City of Nroc (903 years ago)
"I've.. I've been called?.." Collector asked weakly.
Bishop Aanthroy kept his hand extended.
"B-By who?" Collector asked, losing consciousness.
"Lord Raizin." Aanthroy said.
Collector barely heard Aanthroy's voice, which sounded deep, and distorted due to Collector passing out.
Cyclone's Hideout (Village Hidden in Rain, Present Day)
Cyclone reappeared outside of his sky scraper hideout in the Rain Village. Rain poured down onto a small barrier above Cyclone's head, covering him like an umbrella.
Cyclone activated byakugan and inspected the building before walking in. The only people he could see were Collector and Who's-Who talking in the penthouse.
Cyclone deactivated byakugan and walked inside carrying a bag.
In the penthouse, Collector and Who's-Who continued to talk.
"What-What happened next?... After the lizard man came for you?" Who's-Who asked.
SLAM!
Collector got on offense as well as Who's-Who, only to see it was just Cyclone.
"Your excellency!" Collector yelled.
Cyclone set down the bag he was carrying.
"What were you two talking about." Cyclone said.
Who's-Who became frightened, as well as Collector.
"No, please your excellency! Don't kill me! I was just telling our new lackey about the Mainland!" Collector pleaded.
"Our!?" Who's-Who yelled.
Cyclone held his neutral expression.
"Hmph." Cyclone chuckled, reaching into the bag on the floor and pulling out a fruit. It was an oval, dark orange fruit with swirly circles all over.
"A-A devil fruit..." Who's-Who said softly.
"Eat this. You'll need it." Cyclone said.
Who's-Who gasped. Collector licked his lips.
"It looks like you're here to stay." Collector said.
Who's-Who looked at Collector, then back to Cyclone.
Cyclone walked towards the two.
"Maybe I should kill you, especially with the mood i'm in.. but there's hidden potential inside you." Cyclone said.
Who's-Who gulped.
"P-Potential?" Who's-Who asked.
Cyclone stopped at the table and got on his knees.
"You're a former secret agent of the Government so I know you're strong. You've just gotten the short end of the stick recently, as far as opponents go." Cyclone said.
"With my training you will be more than capable of at least taking care of yourself against them." Cyclone said, pouring a drink.
"T-Take care of myself when what? And against who?!" Who's-Who asked.
Cyclone gulped down his drink and remained silent.
"Just know.. there's a war coming." Cyclone said.
"A war? There was just a great battle at Marineford as well.." Who's-Who asked.
Cyclone smirked.
"Compared to what's coming.. that will look like child's play... you see, the winner of this war..." Cyclone stopped for a moment.
"...Wins the world itself." Cyclone finished.
Who's-Who was shocked.
"Wh-What... the world itself?" Who's-Who asked.
Cyclone looked straight ahead.
"I have to admit I am relieved your excellency... I thought you'd chop my head off for speaking on our past to a newcomer." Collector said.
Cyclone looked at Collector.
"You're lucky, because I definitely would under different circumstances." Cyclone said coldly.
Collector turned pale.
"But...what?" Collector said with a terrified, raspy, soft voice.
"He's back.. he has to be." Cyclone said, staring at the table.
Who's-Who was confused.
"What? Who?" Who's-Who asked.
Collector's eyes widened.
"No!... How?!" Collector yelled.
Cyclone continued staring at the table.
Tore's image slowly showed, turning towards Cyclone, smiling big, then fading away.
"Tore.." Cyclone said, clenching his fists.
In the sky
Tore and Robin flew comfortably on Tore's Robin once more, seemingly heading for the library now. The sky was bright and blue with the sun shining bright. The air was clear and cool.
Tore looked back at Robin.
"We'll be in the sky for a while, as I mentioned before, the point I left off at in my story I didn't get up and active again for another year at the time, so I won't be continuing until we touch down at our next stop." Tore explained.
Robin nodded with a smile and reached into Tore's bag and pulled out a log book.
"Finally decided to check out the log book aye?" Tore said.
"The log book details my personal thoughts and reactions to certain events back then, but the index is full of everyone I've ever met, talked to, etc! Any puctures inside are only sketches though. I wish I had up to date images!" Tore said.
Robin smiled to herself.
"I-I still can't believe this... personal accounts of someone from before the void century with everything recorded and preserved! This is an archeologists dream!" Robin smiled, looking at Tore, who was looking straight ahead.
"And he's..." Robin, breathed out softly. Finally feeling completely relaxed after everything she's seen and heard.
"He's my dad..." Robin said, her eyes closed as tears fell, her lip quivering. Robin thought of the picture she saw with Psycho and Olivia holding Robin.
Robin wiped her tears, looked down, and opened the log book.
The first chapter was titled, "Home."
Robin slowly turned the page to see a sketch of a church in front of a big bond and a small bridge going over the pond. Butterflies were drawn as well as other small animals.
In front of the church a group of people stood. One very tall man with a long hair and beard, and a young woman who looked an awful lot like someone Robin knows stuck out like sore thumbs.
Robin read the names above the two people in the sketch.
"Papa.. Ubois.. so.. this was the man who raised him?" Robin asked herself, looking up at Tore.
Robin gasped after reading the woman's name.
"Mrs. Nefetari... D. Vivi?" Robin said to herself, "The Vivi we know.. is a D?"
Robin couldn't believe it.
Tore looked back.
"Hm? You alright Robin?" Tore asked.
Robin shook her head and collected herself.
"I-Um... yes.. I just.. I just didn't know the Vivi you mentioned earlier was a "D." Robin said, "You were close with the D clan?"
Tore turned around with a big smile.
"Not just were we close with them, you could even say I'm a D!" Tore said.
Robin's eye widened.
"So.. that means.. Ubois, was a D too?" Robin said.
"Everyone in that picture is!" Tore said happily.
Robin stared in awe.
"Wow.." Robin said softly, staring at the picture Tore drew.
"So this.. is the D clan.." Robin said softly.
Cyclone's Hideout (Hidden Rain Village)
"But... that shouldn't even be possible! I saw him... when he...!" Collector choked.
Cyclone stared at Collector then back ahead.
"Kataka warned me this could happen.. its not that I didn't believe it could.. I just figured it was highly unlikely." Cyclone said.
"Who is this "Tore" you speak of? He was never mentioned in any CP0 or Government meetings." Who's-Who said.
Cyclone looked at Who's-Who.
"He's... the boy Lord Cyclone took us back in time for.. to raise as his own." Collector said.
"What?!" Who's-Who said.
"He's the reason things haven't gone to plan for the last eight centuries." Cyclone spit.
"I-I don't understand!" Who's-Who said, looking down, "A man from 800 years ago is the reason your plans have gone awry?"
Cyclone looked at Who's-Who.
"Don't stress yourself. You will understand everything soon enough." Cyclone said, "Continue where you left off, Collector."
Collector gasped.
"Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but shouldn't we be trying to find Tore your excellency? Isn't he supposed to be going to that library you two found centuries ago? We could catch him there!" Collector said.
Cyclone stared at Collector.
"His greatest hold over me was lifted earlier by Kataka. I've regained the ability to act against him without the cost of my life and he has no way of knowing or finding out." Cyclone said.
"That's-That's excellent! I always wondered why you cast that spell on yourself in the first place.." Collector said.
Cyclone slowly looked down.
"Me too." Cyclone said angrily, thinking back to finding out the truth of why the spell was placed.
Cyclone looked up.
"So whatever Tore does is irrelevant. He still has to come out to finish what he started eventually... and I will be right there waiting for him." Cyclone said.
Collector licked his lips. Who's-Who couldn't believe what was going on.
"What the hell did I get myself into?" Who's-Who thought.
"Now.. continue." Cyclone said.
Who's-Who gulped at looked at Collector.
Collector rubbed his hands together while pouring everyone glasses with his two free hands.
"Okay.. where was I?" Collector said, "That's right! That bishop lizard man had recovered me after my fight with the heirophant..." Collector started.
The Quag of Qrijik (Ree-jick)
Aanthroy floated through the moggy, brackish, swamp, holding up one finger which held up the unconscious Collector.
Aanthroy hummed to himself as they got close to an abandoned looking church. The church was tall but still covered by the trees.
Moss covered the church from top to bottom and the signature giant mushrooms of Nroc sprinkled around it as well. Lizard man guards stood out front and in front of them a tall toad dressed in religious clothing.
The guards were big, muscular lizard men wearing either a mix of armor from other factions or they had their own bodies modified into armor.
Aanthroy floated over and landed softly, walking towards the toad man.
Aanthroy put up his hand as well as the toad man.
The two spoke in unison.
"Faith carries us. Faith protects us. We were, we are, we shall be. Amen." The two men finished.
"Bishop Aanthroy, it always burdens me to have to perform the secret saying to prove you aren't an impostor." The toad man said.
Aanthroy smiled.
"It's quite alright, Deacon Jaxl (Jax)." Aanthroy said.
"We know why it must be done." Aanthroy said nervously.
Jaxl nodded slowly and the two walked into the church, guards on standby, watching anything moving.
The church was dark and cold.
"So.. heirophant Altir... he?" Jaxl stopped.
Aanthroy stared straight ahead with sadness.
"It is truly unfortunate.. but we must trust god's plan." Aanthroy said.
"Amen." Jaxl said softly.
Aanthroy and Jaxl walked through the church until they got to a large door. Music could be heard coming from behind the door.
A huge lizard man in golden jewelry motioned to two usher lizard men to open the door.
A stringed instrument sounded before clapping and makeshift cymbals crashed together with an organ playing in the background, a choir of Gharial women added occasional vocals.
Aanthroy and Jaxl couldn't believe it, not the music, but the old lizard man softly bouncing up and down off one foot and another, his hands in the sky, his eyes closed and tears falling.
"L-Lord Raizin..!" Jaxl said.
"I-I haven't seen him this upbeat in so long.."
Aanthroy looked up at Collector.
"Who-Who is this man?" Aanthroy asked himself.
"Aanthroy is that you?.." Raizin asked, "Praise god."
Aanthroy turned to Jaxl and bowed nervously, Jaxl did the same and presumably left the church once more.
Aanthroy nodded at the ushers and walked into Raizin's throne room.
"L-L-Lord Raizin... I got him.. the intruder. He-He!" Aanthroy cried, thinking of Altir.
Raizin lowered his hand, signaling the music to lower. Raizin slowly sat back down.
"This is the truth. He who keeps my ways.. will never know death." Raizin said.
Aanthroy's eyes widened.
"Th-The Book of Nroc... Ch-chapter 10... v-verse 15.." Aanthroy stuttered.
Raizin smiled softly
"Altir followed the word of Nroc until his last breath. Altir is not dead my friend, on the contrary...he couldn't be more alive! Altir gets to watch us reshape this world from the heavens themselves and you're sad for him? You should be envying him!" Raizin said with a raspy yell before coughing up blood.
"Lord Raizin!" Aanthroy yelled, guards in the room rushing towards Raizin.
Raizin raised his hand and everyone stopped.
"I-I'm fine.. I promise.. I already told you.. I couldn't die until I met him.." Raizin said, staring at Collector.
Aanthroy gasped and looked at Collector.
"The-The intruder.." Aanthroy said.
"Take him to the nursery, get him fed and get him plenty of water." Raizin said as Aanthroy dropped Collector into the hands of lizard men doctors.
Aanthroy watched the doctors leave before he asked Raizin something he's been wanting to ask for a while.
"L-Lord Raizin? I-If I may..." Aanthroy said.
"Anything my friend.." Raizin said softly.
"Who exactly is that man?" Aanthroy asked.
Raizin grinned softly.
"The answer." Raizin said.
Wretched Woods
A group of feet gathered at the body of the slain knight of the Secret Order. Richart lay peacefully on the ground, his hair blowing in the wind. Richart's eyes were still open but a hand reached down and closed his eyes.
The man was bald with a sword tattoo over his left eye. Writing was written on the right side of his head, it looked like a scripture.
The man wore gold and brown armor with the white cloth of his shirt showing in a few places, he also had a long golden sword and a flag held on his back with an image of a saint woman looking over a baby.
ALMOND "THE DAMAGED"
Another man in a black and red outfit with a plague doctor mask over his face stood with his arms crossed.
CORK "THE SCALLED"
A woman with armor over a long white robe and tall white hat, the armor on her hat covering her eyes, stared at Richarts body.
"Richart.." The woman said.
"MOTHER" FERGUSON
The man in the plague doctor mask shook his head.
Almond lifted his head and stood to his feet. Almond's eyes glowed a soft blue as he looked through the forest and could see the Hog Cabin deeper in the woods.
Almond stared with intense rage in the direction of the Hog Cabin as knights slowly walked over and picked up Richarts body.
"I-I'll make sure the group gets Richarts body back to JoyBoy's kingdom safely.." Mother Ferguson said softly.
Cork and Almond continued staring into the woods.
Mother Ferguson nodded and left with the knights assigned to pick up Richarts body. Another group of knights, Cork, and Almond made their way towards the Hog Cabin, vengeance on their minds.
Unwelcoming Desert
Lord Wyrm continued to let out his loud, distorted roar until he finally stopped.
"Finally! I thought my ears would fall off!" Wilmot complained.
"You don't even have ears!" Bambous yelled.
Dubois couldn't help but stare at Ju Peter with nervousness.
"Just what in the world is he doing here? I need to get answers before this gets any uglier!" Dubois said to himself.
Before Dubois could say anything else, another player showed up very quickly!
A woman with long blonde hair, barbarios armor, a lizard man helmet, and spear, stood atop a desert hill, looking up at Lord Wyrm and then back down at everyone else. It was Princess Cyl.
"Wh-Who is she?" Dubois asked himself.
"Another pest? Who's side is she on?" Ju Peter said to himself.
"She's a babe!" Bambous said to himself, hearts in his eyes.
Wilmot was filled with fear.
"Oh god... Princess Cyl!... This is the last person I needed to run into right now!" Wilmot stressed to himself.
Cyl continued to look down at everyone, her glare focused on Dubois and co.
"Is-Is she looking at us?" Dubois asked nervously.
Cyl grit her teeth.
"Undeads and skinwalkers... I should've known..hm? Who is that on the tall undead man's shoulder? A victim?" Cyl said to herself angrily before jumping down and landing next to Ju Peter, to the group's surprise!
"WOAH WAIT!" Bambous yelled.
Dubois was shocked.
"Why did she?-"
"Are you hurt? Who are you?" Cyl asked Ju Peter, who glared at the opposing group.
"I'm-I'm Simon D. Ubois..." Ju Peter said.
Cyl's eyes widened, as well as everyone else's.
"THAT'S NOT TRUE!" Wilmot yelled.
"Mr. Ubois! We've been wondering what's been going on... are these undeads and skinwalker holding you up?" Cyl asked.
Ju Peter smirked.
"They've been chasing me since I got to this island... they already killed my friend... he's the one on the giant's shoulder! I need him back! Ju Peter yelled.
Bambous put his hands up.
"HE'S-HE'S LYING!" Bambous yelled.
"Ma'am I promise you we mean no harm! This is all one big misunderstanding!" Dubois pleaded.
"If there's one thing I hate more than a lizard person... are those conniving undeads and disgusting skinwalkers!" Cyl yelled, her spear burning red hot.
"Can you fight, Mr. Ubois?" Cyl asked.
"Of course." Ju Peter said.
Dubois, Bambous, and Wilmot couldn't believe what was happening, but everyone looked towards Lord Wyrm as the giant sand worm leaned back and dashed towards everyone at a terrifying speed.
