Chapter 39: Khemenu Is No More
On his flagship, Thoth felt the world drop out on him. His home, a dedication to the study of hundreds of worlds, was no more.
For a moment, all eyes within the fleet gazed upon the island.
Levy and Amakado watched the burnt-out husk of their favorite cafe disintegrate.
Professor Clover turned away from the sight of a fallen Barber's shop.
Uncle Chan saw the spot where he'd always wait for his most reliable antique supplier at the port. Now, it was torn up beyond recognition.
Similar thoughts plagued the members of the evacuating fleet.
A beloved Grand Line buffet that somehow kept up with so many large appetites, the blacksmith where the horseshoes were free, and the favorite bar where so many had stumbled out of in the wee hours of the morning. All had been reduced to mere husks of clay and stone.
Temples and houses of worship had crumbled. Debris covered all the combat-training fields. Even the sports arena had caved in on itself from the damage, burying the balls and uniforms that had been left behind in the evacuation.
Carmilla's inferno had scorched the marketplace, with the remains swept away by Sobek's river. Sekhmet had left all the crops as piles of crumbling, charred flecks.
And then, before the fleet's very eyes, it was all gone.
Every single building burst apart, reduced to sand and dust. For the briefest moment, all beheld the utterly-flattened island, bereft of all traces of settlement and homes.
Then, the sand rose to the final standing pyramid. Swirling and swirling, the instantly-created storm completely covered the island's center from sight. Regardless, every spectator knew without a shadow of a doubt, that the Library of Thoth was no more. They didn't have to see to know that the will behind the sand would reduce the structure to nothing.
For the arisen Set would settle for nothing less, than the beginning of a New Age. Even in his half-awakened state, the island would not resist his command.
Unnoticed by the onlookers, two defeated fighters were swept up by the airborne dunes. Ezel of Tartaros and Goto 'Muscular' Imasuji, both unconscious, were dragged deep into the raging storm.
Only two fully-conscious beings remained on the soon-to-be demolished Khemenu.
The Skinwalker and Ammit had paused their engagement.
The Navajo Nightmare remained still. True, it was still ready to counter Ammit, but it didn't dare make a move that might draw the waking God's attention.
As for the Devourer of Souls, she was visibly torn. Make no mistake, there was still her instinct to satiate her hunger. On the other, she could smell the Blood of the Pharaohs, compelling her to serve.
Despite what had been done in eons past, Set was now the only member of her master's family in this Sea of Second Chances.
Back within the fleet, Thoth had clamped down on his despair, reminding himself he still needed to take action.
He could feel Ammit's divided loyalty.
Under no circumstances could Set be allowed to harness the power of the Devourer of Souls.
So, the God of Knowledge immediately sat, crossed his legs, and began chanting. Hieroglyphs began swirling around, their glow pulsing in tune with the words.
"Return to me. Return to me. Return to me! Return to ME!"
Compelled, Ammit bounded off the island, descending upon Thoth's ship.
Left alone, the Skinwalker took a knee, breathing shakily.
Allowed a moment of respite, it began plotting a withdrawal from the crumbling island. Prolonged combat with The Scribe and Devourer of Souls was beginning to take a toll, and the Navajo Nightmare did not like its chances against a Deity that had the strength to back up his title of 'Pharaoh of the Gods'.
Making a decision, the Skinwalker grew a new pair of wings, internally cursing the loss of the Lunarian limb, and took flight.
OoOoOoO
On Thoth's flagship, the crew had cleared the deck, just in time for Ammit to land with a 'THUMP'.
Not wasting any time, Thoth placed a hand on the creature's forehead.
"Devourer of Souls, your task is done. Go below and return to thine slumber."
With the power of Thoth's words permeating the atmosphere, Ammit did as bidden.
"Now…Clover, maintain your course. We still have enough time to get out of range."
"Aye," the Professor begrudgingly set to his task.
OoOoOoO
The battlefield went utterly silent. Every combatant now had one eye on the rising sand, not daring to make a move. Four gods, three Arrancar, two Ninja, and a Fishman all stood still over the ocean's surface. The Cutty Sark swayed and bobbed through the tumultuous waves, with the ship itself being unnaturally quiet, as if it was on edge.
Every single individual seemed to wait for someone else to make the first move, eyes quickly darting from foe to foe.
'Whish-BOOM!'
Sekhmet blinked first.
She'd instantly combined what remained of her three suns, and unleashed what could only be described as the flashbang all flashbangs wanted to grow up to be.
"AHH!" Halibel, Grimmjow, and Ulquiorra, being the closest, were blown back, eyes scalded and ears ringing. All three cried out in agony. The Panther Hollow didn't let that stop him firing off Ceros in the general direction.
When their vision cleared, the War Goddess was already out of range. Her feet were supported by two glowing stars. The Ceros hit nothing but sea.
"I've no intention of bending the knee to Pharaoh's bloodline once again. Do your best to get away as well," Sekhmet called out. "I'd hate for this to be our only dance." After a wink at Grimmjow, she turned and vanished into the horizon.
"THOOM!"
"AAUUGGHH!" Jinbe howled in pain as he was flung back. Sobek's tail had instantly slammed into his wounds from Nnoitra, re-opening them while the Fishman splashed down.
Kisame and Sanji had quickly reacted, Water Jutsu and white-hot flames alike pulverizing the spot. But alas, Sobek was long gone, descending to the deep beyond their reach.
With the God no longer distracting them, the ex-Akatsuki and chef each went to support one of Jinbe's arms.
"Tia! We need to leave!"
Heeding Kisame's plea, the ex-Queen of Hueco Mundo took cautious steps back, eyes flicking back and forth between Ares and whatever had awakened on the island.
While the injured Fishman was on his way back to the ship, Tobirama appeared besides Ulquiorra.
"I LIVE!"
A voice emanated from within the sand. It echoed, making the world tremble from its might. All remaining thought of continuing previous bouts were extinguished.
"Where…am…I? Is this my brother's domain? No." Then, the voice seemed to get its focus back.
"Scribe, thou dares to imprison the Lord of the Desert?!"
In an instant, Thoth had teleported to the rear ship in his fleet. The god of wisdom deigned not to reply to the obvious question.
Instead, he began to chant in that ancient tongue, Hieroglyphs shimmering and swirling around him as the beginning of a defense.
"Still just a conjurer of cheap tricks?!" Now, two sections of the sand began to coalesce, coming together with such force that fire burst from the friction, lightning emanating from the impact. These dual vortexes took the shape of great eyes, lidless, wreathed in flame.
Set, the Usurper Pharaoh, has awakened.
"Kneel…before me."
This was not said in anger or joy. It was simply a statement of fact. Dispassionate, yet utterly assured of its certainty. Sheer presence crashed down on everyone. The majority within Thoth's fleet collapsed. A few of the Cutty Sark crew blacked out, with the others barely hanging onto consciousness. Those still off the ship crashed to the water's surface, on their knees, Hollow and Olympian alike. As for Thoth himself, the Scribe was forced down on all fours, the Hieroglyphs struggling to maintain themselves. His only mercy being that Set's will was still not as focused as it could be.
Under this pressure, one would fight back onto their feet.
Throughout the god's awakening, Tia Halibel trembled with fury. To think she was feeling powerless, after having vowed never to be so again after Yhwach. Centuries of ruling Hueco Mundo and months of sailing this insane ocean with her friends, surpassing her old strength with Segunda Etapa…only to be right back at her lowest.
"BLAUGH!"
Struggling, she turned. There was Jinbe, coughing and hacking, on a knee and clutching the railing to not collapse. His chest and gut were a mess from non-stop combat with Sobek, Sekhmet, Ares, and that damned Nnoitra. In this injured state, Set's will had made him bend.
No. Tia Halibel would not allow this.
Before anybody else realized it, the Queen of Hueco Mundo had arisen and howled. It was a howl any human throat would have been utterly incapable of, shaking all who'd never heard it to their core. As if the thousands of souls Halibel had consumed millennia ago all shrieked as one. Even Kisame's eyes widened for a few seconds. It took shaking his head and focusing on the image of Halibel herself standing proud against the Lord of the Desert for his easygoing grin to come back. She was unleashing all the Reiatsu possible, pushing it back. The noise of her roar utterly subsumed everything else. The feeling of her power and will emanated throughout the sea, pushing back to the edge of the island and sandstorm. As it washed over the Cutty Sark, the Straw Hats couldn't help but make the comparison to their world's experience with imposing sheer will. For once in this godforsaken mess, Apacci finally felt some comfort at her Lady's presence pushing the threat away, like everything would be alright now.
All of a sudden, everyone on the battlefield could move again. On the other hand, Halibel collapsed back to a knee, breathing heavily.
"What…is…this?"
The eyes of the sandstorm turned away from Thoth.
"I don't know you." The fiery orbs seemed to narrow at Halibel. "Olympians are familiar, but not you. You're certainly not one of their prolific progeny. Too powerful for that."
The sand seemed to be rearing back.
"Still, such resistance to Pharaoh's command will not be countenanced."
Then, it surged forward as one massive wave, sparks of lightning and fire mixed in.
Halibel managed to stand back up and respond with a 'Cascada'.
The sand tore through the watery column without even slowing down, hitting the ex-Queen with full force.
"GAH!" Halibel slammed to the water's surface, her face, chest, navel, and limbs covered in cuts and burns.
The others were only able to counter since they were on the attack's periphery. Tobirama knelt behind Athena, whose shield managed to save both. Ares was a whirlwind of motion, his fiery sword slashing through each thrust of sand. Ulquiorra and Grimmjow took to the air, throwing speedy Bala for whatever got too close.
"Amusing…but pointless."
Before anyone realized, the sand assaulting Halibel and the Olympians veered up, right to the occupied ex-4th and 6th Espada.
"AAH!" Grimmjow howled when the mix of sand, fire, and lightning grinded through his Hierro on his back. Ulquiorra's natural grimace grew more intense as he felt similar pain.
Nevertheless, as they were driven down, the ex-Espada rivals managed to stay resolute. With one knee each to the water's surface, the two Hollows that once matched Ichigo Kurosaki bent no further.
"Remarkable strength of will…or just stubborn foolishness?" Set mused, his fiery eyes narrowed.
From the heavens, tornadoes formed directly over Ulquiorra and Grimmjow. The fiery sand and lightning from earlier began spiraling down, fast enough to blur.
Then, salvation. With two flashes of blue, Ulquiorra and Grimmjow vanished. Then, the tornadoes slammed into the sea.
BBOOOOOMM!
The impact area was atomized. What could only be described as craters reaching the seafloor had appeared, the water momentarily still.
"Hmm?" Set's echoing voice made the sandstorm thrum. His eyes turned, noticing that roaring woman had vanished as well.
"Hehehe…let's not make it so close next time," Kisame chuckled as he let Grimmjow go on the ship. The Panther Hollow scoffed and turned aside, hiding his embarrassed blush.
On the other end of the ship, Tobirama had done the same with Ulquiorra.
"That god's attacks are getting stronger. His focus and finesse is slowly coming back to him," the Ninja realized.
Finally, Apacci landed in the middle of the deck with their last crewmate. "Lady Halibel, let's get you fixed up."
Hanataro looked up from Jinbe's side, Nnoitra's gashes being slow to close.
"Just hold on and put pressure on where most of the blood is," the Soul Reaper implored his Hollow friend.
Robin created more hands to hasten Hanataro's work, quickly applying bandages.
Meanwhile, at the fight, Athena and Ares had simultaneously wreathed their blades in golden flame after a coating of their glowing blood.
Then, as one, they sped toward the fiery eyes.
"Olympian whelps…so far away from your father's protection," Set's voice crooned from each particle of sand. "There'll be no thunderbolt to save you here!"
A hand instantly appeared from the sand, clenched into a fist, and flew toward the gods. Athena let the hand slam into her shield, only getting pushed back a little. Simultaneously, Ares sliced through the sandy wrist. Everything he hit turned to glass that was immediately shattered.
"AHH!" Set hollered in frustration.
Quickly following up, Athena used the crumbling hand to leap up, reaching the top of the storm.
"HHUUUU-RAH!" The War Goddess called a bolt of lightning to boost her blade.
From beneath the storm, the War God crouched down.
In perfect sync, brother and sister struck the fiery eyes within the sandstorm.
"RRAAAHHH!"
Set howled in pain, his sandstorm clearly divided as an aftershock emanated throughout the battlefield.
"Well…perhaps I underestimated you," the Desert God quickly regained his composure. "Nevertheless, all will bow to Pharaoh."
The separated storm began to coalesce into massive creatures. Two hellish hounds snarling at the Olympians grew to titanesque proportions before leaping, forcing frantic evasive action.
Now, with his foes separated, Set chuckled. Eyes of fire had come back together and were drawing in the rest of the island's sand, along with the glass that had been formed earlier. Swirling, angry black clouds completely covered the sky, roaring with thunder.
OoOoOoO
Within the barricaded city of Fontibus Novus, Palaemon and Delphin were frantic. For the sand surrounding the settlement had suddenly risen to the sky, before shooting beyond the western horizon.
"To think, another god who calls himself 'King' would arise so soon in these tumultuous days," Delphin mused.
"Something tells me this is just the beginning," Palaemon added with unusual wariness.
"I fear that you're correct," Delphin shared his colleague's dread. "Regardless, we must prepare to receive the team Lord Poseidon sent out. They met with success and we're the nearest friendly territory."
"Right," the Shark God was all business as he marched off through the city.
OoOoOoO
At the Cutty Sark, Franky and Sasori were frantically prepping the ship for a rapid departure.
Usopp had positioned back in the Crow's Nest, keeping his eye on the 'Set' situation, confirming that the Egyptian's attention was fully on the Olympians.
Juvia was devoting her attention to keeping the waves calm around the ship itself, keeping things smooth for the inventor duo.
Sanji was building up to a 'Love-Tornado' now that Robin was back. As for the Archaeologist, she was more invested in just watching Franky and Sasori's collaboration, fascinated at the seamless technological achievement. Ulquiorra was impassive as usual. Tobirama was clearly on-guard, not quite ready to fully trust Robin and Ulquiorra's former 'colleagues', what with their associating with Akatsuki of all Ninja.
Mirajane had been deputized by the sole Soul Reaper to give basic first-aid, as she demonstrated on a grumbling Grimmjow, who was only compliant after Kisame and Halibel gave him a 'look'.
Speaking of Kisame, as he had healed himself already, he was on standby, one move away from blasting whatever came near his crew. Brook was also on the same sort of duty, due to his relatively light injuries.
Hanataro himself had moved on from Jinbe, and was steadily working through Halibel's burns and cuts. Apacci didn't bother to hide her look of relief.
Nami had moved from the wheel to the Fishman's side, Tsuyu also offering a comforting hand to her new mentor.
With their aid, Jinbe was back in an upright position. The Fishman looked around, and his expression morphed to immediate concern.
"Where's Bell-mere?"
THOOM! CRISH! SQUELCH!
"AAAAHHHHH!"
"Right here."
That…was when everything went wrong.
The Skinwalker had torn right through the decks from underneath, wearing Bell-mere's face once again. With one hand, it had sliced clean through Nami's arm, the one holding her Clima-Tact. That same hand took hold of the limb and weapon (along with the Medallion hidden within).
Its other hand went straight through Jinbe's heart, releasing a dark purple liquid into his body.
"Oh Jinbe," the Navajo Nightmare crooned. "This fate is only fair for letting me die. SHAHAHAHA! SHAHAHAHA!" But it didn't laugh with Bell-mere's voice…it was a voice that near-paralyzed Jinbe and Nami alike. Even Sanji and Usopp hesitated when they recognized it too. And with that, the Helmsman and Navigator fell unconscious from the combined pain and shock.
"MIL FLEUR!" CLUTCH!" CRACK!
"Fishman Karate: 3000 Brick Heel!" SNAP!
"ICE BURN!" CRICK!
The utterly irate Robin, Tsuyu, and Brook had no such compunctions with the voice. In the blink of an eye, they'd broken the Skinwalker's spine, snapped its neck, and frozen it to the deck.
Mirajane managed to fly in, getting Nami out of the way of the counterattack.
"JINBE!" Kisame caught the falling Fishman, gently setting him down before standing up again, Samehada slamming the deck before he leapt at the trapped enemy.
Simultaneously, Grimmjow and Halibel lunged forward, blackened claws and Tiburon approaching opposite Samehada.
Then, the Skinwalker's eyes rolled into its head, dislocated its jaw, and unleashed a deep purple miasma out of every orifice.
The entire crew leapt back as the rot began to spread to the timber in the deck. Franky dissipated it with a 'Coup de Fume', but the distraction had bought the needed time. The Skinwalker's bones snapped back into place, the ice shattering.
As Cipactli's greatest servant began to take flight with the cursed prize, it heard the distinctive bursts of 'Sky Walk'. Smirking, it changed faces, growing curly blonde hair, with a twirly eyebrow. "Sanji...you promised never to hit a woman! HOW COULD YOU?!"
Sanji's flaming kick turned white before slamming the monster. "How dare you use her face," the cook said in utter tranquil fury.
"Well…I don't know who'd be more disappointed," the Skinwalker mused as it still wore his mother's face, "this labrat of Germa's…or that cook you crippled."
And with that, Sanji charged. The Skinwalker noticed Mirajane try to sneak behind. It quickly formed a brand new face, soft with short white hair and shimmering blue eyes.
"Please Big Sis! Don't let me die again!"
Mirajane hesitated with a grief-stricken look, prompting the monster to evade Sanji's attack and lunge for the Wizard.
Suddenly, Mira's expression shifted back to one wholly determined, before flying back.
From beneath, all three ex-Espada had brought blood to their hands, the glow of Gran Rey Cero unmistakable.
"That Wizard and Pirate pulled a feint!"
WHOOM! "AGH!"
Hearing the cry of pain, Halibel, Grimmjow, and Ulquiorra took flight once again.
Back on deck, Hanataro had rushed back to Jinbe and Nami, resorting to his Zanpakuto to attempt healing. Regardless, neither was returning to consciousness. Tsuyu shuddered in impotent rage as she clutched Nami's remaining hand, along with one of Jinbe's.
"Lockser!" Sasori cried out. "The deck's flooding! Reverse the water!"
"Oh yes…" The Skinwalker strolled up from the lower deck, eyes staring right at Juvia. "By all means, save this mad puppet's creation while your friend dies. Then again…it's only fitting that his art endures eternal…all at the small cost of disposing of your entire crew. Gray would be so disappointed in you for even helping this monster."
Apacci looked back and forth between where the flying Skinwalker had been blasted, and this perfectly unharmed Skinwalker.
"Fresh Fire!" The Navajo monstrosity easily evaded Franky's reaction and follow-up 'Strong Right'.
"Oh, of course you'd object. You still think you can teach that puppet to value creations and comrades like Tom did for you...well I suppose your creations killed him, so it's only fitting that Sasori's will kill you in kind."
Franky's volley of punches got quicker.
Shaking her head, Juvia headed down, beginning the steady process of forcing all the water out of the ship. Once that was accomplished, the ex-Sand Ninja began forcing more Chakra into the repair process, unsealing emergency timber and metal for the purpose.
"Sargasso!" Usopp repeatedly fired his sharpened plants, trying to pin the enemy down.
"And still a coward pretending to be a 'Great Warrior of the Sea', why this crew even tolerates you, I'll never know. I can't wait to see you snivel in fear and grief. Maybe you'll blubber more than you did for that pathetic caravel."
Keeping a lid on it, Usopp steeled himself, and unleashed a writhing mass of vines.
Right as the Skinwalker avoided the latest volley, the signature 'whoosh' of appearing Ninja surrounded it.
"Ahh Tobirama, run out of Uchiha to kill?" the creature ducked under the Hokage's blade, only for Samehada to rip the Skinwalker in half.
"Hehehe…Kisame!" Yee Naadlooshi spoke in a voice only the ex-Mist Ninja recognized, before its face bloated and grew sharp fangs and mane of orange hair. "Stop messing around and finish this crew off! Have you forgotten your orders?! Who you are?! You're a comrade-killer, and that's all you'll ever be!"
"SHUT UP!"
Kisame slipped a kunai from his sleeve, driving it between the eyes. The bottom half of the Skinwalker began to lunge for the occupied ex-Akatsuki, but Apacci managed to pin it down and blast it point-blank with her Reishi cannon.
"Hahahahaha!" The 2nd Skinwalker laughed as Brook came from behind with another 'Ice Burn', before both frozen halves crumbled to the deck, falling apart to reveal the water within.
With the active threat taken care of, Brook, Franky, and Usopp all rushed to Nami and Jinbe's side. Robin was nearby, but still focused on the clash in the sky. Her arms were still crossed, seeming to prepare something.
"The bastard can make Water Clones?!" Kisame growled, his usual pleased smile long gone.
"Yes," Tobirama bluntly replied as he looked back at the original Skinwalker facing the ex-Espada. "It's been observing you since at least Asphodel Island. Wouldn't surprise me if it picked up on the rest of this crew's abilities."
"And how would you know that?" Sasori narrowed his eyes at the 2nd Hokage.
"Because Lady Persephone found a victim of it, and asked that we sail to your aid against this creature when she could not come herself," Tobirama explained as he matched Sasori's suspicious look before turning back to the fight up above.
"Right," Kisame grumbled as he pulled Apacci onto her feet. "Thanks by the way."
"Sure," the Deer Arrancar averted her eyes.
Back in the sky, the Skinwalker had burst forth from the smoke of that Gran Rey Cero combo. Angry burns and bloody stumps where the legs used to be were quickly healing and regenerating.
"Ah yes…the Nihilist wanting a heart, the man too weak to be King, and Yhwach's plaything."
"HAA!" Grimmjow had sped forward with Sonido at hearing that, leaving Ulquiorra and Halibel behind. "LEO CERO!"
"Oh how cute…like the King of the…OH NO!" The Skinwalker had moved above the Cero's trajectory, only for it to immediately curve up and follow. Taking the form of a great cat, it chomped down on the Navajo monster.
BOOM!
When the smoke quickly cleared, the Skinwalker was still hovering, minus a right arm. It clutched its exposed chest. At that sight, Grimmjow began to laugh.
"Hehehehe…HAHAHAHAHA!"
"You…how dare you." the Skinwalker glared at the ex-6th Espada. "You think this is funny?"
Grimmjow clearly thought so, still laughing.
"YOU THINK THIS IS FUNNY?!" Then, the Skinwalker's expression instantly shifted to a smirk. "But seriously…"
The creature's right arm grew back with a 'SQUELCH', good as new. Then, it appeared behind Grimmjow with a Sonido.
"You know…Kurosaki probably could've ended me with an opportunity like that," the Skinwalker taunted as its arm was raised. "I suppose you still can't measure up…and you never will."
CRUNCH!
The Skinwalker was halfway through driving its elbow into the Arrancar's spine, until Halibel and Ulquiorra had caught up.
"Lanza del Relampago."
"Cero Creciente."
The duo managed to push the Skinwalker down, away from the falling Grimmjow.
Then, using another of the Congregation's abilities, a horse's mouth opened on the monster's chest, swallowing the two attacks. Noticing the green and gold glow in the Skinwalker's human mouth, Ulquiorra and Halibel braced themselves.
BOOM!
Their own attacks sent Halibel and Ulquiorra plummeting to the sea, last-minute Hierro being the only thing from making their injuries worse.
"Hehehehe…" The Skinwalker was about to gloat, until white hot flames consumed its vision.
"CONCASSE!" The fiery heel slammed on the monster's forehead.
"Satan Soul: Darkness Stream!" Mirajane added a column of hellfire to Sanji's attack, sending the Skinwalker down.
"DEMONIO FLEUR!"
Suddenly, a giantess version of Nico Robin materialized, with dark red skin, horns, leather wings, and glowing golden eyes wide with rage. The manifestation grabbed the Skinwalker before it could recover from Sanji and Mira's fiery combo.
"CLUTCH!" CRACK!
And snapped the monster in half like a twig.
"Hehehe…" the Skinwalker's severed halves began to grow to the point of reconnecting, pushing the construct's arms apart. The skin darkened and its figure bulked up. Robin conjured more arms to slow the enemy down, but the transformation was seemingly unstoppable.
By this point, Sanji and Mirajane had returned to the deck, the ex-Espada in tow. Ulquiorra and Halibel both collapsed to a knee, while Grimmjow was laid out flat, barely conscious.
They and Apacci noticed the Skinwalker's new form, eyes widening in recognition at the familiar face, along with the noticeable '0' tattooed on the chest.
But the change didn't stop. Soon, the Skinwalker now matched the Demonio in height. Then, a red glow emanated from its maw.
Knowing what was coming, the 'Demonio' crossed its arms.
"CERO!"
Angry red energy slammed into and burned the construct.
"AHH!" Burns started to appear on the actual Robin.
OoOoOoO
Hearing the scream of her comrade, Athena couldn't help but flinch after finishing with the 'Set Animal' construct.
That was all Set needed.
Another wave of fiery sand threatened to engulf the goddess, only for her to block it once again. She raised her spear to counter.
SLISH!
The glass formed earlier had been reclaimed by the Desert God, and sliced through Athena's shield-bearing arm. Another point of glass had been shoved through her stomach from behind.
"AHHH!" Howling, Athena didn't even slow down as her spear swung and obliterated the glass. Not stopping there, she hurled the glowing spear through the wave and wedged it into Set's fiery eye, earning another cry of pain.
Before she could even catch her breath, she felt a hand wrap around her remaining arm.
"Get out of my sight, sister!"
With all his strength, Ares hurled Athena away.
"Lady Athena!" Tobirama shouted before vanishing.
Satisfied, the god of war hurled another bout of flames at Set, covering his own retreat to the Wrath of Sparta.
CRICK!
Athena suddenly found herself on an unfamiliar vessel.
Shaking off the dizziness, she realized she was face-to-face with Thoth, who'd finally finished his preparations.
"Well…if it isn't my Greek counterpart," the deity absent-mindedly observed as the last of the Hieroglyphs flew off to their tasks.
"Amusing…I'd have given Lady Isis that designation," Athena retorted, a small smile forming despite the situation.
WHOOSH! "My Lady," Tobirama rushed to the Greek's side, easing her to a sitting position.
She held out her remaining hand, her spear and shield clattering to the deck.
"I heard you earlier," Athena addressed the Egyptian as Tobirama did everything he could to re-attach the arm. "You seek the Morrigan's enemies in the Lands of Tuath."
Thoth nodded, narrowing his eyes in calculation.
"I have an ally amongst them with ownership of a safe island," Athena revealed. "If I lead you and your people to them, will you pledge your support in bringing down the 'Gods of the Sea'?"
"You know my answer," Thoth looked back at the raging Desert God. "The Morrigan and Cipactli have attacked my people. Our home is destroyed. I've already been dragged into this all-consuming conflict. The game now is to ensure survival."
"Very well," Athena nodded, also making a gesture with her unharmed hand.
From the distance, what was once Athena's ship had transformed. Now, a giant owl of wood and metal was in its place, flying to join its mistress. Now, sensing the goddess' intent, a smaller owl broke off from the main body, making its way to the Cutty Sark.
OoOoOoO
Robin struggled against the Cero, wincing at the growing pain.
"I got it!"
Hearing that, Robin dissipated the Demonio, wounds not enough to put her out of the fight just yet.
The Cero charged right for the Cutty Sark.
"HU-RAH!"
What remained of the Cero had vanished.
SPLOOSH!
In its place, Kisame landed on the water, Samehada engorged with the 'strongest' Espada's Cero. Then, with a single Hand Sign…
"Water Style: ONE-HUNDRED HUNGRY SHARKS!"
Instantly putting the taken Reiatsu to good use, Kisame threw his super-charged Jutsu at the 'Yammy look-alike'.
Not caring that it was being eaten alive, the Skinwalker dislocated its jaw, allowing a giant purple snake to slither out. The remaining 'shedded skin' of 'Yammy' crumbled into itself.
In the air, the snake morphed back into the Skinwalker's 'default' form of that revolting mish-mash of American creatures it preferred.
With a clawed hand, it pulled Nami's severed arm and Clima-Tact from its throat.
Giving a jaunty wave with the limb, the Skinwalker yelled a final taunt.
"I'm not done playing with you all yet. But not today," it glanced back at the now-unoccupied Set. "You'll know where to find me. Ta-ta!"
With that, Yee Naadlooshi flew to the west, a sonic boom from the speed. As it flew, a feather would fall every so often, marking the way.
"Cyborg!" Sasori broke Franky's vigil over Jinbe and Nami. "Lockser's cleared the lower deck. Get down there and get us out of here!"
"Alright…but make sure we're following that bastard!" Franky retorted as he stepped to.
"You all realize this is a trap, right?" Sasori's eyes indicated the feathers. "It could not be more obvious if it tried."
"Doesn't matter," Usopp said with a certainty that shocked the ex-Sand Ninja. "We have to go."
"Are you serious?!" the irate Sasori exclaimed as he pointed to all the wounded. "You saw what happened. We are not ready!"
Brook was about to speak up, but Kisame did instead. "No, Usopp's right." His eyes didn't leave Jinbe as he knelt beside him. "It's better to strike soon than give that bastard time to set things up now that it has that Medallion. Now quit second-guessing like a chicken-shit and let's get ready."
Sasori's eyes widened and he set the ship. Half of that was from sheer shock at the normally jovial and polite Kisame cursing at him in the most tranquil fury he'd ever heard from his fellow Akatsuki.
"Alright," Hanataro called out. "They're stable enough to move. Let's get to the beds."
Kisame, Brook, and Usopp all hefted Jinbe up, while Tsuyu 'bridal-carried' Nami as they all followed the medic down. Apacci and a struggling Halibel dragged Grimmjow after them.
Meanwhile, the small metal owl perched on the rigging closest to Ulquiorra and Robin, so that its voice was only heard by the two.
"Nico Robin, I've reunited you with your crew as promised. Consider your only obligation now to keep in touch. Ulquiorra, for now, remain with Robin until Tobirama and I have returned. I've made a deal with Thoth, so I'll heal under his protection. He should send his own message to the crew. Until then, do your best to keep the others alive," the owl quickly conveyed. Then, the lights in the eyes went out, indicating the automaton going dormant.
OoOoOoO
Back at the evacuating fleet, Thoth was standing tall once again. With a glance, he could tell that enough of his people were back up for each of the other ships. Athena and Tobirama had secured themselves to the deck, the giant owl having transformed back to a small ship being tugged within the fleet.
"Mr. Chan, Amakado, Clover, Levy…it's time." The god's voice echoed in the ears of each of his most trusted.
Before that though, Thoth took a slip of Papyrus, thrust a glowing Hieroglyph upon it, rolled it up, and placed it in an Ibis's claws.
As the bird took flight, Clover took position at the front ship, Uncle Chan at the far left, Levy at the far right, Amakado in the direct center, and Thoth stayed at the last ship. As one, the five took out Hieroglyphs stored in their pockets. Golden light shot out to connect each Hieroglyph. All together, something akin to a square, with Amakado as a center point, formed. Completed, the air began to shimmer on the edge of the square, the effect stretching down to the sea, and up to the heavens.
Then, the fleet had vanished. The only remaining trace was the Ibis that had perched on the Cutty Sark, right alongside the miniature owl.
The utterly irate crew on said ship had positioned their vessel to pursue the Skinwalker, who had just vanished into the horizon.
Juvia quickly went to the Ibis, unrolling the papyrus.
"My allies," an image of Thoth began relaying its recorded message to the whole crew, or at least those who could hear it. "I understand that you must maintain pursuit of the Skinwalker. Know that once Athena and I have secured my people and gathered allies, you will be reinforced. I urge you to hold off on assaulting Miquiztli itself until support arrives. With Cipactli away at war, this may be our only chance. I've also taken the liberty of attaching a map detailing all the islands between here and Miquiztli. When in position, send this Ibis back with as much information as possible on the enemy forces, along with your selected rendezvous point."
The crew took the news as well as they could under the circumstances, Juvia securing the map while all the preparations were completed.
"RAHHH!" Set howled as the fleet with that accursed Scribe had vanished from his sight. Unfortunately, the Cutty Sark was now the closest target to take his frustration out on.
"All right," Franky was all business. "Cola's ready."
A massive hand of sand, fire, and lightning had instantly crossed the ocean, its shadow looming over the crew.
Everyone available was preparing defenses just in case. The fire was close enough to make everyone break out in a sweat.
"COUP DE BURST!"
WHOOM! The hand of the storm slammed into the empty ocean, the interlopers long gone. Now, just the Wrath of Sparta bobbed by the island they'd helped bring to ruin.
As the Usurper Pharaoh of old gazed upon the remaining ship, the sand that had once lashed out began to coalesce. At the peak of the storm, his glowing red eyes began to dim. A form that was closest he'd ever be to human took shape. His skin was a dark red to match his eyes. A mustache and goatee were a neat, slick black. While his features could conventionally be described as handsome, they'd been twisted into a cruel visage of sadistic satisfaction. Fangs glistened in the dimming sunlight. He gripped a golden staff, topped with the head of a 'Set Animal'. The figure's head was open, inhaling the sand. Within his other hand, a miniature storm snaked its way through his fingers, lightning reaching the island he floated above.
With tangible form and conscious thought once again, Set was eager to remind the world of what seemed to have forgotten. He met the gaze of the angry little Olympian on the ship, the deity breathing heavily and taking a knee. Smelling blood, Set raised his staff.
"Oh Great and Mighty Pharaoh of the Desert. Lord of Storms and Chaos, hear a humble priest's plea," a deep voice emanated from within the ship.
Set paused, gazing down and giving a look of intrigue.
"Well, how nostalgic," the god spoke in an echoing voice, as if it originated from every grain of sand in the air. "Even in this strange underworld, mine curse still endures, High Priest Imhotep."
The Mummy had exited the lower deck, standing on the center of the ship. From the shadow of the entry, Carmilla propped herself against the wall, watching. Then, Imhotep fell to both knees, crossing his arms and laying his hands on the front of his shoulders. He prostrated himself, bowing to the point his forehead touched the floor.
"Thou invokes the Morning Ritual of Offering, yet I see no meals, and Ra's vessel is fading to the night," Set gestured to the setting sun.
"Ah, but you are Pharaoh. And Pharaoh is the Sun and Stars. Your awakening is the 'morning' of the new age," Imhotep spoke quickly. "It would be improper not to observe it."
"Hmhmhmhmhm," Set was amused.. "Strange that I can not recall such devotion to me in your first life, blasphemer. And the niceties are meaningless without an offering. On top of standing with one who dared to strike me…"
"As offering," Imhotep barely kept his composure as he powered through Set's seeming skepticism, Ares' crew remaining utterly still when the Desert God's glare was directed at their leader/father, "I speak for the one who freed both your greatness, and my lowly self, from The Scribe's imprisonment."
"Speak for? So quick to serve another?" The echoing voice took on another level of menace.
"This service is only until my debt is repaid," Imhotep quickly justified while raising his head. "And the 'benefactor' of this crew I stand amongst has said she does not expect similar service from you."
"Oh?" Set stirred the sand behind him with nary a gesture. The particulates coalesced and hardened, changing to a shining gold, taking the shape of a throne, placed at the pinnacle of the reshaped island. As he took a seat, more sand took shape around him, eventually forming into six 'Set Animals', as they were called due to the true name being lost to time. All throughout, the Usurper Pharaoh kept a seemingly-serene look of mild interest.
"She was of the Tin Islands, beyond the gates of the Sea from our old world. This goddess, along with 5 other beings, have seized control of this Underworld, bringing all our Pantheons together." Imhotep quickly explained. "The Morrigan, as a Mistress of this Underworld, extends her welcome to you. And as the one who engineered your freedom, only asks for a parlay to take your measure, after which she will never lay claim to your being indebted for this day."
The sand went utterly still.
"Do you presume to imply that Pharoah can be indebted?"
Imhotep went fully prostate once again. "No, but it would seem that this Morrigan is a powerful enough being that only personally meeting you could dissuade her of such a thought."
Set smirked at the practically-grovelling High Priest. "Yes, you speak with reason. Tell your new Mistress that she has until Sunrise to meet for this 'parlay'. If she refuses this most gracious offer from Pharaoh, then I shall answer her disrespect with swift vengeance upon thee."
The Olympian and his progeny all tensed.
"So let it be written," Imhotep intoned in answer. "So let it be done." Behind him, Carmilla released the breath she'd been holding. Her Transmission Mirror separated and returned to their container.
"And I'll keep these two," Set gestured, his sand revealing Imasuji and Ezel beneath his feet. "Consider it a good-faith payment."
Ares bristled, but didn't dare move.
"But know this, the Scribe's 'Khemenu' is no more," the God of the Desert proclaimed. "Henceforth, this land shall be named Setermeru, as the seat of my new Kingdom."
And with that, the sun finally set, closing out on this decisive day in the history of the Sea of Second Chances. It would forever be known as the 'Fall of Khemenu'.
OoOoOoO
As the Cutty Sark finally reached stable waters again, they took stock of their surroundings.
Sure enough, a trail of feathers was leading to the west, glistening against the rising moon.
Franky had come back up to handle the wheel, though his gaze was unfocused, his mind still below deck.
Apacci came up, morose. "Hey…I can handle the wheel for a bit. You should get down."
"Oh…thanks," the Straw Hat nodded his head before setting a brisk pace.
Sasori rolled his eyes before gazing at Ulquiorra, who matched the intense look. Aside from them, Mirajane and Juvia were the only others on deck, filling in as the watch while making a list of repairs for later.
Down below, Grimmjow was flitting in and out of consciousness, though thankfully the danger was past for him, prompting Halibel to take her leave of him. She had bandaged herself up to the point treatment could wait a day or so.
Nami was waking up, the bleeding stopped, with Usopp and Sanji hovering over her.
"Uggh," she rose up only to sway.
"Easy Nami," Sanji went to support her.
"Where…are we?" the Navigator asked as a matter of course.
"1 Coup de Burst west of Khemenu. Thoth gave us a map of this whole area," Usopp explained. "You can look when you're better."
Still groggy, Nami looked around, then saw blood.
"JINBE!" Not caring about her own stump, she leapt past her East Blue friends and clutched one of the Fishman's hands.
Jinbe was in rough shape, with Hanataro frantic in his treatment.
"No…I'm sorry," Nami squeaked out before a firm hand grasped her shoulder.
Robin, barely keeping her own composure, hugged Nami. "No…it's not your fault."
Brook and Tsuyu were on the other side of their Helmsman, Franky quickly joining them. All three were visibly trembling, unable to even form words at the sight.
Sanji and Usopp completed the circle.
"DAMN IT!" Hanataro cursed, startling everyone. "It's like the wounds are fighting back."
Sure enough, the dark purple the Skinwalker had left behind had spread to what was left of the heart, and was visibly taking over the nearby organs.
"At this rate…" Hanataro mumbled.
"NO!" Franky hollered. "Not like this!"
"I'm stopping the spread, I've spent my Zanpakuto on the wounds from Nnoitra and the Gods, but I can't counter this much poison in the organs already."
Listening intently to all this, the last figure in the room stood up.
"What if those organs were gone?" Kisame asked.
"WHAT?!" Usopp howled irately. "Are you TRYING to kill him?!"
"Calm down Usopp," Halibel said, then turned back. "Kisame, what are you getting at?"
The Mist Swordsman simply lifted up Samehada.
"Wait," Sanji started connecting the dots. "Are you saying…"
"I was told your sword could heal the wielder," Robin's eyes seemed to light up just a bit. "Does it go that far?"
"Yes," Brook caught on. "Every time Cipactli or one of those gods today maimed Kisame, he was right as rain in no time!"
"But…Jinbe doesn't have chakra, nor is he the wielder," Tsuyu felt obligated to point out.
"To be honest," Kisame felt he had to temper the rising expectations all around. "I've never had Samehada try to heal people aside from me. So this is a shot in the dark."
"BLAUGH!" The still-unconscious Jinbe coughed up putrid dark blood. On top of that, Hanataro was trembling. It was only natural after single-handedly applying Healing Kido for the whole day of battle for the whole crew.
"Guys, I don't have much Reiatsu left," the Soul Reaper revealed. "If we want to try this, it'll have to be now."
"Okay," Kisame got up. Franky, Brook, and Tsu made room, with the latter pulling up a chair for the Ninja. "Tia…how much Reiatsu do you have left?"
A few eyebrows were raised at the informality, but all remained focused on Jinbe. "Just enough for one more Cero."
"Robin, right?" the Ninja turned to the Straw Hat he just met. "Could you get that Ulquiorra from above, just in case we need more."
"Of course," the Archaeologist let Nami go and near-ran out.
"So, right after I remove the poisoned organs, you'll start the regeneration?" Hanataro's glowing scalpel was hovering above said organs.
"Alright," Kisame nodded and had positioned Samehada just right. One hand remained on the handle, while the other had lifted Jinbe's own hand.
On the other side of the legendary blade, Halibel had knelt down. She extended her free hand and began to stroke. "Easy Samehada," she spoke in a low, soothing voice. With the other hand, she placed Tiburon by Samehada's mouth. She conjured her Reiatsu as if to fire a Cero, only to watch as the chittering blade swallowed the golden energy. Halibel collapsed to all fours, utterly spent.
"Ready," Kisame assured Hanataro. Seeing that Robin had also returned with Ulquiorra, the Soul Reaper nodded.
"HAH!" With the surgical precision expected of 4th Division's best, Hanataro cut straight and true, completely removing the heart and a good portion of lungs, liver, stomach, and intestine. He tossed the contaminated flesh aside.
"NOW!" Kisame slammed Jinbe's hand around his own, closing the webbed hand with his own. In his mind, one command drowned out every other thought.
'Heal. Please.'
For a horrifying second, nothing happened. No spikes to show Samehada's rejection, but no progress.
Usopp would've collapsed in despair, if his sharp senses didn't pick up the start of a faint 'squelch'. He narrowed his eyes, forcing himself to look at the ugly wound straight-on.
"IT'S WORKING!" he cheered.
"Hey," Sanji put a hand on the sniper. "Turn down the volume, let them work." Despite the chastisement, his smile couldn't be kept down.
Granted, it wasn't as fast as when it was just Kisame being healed, but in under a minute, all the Fishman's organs had regrown. Hanataro was sure to help it out with what was left of his own Reiatsu.
"Thank…goodness," the Soul Reaper sighed in relief before fainting. Franky quickly caught him and settled him in before returning.
"COUGH! COUGH! What…" Jinbe woke up.
"WAH!" As one, the other Straw Hats and Tsuyu collectively hugged Jinbe, utter relief palpable in the air. Still, in their jubilance, they forgot the minor detail of Kisame being there.
"ACK! The hell.." the Ninja struggled as Franky's metal arms squeezed him into Jinbe's girth, though he swore he could feel a certain bony arm invading his personal space too.
"Uhh," still weak, Jinbe barely raised his arms to reciprocate the hug, but couldn't quite manage.
"It was Kisame," Halibel spoke up, wobbling but back on her feet. "He transferred Samehada's healing to you."
"A…transfer…" Jinbe paused, before letting out as gut-busting a laugh as he could. "BAHAHAHAHA! I was saved by a transfer! BAHAHAHAHA! I guess what goes around comes around! BAHAHAHA…'COUGH!'"
"Easy Jinbe," Robin put a hand on the Fishman's shoulder. "Take it easy for now."
"Kisame," a soft voice redirected the conversation.
On the other side of Jinbe, Nami met the ex-Akatsuki in the eye, her own shimmering as a wavering smile grew. She placed a hand on the 'Fishman' Ninja, no trace of the trepidation and unease she'd always carried around him before. "Thank you Kisame. Thank you."
That unleashed the floodgates, with every Straw Hat letting out the 'happy tears' as they crowded Kisame with their words and looks of thanks. Sanji gave a content smile with his new cigarette lit up. Usopp was rambling about how he'd 'always' knew Kisame was a good guy. Brook and Franky were absolutely bawling as their snot and tears fell to the ex-Akatsuki's shirt. Even Robin was looking at the relative stranger to her with approval and relief. And despite Tsuyu defaulting to her near-emotionless visage, she gave an appreciative nod to the man.
The Ninja Swordsman was absolutely stunned at the open affection, averting his eyes and rubbing the back of his head. "Well…it was Halibel's energy that really did the trick…really, this isn't all necessary. Right?"
He turned, only to see Halibel had deliberately put herself on the far side of the room, leaving him to drown in all 'this', a twinkle in her eye and slightly upturned lips in an otherwise stoic look.
Off to the side, Ulquiorra narrowed his eyes. On one hand, he was still confused by the concept of such open affection. On the other hand, his attention was increasingly drawn to just how rich in energy Jinbe's new flesh was. It was to the point where his top-notch Pesquisa was alerting him like it would a fellow Arrancar or those Ninja that wore the black cloaks with red clouds.
'Is this what the Heart is truly capable of?' he mused to himself.
And with that, the Cutty Sark's crew had staved off death for another day.
OoOoOoO
A.N. So…my first time writing a straight-up defeat for my main characters. No if, ands, or buts…they lost. Granted, they all made it past this disaster…so that might count as a win. Don't worry…it'll sink in that they 'lost' once the relief for Jinbe wears off.
And with that…Khemenu is over! Thank GOD! Been stuck on this arc for literal years! WOO-HOO! Although…maybe I shouldn't 'woo-hoo' for this chapter…ah well.
So the next arc has been set up…Skinwalker vs. Cutty Sark. Taking all bets!
Will admit I had a bit too much fun finally having the Skinwalker acting like a 'proper Big Bad' to the crew…and introducing Set as a 'Big Bad' in his own right as well.
Hope that the sequence of events made sense, along with me keeping everyone 'in character' with these extreme situations and giving everyone time to shine.
Phew! Will go ahead and say that the next few chapters with the Cutty Sark crew will have no fights at all, along with Athena/Thoth focusing on the 'making friends' part of warfare! They need a break from all that fighting! Next chapter will focus on the 'consequences' of this arc…and then I'll cut to the Cipactli/Tiamat War so you can see how that's going. Maybe an Omake or two to bring some levity back!
Til Next Time…Have Fun! Stay Safe!
