

"You and your crew are now officially 51st member of the Golden Lion Alliance."

Burgess gave a howl in cheer while each of the other crew members smiled with acceptance. Teach, now grinning joyfully, then took the hand of the pirate legend and shook it to cement their alliance. As he did, he gave his gratitude, "Thanks a lot, Boss, you won't be-"

Suddenly, Teach was cut off as Shiki pulled him in close. Now face to face, Shiki began grinning sadistically at the pirate captain. "But let me make one thing clear," he began saying darkly, "I am not as lenient on traitors as Whitebeard is. If you betray my good intentions, I will not hesitate to kill you and your whole crew in a heartbeat. Is that clear?"

Sweating profusely, Teach nervously smiled and nodded. "Y-You got it, Boss." He said.

Accepting this, Shiki released Teach from his hold. His smile changed to be more jolly and confident as he felt assured of his intimidation tactic. "Good." He told Teach before turning around and walking back. He then also added, "Return back to my headquarters, Captain Blackbeard, and await for my grand plan to begin."

"Sure, no problem." Teach said respectfully.

As Shiki walked by Indigo, he asked, "How were the field test, Doctor?"

"The results were resounding, Captain!" Indigo told the man cheerfully.

"Then, it's time to announce my comeback." Shiki said with a grin. He then walked forward some more until he was now in front of the remaining men, who had now calmed down from the frightful sight from earlier. Ecstatically, Shiki announced to them, "Men, it's time to set sail!"

Without hesitation, and regard to their fellows, the men roared with vigor and excitement. They all began streaming into their ship along with Shiki. The ship they boarded was a fantastic looking craft; it had the appearance of a palace and just as large with a golden lion figurehead on the front. As the sails unfurled and the many oars began paddling, the large ship began sailing through the water. In no time though, surprisingly, the ship was already heading for the edge of the water. Once reached, the ship did not fall down to potential destruction; instead, it rushed right out of the water and flew. The entire ship - now revealing completely to be a large chunk of land - flew with purpose through the sky leaving behind the island it was had been docked at. Much like it, the island too was floating. Even the water kept its shape around the island and floated with it.

What a phenomenon it was, but where was Shiki going in his island ship?

The next day, newspapers around the world shared two headlines with the populace. The first, and most concerning, was the attack on Marine Headquarters on the island of Marineford in the Grand Line. From the images, it had looked like a hurricane had overturn several battleships; something that should be impossible with their large size. The surrounding docks covered with debris and seaweed. Buildings partially or fully destroyed. Reports told that there were a few number of casualties and even more wounded. Yet, throughout the article, not a single reference was made on who had attack them. There was only the promise by Fleet Admiral Sengoku that the one responsible will be taken down.

And then, there was the second headline. Considered inconsequential by most people in the world; yet, little did they know of its greater connection to a devious plan.

"East Blue Villages Attacked?!"