Chapter 3: Sun and Moon
On the only island thus far that was solid without any apparent traps were remains of an ancient civilization. It comprised of totems of draconic creatures and pyramid structures along with ornate buildings that had since been eroded through the ages. It was oddly vacant.
"So where's the last Poneglyph? The one we need to find in order to get the location of where to find Laughtale?," asked Shiryu,
"Being a pirate only out of convenience, this is a shocker to you but according to my intel. Lodestar is supposed to cause the Log Pose to go haywire. And it's not doing that. This better not be a wild goose chase?," snarked Moria.
"So we're not meant to find it?," Doctor Q.
Blackbeard then glanced at Shiryu and Kuzan.
"After Roger found it...no one else has been able to find it in twenty years even by accident...even with an expert navigator.," the Pirate Admiral said.
"Yet you cheated your way through the maze to get to the final prize. Guess it was all for nothing.," said Kuzan.
Blackbeard then grinned as he asked-
"Know about Rocks D. Xebec?"
Kuzan immediately turned tense.
"Either Sengoku or Garp told you or you snooped around to find out anyway in spite of their warnings. So...what did you think?" asked the black-bearded pirate.
"I think you're going off track.," Kuzan remarked.
"Zehahahaha. Says the kettle to the pot...Lodestar Island is only the second most recent name of that island...," said Blackbeard.
"What are you getting at?," asked Kuzan before he immediately saw a black hand of darkness choking his neck before noticing Blackbeard was a great distance away without doing anything.
Moria narrowed his eyes and snarled as if recalling it happening to him.
"It was called God's Valley after the Nobles enslaved the original inhabitants and a certain incident there caused it to vanish to save face. I don't mean like it was sunk or wiped clean with a blank desolate space. It was literally made non-existent...like its original name was taken.," said Blackbeard.
He's gotten this experienced with it...this isn't good..., thought Kuzan.
"I thought as a former Admiral you'd be on the up and up on what went down that time. Since you're also looking into it for your own reasons.," the Pirate remarked.
It then turned white as suddenly Kuzan was immobilized as he also started to burn from the shoulder up.
Moria looked in astonishment at the sight.
"The Tremor-Tremor is a devastating force that can recklessly destroy all...so I needed to refine it for practical uses in combat. How does it feel to have your molecules vibrate at a slower and faster rate at once? Being frozen in place as you die...that's karma for you...so tell me...where's God's Valley?," asked Kuzan.
I thought he would be just a destructive beast of anarchy like he acts to the world...but he's as subtle with his powers as with his plans...I thought I'd be able to put him in his place...but I feel like I'm in over my head here..., thought Kuzan.
Blackbeard then sensed something as he released Kuzan.
"Well, well. It seems like Fate's brought in an obstacle before I can get what I need.," said Blackbeard.
He gave a glance to his ten Captains who dashed to the location of the arriving parties.
Blackbeard then glanced at Kuzan.
"It's definitely here but what's being hidden is something that will cripple the government if it falls. I don't care about that. I just care about the Poneglyph...and what's being hidden over there.," he said to the former Marine Admiral.
"I admit I'm not playing to the tune of your crew- just using you for my own gain.," Kuzan remarked as he generated an ice path towards the Straw Hats.
"Straw Hat...and I sense Kaido's blood...Both are dead...," said Moria as he vanished into the shadows.
"You guys take care of the ship. This is destiny in the making.," ordered Blackbeard as he sped towards the enemy.
A Short While Later...
The Thousand Sunny arrived at the shore with the crew being skeptical while Jinbe held Luffy back.
"You do it.," said Nami to Franky.
"Because I'm heavy ain't it?" he asked.
He then cautiously edged off before he did a somersault and landing flat on his face.
"It's safe.," he said with a muffle.
"Let's hope there are no monsters around.," said Carrot.
Zoro sensed something approaching but it wasn't visible and it made no audible footsteps.
"This feels like when I fought that lion guy.," said Sanji.
Zoro then drew his three swords.
"Moria's working with them. Maybe they're doing teamwork?," asked Carrot.
Zoro then readied a stance as he swung his swords-
"Three Sword Style: King of Hell: 1 Million Degree Crimson Dragon."
He then generated a slash that turned into a massive dragon made of red foxfire as it propelled towards the invisible targets.
It was then diverted by blades as the light revealed it to be Shiryu, Laffitte, Wolf who was slightly smaller, Shot, Devon, Pizarro, Burgess, Q, Augur, and the newest member, Wilder.
"So that's the Mink?," asked Yamato as Carrot nodded.
"Yeah, she's definitely one I didn't grow up with it. She's very dangerous.," said Carrot.
"You think you can handle her?," Yamato asked.
Carrot nodded.
The crew then disembarked as they approached the crew.
"Don't worry, this is just a phony island made to deceive people if they managed to bypass the traps nya. We think-," said Wilder before Pizarro stepped on her tail causing her to shriek.
"Nya! What was that for nya?" the cat Mink asked.
"You're telling them too much Meow. And stop that meow. Cat cliches are my specialty.," said the horned man.
"He's an Oni?," asked Yamato.
"So he's not Human?' Zoro inquired.
"What it's not a prop?," asked Usopp.
"Yeah, Oni are descendants of the Ancient Tribe mating with Humans.," Yamato explained.
"Oh him, he was my cousin. My pops had his pops killed to get the throne so his kids could then conquer the Blues with me ruling the North and he kicked him out to remove a political rival. Then they kicked me out in favor of Germa till they got kicked out and now there's one of the goldfish people ruling it from afar.," said Pizarro.
"Those wenches...I'm gonna take their heads for my collection.," said Devon.
"The long nose...he reminds me of Yasopp...," said Augur.
"I wanna-," Burgess said before Shot got ahead of him.
"There are roles to play in fate. hic. Even though you're no. 3, a cook fights a cook hic. Such are the nexus events in fate and they can't be avoided.," said the harlequin-like man.
"Tch, then I get the Fishman.," said the wrestler.
"How'd you sense me? It negates being sensed by the five senses. Even Observation Haki. What's the trade secret?," asked Shiryu.
"Bloodlust.," Zoro replied.
The crews were then a few feet away from one another.
"How'd you get that power?," asked Zoro as he took a battle stance.
"Ask Absalon in Hell. Moria is sure torn up about it.," Shiryu as he too took a battle stance.
"Toputoputopu. I'm gonna make a pie outta you. Hic.," said Shot.
"You're serious?," asked Sanji.
"You tried to take Ace's legacy away but Sabo stopped you. His Will will not be so easily quenched., " Jinbe declared.
"Well, it's only a matter of time before he's taken in for the hangman. He'll join Ace with Luffy following soon afterward. They're destined for Hell. What a lovely trio of brothers.," Burgess mocked.
"It seems Bell-mere's legacy still lives on. How vexing.," said Laffitte.
"You knew mom?" asked Nami.
"The better sniper will be determined by Fate.," said Augur.
"This is a test run for Shiro Kabuto. Hope it works.," Usopp said.
"I'm the GREATer cyborg here meow.," said Pizarro.
"Eh?," Franky groaned with a sneer.
"Whoever you live or die is up to luck.," said Doctor Q.
"It doesn't feel right to fight such a sickly person even if he is with Blackbeard.," Chopper noted with some guilt.
"I feel I'm mismatched.," said Brook as Wolf giggled absentmindedly.
"He's dead but he still breathes...What is he?" Wolf asked aloud.
"You realize don't ya? That this is a summer isle of a lost civilization that Nobles allowed to exist to convince random explorers they found Lodestar...or rather God's Valley...or rather the Ancient Kingdom.," said Devon which startled Robin.
"How would you know that?" asked Robin.
"How's Zou? Ever ask him about JOYBOY and his crew? Or about the Void Century? You had ample opportunities nya.," said Wilder.
"What?," asked Carrot.
"Zehahahaha.," laughed Blackbeard as he, Kuzan, and Moria approached.
"Yamato. Your dad might be gone forever but as his daughter, you carry his heinous blood...as do Page as Ulti.," Moria.
"But I'm his son...Wait, they're my siblings?!," Yamato asked.
"Life plays out in mysterious ways. Sorry but I'm going to have to fight you to keep up my alliance.," said Kuzan.
Luffy then glared at Blackbeard as images flashed through his head-
Their meeting at Jaya, their reunion at Impel Down, and then memories of Ace- their childhood, their reunion, and Luffy's almost successful rescue...and then his unfortunate demise as it left Luffy in despair.
"Teach. I'm taking you out in an instant.," Luffy said.
He immediately went into Gear 5 as his clothing outside of his hat turned bluish white with his eyes gaining red ripple irises. His hair then stood up like a whispy flame as steam formed around him like a heavenly loop. He now had a seemingly perpetual grin on his face.
He then punched the ground as it turned elastic and generated two massive arms to punch Blackbeard.
"Wow! The heck?!," Carrot shouted.
"Yeah, it took a bit to get used to this.," said Usopp as Sanji, Zoro, Jinbe, Chopper, and Brook collectively groaned.
"That's...," said Kuzan with a stunned expression.
"I thought it was a costume gimmick. He's NIKA?!," Moria shouted.
"So you know about it.," said Devon.
"Wait...they're not phased...oh no...," said Nami.
"So you realized the true properties of the Gum-Gum being the Human-Human: Sun God Nika. Then our battle is even more predestined than I thought. If there is a Sun for the Dawn and the Day then there has to be an opposing force. The Light has Darkness. The Day has Night. The Sun has the Moon. Who is superior? The Sun or the Moon?," asked Blackbeard as he started to release blood in an eerily similar manner to Luffy's own form.
"GEAR TWO!," he shouted as a halo of blood formed around him, his black beard turned dark red, his broken square teeth turned sharp with two prominent upper canines like vampire fangs, his ears turned pointed, and he gained blue ripple irises, and his skin turned pale white.
Luffy then comically halted as he did an exaggerated eye-popping look as several spheres began to emerge from the beard. They floated until they sprouted two bat wings to fly and a face with two yellow eyes with slit pupils and a fanged mouth as they flew around Blackbeard.
"Ok...what the hell. I thought he was a Darkness man.," said Zoro.
"Wait, what the hell? I saw this would happen, but I'm so confused as to why!" Luffy shouted.
"How is this possible? Explain this!," Kuzan said to Laffitte.
"The Dark-Dark Fruit was actually another fruit entirely...or rather the Dark-Dark does exist but it's entirely different from what Teach's is. If one wants to be technical, it's actually the Singularity-Singularity Fruit- which normally makes one a Black Hole man. But certain Fruits can regress back to their ancestral lineages. His is the one that the Government took even more precautions to hide...the Human-Human: Moon God Madden!," he declared as he swung his cane.
"Madden?!," Moria yelled.
"If I were still a Marine, I'd report you for having such a dangerous fruit. in your possession. It makes Nika seem docile in comparison.," said Kuzan.
"So you also researched on what the Gum-Gum Fruit and its rival were behind the coverups. Thatch got that particular Fruit from CP0 itself. It speaks highly of his skills that he managed to get past those seven monsters and THEM...Teach wouldn't have been able to do so on his own terms at the time so he had to rely on Thatch to get it for him. While now, I'd say it wouldn't be so hard with what he has now.," the pale man noted.
"Umm, what's Nika?," asked Luffy.
"He doesn't know. It's understandable since it was never made public due to the Government's tight grasp on things and they were worshipped only by slaves in obscure parts of the world and even then- it comes from records around 800 years ago. Their successors are slightly more relevant and notable though. JOYBOY and MADLAD I mean.," Laffitte noted which got Jinbe to widen his eyes.
"You mean those two men? How would you know of them?," asked the Fishman.
"Wiiihahaha. Did you honestly think those Fruits were used only by the Admirall and Straw Hat? Have you ever wondered about who had them last? And how far back?" asked Burgess.
Zoro then took an audible yawn to the shock of the Blackbeard Pirates.
"This is important. You in the presence of the incarnation of the Divine-," Laffitte said.
"Unless Robin says it's important, that kind of crap doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is going forward and making our path. And going through you bastards.," said the swordsman.
"You defy Fate?," asked Doctor Q.
"Can we fight now? Your power's weirder than I thought it'd be. But I still feel like I can beat them now." said Luffy.
"Zehahahaha. Talking it up won't sell huh? Then let actions speak louder than Words. Moon Blood Imps!," Blackbeard declared as the creatures flew towards Luffy.
"Hey! That's my move!," shouted Moria before Yamato dashed and hit him only for a shadow with a toothy maw to block the strike.
"Doppleman!," he said as he forced Yamato back.
"I've had enough of being a punching bag and laughing stock! I won't be so easy to take down.," said the former Warlord.
"He's a tricky kind of guy.," noted Yamato.
Carrot and Wilder proceeded to kick at the same time.
"How fierce.," said Carrot.
"I was in Impel Down for 40 years till Teach freed me. Only me and those other guys joined Teach. The others at Level 6 were taken out aside from a certain trio associated with Kaido and Big Mom. And then I was told to keep a low profile till he built up his rep. And even then, he doesn't invite me to his parties. I'll make up for my frustrations by doing what a predator does best- biting prey!," Wilder said as she wrapped her tail around Carrot's leg and threw her towards a rock. The bunny Mink emerged unaffected, much to the feline's shock.
"Huh? That shoulda knocked you out.," said Wilder.
"Oi, a woman shouldn't say her age so casually. Learn to keep things like age and weight a secret." said Devon as she drew her blade and attempted to slash at Robin with foxfire generating on the sword, only for her limbs to be grabbed by the additional hands summoned by Robin.
"40 years yet she seems so young. It must be a Devil Fruit that prevents aging. Sugar has the same type of Fruit.," Robin noted.
"Don't compare the doll maker with Wilder. That hellcat's a Zoan of the highest order...well, that's all you can get for me.," Devon replied with a strained tone of voice.
"You don't have the luxury of being so coy.," said Robin.
"Oh don't I?" asked Devon as she appeared behind Robin with the captured Devon dissipating into flames. Devon had nine fox tails behind her which proceeded to hold Robin in place with four of them. Debon then neared with her blade ready to chop off Robin's head.
Zeus then appeared behind the hooked nose woman to shock her to release Robin.
"You're a tricky one alright. I think Robin's got this.," Nami said.
"Thanks, Nami. I think I know what I'm up against.," said Robin as she faced Devon whose burnt face quickly restored itself to its previous appearance.
"You hurt my face.," said Devon with a growl.
"So I know what to target then.," said Robin.
"Are you sure you have the luxury of being this relaxed?" asked Laffitte as he positioned his cane in a particular gun-like pose behind Nami as she quickly moved to a defensive position.
"Arms of Diligence: Rifie of Chaotic Justice.," said the man as his cane turned into a heavenly motif rifle painted white as they fired white bullets onto Nami who had to twirl her weapon to deflect the bullets.
"What the hell are those things? Justice? You some kind of hero or something?," Nami noted.
Laffitte spread his wings and generated a halo over his head.
"You hit the mark. I am indeed an Angel-Angel Man. Specifically, the Angel-Angel: Guidance. Blackbeard has Heaven on his side.," said the man as he bowed and took off his hat.
"Oh great, I get the self-righteous one.," Nami snarked.
"Not to sound blasphemous but...Blackbeard is GOD's chosen to become the Pirate King.," the pale man said as he began to morph with his shadow gradually darkening the environment as it expanded in size as Nami looked in horror.
The imps then bit Luffy as they lit up with red light before exploding in a column of massive red smoke seen for several miles.
"I see. You're one that no longer is bound by physical law.," Blackbeard remarked with a calm smile.
Luffy emerged with a smoke face before removing it to show he was unharmed.
"Zehahahahaha. I see. I see. That would've been the end of you two years ago if I had activated it back then...so let's change up the game since I'm showing off this for the first time since I took care of Whitebeard's remaining lackeys...," he said as drew back in the blood.
Blackbeard then sucked in air tightening his chest.
"GEAR THREE!," he declared as dark arms grabbed sections of his body.
His body mass started to compress in a nightmarish manner as Luffy looked in annoyed disgust.
"He's really got a thing for being grotesque for such a smiling dumbass.," Sanji snarked.
"It's disgusting.," said Chopper.
"What in God's name is that?," asked Jinbe.
The arms removed themselves to reveal a mummified, unnaturally gaunt, and lean body that seemed more like a corpse than a man.
"Why'd you do that? You got rid of all of your fat.," Luffy said.
"If Straw Hat makes his body as big as Giant. The Chief can compress the strength of a Giant into a pinched point. That's the point of his GEAR THREE.," said Shiryu as he clashed with Zoro.
"So he's a tough mummy. I get it. But Luffy's able to hit past being all tough. Just ask Kaido." Zoro said.
"No, you don't get it. Blackbeard transcends the realms of earthly power. I would've turned on him if it weren't the case.," Shiryu said as he turned invisible.
Zoro closed his eyes as he tried to pick up on his target.
He then clashed from behind as he glanced to see Shiryu.
"Nice try. Sanji told me about how that power works. Even if you're more skilled. You're gonna need something elese-," Zoro said before suddenly he stopped as he saw Shiryu...or rather what he currently looked like.
Shiryu had become a Komodo Dragon hybrid to his surprise as the latter reached his neck to attempt to chomp on Zoro who dodged just in time.
"Ok, what the hell are you?," asked Zoro.
"A trade secret for now. Just know Blackbeard's found a way to supply more than one Devil Fruit to users.," said the former Jailer as Zoro looked in shock.
"Wha?," Luffy asked as he glanced at Shiryu's new form.
Blackbeard dashed at blinding speeds as Luffy and he clashed with their fists...only for Blackbeard's own to rupture with Conqueror's Haki bursting into it as he was forced back.
"You'd be able to beat Doffy at Dressrosa with this but I'm stronger than that time.," Luffy said as he punched Blackbeard square in the jaw extending the latter's neck several feet before the rest of the body snapped back into the sky.
"So that didn't work. I need to step up my game.," said Blackbeard in a slightly demonic voice as black arms grabbed his back and started to pull out wings from his upper back. His mummified body then morphed into an unusual form as it was covered in feathers, his hands becoming talons, and his figure taking on a more muscular physique with an avian head.
Luffy stared in confusion.
"GEAR 4: OWL-MAN!," he declared as Blackbeard now resembled an anthropomorphic owl with massive wings with a dark loop behind it. He then faded into the dark before appearing behind Luffy to ram into him from behind while flying at high speeds. Notably, it was enough to cause Luffy to bleed slightly from the mouth.
"Ok, this is getting ridiculous. How does that Devil Fruit even work? It's got Zoan powers on top of Logia and Paramecia?" asked Usopp as he dodged Augur's shots that always seemed to generate a bullseye marking just before a shot would be fired.
"You dodged my Bulleye-Bulleye Fruit just before it would hit. Being Yasopp's son has its benefits. Guess I need to use the other power.," he said as he began to morph.
Chopper was busy dodging Doctor Q's scythe when he spotted two groups darting between the rocks.
Blackbeard's Allies...no it feels different..., thought the reindeer.
"Are you going to take this seriously or not?," asked Doctor Q.
"You might be a bastard but you're sick. Why don't you find a cure for whatever you? Or I could find one for you...then I'd kick your ass," Chopper suggested.
"It's futile...It's a disease that not even Roger could cure...ever hear of the Lily Carnation?," asked Doctor Q.
Chopper turned livid while Doctor Q transformed into a rodent-like form as Stronger also changed.
Sanji then picked up on something in the distance- a massive skull-headed island with several ships in the distance.
"You brought your entire fleet and you got your island nearby to run away to? Not like it'll matter since I feel like I understand where you range in terms of power.," said Sanji.
"Who said it there naturally? Blackbeard brought us over here. Island included.," said Shot.
"What?," Sanji asked before Shot began to morph into a vaguely clown-like shape.
Luffy leaped upwards and attempted an attack from behind before Blackbeard jerked his head backward as he released a powerful scream that stunned Luffy for a moment.
The avian Admiral then landed on the ground as he was then covered in more darkness.
"Just to make sure I have the upper hand this time around...," Teach said as his voice rang from the blackness.
"GEAR 5!"
Blackbeard emerged but his black beard was purple and his body pitch black with white skeletal bone patterns on the pams of his hand, his fingers, stomach, and chest. His head was replaced with a human skull with black sclera eyes and red pupils. His black loop was now purple.
"What the hell? Stop copying me! And stop turning into weird things!" he said as suddenly he was punched with a Haki-covered fist from behind even though Blackbeard was a distance away. It was enough to cause a large amount of blood to be coughed out of his mouth.
"It was quite the effort to get to master three Devil Fruits at once. The Moon God Madden was the hardest. Unlike the other two which took months to get to be of practical use. It took up till now to master all Twelve Gears. It's straining to use Gear 5, let alone 6 in actual combat. I'll need to improve on it once I'm done with you.," said Blackbeard.
"Wha?," a barely unconscious Luffy asked before he was hit by Blackbeard's Haki fist from below even though the latter was a distance away.
"I'm not even using the Tremor-Tremor or the third one...you're letting me down.," said Blackbeard as Luffy collapsed on the ground.
"The Moon will reign over the Sun.," the pirate admiral declared.
Next Chapter: The Mysterious Tribe
Author Notes: This chapter was mainly to set the fights between respective members of Blackbeard's fleet and the Straw Hats for their first real battle. But this being One Piece, it's not going to be a simple conflict on a lonely, abandoned island. It's going to be much more complicated than that.
Blackbeard pulls out a lot of weird powers that serve as antitheses to Luffy's own Gears with an evil twist. He's meant to be the Moon to Luffy's Sun so fittingly their abilities are naturally opposing.
Blackbeard was collecting Devil Fruits so I did the logical assumption that it would result in people being able to use two Devil Fruits at once through unusual means.