On the island that Vlad made the Paradise Base... it seemed pretty peaceful.
"I'LL FUCKING GUT YOU, CAT!"
"I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU TRY, YA PIECE OF SHIT MUTT!"
Yup. Perfectly peaceful.
Jack was making a few calculations for his Homunculus Project. He wanted to figure out how he would start the experiment. He knew it would take a few tries, but he thought he might as well try to perfect it as much as he can before he starts.
Paul was analyzing the new Chimeras. Vlad gave them to him, hoping he'd find some kind of use for them. He definitely did. The Centaurs were able to easily cart away excess materials, while the Minotaurs were able to lift the heavier lumber or artillery. The Minotaurs were also quick learners when it came to being blacksmiths. Paul would be able to find many uses for these Chimeras.
Vlad was in one of the main buildings that Paul and his Chimeras crafted. He was in a lovely room. Large enough to keep all of the books Vlad had "collected". Paul even made a perch for little Siren to have. She was sleeping on it as Vlad read some sea charts.
As he was reading, the wall on his right side exploded. Siren screamed out of surprise, while Vlad didn't even react. He didn't even look when something came flying towards him. He just lifted his hand and easily caught what flew towards him.
"YOU'RE NOT GETTING AWAY FROM ME, CAT!"
"I'M RIGHT HERE, MUTT!" Vlad released Tanya when she yelled that, and the beautiful killer pounced at Hoarfen. The two then began rolling around the floor, biting and slashing each other. The only reason they didn't destroy the room was because Vlad created blood walls to make sure they didn't crash into anything.
"You two seem to be having fun."
"A FUCKING BLAST," the two roared as they clashed, their claws moving at blurring speeds.
"Hm." Vlad looked down at a chart, and sighed.
"Something wrong, Vlad," Hoarfen yelled before he bit Tanya's tail, earning an adorable "NYA!" from the cheetah woman.
"Just a tad bit bored. I'm sure we have everything we need to enter the New World, but I don't feel like leaving Paradise yet. Almost as if I'm missing something." Vlad was quiet for a bit, the only sound being heard was Hoarfen and Tanya fighting, with Siren flying away to different spots to avoid their scuffle.
After a while, Vlad got up, and started walking. His first mate and cook... "followed" him... while still fighting. They were basically rolling along side him as they bit and scratched each other. Vlad left the building and went to the beach. As he stood before the waves, he summoned his blood wings. "I'm going out for a bit. Be sure to tell Jack and Paul for me."
"BRING BACK A DOG WHISTLE," Tanya yelled as she slashed Hoarfen... on the butt.
"YOW! WHY YOU LITTLE-!"
Vlad chuckled as he shook his head. "Try not to kill each other while I'm gone."
"NO PROMISES," the two roared in unison as they punched each other in the face hard enough to cause waves.
Vlad smiled before he started to fly away. When he got far enough, he looked back at the beach to see that Hoarfen and Tanya had transformed into their hybrid forms to continue their fight. "Those two get along far too well."
Vlad had been flying for about an hour, and was getting a bit lightheaded. He just remembered that he forgot to eat breakfast and that he hasn't been attacked for a while, so he concluded that he was suffering from anemia. The fact that his powers actually uses up blood as well as manipulate it only strengthened the theory.
Not even Vlad's powers were infinite. He still needed to eat to replenish his own blood supply. He can easily steal blood from other living beings, but you kinda need living beings in order to do that. His Awakening could also create blood... if he was standing on dry land or able to land near a lake or a body of water near land, but there was nothing but sea for as far as the eye can see. No where for him to land, and he couldn't risk flying down to touch even the surface of the ocean. If he was at full strength, he wouldn't hesitate, but he was too weak and tired to even think about doing something so risky.
Still, after a minute or two of flying, he caught a lucky break. He saw a pirate ship not too far from him. He flew towards it as fast as he could, making sure not to overuse his remaining blood supply. However, when he got closer, he heard something.
"What an unpleasant sound. Is that what passes for singing these days?"
It was an operatic singing. He could only hear one voice, but it wasn't coming from the ship. It came from somewhere farther. Too far for Vlad to reach with his current anemia.
Instead, he landed on the ship, expecting a fight. However, he saw that all the pirates looked hypnotized. Their eyes were completely blank. Vlad even walked up to one of them and snapped his fingers in front of their eyes. He then waved a hand in front of his face and finally slapped him. The man just turned his head back to it's original spot.
"Hm. Interesting." Vlad then ripped off the shoulder of the man's shirt. "I'm sure you won't mind." Vlad then opened his mouth, showing his canine teeth growing into fangs. Then, he plunged them into the man's neck. The man didn't even scream. He didn't react at all.
In just a few short seconds, Vlad had drained the man completely of his blood, leaving behind a dried up husk. Before the unfortunate man fell dead to the ground, Vlad grabbed him by his paper thin neck. He licked his lips of any excess blood before looking at the corpse. "Thank you for the meal." Vlad then dragged the corpse over to the side of the ship. "Let me repay you by rehydrating you. You look like you could use a drink." Vlad then threw the man overboard, and watched him float in the water, before some sea creature dragged his body under.
Vlad starred at the waters before felling a presence. He saw fog approaching. After the ship sailed through it a bit, he looked to see an island appear. It was there the singing was at it's strongest.
When the ship landed, Vlad heard the captain say something, "Tribute."
Vlad watched as the pirates carried chests and bags. The captain himself was carrying a large piece of gold that was more than likely worth millions. "And where are you taking those, my zombie-like friends?"
Vlad followed the pirates into the island. When he entered, he saw that it was filled to the brim with treasure. Among the gold and jewels were hundreds of hypnotized men and women. Pirates, civilians, and even marines. Not only that, but there were also fishmen and Minks. Vlad also saw Long-arms and Long-legs, as well as even Long-necks. Nearly every type of person in the world was in this cavern. The only thing that was missing was a giant. At the very center of the cavern was a single woman. She was beautiful, but Vlad thought she was nowhere near as beautiful as Tanya... or Medusa.
Ignoring the woman, Vlad went about exploring the cavern, studying the gold. "Hm, I should make a note about this island." Vlad took out a notebook, and started writing down about his discovery. "I could use this money. I'll need to have Jack make some more Chimeras so they can defend this place form any unwanted visitors."
How odd of you to ignore my song.
Vlad looked up at the woman.
Do you not love me?
The women then posed in a sexual way.
Adore me?
Vlad was quiet for a bit before he looked back at the treasure. "I have been in the presence of two true singers. One is but a child. A young lady. These past few months, she has been serenading me with her angelic voice. The other is a woman. A gorgeous woman with a voice to match. I can still see her. Her silky, flowing, green hair. Her smooth, olive skin. Her beautiful yet deadly eyes that resemble a viper's when in a challenging mood. Hers is a voice none other can match."
This woman you speak
Her name, may it be
The Symphonic Serpent
Me-du-sa?
Vlad smiled. "Ah, so you know her?"
Indeed, I do.
I shared a cell
With that vile Serpent
That caught Vlad's attention. "You are an escapee of Level Six?"
I am
"Hm. What a coincidence. So am I."
The woman looked a bit surprised.
What a revelation.
Men of those cells,
Have the strongest of wills.
How else could you resist
My beautiful voice?
"Quite easily, actually." The woman looked at Vlad, who had his eyes close while holding his head down a bit, with a smirk on his face. "After all, the two I mentioned before have naturally beautiful voices, and more than enough talent to sing with the music God had given them." He then looked at her with a glowing red eye. "They don't need to relay on the power of a Devil Fruit to make their voices beautiful."
The woman's eyes widened, with her voice rising.
"If I remember correctly, there are two Mythical Fruits that gives one the powers of the legendary Siren, the Bird-Bird Fruit... and the Snake-Snake Fruit. Which are you, I wonder?"
The woman glared at Vlad.
You say you are immune to my voice.
"I most certainly am."
I will accept your challenge
"Challenge?"
I will use my song
To make
You
Mine
When she said that last lyric, she sped up her singer to a sort of battle theme. When she did, the hypnotized men and women started to move. They all walked towards Vlad, all of them grabbing swords, maces, and other weapons out of the treasure.
Vlad watched as they lumbered over towards him. He chuckled as he shook his head in disappointment. "Is this supposed to intimidate me?"
One of the men then sprinted towards Vlad, and tried to slash him in half. Vlad simply stepped to the side. "Ooh, faster than I expected." Vlad then impaled the assailant with his hand, and ripped out the still beating heart, watching the corpse fall to the ground. "But not nearly fast enough."
Vlad then crushed the heart, and formed the blood into a short sword. He then slashed the next attacker, and used his blood to the short sword into a double-edged saber. Three victims tried to attack him at once, but Vlad just slashed all three of them across the abdomen. Their blood made the saber into a long-sword katana.
With one might swing, Vlad cut about ten victims in half. He used their blood to make the sword into a whip. With his new blood whip, Vlad attacked many of the hypnotized assailants from a distance. He whipped one woman's eye out of her socket, while he actually tore off the jaw of a man. To add insult to injury, Vlad used his whip to slam the jaw into the skull of another man.
Under normal circumstances, the people would be absolutely horrified of Vlad, running for their lives after witnessing his demonic brutality. However, these hypnotized fools didn't react to his cruelty at all. They just kept on running towards him. None of them reacted to the tortuous pain Vlad was putting them through. Even the woman who's eye was whipped out kept trying to attack. The most disturbing part was that the ones who were whipped didn't even scream. They didn't make any sounds. No grunts, moans, or groans.
They were no different from zombies.
However, that didn't matter to Vlad. If anything, it fed his blood-lust and sadistic nature. He was enjoying skewering these pathetic little maggots.
Then, there was a sort of quake.
It shook the entire cavern, making even Vlad stumble a bit before regaining balance. Next was the sound of coins falling. There was also the sound of something rising. It was coming from behind. Vlad causally turned around to see what it was.
"Oh, so there was one."
Out of a giant mountain of gold came a hypnotized giant. Without uttering a sound, he threw a massive fist at Vlad. Vlad simple jumped out of the way, watching the giant's fist smash into the ground. Vlad smiled at the destruction.
Before he landed, he cracked his whip, and watched as the tip lodged itself into the giant's throat. Vlad then swung around the giant as if the great man were a common tree. Vlad swung around the man several times, his blood whip wrapping around the giant's neck. After a while, the whip was completely around the giant's throat, causing Vlad to have to land on the giant's nape. The giant tried to reach for Vlad, but it was too late.
Using his inhuman strength, Vlad pulled on the whip's handle, choking the giant. The giant struggled to at least throw Vlad off, but Vlad made that impossible by channeling the blood he spilt to the soles of his boots and forming them into cleats that anchored Vlad onto the giant's neck.
Vlad's sadistic smile grew as the giant continued to struggle, with Vlad gradually adding more strength into his pull. Finally, the sound Vlad was waiting for occurred. The sound of a neck snapping. The giant then fell dead onto a few other hypnotized victims, killing them.
Vlad just casually jumped off of the giant corpse and patted the giant's cheek. "Happy Birthday, Jack. He's gonna have a heart-attack from pure happiness once I give him this." Vlad then looked at the still singing woman, who now had a look of worry in her eyes. The giant must have been her trump card. With that thought, Vlad smirked at the woman, a challenging look in his eye that seemed to irritate the woman.
Then, he threw his whip to the ground, confusing the woman.
He then lifted his hands, and made the blood swarm all around him. It swallowed every remaining hypnotized victim and tore them to shreds. The blood then started to form into two large hands... and clapped around the woman, stopping her music.
Vlad stayed in this position, before putting his hands in his pockets, and letting the blood splash onto the pillar and ground. He saw no sign of the woman. "Well, that's the end of that."
Vlad was then about to leave the cave, wanting to get back to the archipelago to tell jack about his find. Then, he sensed something.
He looked behind him for only a second. That one second earned him a strike hard enough to smash him through four piles of gold, before being planted into the stone wall. He groaned in pain as he ripped himself out of the wall. "What the hell was that?"
He then looked up. "Oh, so that's what it was. So, you ate the Serpent version, huh?"
Vlad was looking at a colossal serpent that wrapped around the pillar. It looked large enough to swallow the dead giant whole. It released a mighty roar that made the cavern itself shake. The gold piles fell all around the cavern and the blood was even shaking. Still, Vlad just kept calm and cool. He just kept on smiling, like he was watching a joke unfold.
"I will be the end of you!"
"Oh, so you can speak in that form, and you don't always need to speak in that annoyingly melodious tone."
The snake's eyes widened in rage before she lunged towards Vlad. He just stood there as the giant serpent opened her mouth, preparing to swallow him whole.
Time seemed to slow down when the snake was mere inches away. Before it could swallow Vlad... he snapped his fingers.
When he did, a crimson hand grabbed the serpent's throat, which greatly surprised her. Then, the hand started to smash her head against the ground, then onto the walls, followed by dragging her through the piles of gold, before finally smashing her into the ceiling. The serpent was unmoving before she fell towards the ground. Before she could hit the ground, the hand landed a viscous uppercut that smashed her into the ceiling over the pillar. Then, more blood traveled towards her head, taking the shape of another hand. When it was complete, the hand smashed the snake into the pillar, reducing it to dust.
Before the dust could settle, Vlad nonchalantly walked into it. It didn't take him long to find the now beaten and battered woman. She groaned in pain as she desperately tried to look up at Vlad. "Who... what... are... you?"
Vlad smirked. "You ask what I am without introducing yourself? You are so close at death's door. Don't you want to die with a name?"
The woman glared at Vlad. "The Slithering Siren-" the woman coughed up some blood. After all the damage Vlad inflicted on her, it wouldn't be surprising if she had some ruptured organs. Internal bleeding was the least of her worries. "Florence."
"I see." Vlad was silent for a bit before he smirked with a sadistic chuckle. "I've never heard of you."
Florence's eyes widened. "W-What?" She then glared and gritted her teeth. "And yet you know that damnable woman?!"
"Well, of course I do," Vlad said with a chuckle. "I was her cellmate once."
That shocked the woman. "You... were her cellmate? Who are you?"
Vlad smiled as he bowed. "Vladimir 'Vlad' Tepes, at your service."
Florence now had a look of horror. "T-The Bloody Devil?"
Vlad heard the absolute fear in her voice. "Oh, so you've heard of me."
"Among all the Level Six prisoners, yours was one of the most feared. A devil among monsters. . . . From the horror stories alone, even I agree... that you were the absolute last that should have escaped from Impel Down."
Vlad chuckled. "So even Level Six prisoners fear me. Interesting."
Vlad looked down at Florence, and reached for her throat. As soon as he gripped it, he easily lifted her off the ground, and held her as high as he could. "It would be so easy for me to kill you, right here and now." Vlad began to tighten his grip, choking Florence. His eyes were turning red, with his sadistic smile growing larger. He thought Florence's pained gagging was far more beautiful than her singing. He was then about to break her neck completely.
Then, he saw something. A vision. Florence was there, standing on another pillar, surrounded by more slaves than before. Below that was five figures. Two young women, three young men, and a snake. Among them, a young man with the characteristics of a fishman stepped forward, as if challenging Florence. Once he stepped forward, the other four figures fell, as if falling asleep, leaving the fishman alone to face Florence.
Vlad like what he saw. He sensed great potential in all of those children. The vision made him smile.
"But that would be a trivial waste of time." Vlad loosened his grip enough to allow Florence to gasp and pant for air. He then started to walk, with Florence still suffering in his grasp. "I want you to live. I want you to remember that there is a being in this world whom your voice has no power over. A being you can't hope to control. Live knowing your voice cannot conquer all."
Florence coughed. "You're... wrong."
Vlad looked at Florence with a dark and cruel smile. "Oh?"
Florence looked at Vlad with a defiant glare. "My voice... can conquer all. I'll... prove it... one day." Florence coughed again. "I will find you... and conquer you."
Vlad smiled, chuckled a bit, and then laughed boisterously. "Interesting. I like the look in your eyes. Then come. Once you've made sure that you can conquer all, find me. Try and conquer the devil himself. Until then, you are forbidden from coming near this island ever again. This is now my territory. My prize for humiliating you. Now, go on, and try to grow stronger. Until then..." Vlad then lifted Florence with both arms and got into a throwing position. "Have a nice flight."
With that, Vlad threw Florence. He used so much strength, that he actually caused a sonic boom. She was gone in a matter of seconds, not even a twinkle being left behind.
Vlad looked forward towards the sea, smiling at his actions. He then took out his notebook, and marked the exact location of the island. After he was satisfied with what he wrote down, he summoned the blood he split to form blood wings, and flew away.
"Well, that was an enjoyable amount of fun. Found an island full of treasure, killed a giant, made a new enemy..." Vlad then reached for his eyes. "And had a vision. How long has it been since I've last had one of those? Old age seems to take it's tole on you, one way or the other. This has been a truly enjoyable day. I can't think of any way to improve it."
As he flew, he heard a familiar song. "Kelas? Wait, I only know one person who can sing that old gypsy song." Vlad then heard someone sing. "That gorgeous voice. Is it really her?"
Vlad followed the sound of the guitar and singing. He flew towards a small island and landed. He saw a small dingy and walked into the forest. When he did, the music got more energetic. It was her style. Vlad ran, following the music. It didn't take him long to reach the one who was playing the song.
It was just her back, but Vlad easily recognized her. She was having fun, singing that song. It was a shame it was over when he reached her. "You always seem to finish on a high note."
The woman then began to play another song on her guitar. "I suppose you can call it my style." The woman was still playing as she looked back at Vlad, showing her beautiful green eyes. "How are you, Vlad?"
"Fine. And how about you, Medusa?"
Medusa smiled. "I'd say I'm doing fairly well... for an escapee, anyway."
Vlad chuckled at that, walked up next to her, and sat down. "I guess I can easily say the same." Vlad looked at her. "You haven't changed a bit since we were cellmates."
Medusa giggled. "I wish I could say the same. You actually look younger."
Vlad chuckled. "That's the exact same thing Paulie said."
"Oh, so you met up with him?" Medusa actually put down her guitar when she asked that question.
"And Jack as well. I also ran into two other Level Six inmates before running into those two. They're a part of my crew."
"Oh? You've remade the Bloody Pirates?"
"More or less. Missing a few things, like a musician."
"Hmm." Medusa had a knowing look in her eye.
The two were quiet for a bit, both starring out at sea. "Medusa... you know exactly what I'm going to ask, right?"
"I have an idea."
"Well?"
"I don't mind."
"You didn't even hesitate."
"And why should I? I've known you for a good amount of time. I can trust you. Besides, sailing with the Bloody Devil himself will be safer than sailing alone."
Vlad lightly laughed. "I guess I can't argue with that." The two then starred out at the sparkling sea in silence, both enjoying the scenery. After a bit of time, Vlad stood up. "Well, shall we go," Vlad asked as he extended his hand.
Medusa smiled at the gesture before accepting the hand and was helped back up onto her dainty feet.
Vlad chuckled at the sight. "You still walk around barefoot?"
Medusa giggled. "Well, it was actually pure luck that I got this dress." It was a grass-green one piece. It was a modest garb that covered her shoulders and reached all the way to her ankles. Her well-toned arms were expose, and the dress hugged her large breasts. Though it was a lovely dress, Medusa's natural beauty made it look gorgeous. "The 'donors' didn't have any shoes to go with the dress."
"Ah, I see. Mine were actually considerate enough to have some boots along with the clothes they 'gave' me."
"So I see. Those clothes suite you very well." Medusa then walked up to Vlad, and touched the cross necklace. "Especially this." Medusa then looked up at Vlad with a kind smile, but sad looking eyes. "You're still praying, aren't you."
Vlad knew it wasn't a question. Still, he gave her an answer. "Yes."
Medusa's smile didn't go away, and she looked back at the cross. "How ironic. The Bloody Devil asking for forgiveness from the being he is supposed to be opposed to. Let me guess... you're still praying that He gives you a good death, correct?"
Vlad sighed. "You always did seem to know me almost too well, Medusa."
"Call it one of my talents." Medusa then walked over towards her guitar in an unintentionally sensual way. She picked up the instrument and turned towards Vlad. "Shall we go, captain?"
Vlad looked at his new, beautiful musician, and smiled. "Very well." He then walked over to Medusa, and lifted her in the bridal style. He then summoned his wings. "Hold on tight."
Medusa smiled. "Oh, don't worry about me, captain." Vlad then felt something wrap around his waist. He looked to see that it was a serpent's tail. More specifically, Medusa's. Her lovely legs transformed into a glistening snake's tail that was more than long and powerful enough to help her have a tight grip on Vlad, no matter how fast he flew.
With a smile, Vlad jumped off the cliff. With just two flaps of his wings, Vlad was flying towards his archipelago, with a new crew mate in his arms.
It didn't take long for him to reach the archipelago.
"My, my, was there a battle here?"
"There was. Between two of my crew mates."
"Oh? Just two? They must be quite powerful to cause that must destruction."
There were craters all over the beach. Patches of the forest looked like it was ripped from the roots. There was even a bit of blood here and there, but Vlad could tell from the scent that it was Chimera blood. Jack must be working on new ones to replace the ones Hoarfen and Tanya accidentally killed during their scuffle.
Vlad landed on the beach, and watched as Medusa's tail went back to her elegant legs. He gently placed the beauty back onto her feet. "This is a lovely island."
"Thank you. I chose it personally."
"You have fine taste, Vladimir." Vlad smiled at Medusa's compliment.
Before they could take one step, Hoarfen in his full giant wolf form came wrestling out of the forest with Tanya in her Awakened form. The two rolled towards Vlad and Medusa. However, the two human-sized beings showed no concern for the boulder of fur rolling towards them. Medusa just stood still with a smile on her face while Vlad stepped forward, and stopped the two giant beasts with one hand. "Do you two ever run out of energy?"
The two looked down at Vlad, with Hoarfen biting Tanya's arm, while she had her claws stuck in his shoulder. "Vlad," the two yelled in unison. The two then reverted back to their human forms, with Hoarfen being shirtless and Tanya barely having any semblance of a bra left. Though the two were both covered in blood, they barely had any scratches on them. It must have been thanks to the Zoan healing factor. "You're back!"
"Uh-huh. Looks like you two had quite a bit of fun."
Hoarfen then started to sniff. "Smells like you did, too. You reek of blood from different species. Wait a minute." Hoarfen sniffed Vlad some more. "I SMELL GIANT BLOOD! YOU FOUGHT A GIANT?!"
"Killed one, actually."
"NO FAIR! I WANT TO KILL A GIANT!"
"Oh, is that so?"
Hoarfen looked behind him to see Paul walking up to the group while polishing something. "Come on, Paul. I didn't mean you. Besides, you're a Cyclops. Totally different league. Plus, you're someone I already like. Now, if you were the cat, I wouldn't hesitate to fillet you."
"Like you could even do that in your dreams," Tanya hissed.
"Oh, I'll make it a fucking reality, pussy," Hoarfen growled. The two then glared at one another, both looking ready for another fight.
Paul sighed at the sight. However, the sound of giggling caught his attention. He looked towards the feminine voice. "Oh, Medusa."
"Hello, Paul. It has been a while, hasn't it?"
"I should say so. Still, even after all these years, you haven't aged a day."
"My, thank you for the compliment. You seem to have changed."
Paul sighed and started rubbing his head. "Yeah, I lost a bit of my hai-"
"Your muscles got bigger."
"That's what you meant," Paul asked with a blank look. The question made Medusa giggled.
"So, Vlad, who's the babe? You're new woman or something? Got tired of the cat already, huh," Hoarfen asked. Tanya's eyes were shadowed, and she had an aura of rage around her.
"My, my. Calling me a 'babe'? I suppose I should consider it a compliment that a young man such as you considers me attractive."
"Young? I'm twenty-eight."
"And I am fifty-four." What Medusa said caused Hoarfen and Tanya to lose all color. Tanya herself was twenty-six, and Medusa looked like she was the same age as she was. Now the two find out she's old enough to be their mother, and yet still looks so young? What was that woman's secret?
"She's our new musician."
Vlad's words brought Hoarfen and Tanya back to reality. The two looked at their captain before looking back at Medusa. They just realized that she was holding a guitar.
Medusa bowed in a polite and lady-like manner. "I hope we get along, and that you enjoy my music."
"Uh... sure. . . . So... you're not Vlad's new girlfriend," Hoarfen had to block a kick from Tanya after asking that.
"Hm... actually... I wouldn't mind sharing Vlad's bed."
"Nya," Tanya cried with a shocked look.
"Nor would I," Vlad stated.
"NYA!" Hoarfen laughed at Tanya's reaction, which made him have to dodge a few slashes from the angry Cheetah woman.
"Oh, my, what is with all of the commotion I hear?" Everyone looked to see Jack walking out of the forest, holding a notebook that he was still writing in. "Hm? My word! Is that you, Meddy?"
Medusa giggled at the nickname. "It has been quite some time, Jackie."
"Oh, how long has it been since anyone has called my that artistic name. I see you have not lost your taste, Meddy."
"And I see you're still as young as ever."
"Et tu, my dear. You're still as lovely a work of art as when I first met you. Like all of my colleagues, your art is perfection."
Medusa giggled. "You always were quite charming, Jackie."
"Oh, that reminds me." Everyone looked at Vlad. "Jack, I'm pretty sure I have a new art project for you."
"Oh?"
Vlad brought his fingers to his mouth and whistled. When he did, many Chimeras came running.
Medusa was surprised. "My, what could these adorable creatures be?"
"Ah, these are my latest works of art, Meddy. They are the Chimeras."
"Chimeras?"
"Yes. I take a human and an animal and fuse them together to make these magnificent creatures."
"Hm... could you perhaps make some Snake Chimeras?"
"Oh, but of course, Meddy."
"You can do that later," Vlad said before he summoned his wings. "For now, grab onto a Sky Chimera, and have it follow me. And bring a squad of Chimeras." The Bloody Pirates were confused about that last order, but followed it anyway.
When everyone got a Sky Chimera, they had them follow Vlad.
In just a short flight, past the fog, they saw the island.
"Huh, cool design," Hoarfen commented.
"Just wait until you see what's inside," Vlad said.
Hoarfen raised an eyebrow at that statement. He then saw what Vlad meant when he and the others followed Vlad into the cave. "HOLY GOLDEN HELL!"
"S-So much gold," Tanya said.
Paul was already digging through the treasure, and took out a sword with a golden handle. He analyzed it with his free hand on his chin. "Hm, a fairly decent weapon. Though, without the golden hilt, it's not worth much. Oh." Paul continued to dig through the pile, looking for more weapons. "Hm, nice shield."
Medusa was squatting down to analyze some of the treasure. "Hm, I could probably use this to buy some new strings for my guitar."
"GOLDENBALL!"
Medusa looked to see Hoarfen actually cannonball into a pile of gold. The fact that he was able to slam into the gold and make it fall down like a stream was a testament to how powerful his body was. Still, Medusa couldn't help but giggle at what she perceived as a cute scene.
"Oh, how exquisite. However, this is not what you wanted to show me, is it, Vladdy?"
"Nope." Vlad then started to walk, with Jack following him. "This is."
"Hm?" Jack then stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes as wide as the shield Paulie found. He at first made a small whine, before it gradually got louder and high in pitch before it sounded like an opera note. It reminded Vlad of Florence, only better. As a joke and experiment, Vlad bit into his hand to form a wine glass. As soon as it was fully formed, it shattered from Jack's voice.
"VLADDY! WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE HOW MUCH I TRULY LOVE YOU AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME!"
Hoarfen jumped out of the pile of gold he was in. "What's got Jack all exci- THAT'S A FUCKING GIANT!"
The rest of the crew came, and saw that it was true.
Hoarfen grabbed Vlad by the collar, and started to shake him. "YOU WERE TOTALLY SERIOUS! YOU DID GET TO KILL A FUCKING GIANT! HOW COME YOU GET ALL THE FUN?!"
"Eh. I was bored on the archipelago, remember? Besides, you could have come with me, but you were busy fighting Tanya, right?"
Hoarfen then pointed at Tanya. "IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT, YA FUCKING PUSSY CAT!"
"FUCK YOU!"
The two then got into another fight.
Still, it didn't matter to the other Bloody Pirates, not even the new Medusa. They were more interested in the giant corpse.
"Oh, the things I could do with this body. The possibilities are endless. Ah, but I do not have the material necessary to make this magnificent body into art. Oh, how wasteful to leave it to the elements to rrrrrrot! *He actually rolled his tongue for the 'r'* If only I could preserve this magnificent treasure."
When Jack said that, a wave of freezing cold air blasted past him and the other three pirates, striking the corpse. When the cloud of freezing air was gone, the giant was encased in blue ice. Not even time would be able to touch the body.
Everyone blinked at the sparkling sight, and looked behind them to see Hoarfen in his wolf form, firing ice breath at Tanya, who kept effortlessly dodging. He had no idea he helped Jack.
Jack looked at Hoarfen for a bit, before looking back at the corpse, and then back at Hoarfen. "Thank you, Hoarffy," Jack yelled through a cupped hand.
"Huh? Yeah. Sure. Anytime."
"You're wide open," Tanya yelled as she stabbed Hoarfen near his butt.
"OW! LEAVE MY ASS ALONE, YA DAMNED PUSSY!" He then reverted back into his hybrid form, and was able to tackle Tanya into a pile of gold.
Vlad chuckled at the scene before getting back to business. "Now then, for obvious reasons, we need to leave some Chimeras to defend this island like with the archipelago."
"Worry not, Vladdy. While you were away, I crafted some new works of art, some to replace the ones ruined by dear Hoarffy and Tanny, and some completely original. The ones we brought here should be more than enough to defend our Bloody Treasure Island."
"Bloody Treasure Island?"
"What? Do you not like it?"
Vlad took a while to think... and chuckled. "Actually, it works pretty well. This will be known as Paradise's Bloody Treasure Island."
"Which means we will have to create a New World's Bloody Treasure Island," Medusa asked.
"Or steal one. Which ever comes first. Now then," Vlad created bags made from his own blood. "Fill these bags with as much treasure as possible. After that, we will leave for the archipelago to make preparations for our journey into the New World."
"Understood, captain," said the remaining Bloody Pirates, totally ignoring the fighting Hoarfen and Tanya. With their given order, the pirates went to collect as much treasure as they could get. As they did this, Vlad walked over to the frozen corpse, and placed a hand on it.
It was cold enough to irritate even Vlad. When he took his hand off of it, his palm was still steaming from the extreme cold. "Looks like this will last for a few centuries if left undisturbed." Vlad them smiled at the corpse. "I can't wait to see what Jack makes from you. I'm sure you will be..." Vlad's eyes then began to glow crimson.
Then, he had another vision. What he saw was a shadowed giant, one far larger than the one now frozen in ice. It was surrounded by countless ships while standing thigh deep in the ocean. They seemed to have been pirate ships... and a few marine ships. Both were attacking the shadowed giant at once. It took all of the attacks without even flinching.
Then, one mighty swing created a tidal wave that destroyed more than half of the armada attacking it. It seemed to be practically unstoppable. The ultimate bio-weapon. A creature powerful enough to rival even the Ancient Weapons themselves. When Vlad had the vision, he could only call the creature he saw one thing with a smile.
"Magnificent."
Omake:
Florence was lying face down on a beach, her body practically numb. She could barely even twitch.
"My word!"
"That poor woman! Was she in a ship wreck?!"
"We must take her to the doctor immediately!"
Florence then felt some people lift her, but she was too tired to even open her eyes.
After an unknown amount of time passed, she was able to slowly open her eyes.
"Ah, you are awake."
Florence looked to see an elderly man in a white doctor's coat. "Where... am... I?"
"Just on a quiet little island in the Grand Line. You suffered quite a bit of damage, young lady. Some of your organs were ruptured, as well as some broken bones. Your throat was especially damaged."
"My... throat?" Florence then remembered what had happened to her. The image of Vlad's sadistic smile was vivid in her mind. "Will I... be able... to sing... again?"
"Ah, so you are a singer. Fret not, young lady. The damage to your throat is not permanent. I have all the necessary herbs, tools, and medication to heal you. The world will be able to hear your voice once more in no time." The old man had a kind smile when he said that.
Florence... gave a beautiful smile. "Thank... you." She then looked up at the ceiling. "There... is someone... I need to... sing to." She then saw Vlad's back and tried to reach for it. "I... want him... to hear it. . . . I need him... to... hear it."
The old doctor gently held Florence's hand, and softly placed it on her stomach. "Fret not. He will. For now, you must rest. Please, try to sleep for now, young lady." Florence smiled at the doctor, and closed her eyes. The doctor looked at the sleeping beauty with a smile, and walked away. "He is a lucky man, whoever it is you wish to hear your voice."
The doctor then left the room, and gently closed the door.
When he did, Florence's smile was replaced with a scowl, one filled to the brim with hatred. She then opened her eyes. They too were filled with the most bitter hatred. "Just you wait, Vladimir. I will return. I will have even more slaves, even more power, and will be able to steal even your soul. Once you're under the spell of my voice, I will put you through an unimaginable hell. I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE!"
A/N: Believe it or not, I think this is one of the fastest chapters I have ever written.
