- Prologue: Part One -
The island was in a corner of the new world that few people knew about, and even fewer people dared to visit. It was not the largest island on the planet, but it served the purpose it had been occupied for, leaving no room for much else however. Near the centre of the island stood a castle that made other castle's look like townhouses; its towers and ramparts dwarfing any comparisons. The stone that constructed it was a dull grey, washed out with years of rain and weather. However, despite its long time standing, it could still hold out to all but the most determined of attackers.
The walls were not the only thing that would stop any invaders, however, with armoured guards spread out like ants, all well trained and deadly in their jobs. Not that anyone could get close to the castle without meeting thousands more soldiers, all ready to march into battle at a moment's notice. It was these soldier's that dropped to one knee, on hand resting on the pommel of their swords, the other clenched into a fist and resting on the ground by the knuckles, as the large figure garbed in black armour walked past them.
Most of the soldiers, even stood up, would only have reached the stomach of the man, if they were tall, as he passed by them but all of them dropped to a knee as he passed. His hair was cut into short bristles and his stark yellow eyes glared forward, seeing nothing except his goal. He wore armour from neck-to-toe in matte black armour, plated to allow easier movement, underneath a tattered brown cloak which hung down to his ankles, concealing most of his armour beneath. A long handle poked over his right shoulder, reaching the top of his head and wrapped in a white fabric with a trail of it hanging down to his shoulder.
The giant figure strode purposely through the front gates to the castle, the large gridded drop-gates opening just enough for his head to clear, before dropping down behind him. More guards dropped to their knees as he passed, turning a number of corners before coming to a large staircase that led up to what could be described as an open courtyard. It was surrounded on all sides by soldiers bearing shields as big as a chest and long spears topped with wicked looking blades about a foot long.
As the tall figure approached, one of the guards stepped aside to allow him entry, but otherwise they showed no sign he even existed; in high contrast to those he had already passed. The figure showed no discomfort though and continued his stride, uninterrupted, into the open area and towards the large tree which had been planted in the centre.
It was a massive tree, it's trunk as thicker than the strongest mast in the world, with branches that spiralled into the sky in seemingly infinite patterns. Its leaves were vivid and full, despite the cold winter air that surrounded it, and it seemed alive as any man as the armoured figure approached. He was not the only one in attendance though as another figure was stood at the base of the tree, his hands resting against the bark as though he was expecting something to happen. He stopped this as the black-clad figure approached and turned to face him.
"My Lord Griffin." The armour-clad man said, placing a closed fist to his chest.
"Please, Rokushii, there is no one in attendance but you and I." the man called Griffin said.
"As you wish Noah."
Noah Griffin was a tall man, although still dwarfed by Rokushii, and he held himself like the commander he was. Unlike his posture, however, his clothes were more akin to that of a peasant; he was wearing a loose fitting red top, the buttons at his neck left undone to reveal his chest, tucked into brown trousers which were in turn tucked into a pair of high black boots, polished to a shine; at his waist he wore a rapier-style sword. He had long blonde hair that fell below his shoulders, tied back into a ponytail and smooth brown eyes that seemed to hold the knowledge of the world.
"How fares the world?" Noah asked, his usual question when he wanted to know how the legions of his army fared in their appointments around the world.
"Our plans progress smoothly, if a little slowly." Rokushii said, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "We already have control of most of the East and North Blues, with our forces pushing deeper into South Blue as we speak. The most trouble seems to come from West Blue, for some reason that has yet to be discovered." He uncrossed his arms and glanced around the square. "Our forces have, however, gained full control of Reverse Mountain and are managing to cull even the most excitable of passers."
"Your brother is in command there, yes?" Noah asked, leaning back against the trunk of the tree.
"Captain Hartland does a fine job in his command, soon enough he will command his legion further into the Grand Line, where we can gain control of the kingdoms of the world."
"And the Marines?"
"The Marines are hardly a force that can compare with the legions, but they still cause trouble whenever they can." Rokushii hesitated slightly before adding "They seem not to have the heart to counter us fully."
"What are your concerns?"
"The World Government must be aware of our forces, and yet the only opposition from Marine's is from the bases already stationed in various locations. There has not been any kind of force sent against us."
"My plans stretch to all parts of the world, Rokushii, even the World Government is not exempt. Although it is strange I have heard nothing of any plan, we will have to keep our eyes and ears clear." Noah stepped away from tree and raised a hand to his face, running it along his firm chin. "Something else troubles you Rokushii." He said, looking up at the man.
Rokushii frowned and dropped his hands to his sides. "I met quite the interesting man, at the entrance to the Grand Line." He said. "He moved with such grace and such strength, I nearly decided to fight him there and then. He would even put that black sword swordsman to shame, I suspect."
"A pirate?"
"Yes, with a small crew at the moment; although he no doubt wishes to recruit more in the Grand Line. I left my brother to deal with him, so I suspect he is already dead, his crew along with him."
"Do you think Lester will be able to beat him?"
"It shall be a tough fight, but Captain Hartland will be victorious, I have no doubt in that."
"Mmm, perhaps all our victories are about to be thrown back into our faces…" Noah mused, stepping past Rokushii and resting his hands on his belt.
"What do you mean? I…" Rokushii suddenly stopped talking and turned away from Noah, and looked towards the large tree they were stood under. His peaceful face suddenly hardened to stone and a deadly gleam appeared in his eyes. With deliberate slowness, his hand reached up and grasped the hilt of whatever he had on his back. With the swiftness of many hours training, the massive weapon was pulled free of his cloak and sliced into the tree; bludgeoning its way through as much as slicing.
Rokushii's weapon turned out to be a humongous sword, nearly as long as he was tall. It was a simple affair however, its long handle wrapped in white fabric, leading to a bar of steel with two prongs shaped like a long 'U' which held the mighty blade; coloured a dark steel and standing nearly two-feet wide.
It was easily long enough to cleave through the tree with no problem, which it did, and as Rokushii completed his swing, the tree dropped to the floor and slowly collapsed; away from the pair of soldiers.
"It seems rats are common here." Rokushii said as the tree settled.
The surface bark of the tree seemed to ripple before something rose out of it, forming into a man sat on the tree. He was sprawled as though sitting on a sofa, his elbow resting on the wood with his head resting in his hands. His head was completely bald, and a pair of circular glasses, mirrored to hide his eyes, sat on his nose. A fedora was perched on his head, while he wore a beige overcoat over a standard Marine uniform. The bars of rank on the shoulders of his jacked made him a Commodore.
"A Commodore?" Rokushii sneered, resting his gargantuan blade on his armoured shoulder, his tattered cloak blowing in the breeze. "It seems the plan the World Government devised was as much an insult as an invasion."
"Do not count your money until the game is finished, Rokushii." Noah said as he clasped his hands behind his back.
As soon as he finished speaking, the whole courtyard shook and geysers of volcanic magma spurted into the air in a circle around Noah and Rokushii; killing and maiming the guards who had no chance of fighting back. The Commodore looked uneasily towards the magma, but stayed where he was as another figure walked in their direction, a long white coat resting on his wide shoulders.
Under the coat, the man wore a dark red suit, with a flowery shirt open at his neck. A Marine cap was pulled low on his square face as black smoke billowed from his shoulders and back.
"An Admiral, that is more like it." Rokushii said, glancing towards the newcomer.
"Admiral Akainu, how are you today?" Noah asked, seemingly nonchalant as molten lava splashed around him. "A pleasant trip I take it?"
Akainu didn't reply, instead his face a calm complexion of getting ready to eliminate someone. Abruptly, the ground in front of his feet splintered and a ragged crack in the ground shot forward, glowing with the heat of the magma flowing just beneath the surface.
It headed straight for Noah, but the man didn't even try to avoid it as he watched Rokushii step in front of him and spear the ground with the end of his massive sword. The head of the crack met the edge of Rokushii's sword, but instead of melting it or shifting it out of the way; it was somehow deflected away from either Noah or Rokushii.
Rokushii didn't wait to see what Akainu would try next and strode forward two steps before swinging his sword wide, in a clear attempt to cleave the Admiral in half. Akainu didn't outwardly react as the huge blade sped towards him but it was clear in his eyes that he had a plan, which was thrown away when Noah shouted.
"Rokushii!" he called, and although just shouting his name, Rokushii knew what it meant as he froze in mid-swing, his sword edge millimetre's from Akainu's side. However, he didn't move his blade away. Akainu kept his gaze locked on Rokushii for a couple of seconds before sweeping his gaze to Noah; where he saw something perhaps more dangerous. "My men, Akainu, how many are still alive?"
The Marine Admiral took a moment to consider, despite Rokushii's blade a millisecond away from slicing him in half, before answering. "The men you have gathered live for the moment, I was only given one name by the Five."
Noah seemed to release a held breath, despite not changing his pose. "That is good to hear. Despite the fact I am at war, death does trouble me so; especially in the ranks of my own men."
"And who is it you are at war with?" The Commodore said suddenly, still lounging on the tree.
"Why, the world of course; and anyone who may stand in my way." Noah replied joyfully, without a smile.
The commodore started to speak again but a glare from Akainu silenced him. "Enough of this…" he started but Noah interrupted him before he could finish.
"I agree; Rokushii." Noah said, turning away from Akainu as Rokushii acted.
He sprung to life again and his sword began swinging again, picking up speed so fast it was as if he had never stopped in the first place. Akainu didn't even have time to react, if he had wanted to, before he was cut in half, leaving his body from the waist down quivering where he had stood.
Akainu's upper half, however, didn't fall to the ground. Instead, it clung to the edge of Rokushii's sword and balanced on top as the soldier completed his swing. Dripping dark red magma from his 'wound', Akainu's upper body slid up Rokushii's sword, leaving a trail in his wake, and he raised a dark red fist before slamming it into Rokushii's chest.
The General was taken aback, and took a step back as a torrent of magma slammed into his chest and splattered across his black armour; a small drip splashing into his face causing a small stream of burning smoke spiralling into the air. Akainu was already moving on, his legs having melted into a puddle and sliding across the floor to join with his upper half which was falling off Rokushii and joining the rest on the floor. As Akainu's body began to reform however, the side of Rokushii's sword slammed into his side and he was sent flying through the air.
As he flew, Akainu reformed fully but still trailed magma, before he slammed into the side of a stone building; burning an imprint of his body into it before dropping to a knee on the floor, glaring angrily towards Rokushii, who was shouldering his sword as if he wasn't covered in magma.
The magma on his armour was slowly sliding down the black-plating metal and the only indication it was having any effect at all was the fact his tattered brown cloak had caught aflame. "Not what you were expecting Admiral?" Rokushii questioned, feigning innocence.
Before Akainu could answer, however, there was a cry from behind them and the Commodore leapt off the fallen tree towards the still calm Noah. Noah still didn't react, despite the man leaping at him, and Rokushii suddenly appeared beside him, slamming the side of his sword into the marine, and sending him in the opposite direction to Akainu, although he also slammed into a stone wall before sliding to the ground; staying on his feet. He had cracks running along his face and flowing over his jacket and uniform.
As he stood up, the cracks melding into nothing, Rokushii narrowed his eyes. "What is your name, Commodore?" he asked, shouldering his weapon again.
"I am Commodore William Cabot, Marine-In-Charge of the 77th Marine Division." The Commodore replied, standing straighter and locking eyes with the giant before him.
"Interesting, I shall make sure your grave is marked correctly, Commodore Cabot." Rokushii said before spinning his sword off his shoulder and slamming the point into the ground, sending spider webs of cracks out. "Now, shall we continue the dance?"
William Cabot hardly managed to contain his surprise that Rokushii clearly wanted to fight both him and Akainu at the same time. Akainu simply stood up and brushed imaginary dust from his coat before he pulled the white marine coat from his shoulders and threw it to the ground.
A/N: And so I return! Eventually! It was only because I was trying to decide what to use in my 'prologue' as it were. I had about a thousand ideas but decided to settle on this little encounter between the Order of the White Eagle, and the Marines. I have plan to get him back for what he did to poor Ace (poor, poor Ace), so don't think you won't get to see the end of this confrontation; it's going to be awesome. Anyway, credit goes to Son of Whitebeard for 'Commodore William Cabot'.
Hopefully I'll have as many supporters in this story as I did for its Prequel and I hope you enjoy this one as much as the last, hell, hopefully you'll enjoy it all the more, I've got some awesome things planned for this one.
Until next time, faithful readers!
