Alright, I'm not sure how smoothly this is going to go, but I hope you folks enjoy! I skipped proof reading the last story arc so I could get this prepared.
One Piece x Dragon Age
Sorceric7
Proudly Presents
One Magi Y.E.F.B.T.L.
Part 3: The Nightmare / Maxwell's Island Adventure!
Prologue
…There is a collection of islands on the Grand Line, in the midst of Paradise. They are ruled by a single kingdom, whose industry has made it a world class producer in agriculture and cuisine.
Each island specialized in its own verity of foods. The cold and mountainous Mt. Kisiri, their people baked pies, sweets, and other confections. The mysterious Twin Oligos, whose men and women fished in the reefs around the waters. They dared not to go into the jungle, for fear of monster lurking in those trees. The hot and dry Solbi Desert, who packed and refined spices for every pallet.
And then there was Maruchi island, their nation's capital. There, the farmers plowed their fields, grew their fruits, fermented their wines, and raised their livestock. This was also where they trained many of their chefs, to cater towards both civilians and the wealthy!
Each island was a climate to themselves, which was unusual in the Grand Line. Most islands that were in close proximity were usually of one climate. Kisiri, was winter. Oligo, autumn. Solbi, summer. And Maruchi was spring.
Yet, they were considered summer islands, because they all revolved around one certain island. One whose waters no one dared to venture alone. The Creamy Mist Volcano, for which their kingdom was named after.
This volcano stood in the middle of the archipelagos, with very little for beaches. It stood like a black obelisk, frequently erupting ash, soot, and lava from it's peak.
Most peoples would would have disturbed at living so close to a constantly active volcano, but not the Kingdom of Creamy Mist.
Their courage to live there laid in a mysterious quirk of the mountain. For whenever Creamy Mist spout it's angry fire and ashes, they always fell straight down as soon as it spread across the water. It was as if some mysterious force acted on their behalf, slapping it down like some annoying bug. Whatever it did, the gases and soot compressed into a layer of barely shin-high fog. These particles would meld into the sea, purifying it, until there was nothing more than a silky white mist.
And this fog was the secret to their success! The creamy mists that travelled over their islands nourished the soil, making their crops and animals bigger and stronger! With the amount of food and talent they possessed, the kingdom could easily pay the Heavenly Tribute towards Mariejois and take part in the World Government. Men and women would come from around the world, just for their food! And the Marines would patrol their waters and protect their home from any outward threats. A pirate wold have to be a fool, or a madman, to raid this archipelago.
…But there was one bounty on this island available to all to those who had the courage to seek it.
The precious Life Gems of Creamy Mist Archipelago.
All over the kingdom, crystalline structures would spawn and grow in veins of ore found on each island. The mists grew these gems like fruits would on a bush or tree. These gems could be pried from their bedrock and be later found regrown months later!
And they were edible, if you could believe it! Each granting unique healing properties!
Every island, unique. Maruchi Island's looked like hands, each holding an open eye in their palm. They stimulated brain activity and memory retention, excellent for the mind! Solbi's gems appeared like rings, with the precious stones formed at their roots. Those that ate them were often found cured of poisons, both venomous and ingested. Oligo's gems appeared as birds, wings extended in various positions of flight. For when illness struck, these birds would help alleviate their symptoms and be later found cured, in a day or two. Kisiri's gem were the most obvious in their function. They appeared as two arms flexing around a central core, and promoted strength and fertility.
But what about the Creamy Mist Volcano? Did they have a gem?
Yes, they did.
On the steep obsidian cliffs, the gems appeared as large jewels held in the legs of spiders. They were perilous to find, and harder to uncover, because the lava rolling down Creamy Mist's mantle would cover up any veins of their precious Life Gems. Among the islands, these were the only gems you actually had to dig for.
But they were worth it. For these Life Gems were said to heal any wound. They could not regrow limbs, but large gashes that would take weeks to heal would suture in a matter of minutes! Ownership of these gems were excluded only to the king, and of his permissions.
The navy tried to buy many of these gems. However, the further a Life Gem travelled away from Creamy Mist, the more it just turned into ordinary rock candy… And not very good candy at that.
Indeed, the people of Creamy Mist would hoard and decorate these gems as a resource and symbols of status. Their colour, lustre, and structure, all indicating their potency and worth.
No one could fault a man for wanting these gems… So they made a festival of it.
Every 5 years, the king would invite every citizen and foreign ship to participate in the illustrious Treasure Wars!
The goal? Participants were to go to each island in the Creamy Mist Archipelago, participate in it's contests, and find it's corespondent gem. The winner, would be determined by those who present a set of five to the king.
Being first wasn't everything though. The whole festival fair lasted for about a week, and the last day to present your findings was on the second last day.
Adventurers were judged on a point based system. Their gems would be appraised by a panel of judges, in specking each gem, then they would tally up the submitters score. Plus, contestants were encouraged to be competitive with one another. Stealing, cheating, obstructing your competitor, it was all completely aloud. Even pirates were allowed to enter the festival, so long as they didn't harm the king and his properties.
The winner, was awarded a Grand Prize of 100,000,000 beri, a polished, cut, and set collection of their own Life Gems, and an Eternal Pose to any island of the winner's choosing!
It was a ludicrous prize! But one well deserved for all the wealth this kingdom accumulates.
And this year, just so happened to be a year for the Treasure Wars! …And they were just starting!
O O O
Party crackers burst open and confetti fluttered throughout the air. People laughed, cheered, and children ran thought the streets.
It was the Treasure Wars Festival!
A parade was wandering down Main Street. Men and women, riding on decorated wagons, threw candy towards the sidewalks. Children would pick up the candies and put them into buckets held by their parents. Musicians marched through the street, playing their instruments in their hands, while dancers cartwheeled beside them!
On another street, vendors yelled throughout the bazaar! Advertising their treats and wares, "Hot dogs! Get your hotdogs here!" "Spin the wheel, win a prize!" "That'll be 420 beri." "WHAT!? That's robbery! 250!"
Maruchi City was busy. People from all over the archipelago were attending the opening ceremonies. They wanted to see the king declaration, and catch a glimpse of the competitors in this year's Treasure War. They wanted to know who could be first this year!
People walked on the cobbled stone. Their buildings conjoined to make singular blocks, with red shingled roofs with flat tops. Guardsmen were stationed at every block, dressed in ceremonial red and blue tabards and broad rimed helmets. They would said hello to anyone addressed them, despite the halberds in their hands.
A woman, with long red ponytail and bangs, looked down at the city square. She stood watching on one of the roof tops, a small crowd was gathering near the fountain. They were watching a platform was busy being raised, raising posts, laying out planks, and rolling out carpet.
She watched it all with a wicked grin, "Soon…"
O O O
"Ho~ These people sure get exicited…" a man with a red mohawk and mustard collar tailcoat commented, strolling down the street. He was flanked by his two bodyguards, each nibbling on food-on-a-stick with their favourite treats.
"It's a festival boss. Of course they would be excited!" The purple matador swallowed another piece of deep-fried frog leg. He had a receding hairline, and tiger stripe tattoos on his face.
"Have you seen the stuff their handing out!?"
"Bone marrow biscuits, bone broth soup, bone shaped churros…!" The other bodyguard, a bulging muscular man with a grey sleeveless martial arts gi, drooled at the thought. He was old with age, but he had the scars and muscle to prove he was a fighter. Especially with the spiked collars around every limb.
"Hotdog, you're drooling again," Hebi deadpanned. Hotdog quickly snapped out of it an scowled.
"Eh, it doesn't matter," their boss waved them off. "We won't be sticking around anyways… Not after we get paid for trafficking all those animals! We're going to be RICH! Count Battler always get's his pelt! HAHAHAHA—!"
"SHHH!" Hotdog and Hebi quickly shut their boss up, by covering his mouth. They did not want to be ousted by the local authorities! Now, if only Battler would learn to keep his mouth shut!
O O O
"So this is Creamy Mist…?" A man walked down the plank from his dragon headed galleon.
He had a tall, imposing figure, wearing a white coat and spaulders, and no shirt. His square chizzled jaw was in a perpetual smirk, with dead uncaring eyes. His name was Gasparde, "General" Gasparde.
"Get those boats in the water!" the blonde pirate barked at his men, "I want to be off as soon as the race begins!"
"Y-Yes sir!" His crew started working faster, not wanting to upset their captain.
Gasparde saw the men and women bustling around the harbour. Crates being moved, and nets being emptied. Fishmongers advertising their latest catch. He wondered just how many people would actually be competing in this Treasure War?
It was something new. Something different. Now he was glad he overheard that loser back on Dead End. It had been getting boring rigging all those races.
A greedy smile graced his face. "This is going to be interesting…!"
O O O
Men laughed in the tavern, "To the Treasure Wars!" raising a mug to whoever won the games. They were rowdy, even if it was barely past noon. Mugs of ale were pouring, getting drunk on the smooth beer. But who could blame them. This was their day off, and they were enjoying it while the festival swung round.
"Hey did you hear about David and that new sprayer he made?" "Yeah! Heard it blew up in his face! POOF!" "Now he's going to be smell like shit for a week."
"I almost feel bad for his wife!" The farmers laughed at their compadre's cruel joke.
"Shame we aren't having the marines compete," and old man at another table commented. "The garrison loved participating in the Treasure Wars…"
"Bah… Can't blame 'em," his drinking buddy scoffed. "What with that execution happening in a few days. They barely got men to spare!" Truthfully, the garrison had been emptied a few days ago, leaving little but a token force at the marine base. It was like they expecting some big fight to happen at Marineford.
"…Do you think Whitebeard's going to show up?" Another man whispered to his own buddy.
"Of course he is! You know how that monster treats his crew…!"
"I heard a Celestial Dragon was going to attend." "Now why the hell would one of them do that!?"
A man lazily cracked open his eye, hearing the noise. He had silver grey hair and tanned skin, a mug held hanging in his hand. His red robe was disheveled, like it hadn't been cleaned for a while, and a sheathed sword leaned against his chair. He tried to take a drink, but soon realized his mug was empty, spilt onto the floor.
"…Another round!" the swordsman drawled to the barkeep. Saga was obviously drunk.
O O O
"HEY! STOP THAT DOG!"
A dog with and aviator's cap and goggles ran through the streets of Maruchi city. It's long floppy ears waving as it ran. In it's mouth was a basket full of crystals. Life Gems.
They were originally held by a man who was trying to pretend being an old woman. The bulldog needed them, so he took them. Instead of it's mouth though, the dog's long rope like tongue was wrapped around the handle, dragging the basket across the ground.
The bulldog raced through several allies, eventually losing his pursuer. When it was sure no one else was following him, the dog turned into a small alcove. There were several barrels and crates in the way, but there was a passage to walk pass them.
At the end of the alley was a little loading area. It seemed generally abandoned by the locals, but there was one man in the square. His master, Schneider.
He sat slumped again a building, resting. His violet captain's coat being used as a blanket. He was old, and Schneider's health had been poor in recents months.
The hawk-nosed pirate coughed, sputtering himself awake. It was a hacking hard cough. When Schneider looked into his own hand, he could see the blood he had coughed up. He was dying, he was sure of it.
*Woof*
Schneider looked up to see his dog in front of him, "Hey Buzz…" He petted the old bulldog. It had been just the two of them for a while now. Schneider was once the captain to a pirate crew, the Schneider Pirates. But as time went on, their crew got older and most chose to retire. They were never infamous, but they could make a living. Buzz and Schneider were just two of the diehards.
*Rrr…* Buzz leaned into his master's petting. Then he turned to the basket and pushed it towards Schneider.
"…Life Gems?" Schneider picked up one of the bird crystals and looked at it carefully. They were famous for their medical prowess on these islands. Buzz had actually taken him here, remembering their last visit to these islands.
"…Bah. These are fake…!" Schneider threw the crystal across the loading area, letting it shatter against the pavement.
*WOOF!?* It was nothing more than coloured glass.
"Heheh… Nice try Buzz. Did you at least put that charlatan on a merry chase?" They were probably going to try and scam contestants into submitting a set early. He would know, their crew tried it before.
"Woof!" Buzz's little tail wagged at how he avoided that scammer. He was their go getter when it came to supplies.
Schneider reached for his cane. A wooden "T" shaped rod, leaning against the wall beside him. He grabbed the handle, and leaned on it to get up. However as he moved, another coughing fit came up, and Schneider fell onto his hands and knees.
Buzz whimpers beside him. It was getting worse, but Buzz knew Schneider wouldn't accept any help getting up. He was too prideful for that.
"…Don't worry Buzz. We'll find a way…"
O O O
King Cello sat alone in a carriage as it drove through the streets. It was a padded dual seater, the inside laced in magenta fabric and gilded with silver. The outside was huge, gilded with gold. His chauffeur sat on the back, while his drive held the reins steering the horses.
Cello wore no crown. Alas, he never felt the need too. He much preferred his black three piece suit, top hat, and long wide robin eggshell scarf. Cello kept his beard clean and moustache twirled, his sandy blone hair combed back and proper. He sat with his legs crossed, holding onto his walking stick. A long black shaft with a golden serpent curled around it, it's head extended into the handle. He truthfully never needed it, but a gentleman should always look his best!
The king thought about the Treasure Wars this year. Their were quite a few pirates this year, and the marines were noticeably absent. The city guards were going to have to pick up the slack, just in case the pirates got any ideas.
They also had a visiting monarch, the ruler of Mecha Island visiting this year, and that made Cello nervous. Roba's son, Rachet, had ascended the thrown, and he was an arrogant little brat. They hadn't reached negotiations yet, but Cello wouldn't put it past Rachet to start making demands as soon as they sat down to speak. He'd seen the state of Mecha Island, and it was absolutely cruel to subject an island turtle like that.
Then there was the Holy Mandate, showcasing the execution of Portgas D. Ace. Was the Navy insane!? Cello knew that was an open invitation for Whitebeard to invade Marineford! He would feel a lot safer knowing that a Yonko stayed in the New World, where they belonged! It may be a delicate power balance, between the marines, yonko, and warlords, but actively antagonizing an emperor was crazy! He hoped the marines had Vegapunk cook up something for them, or it would be complete chaos!
And during the Treasure Wars Festival too… Cello sighed. They'll have to put the festival on hold for a day to watch the proceedings. "Such a waste…"
The carriage stopped and knock sounded on the door. "We're here, you're majesty."
"Good, good…" The king stood up, adjusting the dark monocle over his left eye. It was time to start the opening ceremonies. He tapped the door with his cane, and a moment later, the door opened.
Cello stepped out onto a vibrant red carpet. The crowd cheered as the citizens saw their king. He waved, reservedly, befitting a man of his station.
A pair of guards walked him down the isle, towards the stage where he would be doing his speech. The two traded off and another pair of guards walked with him on stage, still following the carpet.
It was remarkably done. The red carpet laid atop a white sparking sheet, draping over the platform. A pair of curtains stood erected on a frame, with garland and roses hung with the drape. At the front, a podium stood where he would address the people. A den den mushi was on the desk.
The guards stopped at the end of the corner, and King Cello stepped up to the podium. He raised a hand, signalling the crowd to quiet down.
"…Welcome!" His voice echoed in the square, projected by speakers, "Welcome ladies and gentlemen, to the 75th quinquennial Treasure War Festival!"
The crowd roared cheering their king on as the Royal made his address.
"Thank you! Thank you for coming…!" the king said over the cheers and holler. They quieted down as Cello continued. "Now! As you know, there will be a pause in this year's Treasure War, due to the World Government mandate. In light of that event, I have decided to extend the festival another three days." People cheered as they heard that news.
"Furthermore, I would like to remind you all that sign up is still mandatory before searching. Boats will be available for anyone who needs to travel between the islands. Now… The challenges for this year are as—"
*BOOM!*
People screamed as a large dust cloud erupted in the square. Even the king stepped back, not expecting something to fall from the sky! The public fountain had been demolished and in its place was a large crater. And in that crater laid a man… A man who was missing a hand.
O O O
"What the hell was that!?" The red-headed Helsing cursed as dust flew up into her eyes.
"Boss! What happened!?" A hunchback named Cal asked. "Was this part of the plan!?"
"Of course this wasn't part of the plan! Where is that damn demanio!?" She brought out a spyglass and scanned the roof tops. Their sniper wasn't at their perch yet!
Their original plan was to let the little king make his boring speech and then snipe the posh bastard as he announced the begin of the race! But now, with that little crater in the square, the guards were going to be more alert then ever!
"What do we do, boss?"
Hellsing peered down into the crater, "…Maybe we can make use of this." There was a man where the fountain was. And she recognized that beard from the wanted posters. The "Magister," Maxwell Trevelyan was in the Creamy Mist Archipelago. If he could keep the guard distracted, then maybe the plan wasn't complete scrap yet.
"Keep the signal ready. The plan hasn't changed! …But where is that damn sniper!? Argh! This is why no one hires aqueros anymore…!"
Author's Note:
That's right! I chose the Cream Mist Islands from Wonderswan's One Piece: Treasure Wars! …And if you have no idea what that is, I don't blame you! Only ever came out in Japan.
I have thought about several islands to send Max, each with their own plot points, even before I started this fanfic. BUT I ultimately I chose this island! Trust me, this plot thread made a lot more sense than the Wuxia Kung-Fu Panda Parody I was originally thinking of with Pandaman… Based in Kano Country to.
Now I have made a few tweaks to the island, like the name of the archipelago. I originally tried Misty Cream, but that just sounded a lot more dirty in my mind. The games aren't considered cannon anyways, so I can take a few liberties. :)
…But for the love of God, if anyone—ANYONE!—knows more details about the game plot and mechanics to the first Treasure Wars, TELL ME! It was a total pain in the ass trying to find information in english! I didn't use an emulator to play the game! The One Piece Wiki and Youtube have only brought me so far! And most of the sources I had were gone and missing online by the time I had to review it all! GOD, WHY!?
Oh well.
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