I have returned!
Honestly can't believe it's been almost a month since I've last updated this story, gee time flies! Apologies for not updating in so long but here is the next chapter and the conclusion to the Enies Lobby Arc!
Also 300k words we did it for a third time guys! Honestly like I said several chapters ago though this one is looking to be the longest yet so I'm fully expecting to hit the milestones of the others.
Also in the time I wasn't working on this I did create Volume III.V, a single chapter that is basically meant to be the written equivalent of a trailer promoting the future of the series so that is something I've got lined up once the story here wraps up.
Also I just want to take a moment to say that I live in Australia and right now a third of my country is on fire, half a billion animals are dead and many have lost everything. Though I am fortunate enough to not have been affected by the fires directly both exits to the town I live in are on fire almost all the time and we get hit with Cyclones all the time, Cyclone Yazi being the last one I experienced fully.
What I'm trying to say is our country is pretty hard but we're also built tough and the support from the international community be it through donations, sending over their own personnel to help out or even the tourists who actually have been jumping in and helping us out I just want to personally thank you all for your support.
I know a site like this isn't the best place for something so serious but it is a platform I have available and I want to show my personal appreciation even if many of you haven't done anything yourselves.
Depressing stuff aside my uploads should begin returning to normal soon I'm still rather worn out from the ridiculous hours I'd been doing so it may still take me more than a week to upload for a bit.
Anyway onto the story!
I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse.
Departure From Water Seven
/Natsu's POV/
"After pulling Mordred out of her scuffle with Esdeath Natsu found himself alone with Garp once again. Both had agreed it would probably be for the best if their respective groups didn't interact too much and so they found a rather secluded spot near the docks to have their discussion.
"So what did you want?"
"Aokiji's words to High Command have put eyes on you Dragneel and not just from the Admiralty or the Generals either; the Elders have spoken directly with Sengoku about you."
"And?"
"The word is being spread among the top echelon of both the Marines and the newly formed Army about just what you are," Garp said as he held up Natsu's wanted poster. "It's why your bounty skyrocketed past all the others."
"Because they know I'm a one of a kind threat?"
"Any no name Pirate can be a threat to the World Government Dragneel but you've done what only the most heinous of them who've come before you have done ..."
"The most heinous?"
"The Golden Lion Shiki, Queen Of The Land Of Sweets Charlotte Linlin, Governor General Of The Beast Pirates and Strongest Creature In The World Kaido, The World's Strongest Man Edward Newgate, that damned Red Haired Shanks as well ..."
Garp seemed like he was going to continue listing names but paused as a look Natsu had bore himself many a time crossed the older man's face. Sighing he shook his head before rolling up the Wanted Poster and slipping it back into his coat.
"All those names I just listed are considered legends of our time; strongest beings that could bring about the world's destruction ... you've been added to that list."
"Me," Natsu asked in genuine shock. "What the hell did I do!?"
"The Servants on our side sometimes mention things about you, oh they outright refuse to disclose the full details but they've mentioned enough about what you are, what you mean to them and above all how strong you were when they met you and it's spooked the World Government for sure. They want you detained or killed quickly otherwise you'll be yet another rogue element out there in the ocean like Roger was and they definitely don't want that."
"But you aren't gonna try bringing me in?"
"That ... that's complicated," Garp sighed as he immediately broke eye contact. "I'm not one for all of this serious stuff but you're clearly sticking by my Grandson and teaching him things which will eventually make him fall under that same scope."
"Garp-."
"You will protect my Grandson Dragneel, any Admiral or Warlord he's not strong enough to face yet comes within a million miles of him I want them dealt with, understood!"
"You know if the World Government found out you just asked that of me-?"
"I know the consequences; I was there when they got rewritten after Roger's execution. You're powerful enough to protect him if shit hits the fan but I want assurances that you won't run if things get too tough!"
"Run? I don't run Garp, the idea of leaving those idiots behind is laughable at best!"
"Heh, good. Like I said earlier that brat is all I've really got left so I don't wanna see him suffer ..."
"He will get hurt on his journey you know, he'll suffer great hardships alongside the rest of the crew but he'll inevitably grow from the experience. I won't shield him from the harsh realities of the world Garp, he must learn to face them head on."
"I understand ..."
"That being said what comes next after this place?"
"After Water Seven would be the Florian Triangle," Garp replied knowingly. "Best watch out since people vanish all the time in there."
"Ghost stories and mysterious myths don't scare me old timer," Natsu scoffed as the tension between the pair slowly began to fade away. "Whatever's out there I'll kick its ass for all the victims it's caused."
"BWAHAHAHA! Honestly, you know speaking like that you sound just like him you know ..."
"Like Luffy?"
"No," Garp replied shaking his head as he turned away from Natsu and began walking back toward his ship. "You sounded just like Roger did."
Could you perhaps take these off for a bit, I'm beginning to chafe up over here?
Ah what's the harm it's not like I have anywhere to run, GAHAHAHAHA!
"Maybe I do sound a little like him," Natsu mused as he watched Garp's retreating figure until it was out of sight. "I do wonder just how that guy's life was though to end up so infamously loved and hated the entire world over though …?"
"Master!"
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts he turned toward Seilah who was running toward him clearly looking rather tired.
"Mordred and Esdeath too much for you to handle?"
"N-no," Seilah panted though her narrowed eyes betrayed her. "I just wanted to come get you since Luffy decided we're leaving now."
"Already? Seems everything is all finished then, that was rather quick."
"We were really waiting on you Master since Luffy said whatever his Grandfather had to say to you personally was something better off not being ignored or blown off."
"Well he's certainly right about that," Natsu chuckled as he placed a hand on Seilah's shoulder and the pair appeared before the now finished ship. "But enough of the serious stuff for now NEW SHIP TIME!"
"Master …"
"Oi Natsu!"
"There he is, man of the hour!"
Franky gave him the middle finger whilst simultaneously fist bumping him with the other hand, both grinning as they turned to face the now completed ship.
"Enough of your crap Natsu this is a SUPER important moment for me!"
"That I will agree on, how you built a ship this big overnight the world may never know eh?"
"Well if you weren't there to perfectly slice up and pick up the wood I used for it then I'd still be putting her together. It may have been my design but you were just as important toward building it as me, even if you're shit at actually putting ships together yourself."
"Wow Franky and here I thought you were going to go one sentence without insulting me."
"I could but that just wouldn't be my style, y'know!"
"So are you getting on or what?"
"Uh …"
"You haven't asked yet have you?"
"No," Franky sighed as his good mood began to tank rapidly. "I just don't feel like I deserve to come along with you guys-."
"You wanna come along?"
What the-!?"
"Of course you can come, without you we wouldn't have this new ship and things at Enies Lobby could've ended up being way worse! You can join my crew for sure Franky!"
Franky's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets at the grinning Luffy who had mysteriously swapped places with Natsu who was now waving at him from the upper deck of the ship with a cheeky grin.
"Oi Natsu you bastard I'll kill you for embarrassing me!"
"Gonna have to come aboard to try that Franky but you know what that means right?"
"Tch …"
"Just get on the damn ship already," Zoro groaned as he appeared next to Natsu on the railing already cracking open another bottle of rum. "This place is getting way too boring."
"Can we keep things like this for maybe another century," Nami sighed tiredly. "All this fighting against the establishment is starting to affect my looks."
"Yeah I'll say, you started off as a stereotypical hag but now that all the money is gone you've become a gold hoarding goblin," Zoro grumbled causing Natsu to burst out laughing whilst Nami pulled out her Clima Tact and called down several lightning bolts onto the now fried swordsman.
"So how about it Franky, wanna go cause some trouble elsewhere in the world with us," Natsu asked as the cyborg's eyes began to water.
"God damn it … you guys are just so damn cool, fuck you all!"
"At least someone knows the status quo."
"Oh hey Mordred, done having that little cat fight with Esdeath are we?"
"When I become King I'll have being a smartass punishable by death!"
"Touchy today aren't we," Natsu snickered as another presence hit his senses despite obvious efforts to suppress it. "Close but no dice, not a bad effort on warping the Etherious to conceal your presence though Robin."
"I couldn't feel it though," Mordred said as Robin seemed to phase into view before the group surprising most with the exception of Natsu and Seilah.
"You likely couldn't but I'll explain why later," Natsu said quietly as he gently ruffled her hair. "You doing alright in the sun now?"
"It hurt a bit at first but now it's just like I've been out in it for awhile," Robin replied softly as her hair seemed to unfurl itself, presenting a glass of water for her to drink. "I'm getting better at controlling my hair as well though I doubt I'll be picking up heavy things for some time yet."
"You'll do fine Robin, a bit of training and you'll soon discover how to use your powers at their most effective," Seilah replied in support as she took Robin's hands into her own. "When I first came into being I was actually rather clumsy but Master's Brother would merely smile and told me that such mistakes were natural and that as my power grew so too would my confidence."
"With all of you by my side I'm sure I'll get the hang of these new powers eventually," Robin smiled shyly as all eyes turned toward Franky who was now boarding the ship.
"Well I guess we have someone to patch up the ship now that Usopp is gone," Mordred blurted out before covering her mouth. "Shit …"
"Anyway before we get to setting sail how about we all get an idea about our new home so we can give her a name," Natsu shouted boisterously whilst shaking his head at the lack of Mordred's tact in that particular moment.
"Well I can give you guys the rundown on the ship itself if you want," Franky said as he seemed to pull the plans out of a compartment in his arm. "To begin with the ship is made from a combination of Adam Wood, the most durable wood in the world that even the Pirate King used for his ship but after Natsu and I got to work we made a few … adjustments."
"Master …"
"Nothing crazy we just used Red Ebony to fortify behind the wood in case we ever got into a situation where the wood was actually punctured and couldn't be repaired on the spot! It isn't as thick as the wood itself however it was applied fully in certain critical areas used to keep the ship afloat such as-!"
"The hull," most of the crew said in unison prompting Franky and Natsu to nod somewhat solemnly.
"Because it seems we're rather reckless we made sure that a much thicker layer was used for the hull and Natsu said the chances of his Red Ebony being broken by anything save for some blatantly overpowered Devil Fruit is next to zero."
"On top of that we also reinforced the wheel with it as well so we'll navigate treacherous weather much easier now."
"But onto the rest of the ship," Franky said as he moved attention back toward the ship itself. "We were originally going to go with a ship the size of a Carrack however with Natsu's assistance using his Red Ebony to extend things we decided to go a bit further and build a Frigate instead. Below us are four decks that as of right now are used for storage of the stuff we didn't end up using, the cannons made using Natsu's Red Ebony, a spot to store our gold which again was made from Natsu's Red Ebony so we can't be robbed as well as multiple cargo bays for … well you guys can discover that stuff for yourselves."
"We should probably make sleeping quarters out of some of the space below deck, each of us could probably have our own rooms because of how big this ship is," Sanji said which got nods of approval. "Plus I'm gonna see if there's somewhere I can store large amounts of food, securely."
"I'll help build that Sanji, just pick out a place and we'll iron it out," Natsu replied whilst the entire crew looked at Luffy.
"OI STOP LOOKING AT ME!"
"Anyway anyone got any ideas for a name?"
"Sword Express."
"Lame."
"Big Harbinger III"
"What?"
"Camelot II!"
"Down Mordred!"
"Boaty McBoatface?"
"Robin … where do I even begin with that suggestion?"
"SUPER Boaty McBoatface!"
"Franky you just added SUPER to it that doesn't make it a different name …"
"Why don't you guys call it the Thousand Sunny?"
All eyes snapped toward the edge of the boat where a bandaged up Usopp stood looking rather nervous, his eyes darting around the ship as if he were fearing an attack at any moment.
"Usopp?"
"Hey guys … just wanted to see you all off since I'm not part of the crew anymore or anything."
"Well this just got awkward," Mordred huffed as she marched over toward Usopp and threw him over toward the others, landing before them in an undignified heap.
"You shouldn't have shown your face here Usopp," Zoro said coldly only for Luffy to raise his right arm to silence him.
Walking over toward Usopp he knelt down next to him and looked into his eyes, a rather odd action for someone like him who was usually dense and rather childish.
"Why do you think we should call it the Thousand Sunny?"
"W-well I saw the lion figurehead on the front and its mane reminded me of a sun so I thought that if you're gonna name it anything then name it something that represents both the figurehead and the crew itself …"
"Sunny," Luffy said to himself as he rose to his feet, a grin beginning to etch its way onto his face. "I like the sound of that, the Thousand Sunny or Sunny for short."
"Now just hold on a second Luffy you can't just go and take the suggestion of someone who quit the crew in one of the worst ways possible," Zoro protested as Usopp rose to his knees.
"Speaking of that I-I want to apologize for what I did. I know that how I handled everything was wrong and even though literally everyone told me that the Going Merry was a lost cause I was too blinded by the fact it was a gift from Kaya and our home that I couldn't accept it. You don't have to accept my apology everyone but … well it just wouldn't be right if I went on with my life knowing I wronged you all and did nothing to make up for it!"
'Did nothing? He literally fought alongside us in Enies Lobby,' Natsu inwardly scoffed as Usopp openly prostrated himself before them.
"I'm truly sorry!"
"Oh for crying out loud can we just take him back," Nami cried exasperatedly. "Clearly he realizes he shouldn't have done what he did so can we just let him have a free pass this one time!?"
"But-!"
"I'm inclined to agree," Natsu sighed as he used his foot to push Usopp back into a sitting position. "Wasn't it his goal to learn how to become a brave warrior of the sea? Consider this whole mess a learning experience for him; he won't make this mistake again … right Usopp?"
""Huh-I mean yeah there's no way I'll do anything like that ever again!"
Luffy was about to open his mouth to speak when an explosion went off nearby, closely followed by several more, spurring the crew into action as everyone save for Natsu and Usopp scrambled to figure out what was going on.
"Look," Chopper cried out after several moments as he pointed toward a fleet of Navy ships gathered just outside Water Seven's exit. "Luffy's Granddad wants to kill us!"
"What the hell," Luffy cried out before turning a teary and fear stricken face toward Natsu in a rather comedic fashion. "You damn liar you said he wasn't gonna fight us!"
"Hey he did say that," Natsu snapped back. "Clearly he's changed his mind!"
"Shit we've gotta get out of here!"
"But Luffy they've blocked off the only exit we had," Nami cried. "We're trapped!"
"Heh, I guess it is a good thing I'm here then," Franky grinned as he stepped up toward the helm. "Oi Natsu we're gonna do it!"
"Go ahead and drain my reserves over the ones I've got stored away, they aren't set up yet."
"Will do!"
"What the hell are you guys talking about," Sanji asked as more cannon fire hit the area around them.
"Remember how we said we lined the ship with Natsu's Red Ebony," Franky asked garnering nods from the rest of the crew. "Well it just so happens that Red Ebony is capable of conducting Natsu's powers so we created something SUPER cool!"
The entire ship began to shake as it shot off from the port, hitting at least thirty knots in less than ten seconds shocking everyone including the Navy. All the while Franky's grin only grew wider as he began tampering with various dials near the helm.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?"
"When designing this ship we wanted it to be the best it could be, perhaps we went a little too far and designed something that may or may not allow it to tap into Natsu's power in order to gain temporary boosts."
"…"
"WHAT!"
"What you guys just felt was me activating the Gravity Seals," Franky explained as the ship again began to pick up speed. "Etched all across the hull of the ship are Gravity Seals that, when activated, will allow whoever activates them to manipulate Gravity to push us in a certain direction which in this case I'm using it to make us hit our top speed faster!"
"Hold on didn't Natsu say this was draining his power directly," Nami asked in confusion. "How does that work?"
"I designed the Seals so I can tap into them and both activate and deactivate them. Right now I haven't installed the Lacrima that will power them indefinitely so until then I myself will serve as the battery."
The entire crew was stunned as the ship charged toward the Marine Fleet which quickly presented a new problem.
"So do you guys have anything to help us get past Vice Admiral Garp," Zoro asked curiously prompting Franky to once more grin.
"We're almost at our top speed which means that we can use this to escape …"
"This?"
"A tool of Franky's design," Natsu said as he began pushing the Thousand Sunny even faster. "The Coup De Burst."
"The what?"
"Hang on don't you have an attack called Coup De Vent Franky," Sanji asked as said Cyborg nodded in response. "So that means …"
"Think that but at the back of a ship," Natsu replied with a grin as four tendrils emerged from his back and dug into the grassy deck they were currently standing on. "You guys might want to hold onto something because not only is this untested but at the speed we're going if you aren't you're gonna be left behind."
"You two are insane," Nami screeched as the back of the ship began to generate a buildup of power.
"This is awesome," Luffy cried out as he wrapped an arm around one of Natsu's tendrils. "Can we do this all the time!?"
"Maybe once we aren't in immediate danger we can talk about doing that," Natsu chuckled just as the ship hit its top speed.
"Alright everyone get ready for it," Franky called out as he held onto the wheel for dear life. "Pressing the button it's time for the Coup De Burst!"
The second he pressed the button the ship was suddenly and violently ejected from the water and high into the air, disappearing from the view of the Marines in seconds much to the amusement of a grinning Monkey D Garp.
"Honestly … kids these days."
/The Holy Land Of Mariejois – A Certain Location/
"OPRESSORS!"
"Damn it not again!"
"Someone call the Commander In Chief!"
"We need-ARGH!"
"DEATH TO ALL OPPRESSORS!"
As the now reunited Straw Hat Pirates set sail from Water Seven across the seas at the Sacred Holy Land of Mariejois another breakout was being performed. A hulking mass of pure muscle was currently ripping apart the forces stationed at the Slave Quarters portion of Mariejois as hundreds of said slaves fought alongside him in a bout for their very freedom.
The being who was attempting this mass breakout was no stranger to such an act; in fact this was indeed the third breakout he'd performed this month alone. Unfortunately for the Celestial Dragons who desired the slaves for themselves it was in fact their own fault that this incident had occurred every single time.
After all they were the ones that allowed this beast into Mariejois each and every time.
"COME MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, DEATH TO THE OPPRESSORS!"
Loud roars in agreement shook the normally quiet and tranquil Holy Land as the Slaves clashes with the guards stationed around the area, all the while the massive being behind them single handedly holding back over half their forces alone.
Former Gladiator Of Ancient Rome
Eden's Slave Freeing Specialist
Spartacus (Berserker)
Bounty – 744,000,000 Berries
"Why the hell is this guy constantly smiling even as he rips us limb from limb, is he insane!?"
"I will carve out an equal world free from all Oppressors," Spartacus grinned as he struck the ground with his sword, ripping it apart as over a dozen guards fell down into the hole. "To believe in slavery is to Oppress, to Oppress means I must Rebel!"
"What the hell is he talking about!?"
"REBELLION MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS! RISE UP AND SLAY THE OPPRESSORS, FIGHT UNTIL YOUR LAST BREATH!"
Swinging his blade horizontally Spartacus cleaved apart an entire fresh contingent of guards that had just arrived before jumping high into the air and landing right in the centre of the enemy guards at the gate. Within moments they had stabbed him however his grin did not waver, his body merely moving as if it hadn't even been affected as he began slaughtering them in earnest whilst knocking down the gate itself.
"Damn it we can't hold them back!"
"We're gonna lose even more slaves!"
"The Celestials will be pissed for sure!"
Spartacus' grin only widened as he slew the last of the remaining soldiers before turning toward the heavily panting slaves.
"GO FORTH AND CONTINUE TO REBEL! AT THE END OF THIS PATH YOU SHALL FIND AID FROM SOLDIERS FROM A PLACE KNOWN AS EDEN WHO SHALL AID YOU IN SHATTERING THE OPPRESSION OF THE WORLD GOVERNMENT!"
"I'm afraid I cannot allow that."
Turning back around Spartacus was surprised to find the entire path coated in a thick mist, a lone figure dressed in white holding a rather unique sword calmly walking up the path toward him.
"Servant," Spartacus said with barely restrained glee. "Servant of the OPPRESSORS!"
"He has come," one of the few remaining guards cried. "They sent one of the Generals!"
"You've gone far enough Berserker," the man said as he pointed his sword toward Spartacus' general direction. "If these slaves go free that will total over a thousand lost, the World Government will not allow that to happen."
"If you get in my way … then you are an OPPRESSOR AS WELL!"
"Perhaps I am however in a few minutes it won't matter Spartacus," the man said as his sword seemed to leave his grasp and began spinning around him in a defensive manner. "The moment you entered here for a third time you sealed your fate …"
One Of The Greatest Military Powers
The Mystic Knight
General Makenshi The White Cloud (Ruler)
"DIE OPPRESSOR," Spartacus roared as he charged toward Makenshi only to find himself clashing with the man's sword several meters away from the General himself. The amount of force behind the sword was as if another Berserker was wielding it however that clearly wasn't the case with the slim man.
"For what it is worth Spartacus I do truly empathies with you, slavery truly is a despicable practice however the Celestial Dragons are the epitome of authority within the world thus their will must be obeyed …"
"I will slay all Oppressors," Spartacus growled as he allowed himself to take several swift slashes from the sword he'd been clashing with in order to get in close. "DIE!"
Slashing at Makenshi Spartacus was shocked to find he was nothing more than mere mist as hundreds more began to appear before him, each armed with the same sword he'd been clashing with.
"Your part in this war is over, return to the greater struggle of Chaldea great source of Rebellion. Great Mist Demon – Maken Raid!"
Spartacus suddenly found himself surrounded by the mist as even more versions of Makenshi began to appear with all the mist versions now attacking him at once. Slashing wildly with his own sword and rending the entire area apart Spartacus simply couldn't cut each and every last one of them and thus began sustaining grievous injuries across his entire body.
Once all the Makenshi's had slashed him they all tossed their blades up into the air as Spartacus watched them convert into a massive cloud of mist. From said mist a massive version of the blade appeared and came down upon him, cleaving him apart, the grin still not leaving the Berserkers face as he was utterly and completely thrashed by the General.
Upon Spartacus' defeat the mist cleared away to reveal only Makenshi as the slaves instinctively dropped their weapons, their last scraps of hope having been torn away by the man before them who simply looked past them impassively toward one of the guards.
"I trust I am no longer needed here?"
"N-no Sir! Thank you for coming and finally dealing with that monster!"
"…"
The guard gulped as Makenshi turned on his heel and walked away as if the man hadn't even spoken to him, retreating just in time before the Celestial Dragons arrived to begin spouting off as per usual.
"Belebelebelebele … GATCHA!"
"This is General Makenshi …"
"Have you dealt with Berserker yet?"
"Target was eliminated, major casualties for the guards of Mariejois though."
"Good work Ruler, Command will be most pleased."
"Am I free to return to Marineford?"
"Negative. You are to accompany the Warlord Bartholemew Kuma to speak with one of his fellow counterparts."
"Is this an order from Command or from you?"
"Kuma was ordered by Command to go, I am making sure his fellow Warlord truly understands the message."
"I see. Where is Kuma now?"
"A Coo is inbound with his location, burn it after you've read it."
"Understood."
"Once contact with the Warlords has been made contact me."
"Will do," Makenshi replied as the Transponder Snail went dead. "I wonder why someone like Kuma would need my help though?"
Shrugging as he began to create steps made of mist Makenshi walked high up into the clouds before vanishing from view, his work in the Holy Land done.
Tales From The Tale Verse
Pride Seeks The Ultimate Challenge
The Idea To Slay One's Own Pride
They say Pride cometh before the fall however I have yet to experience such a logically creative concept. For those of you who know me not I am the Lion's Sin Of Pride and one of the Seven Deadly Sins, Escanor.
Throughout my existence I have experienced many things from excitement to love and even anger however I have never felt embarrassment, fear or utter helplessness. I am Pride however it is my believe that in order to become TRULY powerful and ascend to a state that will allow me to better support my friends and comrades I must learn these concepts, experience them and most importantly of all … overcome them.
And of course I don't mean during the Night either, no I am fully aware of what I experience then however it is during the Day I refer to, a period in which I find myself believing that truly no being can match me and to this day such a thought has yet to be proven true.
So after some thought I have decided to ask my friend Meliodas for advice for surely he would know what I should do what with being our supposed leader and Devil after all …
T:TV
Marching confidently through the tavern he'd heard Meliodas was currently at Escanor quickly deduced his friend's location by merely feeling for his presence and sure enough there he was cleaning out the tavern's stock of food.
With a mighty thump he landed in the seat next to the child like Devil though it didn't deter him in the slightest as he continued to tear away at a large slab of meat before him.
"Sup Escnor!?"
"Meliodas my friend I find myself in a spot of bother and was wondering if you could aid me in a quest?"
"Quest, you need my help on a quest!?"
"Indeed," Escanor replied as Meliodas ceased destroying the supply of food before him and turned his undivided attention toward the hulking man before him.
"Is the Demon King back or something, is there another more powerful doppelganger you running around we need to kill?"
"No, no, assuredly it is nothing of the sort and even if so I would still have aimed to face such peril by myself. No this matter is one of … Pride."
"Pride?"
"Have you ever heard of the saying Pride cometh before the fall, Meliodas?"
"Yeah heaps of people say that but why?"
"Well I was wondering when my supposed 'Fall' would be?"
"Uhh …"
"I believe that in order to truly embody the Sin of Pride I must experience this phenomenon Meliodas so I must seek out a means to truly shatter my own Pride!"
"I feel like this is a really bad idea … but what the hell I'm in!"
"So you will aid me?"
"Of course!"
"Wonderful," Escanor grinned as he slammed a fist down onto the table, shattering it with ease. "Where should we begin!?"
"When your opponent is Pride itself there's only one place TO go," Meliodas grinned in response as he snapped his fingers, opening up a Crimson Red portal before them. "After you!"
"What lies beyond this portal Meliodas?"
"What lies beyond is the place I've told you about, the place that I have to go off to as the Devil of our world."
"Equilibrius? Why would we be going there?"
"You wanted to take a massive blow to your Pride didn't you, there's no better place to cop that aside from there! We might be top dogs in our world but Equilibrius is the hub for countless realities so surely one of those will have the ability to crush your Pride!"
"Truly? Well then I do hope we encounter someone truly fearsome within the depths of this strange hub of realities however I do wonder if a being stronger than I can truly hope to exist?"
"You'll see soon enough Escanor that there is still so much more to see, so much more to fight …"
Escanor grinned as he marched through the portal with his usual confidence, the prospect of a good fight already clouding his most recent goal as both he and Meliodas arrived in Equilibrius determined to shatter the Sin of Pride's namesake.
I'm willing to take suggestions on who Escanor should fight remembering he will run into multiple people but do keep in mind that if I don't pick a certain character there are likely reasons as to why I didn't. Also most of said fights will be more comedic save for the last one so also keep that in mind when it comes to suggestions.
Anyway hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you guys in the next one!