"So, you've all been under Kaido's heel for a while?"
Ace watched, arms crossed, as the girl wolfed down the sandwich Banshee had whipped up. Wallace had patched her up too, but Ace couldn't help but see how skinny she was. It wasn't too bad, but it was still bad for a kid her age. Too skinny, not enough meat there to stop some of the ribs from staying hidden.
All the more reason to do what he had come here to do. To take down Kaido, and take his place as Emperor. The world would know his name, and these people would know freedom. Real freedom.
"Yes… we have," Tama said, tears in her eyes. "What… is this again?"
"Bologna and lettuce sandwich, with some mayo," Ace replied, leaning against the tree as he watched his crew interact with the villagers. They had been hesitant, even fearful at first; but an offer of food had brought them out of their shells, for the moment. Deuce was busy talking to the village elder with Mihar, so they could handle that kind of stuff, while the others were still handing out food and getting what info they could.
The small girl smiled as she swallowed. "This… is the most delicious thing I've ever eaten…"
"Easy now kiddo. You'll make yourself sick eating too fast. Soon, you'll be able to eat as much as you want; and better stuff than a measly sandwich." The girl perked up, eyes wide in confusion.
"Huh? What makes you say that?"
"Easy, I came here to beat Kaido of course!" Ace grinned, saying it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Although I didn't expect Wano to be like this. I figured it'd be a massive pirate fortress." He looked around, taking in the forest. "Guess this county is bigger than I thought…"
"That's because Kaido's lair is to the south."
Ace turned, and saw a blue-haired man in a domino mask approaching, a smirk on his face.
"We missed it," Masked Deuce went on. "Which is kind of embarrassing, based on what I've heard about it."
"Well we had to make landfall. Those waves are something else. I mean we did just scale a waterfall!" Ace exclaimed with a laugh. He glanced down at Tama, who was staring at him in stunned disbelief.
"You… you came here to… fight Kaido? T-To b-beat him?" Ace smirked.
"Yep. We haven't lost since entering the New World. And I'm gunning for the top!" He jabbed his thumb at his chest. But the girl didn't seem to share his enthusiasm.
"He's… big and scary…" Tama whimpered, looking to the floor. "He's a giant mean dragon."
"Ah, I've gotten out of tougher spots," retorted Ace, smirking.
"Ace, Wano is cut off from the outside world," Deuce cut in. "News Coos don't come here. Kotatsu would have sniffed them out."
That much was true. Their pet lynx had a nose, and unfortunately an appetite, for those seagulls.
"Yeah that is a bit weird." He looked again at Tama, who was looking at him with haunted eyes.
"Well, you just stay put. Once I beat the crud out of Kaido in his own home base, you'll be the first to come over and we can have a party!" Ace declared.
Tama was silent, holding her plate as Banshee waddled over and took it.
"Don't go!"
The next thing Ace knew, Tama was clinging to his leg, eyes mad with fear.
"Don't go! Just leave! Take me with you out to sea! But please don't fight him! You'll die!"
She was shaking, scared out of her mind. Ace felt bad for her, and glanced at Banshee.
"A ship is no place for a child," replied the rotund woman sternly. Ace sighed, and looked again at Tama, who was still clinging to his leg.
"Tell you what," he said, forcing a grin back onto his face. "Why don't you get stronger, and become…a tall and beautiful lady ninja! Like the ones I heard about! Then you can come join my crew! Once I've kicked Kaido's ass, that is! Tell you what, get stronger for me, become a… tall and beautiful lady ninja, heard Wano has those around here," Ace snapped his fingers. "And then you can come join my crew! Well, after I beat Kaido's ass that is."
He dislodged the girl from his leg and looked back to Banshee. "So, we about done here?"
"More or less. We gave the villagers some food and medical supplies to cover docking, and they gave us some medical herbs too. Cornelia's gonna love those." Banshee smirked. "You about ready to go, Captain?"
"Yeah, just wrapping things up."
"I'll gather the men." Deuce replied, as he patted Ace on the shoulder, and leant in close. "There's something else too," he whispered. Ace saw the look on his face, and nodded.
"Listen Tama, I will defeat Kaido ok? It's a promise." He smiled, rubbing her head. "And I don't go back on my word."
"Y-You don't?" she asked meekly.
"Nope." And he meant it. If Kaido had caused her to become this skinny and frightful, then he deserved a fist to the face. Minimum.
"Then please… defeat Kaido!" Tama pleaded, and Ace turned, the purple haired girl's eyes watery. "If the bad dragon can go away, we…we won't have to live in fear anymore and-"
"Don't worry, I will. I promise." He patted her on the head. "You had someone you had to return to right?"
"Oh no Mr. Tengu!" The girl looked round in a panic, then spotted a pail lying in the brush nearby. She looked ashamed.
"I was just getting water for Mr Tengu," she explained. "I have to get back. But please! Please win!"
Ace shot her his best smirk, and adjusted his hat for effect.
"I plan to, kid." He gave her a wave, and strode back to the ship.
"What's the deal?" Ace whispered, as Deuce fell in beside him. Nearby, the rest of the Spade Pirates were returning to their ship; the Piece of Spadille.
"Did you see? The village is mostly old folks," Deuce whispered back. "Turns out the Beast Pirates took the women and children to Onigashima."
Ace looked around the village. A few buildings were of stone, but most were of wood; built in a style he hadn't seen before. There were plenty of old people, sitting or standing around, watching the Spade Pirates with wary gratitude. But he couldn't see many young people.
"And the men?" Ace asked as they strode up the ramp, and Ganryu and Aggie 68 pulled it up behind them.
"Sent to the Weapons Factories in the north and east." Deuce paused a moment, and Ace did not like the look in his eyes.
"Ace, Wano is huge, bigger even than Alabasta," he went on. "Onigashima's an island on its own, just off the south coast. Wano's more like…well…a continent?"
Ace's brow furrowed. That wasn't a word he had heard very often.
"Like the Red line?" he asked. That was the thing he'd ever heard called a continent.
"Something like that."
"Well, we got a date with the King of Beasts, and we all came here expecting a fight." Ace smirked as he headed up the steps to the stern deck.
Then he paused, as a hand touched his shoulder.
"Captain, I'm not sure about this."
Ace turned to find his crew's resident navigator and pirate fanatic, Skull, standing behind him and looking more than a little nervous.
"What's the matter Skull? Getting weak-kneed over fighting an Emperor?" Ace chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. But it wasn't working.
"I'm serious Ace. Taking on solo Pirate crews are one thing. But Kaido…"
Skull shivered.
"Ace, Kaido isn't like any pirate we've faced before. Brutal doesn't even begin to describe him and the things he's done. The Marines have been trying to get rid of him for years, but literally nothing works. He just won't die."
The masked pirate grabbed Ace by the shoulders and looked him square in the eye.
"He's not some wimp looking for treasure, he's a true monster of the sea! And you wanna fight him on his own home turf! We should listen to what Tama said and get out of here while we still can! I know you wanna make your mark, but going against Kaido is straight up suicide!"
Ace stared at him. He knew Skull believed every word he had just said. He had never seen him so shaken up.
"I get what you're saying, Skull, believe me I do," he replied, putting a hand on his old friend's shoulder. "But you saw the state of those people, and what Kaido and his crew are doing here. We can't just get up and run away."
He turned and headed up the steps, then paused at the top, glancing down at his friend.
"Besides I made a promise to Tama. And when have I ever broken a promise?"
He gave them a big, fat grin. Skull sighed.
"I hope you're right, Captain…for all our sakes."
But Ace barely heard him. He was too busy readying himself for his big speech.
"So here's the jig you guys!" he yelled. All eyes looked up to him, bright and brave, full of confidence. "We're gonna storm Onigashima! I'll fight that bastard Kaido, and we'll set these people free!"
"YEAAAAH!" They all cheered, Kotatsu roaring with them.
"Aggie! Take us out!"
"Right away Captain!"
Aggie 68 manned the helm, swinging the wheel as the ship hauled away. The crew leapt to their tasks, swarming up the rigging and pulling on the ropes. The Piece of Spadille creaked and groaned, and settled onto its course. The sails fell open, spreading to take the wind.
They were on their way. Ace stood on the bridge, taking it all in. There were many great things in the world, but few of them were better than a good ship under sail, and a good crew to man it.
And he was about to find one. Very soon.
"That's it," Deuce said, handing him a telescope. "Onigashima."
Ace almost jumped. He had lost track of time. But he took the telescope, and aimed it where Deuce was pointing.
Yes, that was it. A mass of rolling waves, and a towering gate. And beyond it, a mountain in the shape of a skull; eyes and mouth open, glowing with golden light. Around it, dark clouds roiled, and lightning crackled, as if anyone would doubt who resided in that place.
"Onigashima." Ace uttered. "Alright… let's go."
He had never felt this fired up. Even Grandpa couldn't have done what he was about to do.
This…would be the ultimate proof of his existence!
(X)
The Onigashima infirmary was located in a vast cavern, sub-divided by walls to create wards and surgical areas, and private rooms for particularly important patients. The infirmary was quiet, the last leftovers from the Fire Festival having long since dragged themselves away. Only a few particularly serious cases occupied the infirmary's beds, while nurses tended to them, checked the supplies, and kept the place clean.
Chief Doctor Bridge paid them little heed. His mind was on one patient in particular, currently lying in one of the private rooms. A patient whose fate would decide his own.
"How is he?" he asked, as he stepped through the doorway and slid the door shut behind him.
Nurse Gaigel, a giraffe mink, turned to face him.
"Lord Malice is showing good signs, but he's still asleep," the mink replied, adjusting his glasses.
Bridge looked down at the figure on the bed. It was a blonde-haired man, tall and muscular, but still marked with bruises and scars old and new; his chest still covered with bandages. A dozen IVs hung on stands around him, their tubes running down into his arms.
Spytand Malice lay sleeping; entirely still, but for the rising and falling of his chest. He had improved considerably since King's Headliners had brought him from the prison mine; strapped to a gurney lest he harm himself. They had told him about what happened in the prison mine's hospital, how Kaido's rage had awakened him in blind terror.
Since then he had been asleep, still and silent, and his body had slowly healed.
"Make sure he remains stable," Bridge ordered, looking over the IVs. "And have your report ready. Bao Huang will be here soon."
Gaigell understood. They all did. They had all felt Kaido's fury, and heard King's orders. Malice was to be kept alive, and restored to health. And Bao Huang, King's peculiar little minion, had been tasked with checking on him every day. What she saw and heard went straight to Kaido.
Bridge had pulled out all the stops. He had installed Malice in one of the private rooms, well away from the riff-raff; with soundproof walls to keep out the noise. He had tended the fallen pirate himself, using his best infusions. When he could not be there in person, he had left trusted subordinates like Gaigel in charge.
He dared not entrust Malice's care to one of his subordinate doctors. They had unique ideas about medicine, and were not above trying them out on their patients. Bridge did not want to have to explain why Malice was dead, or why bits of him were missing, or any number of horrific accidents those lunatics might inflict.
"We could try and wake him up," Gaigell suggested. "An adrenaline shot would do it."
"And risk losing him!?" snapped Bridge, glaring up at the giraffe mink. "I am not taking that chance, Gaigel! Not for anything short of a direct order from Lord Kaido! If anything goes wrong, it's our necks!"
"Okay, okay!" grumbled Gaigel. "I only suggested it because…well, Onigashima's empty as hell these days. Everyone's out looking for the Young Master and that Deku character. The place feels like a ghost town, and an exposed one at that."
Bridge sighed. He was right, of course. With Kaido, the All-Stars and the rest of the Flying Six all out searching, there was no one above the rank of Headliner left in Onigashima.
All because the Young Master had managed to escape, with the help of someone called Deku. Deku, who had snuck into Kaido's own quarters and made off with the keys to Yamato's cuffs. Deku, who had somehow defeated Spytand Malice, and then escaped together with Yamato.
And only Malice knew what Deku looked like, or had any idea where they had gone. Only his answers, even if they cost him his life, could put an end to this madness.
"I know what you mean," he admitted. "But we can't risk it. There's too much…"
"Doctor!" The door slid open, and a young woman, heavily tattooed, dashed inside. It was Goita, one of the secretaries.
"What's going on?" Bridge demanded, affronted at her indiscipline in his infirmary. Then he faltered, as he saw the look on her face.
"Doctor, we're under attack!" barked Goita. Through the open door, Bridge could hear running footsteps and shouting.
"Attack!?" he spluttered. "That's absurd! Who would dare attack us!?"
As if on cue, a distant crump echoed down the corridor. He could hear whistles blowing, and bells ringing.
"A ship in the harbor mouth!" Goita explained. She was shaking, half in fear, half in anger. "They just turned up and started shooting!"
"But…but why?" babbled Bridge, his mind in turmoil. Who could it be? Was it the Marines, or Big Mom? Red Hair even?
Either way, it would have to be someone powerful…or utterly insane, but it didn't matter
They were under attack.
"Doctor Bridge!"
"What!" Bridge rounded on the taller Gaigel, who was pointing towards the bed; his eyes wide with terror. Bridge looked, and froze as he saw.
Malice had opened his eyes. They were bloodshot, staring, bulging. He sat bolt upright, breathing hard, his head turning to glare at them.
"Where…is the enemy?"
(X)
Bao Haung hummed happily as she flew along the corridor.
She had finished putting together a good schedule for Jack's pirates; as part of the upcoming expedition plans. Before the whole Deku mess, Kaido had been planning an offensive, to trash some countries and take some of their territory. Unable to pay their taxes at the Reverie next month, they would be kicked out of the World Government. Then they would be fair game for Kaido. Territory, resources, the whole kit and kaboodle!
She flapped her wing membranes, speeding herself along. With the schedule safely dropped off in Jack's office, it was time to head down to the infirmary and check on Spytand Malice. Lord King would be wanting to know how he was doing, and that those crazy doctors hadn't done anything weird. Bao Huang had heard some ripe tales about that place.
""Maybe if I flap really hard, I can fly like Lord King and…!"
She trailed off, as she heard a strange sound. A rumbling, almost like cannon fire.
"Cannons?" she wondered aloud, landing and listening hard. There it was again, coming from…the harbor?
She trotted through the corridors until she reached King's lounge. She hurried through the deserted rooms, until she reached King's landing balcony, and poked her head out.
She couldn't see much from that angle. But there was smoke blowing from about where the harbor was. Then that rumble again, but louder this time. Definitely cannon fire.
"Huh, weapons malfunction? Target practice?" she mused. No one was dumb enough to attack Onigashima.!
But it was probably worth checking out. Besides, it was a chance to practice!
She giggled, spread her arms wide, and jumped off the balcony. The wind buffeted her as she fell, her wing membranes catching the currents, angling her fall. She banked left, gliding around the Skull Dome.
Then she saw it. A ship, right there in the harbor. She had never seen it before, and she knew all the Beast Pirate ships.
Smoke billowed from the ship's flank, the familiar crack-crump of cannon fire. Bao Huang gaped as the front entrance erupted into a shower of dust and debris.
"Oh no way!" she cried out. "I gotta call Lord Ki-AGH!"
Her left wing-membrane erupted in pain, and she screamed as she fell from the sky. She landed shoulder first into a Sakura tree, crashing down through the branches, then landed with a thump in a bush.
"Ow… ah…" she groaned. She was sore all over, but at least she was alive. She looked at her left wing, and saw a small round hole right through it.
She'd been shot. They'd shot at her!
Then she remembered herself, and reached into her pocket.
"Please be okay please be-Ow… okay…" she prayed, pulling out her Bamboo Reed Transponder Snail. Mercifully, the little creature was unharmed, staring blankly at her.
"I saw that flying freak over there!" yelled a voice. Bao Huang got up, shaking with pain and fear, and peeked around the tree. "Did you get her Mihar?"
"Yeah, right out of the sky, Saber!" replied a male voice. "Kotatsu, find whoever that was, and if they're alive, rip 'em up! The Beast Pirates have Zoan users in their crew."
Bao Huang scampered away, as a roar echoed behind her, tapping at her snail. "Ring ring ring Ring. Ring Ring Ring Ring."
"Please Lord King… answer!" she urged, as she hid behind a tree.
"Click." The face turned into a scowl.
"This is King."
"Lord King! Lord King!" Bao Haung whispered. The snail's eyebrows went up.
"Bao Haung? What's wrong?"
"We're under attack! Pirates! At the gate!" The roar came again, and Bao Huang peeked around the tree. An enormous yellow beast, some kind of big cat, was charging towards her. She shrieked, and scrambled up the tree as fast as she could.
"What!? Who's attacking?!" King yelled. But Bao Huang could not answer. It was all she could do to climb fast, her left arm in agony, while the golden lynx snarled and jumped, clawing at the bark below her.
Then it clung on, and began to climb!
"I don't know! Lord King! Help me!" she sobbed. "The harbor's on fire!"
She jumped, her left wing hurting even more as she glided away. The lynx shrieked and jumped, flailing its claws at her. Bao Huang cried out and turned hard, the beast's stench filling her nostrils as it sailed past.
Bao Huang landed on a tree branch, breathing hard, trying to think. The lynx landed hard and spun round, snapping and snarling, then loped towards her. She shrieked, and leapt off the branch, landing on another one, and another, and another. The monster raced after her, snarling and shrieking, lusting for her blood. Bao Huang cried out as she crashed into a branch, dropping the snail, then pulled herself up and jumped onward. The snail lay where it had fallen, as the lynx chased after her.
"Bao Haung! Bao Haung!"
(X)
"Answer me!" King barked, glaring at the snail in his hand. But the snail was silent, its face blank.
He felt sick. Not just afraid, but a strange, cloying dread. Onigashima was under attack, and Bao Huang was in the middle of it. He had heard her crying with fear, heard the terrible roar of whatever was chasing her.
Standing atop Mount Fuji, overlooking the Flower Capital, King forced himself to think. There was no time to find Kaido; he was in Ringo, to the northeast. He would have to go himself, and fast!
He turned south, and turned off his flames; transforming into his Pteranodon form. The moment the transformation was complete, he leapt off the mountaintop, flapping hard, soaring away towards Onigashima.
His mind raced as he flew. Who in their right mind would invade Onigashima? Who was strong enough? Big Mom? Shanks? The Marines even? Were they behind Deku? Had they sent him to cause all this, and leave Onigashima vulnerable?
Or had word gotten out about Deku's feats? Did they think Kaido was weak? That he had lost his grip?
He shook his long, narrow head. No time for that. He had to defend his home, and save Bao Huang.
The clouds parted before him, as he passed the speed of sound. All at once he could see Onigashima, a column of smoke rising from the harbor.
Flames erupted from his feet, as he remembered Bao Huang's cries. He sped on, aiming himself down at the harbor, and the fools who dared to attack his home.
He would not let her die!
(X)
Ace let out a breath.
Around him, the harbor was a scene of chaos. The docks were a shambles, and ships were on fire. The few Beast Pirates still alive were running for their lives.
"Heh! Is this all you have to offer Kaido!" he yelled, smirking as his forearm erupted in flames. Up ahead, he saw riflemen forming up at the top of the stairs.
"Forget kicking your ass! I might just take your place!" He took a step, and threw a punch.
"Hiken!" A fist of fire, the size of a Marine warship, erupted from his hand. It slammed into the stairs, cremating the defenders. Ace laughed aloud and raced up the steps, ashes billowing in the air around him.
"All right Kaido! Show yourself!" he roared. He glanced back at Deuce, Ganryu, Ducky Bree, and Kimel. "Okay guys, find the slaves and get them back to the ship!"
"Got it!" Deuce smirked, and strode over to a pile of rubble. Ace watched as he reached behind it, and pulled out a Beast Pirate by the scruff of the neck. The pirate was balding, toothless, cringing in terror.
"Slaves! Where!?" he barked, aiming his pistol at the cringing man's head.
"B-Basement floor! To the right, stairs! C-Can't miss it! Even has a sign!"
Deuce whacked him with the pistol, and dropped him.
"Let's rock boys!" Deuce yelled, dashing off to the right; Ganryu, Ducky Bree, and Kimel following behind. Ace watched them go, smirking with satisfaction, and pride.
"All right, now where's your big bad boss!?" Ace bellowed, heading straight on. "I'm gonna whip his ass!"
He found himself in a town, with buildings in the Wano style; right inside the dome. He could see a few pirates leaning out of windows, leveling rifles at him. He strode on, the bullets passing through him, grinning at the looks on their faces.
"What the!? Oour bullets aren't working!"
"Oh crap, he's a Logia!"
"Wait, I recognize that guy! That's Fire Fast Ace!"
Ace paused, his grin becoming a smirk. He had to admit, it was satisfying; seeing the fear on their faces. The fear they had made countless others feel.
"Damn right I am." Ace aimed it towards them, green balls of fire gathering around him. "And you've treated the Land of Wano like dirt! So here's your just dese-"
He froze, as a vision filled his mind; a massive green mouth, biting down on his arm.
He leapt back, as something burst through the wall beside him; a giant green lizard, chomping down hard on empty air.
"Whoa now, who's this!?" he called out, keeping his smirk in place. "You nearly bit my arm off!"
He looked the monstrosity up and down. It was some kind of gigantic green dinosaur, but with blonde hair, and bandages around its middle; glaring down at him with murderous contempt.
"You have some nerve, punk!" it snarled.
"Lord Malice, you're okay!" cried one of the pirates.
Malice…so this was Spytand Malice. Quite the harsh tax collector, or so the people of Amigasa had told him.
"Ah yeah, Spytand Malice, one of Kaido's little goons," he remarked. "Figured you'd be taller."
The dinosaur growled, and Ace saw the blotches on his scales, and the smaller bandages around his arms and legs.
"Sheesh, someone do a number on you pal? Maybe you should take five. Get on the bench."
"Go to hell! Tekkai Kemono Kenpo!" Malice charged straight at him, so fast that Ace blinked. "Datenbi!"
Ace watched, frozen, as the dinosaur somehow front-flipped, his tail swinging over his head.
He dodged, and the tail smashed down, cratering the stone floor.
"Well, guess I gotta clear out some of the trash before I get Kaido, don't I!"
He smirked, and swiped with his arm. "Kagero!" A wave of fire shot out. The beast yelled in pain, but charged on through, yelling as he accelerated.
"Soru?" Ace asked, narrowly dodging a Haki-infused headbutt. "So you're a-"
The dinosaur pivoted on the spot, his massive tail swinging round and slamming into Ace.
"Hangetsubi!"
Ace yelled as he was thrown through the air, crashing through a stone pillar. He landed hard, rolled to his feet, and saw the dinosaur coming at him, shrinking down into a vaguely humanoid form.
"Gnnngh… Haki user huh?" Ace shook his arm off.
"You'll suffer for soiling Lord Kaido's fortress with your footsteps!" Malice roared, teeth bared. "Once was enough, I will not suffer a second time! You flaming rat!"
"Ohhh rat infestation? Guess you're really slacking on pest control, Marine has-been!" Ace's hand glowed orange, fire blazing as he charged. Malice began to spin and Ace threw his fist.
"Shingekibi!"
"Hiken!"
The Haki-enhanced Tail met the blazing punch, and Malice roared as fire washed over him. Ace winced, as pain spiked through his hand and shoulder, and followed through with a flaming axe-kick, right at his head.
A hand like steel grabbed his ankle, and he was slammed to the ground.
'Okay, that hurt!' he thought, as the air burst from his lungs. Malice roared, and threw him into a nearby wall. Ace groaned, his mind a blank, as she saw Malice open his mouth, his dagger-like teeth turning black.
"Agogan!"
A wave of energy erupted from his mouth. Ace leapt into the air, staring down as the wave took a literal bite out of the wall. He cried out, and jabbed his two index fingers at the beast, forming a cross.
"Jujika!" A fiery crucifix leapt from his fingers, blazing through Malice's breast and out his back. The lizard-man cried out and fell back, his boot catching Ace in the chin, throwing him backwards.
Ace forced himself to his feet, shaking his head, bringing up his fists. Malice did likewise, hand over his mutilated chest, his breathing hoarse.
"What? Did I blaze a hole through your lungs?" Ace goaded. "Should really stop smoking, I can see you huffing and puffing all the way over here." Malice glared back, but did not move.
"Once I'll be through with ya, I'll skin Kaido a new one!" Ace declared. "He made the Land of Wano suffer, so I'll bring you guys to heel. And you will all know my name!"
"DIEEEEEE!" Malice roared like a lunatic, the ground exploding behind him as he charged. Ace's body erupted in flames.
"Enkai!" The fire swirled around him like a tornado, as he aimed his hands at Malice. "Hibashira!" The tornado erupted, washing over the screaming Malice and throwing him back, setting the wooden walls and floors alight.
Ace smirked. This was getting fun.
(X)
"Do we have them all!" Deuce called out, turning to look down the underground passage.
Behind him, Ganryu, Ducky Bree and Kimel hustled the slaves along. There were dozens, maybe a hundred children. Banshee had gone to the pleasure hall, to find the women forced to become Geishas. The thought made his stomach churn.
"Got 'em!" called back Ducky Bree, from the rear of the column. Deuce nodded, and turned back to the passage. Time to get going, before their luck run out.
"All right, let's roll!" He charged down the passage, hearing the footsteps behind him. He dashed up the stairs, and waited while the children scurried past, their snapped chains clattering on the floor.
"I'm concerned," commented Kimel, pausing beside him. "Kaido is an Emperor right? So where are his main officers? His underbosses?"
"Who knows? Probably drunk off their asses, judging by all that sake in the basement," Ganyu replied. "Ace is gonna wipe the floor with them!"
But Deuce was worried too. Where were they? This was supposed to be the fortress of the Beast Pirates, but the place was all but deserted. Where was everybody?
"We gotta stay vigilant! Once Banshee gets back with the women, we make sail for Wano!" he ordered, joining the rear of the column. The dome was filling with smoke, and he could see something on the other side. He paused, trying to make it out.
It was a battle. Ace was fighting…something; some kind of giant, green-scaled, humaniform lizard with a tail.
Deuce grinned. That would be a fine entry for his adventure diary!
"Think he'll be ok?" Ganryu asked.
"Course he will. He's the man who'll turn the world upside down," Deuce replied with confidence. The two of them soon caught up with the column, which had reached the top of the main stairway down to the docks. The stone walls and steps were scorched black where Ace had let loose.
"All right we're here! Let's go kids! Down the stairs, mind your steps!" Drucky Bee called out. Deuce saw the Spadille, waiting at the beach just outside the harbor; Mihar and the others standing guard. They hurried down the steps, the sounds of battle echoing after them.
Ace would win. He had always won his battles. He had never led them astray. This would be their first big landmark achievement, defeating Kaido and freeing the Land of Wano!
"Hey Deuce, look!" Ganyu pointed towards Mihar and Saber. They were looking towards a line of pink trees, just a little way up from the beach.
"Mihar, what's up? Has Banshee come back yet?" Deuce asked, as they arrived.
"Ah, hey," Mihar nodded. "Not yet. Captain seems to be tied up fighting. I'm just waiting for Kotatsu to root out that pirate that fell."
"Pirate?"
"Pretty sure, I saw him land in the trees. Some flying squirrel kinda thing.
"Kotatsu's trying to find him, but nothing so far" added Saber. A rumble echoed from the harbor, and they all looked up. "Sheesh, Ace having his hands full?"
"He was fighting some Dinosaur guy. Like those weird Zoan users from before," Deuce replied. He nodded towards Drucky Bee, who was leading the children towards the ship. The Piece of Spadille was a good ship, but it was gonna be tight at this rate.
"Ha, feels good to be a noble hero ain't it?" Saber remarked with a smirk. Deuce was about to reply, when something burst out of the trees. A child, with a mop of blonde hair, and Kotatsu hot on her heels.
"That's not a man! That's a girl!" exclaimed Deuce. "A kid!"
"A kid who flew right out of the dome!" retorted Mihar. "How was I supposed to know!?"
The girl landed in front of them. She was wearing a miniature beast pirate uniform, but with a red top and shorts rather than the bikinis the older female pirates had worn. Her hair was full of twigs, and her skin was scratched and bruised, her blue eyes brimming with terror. Kotatsu leapt out of the tree and landed behind her, snarling with frustrated rage.
"Hey hang on," Deuce stepped forward. "Kotatsu down!" The beast stopped, but didn't stop snarling.
"S-Stay away!" the girl barked. "Or else!"
"Or else what?" Think you can give us orders, kid?" Ganryu chided. Mihar shouldered his rifle, and Deuce shot him a glare. She was just a child! And unarmed from the looks of it.
"Are you a slave?" he asked. "Did you try to escape?"
Kotatsu perked up, ears alert, listening for something he alone could hear.
"I'm not a slave! I'm a Beast Pirate!" snapped the girl, anger in her eyes. "Those slaves are ours! We took them fair and square! We beat Wano! We own this place!"
"Well look at that, a Chore Girl," Mihar huffed, aiming his rifle at her. Deuce swallowed, but he could not object. Children were far from unusual on pirate crews, and this one was clearly loyal.
Suddenly, Kotatsu yelped and turned tail, springing for the trees.
"Kotatsu? Hey boy, come back!" Kimel yelled as Deuce turned, confused. Kotatsu was the most courageous and brazen of their crew. Why would he run?
"You think you can come here, and do what you like! You won't get away with this!" the girl shrieked. "You come to our home, MY HOME, and set it on fire? You will all pay!"
"Oh shut up runt." Mihar flipped the safety. "You're as guilty as the rest of them." Deuce felt sorry for her, but she had chosen her side; probably a long time ago. Time to get aboard and…
Then he was falling, rolling across the ground; a scorching wind washing over him, a thunderclap ringing in his ears. He opened his eyes…and stared.
The Piece of Spadille was broken in two, and on fire.
"No!" he cried, as his mind processed what had happened. Their ship, the ship that was their home, their pride, was destroyed.
A shadow fell over him. He turned, and his soul sank as he saw the shape descending from the sky.
It was big. Bigger than Aggie 68. Bigger than anything Deuce had seen outside of giants, Sea Kings, and giant seagulls.
His blood ran cold, his limbs froze. He could only watch, helpless, as the winged nightmare landed by the girl, and scooped her into its arms. It straightened up, and turned to face them, flames dancing around its neck. It was dressed all in black leather, encrusted with spikes, its face enclosed in a tight hood.
And then Deuce saw its eyes. Ruby red coals, blazing with inhuman fury.
The giant's wings unfurled, flames erupting from its back, the ground burning beneath him, embers tumbling through the air.
Deuce screamed, and pulled out his pistol, firing blindly as the children all ran for the hills, screaming in terror. His comrades did likewise, blazing with all they had at the nightmare before them.
(X)
Ace panted as he shook his hand, blood dripping down his knuckles.
Malice stood before him; blackened, wounded, panting; red eyes burning with murder-light.
"Man, you dunno when to quit, do you buddy?" Ace wiped his brow.
"I'll kill you…" the monstrosity growled, trudging towards him. "I'll kill you, as I should have killed him."
"I dunno who you're talking about," Ace commented, dropping into a combat stance, arms aflame. "But I need to make my way to the top. Kaido's waiting, and I can't mess around with a half-dead guy."
"I will atone…" Malice heaved, lumbering on. "I will kill you…Deku…Deku…"
Deku? Ace quirked an eyebrow.
"The hells a Deku?"
Then he jumped, at a crash and a scream behind him.
"Captain…!"
Ace turned, and his heart fell. It was Skull, standing there, his shoulders slumped. What was he doing there? He was supposed to be guarding the ship!
"Skull!" he cried. "What're you..!?"
"Donpo!" Malice charged at him. "Ryu!" Ace threw up his arms to block, the impact shuddering through his body, sending him skidding down the hall to Skull's side.
Then he saw. The splinters and shrapnel sticking out of him, the flowing blood, the burns.
"Who hurt you!?" he demanded, horrified.
"Captain…" Skull's mask fell off, and he fell to his knees. "The ship…everyone…they're gone."
Ace caught him, the weight forcing him to his knees, the blood running over him. This couldn't be happening! Not like this!
"We shouldn't have come…" Skull breathed. "This place…is Hell…" He slumped in Ace's arms.
Ace knelt where he was, his mind a blank. The ship gone? His crew?
He looked back at Malice. The dinosaur Zoan was lumbering towards him, eyes rolled up, almost like a zombie.
He blasted off, flying down the hallway like a rocket. He turned a corner, and reached the stairway, flying down the steps, into the harbor, and out onto the beach.
Ruin.
All around was flame. The trees, the ornaments, even the flowers and the grass. All was burning. The Spadille was on fire, cleaved in two, as if God had taken a flaming sword to it. Standing amidst it was a tall black shape; a black-winged demon, a sword at his hip, a little figure by his legs. It turned to face him, and Ace's mouth fell open; for in its hand, Deuce hung by the neck, limp and unmoving.
And there were the others, lying all around.
"Ganryu…" Crashed into a tree.
"Mihar…" Floating face-down in the water.
"Ducky Bree..." Half-buried under burning wreckage.
"Aggie…" A crater in a rock, bleeding out and burnt.
"Banshee…" Lying on the beach, her stomach perforated with shrapnel.
All of them lying where they had fallen. Dead or alive, he could not tell.
"You…" His confidence, his joy, was all gone. The demon strode towards what remained of the Spadrille, and put its hand to the figurehead. With one move he tore it away, and crushed it; the wood crumbling into ashes and dust. It tossed Deuce away, his body rolling along the beach like a child's discarded toy.
In the corner of his eye, Ace could see more pirates approaching. They swarmed out of the harbor, and through the trees, weapons at the ready, leering at him in triumph.
"How… DARE YOUUUUUUU!" Ace roared, his Haki erupting in a firestorm. It washed over the beach and the forest, knocking the Beast Pirates to the ground, foaming at the mouth. The giant turned towards him, cocking an eyebrow. The figure at his feet slumped against it, making him look down at it.
Ace roared as his feet exploded, hurling him at the demon like a shell from a cannon, drawing back his fist.
"HIKEEEEEN!" he roared, and a fist of fire the size of a skyscraper flew at the black demon, blazing through the remains of the Spadille and out into the harbor, boiling the sea surface. The pirates scrambled away, fleeing in terror.
But the demon just stood there, unfazed. It knelt down, wrapping its wings around itself. Ace clenched his fists and thrust out his forefingers, aiming them like pistols.
"HIGAN!" He blazed fire from his fingertips, faster than Marine cannonfire under a barrage. The Demon knelt where it was, fireballs bursting and scorching the ground around it. Ace leapt for the sky and looked down. The Demon was still there, glaring up at him, that small figure still clinging to its leg.
Had it been…protecting that kid?
Ace yelled, driving the thought away, as twin fiery spears formed in his hands. Their fire was not red, but blazing white; white for the heat of his fury.
"Shinka! Shiranui!" He threw them down. The Demon's wings unfurled, slapping the burning spears aside, blasting them away into the mountains that ringed the harbor. The spears detonated, shaking the mountains, the hot wind washing over the harbor, making the flames billow.
"DAI! ENKAAAAAAI~!" Ace roared, thrusting his hands above him, flames forming and spreading around them, filling the sky above him. The Demon looked up, glaring eyes narrowed, as the flames formed into a single ship-sized orb; a burning sun in the palm of his hand.
"ENTEI!" Ace aimed his feet and blasted down, throwing back his hand, ready to send this monster back to hell. Below him, the Demon's feet glowed, the land turning red beneath them.
"DIIIIIIIIIIEEEE!" Ace bellowed at the top of his lungs, as he plummeted towards his enemy.
And then the Demon was in front of him, swatting away the sun in his hand, and driving his foot into Ace's chest.
Pain. How long had it been since he's felt pain like this before?
Pain, like nothing he had ever felt. Heat, burning through his chest, searing his skin, boiling the air in his lungs as he screamed.
The Demon grunted, and followed through, swinging his leg and throwing Ace down. Ace felt himself falling, crashing through wood and stone.
Finally, mercifully, he stopped, as his eyes barely managed to stay open, only able to make out the faint light from the burning wreckage of his ship.
He… was in his burning sinking ship.
Then it was there.
The burning Hellspawn, staring down at him with primal fury in his eyes.
His wings spread out, fire exploding around them.
Hot… so very hot.
He pulled back a white flame coated fist, and when he brought it down into Ace's chest, grabbing him, the black haired man couldn't even scream as his lungs BURNED.
And then, only darkness.
(X)
King took a breath as he tossed the unconscious and broken body of the pirate from the ship to the docks.
Around him, most of the front area of Onigashima was on fire. Pirates were emerging from the Skull Dome, carrying hoses and fire extinguishers. But the Sakura trees were largely destroyed, as were the various ornaments and buildings that had once decorated the harbor mouth.
He dropped down, landing on the beach beside Bao Huang. The girl lay where she had fallen, knocked out by the intensity of the battle, and not only by that.
He glowered, His former opponent, had Conqueror's Haki; and his was far more powerful than Yamato's. He had rendered a hundred or so pirates unconscious with his rage alone.
Yet it was clear it was untrained and unrefined, much like Yamato's. A clear sign of what a greenhorn the young pirate was.
King knelt down, and scooped the squirrel-girl into his arms. The girl stirred, and he saw the bleeding hole in her wing membrane. A bullet hole.
The sight almost caused the Lunarian's flames to erupt again, only held back by the knowledge he'd harm his charge should he act.
He took off, flying over the harbor mouth and up the stairway; pirates scattering out of his way. He landed at the top, and strode down the burned hallway. His Headliners could handle the fires and the cleanup. He had to get Bao Huang to the infirmary and…
Then he paused, appalled, as he saw what was limping down the corridor towards him.
"Malice!?" he called out, recognising the stumbling horror. "What're you doing here!?"
Malice slumped to his knees. He was still in his Man-Beast form, his scales bruised and burned, his chest heaving, and bleeding from a part-cauterized, cross-shaped wound.
"Lord…King…" Malice panted, "Has the enemy… been defeated?"
King ran towards him and knelt down, grabbing him under his arm like a sack; Bao Huang under the other.
"You damned fool, what were you thinking?!" King hissed as he ran down the hallway. He made a mental note to have the hallway widened and the roof raised, so he could fly down it.
"Fire Fist was attacking… where is everyone?" Malice uttered. "They shouldn't… have gotten past the Torii Gate." He coughed, blood bubbling from his throat. King hurried on, past the smoldering battlefield, and the Waiters hosing down the wreckage
"For now you need to heal!" insisted King. "Kaido needs you healthy, and with your wits about you!"
He felt Malice shudder and cough.
"I…failed," he croaked. "I let them…escape. I had to…atone."
"Then Live, Malice!" retorted King. "Live, and answer to Kaido!"
He reached the infirmary wing. In the foyer was Doctor Bridge, talking frantically into a series of snails.
"L-Lord King! You've returned! Thank goodness!" he exclaimed as the towering Pirate came to a stop.
"Place Malice under intensive care, and treat Bao Huang too!" he ordered.
The nurses were already hurrying up with gurneys. King deposited Malice on one, and Bao Huang on the other.
"By all means, my lord!" insisted Bridge. "Lord Malice will be as healthy as a horse when we're done with him!"
King looked down at the unlikely pair, breathing through his nose, allowing himself to feel relieved. Malice, so loyal yet lost and twisted; ruined by a life of violence and betrayals, and remorse he could not bear. Bao Huang, a simple girl who wanted so little from life, whose path had brought her to this place.
Had he been slower…one of them could've died. And had Malice perished, so would the crucial information about Deku. King shuddered at Kaido's renewed wrath should such a thing happen.
"Lord King?" Bridge asked, as the nurses hurried away with their patients.
"You will give priority to those two, then anyone else," he ordered. "For now, I must report to Kaido."
"Y-Yes sir," Bridge nodded, and trotted after the nurses. King took a deep breath, focusing as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a Snail.
"This is Whar," replied his top Headliner. "Lord King?"
"Once you collect the dead and wounded, have your men process the intruders, however few are still alive" King ordered. As he spoke, he flapped his wings and lifted off; flying towards the center of the Skull Dome. The Live Floor.
"Understood. We also saw some slaves escaping. Some kids, and those geishas Who's Who brought in before the festival," replied Whar. "Capture and process?"
"Take the slaves back to their pens, and the geishas to their quarters; alive and unharmed. Have Beggar handle the slaves and Ratscrew the geishas."
"They're a bit on edge without their hit, Lord King. We haven't any time to unwind. Why send them?"
"Because they won't get any ideas," King replied. "And tell them if they get this done right, there's a few kilograms of the hard product in it for them."
"Carrot method huh? Will do Lord King." Whar sounded amused. "Also, I've been in touch with Pedro. He's been trying to contact Lord Kaido, but…"
"He's in his Dragon form," King interrupted him. "I'll relay the news. Call in Queen, Jack, and the Six. Tell them to come back right now, no excuses. We need to meet."
"Understood, but…" Now Whar sounded nervous. "What if Lord Kaido takes offense?"
"Tell him it's my call. I can take what he'll give me."
"Right."
The snail went silent, and King dropped down; landing beside a wide,smoking crater in the middle of the Live Floor. He peered over the rim, down at the half-dead young man lying in the middle.
Portgas D. Ace, a pirate worth 250 Million Berris. A pirate who had gotten it into his head to invade Onigashima; fortress of Kaido, King of the Beasts.
He stepped down into the crater, and flipped Ace over with a nudge of his foot. There was a nasty burn scar on his chest; left by the kick that had ended their battle. His chest was rising and falling; not much, but enough to see.
"Still alive are you?" he muttered, clenching his fist. This goddamn punk had balls, he could give him that.
A scream made him look up. A group of Waiters were passing by, dragging some geishas between them. Some of the women shrieked and struggled, demanding or begging to be set free. Some just wept, despairing at having been so close to freedom, only to be caught.
King returned his attention to Ace. He shouldn't have been able to get past the Spires…if the Spires were fully manned. But there had been a skeleton crew up there and most; not enough to man the guns.
He took a deep breath. Kaido was not going to like this, but it was time he started acting like an Emperor instead of a possessive father. This was a slight too far, a failure that, if not for Malice, could have ruined them. If word of it got out…
He reached down, grabbing the man by the leg and carried him like a lunch bag. It would have been satisfying to kill him, but too quick, too merciful.
"You will learn, Fire Fist," he muttered. "You will see the Hell you have invaded."
(X)
The skies rumbled as Kaido flew over the winter forests of Ringo, eyes fixed on the ground. He swiveled his long head from left to right, his Observation Haki working hard. Below, creatures ran in fear.
"Where are you, Deku?" the dragon thought. Then his heart skipped, as he saw a flare in the corner of his eye. Had Sasaki found her?
He flew towards the flare, and saw Sasaki in a clearing below, waving up at him. Around him were his men, bundled up in furs against the cold.
"Sasaki!" Kaido growled. "Did you find them!?"
"Lord Kaido, there's been a situation!" the stocky man called out, holding out his snail. "I got a call from Lord King!"
Kaido paused, glaring down at the snail. "What about?"
"Onigashima was attacked! He's calling all of us back, and he wants you there too!" Kaido's eyed widened.
"WHAT!?"
Kaido's voice echoed across the mountains, his patience strained further by this unwelcomed development.
"Talk to him yourself if you want! That's what he said!" insisted Sasaki. He was clearly afraid, but Kaido sensed no deception in him. He snarled, and descended; shrinking himself down to his normal form. He stretched his arms, the bones creaking. He had been flying for a week straight; the longest time since the conquest and still feeling gnawing itch for a drink. He glared at Sasaki, and took the snail from him.
"King?" he spoke, seeing that familiar scowl. "Sasaki says that Onigashima was attacked."
"It has." Kaido's eyes widened. "I handled the intruders, but Kaido, we need to have a meeting. All of us. The All-Stars, the Six, everyone."
Kaido glared at the snail. "Is that so?" He knew where King was going with this. He didn't like it. At all.
"Yes, and this needs you too, sir," insisted King.
"Who would dare invade Onigashima?" Kaido asked; though he knew, with a sinking feeling, the reason why. It was he who had ordered everyone to search Wano; he had left Onigashima unmanned, defenseless.
"A rookie of 250 million, Fire Fist Ace." King replied. "Most of his crew are dead, but we have him and a few survivors in the dungeons."
A goddamn ROOKIE attacked his fortress?! Kaido grit his teeth, growling with flames leaking from his mouth.
"Fine, I'm on my way. I'll tell Jack and Queen myself. They'll like it better if it comes from me."
"Understood. I'll see you soon."
"Hmmph." Kaido hung up as the Snail went click, and handed it back to Sasaki. "Return to Onigashima with haste. The hunt for my daughter is suspended. For now."
"Yes sir," Sasaki nodded. Kaido transformed once again, and ascended into the sky. Thunder roared around him, summoned by his anger. First a child had tricked and robbed him, now a mere Rookie dared to challenge him!
Yes, he was losing face. And King was right to call him on it. That, no doubt, was what he wanted.
Damn it all!
(X)
His vision was blurry, the world a morass of colors.
Ace groaned… and felt the searing pain on his chest. His whole body ached.
'Where am… I?' he thought as he looked up. There were walls all around him, slowly passing by. There was pressure on his arms, something holding them up, dragging him along.
He looked around, and made out scarred, muscular arms, and fur capes. He tried to resist, to pull his arms free, to conjure his flames. But his body would not respond, and he knew from the pressure on his wrists why that was.
Seastone. Shit.
It was hard to breathe, his chest burning as Ace hissed and took deep breaths and coughed.
Before him was a vast iron door; above it an enormous iron statue of a serpentine dragon. The door groaned and clunked as it opened, and Ace was dragged inside. He could make out large shapes, two of them. One big black and white one, the other brown and hulking.
And then there was another; black, winged, and wreathed in flames.
He blinked, and his eyes bulged, as he saw what was in front of him. His captors dropped him to the floor, pinning him down with their booted feet. He seethed, his chest burning as he shouted out in anger and pain.
"So, that's the punk that attacked Onigashima?" oiled the fat one, twirling a gear in one hand. "Took him long enough to wake up."
"Considering it was Big Bro King that fought him, he's lucky to still be breathing," The fur covered one growled out.
"Portgas D. Ace, also known as the Fire Fist. Bounty, 250 million. A mere rookie." growled the Demon, glaring down at him with arms crossed.
"I'll… kill you!" Ace snarled, while the demon looked unfazed. "Where are my friends!?"
"You are in no position to make demands, boy!"
Ace froze, as the booming voice chilled his blood. He looked up, and saw another hulking figure, one that towered over the other three. It sat on a throne, looking down at him with yellow-slitted eyes, his cheek rested on one fist.
It was enormous; a mountain of muscle, its head crowned in white horns; each one long enough to impale a dozen men.
And those eyes…
There was no mistaking it. There was no one else this could be.
"Kai…do…" Ace croaked. He had never thought he would feel awe like this. Awe, and fear. This was the man who ruled Wano, and a large part of the New world. This was the most feared being on the planet. The man, no… the Monster that he came here to kill. For the Amigasa villagers, for the people of Wano, and for Tama.
Ace had never felt so small in his whole life. And he finally understood Skull's warning.
"I am," the monster replied. His voice was low, almost casual; but it still echoed around the chamber. "So, you're the one who attacked Onigashima." He waved his hand. "Let him rise. I want a better look at the bug who dared to invade my fortress."
The goons pulled him to his feet. Ace sighed with relief as he stood, then winced as he looked down and saw the scar on his chest. He looked up again, and saw Kaido staring down at him; as if he were a rodent.
A massive burn scar as it dawned on him as he felt his wound, wincing in pain at the flayed skin that went around his chest. He gazed at the demon, fear building within him.
Did he… burn him? But how?!
"I will admit this. You have balls." Kaido stated. "You took advantage of my error in easing my defenses. You even tried to take some of my slaves for your own. As a pirate, you aim to take what you can however you can. I can respect that."
Ace swallowed the lump in his throat. He wanted to attack the winged Demon, but he could not tear his eyes from the monster before him.
"I… don't need slaves to do my bidding! I'm not like you… you monsters!" he hissed.
"Ohhhh cocky ain't he," drawled the fat one. "Spouting morality while flying a Jolly Roger? Bitch puh-lease!" He smirked, and chewed on his cigar. Looking closer he made out the fur covered one beside him. A tall blonde man, with a metal mask covering the lower half of his face. He stood in silence like the Demon; arms crossed, glaring down at him.
"I'm almost impressed. And that's not getting into your gift," Kaido replied mildly. "King told me himself. You have the Flame Flame Fruit, and the Power of the King. How interesting."
"The Power… of the King?" Ace was confused. What did he mean?
"Seems he doesn't know about it" muttered the Demon.
"Well shit, how did this dude get this far into the New World then?" asked the fat one, clearly amazed. "Talk about super lucky!"
"Regardless, you have potential," Kaido went on, tapping a mighty spiked club on the floor. "Normally, I would turn you into paint on my walls. But your bravado, or stupidity, made me realize my mistake so in a way, I am grateful. So, I will offer you a choice… boy."
"I am not… a boy!" snapped Ace, wincing through his pain.
"Says the guy who got branded like a cow from that pervert over there!" scoffed the fat one, jabbing a thumb at the Demon, earning a glare in return. "And you couldn't even beat a half-dead psycho like Malice!"
"Silence, Queen," ordered Kaido. "Now, I offer you this." He reached out one massive brown hand. "Join my crew, and devote what's left of your existence to me, and your life may be salvaged. Or else…"
Kaido bared his teeth and tightened his hold on his club. Ace's heart hammered, his breaths ragged.
"Or else what?" he retorted. "I have never…bowed…to anyone in my life! And I don't plan to start now!"
The beaten pirate attempted to stand defiant, only to double over in pain, as his panting tormented his scorched chest.
"I saw what you did to the people of Wano!" he yelled. "What the hell did they do to deserve it!? And you killed my friends! Why the hell would I serve you!?"
"Buhahahahaha!" the fat one laughed. "Oh this'll be good. Kid got his ass kicked all across Onigashima and still thinks he's in a position to act tough."
"You wish to join your friends then?" Kaido replied with a sigh. "King."
Ace felt a sharp pain on the back of his head, and he knew no more.
(X)
Kaido watched as King stamped his foot down on the fallen pirate's back, wind blowing through the stone chamber from his fast action.
"Shall I finish him off?" King asked, hand dropping to his katana's hilt.
"No, he is a wild horse and needs to learn his place." Kaido turned to Queen, who had pocketed his gear. "Queen."
"Yeah boss?" he asked, smirking.
"How do you make a wild horse obey its master?" he asked. The Plague gave him a grin that would have left a lesser man considering the state of his soul.
"You break them."
Kaido nodded, and King withdrew his foot. The two Waiters stepped forward, and dragged Fire Fist away.
"I've been meaning to get some guinea pigs for my…experiment," Queen said, watching them go. "If I may take my leave, I can start right away."
He grinned, a grin Kaido knew well. Queen had many vices, but his abilities more than made up for them; especially that brilliant, merciless intellect. He and King despised each other; but they were his left and right hands for a reason.
"You may, and have your men return to their posts in Udon," he ordered. "And send the Six in."
"Roger that, boss." Queen nodded, with about as much respect as he was capable of, and lumbered out of the chamber. Jack and King took up position by his throne, standing to attention as the Flying Six - or five of them anyway - filed in.
They looked tired, and careworn. Black Maria had wrinkles around her eyes. Who's Who's suit was dirty. Sasaki looked like he'd been dragged through a hedge backwards. Ulti's hair was frayed and looked annoyed, and Page One looked world-weary.
"Lord Kaido," Black Maria bowed, her customary grace untarnished. The others did likewise, as the doors swung shut behind them. Kaido acknowledged her with a lingering glance before gazing towards a certain member.
"Page One," he said, the purple-haired youth snapping to attention. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine, Lord Kaido! Much better!" babbled the youngest of the Flying Six. "I…I apologize for speaking out of turn, Lord Kaido! It won't happen again!"
"Good, you can walk at least." Kaido nodded. Page One and Ulti could be troublesome sometimes, but they had become fine pirates under his tutelage.
"Now then. King, you called this meeting and I know why," he said, letting his First Mate take the floor. King bowed to Kaido, then turned to the others.
"Spytand Malice has awoken, and he fought off Fire Fist," he said. They all perked up, and Kaido felt his stomach knot as he glared at the floor. This feeling of being so reliant on another… it sickened him.
"He tried to fight off that dude?" asked Who's Who, appalled. "Does he have a death wish?"
"Is he okay?" Sasaki inquired, more for their sake, knowing the backlash should he expire.
"He's alive, and stable, but in a light coma," King went on. "Doctor Bridge reckons he'll wake up in two days, and he should be able to talk."
"But why fight Fire Fist in his condition?" Black Maria asked.
"Because he is loyal," King replied, looking each one of them in the eye. "I know he was a turncoat," he paused, fixing his eyes on Who's Who. "But he has proven his worth. And when he awakens, he will tell Kaido all he knows, and Kaido will decide his fate."
He turned to Black Maria. "Maria, can you go to the Flower Capital and collect those artists Orochi has under house arrest? We will need them to make improved sketches for Deku."
Ulti glanced at the giantess, and Page One rubbed his bandaged arms.
"I will head back there tonight." Black Maria nodded. She did not look enthused at having to travel across Wano again, but Kaido knew she would oblige.
"Also, you will transfer your attached pirates back to Onigashima," King went on. "Fire Fist attacked us because we were undermanned. You will continue the search with your usual crews. I trust there will be no complaints?"
No heads shook, and King nodded.
"What about the Red Reavers?" Sasaki asked. "Malice's crew?"
"They'll continue under my command," King replied. Sasaki nodded, apparently satisfied. The others looked relieved. The Red Reavers were a potent force, almost a match for the Armored Division. But they were hard to work with at the best of times.
"Good," he said, turning back to Kaido. "Next, we need to finalize the expedition we had planned before Yamato went missing."
Kaido let out a snarling breath, as his anger rose.
"Think about it," insisted King. "We were attacked by some lowly rookie with a big head. If word of it gets out, we'll look weak, vulnerable. Big Mom will take action."
Kaido bared his teeth. He knew King was right, and that just made him angrier.
"Jack," he growled.
"Sir."
"Ready your fleet," Kaido snarled. "You will lead the expedition. It'll be a good experience for you."
"Yes sir, thank you." Jack nodded his head. "I won't let you down. Their lands and their treasure will be yours."
"And the hunt for Deku?" Who's Who asked.
"King will remain in charge of Onigashima." Kaido went on. "The rest of you will return to Wano with me and continue the search. My child and the thief will be found."
He saw Who's Who wince at the prospect, and knew he needed to address that. Kaido closed his eyes and sighed through his nose.
"I… have made mistakes," he admitted. "But we will be stronger for this. Those two will be found, and our empire will grow larger. We may even have a strong new Headliner, if Queen can manage it."
He paused for effect.
"Return now to Wano, rest for the night, and then continue the search."
"Yes Lord Kaido." They all bowed, and Kaido dismissed them with a wave of his hand. He sat back on his throne as they filed out, and a notion wandered into his mind.
That boy, Portgas D. Ace. His eyes…there was something…nostalgic about them.
"Those eyes," he rumbled.
"Sir?" King asked.
"I'm not sure when but… I've seen those eyes before." He took a deep breath.
Strange.
(X)
It was dark.
That was all Ace could see, as his eyes opened. He tried to move, but chains held him tight. He seethed, and looked around, trying to figure out where he was.
"Rise and shine, Fire Fist!" came a booming jeer that made his ears ache. It had come from a loudspeaker.
A loudspeaker? In a dungeon?
"You… you're that fat guy…. Queen!" Ace barked. He looked around, but he couldn't see anything.
"Hey now, you're lucky I don't consider fat an insult punk! Sure I'm fat, but underneath this is all muscle and more, and bitch boy? I am BEAUTIFUL!"
"What gives huh?" demanded Ace. "Can't talk to me man to man? Like some coward!"
"Buhahahaha oh man, trust me. You'll get plenty of me, man to man, in the times to come. Depending on your answer, anyway."
A high screen flickered into light, blinding in the darkness. On the screen was the fat one from before; a wide, dome-like head set onto a broad frame, its neck lost under rolls of fat. At its top was a blonde ponytail, at its front a pair of thick, black lips; and eyes hidden behind goggles.
"What do you want fatass!?" spat Ace. "If you want me to join your crew, forget it!"
"The thing is, Kaido is interested in ya," drawled Queen. "Since you were dumb enough to attack the home base of the World's Strongest Creature."
He picked at his ear with one pudgy finger.
"Do you like biting the hand that feeds ya?" he asked. "To be free? Prove something? Kid, lemme tell ya, in this world you're either a tool, a user, or both. So get used to it!"
He leered a leer that made Ace's stomach churn.
"You've been out for several days, my guy," he went on, smirking. "And I gotta say, I even surprise myself with how persuasive I can be."
Ace felt his chains slacken, though the Seastone cuffs remained. He got up, and began feeling around his cell. He was surrounded by bars, like a cage.
Then it hit him.
"Wait, days?"
"Oh yeah, I honestly thought you were dead or something. But hey, you lived so Kaido's happy. Well, in his own way." Queen shrugged. "Anyway, I got a meeting later on. Gonna attend an interrogation, so to speak."
Ace felt movement under the floor, and heard the clunk and clatter of gears turning.
"So I'm gonna make one last offer! Do you wanna join the Beast Pirates? Serve under Emperor Kaido? Come on Fire Fist! We can be friends even!" Queen exclaimed. "We can sing, dance, swim in pools of gems and gold and berri bills, that latter one is the best by the way!"
He laughed.
"And the woman oh egads the women! You can get your pick of the litter! Want em aged like fine wine? Want them young and ripe? Or in between! Oh and the hardest drugs too, and lemme tell ya brother…" He put a hand to his jowls and stage-whispered. "We got some the loudest shit this side of Paradise!"
'You really like to hear yourself talk, don't you,' Ace thought, glaring up at the screen.
"Plus when does Kaido show interest in Logias?" Queen mused, as if talking to himself. "Between you and me, I think he's seeing you as some kinda hard counter to Aokiji, maybe with King. Your flames, against his ice? That'll be quite the show."
Ace looked around. He could see cells set into the walls, but they were all empty. What was going on?
"So what do ya say pal? I'm offering an olive branch here~"
"You offer all that… I refuse." He closed his eyes, looking away. His stomach groaned with hunger, and his heart ached with loss, and shame.
"What's the point anyway?" he retorted. "Even if I liked the depraved shit you go in for, I wouldn't enjoy it with you. This sea, this world, they're meant to be enjoyed with friends. My friends. And you killed them all!"
"Awwwww, ain't that so touching!" sneered Queen. "The simple pleasures of life, enjoyed with friends. It gets me here!" He slapped a pudgy hand to his fat chest. "It makes me wanna cry…if I was a giant PUSSY about it!"
He cackled like a madman. Ace snarled, and grabbed the bars.
"When I get out of here! I'll kill you, mark my words! I will avenge my crew!" he roared. Every fiber of his being, every scrap of strength he had left, yearned to tear apart those bars, reach into that screen, and snap his fat neck.
"Avenge?" Queen's leer returned. "Oh, didn't I tell you? Your crewmates are alive!"
Ace stared at the screen, his mind in turmoil. His friends were alive?
"You're lying!" he hissed. He didn't dare believe it. This thing was trying to trick him!
"Don't believe me, why don't ya ask your first mate!" Queen chided. A light came on behind him, and the cage bars slid down into the floor. Ace turned to look, and saw a light in one of the cells. The bars were gone; revealing what looked like a body slumped in a chair.
Ace saw it, and his heart stopped, as he recognised the clothes.
"Deuce!" Ace cried out, running to his friend. But the body wearing Deuce's clothes did not stir. Nor was it wearing his domino mask. Its face was covered by a sheet of paper, with a red and black eye on it. Raspy breaths whispered from underneath.
"You're okay! You're okay!" Ace laughed in dumbfounded relief.
"Ugh… nnnnngh…" Deuce uttered.
"Hey what's wrong man? Why are you wearing that thing? Don't you see me? You okay?"
Ace lifted the mask.
And he saw.
"What…?" He staggered back, the mask falling back into place, the horror burned into his mind.
"Visual confirmed…" Deuce uttered, raising his head. The voice, once so full of life, was a robotic monotone. "Of…F-Fire Fist…Ace…"
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!?" Ace howled.
"Like I said, I'm very persuasive," Queen jeered. "I persuaded him to join the crew. Him and a few others. Here, check them out!"
Around him, more bars receded, and more lights came on, revealing more chairs.
"Behold, the first of the Beast Pirates new Surveillance Corps!" proclaimed Queen. "But I think they need a simpler name, don't you? How about…the Marys! Yeah, simple and easy! Damn am I good!"
Ace's blood ran cold as he saw the bodies slumped in the chairs, faces hidden behind paper masks. Ganryu. Banshee. Mihar. Saber. Kimmel.
"Oh, if you could only see your face!" Queen was looking at a console to one side. "Some of my best work!"
"How…could…you!?" he gasped, through aching lungs. "They have…no…!"
"How?" Queen put a finger to his chin. "How can I do this? Well let me remind you, Fire Fist. You attacked our fortress, set stuff on fire, killed a bunch of our men. You know, for such a strong kid, you're not very self aware."
A strange sound filled the chamber. A droning sound, rising and falling, almost like…
"You fucked around with us Fire Fist, so we are gonna fuck around with you. And by the time we're finished, you're either gonna be begging to join our crew or for a seastone bullet to the head. Wonder which you'll pick."
More screens lit up around the chamber walls, and the sound got even louder.
It was laughter. The laughter of the faces on the screen. The faces of Beast Pirates, their faces twisted into wide, unnatural smiles, their eyes bulging with madness. Men and women, human and mink, young and old. All of them laughing. All of them insane.
Ace tried to back away, to find a place to hide. But there was nowhere to hide. Around him, the Marys that had once been his friends stood up, arms hanging limp. He could see them all so clearly. Kimmel's tall head, covered in stitched wounds and surgical scars. Drool dripping from Banshee's lips.
He couldn't take it. He couldn't process it. It was too much!
It was a bad dream. It had to be. He ate something bad at Amigasa. He passed out from drinking. That's all.
This was all just a bad dream.
A nightmare.
Wake up.
Wake up.
Wake up wake up wake up wake up!
"Buhahahahaha! Oh no Portgas D. Ace, this is no dream!" The fat man had been replaced by an orange-scaled lizard, leering down at him. "Welcome, to the Monster World!"
The dinosaur threw back its head and laughed; his bellowing joining the cacophony. Only the Marys remained silent, as they trudged closer.
"Visual confirmed…" Mihar droned.
"On Fire Fist Ace." Saber added.
Tears filled Ace's eyes. Tears of utter despair, as his ruined mind summoned Skull's face to torment him.
'I hope you're right, Captain…For all our sakes.'
This was all his fault. This was a mistake. He shouldn't have come here. He shouldn't have come to the New World. He shouldn't have taken in everyone. He shouldn't have met Deuce in Loguetown. He shouldn't have left Dawn Island. He shouldn't have ignored Garp's advice.
This was all a mistake.
His life…was a mistake.
Ace screamed, but even his scream could not drown out the laughter.
'Luffy, don't come here. Please, don't! Stay with Makino! Stay in Foosha Village! Don't become a pirate! This place… this side of the sea. The road to the One Piece. To your dream…'
"BUHAHAHAHAHA! LOOK AT HIM PLEASURES! HE'S CRYING LIKE A LITTLE BITCH! BUAHAHAHAHA!"
'IT'S HELL!'
And he screamed, as his mind shattered.
And his scream echoed through the depths of Onigashima.
(X)
It was nightfall on the coast near Amigasa Village.
Sugiyaki, otherwise known as Mr Tengu, made his way carefully down the slope. Sure enough, there was Tama at her spot; the spot she had come to every few hours, to gaze out over the sea.
Over the sea, to where the darkest clouds resided. Onigashima. He could see its eyes glowing, in the far distance, just inside the horizon.
"Tama," he said. "Dinner is ready. Come, the fish will get cold."
The girl was silent. He couldn't see her face, but the old man could see her gripping her skirt.
"I asked around the village. There's been no sign of Ace and his crew." Sugiyaki said sadly. And then his heart sank, as he saw the distant shape of a blue dragon emerging from Onigashima, winding its way towards Wano. Kaido was on the hunt, once again.
"Ace lied. Didn't he," Tama said, her voice wavering and weak, and bitter. She got up, looking at the ground,
"Let's go. I'm hungry." She marched past him, eyes shrouded in darkness. There was something on the ground where she had sat, two sheets of paper. Sugiyaki looked, and saw that they were Shogunate Bounty Posters.
WANTED ALIVE
YAMATO.
The poster showed a sketch of a white-haired woman, with red horns and amber eyes.
WANTED ALIVE
DEKU.
A cruel looking young man with dark green hair, narrow eyes, and a snarling visage with fangs like a viper.
Sugiyaki glanced back at Tama, watching her stomp up the slope towards the forest that had become their home. Then he looked out to sea, watching as the Dragon King made his way eastward towards Hakumai.
He sighed, and picked up the posters. They would make for good napkins, at least.
(X)
In the span of seventy-two hours, the world changed.
For in that time the Spade Pirates, led by Portgas D. Ace from East Blue, entered the Land of Wano unopposed.
A pirate who was invited to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and a crew that might have turned the world upside down, set themselves against the Emperor Kaido.
And were destroyed, utterly.
attack name translations:
Hiken = Fire Fist
Tekkai KEmono Kenpo: Datenbi = Iron Body Beast Fist Law: Fallen Tail(pun on Fallen Angel Tail)
Hangetsubi = Half Moon Tail
Shingekibi = Assaultail
Agogan = Jaw Gun(Malice's variant on Who's who's Gagan/Fang Gun)
Jujika = Crossfire
Enkai: Hibashira = Flame Commandment: Fire Pillar
Kagero = Heat Haze
Higan = Fire Gun
Dai Enkai: Entei = Great Flame Commandment: Flame Emperor
...
...
So yeah. That happened. I think this is gonna do down as maybe the darkest chapter I have ever written in fanfiction or... anything. Not even Words without a Voice(flashbacks of someone's throat getting sliced and becoming mute). Not even the Giver(losing the love of your life to some unknown disease). Not even with Juubi in our collabs on One and Only Son(Marianne's death, the funeral pyre) and Familiar of the Fairy(nothing as of yet on that). And NOTHING in FFESS could hope to top this this. Really, only Outcry with LD could be similar with the Prison Riot and Taylor unleashing Raime in our first go around can compare.
This. This was both very tough to write yet very easy, as this was a vision I have had for MONTHS since Izuku and Yamato left Wano. Without her in Wano, and with Kaido and the bulk of his forces present, Ace just wasn't getting out unscathed. Now he possesses a permament reminder physically, and no doubt mentally and emotionally for his refusal to bend the knee when offered the choice. Twice over.
Heck this maybe the most controversial chapter I have written since FFESS with Peter and Mirko's fallout and/or Peter vs. Bakugo fallout. Can't imagine what the fan reception will be like, but me and the team went with the most logical progression of events given the inciting incident of this story of Izuku saving Yamato. Saving one women from a lifetime of abuse... and here's further consequences for said action. I know Ace is beloved, I like him too. But he fits a purpose in the OP narrative, and he will here in HOTNW. But at the end of the day:
Ace is fucking dumb.
Man thought he could kill an Emperor and succeed. He lucked out targeting Whitebeard in canon because Newgate thought this squirt trying to whack him was funny shit before adopting him because he's that chad. And remember he originally came TO Wano to KILL Kaido all to prove to the world of his existence and infamy. And guess where that machoheaded desire got him, along with his stubbornness.
Broken and his crew, bonded over a long time of adventuring around the world: Destroyed.
Much like in canon where he would eventually be killed for it(going after Teach when all signs point to 'no', and then being goaded by Akainu when he was at a clear disadvantage in power AND Elemental Type), but his embers would help reinforce Luffy and empower Sabo to make the world better for it. The irony here is that he lived... where he wish he didn't, with all those regrets pouring forth.
In a word, as Queen mentioned. "He fucked around, and he found out"
There's a darn good reason I put THAT Berserk Movie 3 OST in that spot because thats where Ace begins to BREAK.
I will say that future chapters and the next arc will be much more lighthearted in nature. I promise you on that. We will get check ins on Wano too, given that Malice is closer to being healthy and the talk to Kaido is to come. So expect a "Four Days Earlier" next chapter when we check in on our duo.
Honestly writing this felt like writing a horror movie, with the plucky protagonists in the beginning going into the haunted place and then all of them being systematically destroyed. I'm not sure how Horror movie writers get through with this.
We have a plan for Ace. I promise you. When our heroes return, he will have a role to play.
Once again, big thanks to WildJoker000 and IKnowNothing for their editing and help, and Juubi-K for his polish.
I hope you all enjoyed this, and I'll see you in the next one.