Chapter 6: Elder Saturn
Mary Geoise- Weeks Ago
Umi and the Elders stared at the mechanical bird that uttered a phrase that none outside of a certain time had ever uttered.
"You must be mistaken. But more importantly, you've wandered too deeply-," said Saturn trying to deflect the conversation.
"Ezekiel," the mechanical bird corrected with a metallic whirl, its eyes flickering with an uncanny glow. "My apologies for the error in pronunciation. I was designed to remember, not to be forgotten. Echoes of the old world persist, you see, much like the whispers of history that refuse to fade into oblivion."
"Wait, that voice...aren't you supposed to be dead?," asked Nusjuro no longer trying to keep up pretenses.
"You did a shoddy job in finishing me off. You have plans on Egghead right? I'm here waiting to settle things, Ezekiel.," explained the voice.
"This bird...It's a Calling Bird- it's a predecessor to the Transponder Snail. No one has used it since-," Peter noted.
"Where's the signal?" asked the blonde Elder as he darted around.
"Don't bother. I have copies in case you intend to destroy this out of spite. And...in case you do try to destroy me- I've recorded this incident so your alibi in framing that Sabo won't work. So you have to comply with my demands.," explained the bird.
Umi's eyes narrowed into slits as he glared at the ancient device before him. The audacity of the voice that echoed through the gleaming halls of Mary Geoise was like a slap to the face of the World Government's pride. How dare someone speak to them in such a manner, let alone threaten the sanctity of their rule?
"You're on Egghead! Fine, We'll just-," Umi said before one of the disembodied voices rang out-
"Mao-mao-mao. Mother Flame is on that island. It requires the most refined care. Thoughtlessly destroying it will lead to a chain reaction that will destroy the planet. We may be immortal but it's pointless to rule over a barren rock...like last time."
"Who gives a damn! We can just restart ov-," said Umi before they felt a surge of Haki that knocked them out as Peter rushed to their side to hold their unconscious body.
"Gūgū-Gūgū-Gūgū. We just have to retrieve it safely and THEN erase Egghead. We have the means to replicate it at a faster rate to counter all these pests rising out of the woodwork. And his loyalties have been questionable for years. It should be an easy job.," said one of the voices.
"Don't count on it. Yes, I'm talking to you guys as well. I calculate THAT PERSON will be there. I suggest pulling out all the stops with THIS GUY," said the bird.
"Beriririririririri. You've signed your death warrant, you, a person of such keen observation.," spoke another of the voices.
"Prarararaa. As for you, Ezekiel- Saturn. Whatever you call yourself now. Go to Egghead. That project has that stipulation of needing direct vocal command. It's your fault for making things needlessly complicated.," explained one of the voices.
"I look forward to settling this.," the bird said before it disappeared just as quickly as it appeared.
The room was silent, the only sound echoing through the grand chamber was the subtle breathing of the individuals there. The air felt thick with tension, as if the very walls were holding their breath in anticipation of what was to come. The Elders, once so confident in their power and authority, now stood with furrowed brows and tightened grips on their staffs, contemplating the gravity of the situation. The mention of the Mother Flame and its destructive potential was not lost on them, nor was the implication that the individual who they tried to kill before they could blossom would now be a major threat.
"Nerorororororo. Shouldn't you be doing something? Outside of one of us, the rest of us need bodies to act on our freedom," spoke a fourth disembodied voice, breaking the stillness with a sneer that seemed to resonate in the very fabric of the room. The voice's demand was clear: they needed to take action, or face the consequences.
"Your ways are too barbaric for the balance of-," Nusjuro argued.
Howawawa," echoed a voice. "And how has that been going? Failure after constant failure since you allowed most of us to lose our bodies on that day 38 years ago on THAT ISLAND," a voice argued the words hanging in the air like a dark cloud of accusation. The Elders exchanged glances, each one trying to gauge the other's reactions to the voices. The mention of that Island where they held the annual hunting 38 years ago was also one that caused their future to go on a downward spiral.
"Wririririri. The facade of balance is shattering, and the true colors of the World Government are beginning to show," spoke another voice. "Your fear of the people's wrath has kept you in check, but that fear is what has weakened you- hiding your vileness behind closed doors. Now is the time to embrace the tyranny that flows in your veins, to show the world what true power looks like."
"Understood. We won't need Emperors, Warlords, or even Revolutionaries in this new world.," noted Mars.
"Rururururu. The smell of fear is intoxicating," chuckled the voice, sending a cold shiver down the spines of the Elders. "It's been too long since we've felt the tremble of the weak beneath our boots. I can't wait to indulge in that again.
"Ramumumu. It's brutal but can't be helped. The voices of rebellion can only be quelled by domination and oppression.," said another voice.
"Acacacaca. Soon this long fight will be over.," spoke another voice.
"Vi...vi...vi...So what's your plan...Imu?" asked a quieter voice amongst the disembodied sounds.
All voices and Elders listened in anticipation. It spoke with a greater malice and malevolence than the rest combined.
"Imumumu. Don't bombard them with despair. They go numb after a while of not expecting anything. Give them that faint glimmer of hope...just allow them a tiny glimpse and then dash it as they lose everything."
Warcury gritted his teeth as he responded-
"Of course."
With that, the voices were silenced.
After a long pause, Mars was about to say something, but Nusjuro cut him off.
"Don't you dare start whining. We've made our bed with them for a long time. It's too late to turn back now...Abraham." the bald swordsman remarked.
"Haven't heard you say that in a while...Byakuo...," "Mars" remarked.
"I can say this now that Umi is asleep but...She was always a fool blind to the true intentions of Lili. This Poneglyph situation was something the rest of us could see but she chose not to.," "Saturn" or rather Ezekiel remarked.
"This is the worst outcome. We're no saints but most of them are troublesome even by the standards of our ilk.," Warcury noted.
"Darwin. No use complaining about it. Wishes and Desires mean nothing compared to power.," Abraham noted with a resigned tone, referring to Warcury- implying that he was Darwin.
Before things could continue a Transponder Snail rang Darwin answered it as it said-
"Vivi has been taken by Wapol. They've met up with Morgans! So Charlos was unable to get Shirahoshi to do whatever you wanted with her. To think things are getting out of hand-"
Darwin furrowed his burrow, cutting off the conversation with Jabra as Umi woke up.
"Vivi's gone?!...What're you doing? Go after her?!," asked Umi.
Umi then noticed the others were silent.
"Imu...No, Lady Umi...your brother demands we resurrect the others before everything else via THAT technology...," Darwin said.
"Like I'd allow it-," Umi retorted before Nusjuro interjected.
"You want to take it up with him?," Saturn spoke.
"No...damnit...," the shadow muttered, sounding more submissive.
Little While Later...
Saturn began to depart when he saw a tall, well-built man of advanced age, with a visibly wrinkled face and a sharp, aquiline nose. His pale-blond hair is long and very distinctively styled into a pair of unbent, side-facing spikes left and right on his head, alongside one extremely tall, forward-bent spike on top. His facial hair consists of a mustache with a large beard linked to his sideburns (also forming spikes), which culminates in a large forward spike below his chin and makes it so that his hair-and-beard combo resembles a front-facing crescent moon; when seen from the front, his facial hair more so resembles a four-pointed star. He wore a suit, red with a thick, standing collar, which was mostly hidden underneath an ankle-length, hooded black coat adorned with golden knobs (bearing the World Government's five-circle insignia) on the upper arms; unlike other Celestial Dragons, however, he did not wear gloves with his outfit. His footwear consisted of black dress boots and red circle-frame sunglasses covered his eyes.
Figarland Garling- Supreme Commander of the Holy Knights.
"Ah, Saturn, you're leaving so soon? The festivities are just about to begin," Figarland Garling said, his voice filled with a chilling amusement that seemed to echo through the hallowed halls of Mary Geoise. His sunglasses glinted under the dim light, hiding the true depth of his gaze.
"You eliminated Mjosgard. He was a deviant that needed to die. He was once so promising. Otohime's ideologies are very corrupt as he used to be so promising. But then again, that family always has the most abnormal oddities coming out of that family.," the Elder spoke.
"The Pirate Bonney was spotted briefly here. She was uttering something about Kuma when Tew Tom spotted her looking at Kuma.," Garling observed.
"Security needs to be increased-," Saturn replied before Garling interjected.
"She resembles the Ginny woman of the Revolutionaries who was taken to be one of Midas' spouses. And Kuma was adamant about getting her back. And Kuma's cooperation with us as a Warlord began shortly after Bonnie's existence became known, which happened a few years after Ginny's passing.," noted the Holy Knight.
"What are you implying?," asked Saturn.
Garling inched closer as he said coldly-
"The Buccaneer's relationship with that woman resembles a certain love of that unrecorded time. And something that you take great issue with"
Saturn grasped his cane tightly.
"It might be time for you to retire. It's not like anything can kill you, but these situations are a domino of blunders leading back to that petty grudge you're still holding for a long time and influencing your actions unbefitting one of the leaders of the World.," Garling said.
"And are you any different? He was taken in by that pirate whom we've had to manage the fallout since his execution 24 years ago. And has the gall to have sway over our inability to deal with a certain pirate who might have THAT power.," Saturn replied.
The tensions grew until Mars spoke-
"We don't have time for petty squabbles," Mars interjected, his voice a low rumble that seemed to shake the very air around them. "With the food storages dwindling and the attack in our domain. We can't be seen bickering opening to damage our image."
Garling walked away as he muttered-
"Senile old fool. You'll slip up and I'll take advantage of your failures."
Saturn paid no mind as he thought-
You're not the first...over 900 years...there have been several aiming to take me out...but...
Present
That family's always been the one to get under my skin. Like bloody cockroaches, they keep on crawling out just when one gets out..., thought the Elder.
A closeup of his scarred eye gave a subtle gear sound as it whirled mechanically and became red. In this eye, he could pick up sonar, but not the usual thermal radiation but an Observation Haki sensor. He picked up the signatures in a nearby tower.
"They're there.," he said as he pointed to them.
"I'll deal with this. Clisson's loyalties should've been put under more scrutiny.," Tom replied as he kneeled before him.
"I'll deal with this. Clisson's loyalties should've been put under more scrutiny. As with Ms. Stussy," Tom replied as he kneeled before him.
Lucci glared at the youth and said-
"Retrieving Robin is OUR priority. Don't get in our way."
"Everything is for the World Government. Finish it as efficiently as possible."
"C'mon. Don't let this break out into an in-gight.," Kaku begged.
Saturn released Conquerors Haki as Tom, Lucci, and Kaku fell to their knees. They immediately got the message and they rushed to
Saturn glimpsed at Kuma and the Giant Robot had shut down.
So his Buccaneer traits kept him around...keeping the template around is too dangerous...and as for HIM...they need to erased as well..., the Elder thought as tiny black insect-like machines began to crawl out of his sleeves and head towards the robots.
I've never been around them outside of following orders...Is he really a normal old man..., thought Kaku.
To their surprise, they glowed with a luminous, blinding light before it dimmed and they were gone.
It must be YOUR doing. The Apple dolt doesn't have that kind of knowledge..., thought the Elder in annoyance.
So his Buccaneer traits kept him around...keeping the template around is too dangerous...and as for HIM...they need to erased as well..., the Elder thought as tiny black insect-like machines began to crawl out of his sleeves and head towards the robots.
I've never been around them outside of following orders...Is he really a normal old man..., thought Kaku.
To their surprise, they glowed with a luminous, blinding light before it dimmed and they were gone.
It must be YOUR doing. The Apple dolt doesn't have that kind of knowledge..., thought the Elder in annoyance.
Suddenly, a figure propelled in their direction- it was Tosa.
"Tosa!," Red King shouted as he rushed to him.
"Damn that Fishman. He managed to withstand my Tosa Bite! It doesn't look like I'll be able to do anything.," Tosa remarked.
Saturn stared at him for a moment.
"This is very unlike you to be so lackluster and not rush back.," the Elder remarked.
"You need to understand your limits. And learn to pick your fights...," said the Vice Admiral.
After a few moments, Saturn glared at Tosa with the same intense force much to Red King's shock.
"What the?!," he asked.
Tosa skidded backward as he asked-
"Don't you think it's a bit much for failure?"
"If you were actually him. Your Voice sounds like too conniving to the same resolute figure.," noted the Elder.
Tosa shrugged and said-
"You got me!"
He then poofed and revealed that "he" was actually Devon- the long-nosed criminal of Impel Down and one of the ten Ttitanic Commanders of the Blackbeard Pirates.
"They infiltrated us?! Where's Tosa?," asked Red King.
"Murun hu hu hu. He was being targeted by Cross Guild and he was alone so I took the opportunity. Everyone says they're close, but in reality, everyone keeps everyone at an arm's distance and keeps their secrets from each other. Willing to backstab each other if the news states you're the enemy. It's the world we live in. So different from back then.," the woman said.
"You killed Tosa? Damnit, the Blackbeard Pirates are here and...," said Red King before he noticed a green-eyed pirate drag something. It was the pirate, Caribou.
"To think you can make instant food with this thing. Good thing those Straw Hats got kidnapped and the rumbling...," he said before he stopped and slowly glanced to the side.
He saw Saturn, some Vice Admirals, and Devon and they were looking at him. He froze in place in terror for a few moments.
I'm screwed..., thought the Pirate out of his depth as he began to tip-toe away.
"He must be a stowaway from the Straw Hats. Capture him!," shouted Red King as several soldiers rushed over as he ran for his life.
Devon then dashed towards Saturn hoping to touch him but she was stopped mid-motion by an invisible force.
"Tch. Cunning geezer.," said the woman.
"Your ilk always takes opportunities to attack when everyone else is preoccupied. What is your goal?," asked Saturn.
"The world. Things will always go badly for those not welcomed by the majority till they manage to rise up and decide what the majority decides. It doesn't matter who's in control- only that someone is leading them. That's how history works. We intend to replace you just like you re-," she said before Saturn glared at her with force knocking her back several kilometers
"What do we do now? We have the Blackbeard Pirates to deal with as well.," Red King noted.
"We adjust as we learn whoever crawls out of the cracks. Our goals haven't changed.," the Elder noted.
And even if they want to. They can't escape as long as my barrier-, thought Saturn before seeing the top of the barrier being sliced in half before it reformed just as a pair of ships arrived.
The Vice Admirals and Marines looked up in shock at the arriving parties.
"Waaaaaaa! You Neo Mads people are crazy!," cried a familiar voice.
"Emperor Buggy?!," Red King yelled as the ships generated puffy cushions to soften the landing.
Saturn glared in annoyance as the two ships landed. The first was a bizarre, clown-themed vessel, and from it emerged the most unexpected of figures: Emperor Buggy, the newly promoted Emperor due to his fame (actually rising in rank due to circumstances playing in his favor against his wishes and connections to stronger parties), fainting on the right side of the ship. The second ship was a sleek, black craft driven by massive snails.
On top of the Straw Hats wandering into the situation making things difficult as they did as a crew in Ennies Lobby and their Captain barging into Impel Down/Marineford. As well as causing the downfall of the Warlord system and overall upsetting the balance of the order- they now had to deal with the Blackbeard Pirates who already established they had ways of infiltrating high-security locations and the wild card that is the Cross Guild
"Vegapunk's being targeted by the World Government...and it's not me finishing him off?! No way, I'm letting him die till I show him off!" asked Clown as Judge walked out.
"Oh, no! An Elder!," shouted Buggy as the red-nose wore an even gaudier outfit than usual as he came to his senses.
What really irked Saturn was the sight of S-Bear, S-Bat, S-Flamingo, and S-Crocodile- copies of Kuma, Moria, Doflaming, and Sir Crocodile all standing with the Cross Guild with no intention of attacking their targets- in fact working alongside them. They were members of the replacement Seraphim project- a combination of the Pacifista technology, Devil Fruit implant technology, and Lineage Factor of the former Warlords combined with Lunarians to create a naturally tough race with a versatile powerset more loyal to the World Government.
Yet, the scientists had managed to program them against them- their shaky alliance likely being born of a coincidental meeting and agreeing to work together to go against their enemies.
"So all this time, you were collecting samples of us to make these brats?," asked Crocodile as he went onto the bow of the ship.
"You've caused quite the commotion by allowing civilians to hunt down Marines. Everything is in chaos.," Saturn spoke to his frustration.
"Why are you here? The Elders usually keep to themselves up high above these matters.," noted Mihawk, the World's Strongest Swordsman.
"You're a loner. It's odd to see within the company of this nature.," observed the Elder.
Mihawk unsheathed his sword as he stepped off the ship, his piercing gaze cutting through the tension like a knife.
"We want Vegapunk for our own reasons. Don't get in our way.," explained the yellow-iris-eyed man.
"To think I'd have to resort to this...," Saturn muttered as he placed his hand on the ground as a set of 4 pentagrams emerged on the ground.
"The Seraphim was just a prototype. I took what the good doctor learned and refined it- behold, the Erelim.," he said as large winged figures- larger than the Seraphim with white wings, alabaster white skin, and an uncanny black sclera eyes with white irises appeared. Icicles emerged on their shoulders. The bigger surprise was that-
"Whitebeard! Big Mom! Kaido! Shanks! And a lot of people I don't know about! Did they have kids?!," Buggy shouted as he noticed they were all child versions of the Emperors with purple liquid instead of green.
S-Hawk, S-Shark, and S-Snake were annoyed at the sight of the Erelim as the latter was annoyed at them.
"They look different from the Lunarians? A hidden race you extracted from?," asked Crocodile.
"Impel Down wasn't enough to erase you. Once you all die, you'll be erased from the records.," Saturn said, avoiding the subject matter.
They then lunged at the Cross Guild, attacking them.
"Eek!," shouted Buggy as he dodged the icicles.
The battle was intense, with the Marines and the Cross Guild engaging in a chaotic clash. The Erelim, the child-like copies of the Yonko, moved with a precision and power that belied their small forms. The ground beneath them trembled with every step they took, sending shockwaves through the air.
Saturn continued to look on with a silent feeling of pride in his accomplishment- outdoing the whelp that everyone else turned to by releasing his hidden project.
Unbeknownst to him, Galdino had set up Transponder Snails to record the incoming events- prompted by Buggy's loyal supporters.
Mary Geoise
The Elders excluding Saturn sat around in the Room of Authority. Nusjuro deliberately moved away the seating from Mars, much to his annoyance.
"Since everyone is preoccupied with Egghead. Let's go and get that weapon...It's not like the Emperor has any time to get back in time. And Red Hair is too preoccupied with Blackbeard.," Nusjuro said.
"You mean...Pluton?" asked Peter.
"Wano might say it's loyal to Garp's grandson but their lords know of their true leader...once they read their history.," the samurai said.
"Elbaf's also a threat. And several of them are grateful to the Straw Hat. They might attempt to join.," Warcury argued.
Suddenly, the doors opened as a Vice Admiral- Cancer revealed a Visual Transponder Snail.
"It's Cross Guild. It's also apparent that the Blackbeard Pirates are there.," he said with a pant.
"Speak with more clarity. Their movements are erratic. What do you-," Mars inquired.
"They're on Egghead with the Straw Hats! The events are being recorded live!" he shouted.
This made the remaining four get off their seats.
"What?!," asked Warcury.
Cancer was then pushed to the side by an unexpected arrival.
"Garling. What brings you here without an invitation?" asked Peter.
The Holy Knight strode in, his expression a mix of confidence and amusement.
"Ah, the festivities are just beginning, aren't they?" Figarland Garling said with a chuckle, his eyes gleaming as he surveyed the surprised faces of the Elders. "You've got quite the mess on your hands with Egghead Island. It seems that your petty squabbles have allowed the rats to sneak into your own house."
"You don't have any room to judge us. It's your doing that on that day, Roger took in two children to raise as his own- both of which have caused no end of stress on our end.," said Peter with an accusatory tone as Warcury sighed in annoyance at Peter's lack of composure.
"This is all your fault in allowing HER to live on that day because you want to rub it in that you raised HER in your ways. I was against it and HER progeny is causing trouble. It was to be expected as she's HIS child and of THAT lineage.," explained Garling as he deliberately sat in the seat Mars was eyeing.
"We were informed about that from your son on the pirate of whose lineage he warned us about.," explained Mars.
"Which one?," asked Garling.
"Both are dangerous for different reasons.," explained Warcury.
Cancer quietly walked away, knowing that listening to a conversation such as this would get him killed.
"The Erelim was a backup in case the Seraphim went rogue. But it's always good to have an ace in the hole.," Garling explained.
"What? A Knight engaging in science? I thought your forte was in dealing with bloodshed.," explained Nusjuro.
"I've expanded my expertise by following his footsteps when he wasn't aware and improving on what he believed was flawless.," Garling said as he sat more relaxed much to Mars' annoyance.
"You mean?," asked Peter.
"Cipher Pol is our valued Shield and SWORD are the Marines we can discard. Then we need ARMOR when all tools are lost.," Garling replied.
The Elders stared at him, the gravity of his words sinking in. It was clear that he had been playing his own game while they were preoccupied with other matters.
"If you're wondering about a test run, then they'll be dealing with the Pluton situation. Along with what samurai call...KATANA.," Garling said as Nusjuro's eyes widened.
He knows about...MY...plans?, thought the samurai.
"This conflict has gone on for 1000 years- 200 attempting to finally occupy control. Once this is done with, all thoughts of free will and resistance will vanish.," Garling said.
News of the Day...
It was on this day, which began the great Egghead Incident.
Something that shook the foundation of what people understood the world to be...
Awareness of the OLD WORLD.
Next Chapter: God Valley
Author Notes: As for why Cross Guild and Neo Mads are working together- the latter spotted the former being attacked by the Seraphim. They used their science knowledge to reverse engineer the control and this led to them working together in their efforts to get Vegapunk- Neo Mads wanting to kill him and Cross Guild wanting his tech.
Calling Birds are going to be a major factor going into the OLD WORLD.
This chapter gives a bit more credit to Saturn as a scientist with implications he's modified his body to be more mechanical. Garling's subtle infiltration of the group is established here to build it up due to retroactive knowledge of what's going to happen in the manga.
Erelim is based on a Judaic angel that ranks higher than Seraphim in certain sects. As for what race they're based on, I'll reveal that later.