Izuku paced the hallway, brow furrowed.
Yamato watched him. She knew he was worried. Even in the safety of the empty hallways within a nearby building, she could hear the hustle and bustle outside Boxer Stadium, and in the streets nearby. The freshly-rescued audience were streaming away, heading for their homes or for the taverns, cafes, and restaurants; those still operating anyway. Guards and police were everywhere, keeping close watch, as the surviving members of the Gunpowder Gang were dragged away in chains or carried on stretchers.
From what she had heard, twenty attackers had been accounted for. Most of them had gone into the stadium to menace the crowds, while the rest guarded the tunnels and corridors further down. A few had been arrested, or captured while wounded; but most had been taken care of, as Lawson had put it. Likely due to the battle that ended as quickly as it came when the duo intervened.
Beyond the door nearby, she could hear Bach and Hawkins talking about something. She could just about make out the words. A moment later, the door opened, and Bach and Hawkins emerged.
"Splendid!" the blonde woman chirped, holding up her camera. "A personal photo of the King looking victorious out the window!" She grinned ear to ear. "This will make an excellent cover for my column!"
She turned, glancing at Izuku and Yamato, beaming.
"Oh, and who are-"
"No one of consequence," Bach said easily, "Guests of my castle, with whom I have an appointment. No photos, no questions, please."
Hawkins frowned, going towards her camera. "I saw those two in the arena, talking to you and the Prime Minister. How do you explain that?"
"As I said, they are my guests. They were merely checking in on our safety."
Bach gave her a slight smile.
"I do recall many in the press box hiding under the tables; not that I fault them. Did you see much from there, Miss Hawkins?"
The blonde frowned, giving them another look over. Yamato felt uneasy, and Izuku looked apprehensive as well.
"I guess. Though I do wonder about those black snakes that attacked the gunmen," Hawkins mused. "Got a devil fruit user in your Royal guard?"
"If so, it's the first I've heard of it," replied Bach easily. "Besides, I can offer you a deal; to make up for what you could not see."
Hawkins quirked an eyebrow; clearly interested.
"In return for your patience, I offer a private interview at a later date; with questions of your choosing."
The woman's eyes practically glowed.
"Why Your Majesty, that sounds wonderful, thank you."
"Everything for my kingdom," the man said with a small bow.
And Hawkins walked off with a spring in her step. Yamato watched her go, confused.
"Say, King Bach, what did you mean by that?" she asked, once the journalist was gone.
"If she wants my opinion or interviews, she has them," Bach replied, "It's the least I can do. Journalists don't like being told who they can and can't talk to, or who they can and can't take photos of. But they do sometimes keep their promises."
Izuku perked up at his words.
"What about Hawkins? Won't she dig?" he asked.
"Rest assured she won't. She knows that if she pushes her luck, my offer will be withdrawn."
He got his pipe out of his pocket and a match, lighting it along the brick wall inside as he lit up the bowl and began to take his drag. Yamato blinked, while Izuku looked worried. The young King looked back at them.
"Lawson told me about your situation with Kaido," Bach explained. "I confess I had suspected it, when you confirmed that you came from Wano."
He walked up to them, and put a hand on Izuku's shoulder.
"You two have gone beyond above and beyond," he said, with feeling. "You came here with Kaido's eye upon you, but you still risked your lives for the sake of this kingdom. For my people. For that I will do all I can for you, on my word as King of Doyle."
"Thank you, your Majesty…"
"When we are in private, Bach will be fine," Bach said, smirking just a little. Izuku's eyes almost popped out of his head, but then he settled, and smiled.
"As you like, your…I mean, Mr Bach."
The blue-haired man chuckled. Yamato could not contain the feeling in her chest. It was big, and warm, and fuzzy, and it wanted to wrap itself around everything. She leapt upon the pair, and scooped them into her arms.
"Hurray! We're comrades now!" she exclaimed, giggling and hopping around. Izuku gasped in surprise, his head in her chest; while Bach grunted.
"I'm glad, Lady Yamato, but please, let me down," he forced out. Yamato did so, Izuku gasping for air while Bach fixed his hair. He looked back at her, as if she were a pet dog he had found sitting on his favorite chair.
Yamato grinned. This must have been how Oden felt when he found his retainers! Or when he found comrades amongst the Whitebeards and Rogers!
This truly was the start of her own grand adventure.
"Now then, with that matter settled, I suppose it's time we head back to the Palace," said Bach, coming back to himself. "And be careful of the nobles. They may try to court you."
"What for your Maje-I mean, Bach." Izuku inquired.
"Why, it's elementary my dear Izuku," Bach replied with a light smirk. "We only have a few days left before the deadline the pirates gave us. So we will need to formulate a plan." He glanced down the hall. "I will deal with the nobles. You two find my carriage and wait for me inside. I'll have Lawson meet us at the palace?"
"We're going to do it? Defeat the pirates?" Izuku asked, straightening up, looking hopeful at the prospect.
"Yes, we are. But for the meantime, I have other responsibilities. I must see that everything has been taken care of."
He nodded to them both, and strode off down the corridor. Yamato watched him go, and then looked down to Izuku. "Do you think he has a plan?"
"Maybe, but he said he wanted to make one."
"Do you have one?" she asked, cocking her head.
"I've got one or two ideas," Izuku replied. "But we should hear what Bach and Lawson have in mind."
He walked off in the opposite direction. Yamato fell beside him, brushing idly at her clothes, as a thought occurred to her.
"So, this is what it feels like," she thought aloud.
"Hmm?"
"Saving others. Bach, Lawson, all those people in the stands." She put her hand on her chest, feeling her heart beating. "I gotta say, it reminds me of how I felt before, when it was just the two of us, on Onigashima. I can't really describe it but…I feel happy."
She glanced at Izuku, who was grinning from ear to ear.
"Yeah," he sighed. "I know exactly what you mean."
Within the recesses of his mind, his fellow bearers were wearing similar smiles, happy to finally feel a sense of optimism again.
(X)
"I am Finalem Handsome~!" Handsome sung. "I've been a naughty booooy~" He chimed, hands on hips as he skipped about. "The plot was utterly by the book~" He twirled around. "The country felled by a single crook."
He kicked a vase, sending it flying against a wall plastered with portraits and canvases of Marine warships, bases, and sea life in general.
"I was quite able to put my knee upon these bumpkins heads~" he chimed. "Now I'll rule for good~" He sprayed his arms out wide. "Now I'll make them deaaaad~"
He grinned a mad grin, the music playing in his ears as he imagined the great chorus of strings, piano keys, and brass in the background.
"I have-"
A knocking on the door shocked him from his reverie. He flinched, the music ending in his head and coughed into his hand.
"Who is it?"
"Who else would knock on your door, brother?"
Handsome blinked, then walked over to the very comfy high chair and sat down in it. The door opened, and Bandsome walked on in, wearing an apron covered with splits and splatters of various colors. The slender man was frowning.
"Well, what is it brother dearest? I was practicing." Handsome rubbed his chest with his fist. "For when I sing above the gallows, looking down upon our friends should they be…" He looked back to Bandsome, smirking darkly, "...uncooperative."
"The Gunpowders failed," replied Bandsome simply as he adjusted his glasses. Handsome blinked.
"The Gunpowders, those were his boys topside, right? Hmmm, looks like he jumped the gun, not that I mind, since they can't tie those gangsters to us." Handsome stretched his hands. "He is considerate, I'll give him that."
"Someone has a hold of their Transponder Snail. I doubt they can track it back to him, as he said nothing at, but," Bandsome shrugged. "We won't be able to have a welcoming committee. Either the Gunpowders were foiled, or they were caught before they put their plot into motion." His tone was clipped and serious, making the long nose man chuckle.
"Brother," Handsome smiled, walking up, patting him on the back. "Relax… besides, we still have the deadline in a couple of days and that posh fool Bach has no one left to send against us." He gestured to the calendar on the wall, the days marked with crosses as they passed. A few days ahead lay a Saturday, circled red, with a little skull wearing a crown marked on it.
"If Bach doesn't lower that lift for us and make us kings, well, we kill the old and infirm, level the entire port and make off with the strong, the women and children."
He grinned, looking out the window to the foggy Alderport from the Commander's office of G-12.
"Doflamingo's Auction House will get an influx of fancy products. And Doyle will starve, or else it'll burn. We'll end up as kings either way." He grinned darkly, gesturing to the window outside.
"We'll have our way with this country, and we will be Kings. Either with Bach as my stool, or his head on a spike. Or if all else fails, we make off with our hold full of treasure, and we trash what's left of this marine base for good measure. Let them try and stop us without it."
Bandsome couldn't help but smirk back.
"Either way, we win," Handsome went on. "You, me, and our good friend."
(X)
That night
"Thank you for coming, Lawson," Bach said.
He sat at the head of the table, in one of the palace's discreet dining rooms. Dinner was being served; a stew of pork tenderloin and rice. It was a dish Yamato had taken a liking to; so much so that Izuku had been forced to stop her eating it straight out of her bowl.
"Don't mention it, your Majesty," Lawson replied, taking his seat. "I've been fending off the press ever since I left the stadium. And the knight hopefuls too. They didn't take the postponement at all well."
"They did seem to be enjoying the Festival." Izuku surmised. "Least from what I saw."
"Indeed, but but we must focus on more pressing matters," Bach cut in. "This incident with the Gunpowder Gang will only fan the flames of discontent in the kingdom. For all his wickedness, Guy got his message across."
"But," Yamato spoke with her mouth full, then swallowed a large tenderloin. "The people can't surely follow him right? The guy's crazy!"
"Crazy, but charismatic." Lawson said bitterly. "Trust me, in my youth even I was swayed by him. He has a way of making friends, or followers, depending on how he viewed you."
"So you did know him then?" asked Izuku. He remembered how Honest Guy had acted, and the look Lawson had given him.
"I did, in my youth," admitted Lawson. "I thought I had left those days behind me. I never imagined they would come back at me from the barrel of a gun; especially not one wielded by him."
He sighed wistfully, and Izuku felt very sorry for him. The two had been childhood friends, or so it seemed. Yet their lives had parted ways, and they had met again as mortal enemies.
Then he saw it. A red mark on the mouse mink's cheek. Weird.
"Izuku, that's lipstick." Nana said in his head, and Izuku perked up. Who could have done that?
"But his Majesty is correct. The sooner we rectify this Finalem Pirate affair, the better," Lawson remarked, coming back to himself. "I saw the people from my carriage, Bach. Doubt has returned, even though no one died." He nodded gratefully at Izuku and Yamato. "Guy is in Lestrad prison, but the way things are going, he might not stay there long. We must act, and soon."
Izuku looked down at the table, his heart heavy and bitter. The deadline was only days away, and the Midsummer Knight's Festival had been ruined. Their grand gesture, their defiance of the falling darkness, had come to nothing.
He looked down at his hands, willing the black sheen to come forth; to give him something to show for the past days. But it would not come. No matter how hard he tried.
"I have considered many strategies," Bach replied, sitting back in his chair, eyes dark. "The only real possibility is a direct attack on Adlerport. We have at least a chance of winning, but many lives will be lost; even if the pirates don't kill the hostages. And we would be fighting on Handsome's best ground, with the sea nearby."
"Then what are we to do then your Majesty?" asked Lawson.
"We could try a sneak attack, contain the fight inside G-12." Yamato suggested.
"And risk the hostages in the dungeons getting caught in the battle?" Bach added, face looking like he had swallowed bitters whole. "Every path, every avenue I see involves a sacrifice in lives; the loss of a roof over my people's head."
"But what are we to do? Do nothing?" Lawson asked, incredulous.
"So you're fine with trading lives for victory." Bach murmured, looking side-eyed at the mouse mink.
"Bach, we…" he gestured out the window, to the kingdom, "All of us are at war. And there has never been a war where lives have not been lost. Maybe… maybe we have to accept that fact. We can no longer put this off. We need to act."
"Act, yes," mused Bach bitterly. "Like my grandfather acted. Like he burned Jansentown and tens of thousands of his own people, all to win the Celestial Dragons' favor. Like how my mother threw me away to win the life she wanted, leaving me with this burden."
"Celestial Dragons?" Izuku murmured to himself, confused.
"She didn't throw you away!" Lawson hissed, his eyes sharp. "She wanted to protect you. She…" he paused, and deflated, as if what had to be said was too painful to say.
"Then what are we to do?" demanded Bach tersely. "Because whatever solution I see, innocent men, women, and children will die; over something that was not their fault." His eyes turned hard. "You may be content with this, but I will not do it. I will not order it!"
Izuku stared in horror as Lawson rose from his seat, his face a mask of rage.
"Then if you're going to just lie down and do nothing!" His eyes bulged with anger. "You might
as well just roll out the red carpet for them from Adlerview to the goddamn throne room fifty meters away, shower them with a parade and be done with it!"
He slammed the table with a roar, making Yamato jump. The last time Izuku felt this uncomfortable was during dinner with the Todoroki family.
No, worse than that. This was no petty argument. Countless lives were at stake, and Izuku could no more see a solution than they could. They were both right, and they were both wrong.
"There are instances where you'll be faced with these kinds of decisions," The Second User surprisingly said matter of factly. "In my attempts to stop All For One, I was forced to make choices that cost the lives of many I cared about…and even my own life."
Several of the other Vestiges shared similar grim looks, most especially Nana, reminded all too well of what she'd sacrificed in her time as a hero.
"It's unfortunate, but sometimes…sometimes to save anyone, means you can't save everyone." The Third User muttered, letting the sentiment hang unanswered.
Lawson stalked off, and stared out of the window, hands on his hips, his breathing hard and audible. Bach looked down along the table, then closed his eyes.
"Red carpet, eh."
He looked utterly bereft. And Izuku felt even worse, for he knew he could do nothing. He glanced at Yamato, who looked as miserable as he felt. He wanted to say something, anything.
"Red carpet." Bach uttered again.
Izuku racked his brain, searching for something to say, some suggestion to offer.
"Better not," En cut in. "This is the point where you laugh awkwardly and leave as politely as you can. If you get involved, they just turn on you."
"Way to keep the kid's spirits up," Daigoro muttered.
"Roll out…the red carpet."
Izuku jumped as Bach's eyes snapped open, and he stood up. He looked at the table, then at Izuku and Yamato, then across the room to the sideboard; where the pitcher of water and the bottle of water stood.
His face broke into a grin. And he started laughing. Lawson turned to look at him, his irritation turning very quickly to fear.
"Umm, Bach?" Izuku asked. Yamato watched, perplexed, eating some more stew.
"Roll out," he uttered again, chuckling. "The red carpet."
"Your Majesty?" Lawson looked very nervous. "Are you…?"
"We roll out the red carpet" Bach's laugh had become a high-pitched cackle, his grin a mad grimace. Izuku felt more than a little scared as he saw him cover his hand and began to laugh like a madman.
"Bach," Lawson began to step closer, clearly worried, his past anger gone. "You're having one of your turns."
"We roll out the red carpet for the pirates!" Bach strode around the table and clapped the terrified mouse mink on the shoulders. "Lawson, you're a genius!"
"B-Bach?" Lawson looked like he was having a reality failure, and Izuku couldn't blame him. Had the King lost his mind?
"Mister Izuku! Lady Yamato!" Bach turned on them, and Izuku froze up as he approached. "Oh Gods bless you for coming! You, you have given me the most devilish scheme I can ever concoct! One that will bring us victory! And end this confounded problem that has tormented me more than all the mysteries I've solved!"
He grabbed Izuku's head, and kissed him on the forehead. Izuku stood there, his mind a blank, as Bach inflicted the same on an unsuspecting Yamato; almost making her spill her stew.
"Yeah, he's gone cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs." Daigoro murmured.
"Or not," Yoichi said. "Those aren't the eyes of a man in despair. Those are the eyes of man, filled with hope. A mad hope, but hope nevertheless."
"Let's just hope he keeps the mad part to a minimum," Hikage said, eying the still cackling king with concern.
Izuku paid attention, and saw for himself the light in Bach's eyes. The blue haired man turned towards the mouse mink.
"Lawson! I need you to call upon General Hutchinson, Thibs the Chief of Police, Mr. Gregson, Ensign Doll, and Lord Jenner. At once!" proclaimed Bach, that mad grin still on his face.
"Gregson? The head of the Doyle Rail Authority? That old miser?" implored Lawson. He looked like he wanted to sink into the floor and disappear, still trying to process what's going on.
"The one and only!" Bach replied on the spot, enthusiasm seeping out of every pore of his being. "Tell him it's on the King's order. He'll grumble about it but he will obey!"
"What did you think of, King Bach?" Yamato asked as she finished her stew. If she was unsettled by his bout of madness, she gave no sign of it, "What's your plan?"
"Wait and see Lady Yamato! You will see!" Bach said, clasping her arms as he looked up at the taller lady, and the white haired woman couldn't help but smile back at his infectious grin. "Come friends, to the war room, I must familiarize myself with it! You included!"
The door opened, and Judith was outside with a group of maids. Judith had a look of worry, no doubt due to the laughing inside.
"Good heavens I-Bach, are you alright?" the plump maid asked as she trotted up, placing her hand on his cheek. She let out a yelp as Bach embraced her. He even lifted her, twirling her around and making her squeak out awkwardly all while he laughed in crazed jubilee. The other maids outside had their jaws unhinged.
"Gods bless you Judith. For being in my life since I was born." He planted another kiss upon her forehead, leaving her rather stunned. "Come friends!"
He strode out into the corridor, the maids looking at him as if he had sprouted horns. Judith had a face of calm, of a form of contentment Izuku had only seen on his mother a few times before she saw Lawson exit the dining room, seeing the trotting Bach away. The blue haired man let out a barking laugh as it echoed in the chamber, kicking his feet together like a giddy schoolboy.
"Lawson, what on earth was that about?" asked Judith, surprise written on her face. "I haven't seen him like that in years!"
"I don't quite know," replied Lawson, chuckling in spite of himself. "But it's that energy of his. That energy he has when he's solved a very hard problem. Or rather, figuring out a complex case. Like that time when…"
He paused, as Judith dabbed at his cheek with a handkerchief.
"Left a spot" Judith admitted, with a blush. Then Lawson was blushing too, but smiling.
"Oh yeah, those two are so a couple" insisted Nana, half-giggling.
"Took you all that long? I could tell from the start. All the tension those two have together" Hikage replied.
"Pretty impressive for a guy who lived like a hermit all his life." Daigoro chuckled.
"So umm." Izuku spoke up. "Should we follow the King?"
"He bade you to follow." Lawson smiled down, his hand on the head maid's shoulder. "Go on and oblige him. Miss Yamato?" The tall Oni girl perked up. "Can you collect Miss Doll for me if she is available in her room?"
"Sure!" the girl chimed as she looked down to Izuku. "Seems something's gotten through to Bach huh?"
"I guess so. What it is, I guess he'll tell us when he's gathered all those other people." Izuku mused. "Your Majesty!" He called out, seeing Bach prance down the end of the hallway. "Where is the war room for us to reconvene! Yamato is gonna collect Doll!"
"Down this hall, big room on the right here!" the delighted King yelled back. He opened the door, turning on the light. "You won't miss it!" Izuku looked up, and Yamato nodded.
"I'll be right back!" And the white haired girl in the sporty dress jogged off.
"Well, I have calls to make." Lawson said.
"And I have dishes to tend to." Judith added.
"And I better get with the King and-"
"Oh maaan, which hallway was it now?" came Yamato's voice up the stairs leading towards the royal apartments. Izuku blushed in embarrassment while Lawson smiled.
"Is Miss Yamato having trouble navigating the Palace!" Bach's voice echoed from down the hall. Izuku perked up. Bach's hearing was impressive, to say the least.
"Yeah! She is! Can I join her! We'll get Doll together!" Izuku called forth while the mouse mink shook his head and walked off towards another particular room. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that said room was filled with various Transponder Snails.
"Very well off you go Young Izuku!" Bach chimed. "Give me some time to change up the war board!"
War board? Izuku was puzzled while Judith went to the dining room, he was left alone. Knowing Yamato needed help navigating, he turned towards the stairs and ran after her.
They had two days until the deadline.
He could only hope that Bach's plan would work.
(X)
The next day
Bandsome hummed to himself as he sat on his stool, looking out into the bay.
From his vantage point, on a balcony set into the G-12 base's slab-like wall, he had a fine view. The Marine warships were still there, but the salvage work was just about done. Weapons, tools, supplies, even coffers filled with Berries; all of it piled up on the docks to be checked and sorted.
A slow process, but a necessary one. The hold of their own ship was filling up rapidly, so there was no room for junk.
Bandsome turned back to his canvas. It showed the same view, the one he had been carefully recreating for six days. But this was at night, with the warships in flames; great white fists of salt striking at them, while cannonfire rained down from the base.
He adjusted his spectacles, admiring the sight as he lifted his hand. His fingers extended, and began to change; morphing into the silvery mercury that was as much a part of him as his own flesh. He let the tiny droplets fall onto his paint board, the mercury blending with the oils, altering the colors in subtle, exquisite shades.
Maybe one day, once he and his brother were Emperors in their own right, he would take a wander round the world; seeking out locales for the perfect portrait. Whether other travelers wrote down their memories, he would immortalize them in canvas and oils; something tangible, something to look back upon for years to come.
And Doyle would provide everything he needed. Stone and oils, and plants of many kinds; all to fashion the finest colors, with the help of his Silver Silver Fruit.
With any luck, Bach would see reason and surrender. It would be a shame to see such a fine kingdom destroy itself in a fit of starvation-induced psychosis.
"Captain! Captain!"
Bandsome turned, seeing a pirate approach. "We got a Snail Call! It's from Holmes Hall!" The cap-wearing man rose to his feet.
"That so?" he asked as he strode inside into the Commander's office.
"Yeah! It's the King!"
His pace quickened as he got to the Snail Room close by. A few pirates were there, on hand in case of a call. His dear brother Handsome was there too, holding the speaker of one of the snails, and smirking in triumph. Upon the face of the snail was the dour expression of Reichen Bach. He wouldn't forget that face.
"Ah there's my dear brother," Handsome mused. "Now then, you were saying, your Majesty~?"
"Finalem Handsome, and Bandsome. I have made my decision," Bach said, in a clipped, cold tone. "I am lowering the Great Lift, and will receive you into Doyle to sign a treaty."
Handsome's eyes rose up.
"Well well well, better late than never I suppose Bachy. And you even had a day to spare!." Handsome replied, the plump man stroking under his long nose. "We would be happy to sign it! What are the provisions of the treaty exactly?"
"It will make you, and the Finalem Pirates, protectors and wardens of Doyle. You will have the same authority as I do." Bach said. The plump man positively gushed.
"Do we have confirmation on the Lift being lowered?" Bandsome asked, turning to the listening pirates. One of them grabbed a snail and made the call, pausing as he listened, and then nodded.
"Yes. It's being lowered right now."
"Wonderful, wonderful!" declared Handsome, clapping his hands. "Well, let us hope there is no army on that lift your majesty. After all, we wouldn't want to have any problems down here would we?"
"No, we would not." Bach replied. "My Prime Minister will be escorting you from the train station at Adlerview all the way to Londinium."
"Why, you're going so far out of the way to accommodate us!" Handsome grinned. "Such a good and generous King you must be."
"Hunger will do that." Bach added, and the plump man scoffed.
"Well rest assured, your people will be fed in time and our blockade lifted."
Handsome strolled about, looking out one of the windows to the cliff face. Bandsome followed, and he could see it.
Far above, thousands of meters in the air, the Great Lift was descending. It was as wide as a Marine warship, and as long as three; bow to stern. Every day, it carried the trade of Doyle up and down; between the railway terminus up at Adlerview, and the port down at Adlerport. From what Bandsome had read, it had been designed by the same architect who made the lifts on the Red Line all the way to Mariejois.
"Ah ha at last!" Handsome beamed. "Come brother, rally the men! It's time we accept our good king's invitation and come upon the land we will claim as our domain!" He patted him hard on the back, and Bandsome smiled.
He had been just starting to worry.
(X)
It took less than an hour for the Finalem Pirates, nine hundred and fifty in all, to gather before the lift. Men and women of all shapes and sizes, carrying all manner of weapons; rifles and pistols, hand-cannons, and swords and spears and clubs.
In front, Handsome donned his tassel-layered coat, throwing it around him like a cape. Bandsome stood with his hands at his back, glancing back at the officers.
"Come now fellows! Now is the time of victory! We are going to get on a great train liner, all the way to the Royal Palace of Holmes Hall!" Handsome spoke out, addressing his crew. "Tonight, we will feast like kings!" A boisterous cheer rang out.
"Keep it together for now!" Bandsome added. "Our friends up there are rolling out the red carpet! The least we can do is be civilized!"
"You can say that again boss!" called out Bertha; a large, fat, and blue skinned Bull Shark fishwoman. She stood with her arms crossed, teeth jutting from her maw. Otherwise known as Big Biter Bertha, she was the ship's cook; with a bounty of 188,000,000 Berries. "I just wanna get a gander at that Doyle cuisine! I got recipes to jot down and eat! Well, what's left anyway!"
"Just lemme get a look at some of them fine mink lasses," added Ignatius, a rail-thin weasel mink with a cap over his eyes, a serrated scythe over his shoulder, and a cigarette in his mouth. He was Sawtooth Scyther Ignatius, the navigator, with a bounty of 173,000,000 berries. "And you won't hear any issues with me Cap."
"Hnn," grunted Helmet, the ship's surgeon. A man of few words, his muscular form covered by a bloodstained smock and apron; his belt and bandoleers festooned with hammers, saws, and clamps. No one knew what he looked like under that steel helmet; and few wanted to find out. He was Headsplitter Helmet, with a bounty of 226,000,000 berries.
"Rest assured my friends!" Handsome grinned, gripping his fist. "You will feast and fornicate to your heart's content before night is through! I will be lounging upon the throne, Bandsome up on the highest balcony with his paints, and all of you in the great hall, with all the delights Doyle can offer; willing or not!" He added with a dark smile.
They laughed and cheered again.
"What are we to do about the wrecks?" Ignatius asked, thumbing back to the harbor giving Handsome a dubious look. "The harbor's still blocked up, and we need to go plundering."
"Hn." Helmet grunted in response.
"It takes a while to shift a wreck that size!" Bertha replied. "Captain, you wouldn't mind helping clean up the mess right?"
Handsome smiled, raising his hands.
"I suppose I can put off my singing practice to aid in removing the debris," he said with a sigh. "Iggy's right, there's plunder in them there isles close by. And I'll need to have a word with Doflamingo's crowd." He rubbed his hands together. "After all, we've plenty of merchandise to sell him."
Ignatius chuckled, elbowing the stoic Helmet as the others joined in. Yes, there would be plenty to tickle even Doflamingo Donquixote's jaded fancy.
Finally, the lift came to a stop, and before them, the vast steel gates ground and clunked as they opened. Standing inside was Justinian Lawson, with a troop of red-coated guardsmen. The mouse mink looked like he was staring at a family of skunks.
"My my, so you must be the Prime Minister? Justinian Lawson I presume yes?" oiled Handsome as he sauntered up. "I've heard so much about you." He got up to his face smirking up and down as he inspected him. "I figured you to be taller."
"I am he," replied Lawson, with a forced calm. "I am here to guide you to the palace. The train is waiting atop the lift, and ready to take you and your men."
"Splendid." Handsome clapped and turned to his crew "Alright lads! Come on in!" He could see Bandsome's dark smile, Ignatius' and Bertha's sharp grins, and Helmet's…helmet. "The victory procession of the Finalem Pirates begins now!"
And a victory cheer rang out, and the plump man couldn't feel any better.
(X)
The Lift ride up, and the train ride to the heart of Londinium was perhaps the longest hour Lawson had ever experienced.
The pirates were raucous, constantly prodding and jeering. Only Bandsome kept quiet, seemingly content to regard the scenery from the train window. Outside, he could see the men and women of Doyle, looking out of their windows as the train rumbled past. He could see the looks on their faces.
Shock. Anger. Despair. Betrayal.
He knew how they felt. But there was nothing he could do. He had to be strong. It had to look convincing.
He could see that one mink fellow with the scythe. Sometimes he glanced his way, sometimes he looked out the window, licking his lips. It got worse when they passed by Minktown, and he began hooting and hollering like a mad dog.
'Beast.'
"Let me guess, this wasn't what you wanted, isn't it Mr. Prime Minister?"
Lawson turned, seeing Bandsome smirking his way. He was holding a notepad, a pencil scribbling something.
"Surrendering my country to pirates is not how I imagined the end of my career," the mouse mink replied.
"You won't find us ungrateful," said Bandsome, a gleam in his eye. "If you like, we would be happy to send you somewhere nice. Staying here might not be good for your health. People can be so…ungrateful at times like this." He leaned back on his seat.
Lawson took a deep breath. He could hear the man's brother singing further down the train, his underlings joining in.
"I am touched by your leniency. I didn't expect a 400 million Berri butcher to have such a heart." Lawson remarked.
And then he froze, as a silvery spike stopped a hair's breadth from his throat.
"And I am not particularly fond of backhanded comments." Bandsome smiled with a faint hint of anger. "So if you please, keep your conversation civil. Accept that you've lost, and make it easier on yourself; and the rest will fall into place."
Behind those dark, round glasses, the eyes turned.
"Ah, so that is Holmes Hall." The silver spike withdrew into Bandsome's hand. His eyes were fixed on Holmes Hall, and he seemed to gleam at the sight.
"Ah, a nice balcony for me to take in the scenery. I cannot wait to draw those mountains too, as they and the Mines will belong to me."
Lawson quirked an eyebrow. "You know of the Mining Guild?" Pirates know of the Mining Guilds of Doyle?
"Doyle is renowned for its minerals. Handsome will rule from the throne room, and I from the office. That's where the real money is."
Lawson rubbed his ear, hearing more of what that long-nosed monster clearly thought was singing.
"And I can see where the brains in your little duo lie."
"Indeed, my brother is the charismatic one. The men love him. I do my best to support him, as any good brother would," Bandsome replied. The train was slowing down.
"We're here." Lawson said, standing up and taking a deep breath. From the Holmes Hall depot to the Conan plateau, and the palace itself, was only a hundred yards.
Only a hundred yards up a hill, and then up the grand staircase to the palace.
"Lead the way, Mr. Prime Minister," Bandsome remarked as Handsome followed up from the gantry and out of the car. Their route to the palace was lined with barricades, manned in turn by soldiers and police, holding back crowds of civilians. The pirates laughed and hollered as Lawson led the way, their two captains bringing up the rear.
Shouts of dismay and despair rang out behind the barricade. Lawson clenched his teeth and marched on, forcing himself not to hear. Not long ago they had been cheering, glad of the Midsummer Knights Festival. Now they were turning on him, and he could not even defend himself. He couldn't blame them.
They reached the bottom of the staircase; the wide stone steps cut into the very rock of Conan Plateau, leading up to the main entrance. He could see the cyclopean friezes running around the plateau from either side, showing the deeds of the Kings of Doyle.
He felt sick. The thought of bringing pirates before those images, up those mighty steps, and into that sacred hall. And worse still, Handsome was performing. He whistled and danced through the line of pirates, twirling like a ballerina; the pirates laughing and cheering as he passed, and started his way up the steps.
They were outright mocking such a sacred part of Doyle.
"I am Finalem Handsome~!" Handsome sung.
"I've been a naughty booooy~" he chimed, hands on hips as he skipped about.
"The plot was utterly by the book~" he twirled around.
"The country was felled by a single crook." he pointed at Lawson, who remained stoic.
"I was quite able to put my knee upon these bumpkins heads~" he chimed.
"Now I'll rule for good~" He sprayed his arms out wide, pointing along the walls of Holmes Hall before looking back, his yellow ringed eyes gleaming with malice.
"Now I'll make them deaaaad~" He grinned widely, as a salt carving of Holmes Hall arose from his hand; complete with severed heads spiked atop the battlement. Followed by whistling from him and the pirates as he led on like a Piper.
"I have learned my lesson, I have learned my lesson well," he turned to his crew, hands swinging like a conductor before an orchestra.
"It's boring to serve in Heaven…" he paused, hand to his ear, grinning in anticipation.
"It's better to rule in Hell~!" the pirates all yelled as one. Lawson could hear the cries of despair from beyond the barricades.
Walk on. Walk on up the steps. Up the mountain of pain.
"I'm still the best Captain, best Captain for all to see! My brother and I will bring forth a new era, a Fifth Emperor of the Sea~!"
Handsome gestured, dancing and bowing to the applause of his crew. Even Bandsome was clapping lightly as the plump man preened like a peacock; bowing as if he was at the Williams Theater.
"And here we are," Lawson declared, as they reached the gates. "Holmes Hall, your new home."
'And by the end of the day your tomb," he silently vowed.
"Splendid!" Handsome skipped up, wrapping an arm around the mouse mink, who froze at the contact. "Now then, by all means do guide us to the throne room." He adjusted his tie. "I'm going to need to see my newest and favorite chair to lounge upon."
Bandsome was looking around with narrow, critical eyes. Lawson watched as he strolled over to one of the columns lining the entrance hall. He ran his finger down it, leaving a line in the dust. The great entrance hall, normally intended for ceremonial occasions, had not been used for some time.
"Dusty," he mused. "No serving staff?" He fixed Lawson with piercing blue eyes.
"We let a lot of them go," Lawson shrugged. "Given the economy."
"Well that will just not do now will it. I simply cannot stand dust." Handsome drawled. "Rest assured, we'll have a new staff of servants cleaning this fine Holmes Hall from top to bottom. Willing, or not."
He grinned, falling in beside Lawson as he led his way along the hall. For all the dust, it was still a magnificent sight. The wide marble floor, the tall columns leading up to a high arched ceiling hung with chandeliers, the walls between the columns lined with carved friezes, describing the great events in Doyle's storied history; the mighty deeds he had learned of as a child, in this very palace.
Lawson could see the pirates glancing around, with what might almost have been awe on their faces. He was a little surprised they were capable of such an emotion.
All at once they came to the antechamber; the open doors flanked by stone-faced attendants. The antechamber was vast, the single biggest chamber in the palace; with corridors leading away in all directions. But the real attraction lay in the middle, and along the walls. Great planters lined the walls, from which grew plants of all shapes and sizes. More, bigger planters were sent into the floors, raised up within marble walls into which benches were set. On the corners sat delicate flowers in fine china pots; each contributing in their own way to the effect.
Lawson watched as one of the pirates picked up one of the pots, examined it for a moment, his heart freezing, and then threw it to the floor; shattering it into a thousand pieces.
Thank god that was one of the cheap pots Judith had found.
"Hanging gardens?" Bandsome mused, as the other pirates did likewise. "Hmm. never took King Bach as the horticultural type."
"His Majesty is a man of many eccentricities." Lawson replied, willing his heart to calm itself. He was thankful Judith and the other servants were down in Watson Place, safe from this nightmare.
He looked around, noting the mirrors set into the walls above the planters. The pirates had gathered inside, and the doors were closing behind them.
He was doing his utmost not to smirk.
(X)
High above a water tower below the shadow of Tall Toby, Sabo watched the proceedings; his face set in a frown.
"Could Guy have been right all along?" Koala asked lightly, standing below him, leaning over a railing. "Has the king truly given up? Handing his country over to those guys?"
"I don't know." Sabo said. "The palace seemed rather quiet the last two days. I did see a lot of people coming and going at night…and carriages, lots of them."
"But why are they inviting the pirates in?" asked Koala, looking up. "Why are they giving up now after all this time?"
Sabo did not reply. He was staring up at the plateau, at the grand entrance to Holmes Hall.
The doors were closing.
He looked down. The police were hustling the crowds away, and red-clad figures were scurrying out of the buildings lining the boulevard. He lifted his binoculars to his eyes, and took a closer look. There was a group hurrying along the lane where the Prime Minister's residence was. That marine girl he had seen before - Doll, was it? - was leading them, a rifle in her hands and cutlass at her hip.
He looked around, and saw that rich neighborhood up on the hill, Mycroft Heights, he recalled. There was Jernigan Jenner, in a black cape, riding a horse at the head of another column of guards.
They were both heading for Holmes Hall.
They were all heading for Holmes Hall.
Sabo closed his eyes, trying to think. And he heard Dragon's voice in his mind.
'Expand your surroundings. Let it all fade. Open your mind, and you will listen.'
Sabo did as the voice bade him. And he could hear.
"They're telling us to go home?"
"It's all under control? Our king is inside there!"
"And Lawson too!"
"The Pirates are inside there, but why?!"
"It's gonna be okay! We had some in our house! They said there was a plan!"
"Same! Shared my meatloaf with this strapping young man~"
"Where are those two who fought off the Gunpowders? They were last seen with the King right? Are they-"
Sabo opened his eyes, his Observation Haki fading as he breathed out, and smiled.
"Koala." The young girl looked back at him. "We stay here, and keep an eye on the palace."
"You sure?"
He adjusted his top hat, and grabbed his trusty pipe.
"Yes. I think I know what the young King is planning. Him…and Shirou and Yoichi." He hefted his pipe onto his shoulder.
"And I want to see it work."
(X)
"Ah, such a splendid throne room!" Handsome declared, as he and his pirates strolled through the high doors.
And splendid it was. As splendid as when Lawson had first seen it, all those years ago. The floor and walls were polished, the friezes and paintings cleaned and restored, the tall windows crystal-clear, bathing the room in pure, bright sunlight.
At the end of the room was a raised dais, upon which the golden throne was set. Flanking the dais were a pair of armor suits of a kind he had never seen before. They were finely decorated, and unusually large; and arranged with their hands resting on long, heavy-looking clubs.
Upon the throne, his head leaning against his knuckles, was Reichen Bach, Upon his brow was the golden crown, set with glittering jewels; the finest gems from deep in Doyle's mountains.
The gems that would fill the Finalem Pirates' coffers.
"Saltquaker Handsome, Quicksilver Bandsome, and the Finalem Pirates," Bach said, with dour sang-froid. "I bid thee welcome."
"Ah, your most glorious Majesty." Handsome bowed mockingly, holding out his cape-coat. "I see you have been keeping my throne nice and cozy for me. Hustle on down, why don't you?"
Before the dais stood a simple table, with a document and a pen upon it. Beside the pen was a strange item.
A toy wooden horse.
"So that's it then, the treaty that will make us Wardens and Protectors of this land?" Bandsome asked, hands behind his back.
"Indeed. Once it is in writing," Bach said, sitting on his throne still. "You two, captains of the Finalem Pirates, will be of equal authority to me."
"Gwahaha! Hear that brother mine," Handsome elbowed the taller Bandsome. "We're going to have it. Our own Kingdom to rule as 'Wardens'." He leered. "Just like two of Seven Warlords, Desert King and the Heavenly Demon."
"Being on equal footing with Sir Crocodile and Donquixote Doflamingo? I like the sound of that." Bandsome added in a smug tone.
Lawson looked away in shame, and Handsome turned, smirking darkly.
"Well then," he lashed out, grabbing Lawson's hand. "Why don't you do me a favor, Bachy Boy. Come on down from that throne. You've warmed it up for me just enough."
Bach remained silent, rising up from his throne and taking his slow steps downward. The plump man could feel the blood pumping in Lawson's veins as he held onto his wrist. Bach's steps echoed through the vast throne room, the faces of his ancestors looking down.
All of them so dour and boring. He would have to get creative with those statues and friezes, and those paintings would make nice kindling.
"Bachy, you're not hustling a bit. Enjoying your stature as king as long as you can?" he asked with a dark grin. "I must insist you hustle…now"
He gripped, making Lawson gasp in pain, as his Salt Salt Fruit activated. Lawson's hand began to shrivel, drying out like a prune. Bach's eyes widened, and Lawson breathed hard, trying to calm himself. The pirates laughed as they watched; an old trick, but one they never got tired of.
"Awww why don't you do him whole Captain! Love it when they look like voodoo dolls!"
"Yeah, the look on that rat's face is priceless!"
"Hope he doesn't twist it off! Wonder if there's any blood left in there!"
"Dry him up!" Bertha laughed, her belly jostling. "I wanna cook'im like jerky!" Ignatius chuckled darkly.
"Always have food on yer mind huh?"
"Hnnn." Helmet grunted from inside his metal helmet.
Handsome let him go and threw Lawson to the ground. Bach ran down the steps and knelt by his side. The long nosed man smirked, seeing the king kneel before the mink and trying to comfort him.
"Your hand," Bach uttered in horror.
"I'm alright son," Lawson uttered, cradling his hand, trying to protect it as if it were made of glass, sending a forced smile.
"Now that's more like it." Handsome drawled, seeing Bach glare back at him. "By the way, that crown… hand it over." He opened his hand, gesturing for the crown.
"I'll be fine." Lawson breathed as he rose to his feet, backing away, still cradling his hand.
"For what it's worth, just put your hand in water and you'll be fine," Handsome said, waving his hand dismissively. "You'll get your moisture back. You'll need both of them, if you're gonna be of any use to me. Unless…"
He rubbed his fingers together, the sound course as his fingertips were laced with rough salt, smirking back at him.
"Unless you wish to resign from your post, after I sign the treaty?"
Lawson breathed, looking down and gulping. "Well, maybe," he said, noncommittal.
"Now then," Handsome swiped the crown from Bach's hands, placing it upon his head and beaming like a kid in a candy store. "Time to sign our treaty!"
He hummed, marching to the table with Bach by his side, Bandsome following from behind. He took the pen and began to write, but no ink came out.
Handsome turned, glaring hard at the blue haired man. "You have no ink," he hissed.
"And you have no scepter." Bach replied, and Handsome blinked. "You and your brother will effectively be the true rulers of this country. But you cannot be so unless I hand over the ancestral items befitting royalty."
He clapped his hands, and a door from the corner of the room opened. A boy in a white hooded robe marched forth, carrying a pillow in front of him. Upon it sat an orb and scepter, encrusted in the same gems as the crown. He approached without a sound, the hood shrouding his face.
"And you forgot these why?" Handsome asked.
"Forgive me, handing over one's own kingdom and being the last link in a dynasty tends to make one forget these details," Bach replied sourly. Handsome scoffed, and turned his attention to the boy. The boy had stopped, and was holding out the wide and large pillow. There were freckles on his face.
"Hmm, fair enough." He swiped both items, and turned to face his pirates. Scepter and orb in hand, crown on his brow, and the throne and treaty behind him.
"Behold my friends!" Handsome leered. "I, Finalem Handsome, once a nobody, will now be King of this land! My brother," He gestured with his scepter at Bandsome, "my Majordomo and my right hand!"
Bandsome smiled, stepping up beside him. The pirates cheered, stamping their feet and roaring their approbation. Handsome grinned darkly, and then began to laugh.
"Hehehe... GWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! GWAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" He laughed, triumphantly, arms spread wide.
Bach stood next to Lawson. And the boy did not move.
"Henceforth I-! Oh yes, the pen." Handsome turned back to the table. "I need to sign the treaty. The pen?"
Bach reached into his chest pocket, pulling a pen out. Handsome blinked, then glared at him.
"I forgot. Sorry." His face was stone, as he tossed the pen high to Handsome. Handsome reached out, his hand open to grab it. Now, at last, the throne of Doyle would be…
Then he froze, at the sound of water. Water? In here?
And then there was pain, as someone punched him in the face; so hard it was like being hit by a battleship.
And then there was burning, as he felt water on his skin.
"GWUAAAAAAAGH!" Handsome gargled in shock and agony.
And the boy in white roared.
(X)
Bandsome stared, his mind frozen, as Handsome was thrown backward. He barrelled through the unsuspecting pirates as of being shot out of a cannon, gale force winds following behind him, knocking them down like bowling pins, and then crashed into the wall; ruining a rather fine frieze.
Why was this happening? How could this happen now, at the moment of their triumph? Who was attacking his brother?
His mind focussed, as fury replaced bewilderment. His power rose with his anger, his arms turning silver, gleaming blades sliding out. It was the white-robed boy who had done it, the white-robed boy who was standing with his fist outstretched.
The white-robed boy, he would gut like a fish.
"Why you-!"
He momentarily perceived a very large metal club approaching his face.
"RAIME HAKKE!"
(X)
Bach lowered his arms from his face, as the dust and wind settled from the massive blow that has sent Bandsome into the wall, making it crumble and crash atop of the pirate as the winds made more pirates scatter and bounce off the walls like ants before a tempest.
He stared, awestruck, as Yamato tore off the armor in which she had hidden. She was wearing a shirt and leather jacket, a riding skirt, white thigh-highs, and black riding boots. She twirled her club over her head, the enormous weapon whooshing like a windmill's sails.
And nearby, Izuku shrugged off his white robe, revealing the green hero uniform with steel greaves. The robe slopped as it hit the floor, the sleeves soaked by the water balloon hidden under the pillow.
"It's going to be okay King Bach, Mr. Lawson!" Izuku declared. "These villains will be brought to justice!"
"That's right! We will be the ones to save this country! No roof of any citizen shall be threatened, not when you offered your own to be destroyed instead!" Yamato declared. "It's going to be alright!"
From their respective craters in the walls, Handsome and Bandsome staggered forward. Handsome's nose was bent, bleeding from the nostrils, his ringed eyes as small as pinpricks, teeth falling from his bruised and bleeding mouth, the expression of his face utterly gobsmacked as his cheek was inflamed, as if someone tossed hot oil on it.
Bandsome's spectacles were broken, blood dripping from his crown, his own teeth cracked. He gazed back in pure, unbridled rage; his blue eyes like cerulean hellfire, teeth bared and veins throbbing on his forehead.
"Why, you ask?" Izuku said, with a beaming smile. And Bach blinked, bewildered, as he saw something around him. A presence, a shade, hovering around him. No, multiple, almost like… a group of people.
Yamato brought her Kanabo down in a defensive position, and Izuku raised his fists, green lightning arcing around him. They stood together, smiling their defiance against the two pirates and their crew; whose bounty totalled over a billion berris.
Without doubt. Without fear. Without hesitation.
"Because we are here!"
There we go, a much needed upswing of hope. The climactic battle of the Doyle Arc has begun! Our heroes against the Finalem Pirates! Arena: Conan Plateau, Holmes Hall Castle.
Big thanks to the team( Juubi-K , IKnowNothing , and WildJoker000 ) for covering as much as this as possible. Believe it not this was about done first before I got the Wano Interlude in. Figured that would be better first than after the fight since we would be back in Wano eventually for its own arc(yes, it involves who you think it will involve).
We'll cover this fight in two chapters, then we will have our conclusive wind down before going to the next stage of the Hunt for Whitebeard Saga.
Anyways, hope you all enjoy. Will post reference images on Spacebattles, so we will see you all in the next one.