Chapter 33: Blackbeard Rises

"Ugh, what a waste..." Teach spat at the dead body of his former comrade, "you should have just cooperated...".

"Commander Thatch!" Blackbeard turned around and saw the rest of the forth division coming through the clearing, all with their eyes fixed in the body of their fallen leader, and then the blood soaked blade in Teach's hand. It didn't take long for them to put two and two together, and soon they raised their weapons in Blackbeard's direction. "Teach you'll pay for this, you broke the one Iron-clad rule!" Thatches vice captain, Loren, yelled with the others voicing their determination for retribution. From behind him, a voice spoke. "Should I deal with this captain?" Laffitte asked as he slowly advanced towards the Whitebeard Pirates. However, Blackbeard raised a hand, "Nah, I want to try out this new power of mine, run ahead and tell the others to prepare for immediate departure. I don't want to stay here longer then we have to." Laffitte nodded, turned and left to fulfill his orders.

"Don't underestimate us Teach. You may be strong but even you can't take on all of us. We aren't some green rookies from the blue seas." Loren replied gripping his katana, nodding to his fellow division pirates, preparing them for a fight.

"Zehahahaha, you're right about that. Normally you would beat me hands down but with my new power, you are all nothing" Teach said smirking. "Last chance to run away, go home and tell that useless old fool, 'pops' that his time is over and that a new era has arrived: mine." Loren and the other forth division pirates didn't move, determination and resolve etched onto their faces, they were going to avenge their fallen commander.

"Very well but don't say I didn't warn ya or think that I'll hold back!" With his threat said Blackbeard activated his new devil fruit power, the ground around him began to buckle upwards and the surrounding trees began to wither and die. Animals all across the island began to flee in fear of this ancient power. Loren began to feel fear creep into his veins, and out of the corner of his eye he saw his fellows backing away in terror. Then Blackbeard looked up at them his eyes now blood red and a large malevolent smile plastered on his face; "let me show you the power of the God of War!"

Four Weeks Later

Ace and Marco stood on top of their ships figurehead as it pulled up to the last known location of the scouting party 'Pops' had sent here. Thatch and Teach had been asked to discover Kaido's intentions, as well as gather resources to repair damaged ships after a run-in with Big Mom. Once landing on the island Marco immediately set about giving orders. "Everybody form Into groups and spread out. Send up a flare if you find anything." Ace, now nineteen years old, stood beside his friend and ordered his Spade pirates to follow suit. Several search parties were formed and headed in different directions across island while Marco and Ace teamed up and went together to the center of the island.

"This doesn't make any sense, it's too quiet." Marco spoke as he surveyed his surroundings. You're right there isn't a single animal making noise anywhere." Ace didn't speak he just nodded in agreement, but then he pointed at the trunk of a tall baobab tree. "Blood. Something have happened here".

After several minutes of walking through the forests thick vegetation both Marco and Ace came to a large open clearing, and what they saw made them stop dead in their tracks.

What had once been a grassy meadow was now a scorched graveyard. Bodies, varying in different states of ruination were struned amongst the dead earth. Some looked like they had been burnt alive, blackened in a way that didn't seem to be caused by fire, and others numerous others were ripped apart; bones chunks of flesh were festooned all over the ground and the tell tale marks of predation were evident in the ground. But what really struck them both was the look of utter terror, in the relatively complete remains, eyes. Staring upwards their expressions of pure unadulterated agony.

Minutes passed by and they were joined by the rest of their men who just fell to their knees, horrified by what they saw and grieving for their fallen brothers and sisters. Slowly, Ace came back to reality and gave the order of the bodies to be given a "proper burial", then they would begin investigating the area anew.

"This had to have been Kaido, he is more beast then man. Only he could show this kind of senseless brutality." Ace clenched his fists so tight they turned white, as he addressed the first division commander.

Evaluating his friends conclusion Marco thought for a moment before sighing, "I doubt it, Kaido was never known for his subtlety. He would have attacked us head on, besides after the thrashing we gave him a few weeks ago I doubt he would be back up to full strength" Marco replied. The two commanders conversation was interrupted by a shout, "we found a live one." Instantly, Ace and Marco rushed towards the survivor.

Loren barely looked like his usual happy go-lucky self but Marco helped his friend up and gave him a large sip of water.

"What happened here? Who did this?" Ace asked trying to keep his voice steady and composed. "Kaido, Big Mom..." "The Dragon King" Marco added, not noticing Ace's frown at that suggestion. Loren put down his water canteen and allowed his vision to refocus; "not Kaido, not Big Mom, not even the dragon king. It was Teach!" The man managed to gasp out before breaking into a fit of tears and cries. "Teach betrayed us!"

Ace felt his entire world had been ripped apart again; first at Goa and now the Whitebeard Pirates. He regarded Teach as a friend and a trustworthy comrade. It had been Teach who'd encouraged him to become a commander. Not to mention the fact that the man was part of his division. "That's not possible! Teach isn't strong enough to pull off any of this!" Yet Loren's simpering cries, spoke volumes, Teach had betrayed his trust. Moreover, with things as they stood now the chances of getting justice of Thatch was rapidly declining.

"He killed Thatch, took the devil fruit, ate it and with that power he became unstoppable! No one can stop what he has become!" Loren spluttered.

Marco knelt down before Loren and embraced his friend, before helping him to his feet. "What has he become?" Ace whispered, unable to stop himself from asking, steadying himself Loren responded: "Teach described himself as the 'God of War' but all I saw was the Devil".