Somewhere in the sky (Present Day)
A/N belated Happy five year anniversary of the story! You know I had to go crazy!! PLENTY to go!! Enjoy! As always Thank you so so much for reading!!
Robin had woken up again from another short nap to chilly air in her face. Robin looked over at Tore who snacked on a ham and cheese sandwich.
Tore continued to eat peacefully as Robin thought of what she's heard so far of Tore's backstory.
"It feels so nice.. to finally learn about him.. the real him.." Robin said.
Robin was silent for a moment. All that could be heard was the wind as they glided through the air.
"But.." Robin thought, "I still haven't learned everything.."
Robin looked down at Tore's journal seeing she had almost finished chapter one when she fell asleep.
Robin stared at the book before looking over at Tore again.
Tore's body jumped as he looked back at Robin.
"Robin, you're up! Look!" Tore said, pointing.
Robin was slightly confused as she looked off the Robin and her eyes widened.
A line of CP Nega ships that appeared to stretch for miles blocked entry into the waters below.
"Wh-What in the world?... What is this? What are those ships? They say "Marine" but.. I don't recognize that logo.." Robin said.
Tore looked at Robin then back down at the line of Marine ships.
"That's Cipher Pol Nega.. they're even more top secret than CP0! Have you ever heard of SWORD?" Tore asked.
Robin looked at Tore with confusion before shaking her head no.
"SWORD is a group who don't necessarily work for the Marines they just operate on their behalf, that's how Cipher Pol Nega is, except they carry out far more covert operations. Only brought out to cover up the biggest of secrets." Tore said.
"S-So those ships down there... are guarding something?" Robin asked.
Tore looked at Robin.
"Yeah, those guys are guarding something alright.. the truth.." Tore said.
Robin stared at Tore with slight shock.
"That's another reason why I chose this Robin to transport us, to avoid those guys! They're relentless!" Tore said.
Robin looked back down at the line of Marine ships as they passed over.
"If I'm right.. their commander is a former shinobi.. A Hyuga I believe, from Naruto's village!" Tore said.
Robin gasped slightly.
"F-From Naruto's village?.." Robin asked, "H-How?? Are Naruto and the others not the first shinobi to be allowed outside the Shinobi world?"
Tore looked away. Robin thought back to Tore's diary and Lily's scribbled out picture.
"The Nefertari's did what they did back then out of fear. Cobra wrote that treaty because of fear! He doesn't care about the shinobi world!"
Robin thought back to what Psycho said as well and looked at Tore slowly.
"Instead of having the land the shinobi resided on flatout destroyed, they were banished outside Alabasta... with another twist on top of that.." Psycho said, gritting his teeth.
"What.. was the twist?" Robin asked.
Psycho looked back up at Robin.
"Was it.. because of something Lily did?" Robin asked.
Tore bit his bottom lip as he tried to fight his tears.
"Ps-Psycho already alluded to the Nefatari's being involved in the shinobi's banishment.." Robin said, "And.. I saw.. Lily's picture was scribbled out.."
Tore couldn't talk, the memories had all come flooding in.
"Dad.." Robin said softly.
Tore looked at Robin with a surprised face, tears running down his cheeks.
"What happened?" Robin asked.
Tore's lip quivered as he looked into the sky.
"She tried to kill me Robin..." Tore said.
Robin's eyes slowly widened until her eyes began to water as well. Tore looked away as Robin looked at the book and flipped the page, revealing chapter two's title.
"Why?"
Church of Dubois, Okino Island (903 years ago)
Tore slept peacefully in his boarded up room as Lily arrived with a group of Marines. The Marines guarding the entrance to Duboi's church saluted Lily and the others.
"Captain Rogers, sir! And Queen Lily! What brings you to the church?" One of the Marines asked.
Lily stared at the Marine with anger.
"Queen Lily has business with the man inside Mr. Centerfold. We demand access immediately." Rogers said.
"No!" Lily yelled, gaining the Marine's attention.
"J-Just me.." Lily said.
Captain Rogers looked at the Marines and nodded, the Marines nodded back at Rogers.
"Understood, Queen Lily." Centerfold said, opening the door to the church.
Lily stared inside the church. Lily looked at Centerfold.
"C-Can you give me a pistol?" Lily asked Centerfold.
Centerfold's eyes widened.
"What the devil do you need a pistol for, Queen Lily?" asked.
Click!
Lily jumped as she looked back to see Captain Rogers handing her a pistol. The pistol was golden with a blue emerald handle.
"This gun was given to me as a gift from the King of Gold Island for fending off an enemy attack. It was created with gold coins straight from the king's pocket and has the blood of some of the worst scum this world has to offer on it. Handle it with care." Rogers said.
Centerfold and the other Marine looked at each other with slight surprise as they looked back at Lily who nervously looked at Rogers and slowly reached for the pistol.
"Its already been cocked and loaded. All you have to do is point and shoot." Rogers said.
Lily bit her lower lip and nodded before looking back at the church.
Lily turned towards the church and breathed in and out slowly with her eyes closed.
Lily thought about her father, Nefetari Cotter.
"So the same guys who chose Ubois want you to be an elder now? Does that make me Queen?!" Lily asked with excitement.
Cotter smiled as he walked over to Lily and put a hand on her head.
"They didn't say anything about giving up my position as King of this Island Lily so I don't think so!" Cotter laughed.
Lily pouted.
"Maybe one day daughter. You must! When that day comes, I'll be right there by your side. I can't wait to see you don the crown!"Cotter said.
Lily was a mess, tears falling like waterfalls as she grit her teeth trying not to scream.
Rogers had his back turned. Centerfold and his partner's expressions were hidden by shadow.
"UBOIS!!! UBOIS KILLED COTTER!"
Lily could still hear Mu's demonic voice reveal this news to her.
Lily's expression changed to anger and hatred as her tears sat on her face. Lily began to walk into the church slowly as the Marines closed the door behind her.
Lily walked into the darkness until the room became slowly lit by candles lining the room revealing two lines of pews that ran from the back to the front of the room.
The sanctuary was one giant living room with a regular sized table in the center with four foutons a few feet away from each corner of the table, a carpet underneath it all.
Towards the back of the sanctuary, a giant chair sat in front of three boarded up clerestory windows. Arches lined the sides of the rooms with a boarded up window on the wall in between each, a walkway on top of the arches.
Lily looked around as flashes of a child Tore and Lily running around the church and Dubois asking them to settle down so they wouldn't hurt themselves, flashed through her mind as her expresssion was hidden by shadow.
Cotter laughed while Dubois stressed.
"How could you?..." Lily asked softly.
Dubois Castle (Present Day)
Dubois stared down at everyone as Dubois took a break to let them sleep for a while.
Dubois looked out over the room with sadness as everything flashed back to the normal living room sanctuary.
"Tore please get off that! Lily no! Wait! Cotter do something!" Dubois stressed.
Tears ran down Dubois's face as Kraken walked into Dubois's view. Kraken looked over everyone and back at Dubois.
"How do you think they feel so far?" Kraken asked.
Dubois looked at Kraken.
"Relieved.. to finally hear the truth.." Dubois said.
There was silence for a moment.
"But still confused.." Dubois said softly.
Kraken nodded as he looked at everyone again.
"I mean, it's understandable.. it's a wild story. Kraken said.
Dubois looked back out at the room that used to be his living room and shed another tear.
"I had food on my ship but Cyclone destroyed it in our fight, you still got those meals frozen for me I left the last time I was here? When everyone wakes up they'll probably be hungry." Kraken said.
Dubois looked at Kraken and nodded slowly.
"They should be in the cellar.. just go through that door over there and take the ladder down." Dubois said.
Kraken nodded with a smile and left the room to go to the cellar.
As Kraken arrived at the back room, he looked around for the aforementioned ladder and found it.
Kraken began slowly climing down the icy ladder. His previous meeting with Dubois flashing through his mind.
Flashback
Kraken, bloody and bruised, slowly approached the giant shadow in the old, moonlit church.
"DUBOISSSSSS!!!" Kraken yelled in pain.
"Wh-Who is there?... Go away.. a tragedy is surely imminent.. you'll die.." Dubois said.
Kraken quickly looked to the side to see a plank of wood being blasted at him, Kraken dodged but the wood plank crashed into the wall, sending cracks up and dropping a large chunk of the church onto Kraken.
Kraken loaded a heavy punch and blasted away the ceiling chunk.
Kraken stared at the giant shadow.
"END THIS MADNESS DUBOIS! I JUST CAME TO TALK!" Kraken screamed.
"To talk?.. That's what you risked your life to come here for?.. Just go home.. and live a happy life.." Dubois said softly.
Kraken grit his teeth, filled with anger.
"Once you decided to persue me you were doomed... you were already in bad shape long before you got here, you didn't get the memo?" Dubois asked rhetorically.
Kraken couldn't take it anymore, even if he wanted to turn around and run away.. he couldn't. Where would he run to? He ran away from everything else.
"My family.. my career.. the people of the Grand Line and the Four Blues who loved me.. I ALREADY RAN AWAY FROM IT ALL!!!" Kraken yelled.
Dubois was slightly taken back. Kraken had broken out into tears and pulled out his gun and pointed it at Dubois.
Life has a tendancy for cruel twists of irony. Kraken ran away from everything because of two men. Forcing him on a path to find a man where every step forward could cost him his life.
If there was ever a time to turn back, for anyone else, this would be the time; but for Kraken, the chip on his shoulder was too heavy.
Kraken thought back go to the last of image he saw of Psycho and Cyclone that scarred him.
"I WILL NEVER RUN AGAIN! I CAN'T REST UNTIL THOSE TWO CAN NEVER HURT THIS WORLD AGAIN!!!" Kraken screamed, his body trembling.
Duboi's eyes widened slowly.
"T-Those two?.." Dubois stammered.
"I RISKED MY LIFE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT CYCLONE AND PSYCHO!!!" Kraken yelled.
Dubois couldn't believe what he just heard.
"Tore.." Dubois said softly.
Kraken's eyes widened.
"T-Tore?.. Is-Is that?.."Kraken stopped.
The room was silent for what seemed like ages.
"M-My son.." Dubois said.
Kraken couldn't believe what he just heard.
"Tore's wasn't always like this.. he was such a kind soul.." Dubois said.
Kraken slowly sat down where he was, not wanting to risk triggering another tragedy.
"Please.. Mr. Dubois.. tell me everything.." Kraken said.
"Everything?" Dubois asked.
End of Flashback
Kraken had found the frozen food and raised his hands, performing hand seals.
"Fire release: palm flicker jutsu." Kraken said softly, a flame conjuring just over his palm.
Kraken knelt down and warmed the food as he thought.
Flashback
"And here we are today.." Dubois finally finished.
Kraken's eyes were filled with absolute shock, from start to finish.
"I-I don't know what to say.." Kraken said.
"Don't say anything, Kraken.. you asked for Tore's story.. I just gave it to you.." Dubois said, "But what will you do.. now that you know his story?"
Kraken looked down and scanned the floor for a moment before nodding his head and looking up at Dubois again.
"I'll be back.. with them. I promise!" Kraken yelled, "We... we're gonna win!!"
Dubois nervously scratched the back of his head.
"Ummmm... you just triggered another tragedy.." Dubois said.
"What?! No!!!" Kraken yelled, dodging the random attacks from the environment.
Dubois chuckled and smiled softly, watching Kraken bounce around.
"It's been a long time, Almond.. but you're back now.. how was your journey?" Dubois said to himself, as Kraken stopped and slowly looked back to see Dubois staring at him.
"You've changed along the way.." Dubois said.
Slowly more people began to manifest. Dubois smiled softly.
"I can't wait to see you all again.." Dubois said happily as Almond and the others faded away to reveal a confused Kraken
End of Flashback
Kraken bagged the food and looked back at the cellar before climbing the ladder and exiting the backroom that led to the cellar.
Church of Dubois (903 years ago)
Lily slowly made her way back to Tore's room and slowly pushed his door open. Tore slept with his back to the door, holding a pillow.
Lily's expression was hidden by her hair as she raised the pistol and walked towards Tore slowly.
Tunnels of Catacombs of Broken Wills (903 years ago)
St. Mars and Ju Peter walked down a corridor taking them to just outside the Highland Forest, St. Saturn walked with Humberger, Gervais walked with St. Topman, and St. Ethan walked with Val.
"Have you met him?" Val asked out the blue.
St. Ethan looked at Val.
"Who?" St. Ethan asked.
"The king's son, this.. "Tore." Supposedly he's been in Ubois's care all these years." Val said.
"Supposedly so." St. Ethan said, "We've never seen him, but we wanted him captured. Until we found out about his father's body being on this island, we then tried to have him killed."
"You what?!" Val yelled, "Do you not know of the power that boy harbors?!"
St. Ethan grit his teeth.
"Of course we do.. as I said, we had originally planned to capture him until a certain somebody strolled in and told us about the boy's father having even greater power stored on this island." St. Ethan said.
St. Ethan rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"We knew he'd just take the king's body for himself.. but we had no intention of letting him have it either way, so we tried to have the boy killed in his absence.. but somehow.. someway.. I think he interfered in that too.." St. Ethan finished.
"Very Interesting.. may I note an observation, Mr. Nusjuro?" Val asked.
St. Ethan looked at Val.
"What?" St. Ethan asked.
"This "certain somebody" seems to know far more important information aside from all this life force business." Val said.
St. Ethan stared ahead silently.
"His appearence is indeed an oddity.. there are no records of him anywhere from what we can find.. he just showed up one day, out the blue, claiming to have knowledge about the "Lecnians." St. Ethan said.
"And who exactly is this "certain somebody?" Val asked.
"Nobody. He's not important." St.Ethan said.
Val put his head down and chuckled.
"Have you at least an image of the man?" Val asked.
St. Ethan glared at Val for a moment before reaching in his robe and grabbing a piece of paper.
St. Ethan handed Val the paper as Val opened it.
Val's eyes slowly widened as he stared with nervousness at the man in the picture.
Cyclone stared directly at the cam-snail used to take the picture. Cyclone's expression was neutral. Just staring.
WANTED: "SHOGUN" CYCLONE
Val's bottom lip quivered softly.
"H-Heavens.." Val said, staring into Cyclone's eyes, "They say the eyes tell a person's story.." Val started.
Cyclone's image continued to stare into Val's soul.
Val felt as if the image could actually see him and quickly handed St. Ethan the poster.
"I'd hate to hear his.." Val said as the two continue to walk.
"His story is he's the one who killed the Lecnian king in the first place." St. Ethan said through his teeth, "We also suspect he's the one who killed all those shinobi you brought back to life.."
Val couldn't believe his ears. Val actually felt fear for the first time in his undead body.
"N-No way.. you're lying.." Val said.
"He used his position as Shogun to freely roam the island without being questioned or captured and killed them. That's how he found out what this island harbored before we ever could!! He had us in the palm of his disgusting mitts!!!" St. Ethan yelled, slamming his fist against the tunnel wall.
Val looked at St. Ethan with shock.
"What.. is this man? Is he even a man?..." Val asked himself softly.
Val thought back to the shockwave that blasted everyone at Jambavan's temple, the event that changed this island forever.
"One man.. is actively fighting against this kind of power all on his own?!" Val asked.
St. Ethan continued to grit his teeth.
"He's not completely alone.. he had some ugly chattering freak with him.. they threatened to kill all the elders and wipe out our entire backing of 19 kingdoms and 170 countries if we went against him... and we believed he could do it.." St. Ethan said, gripping his sword tightly.
Val looked to the floor slowly.
"O-Oh my... and this is without life force, correct?" Val asked.
St. Ethan shook his head slowly with an angry scowl.
Val couldn't believe it.
"Just how much more power is out there?.." Val asked.
The two continued to walk.
Val thought back to the great boom around noon yesterday and about the "ugly, chattering, creature" St. Ethan just mentioned.
"There was a tremendous "boom" sound around noon yesterday.. it sounded above the Highland Forest, no civilians knew what it was." Val said, "But every scum of this island knew it was an intruder."
"So, what?" St. Ethan asked.
"So.. I had every undead corpse on this island watching for new faces.. and we just so happened to have spotted that chattering creature you mentioned making his way for Nroc." Val said, "This "Cyclone" wasn't with him.. interestingly enough."
"Do you know where they are now?!" St. Ethan yelled.
"Calm yourself, Mr. Nusjuro.. the creature was involved in a massive scrap with Raizin and both were taken out.. as for this, "Cyclone.." Val stopped.
"WHAT?! WHAT?!" St. Ethan yelled.
Val looked at St. Ethan.
"..We haven't seen a single trace of his arrival.." Val said.
St. Ethan's eyes shot open with shock and fear.
"Wh-What?.." St. Ethan asked.
Val looked ahead.
"Back to the boom.. as I said, it sounded over the Highland forest.. meaning there was a fight in the skies.. the fact that creature is here is evidence Cyclone came with him, but he got lost. It's the only solution. There's no way this man behaves as you've told me and hasn't made a single move on anything." Val said.
"Where did he get lost is the question? In the forest?" St. Ethan asked.
Val looked at St. Ethan.
"Most likely.." Val said.
"And St. Mars and Peter are heading straight for him.. DAMN!" St. Ethan said, "He'll use their commotion to find his way out without a doubt!"
Val chuckled.
"Well, that's not entirely true sir. The Highland Forest is far from your regular forest." Val said.
St. Ethan grit his teeth.
"Highland Forest this and Highland Forest that.. just what is that place? What are St. Mars and Peter in for?" St. Ethan asked.
Val chuckled again, looking straight forward.
"I don't know." Val said.
St. Ethan's eyes widened.
"Y-You don't know? What the hell does that mean?" St. Ethan asked.
Val looked up.
"The Highland Forest is a forest of illusions.." Val said, "I have no way of knowing what kind of experience they'll have when they get below the mountain. That's where the illusions start.. and they only get worse the higher you climb.." Val said.
"..So much worse.." Val finished.
"Proposterous.. a strong mind can withstand any illusion." St. Ethan scoffed, "They'll be fine."
Val smirked.
"You remember that Raizin fellow I mentioned earlier? He got lost around those mountains for ten years." Val said.
St. Ethan grit his teeth angrily.
"Ten years?! We don't have that kind of time!" St. Ethan yelled, "If that's a fact, we should all be focused on finding and fighting the Itsumade first!"
"But Lord Wyrm has already been killed. You think they haven't noticed?" Val asked.
St. Ethan backed off slightly, gritting his teeth.
"The Lords of the Land will be far angrier and more aggressive than they already would've been. If we all went to the Highland Forest we'd all end up lost in illusions!... Except you." Val said, "As there is one key reason why we must at least transform you into Lord Bakotsu before we join Mars and Peter.."
St. Ethan was slightly shocked.
"Except me?.. Why me?" St. Ethan asked.
"I never told you where we were going did I?.. It's called "The Storm Wind Pass" a barren, geyser filled area with never ending thunder and lightning.. that is where we will find our target, Lord Bakotsu.." Val said.
St. Ethan became angry.
"What the hell makes this monster so special?! Just answer the question!" St. Ethan yelled.
Val smiled.
"Lord Bakotsu.. is immune to the illusions of the Highland Forest." Val finally said.
"What?! How?" St. Ethan asked.
"That, my friend.. I do not know.. I just know the last time I encountered him they did not affect him.." Val said.
The two walked in silence.
"Sometimes.. I even thought.. he was an illusion as well.." Val said softly.
St. Ethan rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"This is all getting too complicated!" St. Ethan groaned as a soft rumble of thunder could be heard above them.
Church of Dubois (903 years ago)
Lily crept closer and closer to the sleeping Tore, trying her best not to wake him up. Lily knew about Tore's enhanced senses, but assumed the sickness weakened them.
Tore continued to snore comfortably as Lily finally stood over his bed. Lily held the pistol with her face hidden in the shadows of the dimly, candle lit room.
Captain Rogers had already cocked the gun so Lily wouldn't didn't have to worry about waking Tore by cocking it. All Lily has to do.. is point and shoot.
Lily's tears shined in the darkness as she thought about her bond with Tore, Dubois, and the love her father had for her, the confusion of Dubois's betrayal, and the hatred and anger she felt for him.
There were more ways to handle things than this, there always are, but confusion and anger are a dangerous pair of emotions.. both brought forth by betrayal. To Lily, this was the only solution for now..
Lily began to aim as her body jumped with shock and fear as Tore rolled onto his back with his arms out at his sides, almost touching Lily with one of them.
Lily breathed heavily in and out with nervousness as she gulped and moved past Tore's arm.. to take aim once more.
"Y-Y-You would do this for Ubois.. hopefully you understand..." Lily said, aiming at Tore's peacefully sleeping face.
Lily looked away as her hand and body shook violently, Lily's tears drenched her face and clothes, her hair was a mess.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Lily yelled, squeezing the trigger.
POW!!!!!!! CRASH!!!!!!
The gunshot was muzzled by the sound of lightning crashing. It had already begun raining outside shortly after Lily walked in.
The Marines and Captain Rogers looked at each other, then went back to keeping watch.
Inside the church.. Lily's face was partially covered by her messy hair, one eye showing in the darkness, it was wide open with fear as Lily locked eyes with Tore..
Tore had pushed up Lily's arm at the last second.
Lily breathed in and out slowly as Tore stared at Lily.. filled with unimaginable pain.
Tears poured from Tore's eyes as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing.
Lily was silent.. until she gasped.. noticing something.
Tore's eyes slowly turned red.. his big black pupil getting smaller and turning into three commas.
"Lily..?" Tore asked.
A/N Is Lily crazy?!? As always thank you so much for reading! It means a lot! If all the follows and favorites went away today we still going crazy!!! A LOT more story to go!!