With Siege's group, Rinkah, Lucia, Hop, Pyra and Mythra were heading to join the fight down on the performance floor when suddenly their comms rang.
"To any allies outside the Performance Floor, do not enter, I repeat, do not enter!" Tanya communicated.
"Oh come on…" Siege groaned as he heard Tanya said this.
"We came here to do more than just stay outside and let them do the work, right Siege?" Hop asked.
"Exactly." Siege said. "Whoever you are, order not acknowledged, we're coming in there!" Siege communicated back to Tanya.
"Listen to what she says, Siege! We're kinda in the middle of a pandemic here!" Ethox said.
"As if you're gonna-" Mythra was about to say before Siege stopped her. "Huh?"
"Explain the pandemic." Siege declared.
"Queen unleashed a sort of virus that turns anyone it hits into an Ice Oni." David said.
"Virus. Heh." Siege chuckled. "Lucia. Move in."
"Siege, I told you-" David was about to rebut.
"Shut up! Listen closely, Lucia is already infected by another Virus, the Punishing Virus. A virus so powerful that thankfully it only affects constructs due to my careful research and actions on her. But it is contagious and powerful enough not only will it nullify any other virus that attempts to go into Lucia, it will convert that Virus into a Punishing Virus and create Virus Constructs to help Lucia beat down any goons in there, essentially countering and reducing the virus to nothing! So Lucia. Is. Going. In. DO YOU COPY!?" Siege forcefully shouted to get his point across.
"...C-Copy." Ethox said in surprise. "We're going to get the antidote, so…just do all you can."
"Copy that." Siege said.
"Oh, and if Lucia's coming in, send Pyra and Rinkah in too. The virus can be slowed down by heat, and Gus could use the assistance because he's infected too." Ethox said.
"Now you're finally talking my language. We'll move in once Rinkah, Lucia, and Pyra null down the rooms one by one, but Lucia will move ahead to help in fights." Siege said with a smirk. "Moving in, Siege out." He signed off. "Alright, you heard the man."
"Mm. I'll rush ahead and help our allies." Lucia nodded as she rushed in, unaffected by the virus.
"Let's turn up the heat!" Rinkah smirked.
"Right!" Pyra said as the duo shot forth bursts of flames into the infected rooms.
"You sure it's a good idea for you to take action again so soon? We heard Jack really put you through the wringer up top." Gemini communicated to Rinkah.
"Pfft. That sucker wasn't anything that concerned me. Besides, I got the best medical team backing my corner with the supplies Siege has available." Rinkah smirked.
"No matter the world, Rinkah never changes, huh Azura?" Gemini smiled.
"Not at all." Azure smiled softly.
Lucia dashed ahead, looking for anyone needing some help in their current fights, gaining a following of Punishing Constructs being formed from the Punishing Virus that was taking over the Ice Oni virus.
"Hey, take it easy with taking hits from our infected guys, we still need to cure them too." Kazuma said.
"Yeah. And we need those antibodies." Chopper said.
"Ah! Chopper! Your arm!" Lucy said.
"Huh?" Chopper said as he saw ice on it. "Ah! I didn't even realize."
"We need that antibody quickly." Ginseng said.
"We're working to rendezvous with you guys as fast as we can! Rinkah and Pyra can only melt a room of this damn virus so fast!" Siege exclaimed over comms. "I don't have word on where Lucia is so keep your eyes peeled, she might be coming to your area to help!"
"Actually, I think there's another way she can help." Ichiro said. "Lucia! If you see a man with Long arms by the name of Scratchmen Apoo running nearby where you are, be sure to go for him. He's got the antibodies."
"Roger. Scanning for the target." Lucia said, as she began quickly scanning the area as she was running for Apoo.
"Meanwhile, we'll do the same." Ethox said determinedly. "No way are we letting Queen escalate this to a level like what he did before."
"Oh…newcomers…let me give you all a welcoming gift!" Queen said, firing from the gun.
"Damn it. We need to take out that gun or he'll just keep this going." Tanya said.
"WATCH OUT!" Rinkah was heard yelling as an explosion ripped over comms.
"Ah! Siege!" Lucia exclaimed, stopping in her tracks.
"Shit… close call, good eye Rinkah! We managed to stop the shot!" Siege exclaimed. "But we can't stop shots and the next support we could call for locating it could take hours to get here… if anyone has any ideas, now's a great time!"
"Our only chance is to find Apoo, make him drop the antibodies, and work on the cure as fast as we can." Ichiro said.
"Report! I see a figure being chased by a group!" Lucia exclaimed, seeing something off in the distance where she was. "Trying to get better visuals…"
Lucia dashed after the group, hoping it was the group chasing after Apoo.
"Scratch…Boom!" Apoo cried out as an explosion occured as Velouria, Zoro and Drake jumped back.
"Visuals confirmed! Wolf, Swordmaster, and a Pirate! Engaging another pirate with a red jacket!" Lucia reported.
"Did she actually…!?" Siege exclaimed.
"Yep, she found him! Lucia, that's Apoo!" Ethox confirmed.
"Confirmation received! Shall I engage?" Lucia asked.
"Engage but don't kill! Unless anyone says otherwise!" Siege exclaimed.
"Make sure the antibodies are unharmed too." Theo said.
"Orders received. Priority 1: Antibodies." Lucia said as she leapt up to join the fight.
"Ugh…damn…" Marco the Phoenix said as he was being held by Big Mom.
"Mamamamama! Now, Perospero!" Big Mom said as Perospero focused an arrow.
"You know, there were times where I have always wanted to kill you. I consider this a bit of iro-ny!" Perospero called out as he was scratched in the face by Carrot and Wanda, both in Sulong form.
"Moon Raid!" both of them called out.
"Gyaaaah!" Perospero cried as the two minks landed on a high rock as Ace ran up after them.
"That's him? The man who killed Pedro?" Wanda asked.
"Yes…he is who we will beat to avenge him." Carrot said.
"Please. The idiot blew himself up." Perospero said.
"Hold your tongue." Ace said.
"You are taking it out on the wrong man." Perospero said.
"But Pedro's death has led up to this moment. If it weren't for him and what he did on Tianna Island, we wouldn't even be here." Ace said.
"I don't have time for this. You don't take these feelings on the battlefield. You'll hash them out here. I don't have the soul weapons to waste on Marco." Big Mom said as she took off towards the roof.
"Ace, let's go." Carrot said. "We'll make sure this guy's interference never causes trouble for our allies."
"Right." Ace said, summoning his sword.
"Fine by me. I'll enjoy licking you up." Perospero said.
Inside the castle…
"Special Attack! Green Star: Devil!" Usopp said letting loose a carnivorous plant as it bit down on Ulti. "Yeah! Digest her up!"
"Please." Page One said as he bit right through the plant.
Sam, Noah, and Mio were running towards the fight, Noah and Mio looking ready as ever to go in.
"Alright. What's our plan of attack?" Mio asked.
"Yeah, what's our move, Sam?" Noah asked.
"Hmm…." Sam thought for a moment before catching movement in his peripherals, seeing Koyomi rushing to the scene as he smiled. "We do what the boss ordered." Sam said, taking a seat. "Not killing the target."
"Wh- By just sitting here!?" Mio exclaimed.
"Have a look." Sam said, as the two looked to see where he was pointing, right at Koyomi.
"Oh… is she?" Noah asked.
"Yep. This just got interesante. Sit back and enjoy the show. We'll leave our seats if the show takes a drastic turn." Sam said, as Noah and Mio nodded and adopted resting positions, looking down at the fight scape.
"Okay…Bamboo Javelin!" Usopp called out as bamboo grew out of the ground and hit the two.
"This is getting really annoying!" Ulti said, jumping over them. "Ulti…Mortar!" she called out as she headbutted Usopp. His skull could be heard cracking as he fell back onto his back.
"Sam!" Mio exclaimed, as she heard the crack and looked down in concern at Usopp.
"Mmm…. Not a good start…" Sam said, rising already and looking down at the fight.
"Wait wait wait! Look. We surrender. It's obvious we can't beat you. We'll leave." Nami said.
"Hmm…fine. Then say it. Say your idiot captain will never be king of the pirates." Ulti said.
"(That's it, Nami. All you have to do is tell one lie and you'll escape.)" Usopp thought.
"Luffy…he…" Nami said as she was crying. "He won't stop…till he's king of the pirates." she said.
"And that's our cue." Sam said as he looked down at what happened next.
"Huh?!" Ulti said in anger.
"Wait Sam! Look!" Noah exclaimed, as he pointed out Page One sniffing the air.
"Huh…this scent…" Page One said he turned around as Koyomi jumped over the two and came to the two pirates' side, half in her transformation.
"I finally made it up. Sorry for letting you all wait." Koyomi told Nami and Usopp, before noticing Sam. "Oh, and good to see you too, Mr Jetstream."
"Tch. You blew our cover didn't you." Sam said as seeing he was made known, the trio jumped down, Mio running over to Usopp.
"I'm here, hold on!" Mio exclaimed, looking to use her healing on Usopp.
"Hey! It's you again!" Ulti said, looking at Sam.
"Awww. Did you miss me?" Sam teased. "Because I sure missed beating the hell out of you."
"You're going to pay for everything you did to me earlier! Whatever was the meaning of all that?!" Ulti asked.
"Well. Plain and simple. You attack my friends, you get attacked by me. Also, don't touch me." Sam said. "If you just didn't do that I wouldn't have even begun fighting with you. Perhaps we could have just had a chat. Share a cup of tea or whatever you like. Just become pals… but of course you had to start trying to grab me from the get go. And what good relationship has ever started with that?" Sam flirted.
"Huh?!" Ulti said in anger, only to Sam's laughter.
"You…you're a dinosaur user like us." Page One said to Koyomi.
"And what if I am…" Koyomi answered back, before turning towards Ulti. "...There's something coming from the both of you… something familiar… you lost family, haven't you?"
The talk of lost family peaked both Noah and Mio who could relate, and even caused Sam's glance to become slightly more empathetic.
"Yeah…our father was part of this crew until he died. We've been part of this crew since the day we were born. We wanted to keep supporting Kaido. So we found our Devil Fruits and rose through the ranks to where we are today." Page One said.
"...What." Sam said as he shook his head. "...I can't believe the words I'm hearing right now."
"Huh?" Noah asked, as Sam's switch seemed to have been flipped.
"Here you are, fighting for your father's legacy as a way to honor the death of your parents… but do you even realize what you fight for!? The people here in this place suffer under Kaido! And yet here you are serving him and ridding other kids just like you of their families at times! What do you gain from that!?" Sam exclaimed, catching everyone, even Noah and Mio off guard.
"Sam, how can you relate!?" Mio exclaimed. "You didn't-"
"I DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE!" Sam yelled as he snapped at Mio, before turning to Ulti and Page One. "...You two… you have a choice. Unlike me. I was forced to serve tyranny after trying to stop it. You're serving under someone who's causing more harm than you two kids want to admit you're enabling him to do." Sam growled. "DO YOU THINK THAT'S WHAT YOUR FATHER WOULD WANT!?"
"How dare you….!" Ulti said, about to attack Sam before….
"Get em, Komachiyo!" a voice called out as a large Komainu bit down on Ulti.
"A dog?!" Page One said.
"Wait…" Nami said seeing a small girl on its back. "Tama?! You shouldn't be here!"
"I had no choice. I came here to help the Kozuki clan." Tama said.
"Damn it…" Sam grit his teeth as he knew there went any and all diplomacy out the window.
"Sam, you're not…" Noah asked.
"I have to. It seems like these two need some sense beaten into them!" Sam exclaimed, drawing his blade, no more joking smile or anything, mouth guard on. "LET'S DANCE!"
(Cue - The Only Thing I Know For Real - Cover by GeoffPlaysGuitars)
As the fight was about to begin in earnest, Tama got Nami and Usopp aboard Komachiyo as they ran from the battle.
"I'm gonna get Onami and Usohachi as far away as I can! You guys keep them busy for as long as you can!" Tama said to the group as she and the dog ran off.
"I'll do more than that… I hope." Sam said to himself as he prepared to fight. "Allow me to show you when you fight with purpose!"
"You really think you can take both of us? You must be crazy. In this world, only the strong survive and the weak get eaten." Page One said.
"That may be right… But I don't intend to lose easily." Koyomi responded back. "I have lost before… but I learned much from it. I may not be the strongest.. But I can still take what is mine."
"I know… that's the world I come from." Sam smirked, before he dashed to them in a streak of red, a slash cutting across the leg of Ulti in mere moments!
"Why you! Ulti-Mortar!" she said headbutting him only for him to jump back as she created a hole in the floor.
As Ulti tried to raise her head, Koyomi leapt up, before landing a axe-kick that knocked Ulti's head into the ground further, unbalancing her.
Sam would avoid the hole in the floor as he recovered quickly, seeing Koyomi engage Ulti, changing his target in an instant and rushed for Page One, landing a huge slash flurry to Page One!
"Pay-Pay!" Ulti cried out as she was too busy dealing with Koyomi, who slashed at her with her clawed talons.
"Grr…rah!" Page One said as he bit down on Sam.
"Not a chance!" Sam yelled as he avoided the bite and got on Page One's head. "HOW'S THIS!" He yelled, slamming an axe kick to send Page One crashing to the floor, head damage not included.
"Dammit… this guy's good." Page One said.
Ulti and Koyomi were trading claws and strikes, as Ulti tried to fire off more headbutts,while Koyomi was weaving between attacks to land dashing kicks that carved at Ulti's scaly skin.
"If you weren't so annoying, I'd be helping Pay-Pay pummel that samurai right about now!" Ulti said.
"...To be fair, I understand your loyalty to Kaido. If I were in your shoes… I would have done the same." Koyomi answered back, before she then avoided a powerful charging head-butt from Ulti. "But that doesn't mean that I intend to let that stop me from defeating you. I have a reason to fight as well. Because you have your own people to ensure victory for… I have my own. And I have an adoptive father to look up to. So I won't lose… because both of us…? We're both fighting for our 'fathers'."
"Then get pounded into dust already!" Ulti called out.
"Not if I slash you down first!" Koyomi roared back, as the fight intensified.
"I'll make sure you get yours too, for questioning my sis and my own reasons to be at Master Kaido's side!" Page One said.
"I'm the one who's going to teach you a lesson or two, lizard boy. And class is already in session, so pay attention!" Sam said as their fight also escalated.
In another part of the building, Yamato was on the defense for Momonosuke and Shinobu as they faced a group of armored Gifters lead by Sasaki.
"You need to forget about me, whoever you are. If you really are fighting for our cause, take Lord Momonosuke and run." Shinobu said.
"No. That is not what Oden would do." Yamato said as she took an explosive round before running at a Gifter and bashing them with her club.
"Well…so this is the girl causing us trouble." a voice said as Pedrol arrived with some Alliance soldiers backing him.
"Yeah…don't go easy. She's a tough one." Shahid said.
"I never do." Pedrol said as a Thor and Odin of the Kishin and Deity race respectively appeared next to him on both sides.
"This could be a problem. Looks like I have no choice…" Yamato said as her teeth sharpened.
"Huh? What is this…" Pedrol said.
"Hachachacha!" a voice laughed as they all looked to see Franky running towards them with Haccha in pursuit.
"Look, just cause you can't catch me doesn't mean you should…" Franky said as Haccha hit the ground with his club and busting it open.
"What in the?!" Shahid said.
"The appearance of that giant robot… that's the battle weapon of "Cyborg" Franky." Pedrol said.
"He's even more strange than I've heard." Shahid said.
"Down is an option! Cyborg Franky! I shall take these two if you can handle these enemies! In fact, I will also deal with the giant!" Yamato said.
"I don't know what's going on but sure. I SUPER got this." Franky said.
Pedrol readied his war hammer and axe before slamming his hammer into the ground. "I shall gladly break open that armored shell of yours."
"And we'll gladly fill you with arrows." Shahid said. "Such is the fate of those who mess with Almyra and the Alliance."
"I'll just get Haccha out of the way for him at least…! Narikabura Arrow!" Yamato called, swinging her club as a blast of rocks was launched into Haccha's head as the giant quickly tumbled down in defeat.
"Damn it." Sasaki said.
"My…what a waste. Oh well. He'll just be part of the…" Shahid said as an arrow grazed him. "Who fired…." he said looking down the hall in anger.
"Hey there. It's been some time." Claude said having been the one who fired the arrow.
"You…so you're still alive." Shahid scowled.
"Guess I'm hard to kill. Thanks for keeping the Alliance warm for me. But…I'm gonna be taking it back now." Claude said.
"Go ahead if you can!" Shahid said, mounting his wyvern. "It's time I did away with you once and for all anyway." he said. "Hope you're prepared, brother!"
"Please…you are no brother of mine!" Claude said.
"Shahid! He's just baiting you! We can take these two to…" Pedrol said before he was slugged across the face.
"They aren't alone!" Law said standing there.
Pedrol merely turned his head back towards Law, unfazed by the attack. "RAAAAAAAAGHHHHHH!" he roared as a red and black aura surged around him.
"Do you really think…I'm scared of your hissy fit? Come at me, monster!" Law said.
Pedrol grabbed him by his neck before launching him into the air before swinging him down the hall with his war hammer as he fell back down.
Law regained his footing as he stood back up. "What? That was all? I think you were going too soft on me." Law said.
"You're strong…" Pedrol said. "Who are you?"
"My name is Law. Son of Zephyr! And you are a Shadow Knight. So I came to free you. But before that…I'm gonna kick your ass!" Law said.
"You are welcome to try. Come, son of Zephyr!" Pedrol said.
"Alright you two. Let's show them a SUPER good time!" Franky said.