Hi guys Azza here!
So sorry about the lack of updates I've been flat out with work and believe me when you have heatwave conditions and stormy conditions day after day you get sick pretty easy so things have been more or less crap for me the last few weeks.
Nevertheless here is the chapter, hopefully a few of the things within hype you up for what's coming because trust me I've got big plans for overhauling this arc.
Anyway onto the reviews
Dragonborn2704 – Hey don't worry about it I appreciate that you want to comment each chapter that in of itself is rather flattering! And yeah that's Abby, pure cinnamon roll until she unleashes eldritch death upon our mortal plane ...
Erasenpai – Yeah that's basically the plan, he'll actually have quite a few moments with Brook since both of them are rather old and can empathize with one another on a level most others simply can't so I'm looking forward to expanding on that.
DarkFireCat – Honestly that's fair haha!
Susano'o Chaos – Yeah trust me that there will eventually be consequences for all the collateral and lack of care the higher beings have toward the mortal realms though we are still a little ways off from seeing it just yet.
Thanks for that feedback by the way I do try to break it up from constant fighting and instead try to base it on how you would see it in an Anime or read it in a Manga where dialogue and combat are mixed in. Sometimes it isn't as easy as other times and there are times I still don't do it but I know people much prefer that way of writing the combat scenes so I try my best to flesh them out as best I can.
And yes you will see during the climax of this Volume and the bridge Vol III.V the consequences of it.
To answer your final question currently Aura is one of the few means of actively damaging Anti with Hybrid's Aura being the best hard counter because it's both God and Devil's Aura combined. As for existence to damage nonexistence in a physical sense it would more or less be kind of like a bleeding effect into the alternate's plane, crossing over would erode the section of existence or nonexistence which would push back whichever side was on the receiving end of the invasion currently that being existence.
Skandia – The fights just kind of come as I feel they naturally should and I am fully aware that Natsu's fights would be more interesting simply because he's more powerful and has more in his arsenal to pull out. Currently I've more or less limited him to only facing the real big time foes and using the experience through real battle excuse to let the others have their time but to maintain the believability he kind of has to engage the top tier foes quickly because no boss is gonna sit around and wait for all his underlings to be wiped out yet leave a massive force like Natsu active.
Galacti – Thanks for the feedback especially that last part because I feel that at this current point is one of the most pivotal issues my series as a whole faces so it's good to know I'm doing well at it for the moment.
And I know my word count is crazy I honestly surprise myself each time I look at it to be honest knowing that I wrote it and not someone else haha!
Anyway with all that out of the way on with the story!
I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse
A New Foe On The Horizon
/Usopp's POV/
As he ran all Usopp could think of was how dreadful his luck was. Of all the rooms he could have entered why did he have to enter the one that housed a prisoner in it, an unwilling prisoner at that?
"Oh yeah you know the great Captain Usopp would naturally leave that Dragon girl to her fate ... ARGH I hate my damn sense of responsibility!"
His whining continued as he reached what appeared to be the top floor of the castle, a rather sizeable and ornate throne room that was mostly obscured by darkness due to the closed curtains and doused lanterns.
"I probably shouldn't go in here," Usopp sighed as he tapped the handle of the door nervously. "But it's the only room I haven't checked yet so the key must be in here-."
"Key?"
Usopp froze at the deep voice coming from deeper in the room, his eyes instantly snapping to the barely visible throne that housed what appeared to be a deceased figure. Glowing red eyes flared to life as a snapping sound indicated the figure in the chair adjusting its head to look directly at him, a sudden force boring down upon him as their eyes met.
"You are not one of my henchman nor are you one of HIS Servants," the figure said as it tapped the left hand side of the throne with bony fingers. "Ah, I see ... a prison break attempt by that one. You poor, deluded fool."
"Wh-who are you!?"
"Me? I am the one charged with the task of defending this island and my sole prisoner from freedom," the voice replied as multiple cracking sounds indicated that it was beginning to shift from its original position. "I am the Warden of Ardorton Castle and a member of the Warlord's crew."
Usopp took a step backward as the entire room lit up to reveal the skeletal figure who was now rising out of his chair whilst wrapping a bony hand around a massive claymore embedded into the floor beside him.
Member Of The Thriller Bark Pirates
Product Of True Necromancy
The Skeleton Lord
"S-S-Skeleton Lord," Usopp squeaked as his eyes darted toward the crown made from the bones of countless hands that all appeared to writhe about seemingly at random. "You mean to tell me that you're a legit living skeleton!?"
"Living skeleton? You truly are a foolish boy," the Skeleton Lord replied as it entered an offensive stance. "Let us pray that your bones do not inherit that same foolishness ..."
Charging forward with a burst of speed Usopp ducked just in time to avoid a brutal horizontal slash that cleaved apart the wall behind him causing it to begin to collapse. Looking upward shakily he was shocked that the Skeleton Lord was already preparing a killing blow and winced for the pain to come.
Feeling something kick him instead Usopp was surprised to see Mordred block the attack at the last moment before he hit the far wall with an audible thud. Groaning as he struggled to his feet he saw Mordred and the Skeleton King trade several blows before it leapt backward, landing on the stairs of the throne.
"Mordred!? The hell are you doing here and where are Nami and Chopper!?"
"They're cutting off the reinforcements that were about to come charging through that door," Mordred replied as she adjusted her stance. "Still I've gotta say I'm impressed that you somehow manage to land yourself in some of the most impossible situations Usopp."
"HEY THAT'S NOT FUNNY AT ALL!"
"Interesting, you are a Servant and yet you are not bound to him. I do wonder though how long such a thing will last once I inform him ..."
"You won't have a chance to tell anyone anything," Mordred growled in response prompting the Skeleton Lord to let out a shrill rasping sound that the pair figured was its laugh.
"Foolish Servant, the power of my conjurer far eclipses your own therefore you stand little chance!"
Both Mordred and Usopp dropped to one knee as the Skeleton Lord began shrieking loudly, firing loud and visible sound waves at the pair whilst it sprinted toward Mordred's position. Raising its blade it was surprised when Mordred blocked it but grinned upon feeling far less resistance than it had encountered previously.
"It appears you cannot stand my high pitched cries," the Skeleton Lord said as it again began firing them prompting Mordred to take several steps back whilst trying to cover her ears. "It is no use. This cry is many decibels too high for you to simply block out in such a primitive way!"
Opening its mouth the Skeleton Lord went to unleash yet another cry only for a large marble shaped object to fly into its mouth, exploding to unleash a sticky brown substance.
"What the hell," Mordred shouted in confusion before looking at Usopp who had his slingshot out. "Wait a second, YOU did that!?"
"Heh, but of course! When nothing but crap spews forth from the mouths of your opponent there is no better cure than my patented Special Attack: Great Hot Glue Star!"
In response to Usopp's words the Skeleton Lord tried to shout at him but only managed to produce a faint gurgling sound. Taking the opportunity Mordred charged at the Skeleton Lord and began attacking it with renewed vigour leaving Usopp time to run over to the throne in search of the key he was searching for.
"Come on now where the hell is it," he ground out as the sounds of clashing steel edged closer. "Maybe he hid it underneath his chair ... no, wait there it is!"
Ironically the set of keys were underneath the throne's cushion, a rather old and worn looking one at that. Not paying the cushion another moment's thought he grabbed the keys and began booking it toward the door.
"USOPP," Mordred shouted prompting him to abruptly skid to a stop. "DUCK!"
Doing as instructed he was horrified as two flaming skulls passed over his back and smashed into the wall of the throne room leaving two large holes in their place. Turning around he was surprised to see that whilst Mordred had the upper hand physically and skill wise the Skeleton Lord was much more crafty and constantly continued to employ the use of dirty tricks in order to win.
"D-damn it! Special Attack: Magical Marble Star!"
Firing his attack before spinning around and booking it out the door the Skeleton Lord was wholly unprepared for it to explode at his feet as hundreds of marbles coated the floor. Taking a step forward to attack he slipped and found himself on his back as Mordred loomed over him.
"This is not over foolish Servant!"
"Yeah don't worry I know all about how you Skeleton Lords work, Morgana loved using you guys to fight Father all the time," Mordred replied as she stabbed it through the skull setting off a large explosion that sent her flying across the room.
Looking back to where the explosion was she saw the Skeleton Lord getting back up, hole in its head and its entire skull now ablaze as it entered its secondary phase. Getting to her feet Mordred adjusted her stance as the Skeleton Lord held its bone like sword up to the flames atop its head, setting it alight in the process.
"You will not leave this place alive, Servant."
"Try saying that when I'm actually about to die and maybe I'll believe you," Mordred scoffed as the Skeleton Lord swung its blade and cleaved off an entire section of the castle, the sound of it crashing to the ground moments after being almost deafening as the Lord used the moment to close the distance between the pair.
Raising the flat of her blade Mordred blocked a forward thrust and staggered the Skeleton Lord, using the opportunity to slash at its chest region several times as the flames ate away at the frail cloth beneath its armor.
"Is that the best you can do?"
"Not even close," Mordred replied as the Skeleton Lord pried open its armor and ripped off the alight cloth, chunks of rotten flesh being removed along with it as it tossed it to the side without so much as a second glance.
"Pity, I had hoped you would provide more of a challenge for me however it appears my Lord was incorrect in calculating your battle prowess."
Mordred felt a twinge of anger at the insult to her strength before Clarent itself forcibly suppressed it, knowing full well that the Skeleton Lord desired her to lose control thereby making a potential mistake at a critical moment. Allowing Clarent full access to her being Mordred felt the similar calm wash over her as her entire demeanour shifted to a cool, calm and collected one.
"You almost had me there with that insult but it won't work," Mordred said as her red battle robes became surrounded in the phantasmal armor provided by Clarent. "You are indeed powerful however you are no match for me, son of the perfect King."
"What a strange power, conjuration of phantasmal armor, what kind of purpose could such a frail protection possibly serve you here?"
"Frail? This armor's mere presence symbolizes quite a lot you know, the fact that it has even decided I'm worthy to wear a manifesting version of itself is more than I'd ever dreamed of in life."
Meeting the Skeleton Lord's cold, unyielding gaze Mordred raised Clarent to eye level before lowering it slightly and gripping the handle with both hands. Adjusting her footing the Skeleton Lord also adjusted its stance in preparation for the coming fight.
"This is it for you; I kill you and the undead here either fall entirely or scramble without clear direction. Failure isn't an option!"
"We shall soon see," the Skeleton Lord replied as the pair clashed once more as the shockwaves from their fight surged throughout the aged castle.
/Usopp's POV/
"Damn it I've got the key now all I have to do is free that Dragon girl from the cage she's in," Usopp said to himself as he sprinted down one of the many long hallways. "Of course I'll need to recount the thrilling tale of how I actually managed to acquire the key from that massive skeleton-!
Cut off from his musings Usopp screeched as the section of flooring he'd just stepped on collapsed due to a powerful shockwave that ripped throughout the castle, his rapidly falling form saved as he was plucked from the air rather unceremoniously.
"Usopp!"
"Thank god it's you Chopper," Usopp sighed in relief as he looked up at the reindeer who was in his Heavy Point form. "What the hell is going on around here anyway!?"
"We need to get out of here right now Usopp, Mordred is buying us time to escape so we should take it while we have the chance!"
"You're here too Nami-wait that doesn't matter we can't leave yet!"
"You'd rather stay behind in this mess!?"
"There's a girl trapped in here behind a sea stone cage and I managed to swipe the key from this massive skeleton thing Mordred is fighting right now, we can't just leave her behind!"
"Wait there's actually someone alive in here!?"
"Actually ... yeah I can actually smell someone else in here," Chopper said as he sniffed the air several times. "Though the scent is kind of ..."
"Come on you guys there's no time," Usopp said as he leapt from Chopper's grasp and took off toward the entrance hall. "Follow me and we'll all be able to get out of here in no time!"
"Fine but this girl better be grateful," Nami snapped as a loud roaring sound reached their ears from the other end of the hallway. "Oh no ..."
Multiple loud thuds could be heard as another of the massive beasts appeared at the opposite end of the collapsed hallway, its roars getting louder upon spotting them prompting the trio to bolt as quickly as possible.
"RUN FOR IT," Usopp cried as the trio shot off toward the girl's room hoping they could free her before the beast caught up.
/Natsu's POV/
"So you're telling me that you aren't from this reality?"
"I'm afraid not," Abigail replied shaking her head softly. "I actually shouldn't really exist at all however as you no doubt saw I was given the chance thanks to you and Mister Ritsuka and Miss Mash who all allowed me to go with Mister Carter rather than be wiped from ever existing."
"And yet here you are a Servant?"
"I believe that was the rule that allowed me to escape; my name being etched into the Throne was what anchored me to existence itself. From there I have travelled with Mister Carter hoping to gain some control over my powers yet no matter how hard I try I always seem incapable of using them correctly ..."
"And where is Carter anyway?"
"When I first touched this reality something ... dark seemed to latch onto me and pin me down into it however it also pulled me from the stream I was travelling alongside him in effectively separating us. If Mister Carter made it into this world then I know not where he might be though I don't doubt he is trying to find me as we speak."
"So is that why you chose to live here then?"
"I fled here after my conflict with the strange soldiers and hid my powers as best I could," Abigail replied as the pair reached the top of a mountain opposite the castle which gave them a good view over the chaotic island. "Though it appears no matter where I might end up chaos and destruction are doomed to follow ..."
"Hey this wasn't your fault Abigail this was the Warlord's fault remember?"
"..."
Natsu sighed as he gently placed a hand atop her head, patting her head in an affectionate manner as the girl seemed to unconsciously lean into his touch. Smiling slightly he turned his gaze back toward the castle in the distance and narrowed his eyes.
"There is something with considerable strength in that place which my Servant Mordred is currently fighting, any idea what that might be?"
"That would be the lead skeleton in charge of all the other foul heretical beings left here," Abigail replied in disgust. "Anyone who might have lived was slain by that thing!"
"Then we should get your friend out as soon as possible then," Natsu replied as he used the contact he had with Abigail to warp them into the castle's entrance hall only to find it full of corpses.
"So many of the larger ones have been slain!"
"That means the others are hard at work then," Natsu grinned as he held out his hand for Abigail to take, gently gripping her much smaller one as he led her up the stairs past the destroyed husks of several more larger beasts. "Lead the way for me."
With a swift nod Abigail pulled Natsu up the remainder of the stairs and down a hallway toward a closed door. Before he could check for danger Abigail burst through and charged into the room calling out a name.
"Lizzie!"
"Abby," a voice squealed back as Natsu entered the room. "Abby why are you here its far too dangerous for you to be here in your cond-!"
The girl in the cage and Natsu's eyes met as an instantaneous blush formed on her face, be it from embarrassment or something else Natsu knew not.
"I-it cannot be," the girl screeched which sent Natsu staggering backward slightly as his eardrums exploded and reformed from the pitch. "N-Natsu, what are YOU doing here!?"
"Hi to you to," Natsu replied as he closed the door. "When Abigail said she had a friend locked up here I wasn't expecting ... well you I suppose."
"And just what is that supposed to mean," the girl huffed as the blush deepened. "And here I thought you had come to save me, the poor and frightened damsel from the evil undead army! You ruined the whole entrance you ... you big DUMMY!"
"Uh-?"
"Go back outside and come back in and do it again!"
"Wait what-!?"
"YOU HEARD ME," the girl screeched prompting Natsu to sigh and do as instructed.
Closing the door he shook his head before opening it again and entering once more. Upon closing it he turned around and froze at the sight before him.
"What ...?"
"Oh my," the girl said breathlessly as a finger traced along her exposed thigh until it reached a pink spike which protruded from her skin. "I-I've been waiting for so long for a brave hero to come and rescue me from this dreadful place ..."
His eyes darted between the now semi clothed girl and Abigail who simply had her head cocked to the side in confusion until finally he pieced together what was happening and inwardly cursed his future self. Inwardly sighing he wracked his brain for the appropriate answer whilst taking several steps forward.
"Fear not my lady for I have come to free you from this dreadful nightmare that ails you so desperately. Indeed I must also apologize for intruding without announcing myself for I have intruded upon you at a most sensitive-!"
"N-no it is quite alright my hero," the girl replied as she shielded her womanhood from his direct line of sight ... poorly. "I-if there were anyone who did indeed possess that right then it would be my saviour, would it not?"
Vanishing and appearing inside the cage the girl gasped as Natsu placed a hand on her cheek, a rather cute gasp escaping her as he traced his thumb across her crimson cheek as his face inched closer to hers.
"If my lady desires to grant me such permission then ... perhaps I should confess something that has ailed me from the moment I set eyes upon your elegant form?"
"H-hero ..."
"My lady I-I must confess that I-!"
The girl closed her eyes as Natsu's face inched closer to her own, preparing herself as she licked her lips in anticipation.
"I ... CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WANT TO PULL THIS SHIT AT A TIME LIKE THIS ARE YOU FUCKING INSANE!"
"WAAAHHH," the girl screeched as she shot up into the roof of the cage and impaled her horns into the bars all the while blushing furiously.
"Y-Y-YOU BIG JERK! FOR A MINUTE THERE YOU ACTUALLY WERE DOING WELL THEN YOU MESSED THE WHOLE THING UP!"
"Couldn't care less about that crap when we're in the middle of a hostile environment, who the hell even are you anyway!?"
"OOOO! WHEN I GET DOWN FROM HERE I'M GOING TO BEAT YOU UP FOR THIS NATSU DRAGNEEL, DO YOU HEAR ME," the girl cried comically whilst flailing about since her horns were still stuck in the bars on her roof.
Warping back out into the room proper he turned to Abigail whose face was comically blank as she watched the girl flail about.
"So who the hell is this anyway?"
"Her? Well that Lizzie, her real name though is Elizabeth."
The Unholy Blood Countess
Fabled Countess Dracula
Elizabeth Bathory (Lancer)
"Elizabeth Bathory, right?"
"That's right Natsu you damn deceitful piglet, how dare you play with a maiden's heart in such a way," Elizabeth huffed before realizing her lack of modesty and promptly screeched once again. "D-don't look at me with such a lustful gaze you-you pervert!"
"Oh I'm the pervert," Natsu snorted in response whilst shaking his head. "You really aren't all together up here are you?"
"H-how dare you question my sanity! I-I'm merely still flustered from having my heart so thoroughly toyed with by you and your ..."
"What?"
"I just realized you asked who I was didn't you?"
"Took you that long to notice did it?"
"SHUT UP," Elizabeth snapped before adopting a thinking pose.
'This is simply perfect, without anyone like that pathetic failure of a Yandere stereotype Kiyo around I can twist Natsu to my side ... yes then he'll be mine and I'll rub it in all the other girl's faces especially that stupid Roman Saber and her massive-!'
"You do realize you aren't actually thinking internally and we both just heard everything you just said right?"
"..."
"Would you like to come down now?"
"Yes please," Elizabeth sniffed clearly embarrassed as Natsu appeared inside the cage and gently pried her horns out and placed her back onto the bed.
Sniffing again Elizabeth summoned the rest of her clothes however she still refused to look directly at him, understandably so, however he still decided to press her for information before letting her free from the cage.
"So Elizabeth why exactly are you in here?"
"I was locked up here because people were jealous of my talent!"
"Your talent?"
"I'm beloved by all, an eternal beauty and master of all things performance you see," Elizabeth explained proudly whilst facing the opposite way allowing Natsu to watch as her tail swished back and forth erratically showing off her nervousness.
"So you're an idol then?"
"I'm not 'A' idol but 'THE' idol, no one is better than me!"
"I ... see?"
"I was staying aboard this massive floating island where a whole bunch of people like me live when suddenly I found myself being forcibly removed and locked up here!"
"Floating island? Do you mean like a large ship or something?"
"It was an island ship, big mast the size of the tallest of buildings," Elizabeth replied before frowning. "I bet it was that bitch Perona who had me locked up here she's always been jealous of how superior I am to her!"
"Perona? Look Liz can you tell me where you came from, was it from the same place all these undead came from?"
"L-Liz," the now nicknamed Liz gasped whilst blushing and tapping her fingers together nervously. "Um ... yes that is where I came from."
"So you'd know who this Warlord is then right?"
At the mention of the word Warlord Elizabeth's gaze hardened and she seemed to overcome any kind of embarrassment to look right at him.
"Why do you want to know about him?"
"Because he's going around wiping out towns and converting their people into these abominations, I can't let that continue."
"I know you are strong Natsu, one of the strongest ever, but that place poses a threat even to you."
Natsu was genuinely surprised at this new piece of information since most Servants seemed to know his general history and power levels throughout it he assumed Elizabeth would have told him the information directly not warn him away.
"Is that right? And just why would that be the case Liz?"
"Aside from the Warlord himself there are several powerful Servants there, much more powerful than me. Also there is the grand monster created by the Warlord that is able to be activated at a moment's notice ... oh and the living legend's corpse in the graveyard-!"
"Liz I need to know what we're going to be walking into here," Natsu said as he took the girl's hand eliciting a surprised gasp. "If you know me then you know I'm gonna find my way into this mess one way or another so how about helping me out?"
"W-well I suppose I could ..."
"We'll free you from here and take you with us if you do."
"Well I already sent someone off to get the key from the Skeleton Lord though he's probably dead by now-."
Before Elizabeth could finish the door was thrown open as Usopp, Nami and Chopper barrelled their way through startling the three occupants of the room. Slamming the door shut Usopp spun around clutching a key in his hand all the while gaping at seeing Natsu inside the cage.
"Wh-what the hell!?"
"Hey."
"DON'T JUST 'HEY' ME YOU BASTARD WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IN THERE!?"
"Investigating the place and helping rescue Abby's friend here," Natsu replied with a grin. "You?"
"Uh ..."
"I knew you'd do something productive whilst you were gone Usopp, and boy how heroic-."
"SHUT UP," Usopp snapped as he opened the door to the cage. "There you go Miss I freed you and I guess you met up with Natsu now so ..."
"Yeah this is great and all but can we get a little help over here," Nami growled as a massive fist smashed through the wall next to the door as the massive beast chasing the trio forced its way into the room.
"Alright guess it's time to get everyone out of here," Natsu sighed as he prepared to incinerate the beast only for Elizabeth to shoot past him, summoning a massive lance in the process.
With one swift strike she sliced the beast apart from its torso region before twirling her lance around and eviscerating its upper half spraying blood across the room as if it were a blender.
"Well then ..."
"Damn," Elizabeth sighed. "I REALLY needed to do that to something ..."
"I feel like I should be regretting unlocking that door now," Usopp muttered to himself before the entire building began to shake violently once again.
"Well that feels like Mordred getting serious so it's time for us to leave," Natsu said whilst opening a portal. "Where are Luffy, Zoro and Sanji?"
"Those three? Probably off causing trouble somewhere no doubt," Nami sighed. "We'll wait for you back at the ship Natsu."
"Yes yes, the ship! You there, roughish girl, I demand you show me to my new permanent residence aboard this ship of yours!"
"Wait what do you mean?"
"Well naturally I'll be staying wherever ..."
Liz's eyes wandered over to Natsu's form prompting the Navigator to audibly groan in annoyance.
"Is there anyone of the female gender aside from myself who ISN'T head over heels for him!?"
"I don't know how you see it Nami but having someone like her lusting after you seems more like a curse than a blessing," Usopp whispered only to get wacked over the head by Liz's lance.
"HOW DARE YOU-!"
"All of you get going before I decide to make you walk," Natsu snapped, effectively silencing the group who quickly darted through leaving Natsu and Abby alone. "Alright then judging by the last remaining life signs we need to go ..."
Placing a hand onto Abby's shoulder the pair appeared in a completely trashed throne room where Mordred was currently decapitating the Skeleton Lord prompting Natsu to instinctively cover Abby's eyes.
"Oh hey Natsu, look what I just killed," Mordred grinned as she picked up the severed skull of the Skeleton Lord.
"DAMN IT WE MISSED OUT ON ALL THE FUN!"
"Judging by how trashed this place is and that Mordred has some wounds I'd say that's probably a good thing," Sanji replied shaking his head. "At least we got to take out a whole heap of those massive beast things."
"Fools," the Skeleton Lord hissed prompting Mordred to almost drop the skull in surprise. "My defeat has only sealed your end and roused my Lord's curiosity for he would now-!"
The Skeleton Lord suddenly opened its mouth as a massive black substance emerged from it, quickly forming into a strange pitch black humanoid entity with rather strange bodily proportions. A long neck with two small horns on its head, a rather portly midsection with thin legs and glowing white eyes which shot open to stare right at the assembled group.
"Kishishishishi! Well now, it appears my dumping ground has found a few uninvited guests ..."
/?/
The sound of howling could be heard in the distance as the real form of the strange black figure rose from his couch and walked toward the window of his castle, glass of aged wine in hand, as he surveyed the gathered group before him with a sadistic grin.
"To think those who would so easily declare war against the World Government would come crawling toward my domain so carelessly, perhaps fate has indeed smiled upon me this day? Kishishishi!"
"What are you?"
"Ho? Is that the voice of the man who has sent the Marines into an uproar, Natsu Dragneel? Ah yes you do look just like the Wanted Poster ... and look the famous protégé of yours Monkey D Luffy ..."
"Oi I'm not any kind of protegay I'm gonna be King of the Pir-!"
"He meant student you idiot!"
"Huh?"
"I feel anger that you have slain my Warden Skeleton Lord however perhaps his loss can indeed be salvaged for you all possess such fine ... materials for me to use in my experiment to create the ultimate undead legion, unsurpassed by any other! Especially you two," the figure grinned as he pointed to Natsu and Luffy. "The two of you possess drive and power rarely seen this half of the Grand Line!"
"I don't know who you think you are but don't think we're easy prey, my Servant eliminated your Skeleton Lord with ease," Natsu replied as the figure turned to face Natsu directly. "You'll pay for the atrocities you've committed here!"
"Kishishishi! Oh really, and how might I ask do you plan on accomplishing that!?"
"You think you're safe but we've got the Servant you were holding here," Natsu replied silkily prompting the figure's smirk to lessen slightly. "That's right she'll lead us right to you, regret discarding her like trash now?"
"Ridding my ship of that disgusting voice was well worth it, even if it means my location is to be leaked! Fortunately I have more than ample time to prepare for your approach Dragneel, yes even you I know how to combat."
"I highly doubt that."
"Oh but you see I already have several residents here upon my ship who would simply love to reunite with you, one in particular has been rather vocal about how powerful you truly are and I must say I find myself desiring your arrival all the more!"
"You would be the first to desire my arrival, most try and flee the moment they discover it."
"Kishishishi! Fortunately for me I've faced horrors just as tumultuous as you in the New World, your threats mean nothing!"
"Don't worry because we'll be there soon enough and you'll be brought to justice for what you've done to the people of Ardorton and all the others you've senselessly slaughtered for your own greed."
"Kishishi! Spoken like a true Marine," the figure said as he turned away to face another figure who was currently sprawled out across another couch in the room, grinning ear to ear at the conversation. "Here me Straw Hat Pirates, come find me in the centre of the Florian Triangle and learn the meaning of true fear! KISHISHISHI!"
Severing the connection to the former Skeleton Lord the figure returned to his seat and refilled his glass of wine before looking over at his current companion.
"I suppose this must make you all giddy inside to finally be able to face Dragneel?"
The figure started chuckling before suddenly bursting into uproarious laughter, his eyes flickering Crimson Red as he warped over to the windowsill seemingly eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Straw Hats.
"From the moment I had met him on the Triumvirate I knew, I knew that one day we would be able to test our strength against one another ... how long I have awaited this day, Moria."
Ally Of The World Government
Warlord Of The Sea
Captain Of The Thriller Bark Pirates
Gecko Moria
Bounty – 320,000,000 Berries
"Kishishishi! Alert the other Servants, rouse the Mysterious Four and prepare for the arrival of the Straw Hats! Tonight we shall recreate Tartaros itself upon Thriller Bark, make sure no expense is spared ..."
"As you command Master," the Servant replied before phasing through the windowsill with only the sounds of maniacal laughter as any trace of his being present.
Tales From The Tale Verse
Pride Seeks The Ultimate Challenge V
The Ultimate Punishment
"Finally awake are you?"
Escanor opened his eyes in an almost casual manner and sat up to look at Feitan who seemed almost far too calm about their current predicament. Seemingly sensing Escanor's confusion Feitan sighed and shook his head before speaking.
"You honestly didn't think we were just gonna get off scot free did you, we damaged the realm of the High Arbiter. To the Gods and Devils that guy is like their poster child or something along those lines so keeping his realm in order in exchange for free travel is something they prioritize above almost all else."
"Even so you are far too calm about being tossed so easily through a portal into an entirely unknown world. Does the thought of being treated like nothing more than a mere insect not bother you in the slightest?"
"Man it's no wonder Meliodas got the title of Devil over you," Feitan sighed prompting Escanor to raise an eyebrow in response. "Sure he's retarded and annoying as hell most of the time but even he knows to follow the rules laid down by the big guns."
"So then why would you challenge me knowing full well you'd also be punished?"
"Because honestly that axe of yours is worth a fortune and I was gonna try stealing it and flipping it back in my world," Feitan replied dismissively. "High risk high reward kind of deal, you know what I mean?"
"I suppose so," Escanor replied before looking around at the strange place they had ended up. "This place feels rather strange don't you think?"
"You mean you haven't felt it yet?"
"Felt what?"
"Man ... you're just so slow," Feitan sighed. "There is a Divine Law upon this reality, one that seems to prevent conflict."
"WHAT!?"
"I'm not sure how or why such a thing has been done however I do know that should we attempt to fight anyone in any way, shape or form we could very well forfeit our lives."
"Yup, well said stranger!"
Both Escanor and Feitan's eyes shot up to find a strange kid floating above them with a rather annoying grin plastered onto his face.
"Who are you supposed to be boy," Escanor asked prompting the kid to laugh in response.
"Who me? I'm God!"
"You mean you're 'A' God?"
"Well if you reeeeaaaallly wanna get technical with it then yes I'm just 'A' God, but I'm 'THE' God of this reality! Oh and I might look like a kid but trust me I'm way older than you!"
"Look just cut to the chase what do you want," Feitan said clearly not interested in the mindless banter between the pair.
"Well you see word just came in that the two of you are here to retrieve something from my world, something real important to those stuffy Gods up in Equilibrius. Basically the problem all those guys have is they don't know how to not solve things without beating them up, y'know?"
"..."
"Look it's like this," the God sighed as he summoned a single King Chess Piece into his hand. "In most worlds people fight, people die and life constantly suffers unfairly. In this world I've used my power to change that and so nothing, regardless of how powerful it may be, can fight here!"
"You mean you've somehow managed to abolish conflict entirely?"
"Not entirely because people will always clash over things, instead I decided I'd break things up into ... well games!"
"..."
"..."
"Haha, you guys looks so mad! Anyway I know exactly what it is you guys are after but unfortunately for you someone in this world already has it so you'll have to beat them in a game if you wanna get it back!"
"You do realize who sent us and why they sent us right," Feitan asked hoping to avoid the dreadful task of playing games.
"Oh I know full well but I'm not gonna break my own rules just for you guys, Universal Constants and all that!"
"So you mean to tell me that we can't fight ... at all," Escanor asked slowly prompting the God to nod.
"Aww no need to look so down Goldie you've just gotta let loose and live a little! I'm sure you guys will have a great time here in this reality and hey to be extra nice I'll even point you guys in the right direction!"
The pair followed the general direction being indicated and noticed a massive King Chess Piece sticking out across the landscape before turning back toward the God who seemed even more cheerful than before.
"I can't wait to see how you two do in my world but for now I've gotta get going, whole reality to manage and all that! See ya!"
And like that the God was gone leaving the pair alone once more with Escanor seemingly frozen in place.
"Oi, what's up with you?"
"I ..."
"Yeah I know it's a long ass walk but we might as well get this over with-."
"N-no it's not that it's just that I-I don't know what to do ...?"
"Huh?"
"I am the Lion's Sin of Pride, my power is all I've ever known so to be forced to go without it entirely after so long I-!?"
"Don't bother thinking too hard about it," Feitan replied casually prompting Escanor to snap his full attention toward the thief. "Just look at it as a learning opportunity, like you're trying something new?"
"..."
"Let's get to that massive Chess Piece and go from there, sitting around thinking about this mess will only make both our heads hurt."
Motioning for Escanor to follow the pair silently began their trek toward the King Chess Piece with neither certain about what would come their way in this strange, unique world.
Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!