Chapter 8: Omega and Delta: Dragon or Devil?
The group was puzzled by the boy, who had yet to introduce himself, when they noticed he wore a white oni mask. Everyone except Zoro, who was sleeping, stared awkwardly at him, making him even more nervous.
"Um, what's with the mask?" Usopp asked, breaking the silence.
"Who knows, he never wore it before," Cynthia answered a bit unsure.
"Uh, is he going to be okay?" Coral asked, looking concerned. "He looks scared."
"You would be too if you just witnessed two people being sent flying off the ship," Lucy replied.
"Are you sure this was the same boy who blew us off the island?" Princess asked, looking a bit unsure.
Shirabe noticed Shervan holding onto her arm tightly. When he glanced at her, she gave a sincere smile, and whispered. 'Don't worry, I'm here if you're scared.'
Feeling her comfort, the boy took a deep breath before he nervously spoke. "I'm sorry...My name is Shervan Kazero. I know you might have a ton of questions about me or what happened at the Rainbow Resort. I-I'll try to answer as b-best as I can."
"You sound like you're going to break down any minute," Gray stated with a sweatdropped.
"In that case, allow me to ask the first question," Kuroko said, sternly. "Who were the people who attacked us and what were their intentions?"
"Naru, Mistune, Sarah, and Suu are part of a Hinora Clan," Shervan explained instantly, which startled Kuroko a bit. "I was once in their group, but left after realizing that they were terrorist. I'm not sure what their goal was, but you guys weren't the only ones to visit the Rainbow Resort."
"You mean..." Touma blinked in realization. "There were more victims?"
"That's right," Shervan nodded sadly. "I only heard about it a few days ago from sailors. Yet, it's been happening for almost a month now. Any ship whether be pirates, marines or even normal sailors would enjoy themselves and let their guard down…"
"And that's when the androids attack them, right?" Fortune finished.
"Yes, and even if they could handle the androids, Naru and the others would interfere k-killing them," Shervan shuddered at the memories. "...When I got there by a marine ship. I-I was captured by Sarah and was f-force to watch those marines and their captain get slaughter."
"That's just…" Misaka muttered, stunned and angered.
"Awful, and inhuman," Erza finished lookin peeved.
"Those bastards," Natsu growled.
"I wouldn't imagine going through which watching people getting slaughter," Megumi shuddered. "Especially someone so young."
"Did you hear how they wee going to bring four of us into this world?" Maria questioned.
Shervan shook his head. "No, and I don't think the Hinora clan knew about it either."
"They didn't?" Asuka replied with shock.
"If they were, then Mistune would've known about my ability," Accelerator explained. "I think there was a fifth party responsible for this hellhole."
"And I'm betting that they were the ones responsible for the black hole as well," Usopp inquired.
"That would be their boss. He only goes by the name Ring Leader," Shervan informed quietly. "I saw his ability before hand when disposing...bodies."
"That's insane," Lucy gulped. One man responsible for destroying an entire island, shouldn't be taken lightly.
"Hey," Natsu said suddenly, staring suspiciously at Shervan. "Are you a Dragon Slayer?"
"I-um w-well," Shervan stuttered.
"Quit scaring him you flame brain!" Gray yelled as he pushed Natsu aside.
"W-Why is this guy naked?" Shervan asked Shirabe while turning away flustered.
"I-I have no idea," Shirabe answered, also looking flustered. Several guys and girls looked away due to his naked body.
"What wrong with you g-AH!" Gray realized that his pants were missing. "Where did my pants go?!"
"For fuck sake, put some clothes on~!" Chris cried out while covering her eyes.
"You loooove him~!" Happy and Kirika chanted.
"I. Do. NOT~!" Chris barked, annoyed.
"Sorry, but you might've mistaken it for a Devil fruit," Shervan replied back. He demonstrates his power by turning his left arm into pure wind. "I ate the Wind Wind fruit, which allows me to manipulate and turn myself into wind."
"THAT'S SO COOL~!" Luffy eyes sparkled.
"How interesting a logia type devil fruit," Robin said intrigued.
While some were amazed and interested by his devil fruit. Shirabe, Charla, Natsu, Gajeel, Wendy and Cynthia knew that he was lying, but didn't say anything.
"Are there different kinds of Devil Fruits?" Minori wondered.
"Yes, Luffy and Robin are Paramecia type. Which mainly can manipulate their body or environments," Nami explained. "Chopper here is a Zoan type, which can transform into species of animals. Then finally there's Logia the most powerful of the Devil fruits. It's give the consumer the ability to become an element of nature; like sand or wind."
"Or in this case water," Usopp added reminding them of Juvia's magic.
"Sounds like Logia's are a pain in the ass to deal with," Chris said bewildered.
"They are," Sanji agreed. "Punches, kicks, slashes, and even guns aren't able to harm a Logia type. They're able to turn their bodies into the elements."
"YAWN!" Zoro stretched his back getting everyone's attention. "What I'd miss?"
"You've been sleeping all this time?" Tsubasa asked, looking surprised.
"If you think that's bad, wait till you see him in a storm," Usopp mumbled.
"Now all the introductions are done, what should we do with this bastard?" Chris asked, turning to the tied up Jackal.
"I say we hand him over to those Marines you guys talked about," Natsu suggested.
"You idiot, If we go to them, then they'll capture us as well," Gajeel argued.
"Then what do you think we should do, Bag of Bolts?!" Natsu angrily asked.
"I dare you to say that again you Pyromaniac!"
"I'll say it as many times as I want, Tin Can!"
"Quiet!" Erza roared, causing the two to whimper in the corner. She then slammed her sword almost near Jackal's neck, causing him to comedically flinch. "Your guild has been messing with us long enough. Now it's time you face your punishment!"
"W-Wait are you actually gonna kill him!?" Megumi asked in shock. "I mean I know he tried to kill us on the island, b-but…"
Jackal may not have been involved in the Hinora Clans plans, but he didn't make the situation any better when he tried to blow up the entire island. Fairy Tail has dealt with demons in the past, so they know how dangerous they can be. He would be dangerous to anyone who found him at sea.
'If he's that dangerous then we should finish him off with a Mix Tropical,' Laura suggested, glaring at him.
Before she could suggest it to her friends, a hand touched the sword, instantly breaking it. The group turned to see Touma standing there. His hair covered his eyes.
"I understand that Jackal is your enemy, and killing him is definitely on the minds of everyone at the moment," Touma declared seething in anger. "But you're just giving him what he wants!"
"W-what do you mean?" Laura asked, a bit angered.
"This bastard doesn't deserve death, that's the easy way out for him!" Touma declared, harshly startling Laura. "If he was scared of death, then he wouldn't have tried that stunt back on the island. Killing him will just prove his damn point! Demons killing humans, humans killing demons. Why does that matter when you are all in the same boat?!"
The entire group minus a few were stunned by Touma's outburst. Accelerator, Misaka, Index, and Tsuchimikado knew full well that Touma wasn't going to let anyone die, whether they were human or not.
"Damn, I never knew he could get angry," Chris muttered a bit frightened.
"Me neither," Summer said looking in awe.
"He doesn't discriminate," Shervan mumbled to himself. Yet, Shirabe overheard him also agreeing with him.
"I...I agree~!" The Precures were shocked when Honey went beside Touma looking determined. "I don't think you should kill him!"
"Me too!" Summer announced as well.
"You guys are kidding?!" Laura exclaimed, peeved. "Didn't you forget this demon guy tried to kill all of u-."
"Interesting," Erza interrupted. Her frown turned to a warm smile, creating confusion between the three. "You thought that I was gonna kill him?"
"Uh..." Touma and Yuko were lost for words as they blushed in embarrassment.
"Fairy Tail mages aren't the kind of guild to take someone's life, unless it's necessary," Erza explained. "No matter what our enemies are or what they do to our guildmates."
"T-Then why did you say punishment?" Touma asked.
"Courtesy from the captain," Erza folded her arms, as she turned to Luffy. "His punishment is to be the pet of our crew."
…
…
…
"SAY WHAT~!?" All Straw Hat minus Robin yelled in disbelief. Everyone else minus Fairy Tail Mages and Jackal was also shocked by Luffy's sudden decision.
"Y-You mean Jackal is joining the crew too?" Princess stuttered.
"Yup," Luffy answered with his signature grin.
"When the hell was that decided!?" Nami asked.
Erza ignored Nami's question and turned to Jackal. "You're stuck as the Straw Hat's pet until we can get back to our world."
Jackal's eyes twitched in anger. "I would be killing you all at this very moment, if it weren't for these strange handcuffs."
"Well, you'd better get used to it," Usopp glared at Jackal. "Because we aren't taking them off until you promise not to destroy the Going Merry."
"Eh?" Jackal menacing glare caused Usopp to hide behind Gajeel.
"So now we recruit a demon dog man?" Sanji asked.
"This is the strangest pirate crew I've ever been on," Accelerator said grinning.
"He does look kind of cute," Robin giggled.
"How exactly?" Lucy questioned.
"Alright~! Let's start the party for our new crewmates!" Luffy announced.
"I'll make you my famous delicacy ladies~!" Sanji twirled around with hearts for eyes.
"Uh thanks Sanji," Maria said, a bit startled by his dancing.
"Fuckin idiot," Zoro mumbled.
"What'd you call me lazy bastard?" Sanji questioned as they started glaring at each other.
"And they're at it again," Cynthia said, glancing at the two. She then realized something. "Oh Shervan, there's something I want to ask you about?"
"He left back on the crows nest," Shirabe replied emotionless. Besides her was a dotted outline of the boy, who was gone.
"That fast?!" Cynthia exclaimed comically.
"Luffy," With a smile on her face, Nami walked over to her captain. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Okay," Luffy replied. Nami dragged Luffy into the room and shut the door. After a few seconds, everyone heard crashing sounds, followed by Luffy screaming, which made half of them jump in fright. It lasted for about a minute until Nami came out dragging her battered captain.
"I'm sworry for not twelling you abwout Jackal," Luffy apologized.
"In situations like this, I wonder if Nami is a better choice for captain," Lucy mumbled.
Two silhouettes were facing each other in a bizarre looking place. One was light green while the other was dark. The floor was white while the sky was black.
"This is interesting, I'd never expect them to take them from their worlds," The dark green one spoked.
"No kidding, those guys sure look interesting, especially the Omega Dragon Slayer. Hey, how long do we have till we can use our magic?" The light green one asked.
"Until tomorrow morning."
"Alright hat should be enough time to relax a bit,"
"Should we intervene?"
"Let them be, they're not a threat to us in the long run. Let's just watch and see how things will go."
"Wow, this is really delicious, Sanji!" Megumi said happily after swallowing a piece of carrot from her plate. After the introductions, they wasted no time celebrating their new crewmates with a feast. Sanji, Yuko, and Maria were able to prepare and serve the food to everyone.
"I never knew you were such a good cook Sanji," Lucy added, also enjoying her plate.
"That's why I picked him," Luffy grinned, taking a bite out of a big chunk of meat.
"This is the best cake I ever tasted!" Wendy chimed.
"*Yes, this is divine~ !" Erza gushed. Her eyes sparkled by her strawberry cake.
"Okay seeing her like this is creeping me out," Chris whispered a bit startled by Erza's expression.
"Strawberry cake is the only thing that can calm her down," Gray answered, wearing a white T-shirt Nami picked out for him.
"Just try not to squash her cake," Happy warned while eating a raw fish. "She can get really, really really angry if you do."
"Hey, why don't I get any cake?" Cynthia asked, noticing how she got rice, carrots, potatoes, and chicken on her plate.
"Sorry, Cynthia but, Charla told me about your...sugar rush," Maria answered sincerely, causing the young girl to glare at the white cat.
"Hey where did Shervan go?" Summer asked, not noticing him.
"After Sanji gave him his plate, he went back to the Crows Nest," Shirabe replied.
"Is he that scared of us?" Index asked.
"Well you would be too if you got a bunch of insane morons with temper tantrums," Laura huffed. "Especially someone who bites a certain boy on the head."
Index pouted. "I was hungry,"
Minori was about to take another spoon full of rice, but her plate was instantly taken out of her hands. She looked down with an emotionless expression. "...Where did my plate go?"
She noticed Luffy's arm snatching Usopp's plate, making him angry, "Hey, Luffy~! Stop stealing people's plates~!"
"Bastard!" Gajeel growled as he butted heads with Natsu's. "You're gonna regret stealing my steak, Salamander!"
"I didn't take your stupid steak!" Natsu snapped. "Maybe you already ate it, you trash can freak!"
"I would've known if I ate my own damn steak, stupid pyro!" Gajeel argued.
"Those two fight about the stupidest things," Kuroko sighed, glancing at the two.
"They kinda remind me of you and Kongou back at Tokiwadai school," Misaka joked.
"Sissy! You know full well that we don't act like those barbaric apes!" Kuroko blurted out. The two didn't get the chance to react as Luffy's hands grabbed both of their plates out of their hands.
"Hey!" Kuroko screamed at Luffy. Due to his rubber ability, Luffy was swiping almost everyone's plates. Robin, Erza, Tsubasa, Iona, and Asuka were able to defend their food. Accelerator slammed his fork on the table the second he saw Luffy's arms near Last Order and Index's food. There was enough force for the captain to retreat.
"Oi~! Didn't I tell ya to quit taking food from the ladies!" Sanji roared as he kicked Luffy's neck. Luffy's head stretched from impact and headbutted Zoro right in the stomach, waking him up from his nap.
Zoro glared at Sanji and Luffy. "You two better have a good reason why you wake me up from my nap,"
"How about you get your lazy ass up and do the dishes," Sanji growled.
"Jeez, can't they stop fighting for one minute," Gray mumbled, watching the two engaged in a stare-down. He was pushed by Natsu and Gajeel who were in a fighting cloud.
"YOU'LL PAY FOR STEALING MY MEAT~!" Gajeel yelled.
"I TOLD YOU I NEVER TOOK YOUR DAMN MEAT~!" Natsu yelled back.
"That's it~! Time for you two to chill out!" Gray declared. He forced his shirt off and joined the fighting cloud.
"Ew!" Hime gagged as the shirt landed on her face. "Can't you keep your clothes on for one minute!"
Once she got the shirt off her face, she was met by Juvia's murderous glare. "Juvia's new love rival!"
"AHH!" Hime screamed as she began running from the water mage right into the fight cloud.
"What a bunch of morons," Chris sighed, glancing at the fight cloud.
"Aren't you going to root for your boyfriend?" Hibiki teased.
"H-He's not my boyfriend~!?" Chris blurted out.
"Come on don't deny it Chri-chan~!" Hibiki grinned, nudging her a bit. "You're blushing that you got close to a man's abs~! Not once but tw-."
POW~!
"SHUT UP BAKA~!" Chris roared, delivering a punch that launched Hibiki comically off the ship.
"Is this going to be like a current theme in this ship?" Touma wondered with a sweatdrop. He was then hit in the head by a plate. "R-Rotten luck."
"So...is this normal for you guys?" Asuka asked.
"Pretty much," Straw Hat, Fairy Tail, and Symphogear students answered blatantly.
It took the group a short time to realize the fighting cloud was headed towards Erza. She was unaware of them until Natsu got kicked out of the scuffle and landed on the table, which sent a strawberry cake flying.
Time slowed down as the remainder of the Fairy Tail mages' jaws dropped in comical horror, while the others were confused by their reaction. The strawberry cake was about to land on the deck, but Natsu leaped out and grabbed the plate.
"That was close," Cynthia replied in relief.
"TAKE THIS!" Natsu roared as he launched the strawberry cake towards Gajeel's face. The remaining mages turned white including Natsu who just realized what he just did.
Juvia, Hime, Gajeel, and Gray halted their fight and nervously turned to Titania, who was emitting a powerful dark aura.
"T-This is bad," Lucy shivered.
"S-She's pissed," Misaka said, also looking nervous.
"Any last words?" Erza questioned quietly, with a hint of venom in her voice.
"I-I'm not scared of y-you!" Hime declared confidently. "My friends are going to stop you!"
Unfortunately she and the four victims turned around to find that everyone was gone, the door to the kitchen closed.
"THEY DITCHED US~!" Hime, Gajeel, Gray, Juvia, and Natsu comedically yelled. The five turned back towards Erza who summoned her sword.
"Prepare for your punishment!" Erza announced, causing Gajeel, Gray, Hime, and Natsu to hold onto each other frightened. Juvia, on the other hand, noticed Gray holding onto her and her eyes turned immediately into hearts.
'Juvia regrets nothing!' Juvia announced in her head.
At midnight, everyone had fallen fast asleep after the party. The boys slept in the boy's rooms and the girls in the girl's room. Hime, Juvia, Gray, Gajeel, and Natsu were hanging on the back of the ship. Luckily the yelling and screaming ended, leaving them fast asleep.
Shervan stayed in the Crow's Nest, thinking back to when he lied to them about not being a Dragon Slayer. 'It's for the best, they might think I'm a plague and lash out questions of how a dragon slayer winds up in the pirate world.'
He looked up at the moon in the sky, 'Still though, Crimson Blood was known to be an secret yet advanced Organization. They have so much high class weaponry that could eliminate an entire fleet of pirates and they have numerous experiments going on to develop abilities of devil fruits. Like how an inanimate object can obtain devil fruit powers. But, I didn't know they were capable of involving other worlds…
...Is that how they got that Dragon Slayer Lacrima?'
Shervan recalled the surgery they had to do to him when he was young. It was the only way he was able to survive a tragic event in his life...
An event that he had no memory of.
He shook it off a bit, 'Now's not the time to think about that. When I have regained my strength, I will leave this ship before any more Crimson Blood soldiers attack them.'
"How can I thank you properly when you're being too hard on yourself!?"
Shirabe's words echo in his head, making him flustered. "Shirabe...she really was grateful for rescuing her and her friends. Still… as a friend…"
"You don't deserve to live, you plague~!"
"My mom and dad are dead because of you~!"
"You scumbag, you'll regret killing my men~!"
"We can't let him leave~!"
"There is no escaping the blame from a plague such as you! You were the one who killed Keitaro~!"
The last comment caused him to shudder. He tried to ignore those words, but they kept haunting him like an ugly rash. His body was slowly trembling by the thoughts. 'D-did I really killed Keitaro? I-I can't remember anything...If I lose c-c-control might I kill Shirabe a-a-and t-the others?'
As his body was trembling, a hand from behind went over to his shoulder. The second it touched his right shoulder, something triggered in Shervan's mind. Alarming, he instantly snatched the intruder's wrist, yanking them forward and jab his elbow into their stomach.
"Ugh~!"
Hearing a familiar female voice, the boy's eyes widened to find out that the intruder was one of the dragon slayers, Cynthia Rose. She staggered back and crouched down, holding her stomach.
"N-Nice elbow jab," Cynthia wheezed, wincing from the pain.
"Oh my God~! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you!" Shervan yelped in fear as he panicked comically. 'I just attacked one of the dragon slayers?! W-what's wrong with me!?'
"No worries, it was my fault for trying to scare you," Cynthia replied while standing up a bit. She had one arm holding her stomach. "I wanted to ask you something, but wait until the others are asleep to tell you."
"O-Oh~!" Shervan quickly put on his mask. "...What did you want to ask me?"
"You put that mask up fast," Cynthia commented with a sweatdrop. She shook it off and got straight to the point. "Anyway, why did you lie to the others about not being a Dragon Slayer?"
"...W-What?!" Shervan blurted out a bit shocked. "I-I mean, what are you talking abo-."
"Dragon Slayers are able to smell other dragon slayers easily," Cynthia answered instantly. "We have a great sense of smell."
"W-We do?" Shervan asked, a bit surprised.
"Yeah…~!" Cynthia was confused by his stunned voice, but realized something. "...Wait, you couldn't smell me approaching you?"
Shervan shook his head, "From what I remember, my nose can't smell anything at all. I-It might be due to my devil fruit powers."
"So you didn't know about us being dragon slayers until we introduced ourselves," Cynthia said, then realized something. "W-wait if you are a dragon slayer then how did you wound up in the Grand Line? Dragon Slayers like us usually come from my world."
'...There's no point hiding it,' Shervan thought sadly, before answering. "Remember when I told you all about the Hinora Clan? Well they're just one fragment of the Grand Line's most dangerous secret organization; Crimson Blood."
"Crimson Blood?" Cynthia mumbled stunned.
"They've formed around hundreds years ago," Shervan explained. "They remained anonymous due to their secret operations and hideout. In order to keep it secret, anyone outside who knows about it are either kidnapped or killed. The reason they are so dangerous is that they possess advanced skills and abilities that were unknown to the pirate era. Also, they're are numerous experiments to develop children with powerful yet dangerous powers."
Cynthia shuddered upon hearing about experiments. Images of her father Aiden Viscard came to mind. "So...you are one of those experimented children?"
"Somewhat," Shervan answered with his hand on his chest. "I don't remember the details, but I was injured upon death when I was really young. In order to survive, they implant a Lacrima and a devil fruit inside where my heart was."
"..." Cynthia's eyes widened by the information she heard. As opposed to her psycho father who forced her to have the Lacrima implanted into her body, Shervan had to have it to survive.
"...I was physically abused by Naru and her friends after that," He continued sadly. "One time we...came across members attacking a village," His breathing was setting into panic. "I was able to beat them. B-But everyone at the village were killed. T-That's how I got the title as the Ultimate Plague."
"Ultimate Plague?" Cynthia blinked in shock. Hearing Naru mocking him, made her angry. "But it wasn't you fault!"
"T-They wouldn't believe me~!" Shervan blurted out frighteningly. "Few of the member's posed as survivors when the marines showed up, and blamed me for killing them! That's how I got a bounty at a young age."
'H-he's the same age as me, and he's wanted?' Cynthia asked to speak quietly, still stunned.
"...Even If I was f-framed, they're not wrong," Shervan said, his voice now sounding hollow as if he lost hope.
"What do you mean by that…?" Cynthia asked in concern.
"Naru was right, I am a plague," Shervan was overcome by a state of traumatic panic as images of gruesome scenes hovered in his mind. "I cause so many lives to be taken b-by my hands and I don't even remember it happening. And if they haven't died, they would blame me for being alive and want me d-dead. I tried to get away, but the moment I passed out, I woke up with c-corpse around me with their blood my hands...
...It's my fault that you guys are trapped in this world~!"
Cynthia stood silently. Her hands formed into a fist causing omega flames to erupted around them.
"...A plague like me doesn't deserve anything but death," He softly said as he faced Cynthia but didn't look at her eyes. "Don't worry, once I regain my magic, I'll be out of your lif-."
SWIPE~!
"...!" Shervan froze when his mask was slashed off of his face by a trail of omega flames. His visible emerald eyes widened in disbelief. Cynthia's left arm was extended out, her fingers formed into a claw. She then grip his shoulders tightly, making him flinch in fear. Her eyes were cast over by her hair with a frown on her face.
"...I won't let you leave…" She declared a bit louder. Shervan was startled by her response and was afraid of what she'll do next.
'She must be so angry at me after hearing that,' He thought as he closed his eyes tightly. 'Here it comes, the threats, hatred, and abuse.'
"...I'm sorry…"
He expected Cynthia to yell at him in disgust and kick him off the ship. However, her soft words made him open his eyes.
"I'm sorry you had to go through all of this, and I understand why you lied about being a dragon slayer to the rest of them," Cynthia softly said, her voice slowly cracking. "But I won't let you leave...I won't let you be alone anymore."
"B-But..." Shervan was speechless, stunned.
"Listen...I understand how you feel," Cynthia continued, her voice aching. "To be treated like a weapon of mass destruction. To be labeled as a criminal by the whole world. Watching helplessly as everyone that you care about gets injured or worse, just because you exist...If it weren't for Wendy or Fairy Tail, I would've been like you, alone all my life."
He was surprised by her words, and even more so when he saw tears streaming down her cheeks. "For that reason, I can't let you leave..."
Cynthia finally made eye contact with him, her teary eyes meeting his. "Because you're our friend~! And I will never abandon a friend who's in pain~!"
Hearing those words made Shervan's heart skip a beat. After escaping Crimson Blood a few years ago, he has been alone ever since. Everywhere he goes, he is treated like a plague that deserves to be killed. But Cynthia along with Shirabe and the others didn't think of him as a plague or a monster...
...But a young boy who needed to be loved.
"...I'm sorry," His voice caused Cynthia to flinch. "...I'm not good at s-socializing with others. Especially a large group l-like this."
"Then we'll help you with that!" Cynthia declared determinedly. "We'll make it so you don't have to use that mask to hide yourself from us, trust me!"
"I'll stay..." Shervan confessed He glanced at Cynthia with determination. "Even if it's not my fault, I'm still responsible for not stopping the Hinora Clan earlier. I'll do what I can to get you and the others back to your worlds. I promise!"
"That's great~!" Cynthia beamed with wide smile on her face, showing her white teeth. Seeing her smile, caused Shervan's heart to skip again with his cheeks turning red.
"T-Thank you~!" Shervan blurted out as he did a quick bow-
DONG~!
-which caused his forehead to slam into Cynthia's.
"Ow~!" The two cried out in pain and the two crouched, clenching their heads.
'T-This is the second time this has happened,' Shervan comically wailed in his head. "I'm so sorry Cynthia!"
"Don't worry, Shervan. It's gonna take more than a headbutt to knock me out," Cynthia responded, rubbing her forehead. "Aren't you coming below deck though? It's a bit chilly here."
"Thank for the offer, but I prefer staying here," Shervan answered quietly. "I've always been traveling across ships by hiding in Crows Nest. So I'm use to resting here. Also... I enjoy watching the stars at night. To me, it feels peaceful."
"Oh, mind if I stay with you for a while? I never really got to enjoy being on a ship, due to my motion sickness," Cynthia asked.
"I-I don't mind," He stuttered. He was glad it was dark out so she couldn't see his red cheeks. He stopped and realized something. "Wait, are Dragon Slayer supposed to have motion sickness?"
"That right?!" Cynthia blurted out. "You don't feel sick at all?"
"Not that I remember," Shervan replied quietly. "I might be due to my devil fruit. Since I can't swim."
"You're so lucky," Cynthia admitted. "I wish I had the same resistance like you and Wendy."
The two preteens stared at the clear sky. Little did they know that Wendy and Charla were listening to their conversation on the deck.
'I didn't know he was alone for so long,' Wendy thought, looking sad. 'If I just abandon Cynthia, would she do the same thing?'
'So he really is a Dragon Slayer, with devil fruit powers. After hearing what he's been through, I understand why he lied,' Charla also though. She recalled the visions she had earlier. 'Still, I should keep an eye on him. He's mentally unstable compared to Cynthia, and he might do something he'll regret.'
The tall slender man sat on a tall red throne in a dark room. His leg was crossed, and his face was covered by a crimson robe. In front of him was a girl with blue hair and glasses.
"It seems that the Hinora Clan failed to apprehend the Ultimate Plague," She informed him. "Furthermore, they suffered a humiliating defeat by the victims they summoned to the Grand Line. Naru, the leader, is recuperating inside some nuclear tank. That is all your grace."
"Excellent," The red-hooded figure said, with a light, yet mischievous chuckle. "Their defeat was predicted due to their high ego. Their only means of returning to their world has already been destroyed by the Ring Leader. The prophecy foretells that the heroes will perish in the grip of Crimson Blood."
"And what about the Ultimate Plague?" The woman asked.
"Oh the Ring Leader has something special for him," The man snickered. "After all, a boy like him has so much potential. Aiden Viscard was too blinded by the fact that the boy was responsible for her daughter's escape to notice. Just like him, the Hinora Clan lacks understanding and only wanted bloodshed. Tell them that if they try that stunt again...
...I'll reduce them and this world into nothingness~!"
"You're really a Dragon Slayer?!" Luffy, Manatsu, Hibiki, and Megumi exclaimed with starry eyes.
The next day, Shervan revealed to the others that he's a dragon slayer and a brief reason why he hid it. He avoids mentioning anything involving the Crimson Blood organization.
"Yes, I'm known as the Delta Sky Dragon Slayer. I apologize for lying to you Natsu," Shervan said while looking down. He already had another mask hiding his face.
"Nah it's all good~!" Natsu answered casually with a grin. "We already know you were lying anyway."
"Delta Sky, it's similar to Cynthia's Omega Flames," Erza stated. "Which means that you're a stronger version of the Sky Dragon Slayer, right?"
"I don't think so, Wendy is more powerful than me," Shervan modestly replied.
"No I think you're more stronger Shervan," Wendy modestly said. "I-I can't turn myself into wind like you can."
"Well, let's find out!" Natsu suggested. "You and Wendy should fight to see who the stro-."
"Like hell you two are~!" Usopp dope slapped Natsu upside the head. "No magic fights on the ship~!"
"Well it's looks like we have another young protégé," Levy teased.
"Protégé?" Touma asked.
"Cynthia used to follow Natsu's techniques since they both are fire element dragon slayers," Levy recalled. "So it's possible that Shervan might get inspired by Wendy's spells."
"Inspired, don't you mean ripped off?" Gajeel bluntly stated. His words punctured Cynthia and Shervan in the head.
"You're just jealous that there isn't a stronger Iron Dragon Slayer," Natsu mocked.
"Gehe~! Why would I be jealous of having a 2nd generation brat with a stronger iron?" Gajeel retorted back grinning.
"Ha, like your iron can match my flames~!"
"You wanna test that theory?!"
BONK~! BONK~!
"Would you two shut up~!?" Nami fumed after quieting the two down with her fist.
"So you'll join my crew?!" Luffy asked eagerly.
"Y-Yes," Shervan answered as he quickly bowed. "I'm honored to be in your crew, Captain Luffy!"
"You don't have to be so formal, just call me Luffy," He replied with a grin. "Let's celebrate our new crew member!"
"Didn't we just have one yesterday?" Asuka asked.
"She's right we don't have time for that," Nami stated, annoyed. "In case you haven't noticed, we don't have enough food for the next three days, since someone ate all of it during the night!"
"What?! Who would do such a thing?!" Luffy asked dumbfounded.
"THAT WAS YOU DUMBASS~!" Nami, Sanji and Usopp barked with shark teeth.
"He's even a bigger black hole than Index," Touma muttered under his breath.
CLACK!
"Ow~!" Touma winced when he felt something land on his head. "What the heck just hit me?"
"What are you ta-."
CLACK!
Shirabe asked only to be interrupted by something landing on her head. She quickly caught it, and glanced at it. "Chipped wood?"
"Is someone attacking us? " Touma asked as he gazed upwards. Zoro woke up when another piece of wood fell on his lap.
"Huh?" Iona also noticed small pieces of wood falling in the water. "It's raining wood?"
Everyone looked up, wondering what was going on, but what they saw shocked everyone.
A massive Gallon falling from the sky…
Next Chapter: Salvage King Masira.