What's this? Yello, I'm not dead, I'm living and breathing. One month I said, a new chapter in one month's my goal. Turns out I wouldn't get one out until Christmas. This is all your early, late or even Christmas present depending on where all of you live. I give my humblest apologies to those who were yearning for my newest chapter but life was doing life things and I didn't start writing one until a month ago. To be honest I felt my love for writing falter for a couple of months after my previous chapter and even contemplated handing this creation over to another writer. Thankfully I didn't because I managed to find my fuel and kept on chugging till I pumped out this behemoth of text. Anyway, enough talk, hope you enjoy the chapter, blast me with criticisms or praise me with love. I don't care as long as you gained something from reading my story. As always, I hope you have a good day or continue having one, enjoy this chapter! :)
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The sea twisted and contorted to the whims of the wind as massive cyclones collided, warping the water around it and sending volleys of ocean into the sky. The constant and incessant downpour of water drowned out the roaring engines of the cyclones as water fell from the sky like waterfalls.
Dark clouds blocked out the midnight sky as lightning was sent down from above illuminating the dark seas in flashes of burning yellow light. The screams of thunder were barely audible under the night sky's tears as waves high as mountains scraped the heavens.
Amid the long serpentine sea, an armada of ships battled nature as they were rocked around in the devil's tango. Tossed about the sea like a leaf in a hurricane, they stood no chance against the onslaught of nature. The ships could only pray for calm as waves toyed and capsized the crews.
Shadows moved under the water, as monsters lurked in these depths. Their shape and length varied but they were all massive, easily able to swallow the whole fleet in a second. In an instant, a monster rose from the blue abyss, its form enveloped by a sudden flash of lightning. As it broke the surface the leviathan sent waves and ripples dancing across the sea.
The size of the beast was indescribable as a single piercing eye blinked in and out of existence. An ungodly beast for an ungodly sea, its indescribable body was hidden beneath the wailing tides. Like a demon breaking from the chains of a blue abyssal hell, the monster took in the air of man. But like everything in this unforgiving world, nothing is forever.
The monster shrieked into the blackened sky as the odour of decay washed onto the ships of the armada. But the leviathan didn't scream out to the heavens in defiance, but in fear and mercy. For there will always be a beast far more malicious lying in wait, at the depths of hell.
The beast was dragged back down to the damned and lost souls of the sea from which it came, it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. The fangs of a devil sank into the demon as its head was squished like a grape between the Sea King's massive fangs. The bloated corpse of the beast was slowly dragged back down into the merciless seas. The only thing left in its wake was its foul odour and the lakes of red that rose and boiled from the devil's domain.
The ships pressed on, their hulls groaning against the relentless assault of the sea, determined sailors fighting against the roaring winds. The ships sailed onwards, tattered and broken by nature, but they kept their heads held high as the World Government flag fluttered in the vicious winds.
The World Government was closing in on its target, the island slowly emerging from the black horizon. The closer they got the calmer the seas, until the sea went deathly still. The night sky was empty as the sky seamlessly merged with the black sea at the horizon. The turbulent sea turned evermore passive as the armada slowly drifted through the ocean leaving a trail of red behind them.
The lead ship sailed first in a V formation. The forerunner ship was easily the largest of all the ships. Painted in vibrant blues, whites and golds, the vessel flaunted its wealth as a solid gold snake head was mounted to the front of the ship. Atop said snake head was a boy.
A boy that was in awe at the beauty of the sea. It looked so docile compared to mere moments ago when waves the size of mountains crashed down upon them. The seemingly never-ending seas were enticing enough, but to know that hundreds of exotic and new islands lined the blues was beyond exciting to Louncent.
The ships seemed to float in the air as darkness enveloped the armada. The tattered ships sailed to Marineford, slowly drifting towards the island of justice. As they drew closer to the shore, a blockade of hundreds of ships encircled the crescent moon island. Thousands of soldiers stood proudly under the marine banner, and their loud clamours went silent at the encroaching ships.
The blockade parted in an instant as marines carried out orders. All the marines threw salutes to the passing armada, thousands of them giving silent looks of envy, fear, anger and least felt of all, joy. Louncent's brows furrowed, and his lips tightened into a thin line.. None of them seemed to even display the slightest glimpse of joy at their arrival.
As the ships drew closer, the island finally showed its true beauty. Four small mountains sat around a massive castle that was situated in the centre of the island. The Marine logo was plastered on the stone wall as the Tower of Justice sat atop its impenetrable stone walls. Watch towers were all built on each of the small mountains, and orders and shouts were all drowned out by the ringing of bells.
As the ships entered the bay, ready to dock, dozens of cannons circled the bay walls. Cannons pointed to the sky as celebratory shots were fired into the darkness above. Thousands of marines stood there in silence as they held their salutes. Some of the marines were literal giants. All of the humanoid monsters managed to dwarf his Grandfather with ease.
Louncent turned around on the figurehead to look back at his grandfather. Ginson just averted his eyes as he looked up at the tower above signalling Louncent to follow. Both were garbed in black suits as his Grandfather stated it would be a formal event. Ginson and Louncent deboarded the vessel as dozens of Mariejois guards marched behind them in rhythmic steps. Marines formed a crowd as they funnelled the group to the top of Marineford.
All the Marines bowed their heads as they occasionally glanced up at the colossal human and the seemingly out-of-place child. They marched up the streets of the fortified city as marines littered every corner of the citadel. All windows to the houses were closed tight with curious eyes occasionally popping out to get a glimpse at these unknown visitors. After every street they turned and every home they passed, the number of marines seemingly dwindled. As they climbed higher and higher the marines were nowhere to be seen.
As Ginson felt like there was no one around he finally spoke. "Do you know where we are?" Louncent swivelled his head still in awe at the beauty of the island. "I heard people call this place the Island of Justice."
"Indeed, this is where the world looks to when they're in trouble. It's a beacon of hope to all that aren't pirates. The reason I took you here was to take a break from your little endeavours in Mariejois as well as to show you the responsibilities you shall inherit as my lone descendant.'' Louncent looked puzzled as he turned to Ginson.
"I thought world nobles didn't have any responsibilities?" Ginson's lips curled upward.
"Most don't, but they don't understand the power and responsibility our people hold. Specifically, we are the ones that balance the world scale. The reason we eradicate those pirates is to keep the balance in check. A way to equal the scales you could say. However, recently new powers are forming and the balance is faltering. We have to recheck the scales with a new system of power. We have already established one but I feel like you, my boy, can be a new force. One that could ever so slightly tip the scales in our favour, it would be in all our best interests for a better kingdom and world. A world free of scum and full of joy for all of us. Even if you don't feel like you're strong enough for such a world-defining power, don't worry, we already have it sorted. Such power has already been passed down through our lineage and it's growing old with me. It needs new coal to feed its flame, I'm old and weak compared to my prime and you can bring this power back to its prime and even go further beyond. We have faith that you can carry out this role. Your heart may be in the wrong place but you still have time to change, you're young and you will see with me eye to eye one day, I'll make sure of it." Louncent was simply blank-faced as he slowly absorbed all the information.
They were giving him a pivotal role in deciding the fate of the world and they left it to him, a small child who didn't even align with their beliefs. Those old buffoons must have peas for brains. Why hand such a power to him of all people? Maybe it had to do with politics, war maybe even out of desperation. But Louncent doubted that, even if the old folks sitting at the top had peas for brains they wouldn't give it to him unless there was another factor…like blood and lineage.
The old man did say he came from a long line of murderers and sinners, maybe these acts were committed through the use of this power. But then again his Grandfather said to follow his own dreams yet now he's telling him to follow the World Government. 'What's going on in that old noggin of yours?' The old man could be going crazy for all he knows. "Why would you give such a power to me, Grandfather? You already know that I hate the golden shithole we live in. Why give it to me of all people?" Ginson let out a slight chuckle at the boy's choice of words as he just kept on walking before looking back at Louncent.
"As I said, you're young and are yet to see what the world truly's like. Riddled with maggots and rats grovelling at our feet, they're no use. We should exterminate the pests and have free rain all over the world. Our people deserve nothing less than this." Ginson delivered the lines with a straight face as if he didn't just say the most heinous revolting statements towards humanity as a whole. 'Maybe you've already strayed too far, Grandfather.'
The duo arrived at a massive double door made from black metal that seemed to be forged and moulded by the flames of hell. Zero noticeable marks were found anywhere on the pristine metal. The dark metal looked to weigh several tons as the hinges were the size of a human torso. When the two doors were put together it formed the kanji for justice painted in white. Louncent tried to push the doors open but it felt like a herculean task unsuited for a child such as himself. Ginson simply let out a short breath of laughter as to judge the boy, with a single hand raised Ginson simply gave the boy a knowing smirk. With a tap of his finger, the metal doors blasted forth with a mighty gust of wind, sending Loucnent a couple of steps.
The boy once again found himself in awe at the crazy world and people he's seen. The effortlessness would put almost any bystander in awe. As the doors swung open, it let Louncent gaze upon a large long corridor quite different in architecture to his own home. The roof, walls and floors mainly consisted of light wood and white paint. Vastly different from the cold tiles he stepped upon. As the pair walked through the corridor the door swung close with a loud almighty bang, startling the young boy. The boy simply wondered about the impractical use of such a heavier door. How would the average person even move that door an inch? Then a chilling thought burst through Louncent's cosy thoughts.
What if this place wasn't meant for the average marine? What if it was for stupidly powerful people such as his Grandfather? The thought sent a chill down his spine as they took a left up a wooden staircase. A warm interior didn't put Louncent's guard down in the slightest as he stood behind his grandfather, expecting a shadow to jump out and attack him. After a couple of minutes of wandering the castle's cosy corridors, Louncent felt a strong presence at the end of one. Louncent swore he could have felt a single presence overcasting his grandfather's massive presence.
Beads of sweat rolled down Louncent's head as he wiped them away and straightened his tie, expecting a brawl with the amount of tension emanating from the room. As the wooden sliding doors were slid open by his Grandfather, Louncent was met with the familiar grand architecture of Mariejois. A large painted glass pan lit the whole room with the full moon's shine, the kanji of justice becoming a shadow on the cold tiles from the glass panel. The walls were simply white with it being broken up with a plank of wood every now and then. The roof was supported by wooden beams. The main thing to note was the five massive figures sat on green chairs behind a desk as they looked at the duo. Each having differing reactions to a boy rolling up in a suit with his five-metre tall Grandfather.
On the far left sat a man who was previously dozing off, a green sleeping mask bespeckled on his face. Fitted in a white suit vest and styled with a black afro, the top part of his hair was seemingly flat from the use of a hat. An uncaring gaze was set upon Louncent before the eye peeking behind the sleeping mask set itself on the man behind the boy. Quickly removing his sleeping mask Aokiji stretched his neck as he was ready for another long day at work.
Second furthest from the left was an old head like his Grandfather. White and grey hairs danced on the man's scalp as a crooked scar marred the man's face, the scar just missing the left eye and gliding up to his left eyebrow. A nose bubble expanded and shrank as the man was in a deep sleep. As the doors slid open the old man raised his head to reveal a grey, short-cut beard as he wiped the sleep from his eye. A short chuckle left his smiling mouth as he looked down at the boy dressed in a suit. Garp couldn't help but think about how his little Grandson would look in a suit. The joyful smile went down to a frown as Ginson entered behind Louncent.
In the middle of the table sat a ball of nerves. A single roll of sweat trickled down the man's forehead as he removed his circular glasses to wipe the sweat away. His black afro was seemingly turning grey at the sight of the World Nobles as he fidgeted with the Marine cap in his head, the words 'MARINE' quite literally stamped on. At the top of the cap sat a stuffed seagull with its beak agape. A thin moustache lined the man's top lips accompanied by a braided beard nestled at his chin. Wearing a marine coat covered in colourful badges of varying degrees. Sengoku sat straight as he watched the duo enter as well as seeing his job exit after his tremendous blunder.
Second furthest from the right sat an angry-looking man. Wearing a scorn like a mask and a marine cap paired with an ever-burning hatred and unsorted anger behind his dark eyes. A navy blue floral tattoo barely peeked out through on his left chest behind his blood-red suit. A pink flower was pinned to the left side of his chest. A lit cigar was smothered against a silver ashtray as he chucked the cold cigar from his black-gloved hand. A look of disgust was visible on the man's face, clearly not taking a likeness to the appearance of the Celestial Dragons. Akainu let out a long sigh as sat in silence.
Finally, on the far right sat a funny-looking man. Curly black short hair a smirk constantly present on his face as he seemed a little slow. Rose-tinted sunglasses sat on his nose as he scratched the back of his head. Wearing a yellow and dark orange striped suit and a pink tie. The bored man rested his hands on his chin staring off blankly into the distance. The man barely even registered the entrance of the duo not seeming interested in the two proclaimed Gods. Kizaru let out the strangest of yawns as he looked at the duo finally recognising their presence.
The pair stood in silence as they were bathed by the pale moonlight. Sengoku was the first to speak with a gruff voice, "Saint Ginson, a pleasure to meet you as always." Sengoku greeted the celestial dragon with a nervous smile. Ginson just kept on staring at the poor man as if he was trying to suck his soul out through his eyeballs. Sensing the rigid atmosphere Sengoku tried changing subjects to lighten it. "Who might this child be?" Sengoku asked as he looked back at Ginson from the table. "The boy can answer himself." Ginson simply stated.
"Lounc-, Saint Louncent, sir." Louncent stuttered his words as he craned his head to look up at the Fleet Admiral. A towering figure but in comparison to his grandfather the man looked like a child. Sengoku simply nodded as he looked back up at Ginson. "Saint Ginson, I don't think a child should b-"
"Enough talk." Ginson's cold tone flooded the room as most went silent or stone cold. "I didn't come here to chat with you Fleet Admiral. I came here due to your recent failure to acquire a Devil Fruit of great value. Does that ring a bell? It was meant to be a very simple deal, Fleet Admiral. The beri in exchange for the Ope Ope no mi, that was it, all you had to do was make sure nothing interfered with the transaction. And yet, your team somehow managed to let a bright pink flamingo slip through your blockade. Not only that but you had a turncoat. Rosinante I think the boy's name was?" At this point, Sengoku was boiling with rage at the mention of his son. The man wanted nothing more than to reach across the table and smack the man's head into the floor.
Simmering his rage, Sengoku went to answer the Celestial Dragon. "Yes, a Marine Commander within my personal ranks. I didn't foresee that Rosinante would betray me and his fellow Marines. I had stepped out of line earlier and I am sorry for that, Saint Ginson." Sengoku knew better than to lash out at the World Government his position and livelihood were at stake and the injustice of the world wouldn't be seen to.
"None of this should have ever happened under your command to begin with Fleet Admiral. You were administered with unlimited resources and yet you managed to let an entire pirate crew slip behind your defences. Double, or better yet triple the recruits this year since you can't seem to do anything with the amount of marines working below you."
"But, Saint Ginson. If we were to triple our ranks then most of our fleet would be cannon fodder for the pirates to tear apart."
"We wouldn't be having this issue if you had simply proven yourself worthy of your position. I do not doubt what you can do because of your previous accomplishments, however you seem to be more reserved lately. We can't have a dormant dog at the reins of our justice. So you either demonstrate your worth or we will simply have to relinquish you of your position. I think I already know which option you will choose. I hope we will never have to have this conversation again Fleet Admiral." Ginson turned to leave as he signalled Louncent to follow him.
Louncent took a look back at the Admirals who were a mixed bag of emotions. Uncaring, laughter, sorrow, regret and anger each one showing very different reactions to the encounter, and it perplexed the boy. The Marines should all be under the same banner and flag with the same ideologies and ideas to better the world and yet these figureheads seemed to have different ideas floating about their skulls. Be it by annihilation or uncaring judgement they all have a single goal in mind that links them together, the pursuit of justice. It didn't matter what form it took as long as the outcome was to punish evil these people would strive for it. Justice is the only thing holding the Marines together.
As Louncent noted his final thoughts and was about to exit the room Ginson came back in with a slight smirk on his face. A first-ever since they entered the room. Lagging behind Ginson was a navy officer as he rushed into the room and took a knee. "Fleet Admiral we have urgent reports, a large naval fleet of pirates have beseeched Enies Lobby and have made their way through to Marineford. The crew is reported to be in the thousands Sir." A cold sweat ran down Sengoku's face as he examined the quaking marine.
"What's their estimated time of arrival Lieutenant?"
"An hour, Sir." Veins popped across Sengoku's face as he screamed for orders.
"Send troops to all defensive positions, arm the artillery and cannons and call for reinforcements! How have we not heard of this sooner Lieutenant?!"
"My apologies to you Fleet Admiral Sengoku but we were only notified of their presence when they crossed the horizon. We already contacted Enies Lobby for reinforcements but there was no reply so we can only speculate that these pirates attacked Enies Lobby under the darkness of night and eradicated the Island of all forces."
Sengoku slammed the table as it easily snapped in two. "Your words make no sense Lieutenant, even under the cover of night we should have been notified of the assault. Do we even know who's behind this attack?" The Lieutenant seemed about as puzzled as Sengoku as he delivered the news. "No sir, they're flying unknown flags." Sengoku was seeping with anger at this point as he chucked half of the table against the wall as it shook the castle. The Admirals and Vice-Admirals took this as a cue to leave presumably to man the defensive units. The smirk on Ginson's smirk morphed into a crescent moon of satisfaction as he locked eyes with Sengoku.
"It would seem you do need to triple your forces, Fleet Admiral. You can forget about the orders Fleet Admiral, Marineford shall not crumble." Ginson walked up to the glass pane with a malevolent grin and turned his head to Louncent. "Let me demonstrate to you what true power is, boy."
As Louncent stared out the large window he spotted the unknown pirates as at least a hundred ships were headed their way. Filled to the brim with life, cannons were shot into the air with confidence as if they already knew they would demolish Marineford or they wished to die by notifying their enemies.
As quickly as Louncent had spotted them… they were gone just as fast.
Something unfathomable to the human eye surfaced from the depths in its cursed and forsaken form. A monster, a demon, the devil, it was a monstrosity that Louncent had never bore witness to. The size was unmeasurable as this untouchable behemoth breached the water's surface. The monster was easily thousands of times larger than the Sea King the World Government armada saw previously. Thousands of eyes bore across the sea surface in search of their prey as limbs scuttled across the sea surface. Teeth chattered in the night as skin, bone, scales and blood covered the beast. An indescribable clump of horror and pain as the waves sent the ships hurtling into the sky. An eye the size of an island bore into Louncent's mind as he felt his sanity falling into the endless blue void. Head ringing with untold pain and anguish as the lives of thousands were extinguished in seconds at the presence of the monstrosity. All dying by this inconceivable incarnation of the devil.
Tears fell from Louncent's eyes as they poured into his knees as he rocked himself back and forth. The image of the beast constantly beseeched his brain with images of death, anguish, pain and horror. A beast that should have never been born, kept shackled unseen at the depths of the ocean. Emotions Louncent never knew about boiled at the precipice of his mind as he struggled to comprehend the events that played out before him. Laughter was heard scraping at Louncent's ear as he turned to the howling madman as Ginson stared out the window in glee.
Ginson turned and grabbed Louncent by the shoulders as he hoisted him up and leaned into his ear. "This is the power you shall inherit my boy. Untapped potential shall be lit by the burning embers of our lineage's power. Nothing will ever stand in your way with this. You will be an untouchable GOD!" The madman's ramblings continued as Louncent watched him in horror. The man before him was not his Grandfather but a twisted shadow whispering sins in his ear. Whatever Ginson once was he wasn't anymore as if an unknown power had ravaged his mind.
Ginson walked over to a Sengoku frozen at the sight of the monster and grabbed him by the head. "You are nothing without the backing of the World Government! You are as replaceable as a drop in the sea. We could have you replaced in mere moments. Remember where you stand in this and never let us down again!" Ginson let go of the poor man as he turned to Louncent. "We're leaving." Louncent tried to stand but his legs felt numb as he felt like he was walking on air. An uneasy weight fell on Louncent's shoulders feeling fatigued and sick. Making the way from which they came, Louncent looked at his Grandfather as Ginson kept on walking as if nothing had happened. Not the deaths of thousands or his actions seemed to affect his Grandfather.
The world spun as colours blurred, the boy barely managing to hold his sanity. "What did you do?" Louncent let out a soft whisper trying to comprehend the horrors he bore witness to.
"Isn't it clear my boy?" Ginson gave a knowing sly grin. "Those weren't pirates. Simply slaves sent straight from Mariejois. They agreed to such terms under the pretence that they would exchange their life for the freedom of their loved ones." I face full of pride and joy stared back at Louncent and he wanted nothing more than to run and hide from his circumstances but it was staring right at him. Where could he go if there was a monster right in front of him? Ginson continued his speech as he held a detestable amount of joy explaining the situation of the helpless casualties. "You know we couldn't, of course. Otherwise, the majority of Mariejois would be rung dry of our servants." Ginson felt a tickle at the back of his calf as he finished talking. A truly annoying feeling as if he was getting hit over and over again.
Louncent wailed on Ginson as he repeatedly tried to strike him down with all his might to no success. The world was still spinning but hatred, pain and anger rose within the boy as he continued to strike his Grandfather. "why...Why..Why..WHY WOULD YOU LET THEM DIE?! THEY DIED FOR NOTHING." Falling to his knees in despair, Louncent's tears rolled down like lightning as he remembered the deaths of thousands of innocent people mere moments ago. Dying to a monster controlled by another monstrosity. The tears of the crying boy however didn't even faze the man as picked up the boy and dusted him off.
"Do not worry, child. They did not die in vain. They were an example to remind Sengoku of the lives at stake if he failed to bear his weight. A glimpse into what would happen to him if he failed once more. Do not cry because Sengoku is worth more than all those that died. The talk of him being replaceable was a fabrication to keep him on his toes. A sleeping dog is a dead dog."
Wiping the tears from his eyes as anger and fury replaced them he continued to berate his Grandfather. "It doesn't change the fact that you murdered all those innocent people!"
"It's better they die in a fantasy world in which their loved ones are free and happy than to die forced into their demise. A false sense of choice, either way, they were destined to die. If we let them grow old and die they would be of no use to us. So I say we use them when they're still hopeful for our cause." The eyes on his Grandfather were blurred with delusions and false hopes as Louncent watched his beloved Grandfather transform into another grotesque beast. "You still don't see the grand scheme the World Government is creating. A world free of crime and death. A peaceful utopia kept safe by the prospering World Government. These are simply the dead that will be stacked atop one another until we climb new heights to reach world peace. What is the death of millions if it results in the continued life of billions? Everything we do today affects the future."
"All those that died today weren't even followers of the World Governments bullshit beliefs to begin with. You're all just a bunch of delusional old men sitt-" One second he was standing the next Louncent felt pain pulsating throughout his body as the world began to spin. Colours he had never seen before flashed before his eyes as he felt the cold touch of death for the first time. Primal fear encroached on his body as he tried to stand and run but his body didn't follow through as he sat still.
A cold voice wandered through his ear as he felt it speak directly to his mind. "We will see eye to eye, boy, and today is the day you will begin to understand the World Government's reasons." Louncent's mind felt scrambled and broken. Memories floated, rearranged themselves and disappeared, fake loyalty instilled by a string of words. Fabricated memories, thoughts and beliefs Louncent did not hold entered his inner mind before everything went dark.
A new man was born, built on the foundations of lies and illusions. A hollow boy imbued with desires he never wished for and dreams he never yearned for.
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Yelloooooo, hope you enjoyed the chapter. Review and criticise my story as you wish and give any suggestions on ways to improve my writing and story. Fun writing this chapter even though I kept having large gaps in between each writing session. I still enjoyed it very much, especially at the end. I have big things planned for the future of this novel and my little head gears are spinning. You all know I have a terrible upload schedule at this point and I guess we both don't know when I'll upload. Until then, live well and stuff. IDK :)