Gunther got off Joy Boy's throne as Jambavan and Cyl shook hands.
"I- No, this Kingdom, thanks you for the information you've given Princess.. you've put yourself on the front lines for a long time." Jambavan said.
"Of course, this island is my home. We won't let these outsiders or rogue factions take it." Cyl said.
Jambavan nodded.
"What about him?" Cyl asked.
Jambavan gasped slighlty before looking back at Gunther. Jambavan stared at Gunther with uncertainty.
Jambavan looked down.
"I'm sorry.. but you still have to face punishment for what you've done.." Jambavan said.
Gunther's face dropped as he was filled with disappointment
"Y-Ya still want to lock me away.. after what I told ya?" Gunther asked.
Gunther was forced to bargain with them. Running now, was pointless.
Gunther had caught Jambavan and Cyl off guard with his earlier display of speed, but that wasn't going to work a second time.
And even if Gunther did get away now, he would have to leave the island. The Crimson and Secret Orders would look for him for the rest of his life.
"You've given us some critical information, Gunther.. but that doesn't excuse your crimes.. do you really expect some random change of heart to excuse all those killings? All those families who had to bury their loved ones? I can go on if you like!" Jambavan said.
"Did ya even listen to a word I said?! This ain't some random change of heart! They wouldn't let me eat!" Gunther yelled.
"That doesn't. Excuse. THE MURDERS!" Jambavan yelled back.
"I DID WHAT I HAD TA DO SO I COULD LIVE!" Gunther yelled.
"Gunther that's enough.." Jambavan said.
Gunther continued to shout and stomp.
"YA SIT HERE INNA FANCY CASTLE WIT TWO ORDERS TO BLOODY THEIR HANDS FOR YA BUT YA TALK DOWN ON MY DECISIONS?! DECISIONS I HAD TO MAKE TO SURVIVE?!" Gunther screamed.
Cyl stared at Gunther with a soft feeling of sympathy. Normally, Gunther would have already been detained, but the recent meeting of a new friend.. changed Cyl's perspective on skinwalkers entirely.
Cyl continued to stare at Gunther softly as she thought about Bambous.
"RUN AWAYYYYYYYY!" Bambous yelled.
Cyl stared with confusion.
"A skinwalker.. running away?.." Cyl asked herself.
"Princess!" Bambous yelled.
Cyl stared at the panda skinwalker.
"A skinwalker calling me Princess?... What's going on?" Cyl wondered.
"Princess you're back!" Bambous yelled happily, hugging Cyl.
Cyl smiled softly as she hugged Bambous back.
"Gunther! Enough!" Jambavan yelled.
Cyl put her hand up.
"Hold on.. Lord Jambavan.. let him speak.." Cyl said.
"P-Princess.." Jambavan said.
Gunther indeed had a bloody past. But the Princess was willing to hear him out.
"STAY IN THE WOODS, WE DIE, LEAVE THE WOODS, WE DIE! WHAT THE HELL ARE WE SUPPOSED TA DO?! TELL ME! I'M GENUINELY CONFUSED!" Gunther continued.
Jambavan looked down.
Cyl continued to stare at Gunther.
"..I ain't askin' fer forgivness.. cause I don't care what ya's believe.. I had to defend myself.. I-If I gotta die.. I just got one request.." Gunther said as his ears twitched.
Jambavan's ear twitched as well as both looked at the throne room doors. Cyl looked back when she heard a voice.
"This is the Crimson Order! We heard screaming! We are entering the King's throne room with probable cause!" A voice said.
Jambavan and Cyl looked back at Gunther to see he was gone. Without a trace.
Just outside the window, Gunther breathed heavily in and out with frustration as rain began to sprinkle down.
Gunther slammed his fist against the wall of the castle and jumped down into the forest outside the castle.
The doors to the throne room opened and in walked Kelp, Richard, and a large knight with golden armor, a massive shield with a with a glowing sun emblem.
The knight's helmet had an "x" running across the entirety of the face of the helmet and large red feathers protruding from it.
The knight also wore an orange and red sash with a golden sun emblem on it, the Crimson Order logo was inside the sun emblem. Lastly, the large knight carried a long, crescent shaped, axe that ran with orange energy.
HELLIOS "THE SUPERIOR"
Only one man refers to Hellios by his epithet, "The Superior," and that man is Hellios himself.
The people? They call him the snobby, the patronizing, and the scornful, just to name a few. But be weary of listening ears, people who have been accused of this crime, have never been seen again.
Cyl and Jambavan looked back at the Crimson Order knights as they came running in.
"MEN, SURROUND THE ROOM! WHATEVER WAS HERE COULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN FAR! I NEED MY BEST EYES AT THE KING'S WINDOW WATCHING FOR ANY FLEEING SUSPECTS!" Hellios yelled.
The knights quickly surrounded the room as Kelp walked up to Jambavan and Cyl.
"Princess.. Lord Jambavan.. we heard shouting. Are you both alright?" Kelp asked.
Cyl and Jambavan both looked at each other then back at Kelp.
"Y-Yes.. we're fine Kelp." Jambavan said.
Kelp nodded and looked at Cyl.
"Are you doing better, Princess?" Kelp asked.
Cyl nodded slowly.
"THERE! A SUSPECT IS MAKING A RUN THROUGH THE FOREST!" A knight yelled as Kelp shot his head up and Hellios sprinted over to the window.
Richard slowly walked to the window and set one arm on the boarder as he held his crossbow on his shoulder with the other.
Cyl was slightly surprised at how fast Kelp went from smiling to being ready for a fight.
"WHO IS IT?! OUT WITH IT LAD!" Hellios yelled as Kelp ran to the window to have a look himself.
"It looks like.. Gunther The Wicked!" The knight yelled.
"WHAT?! THAT TRASH FINALLY SHOWS HIMSELF AND IT IS HERE IN JOY BOY'S KINGDOM?! IS HE SUICIDAL?!" Hellios yelled, "AFTER HIM! BRING BACK ONLY HIS HEAD!"
"We would never get to him with that kind of headstart Hellios.. Richard." Kelp said.
Richard groaned.
"Aye.." Richard said, moving a few knights out the way and aiming his crossbow.
Cyl just watched the Crimson Order work.
Richard focused intensly on the trees until he could see Gunther speeding through them, cutting corners and moving in unpredictable movements.
"Hurry up Richard. Before that filth gets away." Hellios said, his arms crossed.
"Be quiet." Richard said as he finally found his trajectory.
Richard fired his crossbow, blasting his arrow into the trees. Richard "popped" away immediately after.
"Huh?!" Cyl asked.
Jambavan smirked.
"Wh-Where did he go?" Cyl asked.
"To snatch up that criminal, Princess!" Hellios yelled.
"Sir Richard has a truly unique Life Force ability.. instantaneous movement. "Teleportation" if you will." Kelp said.
"Th-That's insane.." Cyl said with awe.
WHIIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
Gunther heard something coming at him from behind as an arrow blasted into his leg.
"ARGH!" Gunther yelled as he tripped and rolled further into the woods until Richard popped in front of him.
Gunther crashed into Richard, who caught the hare skinwalker and popped away, back into the castle.
Cyl stared with amazement.
"That's amazing!" Cyl said with a smile.
Richard choked Gunther from behind as Kelp, Hellios, and Crimsom Order knights surrounded Gunther.
"THOUGHT YOU HAD A CLEAR ESCAPE, WICKED?! SCUM LIKE YOU DON'T GET HAPPY ENDINGS! TAKE HIM TO THE EXECUTION CHAMBER! THIS TRASH BAG DOESN'T DESERVE TO STAND TRIAL!" Hellios yelled.
"Calm yourself Hellios." Kelp said, What were you doing here Mr. Gunther?" Kelp asked, "You're a very wanted man. Just what would be so important you'd risk your freedom-"
"AND YOUR LIFE!" Hellios yelled.
Kelp made an annoyed expression as he rolled his eyes.
"And your life.. to come here. Why?" Kelp asked.
Gunther continued to squirm from being choked and the pain in his leg.
"Talking to him like he has some sense won't do you any good, Captain. Squalor like him should be killed on sight." Hellios said.
"I have my methods Hellios and I expect you to honor them to a T." Kelp said, looking back at Gunther.
"I-I..." Gunther stuttered.
"No harm will come to you if you answer honestly. I promise fair treatment to all who will work with me." Kelp said, "Mr. Richard, please release Mr. Gunther."
Richard let Gunther go and let him drop to the floor.
"You should have had Richard snap his neck, Captain. Send a message to all the other cancers on this island that the King's most trusted knights should never be taken lightly!" Hellios yelled.
"I have no wish to clean up any more bodies tonight, Hellios. Mr. Gunther is well aware what would happen to him if he took even one of us on by himself, even with two working legs." Kelp explained.
"TWADDLE, CAPTAIN! WE SHOULD ERADICATE EVERY GOD DAMN CRIMINAL GOING AGAINST THE KING'S FLAG! TO DO OTHERWISE ONLY SHOWS WEAKNESS IN OUR PRESENCE!" Hellios yelled.
"SILENCE, HELLIOS! I AM THE GODDAMN HEAD CAPTAIN OF THE CRIMSON ORDER, SERVING AT THE KING'S PLEASURE AND I WILL MAKE THE GOD DAMNED DECISIONS! IS THAT CLEAR, SIR?!" Kelp yelled back.
"Aye sir, aye." Hellios said.
Cyl stared at the Crimson Order with conflicted feelings. They were completely different than the Secret Order.
"However, time is of the essence, Mr. Gunther. I'm going to need an answer soon before I'm afraid I'll have to hand you over to Hellios." Kelp said.
Ginther grit his teeth.
"..I wanna help.." Gunther said.
Kelp's eyes widened softly, as did Jambavan and Cyl's.
"Help? With what?" Kelp asked.
"HA! WHAT COULD A RAPSCALLION LIKE YOU HELP US WITH?!" Hellios yelled.
Gunther stared at Jambavan and Cyl.
"I wanna help.. wit' what's comin'.." Gunther said, "I wanna fight fer my freedom.."
Jambavan stared at Gunther as Cyl looked up at Jambavan.
"What's this guy talkin' about?" Richard asked, annoyed.
"He's clearly drunk with fear. Just rambling." Hellios said.
Cyl spoke up suddenly.
"He's right. Something is coming." Cyl said.
Everyone looked at Cyl. Gunther breathed in and out softly.
"Gunther gave Lord Jambavan a great amount of information. That at least earns him a chance to help us going forward." Cyl said.
Jambavan smiled and looked at the Crimson Order knights.
"Take him to the infirmary." Jambavan said.
Kelp looked back.
"Lord Jambavan?" Kelp asked, before looking back at Gunther.
"You heard him! Get this clown to his feet and get him to the infirmary!" Hellios yelled as knights got Gunther to his feet and began walking him out the room. Hellios followed.
Gunther stopped by Cyl and Jambavan.
"Thanks.. I owe ya's.." Gunther said.
"MOVE!" Hellios yelled, shoving Gunther so hard he fell face down.
"EASY Hellios..." Kelp said, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
The knights, followed by Hellios, left the throne room as Richard continued watching the window. Kelp had walked back to Cyl and Jambavan.
"What was Gunther talking about, Lord Jambavan? Princess?" Kelp asked.
Cyl looked to the side.
"Val is back. And he wants to take over the kingdom.. presumably with help from the same group that brought Elder Ubois.. the treaty was a ruse.. to get us off guard so they could attack us from within." Jambavan said.
"What?.." Kelp asked.
"And that's not all.." Jambavan started, "One of the marines.. has become Lord Wyrm."
Kelp couldn't believe his ears.
"I-Impossible..." Kelp said.
"It's not... I saw it with my own eyes.. and fought him.." Cyl said.
Kelp looked at Cyl with worry.
"Just the fact Lord Wyrm fought against a Barbarios, knowing the consequences, is all the proof I would need that something wasn't right.." Kelp said.
"He almost killed us all.." Cyl said, "If not for the Elder.."
kelp looked at Cyl with worry.
"And according to Gunther.. these "Marines".. plan to become all the Lord's of the Land.." Jambavan revealed, "And take our island.."
Kelp grew tense and nervous.
Richard sweat under his helmet.
"No.." Kelp said, "We can't allow that by any means!"
Jambavan smiled.
"Fear not Kelp.. ufortunately, for our opposition we have the one thing they don't!" Jambavan cheered.
Kelp sweat a little.
"Lord Jambavan?" Kelp asked.
"Thanks to Elder Ubois.. we have secured the source of Life Force!" Jambavan said happily.
Kelp's eyes shot open as Richard looked back out the corner of his eyes.
"Th-The source... of Life Force? Lord Jambavan?" Kelp asked.
"Don't worry Kelp. The Barbarios were able to secure the elder and we can finally meet with him.. we will discuss everything when the Elder is here." Jambavan said.
Kelp smiled at the news of the elder.
"That's great! And where is the king? Surely he would want to hear this news." Kelp said.
Jambavan looked down.
"The King.. left.. and we don't know where he went." Jambavan said.
"Wh-Why?!" Kelp asked.
Cyl looked to the side with sadness.
"We believe.. Richart's death was the reason.." Jambavan said.
Richard looked back out the window as Kelp looked down.
"I-I see.." Kelp said.
"As for tonight, you will join the Secret Order in transporting Richart's body safely to the Barbario's tombs and help get the elder here tomorrow by any means!" Jambavan ordered.
Richard looked down and closed his eyes with a soft smile.
Kelp smiled as well, extending his hand.
Jambavan and Kelp shook hands.
"Consider it done, Lord Jambavan! The Crimson Order never fails." Kelp declared.
Dubois Castle (Present Day)
"I lived in comfortable monotony on Okino Island. Wake up, get ready, breakfast, morning service, nap, feed the needy, evening service, read, nightly walk, shower, sleep. That's what I did, every day." Dubois said.
"Now I was in a position where I didn't know what the next minute would bring.. let alone the next day.. it was an exciting feeling to be honest.. but scary!"
Naruto and Luffy were as locked in as when Dubois first began his tale. Hinata slept on Naruto's shoulder.
Boa rubbed Luffy's back as he focused on the half-giant man's story.
Sakura had her head leaned on Sasuke as Sasuke stared up at Dubois. At some point Chopper had moved to the top of Kakashi's head and slept as Kakashi listened to Dubois's story.
Fujitora sat in the seat in front of Kakashi.
Law had sat down with his legs and arms crossed. Law's head was down but he was still listening.
Akainu had moved just a little closer to everyone as the story went on.
Mihawk still had his back to one of the castle walls with his arms crossed.
Lionel had fallen asleep on Jinbei's lap as Okua sat next to them.
Sanji and Nami sat closely as they listened to Dubois's story.
Kraken still continued to sleep peacefully against Dubois's ice chair.
Usopp, Franky, and Brook sat behind the shinobi.
"The next day.. I'm surprised I still remember so much from so long ago.. but this day in particular.. I could never forget.." Dubois said.
Everyone who was still awake listened with anticipation.
Dubois smiled.
"We had so much fun!" Dubois said happily.
Holy Land of Mariejois (923 years ago)
Mu sat in the complete darkness of the Room of Authority, waiting for their guest. Only Mu's red, demonic, eyes were visible.
Mu continue to stare through the darkness.
Flashback
Shortly after the deaths of St. Cotter and St. Bison, the Elders made their way to Mu's chamber as the figure had summoned them.
The Elders finally arrived and kneeled.
"You summoned us, Mu-sama?" St. Topman asked.
Mu glared at the Elders.
"Mu demands an update." Mu said coldly.
"..We lost contact with Peter hours ago.. and when we tried to call him just recently, nothing.." St. Mars said.
Mu's eyes shook with rage.
"Mu is not pleased.." Mu said, beginning to stand.
The elders' eyes widened with fear.
"Mu-sama wait!" St. Saturn yelled.
"PETER WAS MU'S EYES ON THAT ISLAND AND YOU LOST HIM! DID YOU FORGET MURANAKA IS LOOKING FOR THE INSECT KING'S CORPSE AS WELL?! IT COULD HAVE VERY WELL ATTACKED PETER AND UBOIS AND TAKEN IT! THESE MISTAKES ARE INEXCUSABLE!!" Mu yelled.
The elders held their hands up on front of their faces in fear of what might happen.
Mu glared at the Elders with pure anger.
"...MU BETS YOU HAVEN'T YOU EVEN BEEN KEEPING TRACK OF THE SKY BOY'S CONDITION EITHER, HAVE YOU?!" Mu screamed.
"T-Tore?.. Well.. n-no! We haven't checked on him.. he should be suffering from an incurable disease!" St. Ethan said.
"WELL IT'S NOT!!!! IT..." Mu paused.
All the elders eyes continue to be wide with shock and fear.
"IS MAKING A RECOVERY!!!" Mu yelled.
The elders couldn't believe it.
"Th-That can't be.." St. Saturn said.
St. Ethan grit his teeth fiercely.
"..H-How?.." St. Mars asked.
"IMPOSSIBLE!!!" St. Topman yelled.
"LOWER YOUR TONE!!!" Mu yelled.
St. Topman shut up immediately.
"How is he recovering Mu-sama?! That disease has no cure!" St. Saturn worried.
"Mu has the slightest idea. It HAS to be that boy's lineage! There's no other explanation!" Mu yelled.
"What would you like us to do? Mu-sama.." St. Mars asked.
"We will do whatever necessary, Mu-sama!" St. Topman yelled.
"..." Mu was silent.
"The sky boy.. HAS to be killed. PERSONALLY!" Mu yelled.
The Elders looked at other than back at Mu.
"We will have Marine Captains perform the assassination immediately." St. Topman said.
"No. Mu has already tried. The sky boy won't let them close!" Mu yelled.
"Th-Then what do we do, Mu-sama? Who can we send to perform the job?" St. Saturn asked.
Mu stared at the Elders with pure evil in their eyes.
"Lily..." Mu said.
The Elder's eyes widened.
"..C-Can we really trust her to kill him?" St. Mars asked.
"From what I understand Lily is a D, like Ubois, she would never.." St. Ethan said.
"There has to be a way.." St. Saturn said.
St. Topman locked eyes with Mu.
"Did you forget gentlemen? Ubois only just murdered her father, St. Cotter." St. Topman said.
Mu continued to stare down at the Elders.
"Mu demands Lily.." Mu said coldly.
End of Flashback
Princess Lily walked into the empty Room of Authority. Candles lit the walls all over the room, but it was still hard to see, except for a little light from the moon from a hole in the ceiling on another side of the room.
"H-Hello?" Lily said softly, her voice echoing gracefully in the dim lit room, "I was summoned here? By.. oh what did the guards say their name was? Mu-sama?"
Immediately after Lily said this, a pair of eyes opened in the darkness.
Lily looked over with fright.
"Wh-Wha-" Lily was stopped.
"Welcome, Lily." Mu said in their distorted voice.
Lily was too scared to speak, but choked something out.
"Who-Who are you? What-What was the reason... for-for my summoning?.." Lily asked.
Mu continued to stare from the darkness.
"Mu has good news." Mu said.
Lily was confused.
"G-Good news? L-Like what?" Lily asked.
"..As of now.. it will be referred to as.. "Queen" Lily.." Mu said.
Lily's eyes widened.
"Q-Queen? I-I'm Queen now? N-No.. that would mean.." Lily's eyes began to water as she locked eyes with Mu's evil glare.
"Nefetari Cotter was murdered." Mu said bluntly.
Lily's eyes blasted open as tears fell from her eyes like waterfalls.
Mu watched the newly appointed Queen freak out over her father's alleged death with no emotion.
"DADDYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!" Lily cried and screamed, "Who-Who killed my father?!"
Mu's eyes seemingly grew bigger and bigger.
"UBOIS!!!" Mu screeched.
Lily froze with shock. Lily's eyes were stuck open as tears still flowed.
"Wh-What.." Lily asked, "N-No.. UBOIS IS A PROUD D!!! LOVED BY EVERYONE ON THE ISLAND! HE WOULD NEVER!" Lily yelled.
"IT REALLY BELIEVEST THAT AFTER UBOIS ALREADY CLAIMED TWO OTHER LIVES?!" Mu yelled.
Lily was visibly taken back.
"UBOIS DECLARED WAR WITH THE WORLD GOVERNMENT WENT HE KILLED LOWERY! UBOIS HAS ALREADY ALIGNED HIMSELF WITH THE MAINLAND!" Mu yelled.
Lily couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Everything that knight told us.." Lily said, speaking about Richart,
"The knight lied through his teeth! Dubois mudered his escort party and has killed all parties sent to bring him to justice! Happily, St. Shepard Ju Peter has already taken the knight's life!" Mu celebrated.
Lily was broken.
"But that is not enough.." Mu said.
Lily looked up at Mu.
"If Ubois won't let us bring him in... then we will make him come to us!" Mu yelled.
Lily's eyes widened.
"Lily.. You.. will KILL TORE!" Mu yelled.
Lily froze.
"You HAVE to! THINK ABOUT WHAT UBOIS DID TO YOU!" Mu continued.
Lily could see Tore's bright, happy smile, but Lily could also see her father, the man who raised her. The man who made her.
Lily looked down for a moment then back up with anger as Marines filled the Room of Authority as Mu watched from the shadows.
"Kill Tore Lily... and you will be extremely well rewarded..!" Mu said.
Lily stared with anger before turning and leaving the Room of Authority with the Marines.