Wealth, Fame, Power. The man who had acquired everything in this world, the Pirate King, Gold Roger. The final words said at his execution sent many Pirates to the seas.
"My wealth and treasures? Very well, I'll let you have them, but you'll have to find them first. I left it all at the Grand Line!"
Now Men, chasing their dreams, set sail for the Grand Line. This world now enters the Grand Age of Pirates!
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One Piece: The Skull Pirates
Chapter 1: Birth of the Skull Pirate! Escape from the Marine Fort!
Cherry Island. A tiny, miniscule island in West Blue. On it is a relatively small Marine Base. The entire island is quite unimportant in the grand scheme of things. Not many Pirates go there, not because they fear the Marines but because, as previously said, there is nothing there of interest.
However, one Pirate accidentally found himself brought to Cherry Island by a fateful breeze. He was promptly captured, and is currently being escorted to a cell in the Marine Base. Let's turn to him, shall we?
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"Keep hold of him, dammit!"
"I'm trying, but he's like an eel!"
"Lemme go, you damn Marines! I didn't do anything!"
"Shut up Pirate, and get in there with the cross-dresser!"
One of the marines stepped forward and brought out the keys to the cell, leaving his comrade to restrain the struggling pirate. Opening the door, the marine stepped back as his friend attempted to shove the criminal through the door. As a last ditch effort, the pirate put out his arms and legs against the door-jam.
This proved to be futile, however, as the marine slammed his club into the back of the pirate's head, the impact slamming him through the door. Hitting the ground hard, he put his hand to the back of his head, wincing as it throbbed. "Gonna feel that in the morning...if I'm not dead by sun-down."
"You two!" He lifted his head and blinked. Standing at the back of the cell as a uniformed marine, dressed in the colours of an officer. "I, Vice-Admiral Garp, demand you let me out of here!"
Rather than saluting however, one of the marines simply snarled, "Shut up, you damn Cross-Dresser! You won't be acting so smug once you're at the gallows tomorrow!"
The marine slammed the door, and the sound of the key turning in the lock was heard, then footsteps walking away. Getting to his knees, the pirate looked up at the marine officer, who was looking at him cooly. "So, I guess you're not this Garp guy?"
His cellmate shrugged. "I suppose there's no point in maintaining this disguise if even a person like you can see through it." Lifting his foot, he turned around in a quick circle. During this moment, the pirate blinked. By the time his eye-lids had made the full circuit, his cellmate was no longer a marine officer, but instead a tall neat-looking man in a smart three-piece purple suit, fair contrasting with his ragged clothes. His slicked back hair and neatly trimmed mustache were both the same colour of black.
The pirate said the first thing that came to his mouth. "So, I guess you're the Cross-Dresser?" Surprisingly, the man did not lose his composure. He simply tweaked his moustache slightly. "Indeed, I am. Although I don't really see how having some class makes one a Cross-Dresser. To each his own, I suppose." The pirate chuckled. "I guess. My name's Jack Bones. Good to meet ya." He extended his hand.
The suited man took his hand and shook it. "Bones...a fine name for a pirate. Gerald Riviera. So, what are you in for?" Jack shrugged. "For being a pirate. What did you expect?" Gerald returned the shrug. "Something a bit more interesting, I suppose. As for me, something about impersonating a Marine Officer. In my defense, I did not know this was a crime."
Jack snickered. "You're a funny guy, Gerald. Nice to have ya as my cell mate." Gerald smiled weakly. "I also could have envisoned worse partners. Though our meeting is somewhat bitter-sweet, as we'll both be sharing the gallows tomorrow. Unless you have a plan to break out of here, that is."
Jack smiled. "As a matter of fact, I do." He then shoved his hand down the back of his pants. Gerald blinked as Jack moved his hand around with an intense look of concentration on his face. His eyes then lit up. "Ah, there it is!" He then pulled his hand back, and with it came a small fruit that fit into his palm easily. It was relatively un-remarkable, it's colour being a dusty white. However, Gerald's eyes lit up at the sight of it. "Is that a..."
Jack grinned widely. "I see you're no dummy, Gerald. You're right. What I'm holding here is a fruit harvested by the Sea Devil in his un-earthly garden: a Devil's Fruit. I fished it out of the sea, and I've been saving it for a special occasion." Gerald nodded. "I see. You intend to eat this fruit, and then grant whatever ability it grants you to break us out of this cell. And then what?"
The ragged pirate shrugged. "I can't think too far ahead right now thanks to that lump the marine gave me. Now, I suppose you might say it's pretty stupid to eat this without any idea what it might do to me..."
"Actually, it's my opinion that if you're brave enough to eat that fruit after it's been down your pants, any other side-effects are not really your concern." Jack grinned. "Alright then; past the teeth, and through the gums, look out stomach, cause here it comes!" With that, Jack popped the fruit into his mouth, and gulped it down in one swallow. The fruit was visible as a bulge in his throat for a moment, before it dropped into his stomach.
Jack stood there for a moment, then frowned. "I guess it was just a rumor after all. Man, what a-" His eyes then suddenly bulged. Gerald gasped as his new friend dropped to the floor.
"Jack! Jack, what's wrong!?"
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Groaning, Jack swam back into consciousness. "Aw geez...the stories about these things never mentioned the horrid taste. It feels like I just ate a pile of bones raw..." Slowly, he eased himself up. Vaguely, he felt that the lump the marine had given him had disappeared. "At least that's one bonus."
He got to his feet. Looking over at Gerald, he blinked as he saw his cellmate staring at him in shock. "What's wrong, Gerald? Is my face green or something?" Slowly the suited man shook his head. Reaching into his pocket, he produced a small pocket mirror and handed it to him. "Is it that bad?"
He flipped the mirror open. For a few moments, he thought this was some sort of trick mirror that showed you a Jolly Roger flag. Then his mind clicked, and he realized he was looking at his own face. Jack's face had been changed into a skull. All of the skin there had disappeared, leaving white bone in it's place. His eyes had been reduced to sockets, his red eyes peering out of them. His nose had not been spared from this. Sniffing, he was relieved slightly as air was still drawn in. Thankfully his teeth were still intact. Reaching down, he pulled up his pant leg. Bone. He did the same with his shirt arm. Bone. He pulled up his shirt. An open rib-cage and spine.
He suddenly heard snickering. Jack looked up and glared at Gerald. "And just what is so funny!?" Gerald wiped a tear from his eye. "Oh, nothing. At first I was shocked, but then I realized that you're the spitting image of a Jolly Roger flag! A perfect appearance for a pirate!" Jack was not amused. "I'm happy you can laugh at my misfortune, but just how is this supposed to be of use to anyone!?"
Gerald coughed. "Very well; I'll explain. You see, there are three types of Devil's Fruit. The one you've eaten is most likely a Paramecia type. Those are the most common, and allow the user to manipulate their body in some way. They also usually have the side effect of changing a person's body permanently. Since this Devil's Fruit turned you into a walking skeleton, I think we should call it the Doku Doku no Mi. And you were right. This power will allow us to escape from this place."
"Oh yeah? How?" Jack asked sceptically. Gerald pointed to the corner. "Go ly down there with your head down. I'll handle the rest."
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"HELP! HELP! COME QUICKLY!"
Gerald's yells sent the marines running to the cell. Jamming the key in the lock, they opened the cell door. "What happened, Cross-Dresser?" His hand visibly shaking, he pointed to Jack lying in the corner. "My cell mate; he just suddenly fell apart into a skeleton!" The other marine staying near the door, the first cautiously approached. Kneeling next to the skeleton pirate, he gasped. "What the hell happened to him..." Lifting up his chin, he nearly screamed as Jack's eyes lit up and he smiled. "Hello there."
The marine simply stood there, frozen in pure terror as Jack stood to his full height. Putting a finger on the marine's forehead, he pushed. The marine fell to the floor, already fainted. The other marine however, seemed to be made of tougher stuff. He drew his cutlass, holding it with hands that shook slightly. "Y-you're not going anywhere, monster!"
"Actually, we are." Gerald neatly chopped the marine in the back of his neck, sending him to the floor to join his comrade. Gerald smiled and nodded to Jack. "An excellent performance, Jack. Now then, shall we be off?"
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"Attention all Marines: Two pirates have escaped from their cell! Pursue and recapture them immediately!"
"Heh, pretty quick on the draw for marines, huh?" Jack asked.
"Indeed, and it certainly doesn't help that we don't know heads or tails of this place." Gerald replied.
At the end of the corridor ahead, a crowd of marines suddenly turned the corner and began running towards them. "Crap, this way!" The two turned around a corner to their left. Behind them the marines continued pursuit. "That way leads to the gallows! It's a dead end, so we've got them now!"
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Jack and Gerald ran out of the open doorway. Both of them skidded out as they saw ahead of them was a wide sandy yard. In the center was the gallows, a platform with several hanging ropes, and trapdoors that were operated by a lever. Surrounding the field was a high fence. Gerald gulped. "Rather ominous, don't you think?"
"I'd say we'd better get out of here if we don't want to see it up close!" They both turned to see a crowd of marines blocking the doorway back into the building. "We've got you now, pirates! Give yourselves up!" Gerald turned to Jack. "I'd say it's a good enough time to test out your Devil Fruit, isn't it?"
Jack nodded. "I've got a hunch about it, so let's test it out!" Grabbing hold of one of the bones in his ribcage, he tugged. It neatly seperated from his body immediately. Grinning his skeletal mouth, he pulled his arm back. "Doku Doku no...Boomerang!" Letting the bone fly, Jack smiled as it slammed into the marines, sending them all knocking to the ground. He then grabbed it as it came flying back, neatly popping it back into his ribcage.
Gerald nodded. "So, it lets you manipulate and control your bones. Interesting ability." Jack shrugged. "It made me look like this, so it better be useful!" Nodding to eachother, the two pirates ran forward over the fallen marines and back into the building.
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Jack and Gerald came out of another doorway. Shortly after this one was a long flight of stairs, leading down to a harbor. Docked there were three ships. Jack grinned. "Bingo!" His companion frowned meanwhile, as he saw another group of marines running up the stairs at them. "Don't worry, I have this one." Kicking off his shoe, Gerald picked it up and shook it over the stairs. A flood of ball bearing poured out, scattering over the marine's feet, tripping them up and sending them rolling to the bottom. Jack grinned. "Hidden weapons; impressive." Gerald shrugged. "That's nothing compared to the things I have in other compartments."
The two ran down the stairs, stopping in front of the ships. Two were large war-ship types, but the one in the middle was a small, speedy looking cruiser. Jack nodded. "We'll take that one." All three of the ships were tethered to the dock to prevent them from floating away. Stooping, Gerald flicked his wrist, a knife instantly appearing there. He immediately began sawing away at the rope. "Keep an eye out for any marines, will you?" Jack nodded. "Got it." He turned to look at the stairs. "Oh."
"What, more marines?" Jack shook his head. "Nope, I think this guy's the boss." Standing at the top of the stairs was a young man dressed in the garb of an officer. He stood there, looking at them. "Sorry, but it's light's out, boss! Doku Doku no Skull Boomerang!" The officer stood there, impassively watching the projectile approach him. Then, swift as wind, he reached behind his back and brought out a Bo Staff. Spinning it around in an arc, he deflected the bone, sending it back into Jack's hands.
The officer shook his head. Stooping, he leaped into the air, neatly coming down a few yards from where Jack stood. He gave the pirate a look of contempt. "Did you really think that would work on me, pirate?" Jack shrugged. "It already worked on your underlings, as I'm sure you noticed."
"Maybe so, but I wonder if your tongue is the only real weapon you have. If you and your friend want to steal The Majestic, then you'll have to go through me, the Deputy Captain of Cherry Island's Marine Base: Ryoga Hitachi!" Reaching over, he cast off his marine uniform, revealing a yellow and black martial arts uniform underneath. Jabbing the pole into the cobblestones, he pointed at Jack. "I've never fought a person with the power of the Devil's Fruit before, but I'm confident enough in my skills. Are you?"
"Hah, you think you can take me on with a stick? Then come on!" Jack snarled, assuming a vague combat stance. Ryoga smirked. "Very well; prepare yourself!" Crouching, Ryoga tensed himself, then sprang forward. Easily ducking under Jack's sloppy punch, he slammed a chop into the skeleton's chest. Jack swung a cupped fist down towards the marine's head, but he simply dodged back and countered by slamming his staff into the side of Jack's head.
The skeletal pirate stumbled back, gasping. "Alright...two can play at that game!" He grasped hold of his left arm with his other. "Skull Skull Club!" As he pulled it out, the hand fused together into a hardened edge. Jabbing it forwards, Jack slammed it up against Ryoga's bo staff. "You know, I've always wondered; why do people become Pirates? Isn't honest life enough for you people?" The marine mused.
"Well, I can't say I'm the spokesman for the pirate population, but for me it's because it's the only job in the world that gives you any kind of freedom. If I was a marine, I'd be a bully. If I was a bounty hunter, I'd be a scavenger. If I was a common worker, I'd be bored. And be honest: fighting pirates is what you marines live for, isn't it?"
"Don't kind yourself! I joined the marines to protect the citizens from pirates like you!" Shoving Jack backward, Ryoga slammed his staff into the skeleton's arm-club. Jack grinned. "I'm not saying that's the only reason...but without us around, you wouldn't have learned how to fight like this."
"Shut up!" Shoving Jack backward again, Ryoga let loose with a dazzling array of punches and kicks, forcing Jack backwards. "I'm not letting a dirty pirate talk down to me!" Jack sighed. "Who said I was talking down to you? All I meant was that your fighting skills are your most defining characteristic, right?"
Ryoga smirked. "You're right about one thing, pirate; it is. And now I'll show you why!" Casting aside his bo staff, he pulled his fist back, his hand immediately bursting into flame. "Ryoga Hitachi's Ultimate Technique; Ryu no Ken!" He then drove his fist forward. Gerald gasped as it slammed into his friend's head dead-on. "Jack!"
Ryoga smiled victoriously. "As if I'd lose to a filthy pirate like you..." He then looked up and gasped. "What!?" Jack snickered. His skeletal head was now hovering above his neck. Ryoga's fist had gone straight through the space between. "Sorry Ryoga, but never underestimate Jack Bones!" Reaching up, he grabbed hold of his head with both hands. "Doku Doku no...Hammerhead!"
He the slammed his skull right into the deputy captain's head, sending him stumbling backward. "And now, the final blow!" Reconnecting his head, he shoved it into Ryoga's chest. "Doku Doku no...Cannon Ball!" Ryoga was sent bouncing back along the ground as Jack's head fired into his chest with the force of a cannon. Finally his head struck the ground. "Jack Bones...I'll get you for this." He then fell unconscious.
Jack reconnected his head and panted. Turning back to Gerald he nodded as he saw the rope had been cut through. The suited man looked vaguely concerned. "Are you all right? You took a few shots to the head." Jack shook his head. "I'm fine. Let's get in this ship and get out of here before his boss shows up."
"Sounds like a plan. What did he say this ship was called? The Majestic?" Jack shook his head. "That's not what we're calling it. From now on, this ship is called...the Flying Skull." Gerald shrugged. "Fine, I don't really care either way." Walking over to the side of the ship, the two climbed aboard. Adjusting the ropes, Gerald smiled as the sails unfurled, immediately catching the wind and moving out of the dock. "Well, we're off. Now what?" Jack shrugged. "Well, what's the nearest town?"
"Charity Town, I think." Jack nodded, pointing out across the ocean. "Alright then, set sail for Charity Town!" Gerald rolled his eyes. "Aye aye, captain."
"And what's that supposed to mean? You wanna walk the plank!?"
To be continued...
Next time, Jack and Gerald reach Charity Town. Unfortunately, due to their actions on Cherry Island, a high bounty is issued for the two of them by Ryoga's superior. Soon the two find every bounty hunter in the town after their heads. Oddly enough, the biggest threat comes from the most harmless looking source.
Next chapter, "Five Million Bounty! Charity Town is a deathtrap!"
Attacks
Jack
Doku Doku no Boomerang: Jack pulls off one of his arms, changes it into a boomerang shape, and then tosses it at a foe.
Doku Doku no Hammerhead: Jack plucks off his head, and smashes it into a foe hard.
Doku Doku no Cannonball: Jack fires his head off with the force of a cannonball. This attack's power is on par with Monkey D. Luffy's Gomu Gomu no Bazooka.
Ryoga
Ryu no Ken: Literally, 'Dragon Fist'. Ryoga summons his Ki in the form of a Dragon's Head surrounding his arm, striking a foe with it. Would have been devastating, had it hit.
(Believe it or not, I actually wrote this whole thing in one go, fueled by nothing but two bottles of pop. One Piece is the property of the man who wrote it, which I do not care to look up right now.)