Black Whirlwind


XI: Crystal Promise

"This is strange," Robin murmured as the giant whale approached the island surrounded by delicate wisps of sea mist. "We should've been noticed from the sea front... so...there are barely any guards."

"Robin?" Nami stared at the other woman. "You're right..."

"We can never tell what Stardust in thinking," Ancient Fairy shook her head, tresses of sea-green waving in the breeze. "She's brilliant but unpredictable. For all we know she has an army on land waiting to slaughter us."

"Another one with the morbid mindset," Usopp muttered.

"It's reality," Ancient Fairy answered. "I have lived a long time."

"Ancient Fairy, how old are you?" Nami asked out of curiosity.

She thought about it for a while. "In your human terms... about five thousand years."

"FIVE THOUSAND YEARS?" Nami squawked. "THERE SHOULD BE A LIMIT ON AGEING GRACEFULLY! WHAT'S WITH THAT FACE!"

"I'm five thousand years old as well," Power Tool gave a thumbs up.

Franky glanced down at him. "So... why do you look like a kid?"

"Because I'm too awesome to grow up!" the dragon-turned-human grinned.

"-.-..."

"Yohohoho, time has only enhanced your beauty, Ancient Fairy Sama," Brook laughed.

"Thank you, Skull-san," the green-haired woman smiled before turning a worried look at Starlight Road and the nearby Crimson Fire. "I wonder how are the rest..."

"Luffy will be fine with Ace," Sanji drawled, aiming a kick at the snoozing Zoro. "Anyway, we should be more concerned with-"

Arrows shot through the skies to hit the water about them, the giant Orca beginning to squawk in alarm.

"-attacks," Sanji finished, stubbing out a cigarette. "What should we do?"

"The Orca Mega-Fortress of Darkness has a full defence system... but we need the bullets," Power Tool shrugged. "Anyone got a fishing rod?"

"Ah, I do!" Usopp pulled a foldaway one from his bag, throwing the line into the water. "So... ah!"

Both dragons-turned-human stared at the swirly-headed fish.

"Wrong one," Ancient Fairy sighed. "Look for one shaped like a torpedo."

"Got it!" Usopp declared as the bullet-shaped grey fish flopped about on the deck.

"Yosh!" Power Tool scooped up the fish, loading it into a cannon. "The aim is Junk Archer! Go!"

There was a sound like a paper bag exploding, before the fish was shot out in an arc, over to the island where a loud explosion sounded at the same time the arrows stopped.

"OOOOOOWWWWWW!" a voice howled.

"So cool!" Usopp, Franky and Chopper yelped.

"Continue fishing!" Nami yelled at them as more attacks came. "Hurry up!"


In the hot, volcanic landscape of Crimson Fire, Luffy yelled as he charged, one fist slinging at the giant form of the large red dragon.

"Never thought I'd say this..." Ace panted as he drew himself up. "But, this guy..."

"Yes, I know..." Luffy panted, bruised and burnt in some places but otherwise in one piece. "This guy... is strong! More so than Rayleigh!"

"You know those tiny black guys around the Lady Signer just now?" the red dragon roared. "From the grave, their ghosts give me power. In exchange, I avenge their deaths... starting with you two."

"I beat you once, I'll do it again!" Ace hollered back as scarlet flames swept the area around him.

"Dream on!" the dragon roared. "In our world, what you did then is what we call a monster effect. A monster effect that causes destruction. But, in this form, I cannot be destroyed by those effects! Bombs, or guns, or swords! With this absolute power-up from the fallen tuners... and this absolute protection... the both of you can surrender!"

"Waah!" Luffy yelped as he and Ace were blown back, only barely managing to remain standing.

"This guy... also controls flames..." Ace growled. "Haki... doesn't work..."

"The only thing that can stop me now..." the dragon laughed. "You don't have it!"

"I won't give up!" Ace hollered back, flames now rolling off his fists. "Stupid lizard, I'm gonna barbecue you! Sakamaku Hono: Chuya no Okaji!"

"I told you already...!" Red Nova Dragon slammed the older D into the mountain with the younger. "I won't lose to humans like this! I... this pride won't let me!"

"Your shitty pride's getting in the way!" Ace hollered, lifting the scaly fist off of him as a fire-lit hit impacted and the dragon keened before slacking its grip. "Luffy?"

"Armament: Hardening!" Luffy head-butted the other fist, that one also slacking. "Get off!"

The dragon floated, considering both panting and worn brothers.

"Damn..." Luffy growled.

"This guy..." Ace growled.

It was right before both parties were to charge at each other, that eldritch red energy crackled and from the forming portal...

… a round, single-wheel motorcycle crash-landed into a parallel park across volcanic sand.

The white-suited rider dismounted, taking off his helmet to reveal sharp features, sharp blond hair in spikes, and a sharp expression on par with Zoro's more mulish face.

"Who's that?" Luffy commented.

The red dragon whimpered, to their very great surprise.

"Scar-Red Nova Dragon?" the man spoke, before turning back to them. "Who're they?"

"M- Master..." the dragon stuttered.

"Master?" both brothers exclaimed.

"That guy..." Ace stared at the blond man.

"Master of that really tough guy..." Luffy pointed. "I wonder... so he's like Crow!"

"Crow?" the man repeated. "You know that guy?"

"Ah, we're friends of Yusei!" Luffy grinned. "You're Yusei's friend, right?"

"If it's Yusei... I can trust you," the man shrugged. "Jack Atlas."

"I'm Luffy, this is Ace," Luffy grinned. "Your shitty dragon's helping the bad Stardust kill Yusei."

The blond man looked really gobsmacked. "HUH?"

"I can explain!" the red dragon shivered as Jack turned a thunderous expression on it.

Jack's demand was plain and simple. "Now."


"Made it..." Nami sighed as the rest of the Straw Hat crew touched land and the Orca began to sink back to the seas.

Usopp was still staring off into space. "I thought... we ere really going to die there..."

"Me too..." Chopper whimpered. "We really fished like crazy..."

"Anyway, where's the stronghold?" Crow groaned as he righted himself. "I don't see it."

"Crow!" Black Feather called as she descended from the skies. "Well?"

"We got five shards," Nami showed her the precious glass-like shards. "But... some of them acted strangely."

"One of them was probably a flashback to the first Duel against Uru," Crow elaborated.

"What you're holding are the precious memories of Fudo Yusei," Black Feather sighed. "That's why, we have to piece together Yusei's heart before midnight."

"So... this is Yusei's heart?' Nami was shocked as she cradled the shards in hand.

"This is the crystallisation of memories into its true shape," Black Feather explained. "See, Fudo Yusei has a truly clear heart, for the shards of his memory to take such a form."

"Pretty..." Chopper cooed.

"Indeed," Robin nodded. "But, where is the stronghold?"

"There," Black Feather pointed to the mountain.

Franky squinted. "I don't see any building."

"It's in the mountain."

"EEEHH?" the more easily stunned members exclaimed.

"A mountain..." Zoro spoke out loud. "I wonder if I can cut through it.

"No way!" Nami yelled at him.

"We have to plan this well," Ancient Fairy Dragon murmured. "Otherwise... Starlight Road has one of the best fighting forces in Messias Draconis... the Clustering Stars' own Warriors!"

"And welcome indeed," blue cloak sweeping the ground as the magician landed lightly before them. "I am the Stardust Phantom, servant of Yusei Dono and Stardust Dragon. You may address me as Phantom for the purpose of convenience. We have prepared a reception for you."

"A reception?" Aki sceptically murmured.

"Yes," the Phantom nodded. "A reception for the friends of Yusei Dono, the Straw Hat crew, and Crow Hogan... we of the Clustering Stars welcome you."

"Smells like a trap," Zoro growled.

"How do we know that you're not lying?" Nami demanded.

"We have no reason to lie," The Phantom bowed again. "You may follow me, or you may create your own entrance. Whichever suits you... I would recommend the first option."

"Sounds good," Robin smiled mysteriously.

"Robin!" Nami exclaimed.

"Think about it," Robin shrugged. "We spent so much time tackling one of the self-acknowledged weakest dragon. Zoro, Sanji and Aki all looked worn from battling the second strongest. There is therefore a need to approach this carefully, isn't there? We may as well accept a direct invitation."

Nami sagged. "Well..."

"Does Stardust give her word?" Black Feather interrupted.

"Yes, Lady Black Feather," the servant nodded.

"Lady Black Feather, why ask something like that?" Sanji questioned.

"Because, as much as Stardust might be cruel, she keeps her word," Black Feather shrugged. "If she is extending an invitation, she will give up safe passage."

"Oh, that's so smart, Lady Black Feather!"

"Black Feather is right," Ancient Fairy nodded.

"Stardust always serves a meal," Power Tool sighed. "I'm hungry."

"Are you Luffy, dammit?" Usopp yelled at him as they began to follow the monster.

"Why live inside the mountain?" Nami asked.

"There is a system of caves already present," Stardust Phantom answered. "We merely moved in and reinforced the structure. It serves us well as a defence and a home."

"Still, the entire mountain?" Nami murmured. "That's a lot..."

"Only about a tenth of it is being lived in," the Phantom answered.

"A tenth?" Usopp moaned. "Then, what about the rest?"

"Storage," Phantom answered.

"Storage?" Zoro echoed. "For what?"

"Stardust Dragon has lived for about five thousand years," Ancient Fairy considered. "She must have hoarded a lot of treasure..."

Beli signs began flashing in Nami's eyes. "Treasure?"

"Oi!" Usopp yelled. "Don't place our lives at risk just to steal treasure! It was difficult enough at the last island with those two and their mecha contest already, and you'll kill us for treasure?"

"We're here," Phantom signalled as they reached a mountain, a pair of heavyset double doors, hewn from rock itself set into the mountain. "Stardust Phantom is back!"

Slowly, ponderously, the doors swung open, to admit the sight of a woman's silhouette. Slowly, the evening sun peeked out from under dark clouds, to illuminate a woman's face, her complexion white, perhaps equal to snow or the stars itself, long blue-green-streaked locks plaited and her off-shoulder gown shimmering like the stars in the dark night skies itself, all in all a regal lady.

"B- B-" Sanji began to stutter as beside him, Zoro's eyes widened. "Beautiful..."

"T- That's..." Usopp's jaw hit the ground. "That's..."

"What a beautiful lady," Robin commented. "She is almost equal to Ancient Fairy San."

"My apologies for the late welcome," her voice rang like crystals, echoing in the dark cave lit only by torches here and there. "I am Stardust Dragon. Please, everyone call me Stardust."

"I don't believe it," Crow gasped. "This... celestial beauty... is Stardust?"

"What's with this island and its load of beautiful ladies!" Nami complained. "Is there some kind of fountain of youth around or something?"

"There is," Ancient Fairy answered.

"Really?" Sparkles came to Nami's eyes.

"Super..." Franky began to cry. "My life is complete now! I have seen it... the muse of art!"

"The muse of art!" Sanji fell to bended knee. "My lady, this humble prince, no, this poor knight falls before you with his heart aching in agony. He yearns, knowing that your beauty is far above any treasure he may offer!"

"You guys..." Zoro muttered. "Because you don't take things seriously you're forgetting-"

"Welcome," Stardust smiled, and the whole cave seemed to light up with her smile like some enchantment within the hall itself, now lit by crystals gleaming with iridescent light reflected off the torches.

"My life is complete..." Brook went down on bended knee beside Sanji. "My lady... your beauty deserves a whole ode to it!"

"Stardust," Aki echoed numbly. "Stardust... you are Stardust Dragon?"

Their host merely smiled enigmatically. "Shall we? Dinner has been served."


Please review!