Disclaimer: Godzilla and One Piece are the sole properties of Toho Co. LTD and Eiichiro Oda respectively. KP360 claims no ownership of anything save for any OCs, abilities, and locations.
Skypiea Arc opening: Skyreach (Akame Ga Kill! Op. 1)
"The moment you arrived in the sky, I felt something was off about you…" Ryugetsu muttered "There is just something not right about the air you give off…"
Gian gulped "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"
"I do not wish for there to be any violence here, too much blood has already been spilled today." Ryugetsu was almost sad, his voice low "Please leave this place, you need not exert yourself in such a fashion. You have no business here, after all."
"I don't think we can do that, Ryugetsu…" Gian mumbled "We didn't get to the City of Gold just to leave."
"I know why you are here, and it is not a morally sound reason to take the gold that once belonged to other people."
"It's not just that. This gold, while superficial to some, means the world to others. A certain someone had been searching his entire life for evidence of this place." Gian grimaced, thinking back to Cricket-san back down in Jaya. Others have placed the city on such a level of importance. Leaving this place now when they've finally proved its existence is out of the question.
"Then I suppose there is no convincing you to leave?" Ryugetsu sighed "You don't seem to realize, the reason all this violence is happening is because of you people…"
"What violence?" Robin inquired.
Ryugetsu waved his hand around "This morning, Enel-sama's Survival Game kicked off. All of God's Army is now free to slaughter as many people they can come across, do you not feel that?"
Gian and Robin shared a look. That was something they did not know. The whole morning, they have been too focused on reaching Shandora, and while they had been attacked by a few of God's forces, they never would've thought that the whole of Upper Yard was under conflict. Ryugetsu saw that they had no idea what was happening around them.
"Hmm, seems like you are unable to use Mantra. That's to be expected. What happened was that Enel-sama decided that today would be the day that he carries out the other portion of his plan, it just so happens that you are all heading for the gold. That could not be a coincidence, and the movement of his army proves it so." Ryugetsu explained as his wings began to spread "I'm sorry, but know that I do not like taking lives."
"So… you're here to-" Gian became alarmed.
"If I get rid of you, perhaps the violence would stop… You Blue Sea dwellers being here has caused problems for a lot of people… I'm afraid I will have to ask you to leave, permanently."
Gian gulped, it seems there is no other way of getting around him. He barely had any time to brace himself as Ryugetsu dashed forwards, the sheer speed shocking him as he felt himself being carried off the ground. Through the violent tumbling, he was made aware of the flying acolyte dragging him through the air, until he landed heavily in a forested area. He looked around and realize the Ruins of Shandora were north of him; he could vaguely make out some of the buildings from between the trees.
"I took you here because I did not want to damage the Ruins. Despite everything, Yama's behavior earlier was unacceptable, and I apologize for that." Ryugetsu mumbled as he spoke from atop a branch.
"You know of the ancient City of Gold?" Gian asked.
"I came across it when I arrived here from my previous home" Ryugetsu explained "Even though the rest of Skypiea seemed so distant, I was able to feel a sort of peace there. It pains me to see anything happening to it."
The chained weapon he possesses whipped towards Gian, causing him to hop back "But that will have to be another problem. For now, I need to remove you from this land. After that, your woman companion will join you shortly."
"You think I'm going down without a fight?" Gian demanded. Ryugetsu only shook his head as he became airborne.
"No, but you will have to match my speed." And then he attacked.
Meanwhile:
Chopper grunted in pain as he was knocked into another rock, he was getting demolished here. This time there would be no Knight to help him, and Gedatsu's status as a priest wasn't just for show. He had retaliated in vain, as he realized the Priest's Mantra had, like before, allowed him to predict almost all the movements he made.
"Those punches… they're way too fast!" Chopper thought as he avoided another attack. He was quick to notice the dials located near his elbows; they must be what's helping him so much. There's got to be a way to get them off…
"With how fast he is, I can't find the opportunity to use Brain Point and scan his weakness… I'll have to go at him head on!" with a bellow Chopper became a more muscular form, his arms and legs both became the size of a regular bodybuilder's. The Heavy Point was slower than his other forms, but packed a punch. This could help even the odds a bit.
"Heavy Gong!" the reindeer shouted as he cocked back his fist to meet the Priest's own. A mini struggle ensued as the two pushed against each other, before Chopper felt himself being overpowered and launched back.
"No way… even the Heavy Point…"
"That form is powerful, but these Jet Dials are even stronger than that!" Gedatsu flexed his arms "They can increase the speed and power of my attacks, making them even more potent at killing!"
"This is bad…. What am I going to do?" Chopper thought desperately. He was running out of options here. If this continues, the chances of him surviving are low…
"I have to run! Or else he'll kill me!" morphing into Walk Point the doctor decided to bolt it, trying to think of an option first. But he won't get the chance.
Chopper's eyes widened as Gedatsu landed in front of him, before receiving a heavy kick that sent him flying through multiple buildings. He only stopped when he collided with something organic.
"Sorry Chopper-Kun… I still can't get free…" Nola groaned as she twitched in the swamp cloud. She'd stopped thrashing now, figuring it would be easier to escape if her mind was clearer.
"Don't worry about me, I'll find a way to beat him…!" Chopper hissed in pain as he emerged from Guard Point to see the Priest fly at him, a trail of clouds emitted from his feet. That last blow had been devastating, even Guard Point's defensive fur was unable to block it all. In terms of skill, Gedatsu has him completely outclassed.
"Damn Raccoon, stay still!" the priest shouted as he charged again, while Chopper hastily leaped away in Jump Point. Running was the only option he has now; there simply wasn't a way to beat him.
"If you won't stay still, then I'll bring you to a stop!" Chopper's eyes widened as he witnessed a ball of purple clouds forming in the Priest's palms. This was then thrown at him, the clouds whistling through the air. Chopper only barely avoided them as he saw them splat on nearby walls.
"T-those are-"
"Don't think my Ordeal of Swamps are limited to only the ground… I'll make sure you stop this time!"
Chopper ducked again as he believed another swamp cloud was thrown at him, but felt nothing. It was when he opened his eyes did he realize what the Priest's true target was, as a loud hiss was brought to his attention.
Nola was now bucking her head back and forth, the purple cloud completely covering her cranium. Chopper realized in horror that the more she struggled, the larger the cloud grew. She was now running out of oxygen in addition to sinking.
"Well? Are you going to save that animal?" Gedatsu grinned sadistically.
"HOW COULD YOU?! SHE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS!" Chopper snarled.
"I do not have time to waste on a raccoon and a snake, there are more heretics here that I need to deal with, so I will dispose of you two quickly." Gedetsu sniffed "Now what would you do? Save this reptile? Or continue to run for your life?"
Chopper gritted his teeth. Even though Gedatsu acted dumb many times, in battle he's a ferocious fighter. He was truly at a cross roads here.
"I'm so weak… I'm always running away and needing help…" he thought back, back to all those times. It seems like every battle he's been a part of, he could never fight for himself. Whether it was Luffy and Gian back on Drum Island, or Usopp by his side in Alabasta, or even Gan Fall the day before.
"I always had to rely on somebody else… they're always going beyond what they should do to get me some place that I could've done myself…" Chopper thought bitterly "It's no wonder they're never relying on me… I'm somebody that hides behind others… always needing someone to cover me. Even finding the City of Gold I had to rely on Nola to get me here…"
His hooves tightened as he transformed back into Heavy Point.
"Well not anymore… It's time I finally stand up for myself! I'll become a real Pirate today!"
Gedatsu was slightly surprised that the Reindeer charged at him, as he was expecting him to run again. He quickly got over it and lashed out with one of his legs, only to see that Chopper's grabbed onto it.
"I WON'T RUN ANYMORE!"
"Hmph! You can try to resist, but it won't matter!" Gedatsu scoffed as he delivered another kick towards the doctor, sending him tumbling away. Chopper scrambled up and hastily morphed into Jump Point and leapt away.
"And just as I thought you had some guts…" Gedatsu sneered "I'll hunt you down this time!"
It was only then he realized, too late, what Chopper was aiming for. Gedatsu yelled in confusion as his Milky Dial boots suddenly sent him careening wildly through the air!
"I knew it!" Chopper shouted as he held up an object; he had ripped one of the Priest's Dials from his feet "You needed both of them to fly properly!"
"Grrr… Damn you, you Raccoon!"
"I'm not a raccoon! I'm a monster, and I am strong!" Chopper leapt up into the air, morphing into Arm Point. Gedatsu's eyes widened as he witnessed his opponent's biceps swell up and tighten.
"I'll prove myself today! Kokutei… CROSS!"
Both hooves slammed into the priest, forming an X-shape as the blow sent him flying backwards, before landing hard against a hard object.
"Y-you've really done it this time…" Gedatsu growled as he staggered to his feet. This time however, he was jolted to attention by a furious hiss which caused him to look up in horror.
The impact has caused him to slam into Nola, dissipating the Swamp Cloud around her head. Worse, she had managed to free herself from the Swamp Trap ensnaring her and it's safe to say that the giant snake was none too pleased at seeing him.
Gedatsu hardly opened his mouth as the snake's head crashed down, swallowing him in one gulp. His Mantra, clouded by his emotions, were not able to sense this attack. Nor would Nola give him a chance to dodge anyway.
The battle was over. Chopper fell down in Brain Point again, exhausted but triumphant.
"I…I did it! I'm able to fight for myself now!" he grinned weakly "I've become a real pirate!"
"I didn't think you'd have it in you, Chopper-kun." Nola hissed "I thought you were just someone who liked to cry a lot. You've certainly opened my eyes."
"I'm going to make it so that everybody else can have me to depend on too!" Chopper declared "And for that, they'll have to not worry about me, and I have to believe in them!" he then pointed towards the direction they were previously going.
"I have to keep going for the City of Gold!"
"Indeed, and we are making quick progress. Over there is a large beanstalk, do you see it?"
"Oh, I do! It's sticking all the way up into another layer of clouds!" Chopper remarked "Is that where the gold is?"
"If I remember correctly, that should be where it is." Nola confirmed.
"Then let's go! The others are waiting for us!" Chopper declared. Picking up speed once more, they hurried towards their destination with determination in their eyes. Even as Gedatsu continued to thrash about in Nola's stomach, the two gave him little thought. They had a city to find.
Meanwhile:
"You cannot hit me, so I suggest we make this as non-violent as possible." Dodging was easy for Ryugetsu. With the fight still ongoing, the strength of his foe originally caught him off guard. Whatever Gian does in his spare time, he certainly put a lot of it into training himself. A point clearly demonstrated by the clean cuts on some of the trees.
He soon realized that, although strong, his opponent was far slower than he is. His brutal swings of his glaive weapon and fearsome blows from his hands and feet were too predictable.
And he isn't even using Mantra at the moment.
Of course, Gian was quick to notice this. It's safe to say he's pretty concerned.
Ryugetsu only sighed as Gian charged again, the Kusarigama chain spinning around him, before lashing forwards to wrap around his opponent's legs. With a jerk Gian was knocked off balance, landing heavily on the ground.
"For a guy who preaches non-violence… you sure dish out a lot of it…" Gian winced as he got back up.
"It doesn't have to be that way, you can turn yourself to me willingly and this beating may stop."
"Yeah… but you said you needed to kill us so that's hardly a fair trade."
"Trade in a few lives for the lives of many? Is that so hard?" Ryugetsu crossed his arms.
Gian sighed "its official, you're not very good at persuading people." He tried to lash a leg out, but Ryugetsu was already gone.
"Like I said, much too slow."
Gian didn't even see him go behind him, so when the counter kick came it was initially a surprise. So much so he didn't even register it until he smashed into a tree.
"Ok… I call speed hacks…" he grunted, before noticing Ryugetsu was already in front of him. Barely able to see what is going on, Gian threw a wild punch only for Ryugetsu to grab his arm and flip him over his shoulders, causing him to land heavily onto the ground.
"Oh come on! How did you even react that fast?!"
Ryugestu ignored him as he spread his wings, lifting both of them up into the air.
"I'm sure you are familiar with the idea of Mantra by this point. Surely you have already met the Priests…" he muttered as his opponent struggled in his grasp.
"An ability that allows us to sense every move our opponent makes, and act accordingly. All of Birka knew how to use it, as do I."
"Birka? What does-?"
"Know this, there will come a time in your life that you will lose something that is irreplaceable. If you manage to survive this encounter with me, then take heed in that."
With that, Ryugetsu flitted through the forest, avoiding every branch and obstacle he met in his path. Of course, he avoided it but Gian on the other hand had to bear the assault of everything as he was slammed repeatedly into everything.
"Ok… this is not fair… this is SO not fair!" Gian internally growled as blue energy enveloped him. This was an act quickly picked up by Ryugetsu's Mantra, as he hastily let go, just as the person he was open let loose a burst of energy that sent the tree branches whipping violently. The force was enough for him to land and brace himself.
"Such power… you hold more than I originally believed." The acolyte murmured.
Gian grinned "I've more than just that." Ryugetsu's eyes widened by a margin as he witnessed dorsal fins popping out of his back, as they lit up and Gian fired an Atom Ray. This one was much closer, actually singing his robes.
"What kind of Devil Fruit power is this?" he demanded.
"I sometimes forget, Devil Fruits have been found up here…" Gian scoffed "This is one perhaps you have never seen in your life!" his arms ignited with blue energy as he dashed forwards again. Ryugetsu had to jump around one punch; a blow so powerful it snapped a tree in half.
"His power just increased… he had this much within him?" Ryugetsu cursed as Gian's radioactive charged leg slammed into his braced arms, causing him to slide back. The winged acolyte noticed a few more abnormal things, like how his opponent's eyes turned into a dark shade of amber, while his teeth and nails grew longer and sharper the longer they were fighting.
"The more he fights… the more savage his blows are becoming…" he thought as he vaulted over another punch "There's more to this power than I thought!"
Ryugetsu cursed as Gian somehow retrieved Atom Splitter, the blade became ablaze with the same blue energy he saw earlier.
"Atom Flame Wave!"
The blast of blue fire from his blade carved down many trees, all which Ryugetsu had to avoid as he whipped the Kusarigama out. Dashing forwards again, he struck. This time, he held the sickle out, and as Gian brought his weapon down, he lashed his own strike out, avoiding the slash and feeling his weapon cut through flesh.
Gian snarled in pain as the tendons in his arms were ripped in half, causing him to lose grip on the Guandao. Ryugetsu landed, sighed and casually wiped the blood from his sickle. He did not miss the fact that the wound he inflicted was rapidly closing however.
"You can heal wounds?"
Gian only grunted "I never thought I'd get my ass handed to me this badly by a regular person, at least not somebody who's a marine captain…"
Ryugetsu gasped as another blue wave of energy enveloped Gian, but this one was different than before.
"You said you didn't want to cause any violence… then I apologize… because now I really want to hurt you!"
He hardly had a chance to see Gian's Partial Transformation lash his tail out, the tail ablaze with atomic energy. The blow struck him clean in the chest, causing him to fly backwards faster than he's ever been hit before.
"The power… it increased so much which just a simple Transformation…" Ryugetsu gasped as he laid in a pile of downed logs; that blow might've broken a few ribs…
He barely had time to roll out of the way as Gian's radiation charged fist smashed into where he was.
"Never did I expect… this form of power…" He gritted before springing back into action. Flitting behind the Partially Transformed Straw Hat, Ryugetsu's chain lashed out.
"However, you are still too slow. If you maintain that speed you can never keep up with me."
Imagine his surprise when Gian managed to catch it with one clawed hand.
"Slow, am I? Well, it wouldn't be the first time…" a hard yank was all it took to bring the winged warrior into range "But it doesn't matter… I may not move faster than you, but I can hit harder than you! And sometimes, that's all I need!"
Ryugetsu could feel a portion of the skin on his arms peeling off as Gian's infernal punch slammed into it. A small explosion formed, violently blowing him backwards as he skid along the ground.
"Such savagery… I will have to end this soon…" Ryugetsu growled as he flew forwards again. If this power was what he believed it was, he really would need to end it quick. He lost his weapon in that earlier exchange; attacking at a range would not be possible now. He'll need to hit and run.
Gian growled in irritation as the winged acolyte continuously darted in and out of his reach, his claws and tail just missing him. Meanwhile, Ryugetsu was lashing out with the chained weapon, scoring small blows to disorientate the Partially Transformed pirate. He figured it was the only way he could get this done without doing too much damage.
"Ok… if I can't hit him, I'll have to blow him out of the sky." His dorsal fins flared up as another Atom Ray, the heat beam carving a searing blaze across the forest. Ryugetsu had to swerve around trying to avoid it, as dozens of trees were set ablaze.
"So he's trying to keep me at bay here, and when I potentially make a mistake, He'll fire that beam at me again, trying to take me down…" Ryugetsu thought frantically as he avoided another blast. It was when a cracking sound behind him was heard did he realize that his opponent's plan went even further than that.
"Let's see if your Mantra can let you avoid all of that?" Gian staggered forwards as dozens of burning pieces of the trees he ignited fell around the winged warrior. Indeed, Ryugetsu's focus was purely on dodging right now as the flaming logs fell around him. As his robes caught fire, he almost didn't notice the blue glow below him.
"So that's his plan… keeping me distracted by so many things happening… not bad." Ryugetsu internally sighed; his Mantra already foresaw what was to happen, but just because he sees it doesn't mean he could avoid it.
One thing about Mantra, you still have to avoid what is coming at you and if you aren't fast enough to do that, then it's pretty self-explanatory.
And as skilled as he is, there simply wasn't any way Ryugetsu could avoid everything, even with his speed.
At least, not the way he is right now.
As a flaming branch pinned down one of his wings, pinning him towards the ground, Ryugetsu saw he didn't have much time left; Gian's atom ray was almost done charging.
"To think… I would find someone who share this type of power… it is quite bittersweet." He sighed as he closed his eyes.
And a massive gale blew out around him, putting out every alit tree within the radius. Gian was startles as he felt the wind knock him back. When it ended, a feeling of uncertainty bubbled from within him.
While all this was happening Robin was still back at the ruins. Ryugetsu's attack was swift, and she didn't even register it in time. Before she knew it, Gian was already gone, carried off into whatever parts of the jungle.
Her initial thoughts had been to carry on into the ruins, but something kept her. The conversation with Ryugetsu opened a few cracks in the pavement about some of the things going on here.
They already heard that Ryugetsu was not part of the Priests, but still expected him to be part of Enel's loyalists. And while the acolyte did attack them, Robin thinks there is more to the matter.
She couldn't place it, but Ryugetsu seemed almost forlorn, as if he didn't want to do any of this.
This is perplexing, from descriptions of Enel's army and witnessing first hand, Robin had thought they were a group of battle hungry warriors. But Ryugetsu did not seem to be the case; it almost felt like he didn't want to fight.
"Hehehe… worried about your boyfriend there?" the obnoxious voice snapped her from her thoughts. Oh right, he was still alive…
"You shouldn't be… because he'll be dead!" Yama gloated and gave a broken grin; her assault on him had broken many of his teeth "Ryugetsu-dono will rip him to pieces and throw him to the wind!"
"You think too little of my companion." Was all Robin said.
"It's because it's true! Ryugetsu-dono already had that power back in Birka, and Enel-sama personally chose him as his steed when we departed that lowly place! Don't you see? Ryugetsu-dono is second only to God himself! He is the Heavenly Bird chosen by-"
Robin's makeshift hands chopped him in the neck, causing him to lose consciousness.
"Ignorant people should not speak…" she sighed.
However, what the fat man said shed some new light. It seems that there's more to this than she thought.
And this was made all the more apparent when she felt a flare of energy coming from the direction Gian was sent off to. Wordlessly she hurried off; there's just something she had to witness.
And vaguely, in the back of her mind, she could've sworn the word "boyfriend" was mentioned earlier…
"You really are a Kaiju-Zoan user…" Gian muttered "I should've known when I felt that sliver of Aura…"
"Kaiju-Zoan? So that's the name…" Ryugetsu gave his neck a crack, his own Partial Transformation standing tall. The acolyte was now a cross between a pterosaur and a man; his already impressive wings were now spread to new spans, his head was tapered between a beak and the lower part of his jaw. Sharp talons now tipped his fingers and toes, ready to tear into his foe "I guess now I figured out what that feeling I got of you was… it seems that we share this power, different as it may be."
"I should've known, we really are more alike than we thought…"
Ryugetsu gave a sad smile "Not so alike…" And that was when Gian got the air knocked out of him. He didn't even see the punch, and only when he was already soaring through the air did he feel a pain in his abdomen.
"I hope you know that your little stunt back there could've done a lot of damage. This is a sacred place, what would happen should it become unrepairable?"
Gian groaned as he got back up. The boost in power was evident, but it was the boost in speed that really got his attention. Ryugetsu was already fast enough, this Partial Transformation made it as if he was moving at the speed of sound…
"Ok, I'll admit, that wasn't my first thought…"
"Just as it isn't your first thought on what consequences your gold hunting has brought to the people of this land…"
"We're going back to that?" Gian sighed "I'm 90 percent sure that would've happened regardless."
Ryugetsu folded his arms "Regardless, your presence within this place has become too much of a problem. With this power of mine, I will cleanse this land of you."
Gian gasped slightly when Ryugetsu just appeared behind him; he didn't even sense him, or see him! Whirling around to brace himself, he blinked slightly only to see there was no punch.
"Jetstream flight…"
The uttering of that phrase was what launched Gian into the air, paired with a loud BOOM.
"I was wrong… he wasn't moving as fast as the speed of sound… he broke it completely…!"
Gian couldn't even blink before Ryugetsu's foot met his gut in record speed, taking them further into the air. The winged acolyte then sprang in front of him, dealing two rapid punches to which he only felt both after a half second, after which was followed by another kick that sent him crashing back down to the ground.
Another Atom Ray was fired, but this time Ryugetsu already saw it coming. Flitting out of sight, Gian was knocked down by another sonic boom.
"Dammit… his speed is even higher now… added with that Mantra bullshit this fight just got a lot worse! Gian cursed, before gasping and rolling out the way just as Ryugetsu's right foot planted itself into the ground mere centimeters where his head just was. Gian lashed his tail out, but once again Ryugetsu disappeared, leaving another sonic boom in his wake.
"How am I supposed to see him now… wait, couldn't I just do what I did with Mr. 0.5?" Gian suddenly remembered the ability to sense Aura, the Kaiju's signature energy. It came handy during the climax of his last battle, surely it could come in handy again!
"Just one problem… HOW DID I EVEN DO IT THE FIRST TIME?!" that last time was a complete fluke; it was only out of desperation that he managed to sense Aura in the first place. Well he's pretty desperate right now, but no glowing lights, no trails of energy…
"OH COME ON! WHEN I NEED YOU THE MOST YOU DISAPPEAR ON ME?!"
"I believe you should not be shouting your inabilities to the heavens there, it could cost you time." And once again, Gian felt himself being lifted from the ground. When he opened his eyes, he saw that he was still going up. The grip on his arms indicated that Ryugetsu had caught him and was now flying even higher.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" when they stopped, they were now miles above the Upper Yard. Gian could see trees stretching for many distances, with ruins of old buildings mixed in between. The wind here was vicious, blowing form Ryugetsu's wings with each flap.
"This is what I watch over each day. This vast expanse of land. From up here, it's almost peaceful." Ryugetsu mumbled sadly, ignoring the violent thrashing from his prisoner.
"It reminds me so much of my home… before He destroyed it…"
"Who?! Where are you going with this?!"
Ryugetsu only sighed "But even underneath this pleasant visage, blood is being spilt. You don't sense it? Every so often a life signature disappearing from the Mantra?" This battle is starting to take its toll; it will be time to end it soon "It's true you can't use it, but I never thought you wouldn't be able to sense anything…"
Gian did see things, things that made him rather desperate: one was a large construct of what appears to be a barbed wire cage, its dome shape standing out on the other side of the Shandoran ruins. Even from this height he could just make out a patch of green hair and a patch of yellow… Luffy and Zoro.
The other was the small outline of the Going Merry. He could just make out flashes of what appears to be fire around their beloved ship.
His friends were being attacked. And they were fighting for their lives.
"Now you start to see it? How this violence has reached even those you care about?" Ryugetsu sighed "This was what it was like… before my home was destroyed…"
"Take it in, it'll be the last thing you'll ever see."
And then Ryugetsu dove downwards as the air crushed itself against Gian's face. He could feel his ears begin to pop as the air pressure increased. A massive boom came from behind them; Ryugetsu had broken the sound barrier again. They were roughly 3000 feet in the air, and Ryugetsu was about to hit the ground in less than 5 seconds.
He needed to do something fast.
"Atom…Pul-"
"Too late for that."
The explosion rocked out from his body just as Ryugetsu pinned him towards the ground. The force was enough to knock the acolyte into the side of a ruined wall, cracking it.
And even then, Gian slowly got up. Thanks to the Partial Transformation's increased durability and regeneration, the dreaded injury wasn't as bad as it could have been. Still, it seemed like all the bones in his body had been pulverized. Each step is agonizing, even as his bones realigned themselves.
"W-why… why won't… you just stay down…?" Ryugetsu hissed through the pain; it felt like his entire body was on fire. Then again, that last attack managed to activate before he was able to bury him into the ground, so in hindsight he should've been a bit faster.
Gian was panting heavily "I made a promise to my friends… I won't die…"
"I kind of see… what's going on here now… You've lost something before… and now that you've found something similar to it, you… don't want to see it gone…" Gian hypothesized "You would do anything… to keep what you care about… the way it is…"
"In some cases, we're pretty alike… we've both got-"
"SHUT UP!" Ryugetsu snarled, making Gian flinch a little. The normally quiet acolyte was now irate, his face twisted into a scowl of fury "Don't think for one second that you know what I've lost!"
"I know what you're going to say… how you wishing to protect your crewmates is similar to what I'm doing? YOU ARE WRONG! The lives of a few people will never match up to the thousands that were lost that day!"
With that, Ryugetsu ripped off his robes, showing Gian his full body. Underneath, his Partially Transformed body had hardened his midsection into rows of spiny plates, but one thing remained clear; the large jagged burn mark planted in the middle of his chest.
"You'll never understand the pain I've been burdened with these years… You'll never understand what it's like to lose all you've known!"
"Losing my home to the hubris of a madman… I'll make sure that never happens to anybody again! And if I have to remove a few people indirectly causing this violence then so be it!"
Gian sighed, he knew talking him out of this was out of the question at this point. Wordlessly he dug into his jacket and removed a Rumble Ball. Only 2 of these left. He should probably ask Chopper for some more after this.
"You are wrong about one thing. Ryugetsu. I somehow do know what it's like to lose what I've known… there's a part of me that I still haven't found out about, try as I might, I'm always thinking about that. But as much as that part of me is missing, I've found something else: family that accepted me when I had nowhere else to go, friends who stuck by me through the toughest times… just as you wish to protect this place from violence… I will protect them from all that threatens them."
"Atom… X scissor!"
"WIND SCAR!"
One wing beat of Ryugetsu was enough to cause a massive gale to rip towards his target, the velocity reaching cyclone levels as they formed multiple shredding blades. They crashed into the flaming X caused by Gian's Blade Point Transformation, causing a massive explosion.
"A new form? I'll say it's rather creative… but it's still too slow."
Gian's bladed arms reaped towards the acolyte, but even this new speed still paled in comparison. With another BOOM, Ryugetsu flipped over the Blades, avoiding all of them.
"Sonic Lash!"
A swift kick forced Gian to counter, unleashing the bladed tip. It wasn't enough to block Ryugetsu's attack, but it managed to dig into his leg, causing the acolyte to curl and fly up. Here he began to send multiple Wind Scars towards the ground, the howling gales ripping into the trees and dirt.
"Oi… didn't you say this was a sacred place?!" Gian protested as he hopped around.
"Damn… even Blade Point is too slow here, not to mention I have no way of reaching him while he's in the air…"
"I have to think up a new transformation… hopefully this one can help!"
Focusing a bit, he felt a new change in his body, before leaping up to meet Ryugetsu head on.
"Attacking me in the sky now? You are way too overconfident. The skies belong to me!"
"Perhaps, but every king needs someone to take his throne!"
Ryugetsu's eyes widened as a blue stream of flames belched out from the new form. Gian was now airborne, but he wasn't falling.
Two blue wings were in place of where his arms are now.
"To match you up here… I had to improvise. And that's where Wyvern Point comes in play!"
Gian's change was noticeable: his head was streamlined, and his entire body was aerodynamic. His dorsal fins have shrunk, smaller on his back, and even his tail was smaller. His arms now expanded into two membranes that allowed him to fly.
"Is this enough for 3 minutes? I only hope it can match up."
"Atom Jetstream Ray!" another bellow of fire, not the usual heat ray, but pure fire was emitted once more. Ryugetsu however, was easily able to dodge it.
"Did you forget I have Mantra still? You may be flying now, but just having the power of flight is not enough!"
"Don't think that's all I can do! Atom Drago!" Blue claws of radiation bursted from his winged hands as Gian flew forwards, intent on slashing his target. Ryugetsu shook his head as he flew overhead, prepared to deliver another kick. Rather than chasing, Gian flew in a different direction, with Ryugetsu hot on his pursuit.
This continued for some time; Gian spewing out blue flames while Ryugetsu avoided them, just out of reach. One of them didn't want to get close, while the maneuverability of his opponent's new form was starting to get tedious.
Eventually Ryugetsu decided to end this. With one massive flap of his wings, he appeared in front of where Gian's Wyvern Point was about to go. He noticed this too late and ended up with a hand wrapped around his neck.
"I told you, there's no use to keep struggling. That last form might have caught me off guard momentarily, but in the air, I am still superior." Ryugetsu admonished "It's time to end this now."
Gian stopped struggling.
And grinned.
"I figured… there was limit to how much your Mantra can do…"
"What?!"
"Take a look around you… what do you notice?"
Ryugetsu gave a glance around, nothing. Was this his opponent's idea of trickery? It would take a lot more than that to have him fooled.
Then he smelled it, and his eyes widened in horror.
"T-this is-"
"My normal Atom Ray is just pure energy… it blows and it fizzles… Wyvern Point's atomic fire on the other hand leaves a residual gas that lingers in the air after I've used it…" Gian grinned, proud of his work "I figured that your Mantra only works well when you're able to concentrate, so during that attack earlier where I burned those trees as a distraction showed that when you're too occupied with one task, you can't dodge too much… that's the same logic here. I continuously used my fire to make sure you're only focused on avoiding that and getting to me!"
"But, just in the case you still try to fly out…" from his mouth a new projectile appeared; a dark cloud of smoke, a side effect from using so much Atomic fire. Ryugetsu was blanketed as he scrambled to find his way out.
"He's using the smoke to disorientate me… I can't use Mantra in this situation!"
"Now… Smite… and IGNITE!"
One more puff, this time a small blue ring of smoke puffed out charged with Atomic energy. The reaction was instant, a vicious explosion blanketed the area. Ryugetsu was caught inside completely, his body singed as he fell towards the ground. Miraculously he was still awake, glaring hatefully at his foe.
"Now, it's really time to end! ATOM DRAGO!"
Dashing towards Ryugetsu, two more claws of Atomic energy slashed the opposing Kaiju-Zoan user's chest, drawing two pairs of lacerations. This was enough to fully make the acolyte black out, just as Gian's Rumble Ball effect ended as they both fell.
"Oh… I forgot…"
Screaming all the way down, he braced himself.
"Cien Fleur: Spider Net!"
And he landed in multiple arms, wrapped around in the form of a net between trees.
"If there was ever a time where your presence was more welcome, it's now…" he gave a sigh of relief. Robin only smiled as she appeared from behind a tree.
"Well, what can I say? You did say you needed me to show you where to go around here."
"I won't deny that…" Gian smirked "Sorry to say, but I think the party's over." Ryugetsu's body was laying prone face down on the forest floor, still Partially Transformed while burns covered his body. He wasn't moving.
"What was it like? Fighting someone like him?"
"It was… an experience…" Gian was sullen at that. Unlike with Mr. 0.5, who he had to stop, this battle was different. If anything Ryugetsu was just as much of a victim as anyone else under Enel's Survival Game, if what he pieced together was accurate.
Ryugetsu did not seem like he wanted to fight; he didn't seem like the kind of person to get involved in any of this at all. For them to cross arms in a fashion like this was only due to the product of viewpoints.
If times were different, Gian felt that the two of them would've actually gotten along.
"You wished you did not have to fight?" Robin deduced.
"In a way… yes. I found out about a few things during that scrap… things that kind of made me realize how he became this way." Gian sighed "I don't think he was meant to be our enemy, only someone who encountered us at the wrong time… he had things he fought for, just like we do." he shook his head "But it doesn't matter now. Let's go back to the City."
Lightning crashing down everywhere. Scream everywhere.
"WHY?! WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO US?!"
"WHY IS ENEL SO-"
"YAHAHAHA!"
A leap, missed, feeling of anger.
"STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!"
"So the Beast has finally been awakened? Most excellent!"
No restraint, must stop him now…
"SHOW ME YOUR POWER! GOD BIRD!"
"KIRRROUUUUU"
"EL… THOR!"
Pain.
Loss.
Nothing is left.
"It's too pitiful, and far too much of a waste." The man sneered as lightning cracked around him "A beast like you must have a God to guide you. Come to me, and submit to God!"
Shame.
Resignation.
All that's left.
Wind began to pick up around Ryugetsu's body as memories past flooded his mind once more. Despite all of his injuries, he wrenched himself up, eyes glowing yellow as power began to flood him.
"I've lost all that I cared for… not again…"
The wind began to scream now.
"NEVER AGAIN!"
And a blinding flash of light covered the area, forcing Gian and Robin to duck.
"I knew it… this isn't over…" he picked himself up as blue energy began to gather around him.
"Robin… get back to the Ruins…"
"What is-?" Robin asked, before she felt it. Two massive waves of energy exploded outwards, one speaking of wilderness and flight, while the other of dominance and willpower.
Both were Primal.
And Robin knew what was to come.
Meanwhile:
"Dammit… these clouds are made up of barbed wire!"
Zoro was getting cut up here. This new zone was filled with new traps, new hardships and a new opponent.
"How does it feel swordsman? Does the Ordeal of Iron make you yearn for death?" Ohm sneered. His Trial was deadly and no one has ever escaped it in the past. Beside him was a large white dog, a pet he's brought since his days back on Birka. It cackled as it watched the fighter's misfortunes.
Zoro was getting cut up here, with the iron clouds rending his body.
It doesn't make it easier that there are other people here as well.
"It hurts…!" Chopper cried. Zoro was surprised in the least to see that their doctor had befriended the giant snake that had tried to eat them earlier, but if she could help, then all the better. That didn't matter in the face of this trial though, as even they were struggling. Chopper's fur was matted with blood, and fresh wounds now appeared on Nola's Body.
"We have to… I'M GONNA KICK YOUR ASS!" Luffy shouted as another barbed cloud lacerated his back. It was even more of a surprise when Luffy and the Guerilla crashed into the clearing together. Now they were caught in this trap as well.
"OHM! YOU WOULD STAND BACK LIKE A COWARD?!" Wiper roared.
"It's all but strategy, I've now got you all where you stand!"
Wiper hissed. His fight is much more personal. Behind him, Aisa curled, whimpering. He had no idea how she got there. Apparently she had chanced upon the Pirates from the Blue Sea… but now she was caught up in this mess as well. He didn't want to bring her into all this.
"Ohm's Ordeal of Iron… it's said to be the toughest of them all…" Gan Fall panted as he himself is being cut up. He and Nami had arrived after Enel's visit to the ship. Nami looked on, worried about everyone.
Zoro cursed; this has trapped too many people! With Sanji and Usopp both injured on the Merry, and Gian and Robin still not showing up, it was starting to look bad. They had just managed to reach the City of Gold, and now this roadblock was getting too hard to handle.
It was then that everybody felt it, two massive wave of energy.
And they were instantly brought to attention. Some of them even knew what they were…
"Ryugetsu is about to Transform?" Ohm wondered, actual intimidation written on his face. He's only seen that form a handful of times, but that was enough to realize just how far apart the two of them are.
Wiper felt the changes in the atmosphere as well, 2 waves of oppressive forces. His alarm was in contrast to Aisa's however, as the little girl looked up in a mix of fear and awe.
"The God Bird… it's here…"
"Aisa, what are you talking about?" Wiper demanded, but the girl only stared in that direction. That feeling was definitely the same as the one she encountered in the forest the other day, only much stronger.
Nola gave a violent hiss as she backed away slightly, eyes fearful.
"I can't believe it… it's still there…"
"Nola! What's wrong?" Chopper coaxed.
"Do you feel it? That primal change in the air? One of them was the flying beast that attacked me that day!" the snake hissed "But what is that other one?"
Then they felt it, and it was all too familiar to them Luffy, Zoro and Chopper gave each other a look; they know exactly what happened.
"Gian… what are you up against that requires that form?" was the singular thought on their mind.
"To think… Monsters have graced the skies once more…" Gan Fall whispered. He never thought he'd see something like this again.
"Gan Fall-san, you know of the Kaiju-Zoan?" Nami asked. She too was worried about Gian. He himself had said that the Full Transformation was one that was brought out only in the direst of situations, so what could it be now?
"Years ago, another pirate journeyed up here. With him were two individuals that have this power. Their Aura signatures may be different, but there's no doubt about it. To be fair, I had my thoughts about whether that friend of yours was a Kaiju-Zoan user or not and it seemed like I am right."
"Aura? What's Aura?"
"Aura is the spiritual energy a Kaiju processes. In a way, it could be said to be their soul. Only Kaiju-Zoan users have it, and no matter which, it usually means something world changing were to happen when two or more of them appear…"
Meanwhile:
"Yes… my beasts… rise up and prove yourselves worthy!"
Far above the action, witnessing everything from atop a cloud, was the God of Skypiea. Enel too has felt the changes in atmosphere, and he was elated.
From the moment those two were brought to the Upper Yard, they were bound to meet up. Two will battle, one will emerge.
And Enel could not wait to see which was worthy to be God's Guardian.
Meanwhile:
Even below the Upper Yard, the burst of Auras could be felt.
Through most of Skypiea, the citizens down there looked up in rapt attention and fear. For them, the clouds above were beginning to churn. Flashes can be seen, illuminating the two beast's monstrous visages temporarily.
Conis gulped, this was too much for a girl like her. They were all just normal people, but they are now witnessing the rise of Monsters…
Even below that, down in the sea, the people of Jaya were wondering just why there was a particularly dark patch of clouds. But for 3 individuals, this meant even more.
"Cricket-san! Look the sky!" Masira shouted and pointed.
"I just saw a flash of lightning! There were two massive monsters up there! What could those pirates be doing?!" Shoujou was also concerned.
Montblanc Cricket however, said nothing. Wordlessly he retrieved Noland's Logbook and furiously began to flip. His eyes widened at the page he stopped on.
"So it's true… monsters have graced this world again. What were supposedly legends were rooted in truth all along…"
The image on the page was outlandish: it showed a gold carving of two massive beasts. One was a winged creature, hovering in the sky, while the other a massive saurian, its dorsal fins lined its back as it stared the opposing monster equally…
Back in the Sky:
Witnessing 2 monsters was always an awe to behold.
That was Robin's thoughts. And in a way, it was even more spectacular than the showdown with Mr. 0.5.
Gian's Full Transformation towered over her. His tail swept back and forth as blue energy crackled in his spines.
The monster staring him down however, was equally as grand. Although nothing more than a massive Pteranodon, Ryugetsu's Full Transformation was causing hurricane force winds with every single flap of his wings, which seemed to stretch across the sky for miles.
"I did not expect to be using this form… and I definitely did not expect us to have such similar Devil Fruits…" Ryugetsu rumbled "These Kaiju-Zoans really are intriguing…"
"We really are the same…" Gian growled "To be brought to this level…"
"I will preserve this land… nothing will get in my way…" Ryugetsu rose further into the sky, wings sending out gales. Gian pushed himself against the wind, determination in his eyes.
"I'll make you realize, we really aren't different from each other…" he braced himself "You really are like me, one way or another…"
And Gian let loose a sky splitting roar, just as Ryugetsu's dove at him.
Elsewhere:
Unbeknownst to everybody, something else had felt the Auras of the two Kaiju.
This being was ancient, timeless, and biding her time. Those Auras were from the same timeline as her, and one of them belonged to her mortal enemy.
She had been waiting for her spawn to gather the required resources, but there never seemed to be enough.
That had all just changed.
Within the Sea of Clouds, she remained immobilized, but she did not need to move.
Not when she has tens of thousands to do her bidding.
From her fleshy prison she sent out a call. It was not just a call to awaken, but a call for revenge.
And once those tens of thousands answer, it will be the time to rise up once again…
A/N: OPEN THE GAME!
With this chapter, we are reaching the climax for the Arc of Skypiea. Our monsters have almost fully gathered, and soon we shall have rumbles, starting with the next chapter! Gian and Ryugetsu will have the last part of their fight, and then they'll have to face something even more sinister than the thunder God…
With that being said, thank you for submitting some questions last time! The PM ones I was able to answer quite fast, and the other ones, you'll see it here!
Thank you once again for supporting this story! We'll see you with the next chapter in just a few weeks at most!
Responses to reviews:
To Girlbook:
ACTION! INTRIGUE! ALL OF THAT!
G: Actually that's split into two parts, but its here!
To Kakusei:
Well, when the bugs come, he'll be wishing he's dead…
I normally think up forms for Gian's Rumble Balls based on the situations he's encountered. The Wyvern Point showed in this chapter is a good example of that. I'll probably only have about 1 more Transformation to use, and that'll come up later. But as for his Awakened form, that has nothing to do with a Rumble Ball, nor will it be appearing anytime soon.
Gian smells like smoked meat (mostly bacon) and his flower is the Rafflesia, a massive flower found in Southeast Asia and smells like rotting meat!
Gian's female alternative- NO! WE ARE NOT GOING TO UNLEASH SOMETHING LIKE THAT ONTO THE WORLD AND-
G: I was thinking something along the lines of Jolyne Kujo mixed with Revy from Black Lagoon, but that's just me.
Oh the horror…
To Matt:
Soon, trademark. Very soon.
To Chance Green G King:
The snake is an actual character! Whether she was based on Manda or not is something I have no idea, but I like to imagine that it is so!
To Karsap:
Kiryu will not be in Thriller Bark, but he'll have an arc dedicated to him eventually. Rather, Grendolas himself has something to do with it.
To JayH120:
G: Slow and steady makes it Sexy.
I… I don't think that's a thing…
G: Well I like it. I'm making it a thing.
Sure… you do you…
You hit pretty close to home with the Enies Lobby guess though. We'll have to wait and see.
To Bigly the Big Bad Wolf:
Glad you like it! I'm actually starting This Bites! Recently so I have to catch up on that. It's pretty good from what I'm seeing so far!
As for Mechagodzilla, you can expect Kiryu to have a rather major role later on in the story (I have a unique origin for it) but as for regular Mechagodzilla, you aren't that far off with the guess with Germa 66.
To NullSilver2005:
Spacegodzilla will have a massive role near the end of this story, and no, not as Gian's sister.
To Guest:
I actually have a rough idea about how a Gamera Arc would play out, and it does involve the Gyaos. With my Original Arc following Skypiea, you'll get a better understanding of what could happen should Gamera be a part of this.
To Pokemonking0924:
Monster fights, who doesn't love them?
Ryugetsu and Gian's relationship will actually be brought back later after Skypiea is done. I'm actually planning for Ryugetsu to have another role later in the story.
To LucasFTW:
I haven't watched it. Don't plan to.
G: DO NOT! IT'S A SCOURGE ON THIS WORLD AND MUST BE DESTROYED.
T: I HAD TO BLEACH MY EYES.
0.5: IT MADE ME KILL PEOPLE ACTUALLY!
R: it truly is a rather horrendous excuse for a movie.
Well… they know.
And that's all! We'll see you next time!
I'll give the guys a break from anything this time around, but be sure to review!