The sound of the laugh echoed throughout the desert, chilling everyone to the bone. Those who recognized the laugh bristled further while those who didn't merely watched in nervousness, not knowing what enemy they would be facing next.
"T-that's not..." Cat Burglar cut herself off, remembering that laugh from Jaya.
"It is." Roronoa spat out, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly in preparation for the unavoidable battle.
"W-Who?! Who is it?!" Usopp cried, clinging to Chopper, both of the past members shaking in fear.
"Blackbeard." Ace, Monkey and Marco hissed the word out with so much venom that it surprised the group.
"I didn't expect him to be the next guest." Law muttered, frowning and holding his chin in thought.
"B-B-B-Blackbeard? Y-you mean t-the guy that..." Nami trailed off, eyes drifting over to Ace. Even the navigator was beginning to creep towards Usopp and Chopper, ready to hide with them. Monkey nodded silently, still not turning from where he stared off into the desert, presumably where Blackbeard was.
"Would seem so, and judging by the fact that he's getting closer he's noticed us too." Ace growled out, flames instinctively forming around his fist, ready for the fight to come. Monkey and Marco shared a glance.
"Ace," Monkey started, only to be stopped from saying anything more as Ace spoke up.
"Im not gonna stand by and watch you fight him Monkey." Ace said with a frown, already knowing what Monkey was going to say. Monkeys frown deepened.
"Ace, understand that in your time you didn't defeat Blackbeard, what makes you think you can take on Blackbeard of the future? A traitor who defeated the remnants of the Whitebeard pirates easily, yoi?" Marco asked sternly, shocking Ace with the information.
"What do you mean-?"
"That's not the issue right now, the point is, yoi, that your not ready to take him on. I don't know what it is that you did here in Alabasta but it wouldn't do you any good getting hurt now of all times." Marco said, arms crossed and settling a stern look at Ace who fidgeted.
"Yeah, but... I've been going after him all this time and now you're gonna stop me?" Ace whined, Marco shaking his head in frustration.
"You're not going after this Blackbeard Ace, you're going after the past Blackbeard. Just stay out of the fight, yoi, alright?" Marco asked, but his tone indicated he wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Someone needs to keep everyone from the past from getting hurt." Monkey said, interrupting the two, keeping Ace from starting another argument. He could feel Blackbeard getting closer and the aura the man emitted was less than pleasant.
"Blackbeards a dirty bastard, he's gonna try and hurt us any way he can so you should guard them Ace. You too Cat Burglar, Sniper. Make sure he doesn't hurt 'em." Monkey said, Cat Burglar and Sniper nodding in agreement as they steeled their nerves. This was a man that they would do anything they could to take down.
Ace was quiet for a minute, obviously not liking that he was stuck on the sidelines, but he nodded, still glaring in the direction of Blackbeard.
"Blackbeard ate the Yami-Yami no mi, the darkness fruit. He can nullify someone's devil fruit and create and control darkness too." Monkey said, already lowering into a fighting position, the future members following suit as they listened closely.
"Brook, I don't know how that would effect your fruit, but do your best to keep from Blackbeard touching you. Robin, since your powers are an extension of you I don't think you would be able to touch him either, even if you were using your devil fruit." Monkey said, trying to think quick. He didn't do it often, but whenever there was going to be a fight the normally idiotic Captain always seemed to grow a brain.
"That's a very powerful devil fruit." Vivi said nervously, she and Nami holding onto each other.
"Blackbeards no joke." Sniper said with a frown on his face as he and Cat Burglar made their way over to the past members, ready to keep Blackbeard from harming them.
"I wanna fight him too." Luffy mumbled frowning, but not a childish pout, a serious one.
"I think we'll have to wait in line for that Captain." Zoro said with his own frown, looking at all the future members of the Straw Hats, all in battle ready positions.
"You guys ready?" Monkey asked Law, Sabo and Marco. They weren't his crew, he couldn't order them to fight, but if their stances were anything to go by, they would be joining him in this fight as well.
"I've been wanting to punch this guy in the face for a while now." Sabo said with a devilish grin, his grip on his pipe tightening.
"I owe this guy a few punches as well, yoi." Marco said, remembering every encounter he's had with this traitor he once called his brother.
"It wouldn't be good for me if you died here today Straw Hat-ya." Law said off-handedly. Monkey nodded, turning to look forward again where he could begin to see Blackbeard, could see the vile smile the man wore, hear his laugh as he spotted the mix of past and future members.
"That's Blackbeard, huh?" Sanji asked, lighting a cigarette. There was a tenseness in the air and it was setting everyone on edge for good reason. No one answered Sanji, because really there was no point in it, but even if someone wanted to no one could find the words. Everyone was too on edge, to ready for the fight, no one was in the mindset to continue on a conversation that wasn't necessary.
"Zehahahahaha~! Who would have thought that I would run into you Straw Hat Luffy? And Commander Marco, though I guess its been Captain for a while now, huh? Its been a while!" Teach said as he slowly made his way closer. Monkey could barely contain his rage, body shaking in fury as he held back from attacking. Ace's feelings of hatred were momentarily forgotten at Teach's words, because if Marco was Captain then that meant...
"And it seems you've got some friends with you. Isn't that surprising, it looks like you've got yourselves some doppelgängers, but- oh, I see." Blackbeard said, face morphing from confusion to understanding, another wide grin forming.
"Zehahahaha~! I understand now! Well in that case," Teach turned to look at Ace, the fire user pushing his previous thoughts away and giving the man his best glare, trying to stop himself from charging at him.
"Its good to see you again, ne Commander?" Teach asked sinisterly, and it took everything in Ace not to run, the only thing he allowed was a growl of disdain. The past members all shivered at the chilling words, knowing that this man was the cause of Aces death even though he may not have done the killing himself.
"You know, I always thought our big battle royale would be much more... dramatic, but I guess this'll do! Zehahaha-! Gah!" Blackbeard said, beginning to laugh again, but being cut off as a fist stretched his way and punched him.
"Im tired of listening to you talk you bastard!" Monkey growled. Blackbeard frowned, rubbing his jaw and sighing.
"Oh well, it was inevitable I guess. In that case, take this!" Blackbeard shouted, sending spears of darkness at the group. Everyone began dodging and so the battle commenced.
Monkey and Marco both charged towards Blackbeard, dodging his spears and avoiding any attempts Blackbeard made at grabbing them.
"Gum Gum Bazooka!" Monkey shouted, flinging his hands forward and sending Teach flying, coughing up blood.
"For someone so strong it looks like Monkeys attack had a big effect on him." Chopper noted, everyone nodding in agreement. As they continued watching.
Marco used a partial transformation, using his wings to fly towards Teach, and his talons to attack the downed mans chest before he could retaliate. Teach gave a shout of pain, the blood gushing forward as he struggled to get up, Marco flying back over to Monkey as they faced the man once more.
"That's how its going to be then? All of you against little ol me?" Teach asked in a growl. Everyone tensed at the tone, sensing that no good could come from it.
"Alright then, Black Hole!" The traitor spread out his arms, masses of darkness flooding from his palms and falling to the floor like water, spreading over to the groups.
"Crap!" Monkey hissed as he watched the darkness reach underneath him, turning to watch it spread underneath everyone else as well.
"That doesn't look Suuper~!" Franky shouted, everyone looking back to see Blackbeard clench his hands into fists. Suddenly it felt like they were standing in quicksand, the darkness beginning to swallow them.
"THis isn't good!" Cat Burglar shouted, turning to see that the past members were sinking quickly as well.
"IM TOO YOUNG TO DIE!" Usopp screamed, he and Chopper crying loudly.
"Room." In an instant the past members were out of the darkness and over to the side, unaffected once more.
"Good thinking Law-san!" Brook cheered.
"Yeah, good thinking, but why didn't you help us too?!" Sniper shouted. Law frowned, glaring slightly.
"If I could I would have but I can only make my room so big. Besides, Straw Hat-ya seemed to have it under control." Law said, gesturing to Monkey who was steaming, his skin giving off a pink hue.
"Gear Second! Gum Gum, Jet Pistol!" In a blur Monkeys fist shot out, hitting Blackbeard, causing him to drop the Black Hole, everyone rising back to the surface again.
"Oh thank Kami!" Cat Burglar sighed out, holding a hand over her heart.
"Seems this guys stronger than he let on." Black leg said, kicking sand off his shoe.
"Are you surprised?" Roronoa asked, wiping off his clothes.
"Now doesn't seem to be the time for talking." Robin mentioned from beside them as she crossed her arms. Everyone watched as hands sprouted out of Monkeys back forming wings that sent him flying into the air with Marco at his side, both heading to Teach. Remembering they were in a fight Cat Burglar, Sniper and Ace ran back over to the past members while Black Leg and Roronoa headed toward Teach.
"Nice job Robin!" Sabo praised, smiling to the woman as he charged after Monkey and Marco.
"Are you guys ok?" Ace asked, scanning the group.
"I-I think so..." Vivi said, unsure as she looked over herself.
"I think I have sand in my ears." Luffy said, shaking his head.
"How is that even possible, we only sank to our knees!" Nami said, Luffy merely shrugging in response.
"Higan!" The shout drew their attention to the fight, watching as Sabo began shooting bullets of fire from his fingers towards Teach who, for his size, was able to dodge them remarkably quickly. Marco came up, flying ahead of Monkey and using his wings to send a shockwave towards Teach that made him stumble slightly, Sabos Higan slowing down as Monkey came forward as well.
"Gum Gum Gatling!" Monkeys fists went flying downwards at a speed the past members couldn't keep up with, watching in amazement at their Captains future strength.
"You brats!" Blackbeard growled, spitting out blood as Monkeys attack stopped.
"Kurouzu!" Darkness stretched from Blackbeards hand and Luffy was seemingly pulled in, Robins wings disappearing from his back immediately while the woman fell to her knees, the breath seemingly knocked out of her at the sensation of her devil fruit being nullified so suddenly.
"You ok Robin-Chwan?" Black Leg asked in concern, running over to her quickly.
"Yes, Im fine, just lost my breath is all." Robin said, already standing back up as they turned to look at Teach again who was now holding Monkey in his hand, laughing as the Captain struggled to get out.
"That bastard." Roronoa growled, already on his way to go help his Captain.
"Zehahahaha~! The effort was cute Straw Hat, but I think you've forgotten who you're up against!" Blackbeard shouted, throwing Lawful body to the floor and stomping on him. The past members and even some of the future members besides Marco, Law and Sabo watched in shock as Monkey began spitting up blood, the impact of both the ground and the foot wounding him.
"B-But Luffy's made of rubber! That shouldn't have hurt him!" Chopper said in shock.
"Didn't Monkey say something about Blackbeards powers nullifying devil fruits?" Zoro asked, though equally shocked.
"So he was a normal human just then?" Vivi asked.
"Seems that way." Sanji said, gnawing on his cigarette.
"Im gonna kill him." Ace growled, already beginning to stomp towards the man he'd been chasing, but he was stopped by rubbery arms that wrapped around him, pulling him back.
"Luffy, let go!" Ace shouted, turning a glare onto Luffy who was giving him a glare back.
"No. They said you shouldn't fight him, he's too strong." Luffy said sternly, surprising the past members.
"Who cares how strong he is? I need to go and-"
"No!" Luffy shouted back, cutting off any argument Ace would have made.
"You're too stubborn Ace! If you start a fight you're not gonna stop so I'm not gonna let you start!" Luffy said. The two brothers glared at each other in silence for a few seconds before a sigh was heard.
"He's right Ace, you shouldn't go fight, Monkeys got this under control." Cat Burglar said, placing a hand on the fire users shoulder.
"Yeah, besides, he's got your buddy Marco to back him up, and Sabo and Law too! Not to mention his crew." Sniper encouraged, giving the man a smile. Although not happy with it Ace had no way of joining the fight even though he wanted to. He wouldn't fight off Luffy or his crew just to go fight Teach, even if the man deserved a good punch or twenty from him.
"Oni Giri!" Back to the fight Blackbeards foot was removed from Monkeys chest as he stumbled back, avoiding getting his foot severed from Roronoas attack. The swordsman's swords had a black sheen over them and his good eye was gleaming as he scowled at Blackbeard.
"Thanks Roronoa." Monkey said, getting back up and wiping the blood from his mouth.
"No problem Captain." Roronoa responded, swords still raised and ready. Blackbeard growled in rage and used his darkness to wrap around Roronoas leg, flinging him away before anyone could stop him.
"You bastard!" Monkey shouted, watching as Roronoa flew away from him, saved by Tony who transformed into Heavy Point and caught him before he could be harmed.
"Thanks Tony." Roronoa said, Tony nodding in acknowledgment and setting the swordsman down.
"Shitty swordsman, don't take all the fun!" Black Leg shouted as he ran forward. Ready for Black Leg Blackbeard smiled and began to use the same thing he'd used on Roronoa, a tendril of darkness slithering towards Black Legs foot, but before it could wrap around the chef shot into the sky, hands in his pocket.
"WOAH, BLACK LEGS FLYING!" Chopper said in amazement, he and Usopp watching with stars in their eyes.
"Brook!" Black Leg shouted, the skeleton already running towards Blackbeard.
"On it Sanji-san!" Brook announced, unsheathing his sword, a chill running through the air. He sped past Teach in a blur before the man could even react, slowing to a walk and whistling as he carefully sheathed his sword. Everyone watched in tense silence as Teach cried out in shock, a gash forming alongside the marks from Marco's talons, this one freezing to the touch, ice forming around it as Blackbeard fell to a knee.
"Nice, now," Black Leg began, kicking his leg in the air until it was on fire.
"HIS LEGS ON FIRE!" Usopp screamed in shock, Sanji watching in amazement as his future counterpart began spinning forward, beginning his decent towards Teach.
"Concasser!" Black Leg shouted, the impact hitting Teach right on the head, the man coughing up even more blood from the hit as Black Leg jumped away. Without giving the man a chance to retaliate Cat Burglar began spitting thunder clouds from her clima-tact.
"Thunder Breed Tempo!" Cat Burglar shouted, thunder raining from the sky and converging onto Blackbeard, further injuring the man.
"Midori Boshi: Impact Wolf!" Sniper called, sending a pop green flying at Blackbeard as well, the seed quickly sprouting into a giant green wolf.
"Were not done yet you slimy bastard! Franky Radical Beam!" Franky announced, sending his own attack into the fray. Everyone was waiting now, watching to see if the fight would still continue. They were giving it everything they had, but would that be enough?
"Did I mention before that you brats were really starting to piss me off?"
Hey there everyone! Well, this chapters a bit early, not that I think any of you mind, because Im gonna be busy these next few days so I thought I'd get this up now rather then scramble to get it up Wednesday! I hope you're enjoying the fight so far, Im not the best when it comes to scenes like this but I'm trying my best to make it as good as possible.
Oh, and I totally forgot to thank you all last chapter for being so understanding and supportive of my impromptu hiatus before! All your reviews made my day and I definitely wouldn't be able to continue this story without all of you! So, with that, I guess I'll be seeing you all next week!