The sun was beginning to rise for a new day. Vlad was sleeping peacefully in the captain's quarters of the marine ship, while Hoarfen was snoring loudly in the men's quarters; which he had all to himself. Tanya would have been sleeping in the women's quarters, but she was currently awake.
Vlad found out why when an intoxicating smell woke him up. Wearing nothing but a pair of pants, he followed the scent to the kitchen, and saw Tanya cooking. "It smells delicious."
"Thank you. Would you like some?"
"What is it?"
"Some meat I found in the cold storage unit of the ship. There should be enough food to last us about two months. I've also cut up some potatoes. They're frying on a low burner right now. I'm also planning on cooking some eggs."
"What a delicious sounding breakfast."
"And more than enough for the both of us."
"None for Hoarfen?"
"As if I would make anything for that mutt."
Vlad chuckled. "Well, it's for the best. He prefers his meat raw and bloody, straight off of the victims he hunts or kills."
"Tch. The more I hear about that beast, the more disgusting he becomes."
Vlad couldn't help but smile. As Tanya was cooking, he stood up to see if he could find some refreshments. He found that the refrigerator was filled with a variety. He poured himself and Tanya a glass.
After a few minutes, Tanya finished cooking her and her captain's breakfast. The moment she placed his plate in front of him, Vlad took a bite out of the meal. "Mm, exquisite. I had no idea I was recruiting a chef."
"I wouldn't call myself a chef. It's just basic cooking skills. They're a necessity and a joy to have on the seas. If you don't have at least one person who has basic knowledge in the preparation of food, and the knowledge required to keep one's body in shape, you're in for a pretty miserable life at sea. Something I bet you already know, captain."
"Mhm." Vlad took another bite of his food. "Though, I have to admit, it's been a long time since I've eaten food."
"Because of Level Six?"
"Before even then. I had grown dependent on my Devil Fruit. Blood was all I needed to sustain myself. It has been years since I've actually eaten food, especially food this delicious." He continued to eat.
Tanya giggled, a genuine smile on her face. "That's quite the compliment, captain." She started to eat her own food.
As they ate, Hoarfen entered the kitchen, yawning while scratching himself. "Mornin'. Hm? Ew. What stinks?"Tanya grew a tick mark. Hoarfen started to sniff. "Is that... cooked meat?"
"Yes. Tanya made breakfast for the two of us."
"VLAD! DON'T PUT THAT CRAP IN YOUR MOUTH!"
"CRAP?!" Tanya slammed her fist onto the table, destroying it. Fortunately, Vlad grabbed his plate before she did that, still enjoying his food. "How about I cook you, see what kind of 'crap' I can turn you into."
"Hah? Think you can so much as scratch me, Pussy Cat?" Hoarfen formed his claws on his left hand, and was baring his fangs in a sadistic smile.
"I'll do more than scratch you, Ice Bitch." Tanya also formed her claws, and bared her fangs in a furious scowl.
Vlad just continued to eat his breakfast, as if nothing was happening at all.
After a fight that heavily damaged the kitchen of the ship, Vlad was studying a map he found in the captain's quarters while analyzing his Log Pose.
"So, you're a navigator?"
Vlad looked behind him to see Tanya walking towards him, drying her hair while wearing nothing but a partially open bathrobe, almost completely exposing her breasts. He assumed she took a bath after her fight with Hoarfen. Since she was an Awakened Zoan, he saw that it was no surprise that she had no wounds whatsoever. He saw Hoarfen walking around in the background, stretching as if he had no care in the world. Vlad deduced he was an Awaken as well, since he also didn't have any wounds. After the fight those two had, they should have looked like they were mauled by wild animals... which they both technically were.
"Indeed. Before I created a crew, I traveled the Grand Line by myself for quite some time. Navigation has saved me more times than I can possibly count."
"Hm. To survive on the Grand Line by yourself shows just how powerful you are. You're one hell of a man, Vlad." Vlad just hummed in response. "So, we close to any islands?"
"You wish to go on a killing spree?"
"Don't compare me to that bloodthirsty mutt. We don't have much necessary provisions. My fight with the mutt destroyed most of the meats and vegetables. That mutt might like eating people, but I don't. We also need some more fruits. Even we need to eat properly. . . . Well, you said that you relay mostly on blood, but it's not like we can carry blood packs everywhere."
"We possibly could, but I prefer my blood fresh out of the body. Besides, I wouldn't mind eating more of your cooking." Tanya blushed at that response. "Anyway, to answer your question, we are close to an island. It's called Steampunk Island."
"Steampunk?"
"They pride themselves on their steam-based technology. They're one of the most advanced islands in the world. Even Vegapunk himself has done work on that island. We will get the food you desire, but we might also find something of interest on that island."
"Like we need weapons."
"You never know."
It didn't take them long to reach a port. Vlad, Tanya, and Hoarfen nonchalantly exited the marine ship, the Harbormaster waiting at the bottom. "Welcome to Steampunk Island, noble marines."
"We are not marines," rebuked Vlad. "We are just two men and a woman who were able to somewhat repair an abandoned warship."
"Ah, and you did a magnificent job of doing so." The Harbormaster then looked up. "Though, it seems a section of the ship has been heavily damaged."
Vlad looked up to see what the Harbormaster meant, and saw the still smoking section that was the kitchen. "We were attacked by a group of pirates. We were lucky that the kitchen was the only section that was damaged."
"Indeed. Now then, good sir, I will require your name and reason for being on our humble island."
"My name is Vladimir Tepes. As mentioned before, my kitchen was damaged, taking away a portion of our provisions. I am here to restock my food supplies."
"For a small price, we could repair your kitchen. Say, four hundred berries?"
"Reasonable."
"Ah, and I should also add that weighing anchor at the port is one hundred berries, making it a total of five hundred berries all together." Wordlessly and without hesitation, Vlad reached into his back pock, took out the money, and placed it in the man's hand. "Welcome to Steampunk Island, Mr. Tepes." Vlad just nodded, and began to walk.
As they did, Hoarfen noticed a little girl hiding behind the Harbormaster. When he saw her, he decided to tease her by growing his fangs, and biting the air in front of her face with a wolf's growl, snarling the entire time. The girl yelped in fear while hiding behind the Harbormaster.
"Hoarfen."
"Yeah, yeah. Comin', Vlad." Before he walked away, Hoarfen looked in the girl's eye one last time with his own icy blue orb, showing off a fanged smile.
The girl couldn't help but stare at the three people as they walked away. "Those people are scary."
"Well, the one with the blue hair does seem a bit boorish, but that other young man seems to be quite well mannered. He also seems to be the captain. An interesting fellow, that young Mr. Tepes. . . . Tepes?"
"Is there something wrong, Grandfather?"
"Oh, I just seem to feel like I should know that name. Hm, Vladimir Tepes. The entire name seems familiar. I dare say I know the man. However, that shouldn't be possible. Merely looking at the boy shows that I could be old enough to be his own father."
"Then you might have known his father."
"Maybe." The Harbormaster then noticed his granddaughter's expression of fear. "Is something the matter, child?"
"That other man. The pretty looking man with blue hair and eyes. He was scary."
"Yes. He did act most inappropriate, but it seems he respects Mr. Tepes."
"But that name Mr. Tepes said, Hoarfen. I think I've heard that name before."
"Hm, as do I. . . I wonder..." The Harbormaster then went to check the wanted posters. "Hm, these are all the current posters. These are all men and women of infamy, from petty crimes to diabolic acts that only the most vile of pirates could commit. Neither Mr. Tepes, nor this Hoarfen character appears."
"Then, are they good people, Grandfather?"
"Hm, I do not know. I suppose I will have to scheme through the posters of old, just to be safe." The granddaughter nodded in confirmation.
Vlad, Hoarfen, and Tanya were walking through the city, taking in the sights.
"It's hideous," Tanya said as she looked at the steam factories.
"Yeah, this place is definitely not for me," Hoarfen said as he looked at the buildings.
"We won't be here for long. We will only stay one night. It should be more than enough time for them to repair that ship."
"Why not just steal another one," Tanya asked.
"In fact, why didn't we just start slaughtering," Hoarfen added.
"There are too many people here, even for us. I'd rather keep a low profile in heavily populated areas like this."
"Huh, whatever. Oh, by the way, where'd you get that cash, Vlad," Hoarfen asked, genuinely curious.
"The dead have no need for it, especially not the men who 'gave' us our clothes, the men and women who satisfied your appetite, or those villagers who 'helped' Tanya to make that entertaining horror island."
"You robbed the dead," Tanya asked with a giggle. "That's some hardcore evil."
"As I said, the dead have no use for it."
"Extra! Extra! Read al' about it! Jack the Rippa' strikes again! Hm? Oi! Mate!" Vlad stopped when the newspaper boy called out to him, making Hoarfen and Tanya stop as well. "You're not from around 'ere, are ye?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"Mate, you see any other lads with skin are dark as you chaps?"
Vlad looked around and realized that everyone around him was fair skinned. He looked up and saw why. The sun was completely blocked out by the steam created by the many factories. There's no way anyone would get anything close to a tan in an environment like this. He, Hoarfen, and Tanya were easy to find. "No. I most certainly do not."
"Well, gov'na, you may need to know about this." The boy handed him a newspaper.
Vlad read the article. "Jack the Ripper?"
"Right scary bloke, he is. Been around for five nights, and he's already sent eight ol' beauties off to our Lord. The odd thing about it, the Rippa hasn't been 'eard from in ov'a twenty years. The old goats in the World Gov'ment took 'im out. Least that's what they say. But bullocks to that, I say! If they were tellin' true, then why has ol' Jack returned?"
Vlad knew why. If the boy was to be trusted, and it really has been about five days since this Jack the Ripper's return... then this murderer was a Level Six escapee like him and his crew. What's more... Vlad might actually know him. "Thank you for the information, young man."
"Ah, no worries, mate. Just be sure to keep the missus away form the killa. She's a right beauty, she is. You're a lucky one, having that one for a wife." Tanya jolted a bit, her eyes shadowed, and her cheeks glowing red from embarrassment. Hoarfen was keeping his face hidden, desperately trying to keep himself form laughing out loud.
Vlad was silent for a bit, his expression unreadable. "Indeed, I most certainly am."
"Nyah?!" Steam was actually coming off of Tanya's head, while Hoarfen was actually stabbing himself with his own claws, trying so hard not to laugh his literal tail off.
"Well, good day, mate. Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Jack the Rippa strikes again! Eighth victim found behind Steam Punk City Hall! Leaves our boys in blue with no clue once more! Read al' 'bout it!"
Vlad watched the boy walk away, announcing the news. When he couldn't see him anymore, he looked down at the newspaper. "Jack the Ripper, huh?" As Vlad read the paper, he had to tilt his head to avoid getting jabbed by Tanya, which would have killed pretty much anyone via impalement. "Something wrong, Tanya?"
"DAMN RIGHT! WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING, SAYING ALL OF THAT EMBARRASSING CRAP?!" Hoarfen couldn't hold it anymore. He fell to the ground, howling with laughter, holding his splitting sides. "YOU'RE NEXT, MUTT!"
"Was it so wrong of me to speak the truth?" Tanya looked at Vlad, her face completely red. "You are quite the beautiful woman. I wouldn't mind having you for a wife." Tanya's eyes were completely shadowed by her hair, her face steaming, with her being unable to even make a coherent word.
Hoarfen was pounding the ground, destroying it a bit, until he looked up and saw Vlad. "You know, you've been staring at that thing for a while. Something interesting about this Ripper guy?"
"He's one of us."
Tanya finally regained her composure. "A Level Six escapee?"
"Yes. One I actually know." That caught the subordinates attention. If Vlad knew the guy, then Jack the Ripper was there at Level Six way before either of them.
Vlad then rolled up the paper, and threw it into the closest trash can. "Well, I'm sure we'll see him soon enough. For now, let's see what this city has to offer, then find some place to sleep."
"You and the Pussy gonna share a room," Hoarfen asked, side stepping in time to avoid a clawed jab from Tanya.
"Possibly."
"NOT HAPPENING!" Tanya's roar sent many of the civilians running in fear.
"Alright, alright."
The pirates spent the whole time exploring the city. Both Vlad and Tanya had to keep Hoarfen in check, which greatly angered him, since he wanted to kill so badly. Tanya found all the provisions they needed, but that was it. Steampunk Island had a lot of magnificent inventions and weapons, but none of what they saw interested the Bloody Pirates. If anything, the only reason they would purchase these creations... would be to give it to their opponent so that they could be a more interesting fight.
After a full day of exploration, the Bloody Pirates went to the many hotels of the island. Vlad decided to rent a separate room for each member, much to Tanya's relief. Hoarfen did, of course, tease her about it. She retaliated by trying to slash his eyes out, but he blocked with his own claws.
All three members were sleeping in their own rooms, able to ignore the noisy city. Hoarfen's snores were as loud as any machine Steampunk city had operating. Vlad has always been able to sleep through noises like this. The only sounds that get a reaction out of him are the cries of battle. The only thing that would completely wake him up was his haki reacting to something, his reflexes kicking in, or his own inhuman instincts. Tanya was the same as Vlad, except that her haki was the only thing she relied on to awaken her.
As of now, she was peacefully sleeping. She looked so beautiful, so at peace, that one would never be able to guess that she was a monster of a woman. A mass murderer. A villain among pirates. If anything, she looked like the most beautiful woman one could ever lay eyes on. A once-in-a-lifetime beauty.
A work of art.
As she slept peacefully, she was unable to hear the window of her sixth story room being opened. She wouldn't be able to, not because of the noise of the city, but because there was virtually no sound to be heard.
Once the window was opened, a shadowy man wearing a top hat entered discretely. Tanya would have been able to hear someone so much as step on the floor, even a carpeted one like her room, but no sound was made from the man's step. It was almost as if he was walking on air.
Then, the man seemed to have floated towards Tanya, and was standing directly over her.
"Ah, such beauty. So young and fit. Not overly muscular, and has a lovely dark tint to her flesh. Such beauty..." The man then took out a knife... without making a sound. It should have made at least a rustle from leaving the man's cloak, but no sound was heard at all. "Should be immortalized."
The man lifted the knife above Tanya. "In death, your beauty will be eternal." With that, the man swing his knife down, still somehow not making a sound.
The knife was just inches away from Tanya's head, before it stopped. The man himself was confused, until he looked at his arm. There was a hand gripping it. He followed the hand, and saw something surprising.
"Hello, Jack."
"Vladdy!"
Tanya stirred a bit. Then, the sound of thunder was heard, and she slowly opened her eyes. When she looked around, she was alone in her room. Then, she saw that her window was open. "Huh?"
At the back of the hotel, in the alleyway, the silhouettes of two men were seen. Then, lightning struck, illuminating both of them. One of them was Vlad, while the other was a new man.
The man was as fair skinned as the rest of the islanders. He looked to be in his mid to late thirties. He had no facial hair, but mid length brown hair that escaped his top hat. He had a mad grin, lined with razor sharp teeth. His clothes were pretty common around the island, showing that he wasn't exactly wealthy. His clothes also gave the impression that he was a lanky man, who might as well have been skin and bone. Except for his teeth, he would pass as a normal, harmless civilian. However, he was anything but.
He was Jack the Ripper.
"Oh, Vladdy, how long has it been, deary?!"
"Last we spoke was eight days ago, three days before that Blackbeard fellow showed up. However, the last time we saw one another was approximately eight years ago."
"And you look even lovelier now than we I first laid eyes on you!"
"While you seemed to have barley age. You should be in your late sixties."
"Ah, the secrets of beauty, Vladdy. However, my grasp of eternal beauty pales in comparison to yours. You were beautiful before, but now, oh, you are a masterpiece, Vladdy."
"You can thank my Devil Fruit for that."
"Merely a tool, Vladdy. Merely a tool. Oh, how I have longed to see you again. You and your perfect body."
Vlad sighed. "You really haven't changed. Not your personality or that cockney accent of yours."
"Oh! Vladdy! You wound me. This is the lovely voice given to me at birth."
Vlad looked up. "And this is where you were born."
"Ah, always the clever one, Vladdy. Yes, my dear, this is were I was born. Where young Charles Thomas Druitt enjoyed his childhood." The man then pointed his knife to the sky. "And where he died to give birth to Jack the Ripper! Oh, so many fond memories. I still remember my first work of art. A fairly mature canvas, but she was magnificent. The next one was on the younger side, but much easier to work with. The third was one of my most aged. Ooh, how beautiful she was when she was immortalized. The red wine that flowed from her was perfection. Oh, how I pride myself in turning those women into permanent works of art. All ninety-five of them."
"That was your record before being captured?"
"Indeed. I just wish the people knew of them. They only learned of five of my beauties. I suppose the others were too difficult to find. I hid them too well."
"And why did you hid them if you want them to be appreciated?"
"Vladdy, true art must be found. It shouldn't be put up in plain sight. It is art, because it is unique. It is something you will never be able to find anywhere else. As such, you must go and journey forth to find true art. A lesson the marines have failed to accomplish. Ooh, but that lovely young pirate. That young man had an eye for art. He found me so quickly. I was working on my next piece of art before he and his lads struck down my door."
"A pirate found you, did he? Do you remember his name."
"Alas, I never got the boy's name. He was so young. But I will never forget his face. He was a strapping young man, skin as dark as your own, wore an adorable straw hat, and had the loveliest crimson colored hair I had even laid eyes on. He was a work of art, one that I truly wanted to immortalize."
"Roger's cabin boy."
"Vladdy! You knew the boy?!"
"I was quite acquainted with him, back in my day."
"So, he was a student of the late Pirate King. It greatly explains the boy's incredible strength and skill. It was an enjoyable bout. So difficult. So energetic. So... artistic. It is no wonder I feel no regret for being defeated by him. I only wish there was a way to immortalize the occasion. However, that work of art... must forever remain hidden. So sad."
"Well, why not immortalize the boy?" Jack looked at Vlad, a curious look on his face. "Someone as skilled as him is bound to still be alive. Why not travel with me and find him?"
"Aw! Vladdy! You want me to travel with you?!"
"You are a skilled man, Jack. I could use someone of your talents. Besides, a doctor is always needed."
"Oh? You need me to cure you of your illness? I thought you were immortal."
"I wasn't talking about myself."
"Oh, you mean that adorable kitten and that lovely puppy over there?" Jack looked towards a direction.
"Exactly," Vlad responded as he looked in the same direction.
"Alright, I'll admit it. He's good," Hoarfen said as he walked out of the shadows.
"To think his observation is at a high enough level to sense even me," Tanya said as she also walked out.
"It's more than that. Jack is genius when it comes to observation haki, as well as masking his presence. He is the ultimate assassin, as well as the perfect living ghost. No one can sense him, not even with observation haki. Only reflexes and instincts at beyond superhuman levels can track him."
"Something that you and that red-haired chap have in common, Vladdy."
Hoarfen snickered. "Vladdy?"
Tanya ignored Hoarfen. "Vlad, you mentioned that a doctor is always needed. Is he really one?"
"A surgeon, to precise. Self-taught. It's how he was able to commit those murders."
"You seem to know a lot about him, Vlad," Hoarfen said.
"Well, we were cell mates for a decade. He kept trying to cut me."
"And you would never let me take so much as a sliver of that beautiful flesh of yours."
"And you're never getting it."
"Ah! How mean. Well, there are other canvases on your ship. Like that handsome wolf."
"Hm?"
"His flesh is as dark as your own, Vladdy. His physique also resembles yours. And those beautiful eyes and that breathtaking hair. They look to be made of ice blue diamonds." Jack then pointed his knife at Hoarfen. "Such beauty should be immortalized."
Hoarfen grew his fangs and claws, smiling viciously as he got into a fighting stance. "Bring it on. I'll show you what a real 'Ripper' looks like."
"Hm. You won't see me stopping him. In fact, I might actually help him," Tanya said while looking away from Hoarfen.
"I'll kill you along with him, Pussy Cat."
"Oh, yeah, you Bastard Mutt?" Tanya grew her own claws and fangs.
"Oh! Beautiful!" Tanya looked at Jack. " Her skin is also perfectly dark. Her eyes are as beautiful as shinning gold! Her hair is as dark as a raven's, like yours is Vladdy! And that perfect physique! She is the most beautiful woman I have seen yet! She must be immortalized!"
Tanya shivered at Jack out of disgust. "Creep."
"I can help you immortalize her," Hoarfen said with a smile.
"I will gut you, mutt."
"Enough." Everyone looked at Vlad. "You can try and kill one another later. For now, it is time for us to leave this island. The shipwrights should have finished repairing our ship hours ago."
"About damn time. This place is boring," Hoarfen sighed out of relief.
"I've already had our provisions sent to the ship. We're ready to go," Tanya replied.
"Good. Ready to say goodbye to your old home, Jack?"
"For a chance to travel with you, Vladdy? Of course! I am already looking forward to the art that I will create."
"Good. Let's go."
The Bloody Pirates casually walked towards the harbor. They were some of the only people out on the street. Jack explained that it wasn't anything unusual. However, when they reached the harbor, they saw something that was.
There were two marine battleships around the one they stole. The Harbormaster was there, speaking with a Vice Admiral. Then, the Vice Admiral spotted crew. "YOU!"
The marines and the Harbormaster spotted the criminals. The Harbormaster got behind the marines in fear, hoping for protection, while the marines all prepared their weapons, pointing their guns and infusing their swords with haki.
The Vice Admiral stepped forward. "Upstart of the Beast Pirates, Ice Wolf Hoarfen!"
"Hm?"
"Former Vice Captain of the Queen Cat Pirates, Tanya the Cheetah!"
Vlad looked at Tanya. "You were a Vice Captain? Impressive."
"Meh, it's no big deal. My crew wasn't all that awesome, especially my captain. She was pathetic. Pretty much the polar opposite of you."
"Mass Serial Killer, Jack the Ripper!"
"Oh, they already identified me. Impressive."
"I suppose that being seen with us made it obvious."
"Oh, Vladdy, you shouldn't place the blame on yourself."
The Vice Admiral then began to sweat, and even gulped in fear. "V-Vladimir Tepes, A.K.A. The Bloody Devil!" Vlad then looked right into the Vice Admiral's eyes, making the man shake in fear. "You are all under arrest! You will be taken back to Level Six of Impel Down!"
"We refuse," Vlad said immediately.
"Refusal is not an option! You will return to Impel Down without resistance! If you try to resist, we will use lethal force!"
"Then use it, boy." The Vice Admiral then shivered... when Vlad's eyes actually started to glow blood red. Then, Hoarfen's eyes started to glow ice blue, his claws, fangs, ears, and tails developing. Tanya's eyes were glowing a golden color, her own animal characteristics developing. Then, Jack's eyes started to glow a soulless white, a crescent moon smile forming in his face, as knives started to slowly appear from his sleeves.
The Vice Admiral was terrified. He had never felt so much murderous intent before... and he was unfortunate enough to stand before the Yonko, Big Mom.
The man then took another gulp. "All men, ready your weapons!" The marines did as they were ordered. "Aim!" The sound of guns being cocked was heard. "FI-!"
The sound of blood splattering was heard. The Vice Admiral's eyes were open wide from shock and fear... from seeing Vlad right in front of him. "You were taking too long." The Vice Admiral coughed up blood before looking down to see that Vlad had impaled him with his bare hand. "Bloody..." The Vice Admiral looked back up at the face of his killer. "Urchin."
The Vice Admiral then became skewered with spikes made of blood, all protruding from every part of his body. He was dead in an instant.
"VICE ADMIRAL!"
A marine with tears in his eyes pointed his gun at Vlad's head. However, before he could pull the trigger, his gun was moved away, and in his line of vision... was Hoarfen, eyes still glowing, with a viciously evil smile on his face.
"Ah-ah-ah," Hoarfen said while wagging his finger in front of the frightened marine. He then crushed the gun in his hand, horrifying the marine. Then, Hoarfen grabbed the man by his neck and shoulder... and bit off a chunk of the man's shoulder, making his blood spew everywhere like a water hose. The poor man died of blood loss in a matter of seconds.
More marines pointed at the two killers, but before they could even place a finger on the trigger, they were torn to ribbons. It was so quick, that they were alive long enough to not only see their severed body parts, but also be able to look up to see who had killed them. Before them was the beautiful Tanya, who was seductively licking the blood off of her claws. At least the last thing they saw before they died was beautiful. Evil, but beautiful.
One marine was so terrified, that he turned to run to the ship. When he looked towards the ship, he saw Jack the Ripper standing before him, a normal smile on his face. Then, he took out a scalpel. The marine looked at the knife in fear before looking back up at Jack. Jack then moved the knife around the marine's face at lightning speed for around a second.
The marine's look of fear never disappeared... until his face did. It feel off the poor man's head like a mask. Before the skin hit the ground, Jack caught it, and watched the marine fall to his knees, dead.
Jack held up the skin. "Ah, you died with such a beautiful look on your handsome face. You died a work of art, my boy."
As Jack was admiring the skin, Hoarfen appeared and snatched it out of his hands. "Don't waste food!" When he said that, he ate the face.
"Ah! Hoarffy! How could you do that to art?!"
"Hoarffy? Art? You call what you do art? I think it's a waste of food."
"Oh, how sad. You have no taste for art."
"I don't give a shit about art. I just care about what I eat."
"Oh, you poor child. How Vladdy must suffer."
"I don't care." The two men looked to see that Vlad and Tanya had just finished slaughtering the rest of the marines. It looked like an image of Hell.
"Oh! A thing of beauty! You always were an artist, Vladdy."
"Now that's a real waste of food."
"Shut up, you Cannibalistic Mutt," Tanya said with a glare.
"Make me, you Bitchy Pussy."
Tanya grew a tick mark. "Bitchy? Oh, I'll definitely shut you up."
"Enough," Vlad said sternly. He then turned towards the town. Willing the blood in his body to strengthen the muscles in his eyes, Vlad greatly increased his vision. About three miles away, the Harbormaster was running away in terror, trying to escape the demons on the bay.
Still seeing the man, Vlad began to manipulate the blood around him. With a flick of his wrist, a tentacle of blood shot through the city, and wrapped around the Harbormaster's leg. The elderly man fell on his face, breaking his glasses and nose. He clawed at the ground, trying to escape, but it was all for naught.
He was easily dragged across the city, his skin being torn off from the rough dragging he was receiving. He was even bashed against some of the cars, trees, and lampposts around the city. Finally, he was thrown against the ship. When he looked up, he screamed in absolute terror. Two warships worth of marines, slaughtered and torn to pieces, littered all around the harbor. What was worse was when he saw the glowing golden, blue, and white eyes staring at him. Before him were not humans, monsters, or demons, but devils.
Then, a black boot stomped before his vision. The old man looked up, and saw blood red eyes staring down at him, the most terrifying eyes of all. Before him was the Devil himself. The old man even wet himself as Satan knelt down to look him in the eye, pleading to God to just let him die of a heart attack. That sweet relief never came.
"How unfortunate." How could a voice so beautiful sound so terrifying? "You know, I was feeling merciful. I was in a fairly good mood when I came. Then, you had to ruin it by summoning these... maggots. If you hadn't done something so foolish, you might have lived."
The Harbormaster was crying, literally cursing himself for his mistake. He knew just how viscous the Bloody Devil was. He even saw how evil he was first hand as a young man. The moment he found the Devil's old poster was the moment he should have just ran. Why did he do something as stupid as summon the marines? In fact, why didn't he ask for an Admiral? Why was he such a fool?!
Then, he felt a sharp pain. He looked to see that the Bloody Devil had impaled his shoulder... with just a finger. "Say, do you know what happens to the human body when the blood flow is reversed?" Before the Harbormaster could say anything, Vlad did just that.
The Harbormaster exploded like an overfilled water balloon. His blood splattered across everything, from the dock, to all three ships, to even the ocean. However, Vlad did not have one speck of blood on his body.
"GLORIOUS!" Vlad looked behind him to see that none of his crew mates had blood on them either. He wasn't surprised. He knew they were more than fast enough to avoid getting blood on them. "Oh, Vladdy, your artistic talents know no equal! You have painted the entire harbor in a glorious crimson color! So beautiful!"
"Hm, you're a pretty interesting guy."
"Oh, Tanny, you're such a charmer, you lovely little kitten."
"Tanny?"
"Jack has a weird habit of giving people nicknames like that. You get used to it." Vlad then sensed something. "It seems one is still alive." Vlad walked towards the pile of corpses, and kicked a few bodies way. At the bottom was a fully intact marine. His breathing was labored, and had four gashes on his chest that looked to be too wide for Tanya's claws, so Vlad deduced that he was Hoarfen's victim.
As Vlad looked down at the marine, He created a sword of blood, and held it over the man's head, preparing to impale him.
"Vladdy, wait." Vlad looked back at Jack. "Could you please let me keep this one?"
"For what?"
"Vladdy, art is a mystery. And a surprise. I don't want to spoil your gift."
"Gift?"
"On that note, could you please slay that bird above us?"
Without a word, or even trying to argue or ask why, Vlad threw his blood sword into the air without looking. Palm towards the sky, he waited for a couple of minutes, before a giant bird as large as a whale fell on his palm, without making him so much as grunt or twitch.
"Oh, Vladdy, you're too kind. Now, which ship is ours?"
"Hm... Tanya, could you analyze all three ships, and see which is superior?"
"On it." She disappeared. It took about three minutes, one minute for each ship, before she returned. "Well, how do you like that. The provisions we actually bought have been placed in the left ship. Must belong to that Vice Admiral you killed. It's also the nicest of the three."
"And what of the ship at the right?"
"It has some provisions, but nothing else noteworthy."
"Are you able to carry all the provisions onto the Vice Admiral's ship?"
"Oh, please." She disappeared once more, and returned in less than a minute. "Done."
"Tanny, by chance, did you find any music?"
"Music? Well, there was a record player in the captain's quarters in the left ship."
"EXCELLENT! Vladdy, would you please allow me to have the player?"
"Sure. Now then, let's set sail." With that, the Bloody Pirates, with Vlad carrying the giant bird and groaning marine, boarded the ship, and set sail.
"Now, Vladdy, I will be taking these two. Oh, and Hoarffy, be a dear and get that player for me. Place it in the cargo hold of the ship."
"Yeah, whatever." Hoarfen did as he was asked, not caring about what the weirdo was gonna do with a boring old record player.
"What are you planning, Jack?"
"Oh, Vladdy. You are so impatient." Jack then took hold of the man and giant bird, and effortlessly took them out of Vlad's hands. "It may take about half an hour, but it will be worth it, dear. Trust Old Papa Jack." Vlad just hummed. With a smile, Vlad walked towards the cargo hold. He struggled a bit to get the huge bird through the small doorway. The sound of the bird's bones breaking were heard as Jack forced the corpse through.
Finally in the cargo hold, Jack created a make-shift operating table for the marine, who was still groaning in pain. Then, he walked over to the record player, and saw that Hoarfen also grabbed a box full of records. "Oh! How thoughtful of him. I didn't even ask." He began to look through the records.
"Hm. Nope. No. No. Oh dear lord, that Vice Admiral actually has THIS piece of rubbish? He deserved to be killed by Vladdy. Hm? Oh, joy!" Jack then took out a record. "Ode to Joy! It seemed that marine had at least a tiny bit of taste."
Jack then put in the record, and took a moment to enjoy the melody. "Ah, splendid. A work of musical art." Jack then heard the sound of the marine groaning, and looked behind him. "Oh, you are awake."
"W-Where am I?"
"Don't worry, love."
The marine looked, and was horrified. "JACK THE RIPPER!"
"Oh my, my reputation precedes me. What an honor."
The marine tried to escape, but ended up getting tied to the table in the blink of an eye. "LET ME GO, YOU SICK BASTARD!"
"Oh, I'm afraid I can't do that, dear." Jack then took out his knife. "I need to make you into art." The man's eyes widened in terror. "Now, a good man is singing a lovely song. Let's not waste his talents. You should sing alongside him. Now..." Jack's eyes started to glow soulless white. "Start singing."
Tanya had begun to cook dinner for herself and Vlad, listening to the strange song Jack was playing. Hoarfen was lying on his back, looking up at the starry sky, while eating an arm from one of the marines he killed. Vlad was in the captain's quarters, looking over the maps to see what the next possible destination would be.
Then, as the choir of the song started to sing at their highest, the sound of the man's screams of agony was heard. All three crew members swore they heard Jack singing along with the choir. He was obviously enjoying himself as he tortured that marine. The pirates were becoming more and more curious about what Jack was doing.
Tanya and Vlad were enjoying their dinner before they sensed Jack walking up the stairway. However, they sensed another spirit. A powerful one at that. It wasn't at their level. More like in the same league as the Vice Admiral Vlad effortlessly killed. However, as the spirit came closer, everyone sensed that whatever was with Jack was more than powerful enough to kill the Vice Admiral.
After Vlad and Tanya finished their dinner, the two walked to the entrance of the cargo hold, and waited for Jack. Hoarfen was already there, staring at the door with his arms crossed. As the other pirates joined him, they waited for the door to open.
They didn't have to wait long.
Jack walked out with a crescent moon smile. "My lovely lady and handsome gentlemen! A present to you, the first of many Chimera!"
Then, out of the shadow of the doorway, the marine walked out. Jack had surgically fused the man with the giant bird Vlad killed. His arms had feathers attached to them, with talons at the end of both hands. Jack had exchanged the marine's eyes with the bird's, giving him the keen eyesight of the bird of prey. Jack even gave the man the bird's beak, albeit sized down to match the head. The man looked like a hybrid Zoan.
As a sort of test, Vlad cut his hand, used his blood to grab three barrels, and threw all three of them at the creature. It slashed the first two with it's talons before destroying the final one with a single peck, not getting so much as a splinter. "Impressive."
"Huh, it's almost like you made an artificial Zoan... why does that sound familiar," Hoarfen asked.
"It's not like it matters, Mutt. What does matter is how powerful that... thing is."
"Oh? You wish for a demonstration, Tanny?"
"I believe we would all enjoy that, Jack."
"As you wish, Vladdy." Jack then looked towards the starboard side. "Fortunately, we have a test subject. The crew members looked to see a pirate ship sailing towards them. "Now, my dear, daddy has a job for you." The monster looked towards it's creator... his eyes glowing soullessly. "Slaughter that pirate crew."
The creature spread it's wings, and flew towards the ship. All four members walked over to watch the carnage. They all had keen eyesight and advanced night vision, so they might as well be getting ready to watch a show.
The creature then landed on the ship with a heavy smash.
"What the hell?!"
"A Zoan?!"
"Dumbass has a death wish! Kill him!"
The pirates then started to fire a barrage of bullets at the monster... and he just stood there and took it. The pirates quickly ran out of bullets.
"Keh, what a loser."
"So he just came here to die?"
"Pathetic. Let's go after that marine warshi-"
The monster threw out it's arms fast enough to create a powerful wind that sent many of the pirates slamming into the rails of the ship, a few others actually falling off the ship.
"What the hell?!"
"How the hell is he still alive?!"
"Just shut up and kill him again!"
The pirates then aimed their reloaded guns at the beast, and where about to fire. However, the monster screeched. The Bloody Pirates were actually able to see the vibrations caused by the monster's scream. The pirates were gripping their ears, trying to drown out the horrible screech. Some of their ears popped. Others had blood flowing out of their ears. The most unfortunate ones not only had their ears explode with blood, but their eyes as well. Needless to say, the truly unlucky ones died from the screech alone.
"W-What the hell is this guy?!"
"CUT HIS FUCKING HEAD OFF!"
The pirates charged at the monster, preparing to cut it to ribbons. However, when the first pirate swung his sword, the blade completely shattered on impact, shocking all of the pirates. Then, they watched in horror as the monster impaled the pirated with it's bare hand, and threw him away into the ocean. Then, the creature released one more roar before it charged at the pirates.
Hoarfen whistled. "Damn. That thing is tough."
"It seems practically invincible," Vlad stated.
"It was shot countless times in all directions. Some of those bullets even penetrated the skull. It obviously sustained fatal injuries that would kill most creatures. The only thing that I can think of that could survive a bullet to the head is a Logia... and more than likely Vlad. How the hell did you make that, Jack," Tanya asked, genuinely curious.
"Tut, tut, Tanny. A magician never reveals his tricks, nor does the artist. Art must be wholly unique and original. Something that only the artist can create. If I were to reveal my secrets, countless charlatans would make inferior copies of my lovelies, and pass it on as their own creations."
The creature then returned, it's talons, feathers, and face covered in blood. Vlad walked up to it, wiped off some blood with his thumb, and licked it off. "Hm. Weak. These pirates were pathetic. Taking away from the demonstration of it's invulnerability, it took just enough time to slaughter those maggots." Vlad then... caressed the creature's cheek. "I would say that this 'Chimera' was a success."
"Oh, Vladdy! Your words of praise are almost orgasmic!"
Hoarfen appeared next to the beast, and patted it's shoulders. "Tough bod. Hey, Jack, how come this thing isn't attacking us?"
"Ah! Hoarffy?! Do you think so little of me?! Of course I would design my pretties to see us as non targets. I want to impress, Vladdy, so of course I wouldn't make my pretties attack him. Also, I can't afford for him, you, or Tanny to destroy the first of my children. It is nowhere near powerful enough to challenge any of you. If I am speaking truthfully, it would probably take ten of that model to challenge you or Tanny. I don't even want to imagine how many would be required to challenge Vladdy."
That caught Vlad's interest. "So you can create more?"
"I just need the right material. That marine was the perfect mold, and the bird you slew was the perfect material."
"Does it have to be a fit human male," Tanya asked.
"No. It does not. It's just that much simpler."
"Then, what, you can make an old fart or a brat into one of these things," Hoarfen asked with his hands behind his head.
"Tis not impossible, just very difficult. However, turning an aged man into one of my darlings does sound interesting. A child would be just as difficult, but maybe even more worth the effort."
"Aw, man. That's more food gone to waste," Hoarfen pouted.
"Hm, interesting. It seems you have another use besides being a doctor."
"Hm?"
Vlad used his blood to grab a map, and pointed to a certain area. "There are a plethora of uninhabited islands in both Paradise and the New World. We will go to one of the New World islands when the time is right. For now, we need to obtain an island of our own here in Paradise, so that Jack can create more of Chimeras."
"Oh, Vladdy! You truly appreciate my art?!"
"I do. They seem interesting. Who knows? You may create one that could be strong enough to..."
"To do what, Vladdy?"
"Hm, for now, that is not important. What is important is that we obtain an island for ourselves in Paradise."
"Cool," Hoarfen responded.
"Let's go find ourselves a new home," Tanya said.
"Oh, an island all for my darlings to be born. Is it my birthday," Jack asked with a dreamy look in his face.
Vlad walked towards the hull of the ship, staring out at the starlit sea. His reign of the shadows was beginning, with not only an new addition to his ruthless crew, but the aspect of creating an army of all but invincible monsters. Slowly, but surely, he was getting close and closer to his ultimate goal.