Hi guys Azza here!
Ok so apologies for taking so long, work has been rough and likely still will be sadly and I haven't really had much time to write properly.
That being said, I know a lot of you are probably wondering what the update to Volume I was, I've gotten quite a few PM's about it so I'm going to address it here.
Basically, I deleted the Character Info And Q and A Chapters and that counts as an update. I was never really happy having them in there since it didn't look good so I finally got rid of them.
This coincides with the latest round of edited Chapters Volume I is getting. I've completed Chapters 10-15 and I'm currently editing and cleaning up the Tower Of Heaven Arcs, Chapters 16-17 which will be posted at some point.
Anyway, figured I'd mention that since a lot of people kept asking me about it!
No reviews since I answered all the ones I could in PM's so on with the story!
I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse.
Revelation Of Latent Talent
/Marineford – Execution Plaza/
"Alright Tim, let's hear it."
The Time Primordial shook his head at the tone of the Hybrid before him. He knew that he was currently a little occupied, but some politeness would be much appreciated.
"I believe it is customary to say something to the effect of 'Hello' when encountering someone, be they familiar or otherwise, is it not? Or, perhaps, I am not worthy for such a simple courtesy?"
"Tim," Natsu sighed as he massaged his temples in what appeared to be frustration. "I know that you are aware of what I'm currently dealing with, you're literally Lord Time!"
"I am aware, hence why I have decided to appear before you," the Time Primordial replied bluntly prompting Natsu to blink several times in clear confusion.
"Huh?"
"First off, since introductions are clearly no longer your forte," Tim sighed as he closed the distance between them instantly and was now right up in Natsu's personal space. "Well done on restraining yourself from the use of Anti, you've gotten better at finding other solutions!"
Natsu frowned as the Time Primordial patted his head like he was some sort of amusing pet that had performed an amazing trick for the first time. He would protest, but this was a Primordial and thus was not to be denied.
"However, your emotional state has deteriorated," Tim continued as the petting suddenly turned into the Primordial whacking him over the head with a newspaper. "Do you have any idea what you've done since Sabaody you stupid … stupid-!"
"I didn't kill them until after they'd played their fixed-point roles, what more do you want," Natsu asked in confusion, seemingly unaffected by the constant smacking of the newspaper.
"That isn't the point and you know it you foolish fledgling … fool!"
"You don't insult people much, do you?"
"Don't try changing the topic on me, this is serious," Tim snapped as the paper quadrupled in size and crushed Natsu into the ground. "I was willing to overlook the Sabaody situation as a one off but then you started messing with other things like Impel Down!"
"Impel Down wasn't vital," came the muffled reply as the newspaper popped out of existence to show Natsu flat as a pancake. "Destroying it had no effect-."
"THE PEOPLE IN IT WERE FIXED YOU IDIOT, LOOK AT ME," Tim shouted as he rolled up his sleeves to show his veins were now black. "I'M SICK NOW BECAUSE OF YOU! AGAIN!"
"Wait … what?"
"This is what I warned you about when you tried to kill Nagato Uzumaki," Tim sighed as he peeled the flattened Natsu off the ground and blew into his foot, returning him to normal. "You still aren't examining the greater picture, the flow on effects and the outliers."
"But that's impossible," Natsu muttered as he narrowed his eyes, thinking back to the prison break. "Magellan was fixed up until we escaped, the group that I got out were all fixed because they had to be here so …"
"There were more in that prison that had fixed points, like Blackbeard for example," Tim said as he watched Natsu go white as a sheet. "Forget that one was in the prison at the time?"
"Shit …"
"Fortunately for you, I'm a Primordial and thus fully capable of fixing your screwups, even if doing so makes me ill," Tim snarled as he grabbed Natsu by the shirt and dragged him closer. "Unfortunately, thanks to what you've done, Time was rewritten in order to avoid a Paradox. Care to take a guess what that means, hero?"
"…"
"Oh yes, things are going to be getting spicy for you now and I'll be kicking back and watching all the fun," Tim spat as he was now practically nose to nose with Natsu. "Now, I know you can sense several fixed points coming up during this war and I'm only going to warn you once. If you so much as trip in their direction in an attempt to interfere, I'll slice open your tattered timestream and play hackysack with it! Are we clear!?"
Natsu could only nod swiftly as the Primordial let him go and he fell to the ground, shaken at how he literally felt dead after just being yelled at. After several moments, the Time Primordial seemed to compose himself and looked back at Natsu with a neutral expression.
"I really want to help you Natsu, truly I do, but I can't if you're going to keep going against Time," Tim sighed as he squatted down and gently stroked the top of his head. "You're hurting me Natsu, do you hate me?"
"N-no, of course not-!"
"Then why are you so thoughtless when it comes to how your actions will affect time? Why can you not just let my fixed points happen and leave it at that?"
"I-I'm sorry Tim, I honestly didn't realize that destroying Impel Down would do this!"
"I know that on a base level your instincts drove you to doing it and that is one of the few reasons why I haven't hurt you yet," Tim replied gently as he rose back to his full height. "You must understand that as the Lord Time it is my duty to ensure I continue to function as Lady Fate has woven the streams. If you continue to damage me, eventually she will take notice and she may decide to simply get rid of you."
"Wait … seriously?"
"You don't want to not exist anymore, right," Tim asked as Natsu slowly shook his head. "I thought not. If that's the case then you need to use that brilliant mind better, for all our sakes."
Tim sighed and suddenly Natsu found himself back on his feet with the Time Primordial walking away toward the Execution Platform. Looking over his shoulder, Tim motioned for him to look over at where the frozen Ace was.
"I'm warning you now Natsu, don't interfere with what is to come," Tim said darkly as everything started to flicker. "If you do, there won't be a single entity capable of saving you from the consequences. Should you manage to use your head for once and survive this war, we shall speak again, preferably under better circumstances."
And with that, there was a flash and suddenly Natsu was back in the thick of the battle. Looking around, it was like things had just continued around him as World Government and Allied Forces smashed into each other with reckless abandon.
He was suddenly snapped from his stupor as a sword ran him through, a startled Marine seemingly not believing he'd managed to pull off the feat as he let go of his blade and stumbled backward in shock.
"I did it … I actually got him!"
The Allied Forces seemed shocked to see Natsu just standing there like he was having some sort of episode, however none believed for even a second that the sword was the cause. It was clear that whatever he'd done to Makarov must have been to blame and therefore they moved to help him until he'd recovered.
"Oi, get your act together Natsu," Mordred roared over the cacophony around them as she seemed to emerge from the centre of an explosion. "The hell are you letting scrubs land blows like that on you for!?"
Mordred dashed over to him and yanked the blade out, her Master not even reacting to it as she spun around and blocked a powerful vertical slash from General Saber. Sneering at the masked man, her entire body started to glow a golden colour as she aimed her left palm directly at him.
"I've got more important things to do than fight you, fuck off!"
Saber didn't verbally respond, instead simply raising the flat of his blade out protectively before him as a powerful lance of golden light shot out of Mordred's palm. The attack smashed into Saber's guard and sent him skidding across the battlefield, ripping up the earth as he struggled to maintain the block.
"Natsu," Mordred snapped as she tossed the flimsy Marine sword aside and shook his shoulder. "NATSU!"
Instead of responding to Mordred, Natsu spun around and held out his right hand, the Marine that ran him through letting loose an ear-piercing shriek as he was suddenly flung toward the powerful man.
The man's neck was firmly within Natsu's grasp, a still somewhat lost look in his eyes as he contemplated what Tim had just said to him. To Mordred, it looked as if her Master was on autopilot as he started applying pressure to the Marine who struck Natsu's arms in an attempt to free himself.
"Hey, you alright," Mordred asked in a softer tone as she gently placed a hand on his shoulder, finally seeing a flicker of something in his eyes. "I know taking out Makarov must have been hard, but-?"
"It wasn't that," Natsu whispered as his fingers started digging into the man's oesophagus, a fearful gurgling sound being the result of his efforts. "Tim …"
Mordred immediately realized what had Natsu so out of sorts, the name of the Time Primordial being one etched into her memory from an encounter long ago. Looking back toward he Marine, Natsu was now holding his lifeless body by the scraps of skin his fingers hadn't torn out, though he clearly hadn't noticed it as he continued to stare off into the distance.
"We need to support Luffy," Natsu murmured as he started looking around for the young Straw Hat Captain. "Where is he?"
"What did Tim say to you Natsu," Mordred asked gently, easily sidestepping the body of the dead Marine Natsu tossed aside like garbage as he marched right into the thick of the battle. "Oi, Natsu!?"
"Fufufu. A rather wonderful display if I do say so myself, though I'm sure you need no praise," a sinister voice laughed as Doflamingo landed atop a nearby pile of rubble.
"What do you want?"
"Oh my, how cold," Doflamingo smirked cruelly as he held up his right hand and started moving his fingers in an odd manner. "And here I thought perhaps we could be friends?"
"That isn't going to happen, not if what I've heard about you is true," Natsu replied as his eyes looked beyond Doflamingo and toward the Execution Platform itself, noticing that the two executioners had reached the top. "I don't have the time to deal with you right now, out of the way."
"Fufufufufu! I'm afraid I can't do that Dragneel, I'm a Warlord you see," Doflamingo replied as dozens of troops started rushing Natsu and Mordred's position, seemingly in shock. "If I don't at the very least 'attempt' to impede your progress then my comfy position might be at stake!"
As the troops charged in, Natsu didn't even bother looking at them, even as he set fire to the surrounding area. Over thirty were reduced to cinders in seconds as Natsu stepped up to the Warlord whose eyes remained hidden behind his crimson shades.
"An impressive display …"
"You'll be next if you don't get out of the way."
"Hehehehahahahaha! Funny, but I don't see that happening."
Doflamingo twitched his thumb and middle finger and, to the shock of Mordred and the surrounding Allied Forces, Natsu's head was severed from the rest of his body. Doflamingo smirked as he watched tendrils shoot out of Natsu's neck toward his body, reattaching it within mere moments, already knowing full well Natsu would've done something like that in response.
"I'll admit, your abilities are rather interesting," Natsu said as he took another step toward Doflamingo, now standing nose to nose with the man who surprisingly matched his height. "But I'm not going to just let Ace or my little charge die because you want to start a fight you won't be able to finish."
"That arrogance will cost you one day," Doflamingo chuckled as Natsu stepped past him, continuing on toward the Execution Plaza. "I've seen plenty of monsters just like you in the New World! From the Nine Pirate Lords to the Four Emperors, you aren't the only one capable of being so intimidating!"
"Thanks for the warning, but you should send it to them instead," Natsu replied coolly as he looked to his right to see Saber General charging toward them once more. "Mordred?"
"Yeah?"
"Eliminate that trash, I don't want the World Government possessing a competent Servant among their officers," Natsu said coldly. "I'm off to save Ace."
"Right," Mordred nodded as she dashed to his right and blocked another strike from Saber General. "Ah, my Master is off limits to the likes of you!"
"Such arrogance from an untried and untested King," Saber General replied in a rather deep and well-spoken voice. "You managed to cheat death once thanks to a timely intervention, such a chance will not occur a second time."
"Life is built upon second chances, you should know that better than anyone," Mordred smirked in response as she pushed Saber back and charged another powerful spear of light in her free hand. "I'll give you credit though; you became something far beyond what my old self could've handled. Such strength is wasted in the hands of the World Government."
Saber readjusted his blade and prepared to fight Mordred once more, their forms being lost amidst the tens of thousands of other combatants all vying for the blood of their enemies.
/Marineford – Execution Platform/
"Seems Dragneel was only momentarily delayed by Makarov," Sengoku sniffed as he watched the man march through their forces like a knife cuts through butter. "Perhaps Tiberius was wrong?"
"No, he wasn't wrong," Rider replied sternly as he clenched his fists. "By all accounts, that should have worked."
"That aside, its time to begin the execution," Sengoku said as he nodded to the pair of executioners standing before them. "You both know what to do?"
"Of course Sir!"
"Make it quick," Rider huffed as his eyes narrowed. "Something doesn't feel right …"
"You're just jumpy because they made it into the bay," Archer replied easily as he addressed the two executioners. "But probably for the best if you're quick, for the sake of morale and all."
The two executioners nodded and took up positions on either side of Ace who barely even registered their presence. Instead, the young man's eyes were glued onto Luffy as he fought his way closer toward the platform.
He knew that the barrier would impede his progress eventually, none of the Allied Forces had managed to reach its position yet nor did they seem to have a measure of breaking through it. He watched as Luffy mowed down another group of troops before seeing two blades obscure his vision.
"So, its time then," Ace sighed as he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "Fine …"
/Marineford – Execution Plaza/
Luffy was frantically trying to charge ahead, the sight of the two executioners now being on the platform forming a sinking feeling in his gut. He knew that if he didn't act soon, Ace would be killed.
"Luffy, you need to calm yourself," Jimbei cried from behind him only to be cut off by dozens of Marines. "Luffy!"
The Straw Hat Captain barely even registered the former Warlord's pleas, his fists flying into the bodies of anyone standing in his way. He could see blades now blocking Ace's face and knew that this was it.
"ACE," Luffy roared as he frantically looked around. "ACE, I'M COMING TO SAVE-!"
Luffy was cut off as he received a kick to the head that sent him skidding off to the right, kicking up dirt as he went. Righting himself, he flipped back up onto his feet and noticed a familiar figure before him.
"Damn, I don't have time for you," Luffy snapped as the familiar man lit a second cigar.
High Ranking Officer Of The Marines
Smoke Smoke Fruit User
The White Hunter
Commodore Smoker
"I'm not letting you slip away from me this time Straw Hat," Smoker growled as he pulled his signature Jutte out of the holster on his back and pointed it at him. "Your absurd crusade against the World Government ends here!"
"Get the hell out of my way Smokey," Luffy snapped in response. "Gear Second!"
His skin turning a shade of red, Luffy vanished in a burst of steam and shot off toward the direction of the Execution Platform and Ace, Smoker in hot pursuit. The Commodore's lower body turned into smoke as he shot into the air in order to better pursue his target.
"It's no use Straw Hat," Smoker shouted as he fired multiple smoke-like fists at the Straw Hat Captain as his other arm with the Jutte inched closer and closer. "You can't run from me this time!"
"He doesn't need to."
"What-!?"
Smoker was suddenly kicked hard in the side, his smoke-like hand that held the Jutte vanishing as his entire form was blasted off into some nearby rubble. The Commodore almost immediately recovered and was about to get up and confront his new attacker when the end of his own Jutte was jabbed into his neck, pinning him in place as the Sea-Stone tip drained him of power.
"D-damn you," Smoker hissed as Natsu loomed over him with the same cold gaze he'd been sporting since taking out Makarov. "DRAGNEEL!"
"It's been a while, Captain Smoker."
"Commodore," the Marine bit back, eliciting the briefest of smiles from the man.
"I see, though you don't look pleased about that."
"Kill me or piss off!"
"I won't have you messing with Luffy," Natsu replied calmly as he applied more pressure to Smoker's neck, making the man wince in turn. "He's not ready for you Logia Users quite yet."
Smoker could only narrow his eyes at Natsu's words before looking behind the man to see his target continue to sprint away. It was then that he noticed another figure was after the boy, eliciting a smirk in turn.
"You were a fool to bring him here," Smoker growled as he gripped the end of his Jutte. "You can't keep him safe from everyone here!"
"I don't need to," was the immediate reply as Smoker watched the boy behind Dragneel.
Luffy himself was inching closer when all of a sudden, ice shards were flung in his direction, delivering several nasty cuts and tripping him up in the process.
"You couldn't even dodge that, how pitiful," came the voice of Aokiji as he formed himself out of the ground. "Though you've done well to get here, I'm not just going to let you reach Ace."
"Damn, an Admiral!"
"You've really caused quite a lot of headaches since Enies Lobby, time to put them to rest," Aokiji said as he summoned a sword made from ice and rushed the boy. Luffy went to run but suddenly found himself pushed out of the way by someone else.
"Huh-!?"
Aokiji skidded to a stop, ice blade held defensively at his side as he analysed the newcomer to the battle. He knew exactly who this was, this was Whitebeard's personal Servant.
"Caster," Aokiji grumbled as he rose back to his full height. "Would you mind moving out of the way for a moment?"
"I'm afraid I cannot comply with such a request Admiral for you see I just so happened to be nearby and felt it necessary to intervene," the old man replied cheekily. "I don't think I can let you harm the boy you see, he's rather special it seems."
"Huh?"
"Or so my Master believes," Caster continued as his face became much more serious. "Either way, I shall be your opponent!"
Caster brought his hands together into a prayer position before suddenly clenching them into fists. Sliding his right leg backward, he thrust his left fist forward as a monstrous blast of fire was unleashed right in Aokiji's direction.
"Uh-oh," the Admiral shouted as he waved his right hand, summoning a blizzard to counter the attack.
"HA," Caster cried as he ceased the attack whilst spinning around on the spot and rearing back his right fist before thrusting it forward to release a massive fireball. "Let us see if your title of Admiral is well earned!"
Many of the nearby World Government forces were completely shocked to see Aokiji struggling to form a solid defence against Caster, summoning ice defences that were blown away by massive fireballs as the Caster pushed him away from Luffy.
"Go on boy, run," Caster snapped as he suddenly leapt into the air, bringing both palms together before separating them to form a solid sphere of flame. "Take this!"
Luffy shook his head after watching the old man fire a blast of fire on par with one of Natsu's breath attacks at Aokiji, thankful that he was aiding him. Turning back toward the execution platform, he noticed that the executioners were now moving to carry out their orders, their blades raised high into the air.
"No … NO!"
Luffy started frantically running forward, taking hits from nearby foes with reckless abandon as many of the other members of the Allied Forces noticed what was happening. Whitebeard himself noticed and clenched his right fist, his Quake Quake power forming around his fist.
"You think I'll let this happen," Whitebeard roared as he went to crack the air only to suddenly drop to one knee and clutch his chest. "Ugh-!"
"How pathetic," Akainu sneered across from his foe. "Suffering a heart attack in the middle of battle, how the mighty have fallen."
Whitebeard ignored the magma brat, his gaze solely focused on the blades slowly coming down toward Ace's neck. He went to stand, but stumbled onto his knees instead as his body desperately tried to hold itself together after the heart attack he'd just suffered.
Luffy's eyes were beyond frantic as he looked all around the battlefield, hoping that there would be someone that could swoop in and save Ace. Natsu was preoccupied, so was Mordred and Whitebeard and the other Servants were too far away.
This was it; he was still so far away and his Brother was now inches away from death. Taking another blow to the face he desperately cried out.
"Stop it …"
No one heard him, his pleas silenced by a massive explosion of light going off behind him as Mordred and Saber General's battle ramped up in intensity.
"Stop it!"
Again, his voice was silenced as a barrage of cannon fire peppered the area, courtesy of the Allied Fleet.
The blades were right there, Time seemed to slow down for Luffy as he looked into Ace's resigned gaze. His Brother smiled at him, and something snapped.
"I said … STOOOOOOOOP!"
Roaring at the top of his lungs, his cry was heard this time by many of the people around him, however that wasn't what brought most of the battlefield to a screeching halt.
As he let out a cry of desperation, thousands started dropping around him. Marines, Soldiers, members of the Whitebeard Pirates and even members of Eden on the lower end of rank. None were exempt from a powerful wave that washed over the entire area as all eyes turned toward the Straw Hat Captain.
"No way," one of Whitebeard's allies muttered as several of his men dropped around him. "Is that what I think it was?"
"That boy," Gawain muttered as he took the moment to breathe. "My King-?"
"I know," Artoria muttered quietly as she placed her full focus onto the young teen. "It appears that the boy possesses it."
"Is it any surprise," Caesar replied with a faint smile. "He is being trained by Dragneel, is he not?"
"HA! I would expect nothing less from one under the guidance of the King Of Balance," Iskandar's voice boomed across the battlefield. "Very well done!"
"That brat," Whitebeard muttered as he looked up at the Execution Platform, noticing that both executioners had been knocked out by the attack. "Heh."
Luffy meanwhile, opened his eyes and continued charging forward once more as the stunned forces seemed to slowly reboot themselves. The upper ranking World Government forces were the first to get it together as they started rallying their troops.
"All of you get it together, do not face the boy if your will isn't strong," a Vice Admiral shouted as Ivankov sprinted up to join Luffy.
"Oi, Straw Hat boy," Ivankov panted. "That power just now, that was-!"
Ivankov paused and looked back at Luffy who didn't really seem to be paying attention to what he was saying. He then realized what had happened and nodded knowingly.
"Straw Hat boy, we've got to hurry!"
"I know," was the sharp reply as the two charged through the still disorganized ranks.
Natsu meanwhile was standing over Smoker, his gaze planted on Luffy's retreating figure with a grim smile in place. Looking back down to Smoker, he noticed the Commodore's face was ashen.
"I figured he'd have the potential," Natsu muttered as he released the Marine. "Here, I've got better things to do than bully you Smoker."
The man didn't even respond as Natsu vanished and reappeared a considerable distance away, right next to Iskandar who was hanging back watching the battle unfold.
"What are your thoughts?"
"Why do you ask for mine specifically?"
"I think its pretty obvious," Natsu replied bluntly which earned him a smack on the back in response.
"HA! It is true that I am the King Of Conquerors," Iskandar replied as he looked toward Luffy once again. "Even before this display, I could feel his potential. The boy has all the makings of a King."
"And?"
"And nothing. I am not some sort of seer, I can only feel the potential, it is up to the boy to extract it," the King replied as several large explosions went off before them. "Caesar, are you ready to take over?"
Natsu turned around to see the newly arrived Servant nod along with the rather beautiful woman next to him. Both exuded an air of complete confidence as they walked and clearly, they were both great examples of Kings.
"Our forces are ready to commence the attack as soon as the word is given," Caesar replied with a small smirk forming. "Tired of being the one overseeing things?"
"Naturally."
"Well then, your wait appears to be over my friend," Caesar laughed as Iskandar grinned like it was his birthday. "The time to make the final push is now."
"Good, I was tired of seeing Leonidas, Artoria, Dragneel and Mordred getting all the action," the King Of Conquerors grinned as he held out his right hand. "The time of Conquest is nigh!"
Powerful purple sparks shot from Iskandar's hand as a sword manifested itself. Gripping the blade, he shot a grin toward Natsu and pointed it toward Ace's position.
"Now, the only thing we need to do is get rid of that barrier and we shall claim victory!"
"I should be able to crack it with a powerful strike of my Crash Magic but based on how it felt I'll need to use it at its absolute maximum," Natsu said as everyone looked toward the space where the barrier was. "I'll need support since I'll be immobile whilst charging this."
"Consider it done," Caesar replied sharply as he held up his right arm to reveal a small Transponder Snail. "This is Caesar, release the beasts upon the left flank and have my darling Cleopatra's Anubis warriors support Artoria's Phalanx."
"By your command, my Praetor," a loud voice responded from the other end as the roar of the cannons on the flagships signalled yet another barrage of covering fire.
"Alright then, the time to dig in and prepare has come," Caesar continued as he looked toward Iskandar. "The gunfire will tear the troops to shreds before too long, we need trenches dug immediately."
"Ah, I know exactly what you mean," Iskandar grinned as purple lightning surged from his form. "Say no more, our friends shall have the cover they require to gain a fortifiable position!"
Natsu watched as Iskandar vanished with an astonishing burst of speed. Despite his burly size, the King Of Conquerors was as fast as himself or Seilah and this was without the support of a Master.
"All right, I'll begin charging my strike," Natsu said as he clenched his right fist and entered an offensive stance, power exploding from his form which drew the attention of many high-ranking World Government troops in their direction. "Three minutes is all I'll need to crack it!"
Over with Tiberius and his squad, the Demon God was gritting his teeth in frustration. He knew full well that if Natsu managed to fully charge his attack then he'd punch through, that was something he was always renowned for.
Being a royal pain in the ass.
"Caster! Are you certain your barrier will hold against him," Tiberius snapped as the veiled Caster simply shrugged in reply. "CASTER!"
"I won't give you false hope, nor will I underestimate Natsu," Caster replied calmly. "My ability in Magecraft is rivalled only by that blasted fool Merlin, but I cannot say for certain that as I am currently, my barrier skills will be sufficient. Or perhaps, Tiberius, the Enies Lobby barriers failing wasn't enough of an example?"
"There is little use pestering Caster on subjects you already know, Tiberius," Grand Avenger said as all eyes turned toward him. "Will Natsu break through or will he fail? Regardless of the outcome, they will inevitably reach this place."
"Not if I have you stop them," Tiberius smirked as Grand Avenger shot a smirk back in reply.
"You could, but I wouldn't recommend it," the Grand Servant replied as he looked over toward the two Servants flanking him. "Brother Alexander, Brother Assassin …"
"You wish for us to delay Dragneel," Assassin asked as he looked over toward Natsu's position.
"No. Stick to the plan we discussed before the battle, do not deviate and we shall see great returns once this is all over."
"I see," Assassin hummed as he turned toward Alexander. "Are you prepared?"
"As prepared as one can be when facing down an army of heathens," Alexander Anderson replied as he summoned two blessed blades. "Do what you need to do Assassin, we're in this together now."
Assassin nodded and slowly faded away as Tiberius looked like he was frothing at the mouth in pure rage. Grand Avenger simply shot him an amused smirk before all their attention was drawn to another massive spike in power.
"It seems the Macedonian King is finally joining the battle," Grand Avenger hummed as they watched Iskandar land right into the centre of a group of World Government troops. "Let us see if the legends of his might are true?"
Shifting to Iskandar's position, the King was grinning away as dozens of troops pointed their weapons at him, quivering as they did so. They all knew of the power this man wielded, his bounty not even truly representative of his raw power.
"Its finally time for me to cut loose, I've been dying to get stuck into this fight," the mighty King roared as he coated his sword in purple lightning. "Just one last thing before I can let loose without restraint!"
With one swing of his blade, Iskandar released a massive blast of condensed lighting that disintegrated hundreds of troops around him. Without even looking at his own handiwork, Iskandar sprinted off toward the far-right hand side of the plaza before leaping up onto the destroyed walls of the ramparts.
"The time has come, let all my allies heed the words of Alexander," Rider's voice boomed as he raised his electrified sword high above his head. "From this moment forth, fight with all the courage your heart can muster! Fight with all the wit your mind can conjure! But, most importantly, fight with all the love you feel toward your fellow comrades and know that I shall be with you, for I am Iskandar, KING OF CONQUERORS!"
Launching himself off of the rampart wall, he performed a flip in mid-air as more lightning started to crackle in the air and ground below him. Everyone was shocked as a solid bolt of lightning shot horizontally out of the rampart wall behind him as the King let loose another mighty roar.
"Come to my aid my noble steed, BUCEPHALUS!"
The lightning transfigured itself into a horse that was at full gallop, each clap of its hooves upon the ground ripping apart the earth to form a hole in the ground deep enough for people to take cover in. As he rode Bucephalus past the Allied Forces, he held his blade high and roared.
"HOLD THE LINE MY FRIENDS, HOLD BACK THE WORLD GOVERNMENT WITH ALL THE MIGHT YOU CAN MUSTER!"
The Allied Forces roared in approval as they began taking cover in the massive trench line Iskandar had made for them. Almost immediately, the troops with guns opened fire on the World Government troops as they tried charging toward their position.
Artoria appeared at the front of the battle and pointed her blade at the trench line, barking out orders of her own as the Phalanx troops pushed up and quickly used their massive forms and shields to block enemy artillery fire.
"Anubis warriors, push up," Artoria barked out as hundreds of strange dog-like humanoids simply started flashing into existence around the Phalanx troops.
The Anubis warriors were armed with double blades swords which they used to full effect, spinning them around to block and return enemy gunfire as they hopped over the trench and started charging into the enemy lines.
"Natsu, how long until you're ready," Caesar asked as he looked toward Natsu who appeared to be concentrating, the air around him crackling with orange sparks.
"Soon …"
Looking back to the front, they all noticed Hawk Eye Mihawk had once again drawn his blade however this time he wasn't messing around. The World's Greatest Swordsman vanished in a burst of speed and tore through a dozen Anubis warriors, cleaving them apart as he simultaneously deflected gunfire from the trenches.
"HAWK EYE IS CHARGING," one of the officers shouted as Mihawk leapt into the air and prepared to unleash a massive aerial slash attack down upon them.
"I won't allow you to do that, Hawk Eye!"
Mihawk's entire position changed as he blocked a direct strike from Artoria, the pair landing just beyond the trench and cracking the earth from the force of the attack. The swordsman didn't even show a sign of reacting to Artoria's attack, instantly pushing her back before spinning around and clashing with her once again.
"Artoria Pendragon …"
To most, they saw the exchange of the first few brutal strikes before the pair vanished as aerial slash attacks of green and gold started flying out in all directions, ripping the area apart. It was at this moment Doflamingo leapt into the fray, laughing like a madman as he seemed to stand on the air high above the battle.
"HEHEHEHAHAHAHAHA! THIS IS EXACTLY HOW THINGS SHOULD BE," the Warlord roared with laughter as he aimed his right hand at the trench. "OVERHEAT!"
Doflamingo fired a condensed blast of what appeared to be fire mixed with something else directly at the right-hand side of the trench. The second it left his hand, the attack struck the ground and sliced through the Phalanx troops like butter as Doflamingo then moved the attack backward into their enemy lines.
Cackling madly, the Warlord ripped a giant hole into their line which then also sliced through the Rampart Wall behind them, splitting the sea and slicing apart several Eden ships. The forces of Eden were in complete shock, not having expected such a display of power from the Warlord as he seemed to teleport around to avoid their gunshots, the screams of the people on the ships being drowned out by those up on the front lines.
"Natsu, we need you to punch through now," Caesar growled as he watched Bartholomew Kuma begin charging another Ursus Shock. "We need space to advance!"
"I know, I'm ready," Natsu said as he held up his now bright orange fist. "This is a new technique, but it should work."
"It better, my entire battle plan hinges on getting that barrier down!"
"It will be alright my darling, Natsu never disappoints," Cleopatra sighed as she gently snaked an arm around the Roman's waist. "Go Natsu, we cannot hold our position for much longer."
"I know," Natsu said as he vanished and appeared atop the Rampart Walls, noticing that Leonidas and Ruler were STILL fighting. Ignoring that for the moment, he looked right at where his first punch had been targeted and nodded.
"Alright, here goes!"
Launching himself toward his intended strike point, he cocked his right fist back as the air itself seemed to crack and distort. Most of the World Government forces upon seeing him move started to panic however the Warlords, Admirals and Generals simply adopted a 'wait and see' approach.
"Let's see if it can withstand this," Natsu roared as he started throwing a punch at the air. "Hybrid's Aura: Crash Arts Secret Technique – Fragmentary Impact!"
His punch struck the barrier as the entire thing instantly cracked like glass, the sound of something shattering having most in Marineford covering their ears. However, to the shock of everyone, when the barrier finally did break, it left behind a black void instead of simply breaking the barrier itself.
Holding out his right hand, Natsu clenched it into a fist as the shattered pieces seemed to reform and the black void vanished. Slowly, he flew through the space where the barrier had once been and was pleased to see that the barrier was now gone.
"Alright, I did my part," Natsu roared toward Caesar who nodded in thanks. "Now get everyone moving!"
The Allied Forces roared in triumph as another hurdle was removed from their path, many of the forces exiting the trench and charging toward the overwhelmed World Government troops.
Tiberius looked like he was about to have a brain aneurysm as he grit and ground his teeth whilst shaking with white hot fury. Looking over toward Caster only mad him angrier at her small smile, and the smile on Grand Avenger made him want to start killing things.
Iskandar took up his place at the head of the newly formed advance, charging right into the enemy ranks upon his noble steed as the battle for Marineford raged on toward its final stage.
Ok guys, we're gonna be hitting the final stages of the war very soon and man its been a long one. So many things to keep track of! But we're getting there!
Anyway, hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!