Chapter 56: Jimbei's Advice

Learning of Hordy's plan and Tartaros' involvement including the kidnapping of Lucy, Cana, and the mermaid Hirasera. The Straw Hat and Fairy Tail Pirates formulate a plan, Natsu decides to take some of his group along with Aquapad and his friends to fight Tartaros. Sting and Rogue decide to assist Luffy. Yukino along with Pango, Wendy, and Carla decide to go to the palace to rescue their prisoned friends.

Jimbei requests rather than demands they don't do anything rash which leads to an argument and causes him to fight with Luffy and Aquapad.

Back at the palace

First cage: Zoro, Brook, Usopp, and Makarov,

Second cage: Mest, Gildarts, Usagi, Erza,

Third Cage: Kagura, Temukai, Leone, and Akame.

"Did you know I was the submarine of the East Blue, I can swim an 82-foot pull in no time!" Usopp boasted.

Brook laughed. "Is that so, I could do run longer than that...which is an advantage since I'm light as a feather considering being a skeleton."

Mest groaned in annoyance. "Geez, those idiots aren't being serious."

Leone wasn't buying the white lie that Usopp was telling. "The long nose is lying, though he and Brook are calm despite being in a bad situation, I'm impressed."

Akame thought the same thing.

"Perhaps we should have a race to see whose faster?" Usopp suggested.

"Sounds like a fun idea," Brook laughed as he peeked out of the bars. "That is if we don't drown first!"

"That's right, we're gonna die!" Usopp cried.

Akame and Leone sweatdropped at the two pirate's mood swings. "I stand corrected."

Kagura wasn't fond of the noise. "So noisy."

"I want to get some boozes!" Temukai moaned looking restless.

Usagi was just calm and quiet like he was thinking about something.

Makarov was getting a headache. "I hope I don't have to pay any bills."

Erza just stayed calm with her eyes closed.

The two Straw Hat pirates continued to babble on loudly until Zoro spoke.

"Hey, you guys cut it out!" He shouted annoyed as the others.

"Do you have an idea to get us out of here?" Brook asked hopefully.

"Nope..." Zoro answered with a straight face.

"You couldn't have lied!" Usopp yelled sarcastically.

Brook laughed. "Should've seen that coming, honest to the bitter end."

"Everything would be okay if I had a sword," He then turned to the cages that Akame and Usagi were in. "Hey, Akame, Usagi, do you guys have your swords?"

"Sorry, they took mine," Usagi said feeling a bit bad.

"Unfortunately, they took mine as well, even if I had, I don't think you can use it," Akame added.

Hearing that raised an eyebrow on Zoro's face. "What do you mean?"

"Do you remember the Imperial Arms that you and your friends saw Leone and I use, both are weapons that can only be used by people that understand their power," Akame explained. "In other words, not everyone can use Imperial Arms, some that tried either failed or died."

"AAAAHHH!" Usopp and Brook screamed comically.

Zoro still wasn't convinced. "If that's the case, how come you can use Murasame without any problems?"

"Mursamae can only be used by the one that is willing to carry the burden of the people that were slain by it and cleaning off the blade is hard, one little scratch from it and its poison curse will kill me," Akame replied.

"That's scary," Usopp shuddered.

Brook shivered at the last detail. "That's enough to make my skin crawl if I had any left, Yohohohoh!" He began to wonder if he could use the sword. He then faced the outside of the cage. "Things have gotten blinked...I didn't want to do it in front of you guys...but."

"What's the heck is he yammering about?" Mest wondered.

Brook began to chat in a creepy tone. "BONE BONE BONE BONE BONE BONE!" Then his soul came out of his skeleton body which took the form of his face. "Yohohohoh!"

Zoro, Erza, Makarov, and Usagi were taken by surprise.

"What the hell?" Leone asked in surprise.

Akame just gave a blank stare despite that she was a little surprised herself.

"Aah!" Usopp and Temukai screamed with their tongue sticking out comically.

Kagura was a little creeped out. "That's freaky."

"That was unexpected," Gildarts said with a gaping mouth.

"How did you do that?" Usopp asked.

"And since when did you do some freaky crap like that?" Zoro added.

Soul Brook approached the cage. "It's a new trick I learned...it happened when I was on my world tour as Soul King...back then I fell into a dreadful slump...my concert tickets were on the decline because of it."

He remembered his fans were getting disappointed while he was having time to think of a new song.

"Bummer, today's show wasn't groovy at all."

"I hate to say it but I liked his old music better,"

"It's like I don't feel his soul anymore,"

His manager and his staff weren't too happy with their boss's condition.

"What the hell is the deal Brook, if you don't write a new song soon I'm cutting you loose!"

Past Brook fell on his knees feeling desperate and hopeless. "I'm trying...but music isn't something that anyone can throw together easily...it's like the god of music doesn't smile upon me anymore."

He cupped his hand together as if he was begging or praying. "Please... the god of music, let me right...just one more song...a melody that can everyone feel the moves...please bless me once more!"

He then felt his soul free from his skeleton.

Back to the present.

"At first I was frightened however once I got this ability I realized what I was missing which helped me out of my slump," Brook said, finishing his story.

"What was that you were missing?" Usopp asked.

Brook turned around as blood dripped from his nose while chuckling pervertedly. "Well...any man like me can go anywhere undetected... it's quite obvious when you think about it."

"Pervert..." Leone and Kagura thought in unison.

Akame didn't say a word.

Usagi didn't know what to say to that.

Temukai tilt his head in confusion. "What is he talking about?"

Makarov's mouth was gaping open and then tears fell from his eyes. "Such a dream...I would like to see..."

"That sounds sweet!" Gildarts said with a goofy grin.

"Wow, I wish I was dead like him!" Usopp said bawling his eyes out comical.

"Really?" Zoro questioned.

"Get serious you three," Erza warned with a venomous tone in her voice.

"Yes...Master..." Makarov and Gildarts shuddered to lower their heads in shame.

"Scary..." Usopp whimpered.

Mest facepalmed at this scene.

At the Sea Forest

Luffy continues to argue with Jimbei.

Aquapad insists that he wants to help save his human friends, however, the stubborn former warlord refused to let them do as they please.

Seeing no choice, Luffy attempts to reach Megalo only for Jimbei to use his Fishman Karate Shark Brick Fist which released some strong shockwaves sending Luffy away.

"How did that happen, Luffy is made of rubber!" Nami exclaimed.

"You forget this is Fishman Karate, my attack unleashes shockwaves in the air until it finds my opponent's body, that said, every living creature is made of water, not even a rubber can withstand the attack," Jimbei explained.

"That's incredible," Sting praised.

"It's more powerful than normal martial arts," Rogue added.

"Meow, he's so strong," Millianna commented.

"Yeah, no joke, I wonder how strong he would be in the Grand Magic Games," Lector wondered.

"He's very strong," Frosch said with wide eyes.

Natsu grinned like he was getting an idea.

"Natsu..." He looked down to see Wendy holding his arm using her hands. "Don't you'll make things worse."

Carla didn't say a word instead she kept looking at the pointless fight.

"My turn, Fishman Karate Torrent Chop!" Aquapad lift his hand while his hand was covered in water like a torrent.

Unexpected Jimbei uses his bare hand to catch the Marlin Fishman's attack. "No way!"

"That's quite powerful, however, you have a lot of training to do!" The former warlord stated as he tossed the young Fishman onto the ground.

"Okay my turn, Second Gear!" Luffy's body glowed pink and steam was coming out of his entire body. "Gum-Gum Jet Stamp!" He delivered a stamp kick however Jimbei blocked with ease using both his wrists though he seemed to have taken little damage.

"After so much training with Rayleigh, that's all you got?" Jimbei questioned.

"Not a chance!" Luffy sped towards Jimbei, each of them pulled back their arms ready to deliver another punch.

"Now, you're both friends, not need to fight," Surprisingly Robin came out of nowhere.

"Get out the way!" Luffy yelled.

Sanji attempted to catch the female pirate in his arms. however, to his surprise, the Archaeologist pirate vanished into thin air.

This caused Luffy and Jimbei to deliver their punches hitting not just each other but Sanji as well. All three were knocked down.

Robin then came out of the forest. "You two are supposed to be friends, however, I'm sure you had your reasons to fight."

"Wait, was Robin in the forest the entire time?" Chopper and Wendy asked in surprise.

At Water Wheel Village Dosun was tied up but more of his men showed up.

The three princes defeat the last of Dosun's pirate grunts with ease.

"Man, this blows, we lost to humans and got captured by Prince Fukaboshi..." Dosun moaned with a gloomy expression.

"Damn...we lost," One of the pirate grunts groaned.

"Anyway, Ammo Knights keep an eye on these guys, we'll take some of our men to save our father from execution," Futoboshi said.

His two brothers nodded and they left.
Back at the palace.

Hordy Jones decided to move on to the next step. "Now men, let's get the plaza."

"Captain, do you want some of us to stay behind to guard the palace?" A Fishman Pirate grunt asked.

"No need, the Ryugu Palace is an impenetrable fortress, just leave some gatekeepers to open the gate for us when we come back," Hordy replied.

The pirates laughed in agreement.

"What about the Fairy Tail and Straw Hat Pirates?"

"Yeah, what about the Minks too?"

"It's obvious, those creatures are siding with humans, so it's naturally we kill any creature that sides with pathetic lowly primates," Hordy laughed cruelly.

"Hordy..." The Fishman Pirates looked at the merman king. "If you continue through this violence, you'll never be respected."

"Ugh...is that all you want your last words to be, I figured you'd go for something stronger," Hordy Jones mocked.

Suddenly he felt a burning sensation in his wound. "Damn, my scar...it's throbbing...that stupid human swordsman...hey, give me energy steroids now."

A Fishman Pirate grunt handed over a bowl of pills and the Great White Shark Fishman took a hand full of pills and swallowed some that fell into his mouth.

His biceps and arms pumped up. "I'm good as new...anyway, what about the other Fishman Pirates we recruited from the Fishman District?"

"They're doing fine, in fact, most of them are probably making their move," A Fishman Pirate grunt answered.

"Good, however, have 20 or more stay where Tartaros is, knowing Fairy Tail is going to try and rescue their friends," Hordy Jones said with an evil smirk. "Let's go and show the pathetic humans that our race is superior!"

Brook heard this and informed his friends of this.

"Good, that means, Pappagu can get the keys for these cages and set us free," Usopp suggested.

"No need, have Pappagu get our swords and then we'll cut us free," Zoro said.

"Right," Akame agreed.

Usagi nodded.

"Gee, is there anything you won't cut Zoro?" Usopp asked sarcastically.

Brook managed to find Pappagu, however, he only scared him due to his soul form so he had to chase him through the hallway.

Back at the sea forest, the fighting stopped for a moment.

Jimbei and Luffy sat up as the former warlord had something else to say. "Luffy, do you understand what could happen if you or your new friends resort to violence on Fishman Island?"

Everyone looked at the former warlord noticing the serious expression on his face. "Every time the Fishman and Merfolks reached to humans with open arms, they all got in return was discrimination. Humans like to make us suffer and they looked down on us. This comes from the horrible things that happened in our past."

Jimbei remembered his old friend Arlong. "That perfect example is Arlong...the people of the island think the humans hunted him because he was a Fishman...now you and your friends that surpassed Arlong are here, what will happen if you all crush on Hordy Jones as well?"

Camie and Shirahoshi were quiet but they clearly understood what the former warlord was saying.

"Hordy Jones is misguided no doubt, however, even if you manage to save us from this crisis if the islanders see a group of humans attacking him then the only that'll show is that nothing will change between our kinds," Jimbei finished.

Aquapad sat up hearing the former warlord's speech and as much as he hated to admit it there was truth to the big boss's words.

Jula, Thorn, Angel, and Rena were just quiet.

Happy, Lector, Carla, and Frosch felt sorry for the creatures on Fishman Island.

Happy and Carla knew this was just like when the humans back on Edolas did harm to the others Exceeds knowing the fact the small cats were weak species. The queen spread some false information about her possession of a power that'll destroy humans though her power was exposed by herself later.

Sanji took the cigarette out of his mouth and blew smoke out. "That may be true..."

This got everyone including Jimbei to look in the cook's direction.

"You're crazy if you think we're not going to save our crew, if we leave things like this, Hordy Jones will have the kingdom in the palm of his hands..." He sat up straight. "Hey, Hachi...you kept pretty quiet who gave you those wounds...however you mentioned that Hordy Jones attacks Fishman that are friendly towards humans."

"It's true," Jula spoke. "We saw what happened to Hachi, he was brutally attacked for speaking for the Straw hats, Thorn and I spoke up for Fairy Tail for rescuing Aquapad, though, we were almost attacked and we tried to defend Hachi, however...we failed..." She choked.

"Hachi..." Camie said quietly.

Sanji stood up. "Jimbei, with all that in mind, I'm sure Luffy wants to fight because this is your home too, when our captain was cornered at Marineford, you helped him..."

Jimbei remembered the escape he made with Luffy and ended up getting injured by Akainu.

"He's right," Wendy spoke. "I know both our kinds look different..." The young dragon slayer had a serious look on her face. "But, that doesn't mean we can't get along, we made friends with Aquapad, he's a good Fishman and we owe him for helping us including our fight against the Marines back at Water 7."

"I agree, we maybe pirates in this world, however, we're still Fairy Tail wizards in our hearts and we'll help the people of Fishman Island, no matter the cost," Mirajane nodded agreement. "Honestly, our kinds aren't so different."

Elfman had to agree and a look of determination was on his face. "That's right, real men don't walk away from jerks like Hordy Jones and his thugs especially when one our friends lives here!"

Happy had his piece to say and approached the former warlord. "I agree, our kind had the same trouble Jimbei," This got the warlord to look at the blue exceed. "It took probably years for our kind to get along with humans, but, they learned to live in peace with them. So you can't stop us from helping our friends including saving the island that is Aquapad's home."

Sanji looked at Jimbei. "Yeah, we all won't be able to leave the island like this. We appreciate your and Hachi's concern for us, but, we'll fight against Hordy Jones and his crew that includes Tartaros no matter the cost, we're taking a stand..." Then he got all swooned and began to twirl around with heart-shaped eyes. "Because Camie is here, Nami-chan, and Shirahoshi-chan, the mermaid Cove is my paradise and all the rest of the beautiful ladies!"

Despite the lover boy performance from Sanji, Aquapad and his friends were touched were by their human friend's speeches.

Nami and Carla sighed at the cook's lover boy mood.

Mirajane just smiled.

"Pervert..." Fujika and Millianna sweatdropped.

Luffy then wiped his face. "Jimbei, move, I need to get my friends!"

Jimbei shook his head. "No, you and your friends stay here, Fairy Tail, you can go rescue your friends for Tartaros, however, I refuse to let you fight against Hordy Jones, Aquapad, you and your friends come with me!"

"SHUT UP!" Luffy roared. "SANJI, WENDY, ELFMAN, MIRA, AND HAPPY SAID ALL THOSE COOL STUFF AND YOU STILL WANT TO FIGHT?!"

"THAT'S RIGHT OLD-TIMER WE NEED TO RESCUE OUR FRIENDS!" Aquapad added angrily.

"IF THAT'S WHAT TAKES TO MAKE YOU BOTH LISTEN THEN YES!" Jimbei roared back loudly.

"Cut it out, you guys!" Nami demanded.

M

Hordy Jones' injury was taking its toll feeling more burning pains within. "Argh..."

"Boss, are you okay?" A Fishman pirate grunt asked worriedly.

"I'm fine, bring me more pills as many as we have!" The White Shark Fishman demanded placing his hand on his scar.

The Fishman pirate grunt blocked the other grunt that was holding the bowl of Energy pills. "Please boss, taking more pills isn't helping, you continue and that could-"

He was abruptly stopped as his captain grabbed him by the face. "Shut up!" Hordy rashly took a hand full of pills and devoured them.

His muscles and biceps pumped up but only to feel more pain. "My...heart...it...feels...like...it's going...to explode."

Daruma was chewing through the candy factory thus destroying any nearby buildings that were part of the factory. "Ca-ca...I feel so hungry...bring me something to chow on!"

A pirate grunt handed him some cake only for the Fishman officer to smack it out of his hands. "What crap is this...I ain't eating some cake...that's not real food!"

"S-sorry boss, I'll get something else!" The Fishman pirate grunt assured.

Dosun and several of his men were chained up while some of the citizens were keeping an eye on them and some began to speak to each other.

"The three princes are on their way to Concorde Plaza to rescue the king."

"Yeah, such a mess this day has become."

"Right, we only wanted to improve our relationships with humans, perhaps we can exchange Dosun for the king since we have him held hostage."

The Hammer Head Shark Fishman heard the citizen's conversation. "Held hostage, you're wasting your time, Hordy would just kill anyone that's not helpful to him anymore, and on top of that he would attack any Fishmen that is kind towards humans."

The Fishman pirate grunts saw the sudden gloomy state that the Dosun was in.

"Man, ever since Dosun lost his fight to those Fairy Tail flies he got all weak and gloomy," One of the Fishman pirate grunts whispered.

"Let me give him an Energy Steroid," Another said sneaking one steroid from his pocket.

Dosun was given the pill and his power returned thus he knocked away the Ammo Knights.

Hyouzou was drunkenly attacking the citizens. "Hiccup...burp...I'm okay...I'll cut down...hiccup."

Two Fishman pirate grunts attempted to get ahold of the drunken Octopus Merman.

"Geez Hyouzou, can you fight in your condition?"

"Yeah, at this rate, Jimbei and the Sun Pirates might show up, on top of that, the three princes on their way to rescue their father!"

"Get away from him!" A third Fishman pirate warned with great fear on his face. "Whenever he's this drunk he'll cut down anyone in his path!"

It was too late Hyouzou already cut down the two Fishmen pirate grunts in a second and then cut down more.

Zeo was confronted by former soldiers of Neptune's army.

All tried to fight against the Japanese wobbegong Fishman but due to his camouflage technique, he was able to sneak past the former soldiers and knock them away with punches. "Stupid civilians...thinking that you all were able to defeat us...we're stronger than you can imagine."

Some of Ikaros' men were attacking the palace guards along with Sea Bear among them were the two Ministers of the palace.

"Man, these guys are even stronger than ever."

"Yeah...such disgrace we are to the Neptune..."

Though, Sea Bear soon was getting more violent when he started slamming his paw right at the Fishman pirate grunts.

One was given a piece of wood and put the top on fire making a torch of fire that seemed to frighten the Sea Bear.

"AAAAHHH!" Ikaros was bending backward in an unusual state. "You idiot put that fire away...hee...hot!"

The Fishman grunt accidentally put the fire stick closer to the Giant Squid Fishman. "Huh...what'd you say, boss?"

That only freaked Ikaros out even more. "What are you trying to do, cook up some smoke squid!?"

"You think we'd eat you, oh, the fire..." The Fishman pirate grunt put out the fire but Ikaros was still angry.

"Idiot, you were trying to roast me with a glass of sake...when I recover I'll kill you!" He growled while glaring down at the Fishman pirate grunt.

"Who would do that, you're crazy!" The Fishman pirate grunt comically yelled before calming down. "Oh sorry, sir."

Another Fishman pirate grunt decided to explain the situation. "Careful, I heard one of Ikaros' best friends was a giant squid, one day his friend swam too close to the sun before you know it his friend became fried squid that's why Ikaros freaks out whenever he sees fire."

Ikaro took one of his Squid spears and impale the Fishman grunt which drained out his blood.

M

At the sea Forest

Luffy and Aquapad continued to fight childishly against Jimbei.

"Jimbei, I have to rescue my friends, they're in danger and I'll kick Hordy's ass!"

"I can rescue your friends, if you defeat Hordy Jones, it can cause more harm than good!"

The two continued their fight while pressing their faces against each other like a couple of quarreling children.

"Still taken those beatens and they're still going strong," Sting sweatdropped.

"They have more energy then I thought," Rogue commented.

"That's for sure," Yukino added.

Natsu was rather impressed. "They're incredible..."

"Meow, the two are such children," Millianna groaned.

"Worse than Natsu..." Gray sweatdropped.

"They got such manly energy!" Elfman roared.

"Not the time to praise them," Lisanna scolded her older brother.

Mirajane didn't say a word but a look of concern was on her face.

"We're running out of time, we need to rescue our friends," Yukino reminded.

"C'mon, can't they agree on something?" Wendy wondered with concern on her face.

Carla had seen enough of this. "Stop it!" She then approached the three. "I think I have a solution that'll stop this meaningless fight!"

Hordy Jones' group eventually made it to Ikaros' location.

One of the Fishman pirate grunts called out to Ikaros and explained Hordy's condition which seemed to get worse by the minute.

Hordy Jones to move around in great pain. He felt his heart beat rapidly and severe tension in his body was getting worse as well. "Damn...I can't...breathe..."

Just then Hordy Jones began to transform his hair color became white and he stood up.

The Sea beasts began to growl in fright.

"Listen up Fishman Pirates, to the Concorde Plaza!" Hordy Jone stated

Megalo swam up into the air with Shirahoshi and Jimbe on his back.

Natsu's group: Gray, Natsu, Miyaka, Fujika, Aquapad, Jula, Thorn, Angel, and Rena were riding the boat to Fishman District.

Yukino's group: Yukino, Wendy, Carla, and Pango were riding the taxi bus again.

For others and the Strawhats who knows.

Leaving Hachi with Camie and Den.

At the Fishman District.

In the secret cave.

Lucy, Cana, and Hiramera were chained up to different wooden poles with their clothes barely torn and the three were in a chamber.

Lucy was beginning to wake up though her eyes were still goggly. "Ow...what happened?" She looked around and saw some candles attached to different parts of the wall. "What is this place?"

Then faint footsteps were heard at the entrance to the chamber which had an open door.

Mard Geer approached the three with a dark smile. "Quite the pitiful state you and your friends are in...I do hope that hear your screams of agony once the three Fishmen are done with you." He then eyed at the sound of faint footsteps. "Speak of the devil."

Saizou, Taron, and Jester entered the chamber and each had sinister smiles on their faces. "Looks like our first prey woke up."

"Pity that brunette chick and the Hiramera didn't wake up...but no matter, who gets the Celestial wizard first?" Taron asked.

"I believe it'll be me..." Saizou took off his shirt as Lucy's eyes showed fear and terror. "Oh don't be frightened yet...I'll a little gentle at least, I'll try to be."

Lucy began to tremble even more. "Natsu...Happy...everyone helps us..."

Hordy Jones's transformation seemed to have given him much more power. Lucy, Cana, and Hiramera were held captive by Tartaros and about to get molested by the three perverted Fishmen. Things are getting dire about the minute. What else going to happen, find out next time.

Luffy: in the next time chapter: Speech and Confession.

End of chapter.