Hi guys Azza here!
Reviews
Dragonborn2704 – Yeah I wanted the view the World Government has on him to be cemented well before the arc before the time skip. And I've always seen comparisons between them I really felt like it needed to be pointed out that they are quite similar in many regards when it comes to not only seeing those they are in charge of as their children but how far they'd go to protect them.
And if you think you're reading an SCP File then I'm glad because I had a lot of practice writing one since before I got this new job I was actually planning on making one. Naturally being able to eat comes before that and since this was more established that took a back seat but I really wanted to use what I'd learnt for something and these files were semi inspired by SCP articles I'd read with them also taking inspiration from shows like NCIS and the like what with all the black tape and the like since I've been seeing lots of reruns of shows like that lately.
If you can't tell I often include stuff I am interested in at the present in what I write at the time, it's my little way of shaking things up I guess haha!
Erasenpai946 – He's Yonkou level but they can't straight up admit it otherwise they'd be admitting this random guy who showed up like a week ago just flew under the world's radar and it would cause mass panic. How many others could have done the same?
Susano'o Chaos – My One Above All is based off of how the One Above All acts in Marvel Comics. He exists and can show up and speak to some random but will he actually do anything? No.
All is as he deigns it to be. For the act to exist the One Above All would have seen it before it was ever conceived wouldn't he, or would he? Really that question comes down to both Author and reader interpretation and just exactly what or who you would define the One Above All as. If you wanted to be technical I could be the One Above All since I'm writing the story.
The Primordials are the next rung down representing concepts that allow things to exist however could one be killed off? Again that is up for debate since wouldn't all that just run through the One Above All or would it simply just keep going since at the end of the day the Primordials simply embody the concepts?
As for that last part an event will happen after Volume IV sometime in-between the 1000 and 1400 year old Natsu's journey that is what basically allows Solomon to get away with what he's doing right now. No more on that though.
And yeah I'm nuking Time heavy because Fate/Grand Order is Time centric with Solomon and Chaldea using it to make the plot role along!
Also I'm drawing blanks on that second review I'm probably just being dumb like that other review pointing out a mistake but I just have no idea haha!
Anyway on with the story!
I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse.
Final Day In Water Seven
/Natsu's POV/
It was late at night when Natsu returned to Water Seven, the majority of the Straw Hats fast asleep as he made his grand reappearance at the Galley La Barracks they were currently staying at.
"And just where have you been?"
Standing in the dark hallway was Robin though Natsu surprisingly found himself halting in place as his eyes roved across her form. The hair that had waved around in an almost playful manner was now standing on end like a frightened cat, her slender form in a semi quivering state.
"Robin, is something wrong?"
"Is something wrong he asks," Robin hissed as her hair seemed to become wilder and to Natsu's surprise shadow like hands began to rise out of the pitch black shadows around her with each bearing some grotesque form of deformity or mutilation. "You turn me into a Demon only to run off who knows where leaving me to try and figure out what I am now by myself!"
"Robin-."
"My hair responds to my mood and thoughts, my Devil Fruit powers are weirder than before, my jaw hurts really bad and I have the desire to call you things other than your name so no I'm not alright!"
"Alright let's start from the most serious issue then," Natsu sighed as he walked over and placed both hands on Robin's shoulders, watching as they instinctively latched onto his arm as if attracted to it through some unknown force. "Did you tell anyone else why your jaw hurt?"
"I told Seilah," Robin sniffed as she looked up at him with slightly teary eyes. "She said that I have glands that seem to be connected to my new fangs but she said you'd be the best person to ask about dealing with them."
"And she's right," Natsu sighed as he moved his hand up toward her mouth and placed his thumb onto her bottom lip. "Open up for me."
Doing as instructed Natsu activated his Hybrid Eyes and began to look around the inside of her mouth and quickly found the swelling glands in question.
"They're full, full to the brim with something."
"So what should we do?"
"Well I wanted to wait until we were out of Water Seven to give you a full examination so we can figure out all the changes that have occurred to you but this can't wait. If we leave these glands as they are they'll explode and do major damage to your head, repairable now that you're an Etherious but likely the most painful thing you'd ever experience so best not to let that happen.
"What do you-!?"
Robin suddenly found herself biting down on something soft as the taste of blood entered her senses. Her eyes darted toward said squishy object which was in fact Natsu's own arm which was currently turning black from the countless toxins entering it.
"N-Natsu," Robin gasped as she pulled away from him. "What did you do that for, you're arm!"
"Will be perfectly fine," he chuckled as he held it up for Robin to look at more closely. "Did you really think that a being I created would exceed my own power Robin? I'm the exception to the rule of Etherious and I intend to stay that way."
Natsu's arm shrivelled up and died, crumbling into dust before a new one sprouted from the stump moments later prompting him to twiddle his fingers right in the stunned woman's face.
"See, good as new!"
"I swear if you ever do that-wait my jaw doesn't hurt anymore!"
"Of course it doesn't because all the venom stored within was absorbed into my arm," Natsu replied casually as he opened her mouth once more and examined the now deflated glands. "All better, but this presents a new problem."
"Whats that?"
"What's it going to fill up with this time?"
"W-well it'd be poison wouldn't it?"
"Not necessarily because I modelled your new form after your greatest strengths, stealth, infiltration and assassination. True it could be poison but it could be something else like an aphrodisiac based toxin or even one that induces paralysis or sleep?"
"I-is that bad?"
"No, actually once you figure out how it works it could be quite good for you."
"Oh ..."
"Oh Master, I see you have returned," Seilah said cheerfully as she practically skipped into the room. "Did Robin have you check her glands yet, I was rather surprised she bore them when I had a look for myself."
"Good thinking on not trying to handle it yourself Seilah, the venom was some of the most toxic stuff I've ever seen. The stuff made my arm rot away in seconds!"
"Interesting, perhaps we should collect some and weaponize it?"
"Maybe one day Seilah but for now we've got more important things to deal with," Natsu sighed as he looked around. "Where's Mordred?"
"She is helping the pervert Master."
"Franky? So she figured out what I was doing eh," Natsu mused with a slight grin as he placed a hand on both Robin and Seilah's shoulders and warped them before the still under construction ship. "Oi Mordred!"
A loud bang was heard followed by Franky cursing loudly as Mordred, currently dressed in the attire of a Foreman, jumped off of the ship right into Natsu's waiting arms. Laughing as he spun her around she wasn't ready when he unceremoniously let her go causing her to fly off toward the ship with it only being saved thanks to Seilah created a darkness blanket that absorbed the full impact.
"Damn it what the hell was that for!?"
"You looked like you were having such a good time so I figured I'd ruin it," Natsu grinned cheekily prompting Mordred to hit him in the face with the mallet she'd been holding though it had zero effect whatsoever.
"You're a real jerk I was all happy to see you and everything but now I want you to piss off!"
"Well I guess you don't want me to tell you about how I punched Shanks in the face and met the supposed Strongest Man in the World today then?"
"The World's Strongest? Self proclaimed or does he have actual feats to back it up?"
"I'll say this," Natsu said as he looked up at the clear night sky with a grin. "That guy was strong! He matched Shanks in a clash without even using Aura and their attack basically split the skies and seas themselves!"
"No way," Mordred cried as she began to jump up and down. "Did you try and fight him!?"
"We didn't go there to fight so no I never fought him personally, though I'll freely admit that if he hit me with whatever that power was behind his glaive it'd likely blow me into paste, a paste that could regenerate but even still paste nonetheless."
"He's that strong Master?"
"It was only one attack but he matched Shanks and I could see Shanks having to actually try to hold him back, without Aura that is frighteningly impressive for a mortal man. They say he was the biggest rival to Gol D Roger so if he could match his strength then that might mean ..."
"You aren't seriously suggesting that he could be as strong as an Elder Devil are you Master," Seilah asked with a look of disbelief. "No mortal could achieve that!"
"Many could if they tried to if they really trained hard enough, and who is to say this man hasn't got Aura too?"
"If he does then he's gotta be an absolute monster," Mordred whistled in awe. "I wanna meet him now!"
"In due time we all will," Natsu replied with slightly narrowed eyes. "Just this feeling I have in my gut ..."
"Oi you're back Natsu, now you can help me finish building that SUPER awesome main gun you showed me!"
"Super awesome main gun," Seilah asked with an arched eyebrow as she watched Natsu immediately take a step back from her general direction. "Master, just what exactly would this quote 'SUPER awesome main gun' be exactly?"
"N-nothing of any real import ..."
"You didn't!"
"You thought it up Seilah I didn't do anything."
"Master you can't strap a gun like that to a ship!"
"That's not fair!"
"You can't introduce a weapon like that into this world Master!"
"Ruin all my fun," Natsu grumbled as he kicked a rock hard enough to cause a nearby ruined building to collapse in on itself.
"W-well if you can't make that gun then how about you guys help me finish up the ship? With five of us we could have it done by morning?"
"I'm in," Natsu said immediately as he dismissed his coat leaving him shirtless as his pants changed into simple shorts. "Did you finish the part I was working on?"
"Oh yeah ages ago," Franky laughed. "You can start work on the main mast, Mordred you keep cutting the planks for the main deck to the sizes I showed ya! Seilah you can help us move all the Adam Wood around using that dark stuff that lets you absorb and move stuff around and Robin ..."
"You actually want me to help?"
"Course, why wouldn't I," Franky asked in confusion. "I'm just not sure what you're good at so I'm not sure what job to assign you that's all."
"O-oh ..."
"How about you work on getting the ropes and sails ready Robin, takes a lot of hands to get those prepped and ready if you know what I mean," Natsu winked prompting Robin's eyes to widen sharply before her excited look faded.
"Perhaps before I would have but now all my extra hands look like-."
"Are you complaining about the training I've given you Nico Robin?"
Robin's gaze snapped up to Natsu's quizzically raised eyebrow as she began to blink owlishly at his words. Training? He considered getting her to do this as training?"
"What Master wants you to do is focus on using your Devil Fruit power to accomplish this task, by doing so you will come to somewhat familiarize yourself with its newfound form and perhaps even find ways to use it slightly differently," Seilah explained as Robin held both her hands out in front of her.
"Well when you put it like that ..."
Extending both hands outward the group watched as dozens of the malformed and borderline necrotic hands appeared on the deck. Natsu inwardly smiled in approval as Franky merely raised an eyebrow at the sight before shrugging and returning to what he was doing.
"If it does not bother you all then I'll do my best as well!"
"That's the spirit," Natsu grinned as they began to split up and work on the ship under Franky's ever watchful eye.
/Dawn – The Servant State Of Eden/
"Your first active move in months and you chose to speak with Natsu, why?"
"Have you forgotten your place King Of Knights, has the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad eaten away at your mind or were you simply acting like a foolish mongrel on purpose when you decided to charge into my wing unannounced?"
"I don't have the patience for your games King Gilgamesh, why did you decide to project yourself half way across the world just to speak with the King Of Balance?"
"You've gotten rather snappy as of late haven't you Lancer, ever since Natsu arrived within this Singularity it would seem."
"I will not let you rile me up this time Gilgamesh, this isn't just a personal matter anymore even if I do possess my own reasons for wanting to know," Arthuria growled in response. "Your actions caused the intricate protections around our island to momentarily fluxuate and had they continued for even several more mere moments they would have shattered entirely!"
"What of it?"
"Excuse me!?"
"I do not care if the barrier falls," Gilgamesh replied with a grin as his eyes began to glow Blood Red. "Let the mongrels storm the gates, let loose the dogs of war that have been chained up for far too long I say as we crush the World Government underfoot and show them what true power is!"
"You know we cannot overthrow the natural powers of this world without its inhabitants leading the charge, it is not our right!"
"Ah but you see Natsu will fight for us, he will be the sword that shall cut off the serpent's head as the bloated body explodes and releases the innards of its corruption back out unto the people proper."
"This isn't Uruk Gilgamesh and the situation is already highly volatile as it is!"
"That is not my concern King Of Knights for I am Gilgamesh, I stand far above such petty grievances."
"If we lose possession of the Holy Grails held here then all of human history could be wiped out across all reality Gilgamesh, don't you care!?"
"Be silent," Gilgamesh said coldly as he slowly rose from his golden throne, his golden armor materializing around him with four portals opening up behind him revealing the sharpened tips of his Chains Of Heaven. "Do not dare to presume to assume for me, to speak for me or to ever declare mine own intentions! I am the King Of King, the progenitor of modern human civilisation, you are but a footnote to my legacy Arthur Pendragon!"
"How dare you," Arthuria growled as her own armor materialized around her along with her helmet and cape. "You might be the progenitor however that doesn't make you the greatest mortal being in all existence for there are many who can claim such a title!"
Rhongomyniad appeared in Arthuria's right hand already producing a powerful swirling light across its length as the entire island began to shake.
"Ho? You would instigate battle against me King Of Knights?"
"You would jeopardize human existence itself to play your games, if removing you and destroying us both is what is required to ensure the continuation of humanity as a whole then I shall not hesitate!"
"Fuhahahaha! Good! Yes this is what I've been wanting from you King Of Knights," Gilgamesh grinned as he took several steps down from his throne as the chains began to leave their respective portals. "The Saber version of yourself is a fool believing that the sins of the past can be changed, nay a King must forever look forward not for his subjects of today but for those upon the morrow! To see you so willing to engage me despite the catastrophic consequences you have indeed my respect, Arthuria Pendragon O Goddess Of Rhongomyniad!"
"I have no need for your respect; your power and cunning are what this alliance sorely desires."
"And my skills it shall continue to retain," Gilgamesh grinned as he dismissed his chains. "However no doubt the Mage Of Flowers has told you of what he's seen, perhaps it is the very sole reason you so desperately wished to check my allegiance and intentions no?"
"How did it happen, how did you know about him all this time yet said nothing!?"
"Fate moves in the most mysterious of ways and though humanity has strayed far from the Gods since my time acts of Divine intervention surrounding myself do often occur even in this dismal present."
"That vision is set several weeks from now ..."
"And ensure that all the pieces are in place we shall, to deliberately ignore it would be to invite the worst of fortunes upon us."
"If I find out that this is just another one of your games Gilgamesh there will be no world large enough to hide you from my sacred lance."
"Fuhahahaha! I am quaking in my boots Lancer, the ancient Gods of Uruk were nothing to me but you sure have put a chill up my spine!"
"King Arthuria, King Gilgamesh, cease this at once!"
"Ho? Look who decided to pull himself out of the kitchens," Gilgamesh snorted in amusement. "Did you finally remember you were more than a glorified chef Archer?"
"I don't know Gilgamesh however what I do know is that you and Arthuria have turned a peaceful island into a fearful one in a matter of moments. We all have important work to do, even you, yet the two of you seem to have decided to go overboard yet again!"
"Gilgamesh used powerful projection Magic to speak with Natsu directly; I was informing him that his foolishness almost destroyed the protections of Eden-!"
"You know doing something like that won't work Arthuria, Gilgamesh does not respond well to scoldings nor does he care if you try and intimidate him. Return to your castle and let me handle it."
Arthuria looked into the man's eyes before releasing a tired sigh and nodding her head slowly, dismissing her helmet and Rhongomyniad but leaving her fur coat on. Her emerald green eyes seemed to be intermixed with gold flecks that twinkled like stars signifying Rhongomyniad's influence, a sight that was not lost on neither Archer nor Gilgamesh as she stormed out of the room.
"Stop provoking her."
"Excuse me-!"
"I'm serious," Archer snapped. "If Rhongomyniad takes full control and decides it doesn't like what it sees we'll have a real threat on our hands!"
"Then we simply call in Natsu to calm Rhongomyniad down."
"That doesn't always work; it is a foolish plan at best!"
"I will not be told what to do by a failed King!"
"You failed too Gilgamesh, you founded the idea of King yet your kingdom withered and died shortly thereafter."
"So you wish to take the King Of Knights place as my opponent then?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"We have nothing to gain from fighting each other," Archer sighed. "Though we are all technically free Servants we all still know our mission for Chaldea, for the Human Incineration Project that must be averted. We're all struggling to figure out how this Realis Grail War came about yet not one step closer in all these years have we come."
"Perhaps we simply aren't meant to know until the major reveal," Gilgamesh replied prompting Archer to narrow his eyes. "It was the very same several other times you know throughout recorded Grail Wars. The MoonCell War I remember us both being shocked at who emerged from that chaos."
"A Primordial Beast," Archer grimaced. "We were lucky to get one of the arguably weaker ones, Beast III/R, when in reality it could have been so much worse."
"I am not suggesting such a force is behind this incident however this entire world is off in so many ways and the King Of Knights foolishness in trying to focus on the people is costing us precious time to prepare for the inevitable final confrontation be it with Solomon, a Primordial Beast or any other malicious entity."
"As much as I hate it I'm inclined to agree however I won't deny her the right to do as she deems necessary, just as I won't deny you the right to do as you deem necessary. Contacting Natsu wasn't a bad idea in the slightest, your method on the other hand was."
"This must be the first time we've ever agreed on anything without cutting each other to ribbons isn't it?"
"Perhaps," Archer replied as he spun on his heel and made to exit the large throne room.
"There is a war coming Archer," Gilgamesh said as his armor vanished and he sat back down on his throne. "I have seen it and it shall be our first true battle against the World Government and the false God Celestial Dragons. Many reveals will occur, many humans of this world shall die, many Servants will return to Chaldea and difficult questions will be asked. My question however is what does the Counter Force have to say about it?"
Agent Of The Counter Force
The Unwavering Anti Hero
EMIYA (Archer)
Bounty – 520,000,000 Berries
"Why ask me," EMIYA asked as he turned around to face Gilgamesh once more. "I am not the only Counter Force Agent present here?"
"But you are the most approachable of them all, so tell me what the Counter Guardians believe about what is to come?"
"That it is an inevitable certainty, a statistically unavoidable moment in Time or I suppose if it were Natsu saying it ... a 'Fixed Point' in Lady Time's machinations."
"Is that all?"
"You were correct when you told Arthuria that what you saw needed to be there," EMIYA said as he turned around once more with his red coat billowing as he marched toward the exit. "It is necessary to appear but not necessary to survive, keep that in mind King Of Kings as you play your little game."
Gilgamesh watched EMIYA go with an amused look on his face as his entire appearance shifted along with his Servant Class. His golden armor being swapped out with a more Middle Eastern royalty vibe to it as a large stone tablet appeared in his hand.
"Yes indeed, only several weeks remain before this world experiences one of the greatest battles in its history. A fixed point set within the Realis Grail War to be sure however what will be its catalyst?"
Holding out his other hand the Gate Of Babylon dropped a single golden goblet like object into his hand prompting him to begin laughing in his usually annoying tone.
Many avoided the wing of King Gilgamesh that day unaware that he had already cracked the case they'd been trying to figure out for weeks, not that he would have shared it of course for he was King and all the treasures of the world were rightfully his after all, information included."
/Elsewhere – The Land Of Wano – The Blooming Flower Capital/
"A-and that's all we've been able to learn!"
"Oh Natsu ... you do work quickly don't you? Not even here a month and you've already smashed most Pirates out of the water and cemented your place among the elite, cemented your rightful place."
"A-also there is the matter of-!"
"Wororororo! How the hell do you run this whole country locked up in this place all day Avenger? Somehow the people still fear you despite hardly seeing you; it's both impressive and stupid!"
"I told you when you summoned me I am a Master of putting those below me in their places, leading nations and just being an all around masterful ruler of mortal men."
"All the while you sit atop that iron throne of yours and fantasize about this Dragneel guy who you said could actually fight me."
"I take it that's why you're here right now instead of at Onigashima?"
"You didn't tell me he could become a Dragon, why hide something like that from me?"
"I was actually hoping he'd bust it out against you during your battle and it would surprise you," Avenger admitted with a sly grin. "You have been going on about how no one ever surprises you anymore and that every battle turns out to be nothing more than a nuisance to you."
Between me, that old man Whitebeard, the hag and Red Hair we've got a pretty good balance of power going. This guy though from what I've heard is starting to piss off a lot of people in high places in the World Government like we do, he's gonna upset the balance of power."
"And?"
"Can he do it faster; can he shake this world up so bad it can't possibly recover? Can he instigate a war so big that it will shake the world down to its core!?"
"So that's what this is about," Avenger giggled as she rose from her iron throne and moved to her balcony with the man alongside her. "Wano is yours as I promised however I promise you, I guarantee you with one hundred percent certainty that he will come to face you once he learns of you and your power."
"Wororororo! Good! If he has a similar ability to mine then he's probably the only one that can do any damage!"
"His bounty is astronomically high for a newcomer," Avenger said as she handed the man a Wanted Poster. "He's barely been on the scene for a month and already he's making strides like you, the hag and Whitebeard did when you first began showing your fangs."
"Is this the latest one?"
"Yes it was issued yesterday," Avenger replied as the man's grin grew wider with the massive list of crimes on the poster. "I take it you find yourself impressed?"
"Don't think I didn't feel that massive surge of power a week or so ago Avenger, that alone had my attention. For someone to generate that much power from the start of the Grand Line and for it to be felt all the way here is a true testament of strength, no doubt the old hag wants him in her crew or something though."
"He wouldn't join her, nor you for that matter. Natsu is far too focused on doing his job than remaining in one place for too long. Either way it should be interesting to see where his travels take him and what kind of chaos he causes."
"Keep me up to date on him, I wanna know when he's coming to Wano," the man said as he began walking back toward the door. "Oh and if you hide something from me again Avenger I'll kill you."
"Understood."
/Midday – Natsu's POV/
"Well I'd say we've done all we can," Franky said with a grin as the five stood before a now completed ship. "I can't believe that my dream is sitting right in front of me, doesn't seem real but at the same time it SUPER does!"
"So should we go get the others and let them know," Mordred asked prompting Franky to nod in response.
"Yeah Seilah if you could go bring them here that'd be great," Natsu asked as Seilah nodded before vanishing. "Right guys we don't have long before she gets back so let's really finish up!"
"Heh, of course you'd still wanna put that gun in," Franky chuckled as he picked up his toolbox. "Come on let's get this done quick eh?"
Thirty minutes later Seilah returned with the rest of the crew in tow, their reactions to the ship all basically the same. Eyes bulging from sockets, mouths agape and immediately launching themselves to the ship like children being handed a brand new toy.
Natsu stood off to the side with Franky who had a satisfied but sad look on his face as he knew full well his masterpiece; his life's work was likely going to depart by the end of the day.
"You know," Natsu said quietly as he snapped the cyborg out of his own musings. "Given the fact that you built this ship for us I don't think Luffy would be against you joining us on our adventure; that is if you wanted to?"
"He wouldn't let me come; I stole from you guys and beat up the long nosed guy bad enough to cause a fracture in the crew. Letting me join after doing such horrible things just isn't gonna happen ..."
"But you helped save Robin and battled the World Government alongside us Franky, plus I highly doubt Usopp is gonna stay away from the crew for long. He has a personal attachment to the Going Merry but it's true that it simply can't go on, the ship's journey is at its end here in Water Seven."
"D-do you know where he is now," Franky asked looking rather nervous. "I think we should give his ship a good send-off."
"Come on," Natsu said as he placed a hand on the man's shoulder as they arrived back in Franky's hideout where the Merry was still moored, Usopp sitting on the couch nearby looking at the ship contemplatively.
"Still here Usopp?"
"You came back," Usopp said without even the slightest hint of surprise that someone was behind him. "I'm not part of the crew anymore so why waste your time on me?"
"I waste my time because you are part of the crew, Sogeking," Natsu said as he forcefully yanked the sniper out of his chair. "Don't act like ninety percent of us didn't know who you were! You played a vital role in that mess even if you don't want to admit it Usopp, you stood up not just for Robin but against the World Government and its oppressive ways! In that instance Usopp you were there fulfilling the dream you told me you had when you first joined, you were a brave warrior of the sea and a man Yassop would've been proud of!"
"That might be true but that dream dies here," Usopp sniffed as he walked over and placed a hand on the Merry's battered hull. "I said things, betrayed my only real friends and Captain all to deny the hard truth in front of me! I know better than anyone that the Going Merry is fucked beyond repair but I can't let her go!"
You don't have to let me go Usopp.
Both Usopp and Franky froze before suddenly looking around wildly; Natsu however looked up at the crow's nest with a gaze showing his years.
"Oi what was that!?"
"Is someone else here!?"
"Usopp," Natsu said prompting the pair to both snap their attention toward him before following his gaze up to the top of the ship. "There are many things in life one only gets to witness once, this is the result of your love and dedication toward her, toward Merry."
"Wh-what ..."
"Hello Usopp," the small child like spirit said as she slowly floated down toward them before landing on the damaged railing of the ship just above their heads. "And hello to you as well Natsu, thank you for being here."
"Usopp didn't deserve to suffer through this alone," Natsu replied prompting the spirit to smile in response.
"All the more reason for why I exist. It is thanks to the love and friendship displayed both onto myself and the members of the ship that I can take corporeal form for this fleeting moment ... to say my farewells."
"Farewell," Usopp gasped as the spirit sent him a kindly smile before nodding sadly.
"From the moment we embarked from Syrup Village we went on many adventures didn't we Usopp? From the insides of the monstrous whale Laboon to the cloudy sea of Skypeia. Fighting Marines to escape Loguetown to battling to escape Baroque Works in Alabasta's great Kingdom it was all simply wonderful! However Usopp despite all that you and the rest of the crew did for me I simply wasn't good enough to hold on ..."
"Th-that's a lie, you were the best ship we could've asked for! You were always there for us!"
"I am most glad you all think so, I did try my best to get us out of whatever trouble we got into. Experiencing the warmth of your love and friendship, care that was even sent toward myself directly even though I was nothing more than a mere ship ... it was more than I could ask for."
"You'll always be one of us Merry," Usopp cried as tears began streaming down his face. "Forever!"
"Truly? I am glad! However Usopp what you're doing is making me feel bad, you shouldn't fight with your friends over me, not when even you yourself know the harsh truth."
"I know, I said things I shouldn't have and hurt my friends ..."
"Friends are supposed to fight every now and then; conflict is a healthy part of growing as a person. You all taught me that as we journeyed across the seas and battled against those who refused to accept this."
"Merry ..."
"It is ok to cry Usopp. No being should ever hold in their pain however cry with your friends at your side," Merry said as she jumped off of the railing and stopped several inches before Usopp, hovering off of the ground. "My journey may end here however that does not mean I am gone forever."
"Wh-what do you mean?"
"I'll always be with you, within the hearts of all my wonderful friends who loved me like one of their own," Merry said as she placed a hand over Usopp's heart. "Return to them Usopp, return for them and set out on many more adventures and become the brave warrior of the sea! Journey to the land of Elbaf, the land of the Giants and learn what it means to be brave and strong like them! Do it for me Usopp, go forth and live your life knowing that I'll always be with you!"
Usopp wasn't able to form any words as Merry floated over to Franky and smiled warmly to him, some sort of mental conversation taking place as Franky nodded stiffly clearly trying not to cry himself before it was finally Natsu's turn.
"And as for you Natsu Dragneel, the mighty one, look after them all for me. You may not have been aboard me for as long as the others however you exude a presence that makes me feel like you have been. I know I can entrust the safety of my family to you ..."
"You have my word Merry and I'm sorry we couldn't have spent more time together."
"As am I," Merry replied before floating back over toward the ship itself and sitting down on the railing. "I have no desire for fanfare so could you three please send me off on one last voyage?"
Usopp seemed confused but Natsu and Franky seemed to get the idea as Franky began opening the doors to the warehouse so that the ship could slowly exit from it as Natsu walked alongside it.
"Wh-where are you going Merry!?"
"On one last voyage," Merry replied with a sad smile. "If I'm going to end up at the bottom of the ocean then I want only the best fire to guide me there so that I might remain warm forever, Natsu if you would ..."
"Goodbye Merry," Natsu said as his entire hand ignited in bright orange flame freezing Usopp in place. "I assure you that even after the others are long gone my mind shall never forget the spirit that decided to face the cold chills of the ocean depths with Dragon fire, truly a free spirit."
"Thank you," Merry's voice whispered as the spirit began to vanish right as Natsu's hand touched the damaged wood. "What!"
Looking up sharply Natsu noticed that Merry was looking behind him and was shocked to see the rest of the crew standing at Usopp's side, each with their right arms held upward and their fist clenched. Usopp seemed to snap out of his shock and immediately did the same as Natsu's gaze snapped back toward the now crying spirit.
"I truly do love you all ... from the bottom of my very being!"
Watching as the spirit vanished the ship made it around a hundred or so metres out from Water Seven before the fire fully engulfed it and it could go no further as its entire form broke down and it began to sink toward the bottom of the ocean.
Behind him the Straw Hats were crying, Franky was crying and hugging Usopp and all around it was a scene that Natsu felt very out of place in. It was sad to say the very least however he simply couldn't bring himself to cry, to do so he felt would be an insult to how the spirit chose to pass on.
He would however never forget her, the spirit of a ship created through the power of love and friendship. Long ago he scoffed that the two could be used for anything important however now he stood there on the beach and he found himself proven dead wrong.
If there was any good example of what love and friendship could produce it would've been Going Merry, the little ship that had fought to achieve her friend's dreams as best she could. Power like that, in his opinion, was something he could never replicate.
Turning away from the smouldering wreck he found Seilah and Mordred at his side bearing concerned looks.
"Master, we've got a problem."
"A problem?"
"The Marines Natsu," Mordred said prompting Natsu to cock his head to the side confused as to why Mordred and Seilah were so concerned over Marines.
"It isn't just any Marine Master, before you begin assuming things," Seilah said quickly. "This one we asked Iceburg about and he said this one is powerful."
"More than that," Mordred hissed as she fiddled with a button on her jeans. "He said this guy was able to fight Roger one on one before he was executed!"
Now that statement had Natsu's attention as he looked out toward the ocean and sure enough, just faintly, the outline of a single Marine ship could be seen.
"Do the others know?"
"No."
"Dont tell them, they're still injured heavily from Enies Lobby."
"So what's the plan?"
"We'll confront them ourselves, find out why they're here and if possible either take them out or buy enough time for the others to escape."
"Bastards just don't know how to give up do they," Mordred growled as Natsu began pacing back and forth.
"Seilah try and get the others to pack up and get the hell out of here on the new ship as quick as you can, Mordred and I should be able to hold our own against them for a bit."
"At once Master," Seilah said as she ran back over toward the group as Natsu placed a hand on Mordred's shoulder with the pair appearing at the dock the ship was travelling toward.
"Don't equip your armor just yet Mordred we don't want to alert them to our presence," Natsu said quickly as he felt the shift in Mordred's stance. "Soon ..."
"Fine," she huffed in response as the pair waited for the confrontation wondering just how strong this rival of Roger truly was.
/On The Navy Ship/
"Sir we've almost arrived," a Marine shouted prompting the Commanding Officer to grin as he put his hand inside a bag and scooped out a handful of chips before quickly shovelling them into his mouth.
"Good, is Monkey D Luffy still on that island?"
"Yes Sir, he's said to be staying at the Galley La Barracks!"
"Heh ... interesting," the man said as his eyes locked onto two lone forms standing at the dock. "Well well, looks like I've already caught the attention of a rather tough one!"
"You've seen my beloved," a woman cried as she knocked the man over whilst grabbing onto the spyglass. "Oooooo, there he is!"
"Gah! Control your damn Servant Kuzan," the man snapped as Aokiji emerged from the nearby cabin looking rather tired.
"You know when Dragneel is involved General Esdeath does whatever she wants, get in her way and she becomes grouchy."
"I DO NOT! I'm merely happy to see the man I have chosen to be mine waiting for me at the dock ... like ... LIKE A HUSBAND WHO IS AWAITING THE RETURN OF HIS WIFE!"
"Oh god she's fantasizing again," Aokiji groaned as he walked back into the cabin and returned holding a lawn chair. "Hope you don't mind but if she's going down there I'm sitting this one out, that fine with you Garp?"
"WAHAHAHAHA! You're as laid back as ever Kuzan, but sure you can stay here if you want. From what I heard Dragneel gave you quite a shock a few days ago so it's no surprise you'd want to avoid him."
"I'm not hiding from him I'm simply taking this opportunity to have a nap," Aokiji huffed before covering his eyes and seemingly going to sleep leaving Garp to look back toward the taller figure at the rapidly approaching dock.
"So you're the one all these Heroic Spirits keep talking about eh," Garp said as he moved a hand up toward a set of bandages wrapped around his forehead. "You look just as wild as Roger did."
Placing a hand inside his white suit jacket he pulled out a Wanted Poster and unfurled it, his grin widening as he read it.
King Of Balance
Natsu Dragneel
Bounty – 725,000,000 Berries
Crimes – Destruction of Enies Lobby, Destruction of the Gates Of Justice, Murder, Theft, Association with the Servant State of Eden, Destruction of 10+ Marine Fleets, Murder of Multiple High Ranking World Government Officials, Possession Of Multiple Unknown Abilities, Association With Yonkou Red Hair Shanks, Aiding and Joining The Straw Hat Pirates, Possession of a Servant Without Approval, Openly Defying the World Government ...
The picture was of Natsu standing alone on the destroyed bridge toward the Gates Of Justice, his entire form surrounded in Aura as his eyes glowed Crimson Red and Galaxy Blue. His right hand was held out in such a way that it looked like he was making to grab the person viewing the poster prompting Garp to grin in response.
"What a troublemaker," Garp grinned as he pulled out the Wanted Poster of Luffy and held them side by side. "You sure do know how to find the troublesome ones don't you Luffy?"
Tales From The Tale Verse
Chaldea Singularity Files III
The Secret In The Bowels Of Chaldea
This time the computer lay abandoned as Moriarty sprinted down the forbidden hallways of Chaldea reserved only for Command Staff. He had to see it, he NEEDED to see it! How Chaldea had managed to hide a secret like this for so long he knew not however he knew he had to bear witness for it to believe such a thing was truly possible.
Knocking down countless sealed doors with his enhanced strength Moriarty arrived at the room he'd read about in the case file and froze. Looking up he saw it, FATE, the Guardian Heroic Spirit Summoning System that allowed Chaldea to call forth the countless Heroic Spirits at its disposal.
"Th-this cannot be!"
"Three strikes Moriarty, you've really gone and done it now haven't you?"
Spinning around Moriarty could hardly believe that Natsu was even standing before him in this room, nor could he fathom it as Romani, Holmes and Da Vinci walked in.
"Y-you all knew the truth of this!?"
"Of course we did," Da Vinci replied with a blank face. "How else would we operate it?"
"B-but you have ##### strapped up onto that machine like an animal, how can any of you justify this!?"
"The preservation of all existence requires sacrifice Moriarty," Natsu said as he took several steps forward. "##### being kept down here is important to ensuring that FATE can operate at its maximum capacity."
"To summon Servants from all time periods, from before Age Zero to before the calendar existed, no mere technology would ever have accomplished such a feat without such power behind it."
"Holmes how can you stand there and say that, aren't you supposed to stop things like this!? This makes the conception and creation of Frankenstein's Monster or the crimes of Jack The Ripper look tame!"
"Come now Moriarty you know that our foe has power beyond our control, the words of Flauros should have given you that impression I would think?"
"Our foe is the King Of Mages, Solomon," Romani continued. "A man who has the Seventy Two Demon Gods at his disposal, the ability to strike at any time, any era at any place. In order to combat such a threat we had no choice but to employ such a method to combat him."
"This is unbelievable, the amount of Aura and life being ripped from #####'# body just to sustain even a few of us Servants would kill even a God! I can't allow this to continue, I may not be a good man but this is a crime well beyond that even Demons would commit!"
"I'm afraid we cannot let you do that Moriarty for you see FATE is still necessary, its purpose likely being needed for many arduous months to come," Holmes said as he took a drag from his pipe. "Be a good old sport and do try not to move."
Before Moriarty even had a chance to react he was struck through the heart, an attack piercing his back as he slowly spun around to see ##### looking at him, its eyes wide and a maddened look in them.
"It's going to take us weeks to get this mess back under control," Holmes sighed whilst stepping over Moriarty's fading form. "If only he had chosen to heed the warnings on the last two documents."
"Yeah I didn't exactly label them restricted just because I felt like it," Romani added with his usual smile.
"H-how ... how can you all smile like this whilst committing such a vile atrocity on another living being?"
"Because we must," Natsu answered as he formed a Crash Barrier around them in order to block the attacks being sent their way by ##### who seemed unable to distinguish friend from foe. "So that Master can succeed and end the Grand Order there are those of us who must commit true atrocity in order to save everything."
"Well spoken Natsu."
Fabled Alchemist And Creator Of The Azoth Sword
Paracelsus Von Hohenheim (Caster)
"P-Paracelsus," Archer gasped as the Caster walked in with a data pad seemingly unfazed by the explosions going off all around them. "Y-you're in on this too!"
"He isn't the only one."
Moriarty was floored as someone who arguably didn't have a single evil bone in her body walked in donning a lab coat, clearly completely in on the madness.
"You all should have stopped him before he got this far, these dramatics weren't necessary."
"Sorry," Natsu grinned prompting the Servant to sigh and shake her head.
The Third True Hybrid
King Of Impartiality
Cynthia Dragneel (Caster)
"How can you of all people look at this and not even so much as bat an eye!?"
"I know the stakes as do many of the others working here on this project, so much so that my presence within Chaldea isn't even known," Cynthia replied as her eyes bored into the dying form of Moriarty. "What we do here is necessary so the people of the future may actually exist and be given the same chance we all were at life, an idea you seem to dislike greatly."
"Cynth you know the drill," Natsu said as both turned around and held up their hands to form a more powerful Crash Barrier around ##### who was thrashing around violently in an attempt to break free of his bonds.
"Holmes if you would please find and retrieve Zelretch again, oh and inform Helena I'll need her in my office after lunch," Cynthia said prompting Holmes to bow before he too began to fade away.
"I'll be back in an hour, Zelretch's usual nonsense notwithstanding of course."
"Thanks Sherlock," Natsu replied with a strained smile. "Tell him I REALLY need him here now though."
"Of course," Holmes replied before vanishing entirely.
"Wh-what was that, he just returned to the Throne!?"
"No he didn't," Da Vinci said whilst shaking her head. "We have a way of moving Holmes where he's needed that imitates the appearance of a Servant being sent back when in reality it is simply warping him to other places."
"You're all ... I cannot believe you all are this far into such a conspiracy," Moriarty said clearly still in shock as the lower half of his body began to convert to yellow bits of light. "And you mentioned Helena Blavatsky, just how many are in the know on this?"
"Enough," was Natsu's immediate reply.
"And does Ritsuka know, does Master know about all this?"
"No and he never will if we have our way," Natsu snapped in response. "He is a pure soul, his purity gives the rest of us the energy to get up and keep fighting this war! We will protect that boy's innocence as best we can until the end!"
"Even if that means we must silence those who would reveal the true inner workings of Chaldea," Cynthia added. "For the sake of humankind we must not waver, not even for a moment."
"Well then," Moriarty sighed as his body began to fade away. "Better start thinking of a way to hide my disappearance from Fujimaru then."
"We already have a contingency in place," Romani replied quickly. "You won't be missed."
"Hn. Just like ... usual."
Moriarty vanished leaving the small group behind, a USB dropping from his person the moment he vanished which was promptly picked up by Da Vinci."
"Perhaps we should find a better place to hide this information?"
"You think," Cynthia snorted. "My Mother could've found that shit out and she's really bad with technology!"
"Paracelsus you handle it," Romani said as Da Vinci handed the USB to him. "Destroy all the files in Chaldea's database after you back them up to this."
"We are monsters for what we are doing to ##### aren't we? Just checking to make sure?"
"Well it doesn't count if ### ###### ## ## ## ## ######## does it," Natsu asked with a forced chuckle.
"Perhaps not," Paracelsus hummed in agreement. "Since we ## #### ########## to do this I suppose it doesn't make us as big of monsters as Moriarty believed."
"Enough doubting ourselves," Da Vinci snapped. "If we keep discussing it we'll begin to doubt ourselves and that's what he wants us to do! No more on this, let's work on containing this mess first before any damage is done to FATE!"
Everyone grumbled in agreement knowing to not piss off a focused Da Vinci as they scrambled to contain the mess from leaking from the bowels of Chaldea and into the light of day. No this would stay forbidden.
Just as its founders had intended.
Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!