On icy winds until dawn part 2
We had separated into three groups to cover the three entrances into the room that we occupied, even if two of the entrances were blocked off. Me, Zoro, and Nami were stationed near the eastern door. Opposite us and guarding the western door was Chopper, Robin, Lil, and Accino himself. The southern door, which also happened to be the only one not barricaded, was guarded by the most people. Luffy, Sanji, Hockera, Franky, Merry, Usopp, and the Family guards all ready to deal with anything that would try to get through.
The first wave of Wendigos wasted no time in charging through the doorway, heedless of the thorns that stabbed into them. As they approached the gatehouse the fire sprayers roared, fire leaping from the the turrets. Heedless of their swiftly dwindling numbers the monsters pushed forward until not a single one of them was left. None had managed to reach the gatehouse itself.
When the second wave came they were more cautious. Splitting into two groups one that rushed straight forward and the other using their gift of flight to stay near the ceiling as they approached. It didn't help them, Franky had made sure that the fire sprayers could tilt upwards enough to cover even that strategy.
Unlike before the battle wasn't completely one sided. Several Wendigos had gotten in close enough to grab some of the guards and yank them off of the gatehouse before getting burned by the sprayers. Members of the Family rushing from the bonfire to replace those that had fallen.
Things began to go wrong at the start of the third wave, instead of rushing in as they had before the Wendigos ripped the doors from their hinges. The winds of the blizzard outside rushing into the front half of the room in a flurry of ice and snow. When it had whipped up I couldn't say and from the look of surprise on Nami's face it likely wasn't natural.
The Wendigos partially hidden by the snow advanced upon the gatehouse. Even if they couldn't see those operating the sprayers continued to fire. While some of them were set on fire most of the Wendigos had taken cover behind the heavy doors that it seemed they were pushing before them.
One of The Family that was operating the sprayer pulled the trigger only for the fire to hit the door that had been shoved against the opening. The fire finding its path blocked instead bathed the area around the gunner in flames. Franky and Merry rushed forward to pull the man back out of the fire but it was already too late for him.
"They barricaded the sprayers!" The woman on the other fire sprayer shouted just as a pair of Wendigos made it over the top of the gatehouse. They fell back as Usopp launched a pair of fire bird stars straight at them, even was Usopp ran up to where Franky and Merry were standing.
Something bounced off of my armor with a clang, glancing up I could see a three foot long crack in the ceiling that was steadily growing longer. I was just opening my mouth to shout a warning when that entire section of the roof was torn away. The blizzard outside surging in for a moment before the hole was blocked by a massive shaggy white furred body that pushed it's way inside.
As the beast floated down toward us, me and Zoro drew our blades. Nami twirling her Climatact between her hands as she snapped it together. A scream from behind me drew my attention and I glanced over my shoulder. My eyes widened as I saw another large Wendigo stalking towards Chopper, Robin, Lil, and Accino. The image visible for only a few seconds before the swirling snow cut off my vision. Separated I could only hope that the crew would be able to handle the other members of Accino's direct family.
As the floating he drew closer I realized how big this Wendigo really was. The Wendigos that we had fought until now had all been the size of a man or slightly smaller, this one however was taller then me in my enlarged form or Gargoyle by a couple of feet. It wore the remains of a jacket, and a red undershirt both torn from having to stretch to the creatures new frame. Brindo, my memory supplied. Blood red eyes shining with something other then just hunger, Brindo wasn't just a wild beast but a true monster. One that would try to draw out the pain and suffering it could cause before killing its prey.
Reaching out to the enchantments that I felt constantly at the back of my mind, I grasped a familiar one and felt the magic flowing through me. My body surged with energy as I began to grow, limbs lengthening, armor and weapons growing to match my new size. Even with the increase in height my head was only level with Brindo's chest.
Behind me Nami was getting prepared for her own attack as I rushed forward. Swinging Kintsugi upwards from my left to the right when I drew close. The strike aimed at opening a deep gash across Brindo's sternum. Kintsugi bouncing off as a long glowing purple tentacle that lashed out from beneath his skin. Blinking in confusion, my arm aching slightly from the failed blow, I stepped back. Just in time as the tentacle slices through the space that my head had just occupied.
Zoro charged past me, twin swords weaving about like a part of a deadly dance. Frustratingly much like my own swing, tentacles pushed from beneath Brindo's skin to block each blow. Whenever they went to strike Zoro however he had already moved out of the way.
Moving back into the the fray I joined Zoro in raining blows down upon Brindo. Even with the two of us combined however we couldn't get a single strike through. The only good thing was that it seemed whatever he was doing to deflect our blows required remaining still. As we had fought Nami had been busy generating a mass of black clouds that hung above our head. The air tasted faintly of ozone as I dodged back from a particularly massive tentacle that had just swiped at me.
"Red Dragon's Breath!" I shouted my blade snapping through the air to create an arc of fire. It seemed like a certain hit until moments before impact a flickering purple barrier appeared in its path.
I didn't have a chance to dodge as the fire deflected back at me at twice its previous speed. Stumbling backwards I nearly brained myself with my shield as my left hand shot up to feel the wound. The blow had opened a gash across my brow that was bleeding sluggishly from where the flames had failed to cauterize.
"Thunderbolt Tempo!" Lightning crackled as Nami unleashed the heavens upon Brindo. Through my eyelids I could see the flash of white light followed by purple. Forcing one eye open I caught sight of Zoro leaping out of the way, of one last deflected lightning bolt. It seemed that even lightning couldn't make it through.
"Zoro, Tii'chia, hold it off. I'm going to try something new." Blinking blood out of my eyes I stepped forward as Nami spun her Climatact, creating dozens of heat and cold balls to swirl around her. Grunting in acknowledgment, Zoro dashed towards Brindo. Running one hand over my eyes to clear the last of the blood I joined in the attack.
"Pathetic. Is this truly the best that 100 million bounty pirates are capable of?" Brindo growled out, his raspy voice like nails being dragged across a chalkboard as tentacles intercepted each of our attacks. Slowly he lifted his hands over his head, stretching them put to their fullest extent as between the claws a black and purple sphere of writhing energy gathered.
The sphere pulsed once, twice, before it suddenly bulged outwards and tore open. Tentacles from inside of the sphere lashing out in every direction, slamming into me with such force that I was driven backwards. The good news was that they had been unable to pierce my armor, the bad news was the numerous bruises beneath the armor from the transferred force.
On the other side of Brindo I could see that Zoro wasn't in much better condition. Blood dripping from a couple of deep cuts. He struggled to stay standing before suddenly slumping down onto his knees. Something was wrong though as I could see one Zoro that was still standing and another slumped onto his knees. My eyes widened as I realized exactly what I was seeing.
"Watch helplessly pirates as I tear your crewmate apart before feasting on her." Growled Brindo as he turned to where Nami was standing before lashing out with one hand. Nami didn't move, didn't even cry out as the claw stabbed right through her.
"What!" Brindo snarled as Nami's image wavered and then vanished. Turning it lashed at me and then Zoro only to rear back in surprise as each image wavered before fading. Hidden by Nami's Mirage Tempo I smiled, who knew that my ability to see through illusions would also work on mirages.
"Today's weather forecast calls for unexpected mirages followed by a period of extreme heat! Solar Lance Tempo!" Stepping smoothly out of the mirage that she had generated Nami swung her Climatact downwards. Extending from the end of her staff was a foot long blade of white hot fire that cut first through the purple tentacles and then Brindo's left leg like a hot knife through butter.
Howling with rage he whipped around, aiming his claws to remove Nami's head. Just before they would have hit I stepped forward with my shield raised, claws bouncing off of it. Looking up at Brindo I smiled. Completely fixated on me Brindo didn't notice Zoro readying himself behind it. Katanas' held out wide to either side he took one deep breath then another before his eyes snapped open and all three of us struck at the same time.
"Combination Style" Flame Twister!"
Zoro spun, generating a tornado of slicing wind that engulfed Brindo just as I unleashed an arc of fire that ignited the highly combustible gas that Nami had provided. Gas that was swirling all throughout the tornado as it spun. A massive spiraling column of fire that reached up to the very ceiling trapping the Brindo inside of it. Intense heat poured from the column forcing all of us to step away to avoid getting burned.
As the blaze began to die the swirling blizzard that had separated us from the rest of the crew began to subside.
Merry cursed to herself as Franky took the lead of their odd little trio, his longer legs letting him cover the distance quicker. She should have realized that the Wendigos would have tried to use the doors to block the fire sprayers. A shout from Usopp behind her pulled Merry back to the present as the blizzard closed around them, cutting off all vision to the rest of the crew.
The sound of metal tearing drew all three pairs of eyes back to the gatehouse that they had constructed, just in time to see a curved blade withdrawing back into the blizzard. The gatehouse had been cleaning sliced straight down the middle, the two pieces separating as something massive began to push it's way through.
A handful of Wendigos came up over the sides of the gatehouse and swept towards them only to be greeted with Franky's flaming breath. Glancing up towards the top of the gatehouse Merry wondered as to the silence of the guards. They were probably already dead.
"Guy's the blizzards solid." Merry and Franky turned to look to towards Usopp as he spoke to see him resting one hand against the swirling snow. They couldn't escape and be forced to deal with the creature that was pushing its way through the gatehouse. At that moment the gatehouse gave out one final groan as a Wendigo with the head of a wolf and blood red eyes finished pushing its way through.
Where the creature's clawed hands should have been where 5 foot long curved blades, like some mad scientist had grafted the scythe-like limbs of a prey mantis onto it. Instead of the burnt stumps that the other Wendigos had this ones legs were bone spurs shaped into the form of ice skates.
Merry's hand tightened around the hilt of Yubarashi as she shifted into a quick draw stance. Behind her Usopp hefted his improved slingshot up, bead already loaded as he waited for the perfect moment to shoot. Directly in front of the Wendigo, Franky had his arms up and was bouncing on the balls of his feet. Ready like a boxer before a match.
Usopp's slingshot twanged as he sent a bead of force flying towards the Wendigo only to watch as the shot missed. The creature having spun out of the way at the last moment and was now skating straight towards Usopp. One scythe-like blade swept out only to be intercepted by Merry as she leaped in front of it.
Yubarashi clashed against the the other blade as for an instant. Just long enough for Merry to deflect the other blade off to the side. Running up behind the Wendigo, Franky lashed out with a punch. At the same moment the creature kicked back with one leg, blocking the punch with its bone skate. Spinning on the remaining skate the Wendigo lashed outwards in a storm of blades forcing Merry and Franky to draw back. As it stopped spinning, Merry saw an opening.
"Fiends anthem!" Yubarashi flashed out too quick for the eye to follow. A line appearing on the creature's shoulder and as Yubarashi clicked back into it's sheath the entire right arm fell to the ground. Howling in pain the Wendigo spun around to face Merry. In the middle of its spin however a flaming bird flew through the air above Merry's head and slammed into the stump where it's right arm had been.
Usopp rubbed his finger beneath his nose, smiling at the successful shot. The monster might have avoided his first shot but the king of snipers always hit his mark eventually. He reached down to draw a new another star from his pouch as Merry and Franky charged back in.
Time dragged to a crawl and Usopp was conscious of his lungs filling with air as the Wendigo vanished. Ten distinct snaps ringing out, each one unnaturally loud to Usopp. He blinked and Merry was reeling back in slow motion, blood spraying from wounds that had suddenly appeared. An afterimage of the Wendigo fading away, arms retracting from its strike.
Usopp felt his breath leaving his lungs as Franky stumbled back, clutching at his left arm that had nearly been sliced clean through. As breath started to fill his lungs once more Usopp spotted the Wendigo skating towards him. The beast's remaining blade level with Usopp's chest.
Instead of the star that he had been reaching for Usopp's fingers curled around something he had been tinkering with. Swaying backwards at the waist he watched the blade pass less than an inch over his long nose. As the rest of the creature began to soar over him Usopp pulled the experimental device from his bag.
The fire sprayers had largely been Usopp's idea based off of a far more powerful version that he was still tinkering with. The kick back from the rebuilt burn bazooka slamming his back against the ground as it knocked him off of his feet. A concentrated stream of blue flames leaping from the tip of the bazooka and launched the Wendigo into the air.
The flow of time snapped back to normal as an angry Merry jumped high into the air. At the height of her jump, blue flames licking at her clothes, Merry plunged downwards towards the creature. Yubarashi's blade angled earthwards in front of her.
"One-sword style: Demonic Descent!" Merry impaled the Wendigo as she fell, blue flames swirling around her before gathering around the blade. The katana appearing to transform into one that was nearly 7 feet long of burning blue flame. The fiery blade flaring as it sliced completely through the Wendigo's body. The upper section of the creature let out a howl of pain as it fell right towards Franky who was glaring up at it.
"You wrecked my left arm, that was SUPER uncool." Franky growled out, cocking his right arm back. The blue star on his arm sliding up and then forward to cover his right hand like a glove. A corona of fire and electricity forming around his hand.
"Shockburn...Hammer!" Punching out he slammed his fist straight into the Wendigo's face right as it fell past. The monster giving out one last howl as the flames rapidly spread to consume it. The swirling blizzard that had separated the crew began to subside.
Robin pushed a trembling Lil behind her, shielding her from the cruel gaze of the deer-headed female Wendigo. In addition to the tattered skirt that she was wearing and her towering size she had two more features of note. The fur of the beast was transparent like it was formed from ice or crystal rather than fur, revealing white featureless skin beneath. This same oddity extended down to her claws as well.
"Hello father and my sweet little sister. Who could imagine that it would come to this, you working with pirates of all things." As she spoke Arbell's lips curled back to reveal numerous razor sharp teeth.
"You...How dare you still claim to be my daughter, monster!" The temperature spiked as Don Accino stepped forward, skin glowing cherry red in his anger. Steam was rising from his body to curl around him covering him in a haze. Arbell was so focused on Accino that she didn't even notice Chopper digging into his back at his side.
"Now now that's no way to talk to your innocent daughter father, I haven't even done anything yet. I haven't dug my claws into your flesh yet and watched your agonized faces as you slowly turn to crystal.
I'll leave Lil for last so that I can see her horrified face for all eternity as a trophy!"
Howling in rage Accino rushed forward punching at Arbell rapidly, his fists surrounded with a haze of heat. Weaving between the punches, far more flexible and fast then a creature of her size should be, Arbell let out a mocking laugh. "C'mon father you can do better than that!"
Chopper finding what he had been looking for in his bag pulled out a yellow ball. Popping it into his mouth he crunched it between his teeth.
"Rumbleball! Brain Point! Scope!" Shadow stirred around Chopper's neck as the small reindeer pressed his hooves together in front of his face and peered through the gap, searching for Arbell's weak points.
It took a moment before Chopper spotted what he was looking for, Arbell favoring her right leg whenever she dodged out of the way. Switching into his Walk Point he ran towards Arbell. Shadow slithered down from around his neck to wrap around his front hooves. He was just reaching Arbell when she narrowly dodged a punch from Accino, leaving her off balance. Shifting into his Arm Point Chopper skidded to a stop on Arbell's right side.
"Carving Shadow Hoof Sakura!" Both hooves slammed into Arbell's side leaving behind a dark cherry blossom shaped hoof print. Shadow draining some of the strength from her with the brief contact. Whirling around Arbell growled before lashing out at Chopper. Shifting into Walk Point he dodged out of the way of the first claw but the second claw followed too fast on the heels of the first one for him to dodge.
"Clutch!" Arms bloomed around Arbell's head and arm. The head was twisted to the side with a sharp crack while the arms on the arm slammed fingers into pressure points. All of this combine served to throw off her aim just enough that Chopper was able to dodge out of the way. Even as the arms faded away Accino took the moment of distraction provided to slam a 10,000 degree punch into Arbell's exposed side.
Snarling with rage she swiped out with her claws, narrowly missing Accino as he jumped back. As he landed however his knee buckled and he crashed to the floor, his strength gone. Skin losing its cherry red glow as he let go of his control over the Heat-Heat fruit's power.
Flying through the air Robin's Burning Glaive began to cut and slice at Arbell, the fiery glaive leaving behind numerous wounds as it forced her away from her exhausted father.. As the glaive darted in for another strike Arbell smacked it away, earning a gash across the palm of her hand for her trouble.
"Enough of this. Die!" Arbell howled, the crystal fur of her body standing straight up before they shot out in every direction. Slivers of crystal fur hitting the tired Accino and Chopper despite his best attempts to dodge. Robin flung herself in front of Lil, producing multiple arms from her back to completely protect her. Grunting in pain as each sliver impacted with her back. Lil's looking up at her in wide-eyed fear.
Smirking Arbell floated over to her father and flipped him onto his back. The skin around where the fur had hit were already begin to turn into crystal. Chopper grabbed one of the fur spines in his hoof and yanked it free only to see that the crystallization was still spreading.
"Don't bothering trying to remove them, the change is already started and only my death will reverse it.
This is what happens when you try to protect such a troublesome child. I cant believe I ever called you my sister." Arbell snarls out as she turns towards Lil only to freeze in place. Lil was standing there eyes narrowed in rage, clutching Robin's Burning Glaive in her hands. The stones of the floor around her cracking as vines pushed their way upwards. Rich green vines with buds that opened to reveal bright orange flowers. In seconds the vines had risen higher then her head even as more joined them, the largest of the vines already thick as the trunks of small trees.
Lifting the glaive Lil pointed it straight at Arbell's heart. When she spoke her voice trembled.
"My sister...would never say that to me... you are just some monster, USING HER MEMORIES TO TORMENT US!" Shooting forward the vines started to grow even more rapidly, the orange flowers changing into Venus flytrap jaws that leaked an orange sap. The jaws bit down onto any available spot even as Arbell howled and the vines tangled around her limbs.
Soon Arbell was completely engulfed by the vines. The vines shuddered as the she tried to claw her way through them growing back thicker and faster then it could. The pillar of vines flexed as it withdrew back into the ground. Leaving a massive hole next to Lil even as she slumped over unconscious.
She wasn't awake to see the crystallization reverse itself or the swirling blizzard that had separated the crew began to subside.
"Robin-chan, Nami-swan!" Sanji shouted as the blizzard closed in around him, Luffy, and Hockera. Jumping up he kicked off of the air looking to go through the snow. Instead he crashed into it as if the swirling snow was a wall of stone. Landing next to the bonfire that was trapped in the room with them.
"Sanji! Look out!" Alerted by Luffy's shout Sanji jumped back just as a massive clawed hand slammed into the ground where he had been. Stepping out of the blizzard, as if it was the snow that it actually appeared to be, was a towering Wendigo wearing a tattered jacket and blue under shirt.
"It's Campacino, he was my older brother before they got to him." Hockera muttered, eyes fixed on the scraps of blue fabric. He shook himself out of his dark thoughts as his fingers tightened around his hockey stick. "If we defeat him the snow that's trapping us in here will probably fail."
"Diable Jamble!" Spinning on one foot Sanji shot forward flaming leg prepared for a devastating kick. As he flew through the air though the world seemed to warp around him. He had just enough time to adjust the angle of his kick as he realized that he was now flying towards Luffy. They fell in a tangle of limbs, Sanji's Diable Jamble only slightly burning Luffy's arm as it grazed it.
"Ugh Sanji, I think this thing has some kind of mystery power."
"Captain, for once I am forced to completely agree with you."
"Look out!" Hockera shouted, Luffy and Sanji jumping away from the spot they had been in. The warning had come just in time as the area they had occupied was sliced apart with a wave of purple colored energy. Shooting a glance at Campacino they could see that an aura of the same energy surrounded its claws.
Hockera who had shouted the warning dropped a handful of hockey pucks onto the ground before him. Stepping to the side and placing his hockey stick on the ground he started smashing the pucks towards Campacino as fast as he could. They made a slight whizzing sound as they flew through the air. The pucks were halfway to their target when they flew into a purple field of energy that had formed in their path.
Instead of continuing on in the direction they had been the pucks swerved in mid flight, now shooting out towards Sanji. Seeing the pucks flying towards him Sanji jumped over the first two pucks before kicking the third and the fourth sending them back towards Campacino at double speed. The purple field twisted towards the direction of Sanji making it seem like they would be deflected once more.
"Gum-Gum Giant Pistol!" Charging forward, one massive arm reared back to punch, was Luffy. The aura moved so that it deflected Luffy's punch into the ground even as the pucks impacted with Campacino. Raising an eyebrow Sanji glanced over at Hockera to see the man looking back at him, before both starting to smirk.
"Luffy I figured out how to beat this guy. Just keep doing what your doing and I'll take care of the rest." Luffy flashed a thumbs up in response before slamming his feet together. "Gum-Gum Spear!"
Sanji didn't look to see if Luffy's attacked had connected or not instead turning back and giving a nod to Hockera who began smacking the pucks in his direction. Spinning in place Sanji's foot ignited once more with the fires of his Diable Jamble, ignoring the strain that activating it for the second time brought.
As each puck flew towards him he kicked it back towards Campacino . Each puck igniting upon contact with his foot before flying off towards Campacino's exposed side. Since he was distracted with deflecting Luffy's attacks the pucks impacted hard, leaving behind bruised and burnt wounds.
"Gum-Gum Bazooka!" Luffy shouted not even bothered when his attack was once more deflected. It didn't matter that he had been unable to to land a single hit he was allowing Sanji to get his own hits on it. Luffy was jumping away when Campacino's arm shot out and grabbed his leg. Swinging him around like a flail Campacino blocked the next flaming puck with Luffy's body. Another swing and Luffy was thrown through the air straight towards Sanji.
The last puck flew past Sanji as he adjusted himself to catch his flailing captain. He stumbled backwards barely able to remain on his feet as Luffy crashed into him. Finally not under attack Campacino raised his arms above his head before slamming them down. Claws flickering with purple energy digging into the earth.
Purple blades of energy erupted from the ground, racing across the floor towards Sanji and Luffy as the pair untangled themselves. Seeing the attack coming towards them they jumped to the side to avoid the blades only to find themselves landing in the exact spots they had just left. They tried to dodge away twice more but each time they found themselves ending up back where they had started from.
They didn't have time to try and dodge once more. Instead Luffy and Sanji braced themselves for the impact as the blades flew closer. Just before they would hit, Hockera leapt into their path. Briefly vanishing into a cloud of purple smoke as he took the attack head on. When the smoke cleared it revealed a shredded Hockera just before he collapsed to the ground.
"Hockera!" Roared Sanji and Luffy as they him fall. Fury in their eyes the pair launched themselves at Campacino, trying to hit him with everything they had. Punches, kicks, headbutts, stamps, everything and the kitchen sink they threw at him. Each attack was deflected so that it hit the opposite attacker rather than Campacino. Not that either of them bothered to stop attacking despite the rising number of injuries.. The fight took them from one side of the area they were trapped in to the other and back several times.
They had forced Campacino back towards where Hockera's body lay when Campacino forced them back. Lifting his arms above his head he slammed them down onto the ground, claws digging into the earth. Once more blades erupted to race across the ground towards Sanji and Luffy. As they turned to dodge the flickering purple aura made them both realize that they were trapped. As the blades rushed closer they braced themselves for impact.
Both of them vanished into the cloud of purple smoke as the blades impacted. Coughing and waving smoke away from his face Sanji was the first to stumble out followed by Luffy. They had barely taken two steps forward however when they both fell to the floor. Their jackets had been sliced into ribbons and puddles of blood were starting to form around where they lay.
Campacino took a single step towards them only for a broken hockey stick to burst through his chest. Hockera, covered in blood and barely able to stand, was clutching onto the hockey stick. Futility Campacino reached back trying to scratch at Hockera but he couldn't quite reach him.
"Straw Hat, please take care of Lil for me. It looks like this will be my final act as her big brother." Those words having been said Hockera twisted the hockey stick and drawing on all of the energy left him his body yanked Campacino's massive body backwards until the pair tripped into the bonfire. Campacino letting out one final howl as the flames rapidly consumed it. The swirling blizzard that had separated the crew beginning to subside.