Hi guys Azza here!

200k words yet again! Honestly it still surprises me every time I hit these milestones even though I have a fairly good idea just how long these are going to be it nonetheless feels great hitting them.

Thanks to all of you who have been reading this far hopefully the story has still been meeting and exceeding your expectations!

Reviews

Erasenpai946 – It's not so much that she doubts their strength but its more trauma she has associated with CP9 and the World Government in general that prevents her from having faith in them until it quite literally slaps her in the face. Natsu could have literally killed Aokiji and she would have still been terrified for her friends when CP9 showed up. Natsu's strength helps mitigate her fears slightly however it is something that will be explored in the next chapter that will help her to break free of this outright denial she has.

Anyway on with the story!

I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse.

Taking A Stand

/Natsu's POV/

"Damn it, stay down already!"

A snarl was the only response as Natsu was sent crashing through a wall with the wolf hot on his heels. Flying through another wall he regained his footing and with a fluid motion slammed the ground causing the ground underneath Hessian Lobo to strike upward at his chest knocking the wolf into the air.

Launching himself at the wolf Natsu crash tackled it as the pair went flying into the fourth story of another nearby building as the occupants began scrambling for the exits only to find the walls collapsing around them as the headless rider began firing off aerial slash attacks in all directions in a panicked frenzy.

"I really don't want to hurt this wolf but if it's not gonna stay down then I might have no other choice …"

"It probably hasn't retreated because it was ordered to kill you through the use of a Command Seal Natsu, that kind of power can't be broken easily."

"Open fire on the building!"

"Oh shit," Natsu growled as both he and Hessian Lobo began getting struck by gunfire and artillery causing the building around them to collapse entirely.

Morphing his right arm into a shield Natsu drew his sword and cut his way free; firing off several Crash Magic laced aerial slash attacks at the nearby buildings with artillery crews on them causing them to fall over.

"This sword really does have its uses sometimes," Natsu replied with a grin before spinning around and blocking the head butt from Hessian Lobo who emerged from the rubble of the building behind him.

Raising his sword in a horizontal motion Natsu blocked both blades from the headless rider atop the wolf though its own strength was comparable to the wolf's as Natsu felt the ground beneath him begin to crack.

"He's wide open, get him!"

Raising a Crash Barrier behind him the sound of shattering bullets and explosions rocked the area as Natsu's legs began to convert to black tendrils which rooted themselves in place preventing Hessian Lobo from pushing him back any further.

"Rule number one Marines, don't fuck with a Demon King!"

From underground large black and purple coloured spikes began to strike at the Marines, impaling and killing them with the rest hastily trying and failing to retreat only to find that the entire ground was already converted into the tendrils.

"This guy's a freak!"

"We're all gonna die!"

Ignoring their desperate cries as he killed them Natsu's focus was entirely on Hessian Lobo whose strength had refused to break despite the tendrils now strangling its upper body. Looking into its eyes he could see the fear and despair within the wolf combined with the maddening rage brought on by the Command Seal.

"Damn it …"

"You really don't want to just kill him and be done with it do you?"

"You can see those eyes as well as I can Ahnk, he doesn't want this fight. I'm sure if we could free him he'd go off and live peacefully."

"The only way to do that is by reaching Spandam Natsu and Hessian Lobo won't allow that so long as it's conscious."

The shield crafted by his Demonic power began to glow purple before it released a sudden burst of Gravity that sent Hessian Lobo flying off into the distance, smashing through countless buildings as he retracted the tentacles into his legs regaining the use of them once more before taking several steps forward.

"So that's how it's going to be … fine."

Taking a deep breath Natsu released a Fire Dragon Monarch's Roar which doubled the level of destruction caused by Hessian Lobo's form, the flames quickly spreading to the buildings around the blast radius as he began stalking forward.

"Spandam is really gonna get it once I get a hold of him …"

/Mordred's POV/

As if possessed Mordred weaved her way through the seemingly endless hordes of Marines, hacking and slashing like a madman with her armor and blade completely soaked in foreign blood and gore. Clarent glowed Crimson Red as it seemingly absorbed all the negative energy from the battle which only served to further Mordred's own power in turn as she felt it flow through her like a river threatening to burst its banks.

She would not question the blade however if there was one she did have it would be thus. Was this blade the counterpart to Excalibur because it was Demonic in nature whilst Excalibur was Divine or was there even a true difference between the Divine and Demonic at all?

Her Master often spoke of good and evil being two sides of the same coin, of people most righteous being fundamentally wrong whilst those with less than savoury intentions having been in the right. As she slaughtered those who would cry out their deeds served the name of Justice she couldn't help but ponder what Justice there truly was in any of what the World Government did?

Allowing slavery, mass poverty, the continuation of a select group of individuals who proclaim themselves Gods and would sooner spit on them than praise them for their actions. Why would these people fight for something so twisted?

Of course Mordred inwardly knew, she'd seen it countless times and experienced it once herself. The foolishness of blind devotion was her own downfall. Never even given the chance to question her actions until she was on the end of her Father's blade was certainly an event that put things into perspective for her.

The sound of something scraping against her armor alerted Mordred to the fact that she had momentarily paused in her attack allowing a Marine to try and strike her with his blade only for it to snap in two upon contact. Without even visually moving the man's head was cleaved off as she continued her march toward the tallest building which was now only separated by a single drawbridge.

"It seems in order to cross we'll have to lower the bridge …"

"MORDRED!"

Turning her head she was surprised to see Nami, Chopper and Zoro running toward her with over a hundred Marines hot on their heels. Sighing she began walking toward the horde with Zoro spinning around, skidding to a stop right next to her as he placed his third blade in his mouth.

"Couldn't take all of them by yourself Zoro?"

"Not without letting them get hurt."

"A fair point."

"The colour of your armor, it suits a swordsman like you."

"Had I been my former self I would have cockily declared you were right, but now …"

"You wonder if killing the base grunts is the right thing to do?"

"They aren't the top of the food chain, they're merely following orders. To kill them for doing their duty so is it really fair?"

"In this world its kill or be killed, they'd kill you if given the chance so it's only fair to do so in kind. Trust me I don't like it any more than you, as long as we always remember that fact we're still human in the end."

"That was surprisingly deep coming from you Zoro."

"A friend of mine once told me that," Zoro replied with a sad yet faraway look. "She wanted to be the World's Greatest Swordsman but … well she's dead. I always follow her words of advice though, honestly I'd probably be dead without them."

"She sounds like a way better person than I ever was."

"Kuina … her name was Kuina," Zoro replied as he pulled the third blade from his mouth and showed it to her. "This was her blade by birthright, the Wado Ichimonji. It means 'Straight Line Through The Path Of Harmony' and I think it was fitting for the way she was as a person."

Putting the blade back into his mouth and tying his bandanna around his neck Zoro entered an offensive stance before looking back at Mordred with a grin.

"Until I become the World's Greatest Swordsman with this blade Kuina won't be able to truly rest, we made a promise after all so a bunch of rank and file aren't gonna be enough to take me down."

"I saw on the Sea Train you'd gotten much stronger than before, show me just how much you've learnt from Natsu and the countless battles you've fought Zoro."

"Yeah … I can do that," was the reply as his three swords began to glow slightly with a green energy. "Three Sword Style: 108 Pound Phoenix!"

Mordred watched as Zoro released a powerful aerial slash attack that tore through the enemy ranks killing dozens in mere moments. After the attack fizzled out Mordred hummed in approval.

"You've definitely improved since the last one I saw however you still haven't quite mastered it yet. THIS is how one performs an aerial slash attack against a large number of foes!"

Raising Clarent above her head Mordred brought it down to the ground releasing a massive red beam of light that instantly engulfed the entire street along with the buildings behind it. The attack smashed into the inner wall of Enies Lobby, punching through and escaping out into the sea where it soon fizzled out.

"Yeah well when I have decades of experience doing it I'll be just as good!"

"Honestly I hope you surpass me to be honest and give me a good fight before this Grail War is over but now isn't the time to discuss that," Mordred replied as her armor vanished revealing her blank look.

"Yeah we've got a job to do and to do it we've gotta get in there."

"You're a swordsman aren't you?"

"Hn," was Zoro's only reply as he walked past the frozen Chopper and Nami and sliced a way through the concrete wall allowing them access to the building.

The group were about to enter when something flew past them, tearing up the various houses along with it and was accompanied by a familiar blast of flame which prompted Mordred to take several steps back outside.

"I'll be with you guys in a sec, let me deal with whatever this is."

"If you say so," Zoro replied as he silently motioned for Chopper and Nami to move with him leaving her alone.

As the dust and smoke began to clear Mordred was surprised to see Hessian Lobo rising to his feet, a feral like growl escaping the wolf as it padded forward.

"Avenger!"

The wolf's head snapped toward Mordred with a rather shocked look before it returned to an equally feral one as Hessian Lobo began to circle Mordred's position.

"You wanna fight me right now do you," Mordred muttered as she summoned Clarent back to her side. "Fine then bring it on-!"

Before she could prepare herself to attack Hessian was tackled from the side by Natsu before again being blown away. Blinking owlishly Natsu rose to his full height and observed Hessian Lobo's trajectory before speaking.

"You look … different."

"Is that all you have to say to me?"

"No … no its not."

"Quite a few of those burns are gonna scar you know, not that you care about that."

"Mordred …"

"No don't fucking Mordred me Natsu, not after you ran off after Nico Robin leaving me half dead!"

"…"

"My mind was clouded Mordred, all I can do is apologise for what I did."

"Go screw your apology Natsu because it's not good enough," Mordred snapped back as she stalked toward him. "I want action!"

"Action?"

"Look over there its Dragneel and Mordred, kill em!"

"We'll talk after," Natsu said as the two spun around and stood back to back.

"Damn right we are, stupid Master!"

Summoning a Gravity field around the pair using his left hand Natsu raised his right hand like a finger gun and began firing small flame bullets directly into the chests of the Marines before him as his field absorbed any attacks fired at them leaving them suspended in midair.

Mordred swung her blade in an uppercut motion which cleaved the ground apart beneath the Marines causing them to fall into the abyss below as several squads were reduced to nothing in less than thirty seconds.

"Well that was boring."

"Yeah I kind of hoped one of those sphere things would show up again," Natsu sighed as the pair turned around to face each other. "So …"

"Explain what you meant by your mind was clouded, was it the Dragon's Fury?"

"It was but there was something more to it this time, something that hasn't ever happened before and I think I've figured out what it is."

"Is? You mean it's still affecting you?"

"It could be but I won't know for sure until I feel like someone I care about is being threatened."

"I'm confused …"

"I ran into a Primordial in Water Seven-!"

"WHAT!"

"Beast III/R to be precise."

"What did she want?"

"She had one of my shards stored within her …"

"Within her what, tits? I heard she has massive tits but what's that to be embarrassed about?"

"No she didn't store it in there she stored it inside of her … uh …"

"Y-you mean she actually managed to fit one of those thing up her …?"

"Yeah."

Mordred stared blankly for several moments at Natsu, a slight twitch on her face making him want to dive for cover before she surprisingly burst into laughter, nearly falling over in the process.

"N-no way she actually shoved that massive thing up her pussy, that's actually so damn funny!"

"I mean it kind of isn't really, her juices have affected me in ways I can't even begin to describe because they got into me …"

"Did you even think about what that sentence sounded like?"

"I know how it sounded and I regret nothing."

"So did the two of you fuck or what?"

"I remember some of the foreplay but beyond that everything is kind of a blur really," Natsu replied scratching his head in slight embarrassment. "I mean at one point she ended up taking me on a flight through the universe itself and a whole other bunch of crazy crap so who really knows if she did it with me or not?"

"Well your sexual encounters aside this problem of yours she's left you with, any way of fixing it?"

"Ahnkseram is working on one but until then it's kind of just go with the flow but don't worry you're firmly on the list of people I love."

"D-don't say such embarrassing crap out in the open you idiot!"

"Heh … feeling better now?"

"Yeah," Mordred replied with a sigh. "I'll feel better once this whole mess is over and done with to be honest, then we can talk about what happened in Water Seven."

"I know, we've just got to get Robin back and then things can get back on track with our actual mission."

"Yeah we're working on getting the drawbridge down so we can cross over to that small island over there where Robin probably is."

"The Tower Of Justice," Natsu replied with a frown. "The gates beyond lead to a set of currents linked by two other gates that go to either Marine Headquarters or the international prison of this world, Impel Down."

"Yeah, let's make sure we avoid both for as long as we can eh?"

"Too right Mordred," Natsu replied with a grin as the pair walked inside. "Now let's figure out where the others went."

/Tower Of Justice – Director's Office/

"So you mean to tell us that one man has single handedly crippled Enies Lobby Director Spandam, do you honestly expect the Admirals and Generals to believe a claim like that in your part of the sea?"

"From what I've heard you will once I tell you his name."

"You've got a name for this alleged criminal?"

"I do, King Of Balance Natsu Dragneel!"

"…"

"Yoyoi, the title of King is one shared by few under the Servant states yet this Natsu holds it as a living man," Kumadori cried out whilst striking excessively pointless poses. "To forge his way to becoming a King is most admirable!"

"Director Spandam …"

"Yes?"

"Is this information one hundred percent accurate?"

"No I just decided to lie to High Command-OF COURSE ITS FUCKING ACCURATE HE'S LITERALLY ONE SMALL RIVER AWAY FROM LEVELING THE TOWER OF JUSTICE!"

"The GA wishes to speak with you personally Spandam," the voice said as everyone in the room froze, all acutely aware as to who was now addressing them.

"Director Spandam of Cipher Pol Aegis Nine?"

"S-sir!"

"As of this moment Enies Lobby is considered lost, all Marine and Army forces are to retreat behind the Gates Of Justice leaving behind anything unnecessary. Of course CP9 shall remain behind and conduct Protocol BLACK ROOM during this time to ensure any and all sensitive material related to the Government's actions are destroyed."

"W-with respect sir, is Dragneel really such a big threat?"

"I believe you skipped the briefing Fleet Admiral Sengoku and myself had with all the heads of Cipher Pol, the Generals and the Admirals regarding Natsu Dragneel and the Servant State of Eden did you not?"

"W-well I wouldn't say I skipped it sir I just-!"

"Be silent," the voice commanded coldly. "If you were an officer of rank during my lifetime you would have been court marshalled and shot for such disgraceful behaviour however Sengoku believes you still hold some use so for now you shall remain … intact."

"Sir if I might interrupt?"

"Who am I speaking to?"

"Rob Lucci, Commander of Cipher Pol Nine."

"Ah yes, a man after my own black heart. I would much rather deal with someone who has proven themselves both loyal and capable to the cause of Justice than you Spandam, remain silent from here as I converse with Lucci. Now then what is it you wish to say?"

"Natsu Dragneel has come for Nico Robin sir and is butchering our forces as we speak. CP9 will gladly go into the fray as our Servants already have however I believe there is something else we could use against Dragneel that could turn the tide?"

"I see what you are getting at Lucci, Enies Lobby is considered lost therefore using THAT would be a strategically viable option. You may use it as the last resort Lucci."

"Thank you sir."

"For now however I have already received word from Sengoku to forcibly authorize the use of the Buster Call given to you by Admiral Aokiji, you should hear its signal several minutes from now."

"A Buster Call on Enies Lobby, sir you can't be-!"

"SPANDAM," the voice roared over the Transponder Snail prompting the man to dive behind his desk in fear. "Our forces are too thinly spread to properly handle the capture and containment of Dragneel therefore the best we can do in this case is cut our losses and prepare to counterattack! Just because you believe yourself above the world it does not give you any right to ignore orders from your commanding officers, nor does it give you the right to override them in arguments! IF YOU HAD BEEN AT THE BRIEFING YOU WOULD HAVE KNOWN EXACTLY WHO DRAGNEEL WAS THE MOMENT YOUR AGENTS ENCOUNTERED HIM AND THIS ENTIRE DISASTER COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED THEREFORE ONCE THIS IS OVER I SHALL PERSONALLY OVERSEE YOUR ARREST AND SUBSEQUENT COURT MARSHALLING!"

The person on the Transponder Snail sighed and appeared to take a moment to calm down before speaking up once more in an even more chilling tone.

"Make no mistake Spandam that this is your fault and you WILL be punished for it. Until this incident is over I hereby grant Rob Lucci a field promotion to the title of Acting Director of Cipher Pol Nine with Kaku as his second. Is Kaku still alive?"

"I'm here sir!"

"Good. Kalifa you are also charged with ensuring things run smoothly behind the scenes for the duration of this operation, ensuring Protocol BLACK ROOM is enacted successfully."

"I will not fail sir."

"I do not expect a victory from you today agents merely for the damage to be minimized as much as realistically possible. I will ensure those sent out to enact the Buster Call are aware that you are all to be retrieved from the island before it is completely destroyed."

"We will not fail you sir," Lucci replied in his usually blank tone.

"I have yet to see an instance of it in CP9's case file and I do not expect it to start now. Good luck."

The sound of the GA hanging up prompted most in the room to breathe a sigh of relief including Lucci who had expected far worse.

"Chapapa! Looks like we don't have to listen to the weakling Spandam anymore, today is truly a glorious day, Chapa," Fukurou cheered as the others began to laugh.

"Yeah I hate to admit it but I'll take Lucci as leader over that idiot, at least he can actually fight," Jabra howled in amusement.

"Enough of the celebrations," Lucci said as he turned toward the two currently restrained prisoners in the room. "The Straw Hats are almost here, if we are to distract them long enough for the Buster Call to arrive then we must make them truly work to free Nico Robin."

"So what should we do Lucci," Blueno asked appearing from a door in thin air. "Most of them are just about up to the top of the tower opposite our own, any complex plan won't be viable?"

"Why don't we make a game out of it," Kaku suggested prompting the others to turn toward him in interest. "All of us will take identical keys but only one of them will be the key to Nico Robin's cuffs?"

"Hey that sounds like fun, I wanna play Chapapa!"

"Yoyoi! Indeed this could be part of our official competition; winner buys the rest lunch for a month!"

"Jabra would just lose on purpose then Kumadori, I heard he's got his heart set on a girl from the bakery district Chapa!"

"Oi shut up you stupid ball bastard," Jabra snapped blushing furiously. "How about using that zipper on your mouth and shutting the fuck up!"

"That's sexual harassment."

"What the fuck Kalifa I didn't even talk to you!"

"Enough," Lucci sighed. "We all know Jabra can't get any but right now we have more important things to deal with."

"OI!"

"Namely we have guests that must be dealt with," Lucci said ignoring Jabra's cries of protest as he turned to face Spandam. "That means we must still present a united front, ergo Spandam must still act as our leader for now."

"You guys are always so mean …"

"Yoyoi! But we have yet to decide who shall hold onto the key for the Devil's cuffs, just who will bear the ultimate burden!?"

"Well obviously Lucci should do it since he's the strongest," Kalifa said instantly which was backed up by several nods. "Or even give it to Archer."

"I think that Kaku should have the key," Lucci replied as Kaku cocked his head to the side in surprise.

"Why me?"

"It was your idea plus you aren't that far behind me in terms of power. Once you gain mastery over your new Devil Fruit I'm sure you'll almost be on par with me."

"I'm scared; Lucci is being all nice Chapa!"

"He's being practical," Blueno cut in. "It would be expected that Lucci would have the key and Straw Hat or Dragneel will likely target him however by giving it to Kaku, someone who is close to Lucci in strength but not one who would be as directly suspected it would allow us more time for the game that Jabra plans on losing."

"IF YOU GUYS DON'T SHUT UP ABOUT THAT-!"

"OI CP9, GET OUT HERE!"

All the Agents froze with some showing surprised looks at the suddenness of the Pirates arrival. Those who were in Water Seven recognized the voice and were surprised that he made it there first.

"Well then, the time is now I suppose," Lucci said as he motioned for Blueno to lift up both Franky and Robin. "Come Spandam and play the role of leader a little more."

"F-fine," Spandam sniffed as he slowly rose to his feet.

"Archer!"

"Yes," was the immediate reply as he appeared at Lucci's side.

"You'll join us too."

"Understood. By the way Dragneel knocked Avenger beyond the outer wall so it may take around ten minutes for him to come back."

"Good to know," Lucci replied as he handed Archer a key. "I trust you know what this is for?"

"Standard diversionary tactic to prolong this whole incident," Archer replied with a nod. "Before we all go into battle against the Straw Hats let me make it clear that Saber will be my opponent."

"You really think we're just gonna let you take on whoever you want," Jabra snapped in response only for Archer's scars to begin glowing a golden colour.

"I'm the only one who can fight Saber, she's grown exponentially since Water Seven somehow … I can sense it."

"Archer will fight Saber and there will be no arguments about that," Lucci said firmly, his gaze boring into Jabra as if daring him to protest. "The best counter to a Servant is for the most part another Servant; in this case Archer is the best counter for Saber since he holds a class advantage over her."

The group silently nodded and began walking out to the balcony with Spandam reluctantly in the lead, his eyes darting around for any sign of Natsu however he only saw one person present on the roof opposite.

Straw Hat Luffy.

/Luffy's POV/

His fists coated in blood Luffy arrived at the top of the building before the Tower Of Justice, a trail of dead Marines, Army and Government Agents left in his wake. He'd been furious when he was so effortlessly defeated back in Water Seven, enraged when Robin was taken from them all because she tried to protect them from a horrific fate yet now that he stood before one of the buildings that represented the three great powers his anger had simmered somewhat.

Sure he was mad however he was more curious as to what drove Robin to do what she did and why she felt the need to go so far? The carnage they'd witnessed Natsu commit on the fleet sent to stop them was proof that a Buster Call likely wouldn't be too bad for them to deal with yet she was so utterly terrified of it that it drove her to hand herself in to what was almost certain death.

There were many questions that had yet to be answered yet he was sure that whatever was going to unfold beyond this point would likely involve the revelation of many secrets Robin harboured deep within herself.

Jumping up onto the edge of the building Luffy looked up at the proudly waving flag of the World Government and felt his anger begin to return. What good was that flag to anyone in this world when most suffered day and night to survive whilst this corrupt group propped up the rich and the Celestial Dragons, allowed the Warlords to perform hostile takeovers on countries such as Alabasta.

He knew what they were about to do would be a step beyond being simple run of the mill Pirates but at this point he no longer cared. Taking a deep breath he looked over at the highest window and shouted.

"OI CP9, GET OUT HERE!"

It was a rather simple and almost childlike demand however it got the point across well enough, after all Luffy wasn't one for fancy words but was instead a man of action. He stood silently atop the wall alone for several minutes before the first figure began to emerge, a man wearing a strange mask on his face who looked more scared than dignified.

Behind that man however were what he considered to be the real opposition to get Robin back as one by one the CP9 Agents exited through a door, some he knew and others he'd not yet seen in person.

"Luffy!"

Looking over at the voice Luffy wasn't happy to see both Robin and Franky being dragged along by Blueno in a rather rough manner with Franky being lazily tossed to the side so that Robin could stand next to the man with the mask.

"Robin, we've come to save you!"

"You came to save Nico Robin, are you lot for real!? Why in the world would you want to save trash like this girl who is nothing more a bona-fide Demon!?"

"Shut up I'm not talking to you cripple," Luffy snapped which pissed the man off further.

"Just who do you think you are Pirate scum speaking to the Director of Cipher Pol Aegis Nine in such a manner!?"

"I couldn't care less who you are!"

"Well you will once I have you arrested and brought to justice," the man snapped back. "But first we must deal with Nico Robin, this Devil child who will soon be executed like she should have been many years ago!"

"As if we're gonna let that happen," Luffy replied crossing his arms. "Robin's coming back with us!"

"Is that so? How about you tell them Robin what you told us all earlier then hmm?"

"…"

"Robin?"

"I-I don't deserve to live," Robin said meekly. "I am a sin on the world that should have been erased like my home was all those years ago …"

"What do you mean?"

"She means she's accepted her fate you simple minded fool," the man jeered as Luffy locked eyes with Robin.

"Is that true?"

"Yes."

"SEE, SHE ADMITS IT TO YOUR FACE! HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE COME SO FAR FOR NOTHING YOU IDIOTIC PIRATE!?"

"Honestly … it sounds like the biggest load of shit I've ever heard, even more than Usopp's stories."

"WHAT," the man gasped in shock. "HE OUTRIGHT DENIES IT EVEN WHEN PROOF IS THRUST BEFORE HIS VERY EYES!"

"We came all this way for you Robin," Luffy said as the roof behind him began to crack and as a large tornado sent Nami and Chopper flying into the air with only Nami landing safely.

Several moments later Zoro climbed through the hole seemingly unfazed by Nami's ranting as she chewed him out for using such an attack to propel them through the rooftop.

"So even if you wanna be all gloomy about it we're still gonna rescue you anyway, and if you still wanna die after that then that's your decision."

"HIYAAA!"

Everyone looked over to another section of the roof that was blown open by Sanji who was currently performing a fly kick, propelling himself through the air before landing on the roof with practiced ease.

"Without a doubt I'm the first to arrive and although I've kept my dearest Robin waiting for so long-."

Looking upward Sanji's cocky smirk vanished as his eyes fell upon the largest dark green piece of vegetation this side of the Grand Line.

"MOSS!"

"Huh, what are you on about perv cook?"

"Mosshead!? How the hell did a directionless sack like you get here before me!?"

"Oh? What took you so long perv cook, get lost on the way here?"

"H-h-hey, where'd you learn that phrase from," Sanji stuttered until all eyes turned toward something flying toward them from the air.

"Oi isn't that …"

"Look its Sogeking," Chopper cheered as everyone who knew his real identity watched on in disbelief as the masked figure flew high above the tower before finally crashing down into the ground near the rest of the crew. "He's flying!"

"Where the hell did he go once we charged through the front gate," Zoro muttered to himself as another section of the roof was blown away.

"You know I'm actually embarrassed that I was the first one to Enies Lobby yet it looks like I got here last."

"Oh shut up at least we got here on time!"

"Mordred and Natsu emerged from the hole and walked over to the downed Sogeking with Natsu easily plucking him from the ground and noticing it was actually Usopp all along.

"They just came in one after the other," Kaku said in disbelief as Kumadori struck another over the top pose.

"Yoyoi! In any case, to think that they marched into our headquarters in such a manner! Despite being our enemy, that's truly admirable!"

The moment Natsu showed up Spandam nearly had a heart attack and was now backed up against a wall though it was Lucci's gaze that held him in place.

"Look Robin I'm begging you, go ahead and say you wanna die or whatever but say those things by our side!"

"That's right my darling Robin," Sanji cried out in response.

"Come back with us Robin," Chopper cried mimicking Sanji's arm gestures with even Usopp managing to wave to her despite the fall he just took.

"You really think I'm gonna just let you go after becoming your protector Robin, come back and scold me for being too reckless or something!"

"Yeah someone needs to pull this idiot in before his God complex gets the better of him," Mordred added with a grin as she slung Clarent over her shoulder.

Robin looked down at everyone assembled with a look of conflict evident in her features however even then she still fought to suppress the emotions that threatened to burst forth like a broken dam.

"Oi, Sogeking. Can you stand," Zoro asked as Sogeking rose into a sitting position.

"Yeah, of course. These wounds aren't anything to a brave warrior like me," he replied as Chopper helped him to his feet.

Everyone began walking to the wall Luffy had previously stood on alone whilst the members of CP9 watched on with mostly serious expressions save for Jabra who looked like he just wanted to fight there and then.

To the far right Chopper stood with his arms crossed in his Heavy Point form, his teeth grit as he glared up at the gathered CP9 Agents. Next to him was Sanji who was currently in the process of lighting a cigarette, his face stern yet not as serious as Chopper's despite the situation.

On the next part of the wall stood Sogeking with his brand new slingshot slung over his left shoulder, his expression hidden by his mask completely. Next to Sogeking was Luffy who still stood with his arms crossed and his gaze neutral as his eyes bored into Robin's own waiting for the answer to his question.

Next to Luffy was the Vice Captain Zoro, one hand resting atop his three blades as usual and a stern expression on his face as his eyes locked with Kaku's as the pair began having their own silent conversation. Next to Zoro was Nami who stood proudly with her newly upgraded Clima-Tact, a weapon designed to manipulate the weather itself to aid her in battle. Her expression was as serious as ever however this time she wasn't shying away from the fight and instead knew that this was where the crew would stand their ground in a fight to save one of their own.

On the last section of the wall next to Nami stood Natsu, his eyes locked onto Spandam with a disturbing grin on his face as he watched the man squirm before moving to look at Robin whose expression went through so many shifts upon meeting his gaze it concerned him.

Next to Natsu stood Mordred who was currently standing at her full height with her hands on top of Clarent's pommel, the blade itself resting on its tip with the flat of the blade presented toward CP9 and herself giving her a composed and regal look as her cold and calculative gaze met Archer's own.

"Ngh …"

"Archer," Lucci asked with a raised eyebrow as the Alter Servant took several steps toward the edge whilst clutching his head in obvious pain.

"That stance …"

Of what worth is a King who fails to protect the powerless?

The weight of my sword is the weight of my pride.

If you do evil out of a hatred for evil, that rage and hate will merely birth new conflict.

Warriors are not the ones who always win; they are the ones who always fight.

"Archer?"

"Hn … I see now," Archer sighed as he rose to his full height and met Mordred's gaze. "Even in this alternate world fate has decreed for this fated confrontation to continue, merely it has shifted the players ever so slightly."

"What are you talking about Archer?"

"I appear to have remembered a piece of my past Lucci, of a time where I believed I could be a 'Hero Of Justice' and was Master to a Saber Servant closely tied to the one down there."

"How did you trigger this memory?"

"That stance," Archer grunted as several more memories flooded his mind. "Is the stance of a King I once fought long ago before I was corrupted during another Holy Grail War."

Lucci nodded and looked down at Mordred noticing how calm and collected she was compared to everyone else present including those of CP9 itself. He knew Archer wouldn't tell him anything regarding the King he once fought however he would allow the Servant to do as he pleased since it aligned with their goals regardless.

"So Robin," Luffy said snapping everyone back to the present. "Just leave everything to us and I promise you that we'll handle it!"

"Are you a fool Straw Hat, do you have any idea who Robin's enemy even is," Spandam snapped. "Look at that flag up there, that represents over one hundred and seventy countries who all form the World Government! All those counties and all those people, the very world itself, that is who Robin's enemy is and yet you think you actually stand a chance!?"

"You say I don't understand Robin's enemy even though I'm a Pirate," Luffy replied as he looked up at the flag. "Sogeking."

"Yeah?"

"Shoot down that flag."

"Right."

"Wait you aren't seriously going to-!"

Spandam didn't get to finish as Sogeking loaded his slingshot and fired his new attack, the Firebird Star, at the flag setting it alight as the remaining Marines, Army and Government Agents watched on in shock.

"Y-you fool! don't you idiots have any idea what destroying a flag means!? You dumb bastards just declared war on the world government, do you actually think you can survive!?

"YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT WE DID," Luffy shouted prompting Robin to recoil in shock seeing what they had done. "Robin, just say you want to live! Say you want to come back with us!"

Robin looked down at the gathered group with tears now streaming down her face, her soft whimpering tugging at the heartstrings of the Pirates below who had come to save her despite everything she had said and done so far. She was shocked however when everything began to go black and she found herself inside a strange space devoid of just about anything save for a single bookshelf.

"This is painful to see …"

Spinning around she saw Natsu standing there in the black void with a sad look in his eyes as he surveyed the expanse of nothingness.

"Where have you taken me and how!?"

"This is your mindscape Robin though it appears you have closed most of it off through sheer force of will. When I saw you flicker through just about every emotion on the spectrum in about ten seconds I knew I needed to see for myself what was wrong. I'm glad I did …"

"Y-you invaded my mind!?"

"Yes."

"Get out, you shouldn't be in here! There are things in here that-!"

"That you think will make me think less of you? Make me believe you are indeed the monster CP9 and that bastard Spandam believe you to be," Natsu asked in reply prompting Robin to bite her lower lip nervously. "I doubt you've done anything as terrible as what I have Robin."

"Y-you should leave!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that, not after seeing this almost dead mindscape. You can hate me forever after this but together we shall confront what it is that caused such damage to your mind Robin."

"No … no these are my memories, not yours," Robin cried out as Natsu walked over to the bookshelf and picked up a book with a strange black ooze emanating from its pages.

"Again Robin … I'm sorry," Natsu said as he opened the book prompting Robin to cry out as the entire area was engulfed in a glowing light.

Tales From The Tale Verse

Alucard's Worldwide Tour – Now With 80% More Vampire Nazi's III

Transylvanian Homecoming: Population 0ish

"So this is the famous Transylvania said to be the former home of Count Dracula … it looks like a ruin."

"Did you honestly think the place would continue to thrive after my presence here was discovered Seras," Alucard sighed as he motioned out toward the abandoned town. "They all likely thought I still haunted this place, put a curse on it or called it home in some capacity and fled."

"Is that how you ended up in England then?"

"No actually the Hellsing family discovered me in France dining on a noble, shortly after I found myself bound to the Hellsing family but that is a story for another time. For now we need to figure out why this place is so quiet."

"But you just said it was abandoned!?"

"Abandoned by humans," Alucard replied quickly. "I never said other beings didn't live here."

"Other beings?"

"You forget that it is my job as Devil to maintain things in my world which includes sentient species. Naturally those beings one would dub under the supernatural flocked here a short while after humans had left it behind vowing never to return."

"So you mean other Vampires, Werewolves and stuff live here?"

"Oh he means a lot more than that girl …"

"You're late as usual Dimitri, I've been here a full five minutes already."

"My apologies my Count however as you can see all is now well in your humble abode …"

"Um … who is this guy?"

"I am Dimitri Pascalov, Half-Blood Vampire and estate manager for Lord Dracula."

"What happened here Dimitri and don't give me the short version."

"It was as you feared my Count, the Vampire Nazis are rising once again under The Major's banner however it isn't quite as predictable as you had initially anticipated."

"How so?"

"The Major himself, something about him is different. When he arrived in Transylvania it was almost as if there were more than one of him-."

"He's got another cyborg version of himself running around now it seems," Alucard cut in with an audible sigh. "Integra is going to love this."

"Wait I thought we destroyed the cyborg one during the London incident!?"

"We did, he simply made another one however it appears that this time he has no qualms about taking to the front himself and getting his hands dirty."

"And get his hands dirty he did indeed my count for he personally killed any who refused to fall under his banner."

"If that's the case then where are the bodies?"

"Come now girl surely you don't need to ask such a simple question," Dimitri replied prompting Seras to grit her teeth and look away in disgust.

"Did he manage to breach my castle?"

"He tried however the wards managed to keep him out and eventually he departed along with those who he brought and those who willingly joined him."

"Did you manage to discover any clues as to where he was headed?"

"I am afraid I was far too focused on survival, I apologize my Count."

"Don't worry about it; you've given me more information than I had before I arrived so it doesn't matter. That being said I suppose I should check the castle for clues."

"How will the castle give you a clue as to where he went?"

"CCTV Seras what else do you think," Alucard groaned exaggeratedly. "Did you honestly think I wouldn't have eyes throughout my land Seras, there are cameras littered throughout this place!"

"Well how was I supposed to know!"

"Come my Count we should head to the castle before The Major decides to come back for a second attempt, we wouldn't want him breaching through it after all."

"No we wouldn't," Alucard nodded in agreement. "Come Seras its time for you to see the seat of our power."

"The … seat of our power?"

"It is something you'll just have to see for yourself Seras," Alucard replied with a grin as he gestured toward the towering castle off in the distance. "It's been almost a century since I last personally set foot in that place, I wonder if those blood bags I left there went off?

The trio began walking toward the castle at a leisurely pace with Seras quickly coming to realize just how little she knew of Alucard's life before her and his various dealings across the world. She would be sure to begin rectifying that once this was all over, that was a promise.

Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!