Black Whirlwind


VIII: Power Break

"It's a match!" Franky yelled.

"Bring it on!" Yellow armour clashed as the dragon-turned-human Power Tool yelled. "Which will be the winner... our Deformers Docking... or your Iron Pirate, Franky Shogun Docking?"

Indeed, the Sunny's Kurosai FR-U Unit IV and Brachio Tank V had been unrolled again, and now landed beside Franky, awaiting use.

"It's a contest of Docking!" Usopp and Chopper yelled, their eyes sparkling in excitement.

"As a code, the challenger goes first," Power Tool indicated to the grinning shipwright.

"For an so-called enemy you're pretty honest yourself," Franky grinned. "Kurosai FR-U Unit IV! Brachio Tank V! Docking!"

There was some incredible folding of metal that completely defied modern physics and description, so let us just suffice with the idea that Franky modelled the tank onto himself before putting on the armour that was the behemoth of a bike.

"Iron Pirate: Franky Shogun!" Franky posed. It looked like a giant Franky with a drill pompadour and the Straw Hat Jolly roger on its chest. A number on its collar showed it as the Battle Franky #38.

"So cool!" Chopper screamed.

"No matter how many times I see it it's cool!" Usopp joined in.

"Perfect ten!" the Deformers held up signs.

"For pirates, you're not too bad either," Power Tool smirked. "If we weren't supposed to fight, we'd be friends. What was Stardust thinking... it's our turn! Deformers assemble! Deformer Scopen, Deformer Slingshot, come!"

"Got it!" a giant microscope and a purple-slingshot appeared.

"Tuning!" the boy called. "Docking strength with courage to protect world peace! Synchro Summon! Envoy of love and justice, Power Tool Dragon!"

The yellow body gleamed as the robotic dragon swished a sleek chrome tail, its hands lifted as it made a posed with the buzz-saw and excavator spade on its claws.

"Cool..." Chopper cooed.

"Awesome..." Usopp gasped.

"Even though we've seen it before... it's still amazing, this Synchro Summon..." Franky muttered.

"Synchro Summon is when two or more monsters link their hearts together, and with that summon an even stronger power with their souls!" Power Tool declared. "Even though as machines we technically are soulless, we have hearts and spirit!"

"So touching!" all three pirates yelled.

"So, why are you guys keeping Yusei?" Franky drawled once he had wiped away a few tears. "If you're nakama..."

"I don't know about Fudo Yusei," Power Tool sighed, as his namesake settled as well beside him. "Stardust always had that guy covered, and she always thought about him... it means that Fudo Yusei is in danger. Even more danger..."

"Danger?" Usopp asked.

"We're pirates, of course we live in danger," Franky drawled. "This Stardust... why would she want to kill him?"

"Ah... you're new, of course you wouldn't know." Power Tool nodded. "You know the rumours of Messiah Draconis, that this archipelago is a place that isn't of this world?"

"Uh huh," Usopp nodded.

"Messiah Draconis is a part of a world that touches all worlds," Power Tool elaborated. "If a person dies in their world, the usual belief is that they are reborn in another world. That's the cycle of change. However... if a person from a mortal world comes here, and dies here, essentially they become bound to this place. They cannot ever leave the archipelago, or the world we call the Shadow Realm, but in exchange they gain a state where they're completely spirit, a state of eternal existence."

"So... people who die here become immortal?" Chopper exclaimed. "That's wonderful! Is that medically proven?"

"You could think of it like that..." Power Tool drifted. "But... the whole point of life is the anticipation of the end, isn't it?"

Speaking of such existential matters, Power Tool seemed far older than his looks indicated. "If you were just existing as you were, day in day out, without anything to risk your life for... without any incentive... without any new knowledge..."

"That would just be existence," Franky confirmed. "It'll probably be hellish."

"But, it's eternity," Power Tool considered. "I don't quite know what she's intending, but I think... Stardust is fulfilling her function."

"Function?" Franky echoed.

"The six of us, we represent a dream," Power Tool sighed. "Myself, I am a dream of childhood. My sister, Ancient Fairy Dragon, she is the dream of the sun and of a forest of light..."

Far away, Ancient Fairy Dragon was flying low, with four people on her back.

"Black Feather, she is the dream of flight and freedom..."

By the valley leading to the Dragon's Eye Mountain, Black Feather and Stardust faced off at the head of their respective armies.

"Black Rose Dragon is the dream of the destruction, the ill omen..."

The knight, Black Rose, fought valiantly against the rest of the Crimson Fire clan, as his mistress, despite her bruises, continuing issuing orders to the brambles surrounding her.

"Red Demon's Dragon, is the wish of the ambitious to conquer..."

Ace and Luffy double-teamed against the resilient dragon-turned-human as a guttural roar was let loose to the skies, the other two Straw Hat fighters taking on the Explode Wing Dragon and Crimson Blader.

"Stardust Dragon..." his voice caught. "There comes a time, when there is only despair and darkness, in the inky blackness that no one can see a way out..."

"Despair so thick..." Chopper echoed.

"That no one can see through..." Usopp followed.

"What people dream of... the light in the darkness," Franky muttered. "The shooting star that grants wishes."


The battle of the valley was dwindling to a stalemate, the two dragons-turned-humans glaring at each other on their respective sides. Wings of black flecked with colours flapped behind Black Feather, metal clanged and parts clicked behind Stardust, and swords and shields and weapons and fists cracked on both sides. Tension mounted to unforeseen levels, and fighting seemed on the verge of breaking out.

"Black Feather," Stardust mildly asked. "Perhaps a reason for coming to my island with your forces would be forthcoming."

"You have to stop, Stardust," the dark-haired yellow-eyed woman pleaded. "You have to. Don't you see that you're depriving Yusei of his life? You, who take on such a completely human guise..."

"He will be alive," Stardust repeated. "We are doing this for his sake."

"Stardust!" Black feather snapped, the Warriors and the Black Feathers readying arms. "Do you really want to take him away like this? They're his friends! He treasures them!"

It was a while before Stardust whispered a reply. "...you're right."

"I am?" Black Feather echoed in surprise. "Er, yes, I am, but how?"

"Of course," Stardust snapped her fingers. "Warriors, Retreat, and prepare a feast. We must have a farewell party to make the transition less uncomfortable for our Yusei."

"Yes, Lady Stardust!" the Warriors saluted as they flew back to their stronghold.

"Stronghold Guardian, keep watch," Stardust informed the lone remaining guard. "Well, Black Feather? Remove yourself and my forces from my valley before I unleash my own power."

Black Feather twitched. "You think you can match me in brute power, Stardust?"

Stardust held up an arm wearing a familiar black armour. "With this, I know I can."

"Lady Black Feather!" Lone Silver Wind intervened. "Perhaps...?"

"...sound the retreat." Black Feather ultimately decided as she turned back. "We reconvene at the Isle of Life. Stardust... what happened to you? Crow, please hurry..."

"My job," Stardust lightly answered as she sprouted her own wings. "My child. A lot of things."

The Stardust Phantom was awaiting her as the lady landed. "The talks went well, I trust?"

"Not a lot of talking," Stardust answered as she shrugged into the proffered coat. "But we understood each other. Apparently Black Rose is on the side of them."

"Two against four," Stardust Phantom sighed. "Ancient Fairy Dragon has been defeated, and it is likely that Power Tool Dragon shall follow. Against his opponents... they are like him."

"That is fine," Stardust answered as she paused by the side of the crystalline chamber, a long white finger running down Yusei's yellow marker. "As long as Red Demon keeps his word, and I hold both shards, they must come here. They have only until midnight. Time is not on their side this day, we need only buy time."

"As you say, my lady," the Phantom bowed as a long serpentine figure bounced in.

"He's not awake?" the blue Chinese dragon blinked large yellow eyes.

"He will take a little while, since he spent so many nights not sleeping," Stardust absently answered. "Stardust Xiaolong, where are Junk Synchron and Junk Warrior?"

"They went on patrol, right?" the dragon blinked.

"I see," Blue almost flickered to reptilian yellow as she glanced as the sleeping Yusei. "His friends are coming, see that they are welcomed properly, Xiaolong."

"His friends?" the dragon literally vibrated in excitement. "I'll do it!"

"We shall make a fine party... a farewell one," Stardust whimsically murmured. "The prisoners?"

"They are subdued, my lady, despite their threats of some government," the Phantom reported. "Possibly, their world is one ruled by a totalitarian authority."

"Wherever this government is, it is of little concern," Stardust yawned. "An interrogation is, however, in order. Lead me to them."


"The second stage of robots..." Power Tool narrowed his eyes.

"Ah," Franky agreed. "The showing off of weapons!"

"YAY!"

"Don't underestimate this Iron Pirate!" Franky posed. "Tasted my Franky Cannon!"

"That's you firing it!" all three yelled at him.

"Franky Missile Launcher!"

"That's you!" Usopp slapped the air.

"Franky... Flame-thrower!"

"That's you!" Chopper screeched.

"But it's cool!" Power Tool sparkled. "I admit defeat! So, the prize is... this!" He held out the crystal.

"You're honourable," Franky drawled as his hand closed over the now glowing shard...


"Descend now, my god, Earthbound God Uru!"

The ground literally shook as ghostly fires shot up to the skies and the skies rumbled in answer, Chopper and Usopp backing away as all three Straw Hats stared up at the giant silhouette.

"WHAT IS THAT?" Chopper and Usopp screamed at the red and black monster that must be larger than even Oz.

"Don't screw around!" Franky yelled, spying Yusei standing across a man in black robes edged with red. "Oi, Yusei!"

"No!" Power Tool, standing beside Franky, shook his head. "This is... the memory of Fudo Yusei! This is his past!"

"His past?" Usopp screamed. "You mean he fought a giant monster like that in his past?"

"Three times," Power Tool honestly answered.

"...Yusei!" Chopper began to cry. "You're awesome!"

"Yusei, hurry up an crush that Dark Signer!" a man wearing a white helmet to match his white suit, enveloped in a sphere of red light, hollered.

"Who's that?" Usopp hissed.

"That's Jack Atlas, another Signer like Fudo Yusei," Power Tool confirmed. "Holder of Burning Soul, he controls Red Demon's Dragon."

"Still, for Yusei to be this confident... he's awesome!" Chopper squealed as he watched Yusei duel.

"How are you going to crush my Earthbound God?" the opponent was cackling. "Its effect stands tall above anything else. Just like the ultimate energy, Momentum."

"An Earthbound God cannot be chosen as an attack target, neither can traps or spells hit it," Power Tool informed them. "That's why, to fight a enemy that you cannot hit, but can hit you, can you imagine that?"

"Yeah," Franky drawled, looking up at it. "That'd be really difficult."

"What are you talking about?" the Yusei they were looking at demanded.

"How amusing that the person duelling me in a vie for a five-millennia supremacy would be Dr Fudo's son," the other laughed.

"Dr Fudo?" Yusei demanded. "You know my old man?"

"'Know'? Seventeen years ago, I was in the Momentum Development Section, M.I.D.S, spearheaded by your father. As Dr Fudo's assistant, that is..."

"You were what?"

"And there was one more assistant – my younger brother, Rex Goodwin!" the man laughed. "Finally, I 'll tell you one more thing. It was later that Dr Fudo declared that development on Momentum be stopped. Momentum would often experience a negative rotation, which had the doctor worried that a serious incident could occur. But, the sponsors and Neo Domino City didn't stand for that and development was handed over to me instead. And then, Zero Reverse happened."

"No way..." Yusei realised. "You intentionally set off that explosion?"

"Who knows?" the other laughed.

"Evil man, be gone..." Usopp muttered.

"You... do know that he's gone, right?" Power Tool muttered.

"Shut up!" Chopper screamed as the spider behemoth reared its head.

"Earthbound God Uru can attack directly!" the opponent yelled. "This one attack, Yusei, will destroy you! Take this! Hell Thread!"

"Yusei!" Chopper screamed as the spider shot thread at Yusei.

"Trap card open, Iron Resolve!" the Duellist glowed red. "By halving my life points, this will reduce battle damage to zero and end the battle phase!"

Usopp instinctively ducked as the spider thread reflected off and nearly hit him. "That... was close..."

"That attack was close..." Franky studied. "Yusei would really have been dead..."

"Worse," Power Tool whispered. "Those who lose against a Dark Signer... will disappear."

"EEEEE!" Chopper screamed.

"That Earthbound God is the most evil thing I know," Power Tool indicated the fenced-off area. "Anyone who stepped into this area, without the protection of a Signer or Dark Signer... their souls would be offered as sacrifices for the Earthbound Gods. When an Earthbound God is summoned, an equal sacrifice is provided."

"Are you serious?" Usopp shivered, looking as Yusei began to yell out at a woman up on the roof of a tall building. "I'm glad that I wasn't around..."

"Oi, that's dangerous!" Franky leapt up to catch the falling lady Martha but the body passed through him.

"This is Yusei's memory," Power Tool whispered, the Straw Hats aghast as they watched her dissolve into pink light. "She... would become a sacrifice..."

"M- MARTHA!" Yusei screamed, despair clearly evident.

"Yusei, hurry up and get rid of that Earthbound God!" Jack hollered from the sidelines.

"To see someone disappear like that..." Franky muttered as he landed, now staring at the duel and the despondent Yusei. "Yusei..."

Chopper sniffed. "Poor Yusei..."

Usopp sniffed as well. "There will always be farewells, but... Yusei, dammit!"

"Yusei, we're fine!" a masculine voice barked from the roof. "So hurry up and win the duel already!"

Yusei held his head high. "I'm counting on you, Ushio!"

The opponent laughed. "How unexpectedly delightful!"

"Unforgivable..." Yusei growled. "I will never forgive you! My turn!"

"Go, Yusei!" Chopper screamed. "Although I don't know what's going on, go!"

"Go, Yusei!" Franky cried.

The Yusei before them drew a card. "I summon Junk Synchron! With Junk Synchron successfully summoned, I summon the One Shot Booster in my graveyard! Level five Turret Warrior, and level three Junk Synchron, Tuning!"

"Yusei's gonna do it!" Usopp celebrated.

"Clustering wishes will form a new shining star! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Take flight, Stardust Dragon!"

"Stardust... why did Stardust go bad...?" Chopper stared as the dragon spread its wings with an echoing roar.

"Uru's attack power is three thousand, that pathetic attack power isn't enough!" the opponent laughed.

"The wishes of Martha... my friends... they're all hanging in this duel! I swear I'll defeat you!" Yusei hollered. "Attack, Stardust Dragon!"

"Go!" Franky yelled as Stardust dived, dodging the blasts of thread to pass through the spider.

"When you say your Earthbound God has the strongest of all monster effects... that effect will negate the opponent's magic and traps and prevent it from being an attack target!" Yusei called.

"Damn you...!" the other growled.

"If it can't be targeted with an attack, the only target left would be you yourself!" Yusei pointed.

"Why didn't I think of that?" Chopper screamed.

"Reverberate! Shooting Sonic!"

Everything went white again as the three Straw Hats sat down, having reappeared on the place called the Isle of Life.

"I'm still shivering," Usopp whispered.

"Yusei is awesome..." Chopper squeaked.

"Who knew..." Franky sighed. "That... our Yusei has been through so much..."


"What?" Astride the Ancient Fairy Dragon, Nami gasped. "The spell has a time limit?"

"Yes," Large wings spread, the blue dragon floated towards the high mountain. "At midnight, the shards that compose the memory of Yusei Fudo will remain permanently separated, so there is no way to put them back together whole... and Fudo Yusei will essentially..."

"That sounds scary!" Brook shivered. "My skin is shivering, although I have no skin!"

"We can't let Yusei forget!" Crow snapped. "Ancient Fairy!"

"We now have three shards," Robin counted. "If these shards are Yusei's memory, then... Luffy must get one, Franky must get another, that would be five..."

"Stardust has two with her, so seven in total," Ancient Fairy finished as she flew. "While we wait, we must find a way in... Stardust would never allow us to willingly approach Yusei with those shards."

"Yusei..." Nami murmured. "If only we knew... Yusei..."


Luffy coughed as he impacted on the volcanic rock that composed a large portion of Crimson Fire. "Bastard..."

Puffs of black dust saturated the air as Ace joined him soon enough, the Fire Fist bleeding though flames flickered from his wounds. "Yeah... but, he..."

"I know..." Luffy panted. "He's... strong!"

"I haven't even revealed my true power," the dragon-turned-human Red Demon's Dragon got into a stance. "To strike you down is akin to striking flies, not worth my time. Despite so, I have to keep you back."

He indicated the other Straw Hats fighting. "It seems like your men are having a hard time."

"Damn... this dragon's hide is too thick," Sanji growled as the Diable Jambe slammed into Explode Wing Dragon. "It can't burn him..."

"So you think..." Zoro growled as he blocked the blades of the Crimson Blader. "What skill, what strength... my boredom is effectively killed...!"

Ace gave a choking laugh. "If you have time to study other people while we're fighting, then it's obvious, that we need to put in more effort. Luffy!"

"Yeah!" Luffy bit his thumb. "Gear Third: Hone Fuusen!"

"GO!" Ace ordered as he rode the giant rubber fist towards Red Demon.

"That's... useless!" Red Demon stopped the fist, but couldn't stop Ace snaking forward to close his hands around the shard and jumping back.

"I'm a pirate!" Ace threw the shard to Luffy, who caught it. "Luffy, get that to Yusei!"

"A- Ace!" Luffy began.

"To this bastard, since I've entered the New World..." ace cracked his flaming knuckles, which began to burn fiercely, orange bleeding into something... clearer...crimson... "This power, gotten from beating those monsters for two years, at great personal risk to safety and dignity... this power, gotten from facing those damn demons day in and day out... This is the fruit of two years monster hunting!"

"Before the power of my master... you are nothing!" Red Demon's Dragon bellowed, red flames spewing from the ground as he transformed into the giant true form of the Red Dragon. "Behold the creation-shaking power!"

"You won't shake me!" Ace hollered as he burned, clear red flames visible around him. "Even if I die... I will beat you! These flames... Dies Irae!"


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