I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse.
GRAND BATTLE – Natsu Versus Blackbeard
/Marineford – Elevated Half/
Chaos reigned supreme atop the elevated portion of Marineford as catastrophic shockwaves shook the entire floating island, blackish red sparks ripping through the ranks of World Government troops due to the clash between the two prospective Kings.
The three leaders of the assembled forces knew they were in serious trouble. Not only had Natsu made it difficult for them to rout and eliminate the fleeing enemy forces, the clash between himself and Blackbeard had knocked out over forty thousand troops, the power of Conquerors Haki being far more than even many veterans could bare.
"Sengoku," Rider roared as all three of them remained behind a particularly solid piece of cover. "We need to act quickly!"
"I know, I've already got a plan," Sengoku shouted back over the cacophony around them as he clenched his fist, a bright golden flash going off for the briefest of moments.
"This is a rather scary situation, I knew Dragneel was rather dangerous," the voice of Kizaru shouted as he appeared in a flash next to Sengoku.
"What's the plan now? Dragneel has cut most of us off from the Pirates and Eden Forces," the voice of Aokiji added as half a semi-frozen body emerged from a frozen puddle.
"I would think it rather simple Admiral," Rider sighed as he looked over toward the clash between Natsu and Blackbeard. "We simply wield Dragneel's stratagem against him."
"Divide and conquer," Archer Of The Rhine cut in gleefully as she flew in next to Kizaru. "Way ahead of you Sir!"
"I knew you would be Archer," Rider responded with a role of the eyes at the maniac gleam in her eyes. "Sengoku will likely be needed up here and although our beloved Air Marshall would be better suited leading the pursuit …"
"I know, I know," Erich said with a wave of his hand. "My forte is in hit and run tactics, not mainline combat. Not my fault my best Noble Phantasm is a gas guzzler!"
"Where did Saber end up," Esdeath asked as she joined the quick debrief. "Was he caught up in the confusion and killed?"
"No, he's likely already down below," Sengoku replied with a shake of his head. "He was in pursuit of the enemy before Natsu had raised this half of the island."
"Then we need to get moving and provide support," Archer said sharply as she flew upward slightly, tugging on Kizaru's arm. "Hurry up, we don't have all day for a slowpoke like you!"
"Slowpoke? I'm hurt Archer," Kizaru gasped as his body began to rapidly break down into light particles. "I prefer the term 'laid back' rather than slowpoke, if you don't mind!"
Archer cackled in response as she turned to look toward Rider who nodded back in her direction once. Raising an eyebrow in response, the fellow Servant rose to his full height.
"The time for holding back has passed us by, this entire war is on the verge of loss for us Archer. My place now is at the front line, doing what I must."
"You know, you're way cooler than my world's version of you," Archer replied, respect clearly evident as the stoic Servant cracked a small grin in response.
"Is that so? Perhaps you simply didn't get to know that version of me like the one that stands before you?"
"Heh, maybe," Archer grinned as she spun around and vanished in a burst of speed.
"For those of us who remain, we must formulate the best plan we can to deal with those two," Rider said, the grin fading as quickly as it had appeared as he returned to full war mode. "I think I know just where to start as well."
Rider, Sengoku and the other high-ranking officers began to plan some semblance of a counterattack to the sheer devastation being unleashed upon them. As they did, Natsu and Blackbeard continued to push against one another with the future King Of Balance inwardly shocked at what he was facing.
"ZEHAHAHAHAHAHA! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE ACTUALLY HOLDING YOUR OWN AGAINST THE POWER OF THE QUAKE QUAKE FRUIT," Blackbeard roared, his laughter drawing the ire of almost everyone present. "I MIGHT JUST HAVE TO STEP UP MY GAME!?"
"This power … it's intense," Natsu ground out inwardly as he felt the constant tremors running throughout his body. "Our attacks aren't even touching and yet I can feel the sheer magnitude of the Quake!"
"Something seems off about all this," Ahnk replied thoughtfully even as he helped Aava regulate and redirect the energy around Natsu's body. "How can he be skilled enough to clash with you using the Quake Quake Fruit when he only just got it?"
"Maybe he figured out a trick after seeing Whitebeard use it a lot," Aava replied only for Ahnk to shake his head swiftly. "Then what!?"
"I have theories …"
"Oi, Ahnk!? You're an expert on stuff like this, right!?"
Ahnk paused in his musings and moved his attention to Natsu's own sight, immediately gaping at the massive sphere of destructive energy that had formed between the two. It was packed to the brim with their combined Aura, spewing forth wave after wave of Conquerors Haki as it fired out dozens of blackish red sparks that set off massive explosions upon whatever they struck.
"You need to break off this clash Natsu, before that thing gets even bigger!"
"Easier said than done," came the sharp reply as Natsu felt Ahnk shift to his free hand. "You have a plan!?"
"Best I can think of on such short notice," was the immediate response as a Black Magic Circle appeared from his palm, one that didn't go unnoticed by Blackbeard who immediately stopped laughing. "What we need is a distraction!"
Realsing what Ahnk planned on doing as the thoughts were pushed into the forefront of his mind, Natsu grinned savagely which had the Darkness seeping from Blackbeard begin to spiral around the vile man's position more defensively than before.
"You want to know what it means to pick a fight with me, Teach!? Pay close attention you fat shit because THIS is where I deal you a massive dose of reality," Natsu shouted as he raised his free hand upward, launching the Black Magic Circle into the sky. "Hybrid's Aura: Black Arts – Munomead Anod, Mativ Ad!"
Feeling the slight drain on his reserves, Natsu shrugged it off, trusting Ahnk to do well with what he had available. Sure enough, the Black Magic Circle started to spin before shooting down toward the ground where it latched onto a pile of corpses nearby.
"What the hell was that," Blackbeard snapped, not willing to mock Natsu knowing full well he wouldn't have done what he did without a plan.
Natsu didn't respond, instead continuing to push against the man as he let Ahnk's spell do its work. Bringing his right hand back down to his side, he held it outward with his palm facing upward.
A book suddenly flashed into his open hand, a sinister smirk etching its way onto his face as words were slowly burned into the front cover and spine of the book.
The Book Of Movarth
Volume I
Enforcer Of Necrosis
Blackbeard could only watch in horror from the corner of his eye as the mound of corpses started to melt, the clothing and flesh mixing into a giant gooey puddle until it had become little more than a grey mass.
The fleshy mass popped occasionally as something began to rise up from its depths, quickly taking on the form of a man dressed like a nobleman. The grey colour faded into a pale cream as the well-dressed entity opened its eyes, revealing its reddish orbs for the first time.
Almost immediately, Etherious exploded from it as the newly born Demon embraced its power. As it did so, Natsu vanished its book to a section of his Requip Space before calling out to it.
"Demon of Etherious!"
The Demon looked sharply in Natsu's direction, its eyes widening even as they darted between him and Blackbeard. It clearly knew what was happening and could sense its connection to Natsu, an instinct at the back of its mind that told it to unwaveringly support him in any and all endeavours.
"Lord Natsu," the Demon said in a rather refined tone of voice. "What is your command?"
"Don't expect much from this one Natsu, he's but a hatchling Etherious Demon born from common fodder Humans," Ahnk's voice chimed in as Natsu was about to respond to the Demon. "Even still, he should be able to cause enough damage before he's forced back into his book."
"Unleash your power upon my enemies," Natsu commanded as he motioned toward a thoroughly shocked Blackbeard. "Do as I command and you shall earn the right to use your name!"
The Demon nodded swiftly as its previously unfocused Etherious was drawn back in on itself, the body of the refined man beginning to distort violently as his entire body swelled up. From refined gentleman to large meaty slab, the Demon of Etherious had entered its Etherious Form.
Standing over ten feet tall, its arms and legs were thicker than Natsu's entire body. Its torso was likewise bulked up to match its scale. Its hair was black, cascading down its back and partially covering its eyes which hummed with power, the Aura of Etherious coating its form.
Though, there was one other oddity about the Demon that drew everyone's attention, and not in a good way.
Its entire body … was rotten.
Rotten, but disturbingly alive.
"AS YOU COMMAND, LORD NATSU," the Demon roared as it smashed its fists into the ground, the entire area shaking as Blackbeard began to sweat profusely. "I SHALL GRIND THIS ONE INTO LESS THAN DUST IN YOUR NAME!"
"We'll definitely have to tweak this guy later," Ahnk sighed with Natsu silently agreeing.
He was clearly pretty strong, not as strong as members of the Tartaros Guild back home strong, but still absurdly above regular Humans. He was a giant meathead, but a useful one.
And, like all meatheads do, he charged toward Blackbeard almost immediately, not even bothering to take stock of the area around him. As he charged, he cocked back his right arm as Natsu sensed him preparing an attack.
"Etherious Aura: Curse – Necrosis!"
Before the Demon could strike Blackbeard, the man abruptly ended the clash between himself and Natsu, his lower body turning into darkness as he shot away from the roaring fledgling Demon at high speeds.
Natsu could only laugh as he swiftly ended his own attack and jumped away from the massive sphere that had begun to pulse wildly with one of its two primary sources of power now gone.
Before it could detonate however, Natsu's right hand was coated with orange sparks again as he made a slashing motion before him, a net shaped attack being fired from his fingers.
"Hybrid's Aura: Crash Arts – Sanctioned Slasher!"
The net shaped attack ripped right through the volatile sphere, reducing it to smaller cubes, though it didn't reduce its volatility in the slightest. This however was all part of the plan as Natsu then made an upward motion with the same hand and sent all the cubes sky high before redirecting them in the retreating Blackbeard's position.
The man knew he was being targeted, looking upward to see over ten of the cubes veering toward him. Looking back in front of him he couldn't help but grit his teeth at the Demon at his front.
"Damn it, the only one allowed to fight dirty around here is me," Blackbeard snarled. "Oi, guys! Kill this fucking thing already!?"
Almost instantly, several gunshots rang out from Van Augur, the Blackbeard Pirates Sniper, as large gaping holes were blasted through the chest of the Etherious. One look at the calm and composed man and Natsu immediately knew his bullets were coated in a strong layer of Armament Haki.
The holes in the Demon's chest didn't slow it down however, it simply gave it a new target as more Etherious burst forth from it. Turning to face Van Augur, the Demon was about to charge only for it to have its head smashed into the ground by Jesus Burgess.
"WEEHAHA! See that Captain," Burgess roared as he flexed his arms, the Haki around them fading away. "Put that thing right in its place!"
"Interesting … Haki can pierce through an Etherious Aura," Ahnk hummed thoughtfully as they watched the Demon pry itself out of the ground, its head half crushed. "That'll be worth experimentation for future creations."
As Ahnk mused, Natsu continued to focus on Blackbeard who was now well within range of his attack. Making a closing motion with the hand controlling the cubes, a surge of power flooded the battlefield as he reformed the volatile sphere in full.
"You think that'll stop me Dragneel," Blackbeard snapped as darkness exploded from beneath him, flooding the area as it rose up behind him like a tidal wave. "If I can't outrun it, I'll just absorb it!"
The tidal wave washed over Blackbeard and the volatile sphere right as it detonated, the explosion vanishing before it could even cause so much as a shockwave. Blackbeard's laughter could be heard as the upper half of his body emerged from the tidal wave, the man now charging directly at him.
"Let's see you take this one! Devil's Aura: Yami Yami – Liberation!"
Extending his right arm outward, Natsu was shocked to see Blackbeard fire the explosion he'd engulfed at him. The attack was laced with Devil's Aura and the power of the Yami Yami Fruit which rendered it even more powerful than before.
"Damn it," Natsu hissed as he extended both arms out to his side, summoning a Crimson Red Magic Circle in one hand and a Galaxy Blue coloured one in another. "Hybrid's Aura: Three Layered Magic Circle – Mirror Water!"
Spitting out a third Black Magic Circle from his mouth, the three merged into one just in time for Blackbeard's attack. The expelled blast smashed into the Magic Circle before bouncing right off and back in Blackbeard's direction.
"What the-!?"
Sensing a sudden spike in Etherious, Natsu's attention snapped toward the spot where his created Demon was and found himself morbidly intrigued at what it was doing.
"Don't worry my Lord, I'll be back to help in but a few moments," the Demon shouted as it scraped up the parts of its body that had been blasted off by Van Augur and Burgess. "No Humans are gonna keep me down!"
In a rather bizzare display, the Demon simply slathered the bits of its own gore onto the damaged parts of its body and everyone was treated to the horrifying display of maggots emerging from its skin.
"Ahnk …"
"Not every Etherious Demon can be as pretty as Seilah, Kyoka or Robin," Ahnk snapped back. "Besides, he's actually got a good ability!"
Despite what his stomach was telling him, he couldn't argue that it was a rather useful ability to have. The maggots that had emerged from his body were like living wires, emerging from his body and burrowing into the foreign flesh as it melted and reattached itself to restore the Demons body.
Burgess looked like he wanted to be sick and Van Augur averted his gaze in disgust, though he was ready to shoot again at a moment's hesitation. After the flesh was reformed, it looked as if the Demon hadn't taken any damage and he roared to the sky.
"I have returned to full power my Lord!"
"Yeah … I can see that," Natsu muttered as he looked away and back toward Blackbeard who had converted his left hand into solid darkness, absorbing the attack once again as his right prepared to fire it back. "Come on …"
"I can keep sending this back all day Dragneel," Blackbeard laughed as he fired the attack back in another Liberation. "How long can you keep reflecting it I wonder!?"
"Screw reflecting it again," Natsu huffed as his entire body emitted an explosion of Aura. "Hybrid's Aura: Crash Arts Secret Technique – Mizuwari!"
All the Aura surrounding him was suddenly drawn into his right fist that was now fully cocked back. Blackbeard was immediately on the defensive, feeling the sheer level of Aura within the attack as Natsu roared and punched the ground as hard as he could.
The attack immediately caused the entire section of the area they were on to collapse, all of Blackbeard's crew and Natsu's Demon retreating which resulted in Natsu and Blackbeard to begin falling downward.
Consequently, this meant that the attack Blackbeard had fired back sailed right over Natsu's head and off into the distance until it was well beyond sight where a sudden bright light engulfed the horizon.
Yet neither Natsu nor Blackbeard so much as acknowledged the explosion as they flashed between large chunks of shattered rock, exchanging brief clashes that more often than not blasted the rocks into less than dust.
"Hybrid's Aura: Crash Arts – Reform!"
Clenching his outstretched palm, all the remaining rocks suddenly shot upward with Blackbeard being caught up in their sudden ascent. Warping up to the remaining part of the floating half of Marineford, Natsu watched as Blackbeard was trapped in a floating earthy prison.
"Captain," Burgess roared only for Shiryu to shake his head once.
"That won't be enough to put him down, you know that," the former Warden huffed right as a powerful shockwave ripped through the area. "He's got Whitebeard's power now, no way a bit of rock'll stop him."
Another shockwave rendered the floating earth into dust as Blackbeard emerged, bloodied but still ready to fight as darkness spewed forth from his lower half. Gently landing on the ground, the Devil Fruit User spat out a glob of blood before beginning to laugh.
"You're every bit of an opponent I knew you'd be Dragneel, I was a fool to think I stood a chance against you back when you guys were going up the Knock Up Stream in Jaya," Blackbeard said as another tidal wave of darkness began to appear at his back. "But even still, I know now I can take you out with my power as it is!"
"Do you now," Natsu huffed in response. "And what makes you so certain I've been going all out?"
"You'd likely beat me if you weren't trying to protect all those fools down below," came the immediate response. "Keeping this island afloat, creating that gross Demon thing AND fighting me … I doubt you'll be able to keep it up!?"
Instead of responding, Natsu paused and looked down at his feet contemplatively. Taking a deep breath before sighing, he looked back up at Blackbeard with a gaze full of confidence as the entire area started shaking violently.
"Wh-what-!?"
"You've gotten far too arrogant Teach if you think that I don't have enough power to deal with an upstart brat like you," Natsu hissed as a pillar of raw power erupted around him, obscuring his form from view leaving only a shadow visible. "LET ME SHOW YOU MY UPPER LIMIT!"
The pillar suddenly vanished and in its place was Natsu, now in his Demiurge Form as his Aqua Blue hair stood upright, a single Pitch-Black strand of hair hanging from the front. Unlike the previous times he'd transformed however, his horns were on full display, Pitch-Black and poking out of the front part of his hair.
"WH-WHAT THE HELL," Blackbeard gasped as he took several steps back. "NO WAY!?"
"I promised I'd protect all those kids down there and I'll be damned if I don't keep it," Natsu replied sharply as an Aqua Blue Aura surrounded his form. "I'LL TAKE YOU ALL ON!"
"He's mad," Blackbeard gasped as he took several more steps backward. "There's no way I'll lose against the likes of you!"
Vanishing from place, Natsu reappeared right in front of the shocked Blackbeard to deliver a powerful knee to the man's face, sending him sailing across the battlefield. Before he could crash into anything however, Blackbeard converted his entire body to darkness and melded into the ground as the darkness shot toward Natsu.
"That won't save you Teach, not this time," Natsu snapped as both his arms were coated in crimson coloured fire. "Without your lackeys backing you up and your opponent weakened, you're nothing!"
"You think you're some kind of big-shot," Blackbeard snarled in response as the top half of his body emerged at high speed from the darkness coating the ground, his right fist cocked back. "I'll show you the power that'll bring about the Age Of Blackbeard!"
"Oi Natsu, watch this next one," Ahnk half-shouted as he analysed Blackbeard's movements. "This is gonna be a big one!"
"Then I'll just have to match him with a big one of my own then," came the angered reply as orange sparks began to coat his flame coated arms, the Hybrid kicking off from where he'd been standing and cocking his right fist back. "BRING IT ON BOY, I'LL SMASH RIGHT THROUGH YOU!"
"Devil's Aura: Quake Quake – Tectonic Hypocenter!"
"Hybrid's Aura: Dragon Slayer's Secret Art – Wilting Crimson Lotus: Collapsing Grip Strike!"
To the shock of everyone watching, as Blackbeard's punch inched closer, Natsu began skidding to a stop as he began throwing his punch. At the last possible moment, right before their fists were about to clash, Natsu's fist opened up and he caught Blackbeard's punch.
"What-!?"
Fire exploded from behind Natsu as another wave of Conquerors Haki washed over the area, the air around the pair once again beginning to fracture under the power of the Quake Quake Fruit and Natsu's Crash Magic only this time there was nothing separating them.
Blackbeard could only gape in shock even as he pushed against Natsu with everything he had. Natsu's arm was clearly fully flexed, the veins and muscles being strained to their absolute limit as he held back the monstrous power of Blackbeard's Aura laced punch.
Natsu meanwhile had his teeth firmly grit, shocked they hadn't shattered yet as he felt the behemoth of a punch rattling his entire body. Despite all the power he put into catching Blackbeard's attack, he was sorely unprepared for just how lethal the tremors within this higher variant of the Quake Punch truly were.
"I can feel my bones beginning to crumble, my organs are bursting open-!?"
"That was far too reckless," Ahnk huffed before shooting him a praising grin. "Regardless though, you managed to catch it!"
"Now's the time Dad, DO IT!"
"Right," Natsu huffed internally as he began to move his free hand out to the side. "Unlike last time, I have Blackbeard close enough!"
"You can still move," Blackbeard hissed as he watched Natsu's hand become coated in dark purple flame.
"Like I said earlier Teach, I'll use everything at my disposal," Natsu growled as he fired the purple flame, watching as it sailed past Blackbeard's torso and landed on the ground a good distance away.
"You missed," Blackbeard responded with a mocking grin only for Natsu to make an upward motion with his index finger. "What-!?"
"Hybrid's Aura: Fire Dragon Monarch's String Purple!"
"String what," Blackbeard snapped only to feel something squishy stick to his back. "What the hell-!?"
"Get ready to eat shit you bastard," Natsu roared as Teach was violently yanked backward from the clash, tossed high into the air by the purple flame that now looked like a long string emanating from the small ball Natsu had shot past Teach moments ago.
The man cried out in shock as the string smashed him into the ground before yanking him up high into the air. His eyes widened comically as he saw Natsu appear several feet away with another attack charged up in his right hand.
"Hybrid's Aura: Fire Dragon Monarch's Destabilizing Nova Fist!"
"N-no way," Blackbeard shrieked right as Natsu's punch smashed him in the gut, sinking in deep despite the man's Aura shield before blasting him halfway across the floating section of the island instantly where he crashed into the crumbled ruins of Marine HQ.
Landing on the ground," Natsu expelled black and white flames from his nose with a snort, crossing his arms as he watched the rubble collapse on top of Blackbeard.
"I'm sick and tired of foolish brats like you underestimating my capabilities," Natsu huffed as he focused his senses on Blackbeard's position to find the man well and truly alive. "I've fought countless powerful foes and yet I stand here before you!"
"All the more reason to detain you here!"
Natsu didn't even have time to react as the entire battlefield was coated entirely with a field of ice, Aokiji appearing with both his arms outstretched, a raging blizzard present between them.
"Ice Ice: Ice Age!"
Aokiji couldn't help but sweat as he watched Natsu's eyes move in his direction, despite being frozen to the bone, a state that would kill literally anything else. Gritting his teeth, he poured more power into his attack as he activated one of his Command Seals.
"Come on, I need you to help me keep him here with everything you've got, Caster!"
"I know, you didn't need to waste a seal like that you idiot," Esdeath snapped as she appeared on the other side of Natsu, a monstrous amount of energy being produced by her as she placed a hand on her chest.
Natsu's gaze snapped in Esdeath's direction at the activation of what was undoubtedly yet another Noble Phantasm. Unlike the Ice Cavalry however, this one was on an entirely different level. In fact, by the sheer amount of power she was putting out, he'd have to bet that this was something she'd been saving specifically for an opponent like himself.
"You really are amazing; you always have been," Esdeath sighed as everyone on the floating section of Marineford began to feel a bone chilling cold hit them. "It breaks my heart that we find ourselves on opposing sides in this conflict neither of us truly ever belonged in to begin with. That being said, as a General of the World Government, I must uphold my oath! From here on out, I won't be holding back … Prepare yourself for the full might of Esdeath, Queen Of Ice and walking natural disaster!"
'Esdeath,' was all Natsu could think as he watched a single tear roll down her cheek only for it to freeze into a razor-sharp icicle that was promptly swept up by the powerful gust of wind that heralded the beginning of Esdeath's Noble Phantasm.
I am the General who bested over one hundred thousand foes alone in the name of The Empire.
I am the General who was considered one of the world's strongest with but a fraction of my true power.
I am the General who mastered Demon's Extract in seconds when all others wilted and died.
I am the General who ultimately died with but one regret, one wish upon the Holy Grail …
"At the time I had accepted it, but my heart remains as frigid as the harshest Ice Age," Esdeath shouted as she extended her arms outward. "Look upon me Natsu, look and reciprocate these feelings!"
"Just what has your future self-done to piss this chick off," Ahnk mused only for Natsu to shake his head slowly.
"I understand her now, at least I think I do."
"What do you mean," Ahnk replied curiously only for Natsu to shake his head and continue to watch Esdeath activate her Noble Phantasm through his temporary icy prison.
"Devil's Aura: Noble Phantasm Release – Demon God's Manifestation: Ice Storm, Commander In Chief!"
Natsu watched in awe as Esdeath unleashed her full might, sensing that the entire half of Marineford he was levitating was instantly covered by a vicious blizzard as the entire landscape began to be ravaged by the equivalent of a harsh ice age.
Stretching his senses out further, looking at the entirety of the local area from above, the sea below where he was levitating half of the island was frozen along with the other half of Marineford.
And yet, he felt compelled to look at Esdeath through his own two eyes. Doing so, he noticed the woman was looking back at him with an expression that told him all he needed to know about what she wanted.
He could feel the power crushing his form, both Aokiji and Esdeath's combined mastery over ice was something he doubted even Gray by the end of the Alvarez War could have matched. The lethality, the scale and most importantly … the beauty of it.
Despite how much Esdeath and Aokiji seemed to bicker, it was clear that they were a Master and Servant pair that were completely in sync. Their powers combined could slay anything this world had to offer should they be forced to risk it all.
Unfortunately, Natsu wasn't of this world.
Preparing to break out, he sensed Rider Of The Axis, Archer Of The Rhine and Kizaru all leap off of the levitated half of Marineford and realized what this entire gamble was for. Inwardly chuckling, he suddenly began powering up again which had Esdeath and Aokiji apply more and more power into their combined attack.
But it was for naught.
Though the ice was at a temperature that would kill basically any lifeform under normal circumstances within moments, it didn't matter. Natsu's arsenal simply had far too many individual counters for ice and, when combined and exercised to their absolute limits, couldn't be stopped.
The ice coating him melted away, the twin blizzards shattering against his swiftly erected Crash Barrier as he felt his blood slowly begin to unfreeze which in turn allowed him freedom of movement once more.
Vanishing from where he'd been, he appeared right in front of Esdeath who had clearly sensed his movement but hadn't attempted any kind of defensive stance. Still sustaining her Noble Phantasm, she locked eyes with Natsu who took several slow steps toward the General, a twinge of emotion briefly flashing in her eyes before being suppressed by her outwardly cold appearance.
"Your Ice Storm, Commander In Chief," Natsu muttered as Esdeath felt a slight breeze brush past her. "It was … beautiful."
Esdeath's eyes widened slightly as she felt a fierce blow strike the back of her head, her face being smashed into the ground. She knew Natsu had struck her full force with an Aura laced punch, and inwardly smiled.
"No restraint against me … I'm … glad," Esdeath muttered as she felt her consciousness begin to fade, blood pouring from a major gash Natsu had opened up on the back of her head. "Just like … Tatsumi …"
Esdeath promptly passed out, ice immediately coating the gash in her head which instantly stopped the bleeding. Natsu took one look down at the unconscious General and sighed, knowing that had she wanted to she could have fought back against him properly.
"I look forward to seeing you again, Esdeath," Natsu muttered as he looked over toward Aokiji who had ceased his Ice Age attack and was now waiting a short distance from where Natsu stood.
"Go to her, I don't want to see her be another casualty here."
"ZEHAHAHAHAHAHA! You must really be a bleeding heart," Blackbeard's voice cut in as both Aokiji and Natsu's attention turned toward the rubble of Marine HQ where Blackbeard now stood at its peak. "You had the prime opportunity to kill one of the Generals of the World Government yet you just let her go!? That's gotta be one of the most pathetic things I've ever seen! Almost as pathetic as what her and Aokiji just tried to pull, ZEHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"Laugh it up Teach," Natsu growled in response as he stepped past Aokiji who quickly went to his Servant's side. "A heartless piece of shit like you could never understand why I let Esdeath live."
"Oh, I get it Dragneel, I truly do," Blackbeard replied mockingly as his eyes roved over Esdeath's form. "She's pretty fucking hot, despite being such an Ice Queen. I get that you'd wanna keep her around for a quick fuck, but better to do that AFTER you get a collar onto em, ZEHAHAHAHAHA!"
"You sick bastard," Natsu hissed as he felt himself growing angrier by the second. "Esdeath is more than just a pretty face, a useless rat like you couldn't even begin to see that!"
"Who needs to see anything when you can just collar them and they're yours to use as you please!?"
"Oi, Dragneel," Aokiji called out as he looked back to the Admiral who was clenching his fists hard enough to draw blood. "I can't act against Teach since he's still officially a Warlord … but please, kill him in my place!"
"Aokiji," Natsu muttered as he turned back to face Teach who could only laugh at Aokiji's request.
"What, you got a hard on for her too!? What a joke you Admirals and Generals are," Blackbeard scoffed as darkness began to emerge from his form. "All the more reason to get rid of you trash now, you'll never survive in the era to come!"
"Over my dead body, Teach," Natsu snarled he walked further away from Aokiji and Esdeath and toward his vile foe. "The only one not making it to the new era … is YOU!"
Blackbeard roared with laughter as he activated both his Devil Fruits, darkness washing across the area and absorbing anything it came into contact with as the air around his right fist began to crack the air around it.
Natsu vanished and appeared before Blackbeard, right fist cocked back with an attack fully charged and ready to go as Blackbeard had done the same, his right fist also ready to clash with Natsu as the entire area began to shake.
"Let's see just how far this power can go," Blackbeard shouted in excitement as he threw his punch. "Devil's Aura: Quake Quake – Tectonic Shift!"
"Hybrid's Aura: Dragon Slayer's Secret Art – Black Deathbell – Forsaken Lightning Flame Blade!"
If Blackbeard was surprised that Natsu's entire right arm had become coated in Pitch-Black flame with a reddish coloured lightning coating its edge, he certainly didn't show it. The man roared with laughter as their attacks smashed together, knocking everyone down from the sheer force of the clash alone then further sending them flying as subsequent shockwaves were produced mere moments after.
Feeling the sheer power behind Blackbeard's attack, he knew he couldn't match it for long. This blow was completely unrestrained, leagues above what Whitebeard struck Akainu with and that attack circled the entire planet.
"I think … I'm gonna have to risk using a hundred percent in my attacks," Natsu growled internally as he sought guidance from Ahnkseram who had been observing Blackbeard's attack.
"I don't think risking the lives of everyone here and doing that is necessary in this case Natsu," came the slow response as Ahnkseram's aged mind fully melded with Natsu's own. "Think smarter, not harder, and you will see the correct path."
At first, Natsu questioned what Ahnk meant by such a statement. Up until now, he'd been mostly fighting with as much tactical balance as he could muster to ensure he wouldn't put those down below at risk.
But then, Ahnk's thoughts cut through his like a knife and he saw what the First Hybrid meant and realized that it was indeed possible.
He only needed to wait for an opportunity.
/Marineford – Lower Half/
As Natsu fought off Blackbeard above, their battle visible even as high as they were, the Allied Alliance had begun their evacuation in full.
"To think he would go so far so quickly," Artoria muttered as she directed a segment of the forces back onto her flagship. "Is this what Iroh wanted?"
"Highly doubtful," Caesar replied casually as they watched a section of the floating half be blasted away. "He's merely buying us time to escape, not actively trying to take out the combined might of the World Government and Teach."
"Speaking of enemy forces though," Iskandar cut in sharply an explosion went off at the edge of the point the two halves of Marineford had been divided. "We have company!"
Floating out of the sea, coated in a bubble of golden light, was none other than a member of Tiberius Squad, Ruler.
The tanned Servant was battle ready and eager for a fight if his smirk was any indication, the jewellery adorning his tanned body shining brightly with power.
"Jewelcraft," Artoria muttered as memories of a war she'd fought a good time ago fluttered into her mind. "And so many …"
Next to Ruler in another golden bubble, was Saber of the East who was also virtually unharmed and ready to go. With his appearance, the entirety of the Allied Forces received confirmation on one thing.
Another fiery explosion went off closer toward the Allied Forces right as Ruler and Saber touched down on the ground, the bubbles dispersing moments after, as magma spewed forth from a massive hole in the ground, setting all but the Servants on edge.
"Is that the guy Whitebeard took out," Ritsuka gasped as the magma slowly began to rise up into the shape of a Human. "No way … I've never seen anything like this before!?"
"To think that a Human could survive a direct strike from an Earthquake," Da Vinci chimed in as she analysed Akainu's reassembling form. "He's certainly wounded, but that attack was enough to cause a fissure that stretches the entire seafloor!"
"Did you all truly believe that you would be allowed to escape Justice," Akainu asked as his bloodied form finally solidified. "I said it before and I'll say it again … NONE OF YOU SHALL LEAVE MARINEFORD ALIVE!"
"You can be really scary at times, you know that don't you, Sakazuki," the slow and teasing voice of Kizaru called out as the Yellow Admiral appeared in a flash of light. "Though I can't say I'm disappointed."
"Are you kidding, this is freaking hilarious," the childish cry of Archer Of The Rhine chimed in as she appeared hovering above Admiral Akainu. "I haven't seen something so funny in years!"
"Allow me to show you something even funnier, Archer" Akainu smirked as his right arm converted into magma. "I'm gonna melt their hopes and dreams right before their eyes!"
"The enemy certainly achieved far more than initially projected, yet they are not Legion like we," Saber added in his usual menacing tone as he pointed his jagged blade toward the Allied Forces. "The time for games has long since passed. Master, permission to execute them all?"
"You didn't need to even ask Saber," Akainu smirked in response which had Saber standing up a little straighter. "Granted, of course."
"Before we go overboard, I believe we should let cooler heads weigh in, don't you think Admiral?"
Now the Servants were nervous as Rider Of The Axis arrived, his stern gaze sending shivers throughout the Allied Forces.
"First of all, Ruler, are you still willing to assist despite the absence of Tiberius?"
Ruler idly shifted his gaze to Rider for a moment before looking back at the Allied Forces, more specifically, King Leonidas, and smirked.
"For the chance to face the King Of Sparta in battle once again, I'd gladly enter the battle once again," Ruler replied as he extended his arms outward. "However, I shall do so upon my own terms, not those of a foreign request. I am King and so I shall do as I wish."
"Of course," Rider nodded sharply with Ruler nodding respectfully in return. "If you desire the head of Leonidas I, then he is yours."
"Excellent," Ruler purred as a monstrous amount of power began to leak from the taller Servant.
"Then we'll kill the rest, right," Archer asked, half begging as she flew right up into Rider's face. "PLEASE!?"
"Aside from Leonidas I, everyone else is fair game, Archer."
"YES," Archer cackled with glee as she shot high into the air and did a flip before coming back down. "Time to show these bastards just how capable of a General I am!"
"Indeed, it is high time for a number of revelations I believe," Rider muttered as he summoned two handguns to his side and began marching forward. "Forces of the Servant State of Eden, Whitebeard Pirates … and Chaldean fugitives-!"
"What did he just say," Ritsuka gasped with Mash immediately placing herself in front of Ritsuka protectively.
"He knows about Chaldea," Romani asked questioningly over the comms as he looked toward Da Vinci. "Just who is this Servant and how can he know about us!?"
"Your shock is understandable Doctor Romani, but don't worry, it won't be around for long," Rider continued as he looked down toward one of his handguns for a brief moment. "After today, there won't be a means of you resisting the efforts of the Mage King!"
"No way," Ritsuka muttered shakily as Artoria and Caesar also put themselves between Ritsuka and Rider. "He knows about the Incineration Of Humanity and everything!"
"Just who are you Rider, I demand to know," Artoria shouted firmly, Excalibur gleaming threateningly in the darkness of the night.
"You wish to know my identity," Rider mused as he looked back to the assembled forces against him. "I suppose there's no harm in it, I lose nothing and gain everything from your knowledge of me."
Servant Of The World Government
Head Of The World Government's Army
Generalfeldmarschall Of The Army
Rider Of The Axis
Erwin Rommel (Rider)
To those not from Chaldea like the Servants, the name didn't mean anything special. But to those that were, particularly those currently in Chaldea's Command Room, they were utterly speechless.
Even Ritsuka and Mash were completely frozen in a mixture of shock and fear at the man's name, a fact that the man seemed to only find humorous if the knowing smile was anything to go by.
"So now that you all know my name, what kind of hope does it bring you," Rommel asked with a raised eyebrow. "Do you understand some kind of inherent weakness now? Does knowing my name grant you some kind of power?"
It did not. If anything, knowing his name seemed to almost make things worse and many of the Servants inwardly wished that he hadn't told them since they too knew all about him thanks to the Throne Of Heroes.
"With that little bit of fun out of the way, where were we," Rommel mused before widening his eyes momentarily and looking back to Akainu. "Ah, of course. Akainu, I believe you were about to eliminate these enemies of the world?"
"I believe I was," Akainu nodded stiffly as the Allied Forces all immediately went on the defensive. "There will be no acceptance of surrender, nor will we be accepting any sort of bribe. You all will be dying here today, that is all."
And with that, Akainu raised his arms high into the air and started firing a barrage of magma down upon the Allied Forces who were now scrambling for cover.
Amidst the chaos, Ritsuka could see Rommel simply smiling as his power seemed to skyrocket as a result.
And so, the retreat from Marineford had run into a chaotic final hurdle that none could see any kind of out from.
/Servant State Of Eden – Same Time/
"Erwin Rommel, of course it was him," Lord El Melloi mused as he paced back and forth in the command room. "Given his history, his level of power makes perfect sense despite how recent in our history World War II was …"
"Either way, the Allied Forces are going to need heavy assistance if we want to salvage an escape," Arthuria chimed in as she entered the command room now donned in her battle armor. "I shall be embarking for the front immediately-!"
"And do what," Ozymandias chimed in lazily from his seat in the command room. "You go in there with more troops and they'll just die, even with your power backing them up."
"You question my ability, King Ozymandias!?"
"I do not, in fact, I hold it in quite high regard unlike your Saber counterpart," Ozymandias shot back just as quick. "However, consider the foes down there at the present moment. General Erwin Rommel is a significant threat by himself, Admiral Akainu has demonstrated himself to be a threat on par with high end Servants, Caster Of The Rhine is also a currently unknown threat and Admiral Kizaru is a foe also on par with the high end Servant."
"And your point?"
"His point, King Of Knights, is that it would be foolish to send more of our precious comrades to die upon the shores of Marineford," Lord El Melloi replied calmly as he stared into the footage of battle before him. "Given the chaotic state of the world and the inevitable upheaval following the Marineford War, we need all the troops we can spare for said aftermath."
"And leave our comrades to die!?"
"You aren't seeing the bigger picture yet King Of Knights, and it disappoints me," Gilgamesh sighed as he entered the room. "You are experienced, use that and really survey the full scope of the battle."
"I-!"
Before Arthuria could reply, a loud chime echoed throughout the command room which had everyone blink unanimously at how convenient it was. It took several moments before one of the guards outside burst into the room, seemingly panting.
"My Kings, the Assistant of this world has come to see you!"
That got everyone's attention, even Gilgamesh who normally didn't care about much of anything. They all knew there was only one possible reason the Assistant had come to see them, but no one wanted to jump to conclusions.
"Well, what are you just standing there for," Gilgamesh snapped as the guard quickly straightened up at the sudden outburst. "Let him come before us!"
"O-of course my King, at once," the guard shakily replied before exiting the room.
Moments later, a familiar man slowly entered, though he appeared somewhat tired and as if he'd just been in a serious battle if the scuff marks were anything to go by.
"Benn Beckman," Ozymandias grinned as he stopped reclining in his chair. "What brings you to Eden without the presence of Red Hair?"
"That's kinda the point," Benn sighed as he lit a cigarette and took a drag. "So, I'll skip all the small talk and just kinda get down to business, if that's all right?"
"I can already take a guess as to what Red Hair desires; however, I shall allow you to speak," Gilgamesh replied knowingly with Benn nodding stiffly in response.
"Good. Now look, I know you guys and Whitebeard had a deal goin about Marineford and all that and we weren't gonna interfere in that," Benn began as many of the Kings present narrowed their eyes at him. "But the thing is, we need this entire war to stop, like today."
"And why should we stop," Ozymandias asked curiously. "Though currently on the backfoot, we do have a fair chance of winning should we continue?"
"Orders from higher up," Benn replied with even Gilgamesh's eyes widening in surprise. "Yeah, that big of a reason."
"What reason could the Council want for ending this war," Arthuria asked as she tried to mask her shock. "Sure, the battle is rather large … but-!?"
"Doesn't matter why," Benn cut in swiftly. "Though if you must know, we weren't told why they didn't want it to go too far, only that they wanted it stopped at a certain point."
"Then why are you here to speak with us," Gilgamesh asked curiously as all eyes turned toward him. "We have no say over what's going on at Marineford aside from deploying more forces."
"You already know why I'm here so cut the shit blondie," Benn huffed with Gilgamesh smirking at the open disrespect.
"Fair point. I'll allow you that slight merely because I like you Red Hair Pirates," Gilgamesh laughed before growing serious. "Make your request Benn Beckman."
"Since you put it like that, fine," Benn sighed as he took another drag of his cigarette. "Currently, Shanks has been fighting with Kaido for over a day and a half straight to keep him from showing up at Marineford. Even now they're still fighting, hence why I'm here. Shanks wants some of your best to keep Kaido distracted until he can resolve and end the Marineford War?"
The room went completely silent with Lord El Melloi's cigarette falling out of his gaping mouth at Benn's request. Eventually however, Gilgamesh began laughing as Arthuria voiced her own opinion.
"You expect us to face one of the Four Emperors merely because Red Hair 'requests' it!?"
"I know it's a tall order which is why he asked for your best," Benn sighed. "We're kinda out of options and we'll consider this a favour owed if you guys come through for us."
"Why not," Ozymandias replied suddenly with everyone else in the room snapping their attention toward the Sun King who was now on his feet. "I was rather bored sitting around here anyway so I shall face Kaido personally!"
"King Ozymandias, with all due respect," Nitocris began as she made her presence known. "Are you certain this is the wisest course of action!?"
"Come now, this was the only action plausible! Besides, I shall take my friend Gilgamesh with me!"
"FUHAHAHAHAHA! Indeed, this could be rather entertaining," Gilgamesh agreed heartily as he rose to his feet. "Having to face an opponent that we cannot cripple or kill due to timeline laws … how utterly amusing!"
"Well, at least you guys agreed," Benn sighed as he snapped his fingers and opened a red coloured portal. "Besides, the two of you should be more than enough to hold Kaido back for a day or two."
"Then it is settled," Ozymandias' voice boomed. "Nitocris, you shall come as well!"
"WH-WH-WHAT!?"
Instead of giving the shocked girl a chance to deny it, Ozymandias simply picked her up and happily marched through the portal with a laughing Gilgamesh waltzing through moments after.
"Thanks for this, we truly do owe you guys for this," Benn sighed as he too walked through before the portal vanished.
This left a completely stunned command room to contemplate the outcome of the Marineford War and now having to deal with the Beast Pirates as their sworn enemies as a result of what Gilgamesh and Ozymandias were about to do.
All in all, rather troublesome.
Finally revealed Rider Of The Axis, his character sheet will be at the end of the next chapter after I've showcased a bit of what he can do. You'll understand how he's so powerful once you understand how his power works.
Anyway, hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!