Awilda
Awilda “Yellow Coat” stepped off the giant leaf casually. She arrived at where she had expected to find him. Sitting on the edge of a cliff looking out at the sunset.
“Soge.” Awilda said as she approached. At her hip was the Soge Gun, Hornet yellow. It was a larger Pistol then most of the other pistol type Soge Guns, but that was fine to her liking. It had a honeycomb design to its barrels, able to shoot many shots at once.
Sogeking turned his head to face Awilda. “Well, look who arrived.” He said in his boastful tone.
“Cut it out.” Awilda said, taking a seat next to Sogeking. “I just came to ask ya, Cherry J Boot?”
“He is worthy of the title I think.” Sogeking said.
Awilda laughed. “His captain was selected by both Reagan and Druder. Whats with you all.”
“Do you not support them?” Sogeking asked, his true voice beginning to sneak out, a solace tone.
“Not in the slightest.” Awilda said.
“He finally manifested his Realizer.” Sogeking stated, looking at his own that was upon his belt. “I also noticed the last notch activated. I had saved that for my descendent.”
“Guess you should have moved faster.” Awilda stated, pulling out a jug of booze and offering some to Sogeking. He took it and lifted his mask ever so slightly to take a sip.
“We call it even, since you took care of my little request back then.” Sogeking said.
“I did no such thing. I left Stag Black in some dingy little gun shop. It just so happened that Cherry got it.” Awilda said, taking a deep drink.
Sogeking was silent for a moment. “So, you give the last one to your captain's son?”
“Hell nah.” Awilda said, waving him off. “That is a boring choice. Technically I didn't give it to any marksman. I gave it to someone else to take care of.”
Sogeking turned his eyes on Awilda. “Who?”
Awilda smiled. “This is exciting, the Soge battle can truly begin huh. You think your choice has what it takes?”
Sogeking stared out into the distance. “Time will tell. And he will have to defeat you.”
Awilda took another drink. “Sounds like he's a dead man then.”
The two stayed silent for a long while, watching the sun set.
Dilinger
The Dilinger Pirates sat in a dingy bar. Intel was getting hard and harder to find lately when it came to the Dons. The only news of recent events came from the Umbra Pirates and Roger’s son. A new Yonko, Emma took down the Great Wind Pirates, and somehow had recruited Orange, Boar, and Undead pirates to her side.
The door to the bar opened, causing a hush to wash over the room. Standing in the door was a legend, the Fifth Emperor, Hekate ‘the Dark Hawk’ of the Pantheon Pirates.
“Well well.” Dilinger chidded. “What we got here?”
Hekate spotted Dilinger and made his way over. The man’s spear was strapped across his back, along with another bundle. “Heard you'd be here.”
Dilinger finished off his bourbon. “What, you looking for me, oh Mr Almost Yonko?”
“Yes, in fact.” Hekate stated. “Being my new status, I want you to join my Grand Fleet.”
“Pass.” Dilinger said without hesitation. Hekate was getting big for his boots, the man was worth 2 billion berries sure, but he still was only an honorary Yonko, not a real one. Besides, Dilinger had his own things he planned to do.
“Don't get too hasty now.” Hekate explained. “Here me out okay?”
Dilinger thought for a moment, then offered a seat to fifth Yonko. Either way this was a good source of information. Hekate leaned his spear against the table, and set the bundle on the table.
“You've read the new right?” Hekate asked.
“Sure did.”
“Umbra’s got Boar, Undead, and Orange on their side. Thats four members of the Worst Generation on her side.” Hekate explained. “I got the Eternals joining me, Byram offered it recently once I got my title.”
“Congrats, you got your own little group.” Dilinger said.
“The Starry Pirates are currently MIA.” Hekate explained. “I'd like to get Louise to join me, though I haven't located her yet. And the MIthril Horn were spotted near Edoarts territory. That means Casca will be going after Edoarts head from what I understand. That leaves you as the only member left.”
Dilinger sighed. “I ain't got a reason to serve you.” He said.
“I don't want a servant.” Hekate said. “I want an ally. Work with me, and you'll gain access to parts of my fleet. You will be my second division commander.”
“High praise.” Dilinger said. “But I got my own plans.”
“The Don’s of the West Blue right?” Hekate said. “I have some info about that, may help you out. One of them recently turned up nearby.”
Dilinger bit his lip. Hekate seemed to know his weakness.
“I want you to join on even footing, the info is yours if you join, but I will give you this as a sign of good fate.” Hekate said, then pushed the bundle towards Dilinger.
Unfolding the bundle caught DIlinger by surprise. A blue rifle with an insectoid theme sat in the bundle.
“A Soge gun.” Dilinger said in disbelief.
“The last Soge Gun from my understanding.” Hekate stated. “It is called Korynetes Blue. It was given to me by a certain Markswoman.”
Dilinger looked up at Hekate, completely in disbelief. “Its like you knew I was looking to get me one of these.”
“I need a marksman, and a Soge gun is a key to that.” Hekate said. “Well?”
“Fine.” Dilinger said, examining the gun. “Sounds like we got an alliance.”
Hekate smiled. “Good to hear.” He rose, picking up his spear.
“A Soge Gun, and a Black Blade.” DIlinger commented. “What do they call that spear of yours now?”
“Gods Fall.” Hekate said, revealing the black tipped blade of the spear. A terrifying weapon in his hands. Dilinger wondered how much more powerful he had just made Hekate by association? As long as he could accomplish his goals, he didn't care.
Jasper
Prince Jasper of the Teton Kingdom wondered how he was still alive. He had made for Doom Tropic to challenge Leva Olivier. He had brought the brunt of his force to assist him, yet he felt himself dying.
“Woh woh there princling.” Leva said, slapping Jasper as his conscience began to slip. “Cant have ya dying yet now can we?” He smiled. “I should thank you, you let me show my strength, because of that I gained quite a few new crews to join me. So don't die yet, we still got some traveling to do.”
Jasper felt it hard to breathe, that made sense considering the fact he was currently crucified across the front of Leva Olivier’s head War Galleon, like a figurehead. Leva places a wooden crown atop Jasper’s head.
“There we go, a pauper's crown for you. It's the best you false kings deserve.” Leva laughed. He leaned in close, whispering in Jasper’s ear. “This world is mine, any of you fake nobility can step down or die. Sounds good?” He finished it with a light slap across Jasper’s face. Leva turned to face the gathered pirates before him. “This world is mine! I am the King of the Pirates you hear me! Join me, and be truly free, free to rape, to pillage, to steal, to do whatever the hell you want! Any who stand in our way, well. You can see what happened here right?”
Jasper knew what he meant. He had been forced to watch as all of his loyal knights had been Crucified like him, they all formed a link across the entirety of Leva’s massive warship.
“Now, we have to bring down the balance of this world!” Leva yelled out. “The Yonkos, and the Warlords of the Sea, they all must fall, the false pirates that claim my title must fall! We will eradicate all that stand in my way, and when the world is thrown truly into chaos, we shall rule it!”
“You're a mad man.” Jasper struggled to gasp.
Leva turned and got close to Jasper, he smelled the pirates' alcohol on his breath. “Sssh ssshh” Leva said, tapping his face lightly. “Careful now, don't want everyone else finding that one out, aye?” He slapped Jasper hard and turned back. “Now, let's go kill an Emperor!”
?????
The Pirate Captain watched from around the corner as Leva made his speech, he felt bad for the Teton soldiers. Why did Leva do this? This was overkill beyond a doubt.
“Captain.” The Right hand man said, approaching from behind. “The Ship is ready to take off. Also it seems the Vengeance Pirates had taken down the Iceberg pirates.”
“So they have the capsule huh.” The Captain questioned.
“That is a fair estimation.” The Right hand man said, looking upon the gruesome scene in front of them. “We can't fight this many fronts. We gotta pick which to go after.”
It had only been a week since they left Yoichi, they had sat outside the battle and watched as Emma S Nash died. The Captain had planned to intercede if Emma truly had fallen, but she had risen, revealing her fruit. The Right hand man was right about what the fruit was after all. They had arrived here to Doom Tropic in a hope to catch the Iceberg pirates before the Devil Fruit Auction, but they just happened to come across this scene.
“Let's go. We got work to do.” The Captain said.
Moryn
“You're still being stubborn huh.” Moryn said to Ollin.
The Fishman sat rebelliously in his cushioned seat. “I am.”
Moryn sighed. “Fair enough. You can stay behind then. Well be leaving soon though, I'd like you at my side.”
“When my business is finished I shall join you.” Ollin said stubbornly.
Moryn sat back in his cushioned chair. “Alright, Jehan, what we looking at?”
Jehan sat in the cushioned chair next to Moryn. She was a beauty, silvery hair and bright green eyes with clear skin. Apparently that was common amongst Orikan’s, at least the remaining ones.
“Seems the Great Wind Pirates are no longer in possession of the Road Polyglyph.” Jehan said in a soothing voice. “We can make the assumption the Umbra’s have it now, and more then likely the one that was hidden on the Giant island.”
“Saves us a trip.” Moryn said, grabbing some Moochi from the platter in front of him. “So, they have two, we have one, that leaves one unaccounted for.”
“Yes sir.” Jehan stated. “I have a feeling it will resurface in the near future. This is the time.”
Moryn smiled. “So best move is to go after the Umbra’s I guess.”
“Yes it would be.”
“So, we leave them be.” Moryn explained. “We continue with our current plans.”
Jehan smiled. “So like you, ignore the main plot and go on subquests.”
“It's what got me where I am now.” Moryn laughed. “Besides, the Umbras will do us a favor if they keep on as they are.”
“Captain, we also got another message about this concert.” Jehan said. “They ask for the whole island to perform.”
Moryn sighed. “The Hopes Guide are being quite the deva’s huh. Sure they can have the whole island.”
“Very good sir.” Jehan said.
PuraPura
PuraPura hated paperwork, and that seemed to be all that the government was making her do. But the time was coming, she would run soon. She looked down and spotted the flyer again. Hopes Guide, the musical group she was once apart of.
Kura was their lead now, she was dressed in her sailor girl outfit. Mura was to the right, dressed as a Queen, and Tura was to the left, dressed as Bounty hunter. She once was the head of that group, dressed in her pirate costume. Now she.
PuraPura pushed the thoughts aside, she had a job to do, war was coming, she needed to be ready, but she could enjoy one day. Right?
Akatora
Admiral Akatora did not enjoy working with Doctor Dragorock. It was always cold in his laboratory.
“Turn up the heat already” Akatora said, her voice shaking as she turned a random dial, knowing full well it wasn't a heater.
Doctor Sunzi slapped Akatora’s hand. “Stop touching stuff!” Sunzi yelled.
Akatora brushed back her long sandy hair behind her ear, then moved the earmuffs over them to block out Sunzi’s bitching. “I wouldnt have to touch stuff if you would make it a little warmer in here!”
“Just get more layers.” Sunzi said.
“Quite.” Came the sharp voice of Doctor Dragorock. He was working on his latest model of Peacekeepers.
Akatora looked to the side, floating in a glass jug was the original of the current model of Peacekeepers, Matsuno. A man who died in a Buster Call, but was deemed perfect for Dragorocks experiments. This was due to his abilities to harness Niten.
“I need more samples to improve this next batch.” Dragorock said from across the lab.
“I dont care.” Akatora said. She had been stuck here for the last month. She had missed so much because of Dragorocks paranoia. The events of the Reverie had passed her by, she was wasting her youth on this old fart. Though Akatora wasnt that young, she was in her mid thirties. But still, she was young in her mind.
“If only I still had sample one.” Dragorock said.
“Jericho V Brau?” Akatora questioned. “Last I heard he was on Yoichi.”
“Then we should head there!” Dragorock declared. “I want him!”
Akatora sighed. “We moved his bounty to Alive, so assuming someone catches him, he will be brought to you, but we cant actively move against a Yonko.”
“Bah, excuses.” Dragorock said with a wave of his hand. “Leave that to me, just find him for me.”
Akatora glared at the doctor. “I just said we can't.”
“Excuses. Your limiting your abilities with that mindset.” Dragorock said.
The room shook. “What was that?” Akatora said, looking around wildly.
“Nothing of note.” Sunzi said with a sigh. “You're not used to that yet?”
Akatora glared at Sunzi. She didn't like the lab assistant, and made every attempt to give her shit. What had Akatora done to deserve this assignment? She wanted to be hunting pirates, but instead she was stationed in Dragorocks lab. It was such a waste of her youth.
She looked again at the floating form of Matsuno, wondering if he still lived there, or if he was truly dead. She pushed that thought aside, then left the lab to go find a heater to sit next too. It was too damn cold.
