Invasion and Fall of Shandora

Disclaimer: Don't own One Piece

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"Ow...ow...ow!"

"Hold still," Niri smacked Dusty upside the head before going back to the bandage wrapping she was placing around her wounds, "Almost done,"

"Well, hurry up," Dusty whimpered, "It stings,"

"Does it feel better or worse than getting impaled through the gut?"

"...better, I guess,"

"Then shut up!" Niri sighed and shook her head, "Baka kitsune,"

"I heard that!"

"I said shut up!"

After beating the Norns in their fight, Azu, Niri, and Dusty followed Austin and Aisa to a large clearing nearby. The clearing had many camping supplies, as well as a hollowed out tree. When they got there, Austin and Aisa immediately retrieved the necessary supplies for their recuperation and began to cook up some food for their weary friends.

Azu became quick friends with the wolf pack, who refilled his jug with their special Sky Island drink. It would've been a perfect recovery spot, had it not been for the strange man in a cloak that appeared out of nowhere. Niri and the other two were cautious of him, but the wolves, Austin and Aisa didn't seem to mind him at all. Aisa explained to them that if it weren't for him, she and Austin would've been lost out in Upper Yard, putting themselves in great danger had he not shown up and led them to both the campsite and the wolf pack.

Niri finished her patchwork on her nakama, who were all covered in numerous bandages, then looked at the cloaked man, who sat quietly nearby, smoking a wooden pipe, his face obscured by his hood. She folded her legs and leaned forward, her eyes boring into his head.

"If you don't mind me asking...who the hell are you, old man?"

The man chuckled, "I'm a friend, so you can relax. As for my name, you can call me Nido,"

"Alright, Nido...," Niri nodded slightly, "How'd you get here, why are you here, how'd you hide out for so long?"

Nido chuckled again, "So many questions, but I'm afraid we don't have time for all the answers," he looked at her friends, "Your nakama fought well. Devon must be grateful to have such strong nakama at his side,"

"You know Devon?" Niri asked slowly, raising her eyebrow, "Because, he's never mentioned anyone named Nido in his life,"

"No, I don't expect he'd would," Nido shook his head, "But, aye, I do know him. I also know that you and your friends have been fighting alongside the Sky People for this land, so that Frigga and her group doesn't take it over,"

"How do you know-?"

"As I said, we don't have time for all the answers," the man took a long drag of his pipe and let out a large puff of smoke, "I must say, I'm impressed you have the marksmanship skills to shoot the Fragments out of the Norns' foreheads without killing them. Then again, with the weaknesses these shards have, it's also a miracle,"

Dusty looked at him as she ripped a large chunk of meat off the bone rack she was holding, "The Fragments...," she chewed the chunk and swallowed it, "...have another weakness?"

Nido gave a short nod, "Besides the exchange of Life Force for power that the Fragments have, they are not at their usual strength. Which is interesting to see, because I've never seen something like this before," he rubbed his bearded chin, "Perhaps, the further away they are from the home island, the weaker they become? Interesting theory,"

The cloaked man turned to see everyone of the pirates and Aisa staring at him in silence, "Sorry about that. I have a tendency to think aloud," he cleared his throat and rose to his feet, "Come, we don't have much time,"

"You've said that three times already," Niri commented as she picked up Sora, who they found hiding nearby, spooked by the battle from before, "What's the rush?"

Nido turned to her and Niri could swear she could see his eyes very clearly, staring right into her eyes and right into her soul.

"My dear," Nido shook his head and started walking away, "If you all wish to save your friends from destruction or enslavement, I suggest you come with me,"

"Wait, what?!"

-----

Gan Fall and Pierre flew around the ancient city of Shandora, the God of Skypeia wielding his trust lance. Everything was peaceful until a short time ago when three strangers appeared and began to attack everyone in sight. With most of the warriors already out of commission, it was up to him and the few that were able to fight to defend this city...even if it was against these people from the New World.

While the remaining Shandian warriors attacked the invaders, Gan Fall, Herman, Chizuru, and Conis saw to the evacuation of the city.

The God flew low over his people, "Everyone, run! Escape while you can!" he shouted over the noise of the battle, "We'll hold them off while you get away!"

That was easier said that done. Every able bodied fight went against these three invaders, but they all met the same fate of hitting the ground, their blood staining the group and stones of the city.

"Bastards!" Wiper held up his Burn Bazooka and aimed it right at the three, "You'll pay for stepping foot on this land!"

Frigga smirked cruelly, "Is that so?"

"DIE!" Wiper pulled the trigger on the Bazooka and fired a large shell at the invaders.

"You attack Lady Frigga? Fool!" Hugin's hands became a blur and the cannonball exploded into hundreds of tiny pieces that fell to the ground, now completely harmless.

Frigga laughed at the expression on Wiper's face, "It's not nice to attack your Goddess...,"

"Hey, bitch!"

Munin and Frigga turned to see Herman, Laki, Genbou, and Braham standing off to the side, armed and ready to fight.

"What's this now?" Frigga asked mockingly, "Come to play?"

Herman cracked his knuckles before turning one of his hands into a large pincer claw, "If you guys want this city and it's people, you'll have to go through us!"

Again, Frigga chuckled, "So be it...boys?"

Munin nodded and advanced on the group of fighters. Hugin withdrew his blade from Wiper's stomach, the Shandian warrior burnt black, and joined his brother.

"You asked for it," Herman knelt down, "Aragosta...,"

Hugin stepped forward and held out his blade, "Raijin: Divinus Raikou," (1)

To everyone's shock, a bolt of blue-lightning erupted from Hugin's blade. The electricity collided with Herman's chest and immediately, the merman let out a cry of anguish as great pain coursed through him, arcs of electrical energy dancing around his body.

As the energy died down, Herman fell onto his face, his body blackened and smoking.

Frigga roared with laughter, "That stupid fish got fried! All we need now is a shell cracker and a tub of melted butter!"

"You fiends!"

Both Hugin and Munin looked up just in time to see Gan Fall and Pierre flying over them. Frigga rolled her eyes, "Idiots...Munin, your turn!"

"As you wish, Lady Frigga," Munin spun his blade around, keeping his eyes on the flying God of the Sky, "Fujin: Ryukaze," (2) he swung his sword upward and let loose what appeared to be an air-blade in the shape of a dragon at Gan Fall.

The God of the Sky cursed, "Pierre, move away from-!" he was cut off as the air blade cut through both him and his bird companion. The Shandians watched as the two of them fell to the ground and lay on the stone floor, unmoving.

Frigga laughed again and turned to the Shandians, "Who else is stupid enough to take us on?"

-----

Devon flew over the trees of Upper Yard, his sights set on Shandora. As the wind rushed past him, he gripped Ohm's Iron Cloud sword and grit his teeth.

"Bastards will pay!"

'Yeah, yeah, you keep saying that, but kid, it won't be easy!'

"No shit, even with our strength combined, this will be a challenge, since my body's in bad shape,"

'Kid, listen to me for a second!' Thrymr used his power to bring his host's body to a halt in the sky, the black wings flapping to keep them airborne.

"Hey!"

'Listen, you idiot! It won't be easy with your condition, yes, I admit that, but you gotta know this before you go in there!'

"Know what?!"

-----

The last couple of Shandians and Skypeians fell to the ground, adding to the number of unmoving forms in the city grounds. Frigga looked around and nodded, proud at what had happened here. She laughed and raised her hands to the sky.

"This paradise is ours at last! From this day forth, I am the Goddess of the Sky, and my will is law!"

"Shut up already, stupid bitch, you're annoying!"

"Eh?!" Frigga snapped her head around, cursed, and jumped to the side just in time to dodge a large amount of white energy that flew through the air. Frigga landed on her feet and glared at Kirsty, who stood a short distance away, her eyes covered by her blonde bangs and her arm held outward, smoke rising from it.

"It's you...," Frigga's glare turned to a soft expression, "I was wondering what happened to you, girl. Come to beg forgive-,"

"I said shut up," Kirsty hissed, lowering her arm, "Don't you know how to listen?"

Frigga stared at her and scowled deeply, "It seems you don't know how to pay respect to those stronger than you!"

"Stronger?" Kirsty chuckled and started walking to her, "The only strength you have comes from those damned Fragments you possess. Don't you see what we've been doing here? Most of your forces are decimated, and with the three of you remaining," she lifted her head to reveal her eyes were glowing a pure, white light, "There's not much hope for your conquest to be successful!"

What the hell? Her eyes are glowing and from what I'm sensing, there's incredible power inside her! Frigga smiled a little, The Norn's were right about her, but there's nothing in existence that can best us...best me!

"You're a fool," Frigga lifted her Fragmented arm and held it outward, "It's you who has no hope!"

Kirsty shook her head, "Summon as many roots as you wish, New Worlder, I'll just blast them to pieces,"

Frigga shook her head, "Naive, aren't you? If you think my root trick was impressive, wait until you see this!"

"Hm?"

"Hear me, your mighty Goddess! I order you all to come to life and join me!"

The Fragment on her wrist began to shine brightly and soon, the sound of wood groaning and roots snapping was heard. Kirsty looked around, "What's going on?" she demanded, "What are you doing?!"

Frigga remained silent as, to Kirsty's surprise, the large trees surrounding Shandora began to close in on the city. It was if they were alive themselves and they were now moving under the control of Frigga and her Fragment.

"Whoa...," Kirsty looked behind her to see more and more trees coming up to her, "Impressive,"

"Thank you," Frigga laughed as she lowered her arm, "Witness my power, girl!" she threw her arms out to the moving trees, "I can control not only plant roots, but I can command my own army! With this wonderful island and it's inhabitants, as well as the huge trees under my power, I am the true ruler of this land! Now, bow down and beg for forgiveness!"

"...hehe...idiot,"

"What was that?!"

Kirsty's eyes began to glow brighter and brighter, "You think because you're aided by some kinda rock, you're a Goddess? You have an interesting power, I'll admit that, but since you're done sharing it with me, I believe I share mine with you!"

A bright white aura suddenly appeared in an explosion of light, causing the three New Worlders to cover their eyes as the ground began to shake.

"What the hell!?"

-----

Niri pushed Dusty off her and climbed to her feet, "What the hell was that?!"

"I don't know," Nido looked around, "But whatever it was, it made the whole island shake like crazy,"

Suddenly, a very loud, inhuman roar filled the air, startling them all greatly. Aisa hid behind Niri while Dusty leapt into Azu's arms, her fur standing on end.

"Holy crap!" Azu looked around, eyes wide, "Did anyone else just hear that?!"

-----

"What in the name of the Allfather...?!"

Devon, still hovering in the air, stared with huge eyes at a monstrous sight ahead of him. A short time before, he could see smoke and stone from the buildings in Shandora clearly from where he stood in the sky. The smoke and stone were mostly by the gigantic, ivory, serpent-like form that now stood in the distance.

It was a dragon! A long, white dragon of epic size.

"Is that...?" Devon shook his head, "No way!"

'Holy shit! I've never seen anything like that before!' Thrymr exclaimed, 'What's a dragon doing up here?!'

"That's not a dragon," Devon gulped loudly, "That's...that's Kirsty!"

-----

Down below, standing atop one of the few buildings that still remained in the city, Hugin, Munin and Frigga gazed upward at the white dragon that towered over them.

At first, Frigga was taken back, but now, a smile crossed her face.

"That's a nice trick. Boys?"

"Yes, Lady Frigga?" the twins asked in unison.

"Do you recall the tale of the man from Wano Country? The one who slew the mighty dragon?"

Hugin nodded, "The great samurai, Ryuuma,"

"Good, glad you know who I'm talking about. Now, do me a favor, will you?" she pointed upward at the giant beast, "Pay homage to both me and Ryuuma and slay that dragon!"

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Kilnorc: Oookay, this one is done -claps- Now, I would like to point something out here before I continue. For one reason or another, I wanted to show Kirsty's inner dragon again, since the last time I did, she was a little girl. I'm sure that you guys were wondering how it changed over the years, and now, you see how it has. Bear with me, I'm trying to do this as correctly as I can!

(1) Raijin: Divinus Raikou - Raijin (named for the Japanese god of thunder): Divine Lightning. Divinus is Latin for Divine and Raikou is Japanese for Lightning.

(2) Fujin: Ryukaze - Fujin (named for the Japanese God of Wind, who is also Raijin's brother, if I remember correctly): Dragon Wind. Ryu is Dragon in Japanese and Kaze is wind in Japanese (if I failed to write it correctly, I do apologize!)

On the next chapter of Homeland...

Frigga: Your head will the perfect trophy for my boys!

Hugin: She's strong, and for a dragon, quite beautiful.

Munin: I can see what Devon likes about her.

Niri: It's too dangerous here! We gotta get outta here!

Rampage! Power of the Great Dragon

Nido: ...and here I am, thinking I've seen it all...hehehe.