Archive of Our Own ^beta

The sky becomes obscured by large thick storm clouds. An enormous castle can be seen hovering in the sky surrounded by the thick storm clouds.

"AH~! What a workout~!"

A figure warp at the top of the castle. The outfit he wore made him look like he belonged to Organization 13. His cloak, however, was white with black flame patterns covering it, and his head was covered with the Greek alphabet above it. He was throwing a figure up and down.

"Who would have thought those girls could hold their own," The man said in a childish tone. "Especially that Gungnir user. The moment I destroyed her world and her precious, possessive girlfriend, she went all ape shit on me~! I thought I would be killed~!…

… But she was weak."

The figure glanced at the object, "Well everything has been set for my latest experiment. How will the five bid against Crimson Blood? Which one will be a threat to my plans? What do you think, Elsa?"

He turned out to be holding the head of Elsa Bête from Noble Red. Only shock remained in her eyes as she viewed her last moments. The neck looks hollow and empty at the bottom.

"Now, now, don't give me that face," He teased playfully. "I was defending myself when your android partner tried to hack me up! Besides, I have a soft spot for werewolves~! You don't have to worry about your friends because I left her alive. She's on a mission I assigned her too."

His face was unrecognizable, but he laughed childishly, "The hour has come Isa~! The chess pieces are in place, and we've established our goals, now let's see who can come out on top!"

Chapter 1: Calm Before the Storm

"This place is...AWESOME!" Monkey D Luffy, captain of the straw hat, shouted with sparkles in his eyes as he and his crewmates came to a vast, fancy beach resort. Rather than risk being discovered by the Marines, their ship called the Going Merry was docked deep within the forest.

"Wow! This place looks like a blast!" Chopper exclaimed in awe. "They even have a water slide!"

"I've gotta say, I thought this would be some kind of cheap, rundown tourist trap," The navigator Nami said as she looked around. "However, this resort looks quite amazing."

"Hey, Usopp! Race you to the water slide!" Luffy shouted as he pointed to the massive slide near a cliff. Luffy and Chopper were already running ahead before the long nose man could reply.

"Hey, no fair! You got a running start!" Usopp yelled back. He chased after them.

The Blackfoot cook known as Sanji took one last puff with his cigar and threw it in the trash can. His eyes turned to hearts, as he caught a glimpse of so many women in their swimsuits in the area. "I'm going to hunt for some hot chicks~!"

"Found one," The green-haired swordsman known as Roronoa Zoro said while pointing to a chicken that was sitting on a lounge chair.

"SHUT UP YOU MOSSHEAD BASTARD!" Sanji snapped at Zoro.

"WHO YOU CALLING MOSSHEAD YOU PERVERTED COOK!?" He yelled back.

"Would you two...SHUT UP!" Nami shouted as she punched both of them out cold.

"Nami," The orange-haired girl turned to Nico Robin. She was the newest member of the Straw Hats Pirates, "I've checked around the island, and they're no Navy ships onshore."

"That's a relief," Nami sighed. "Now, we can relax without worrying about the Marines coming after us."

Not far from the Straw-hat pirates, a black spiky-haired boy named Touma Kamijou was sitting on the beach under an umbrella. He was watching a girl with light blue hair playing in the water.

"Hey, what's the matter, Kami?" Touma turned to find his blonde hair friend Motaharu Tsuchimikado walking towards him. "You look like you've just survived a pack of wolves."

"More like an angry teleporter," Touma mumbled. "I got kicked by Kuroko because I accidentally saw her and Zapper changing."

"Wow," Motaharu whistled. "Even when we are on vacation, your luck stinks."

"Well, at least Zapper shocked her before she could kill me. But she decided to chase me all over the resort while shooting electricity at me," He groaned tiredly. "Things can't get any worse."

In the moment he was finishing that sentence, a volleyball struck his face, causing him to fall backward. He was now lying on his back with a red mark on his face. "Damn my luck."

"Ah~! S-Sorry!" Touma looked up to find a girl running up to the two. She wore her medium-length auburn hair in a ponytail with a yellow bow, and her bangs are composed of several loose strands at her forehead and on each side. She stared at him with a concerned gaze. "I didn't catch Megumi's spike that time! Are you okay?"

"He's fine," Motaharu answered. "He's used to this kind of luck. He just had an incident with a couple of lad-"

"Shut up!" Touma retorted angrily at his friend. He then stood up, "Pay no mind to him, he's a pervert. And I'm fine thanks."

"I'm glad," The girl breathed in relief.

"HEY MANATSU HURRY UP!" Shouted her blue-haired companion in the distance.

"C-Coming!" Manatsu Natsuumi called back. The two boys watched her pick up the ball and run back to her friends.

"Damn it Kami!" He furiously yanked Touma by the shirt. "Let me at least get a girl so I can start my own harem!"

"Shut up and go fantasize about your sister, you sis-con Sergeant!" He barked.

"Geez! You're so loud! I can hear you all the way to the food court!"

They turned to find two girls coming towards them. One had short, brown chestnut-coloured hair, and wore a one-piece swimsuit; Misaka Mikoto. The other had tawny coloured hair, tied into two curly pigtails by two red ribbons. She was wearing a short, string bikini; Kuroko Shirai.

"Oh hey Misaka, Kuroko," Touma greeted kindly.

"Shut up, ape!" The pigtailed answered coldly. She turned to Misaka. "Sissy, why did you have to bring those two along?"

"Because, Uiharu and Saten are going on their school trip, and Kongou and Konorii are busy with some stuff in Academy City," Misaka explained.

Kuroko glared at Touma, "I don't know what kind of relationship you have with my sissy, but I won't let you touch her soft slim bo-GAH!"

After being zapped by Misaka, she was rendered unconscious. "That should be addressed to you, pervert!"

"Touma Touma!" The light blue-haired girl named Index Librorum Prohibitorum ran towards the three with her hands held behind her back. "I've found a cool looking hat on the beach!"

"Um wai-," Before Touma could reply, Index put a squishy looking purple hat, which happens to be a jellyfish, on his head.

"AAAAHHHHHHH!"

"Hey quit butting in line you perverted ice cream man!?" A pink-haired boy known as Natsu Dragneel shouted. He and the man with no clothes tried to get through the door while they stood on top of a water slide.

"Why don't you move you stupid hot head freak!" The naked man known as Gray Fullbuster snapped back.

Their heads were suddenly gripped, causing them to flinch. As the two looked up, there was a girl with rust-red hair flowing to the side with spiked bangs and sharp purple eyes.

"If you two numbskulls are going to fight, do it somewhere else," Takizawa Asuka declared as she harshly shoved the two behind her.

"What the hell was that for?!" Natsu and Gray shouted at her. She ignored them and slid down the water slide. The two boys then followed, busy exchanging fists at each other.

Back below the line, Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper were waiting for the line to move. While Luffy and Chopper were so thrilled to ride the slide, Usopp trembled in fear at how tall it was.

"I can't wait to go down this slide~!" Luffy said with excitement.

"Guys, I think my "If I go to tall places, I'll die" disease has returned," Usopp croaked.

Behind him, a girl with light short brown hair overheard him and turned to the white-haired girl. "Hey Chris, is there any kind of disease like that?"

"Of course there isn't. That dumbass just made it up," Chris Yukine answered.

"He looks like Pinocchio, desu," Her short brunette friend whispered to Chris.

"You know "Pinocchio" has ears, you know?" Usopp annoyingly said, making the girl gasp.

Luffy groaned, looking impatient, "What's taking so long. Hurry up, up there!"

"Yeah! Hurry up!" Chopper shouted.

Chris noticed the reindeer and stared dumbfounded. 'Is that a small rein-'

"GAH~!"

All, waiting in the line were startled by the sound of Natsu and Gray tumbling down the waterslide. When they reached the end of the slide, the two boys got out, glaring at each other.

"Well that's just great," Natsu grumbled. "Thanks to you, I couldn't even enjoy the slide."

"Shut up," Gray snapped as he stood up. "You were the one who started it!"

Chris's eyes gape in shock blushing. She quickly covered the blond girl's eyes. "D-Don't look!"

"L-Look at what desu?!" Kirika Akatsuki stuttered with confusion.

"GAH!" Chopper hid horribly behind Usopp whose eyes expanded in shock.

"What the hell happened to your shorts?!" Usopp asked.

"What are you talki-," Gray looked down and noticed that he wasn't wearing anything. "Oh crap, where did my pants go?!"

Everyone except Luffy and Natsu stared at him dumbfounded.

"You just realized you've been strolling around naked all this time?" Chris asked, looking shocked.

"Didn't you do that once at your place?" Hibiki Tachibana questioned.

"Dumbass! Don't say that so loud!" Chris hushed blushing.

"So cool~!" Luffy gawked in shock. "I didn't know water slides could knock your clothes off!" 

"They don't!" Usopp and Chris comedically shouted with shark teeth.

"Damn it~!" Natsu roared. "I'm not gonna wait in that long line again. I'm doing a redo!"

The rest of the line shouted at Natsu who begin climbing up the slide at a rapid pace.

"Hey, no fair!" Luffy angrily yelled. The majority of those in line were stunned when he stretched his arms grabbing the side of the waterslide from the top.

"D-Did that guy's arms just stretch?" Chris asked in disbelief.

"W-What's going on? I can't see anything!" Kirika whined as her eyes were still covered.

"Wait, you can't do that!" Hibiki called out. The moment she gripped onto his shoulder, she got pulled up. The two were on top of the slide ahead of Natsu.

"Alright I'm up," Luffy said proudly.

"Ah! We're so high~!" He then spit-take when he spotted the bewildered Hibiki behind him. 

"Hey, how did you get up here?!" Luffy exclaimed.

"I clung unto you!" Hibiki declared in shock. "How were you able to do that?"

"Do what?" Luffy blinked cluelessly.

"What the-" Natsu gawked to find the two already ahead of him. "Why the hell are you two cutting in line~!?" 

"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO CUT IN LINE FIRST~!" Luffy and Hibiki snapped back with shark teeth.

"Damn bastard," Gray growled. He slammed his fist on his palm, causing frost vapor to emanate. He then slammed it into the water causing the water on the slide to freeze. Luckily the only ones on the slide were Luffy, Hibiki, and Natsu.

"What's going on?" Hibiki asked, looking surprised by the water turning into ice. She slipped forcing both her and Luffy to slide back down. Observing the two descending, Natsu tried to move away, but the ice caused him to slip on his back, putting him in the fray.

"Oh crap!" Gray moved out of the way of the slide as three victims passed him. They were then flung high into the air from the ice ramp.

Usopp, Chopper, and Chris just watch the three flying with their jaw's comically dropped. While Kirika was flailing about trying to get Chris' hands off of her eyes. "W-What's happening!? I'm missing everything DESU~!"

"HA!" Manatsu landed a spike down the opponent's side slamming the ball on the sand. She and three other girls were playing beach volley ball.

"Wow, you're amazing Manatsu!" A redhead girl complimented her skills. The two hi-fived while the two girls from the other side walked towards them.

"Aw man! You beat us," The dark, blue-haired girl groaned.

"Well, we tried our best," Sango Suzumura replied.

"Yeah, you two were great," Aino Megumi added.

"Thank you, Megumi," The dark, blue-haired girl named Shirayuki Hime said, feeling better.

Manatsu looked around in confusion, "Hey where did the others go?"

"Asuka went on the water slide, Minori and Iona went to the aquarium, and Yuko was working at her stand," Sango replied.

"Water slide?!" Manatsu exclaimed excitedly. "Well then let's go and meet her up there!"

"Yeah!" Hime and Megumi cheered. Before they could leave, Manatsu saw something moving towards them in the air. As she was about to react, the three figures collided against her, creating a cloud of dust that blinded the other.

"What was that?!" Megumi shouted as she, Hime, and Suzumura covered their eyes from the dust. When the cloud disappeared, they noticed three people standing where Manatsu was.

"That was so awesome!" Luffy cheered with his arms up in the air.

"Who would've imagined Ice Prick would make something so cool for a change!" Natsu replied, grinning.

"I...really want to try that again!" Hibiki beamed happily.

"O-ow," The three noticed Manatsu under them. They immediately got off her, while Hibiki helped her up on her feet.

"Thank you," Manatsu said with a smile. "Where did you three come from?"

"AHHHH~!" 

Immediately before they can answer her question, four other figures can be seen flying towards them and colliding right into the four.

"A-Ah~! Again~!?" Hime cried in shock.

"That was so fun desu~!" Kirika was the first to get up, with a grin on her face. "I should show Shirabe later!"

Chris slowly opened her eyes to find herself on her back, with Gray above her. The problem was that he was naked, making her face turn bright red.

"Gray-sama!" A blue-haired woman named Juvia Lockser shouted as she ran towards the beach in her bikini. "What do you think of my new swim-."

When she noticed Gray's and Chris's position, she froze in place. Her cheerful nature turned sour as a dark aura surrounded her body.

"Love rival!" Juvia chanted like she was preparing a witch spell. "Must. Kill. New love rival."

"J-Juvia!" Gray stuttered in fright.

POW~!

"Get off of me you fucking pervert!" Chris angrily shouted after she socked Gray off of her.

"How dare you punch my beloved Gray man stealer?!" Juvia yelled comically.

"I'm not a man-stealer!" Chris barked at her. "That freak was on top of me!"

While the two were arguing, Sango went towards a dizzy Manatsu sprawl on the ground. "Are you okay Manatsu?"

"I-I will be...unless there's a third wave," She spluttered dizzily.

"D-Damn it, why did I agree to go on that slide?" Usopp groaned while rubbing his head.

"Slide? What do you mean?" Hime questioned.

"The stripper over there just froze the water slide for no reason," Usopp gestured to Gray.

"This is all your fault Natsu," Gray accused.

Natsu glared at him. "You're the one who froze the water on the slide you dirty snowman!"

"Well, I wouldn't have done that if you didn't climb up the water slide, you fire-breathing idiot!" Gray barked back.

"Stripper Ice Cube!"

"Dumb Hothead!"

"What kind of insults are those?" Kirika questioned as she and Usopp sweatdropped.

"Hey, Usopp! I'm going on the ice slide again. Do you want to come?" Luffy asked.

"No way!" Usopp answered. "I'm not going into that death trap! Right Chopper?"

The sniper glanced at Chopper who was too busy talking with Hime and Megumi, who were amazed by the talking reindeer.

"I can't believe you can talk!" Megumi said in awed. "And you look so adorable!"

"Adorable?" Chopper said. Laughing awkwardly, he did an awkward dance. "C-Compliment me won't make me happy baka!"

"He sure looks happy," Hime sweatdropped.

After recovering from Nami's wrath, Sanji wandered about the resort until he notice a food stall that caught his attention.

The only reason he was intrigued was because three girls were nearby. One girl with short brown hair was chatting to another with long dark blue hair; Wannai Kinuho and Awatsuki Maaya. The one alone was a pink hair woman sipping a smoothie

Sanji sat beside the woman who was sitting alone. "Your beauty sparkles in the glorious sun Mademoiselle."

"Eh?" Maria Cadenzavna Eve blinked at the man, oddly.

"Sorry for startling you, I just can't take my eyes off of you," Sanji poetically replied.

"O-Oh thank you?" Maria said not sure how to respond.

Before Sanji could continue, the owner of the stand appeared at the front. She has neck-length copper brown hair and dark brown eyes; Omori Yuko. "Hello sir, what can I get for you?"

"Huh? Oh, I would like some of your golden rice please," Sanji answered.

"One bowl of golden rice coming up!" Yuko said as she went to the kitchen.

"Anyway, what is your name if I may a-,"

When Sanji returned back, he noticed a blue haired girl in between him and Maria. Her stone cold gaze caused the cook to flinch.

"I would like it if you didn't hassle my friend here," Tsubasa Kazanari said harshly.

"T-Tsubasa he wasn't hassling me!" Maria defended, trying to calm her friend down. "I was just a bit startled from his compliment that's all."

"Is that so," Tsubasa glanced at him suspiciously, until it softened. "Then my apologies for lashing out."

"No worries," Sanji answered, admiring Tsubasa. "You look lovely as well madam." 

"Thanks...?" Tsubasa blushed lightly, not good with people calling her lovely. 

"Here you go," Yuko came back with a bowl of golden rice. Sanji popped a spoonful of rice into his mouth. His eyes sparkled after he chewed for a while.

"Wow, this is delicious!" Sanji complimented. "The rice cooks to perfection. I can taste the spices well and the flavors are mixed well."

"I'm glad you like it," Yuko beamed.

"You really know a lot about cooking," Maria commented.

"I used to work at a restaurant," Sanji said. "I'm a skilled chef in the kitchen. Always preparing meals for the ladies."

"I see…" Maria said. She, Tsubasa, Awatsuki, and Wannai sweatdropped by the blond man's words. 

Among the buildings is an aquarium. Two girls were staring at the unique fish inside the tank.

"I never seen a puffer fish up close," Minori Ichinose said while staring at the species of fish.

"I knew you liked it," Iona Hikawa said, glad that she'd enjoyed it. "It's better to see it for yourself than reading about it."

"I guess," Minori mumbled.

"Yummy fish~!"

Minori glanced to her right and blinked a bit surprised. Beside her was a small blue cat whose eyes were memorized by the fish. 'Did this cat just speak?'

"Happy~!" The white cat known as Charla said suspiciously. "You've been surprisingly quiet here."

"They all look so tasty…" Happy drooled dreamily.

"He only cares about eating them with that gaze," she dryly said.

"Is this what they mean when hunger overcomes sex appeals?" The black cat Panther Lily questioned.

"Three talking cats?" Minori said confusedly.

Not that far from the cats, Levy Mcgarden was amazed at the different variety of fish. "They're so pretty~!"

"I don't get what's so great about seeing a bunch of fish," Gajeel Redfox grumbled, quietly. Unaware of the two, a young girl with blonde hair with her hands in her pocket.

Inside an indoor pool for kids or people who can't swim. A girl with long black hair playfully jumped in the pool with a splash. She wore a black one-piece swimsuit.

Once she reached the surface, she waved to a girl with long blue hair tied as a pigtail running after her. She wore an orange one-piece swimsuit.

"Come on Wendy! The water's great!" The black hair girl, Cynthia Rose called out.

"Hold on Cynthia, I'm coming!" Wendy Marvell shouted back while rushing. She was going to follow her friend's action unaware of a boy with albino hair and a black and white striped T-shirt walking in her path. Before she knew it, Wendy collided with the boy's back and fell on her back.

"Owie," She groaned, rubbing her butt.

"Hey," Wendy looked up and jumped frightened by the boy's glare. "Watch where you're going, kid."

"I-I'm sorry," Wendy quickly stood up and bowed slightly. The boy grunted and walked away.

"Geeze what's his problem?" Cynthia asked glaring at him. 

CRASH~!

Before Wendy could answer, something crashed through the roof and landed into the pool with a big splash.

"AHH!" Cynthia found herself getting caught by the wave from the splash and landed flat on her stomach on the floor. "Ow!" She groaned while sitting up. "What the heck was that?"

"Man, that ride was better the second time!" Wendy and Cynthia recognized the voice as they found the flaming hot head himself.

"Natsu-san? What are you doing here?" Wendy asked.

"And why did you crash into the indoor pool?" Cynthia asked.

"AHH! HELP ME!" Luffy was struggling to stay afloat in the water as the three turned their attention to him. "I CAN'T SWI_GUGGGL!"

"...Um, mister?" Wendy called out getting Luffy's attention. The Straw-hat boy noticed Natsu was standing on the water which was only up to his waist.

He stood up with a wide grin on his face. "Oh man! I thought that I was gonna die!"

"Anyway," Cynthia shook off Luffy's smile and turned to Natsu. "Why were you two falling from the sky?"

"We were riding on the newly created ice slide~!" Natsu answered cheerfully. "For once that ice prick made something awesome!"

"Ice slide?" Cynthia blinked, wondering what the boy's did this time to cause trouble. 

"Yup~! It's so fast and amazing that your clothes will come off!" Luffy added. 

"So sounds cool...minus the whole stripping part. I want to come too!" Cynthia eagerly said. She turned to Wendy. "What about you Wendy?"

"I don't think it's safe after hearing that Gray froze the slide," Wendy hesitated. 

"Come on Wendy. If both of us can survive it, then it's safe," Natsu gestured with a grin.

"And if you're scared then we'll ride it together," Cynthia added, smiling widely.

"Okay~!" Wendy nodded, feeling safer with her best friend around.

Right after he bumped into Wendy, the albino hair boy known as Accelerator laid back on a recliner beach chair and closed his eyes.

"Accelerator! Misaka shouts as Misaka leaps on her guardian's stomach!" A young girl that looked like Misaka landed on the boy causing him to wake up, Last Order.

"GAH!" The boy named Accelerator gasped for air by the sudden attack. "What the hell do you want, brat?"

"Is that any way to speak to a little girl?"

"Yeah, you can be a little grateful that she's safe!"

He glanced up and noticed two women. One had scarlet hair, wearing a yellow swimsuit. Her arms were folded, delivering a harsh glare that could make her enemies cry. The second one was a blond girl wearing a white swimsuit, she had her hands on her hips glaring sternly at him.

However, Accelerator didn't look intimidated. "Who the hell are you two?"

"These two nice ladies helped me find you. Misaka answers with relief to find him," Accelerator just glared back at the crimson haired woman.

"So you must be her guardian, correct?" She questioned.

"What's it to you?" Accelerator questioned. "Are you some kind of police officer or something?"

"No," the blond haired girl responded sternly.

"Well I don't need to answer you, even if you were officers," Accelerator said with a bored expression.

"What's the deal with this guy?" The blond muttered. The red-haired woman however had tick marks appear above the woman's head as she tried to control her anger. She was about to say something, but the young girl interrupted her.

"This girl changed her clothing like it was magic! Misaka Misaka shouted with excitement!" She chanted. "One minute she was wearing an armored suit, and then she wore a bikini swimsuit."

"Magic?" Accelerator stared at the woman with a dull stare.

The woman ignored his gaze and bent down towards the girl. "It was a pleasure meeting you Last Order."

"Thank you again. Misaka said looking grateful, but also feeling embarrassed that Misaka couldn't get your names," Last Order blushed in embarrassment.

"Call me Erza," Erza Scarlet introduced.

"And my name's Lucy," Lucy Heartfillia greeted after her.

"Erza, Lucy" Last Order repeated. "Those are some cute names. Misaka said, admiring their names." She turned to the albino boy. "And this is Accelerator. Misaka introduced her new friends."

"Accelerator?" Lucy repeated. She looked puzzled by the odd name those two have. 

Erza glanced at Accelerator who closed his eyes and ignored their presences. Without a word, she stood up and walked away with Lucy tailing behind. Leaving Last Order who waved goodbye.

Shirabe Tsukuyomi typically would join in the hip with Kirika at the water slide. Her headache, however, prevented her from accepting the invitation. So she stayed in her apartment room for a quick nap before joining the others. 

"Nhgnn..." Shirabe whimpered suddenly. She had fear plastered on her face while tossing and turning in the bed. "No...stay away from them...Don't....no...no...NO~!"

The girls eyes shot wide open and shot right up. She breathed heavily while with a panic expression on her face, but after scanning her suite room for a bit, she calmed down.

"It was just a dream. A really disturbing dream," Shirabe gasped. She slowly got out of bed, and stretched her arms up a bit before lowering them. "At the very least my headache's gone. Now I can join Kirika and the girls on our vacation."  

With a smile on her face, Shirabe stood up and grabbed a towel, changed into a bathing suit. After that she walked out of her suite, locking the door tightly and ran down the hall. When she turned to the right, Shirabe crashed into a woman with long brown hair.

"Oh, sorry," Shirabe said softly.

"No worries, just be careful," The woman replied kindly as she left.

Shirabe stared at her for a while before leaving. When she reached the elevator, she pressed the button and waited. She didn't show it on her face, but she was eager to meet up with her friends and enjoy the park.

BANG~!

A loud banging sound frightened the girl and she rushed to the scene, fearing someone was injured. Upon reaching the corner of the hallway, she froze in place and subconsciously held a red gem necklace.

The door to the suite was broken out of its hinges, like someone fired a cannon from within. A small figure  wobbled out of the room for a moment before looking around. As soon as it saw Shirabe's eyes, it slowly limped toward her.

"S-Stay back!" Shirabe warned, while taking a step back, her hand clenched tightly on the red crystal. The dust cloud covering her vision caused her to feel intimidated by the person. But after the dust had settled she froze, her eyes widened in horror.

Standing in front of her was a young, slim boy who looked like he was just about her age, with a condition that resembled being beaten half to death. He has short, straight, emerald hair with his bangs covered both of his eyes. Shirabe was staring at the cut on both of his hands and the large cut on his foot, which left a trail of blood on the blue carpet. 

"You...You have to..." He tried to say, but was interrupted by a harsh cough. His foot almost went out from under him, but he managed to catch himself by holding onto the wall.

"Please don't move or your wounds will open up!" Shirabe rushed to the boy who was now on his knees. She recoiled when he coughed up some blood, making her worry more for the boy's health. "What happened, who did this to you?"

"P-Please..." He raised his head up to Shirabe's gaze. "Y-You have to get everyone out of here right now! The island resort is a trap!"

Touma suddenly sneezed as he emerged from the infirmary, with a few bandages on his head. Index walking behind him, staring at the ground. 

"I'm sorry Touma," Index apologized sadly.

"It's okay," Touma said softly. "It wasn't your fault. It didn't occur to you that it was a jellyfish."

"I know, but still…" Index trailed off.

"Look, why don't we go get something to eat," He suggested, changing the subject. "I heard there's a popular shop in this resort."

Index's frown turned upside down, looking cheerful. "Okay!"

Just as Touma and Index prepared to leave, four shadows appeared above him. He looked up and mumbled his famous phrase.

"Such misfortu-,"

CRASH~!

The dust cleared out revealing Luffy, Natsu, Manatsu, and Hibiki. They somehow manage to recover from their flight from the ice slide.

"That was a really good rush~!" Manatsu cheerfully said.

"You said it~!" Hibiki added with a wide smile on her face. "Thanks to my teachers' training, I don't feel a thing!"

"Oh man, I feel like chowing down on a huge juicy steak right about now," Natsu said drooling.

"Yeah, I'm so hungry I could eat a Sea King," Luffy added. They turned to him with a clueless look on their faces.

"What's a Sea King?" Natsu asked.

"You don't know? They're fish that are so huge~!" Luffy explained. "Some even bigger than this whole island."

"Really?" The three asked surprised. Luffy nodded.

"Well, what are we waiting for," Natsu said as he grabbed a random fishing pole. "Let's go get ourselves a Sea King!"

"Yeah!" Luffy, Manatsu and Hibiki shouted.

"Um hate to break your fishing trip," The four looked around confused until they noticed Touma lying under Manatsu. "But could you please get off of me?"

"AH~! Sorry~!" Manatsu quickly jumped off of him and extended her hand. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm alright," Touma answered. He offered her hand and stood up. "You know this is the second time we've bumped into each other."

"Really?" Manatsu blinked confusedly a second before realizing. "Oh, you're the boy from before!"

"You just now realized it?" Touma sighed.

"Touma!" He flinched when he heard the nun's tone. He turned to find Index glaring at him with a disturbing aura. "Who are these two girls?"

"Why are you giving me that look like I know them?!" Touma argued. "Okay, one of them we met before, but I honestly have no idea about the other one!"

"Oh hello~!" Manatsu greeted Index cheerfully. "I really like your outfit! Are you a nun?! Oh my name is Manatsu Natsuumi~! What's your name?!"

Index blinked, dumbfounded by the girl's cheerfulness. "Oh, uh my name is Index Librorum Prohibitorum~!"

"Index...Librorumbougo?" Manatsu tried to repeat but had a hard time pronouncing it. Natsu, Luffy, and Hibiki were also having a hard time saying as steam was emitting above their ears.

"Just call her Index. It's much easier," Touma intervened. He lightly pushed Index away. "So, mind telling why you four were flying in the air?"

"We just went on the coolest water slide ever!" Manatsu answered. "It's called the Ice Slide~!" 

"Yeah, after that weird naked guy froze the slide, it goes so fast~!" Luffy added. "It shoots you so high that you can see the entire island!"

'How are you four alive~!?' Touma comically thought with a sweatdrop. 

"Wow~!" Index exclaimed and turned to Touma with starry eyes. "Touma, can we go on it please!"

"Hell no!" He answered instantly. "Do you think I'm gonna let you ride that deathtrap? It may look fun to them, but a young defenseless girl like you could easily fa- and you're going to bite my head are you?"

CHOMP!

All four of them sweatdropped while watching the small nun chomping down on the poor boy's head. Manatsu frantically tried to get Index off of Touma but didn't know how.

BOOM~!

They all froze when the large hotel in the distance, suddenly burst in an explosion.

"W-What the hell was that!?" Natsu asked in shock.

"A bombing!?" Hibiki's eyes widened in horror. "B-But there were people inside the building!"

Next Time on DELTA: Rise of Shul Shagana: The Hinora Terrorist.

In light of watching the entire island vanished into a black hole, the five groups have decided to discuss to themselves on their next steps. The Academy City group was all inside the storage room of the ship.

Touma's eyes fluttered open as he found himself facing a wooden ceiling. Slowly, he sat up rubbing his forehead.

"Well look who finally woke up from his nap," Accelerator announced, getting everyone's attention. Touma turned his head to find Accelerator, Misaka, Index, Last Order, Wannai, Awatsuki, Tsuchimikado , and Kuroko staring at him.

"Where a-" Touma was about to ask, but he was embraced by Index. His chest was soaked in tears as she sobbed.

"I'm so glad you're okay Touma," Index happily sobbed.

At first, Touma was confused, until he remembered the fight he had with Jackal. He hugged her back. "I'm sorry for making you worry like that."

"Normally I would punish you for getting into trouble. But I'll let it slide since it wasn't your fault," Index said with a smile, wiping away a stray tear with her shoulder.

Seeing Touma's bare chest, Misaka blushes slightly. Looking at the nun and boy embracing, she felt a mix of jealousy in her stomach. Tsuchimikado noticed this and couldn't help but grin at the situation.

Kuroko cleared her throat, getting everyone's attention. "Now that the ape's awake, we can finally get down to business."

Touma was puzzled by what she meant by 'business' as Kuroko began pacing back and forth, with her hand on her chin. "As you all know, the events that occurred on that island were not normal from an Academy City perspective."

"No shit Sherlock," Accelerator scoffed.

"SHH! Misaka hushed Accelerator," Last Order put her finger on her lips while staring at Accelerator who just grunted annoyed.

"Based on what we heard, all of the tourists and worker androids began attacking within seconds after the hotel bombing," Kuroko explained. "Also, it appears that this act was caused by four individuals. One of them Accelerator described was a woman using some sort of illusion ability to summon tails."

"A woman who summons tails?" Misaka asked, glancing at Accelerator.

"I know what I damn saw," He spat out. 

"However they weren't the only threats," Kuroko continued. "According to Index, the demon man the ape fought was the one who caused the pillars of lights that appeared for a brief moment."

"He called himself Jackal, and was a demon from some organization called Tataros," Index replied.

"I've heard about that," Tsuchimikado said. "It comes from something from Greek mythology right?"

Index nodded. "Tartarus is an abyss used as a dungeon for the wicked to be punish-."

"Anyway," Kuroko interrupted Index. "Just when we thought it was over, a black hole appearing out of nowhere and engulfed the entire island. We would've been dead if it weren't for the boy launching us out of there and landing on this outdated boat."

"I think the long nose man called it the Going Merry," Awatsuki kindly corrected.

"That's a really odd name for a boat," Misaka bluntly said. "And it kind of looks like a pirate ship."

"Come on Sissy," Kuroko chuckled. "These people are probably playing pretend pirates or something.

"I don't know Kuroko," Wannai replied uneasily. "They don't sound like they're pretending."

"Well once we get back to Academy City, Judgement will take these weirdos into custody," Kuroko harshly said. "I mean these guys talking about magic, devil fruits, superheroes, and pirates? What a bunch of kids."

"Are they really?" Tsuchimikado questioned. He had his arms crossed while leaning on the wall. "Just because it doesn't fit our line of logic, doesn't mean that they're lying." 

"Wait you actually believe what they're saying?" Misaka questioned. 

"All I'm saying is to keep an open mind," Tsuchimikado replied, casually. "I've seen a lot of crazy shit, outside of Academy City before. So I'm not surprise to see some strange powers like sprouting limbs or flying cats." 

While the conversation went on, Touma silently took in all the events that occurred after he beat Jackal. He was kind of surprised by a black hole appearing in the resort but wonders if it's a magician who caused the black hole to spawn. He might need to ask Index about it in private.

"Ahhh~! I'm so tired!" Princess sighed as she set her head down at the table. The Pretty Cures were inside the kitchen area of the ship.

"Me too!" Summer did the same thing. "I wasn't expecting to be fighting robots and demons~!"

"It's hard to believe that the whole resort was an elaborate scam," Flamingo said while leaning on the wall. "Those people sound and look so normal. At first glance, you wouldn't expect them to be androids."

"Yeah," Lovely nodded a bit down.

"Is something wrong Lovely?" Princess asked.

"Sorry," Lovely said sadly. "I was just wondering about Suu." 

"Suu?" Fortune questioned.

"Oh, that little brat who was tossing us all around with her giant crabs," Princess pouted annoyedly.

"She called herself the Ultimate Robotic Engineer," Lovely said. "She sounds so young and cheerful. Yet at the same time, a little frightening."

"Yeah, it's like she doesn't care if she hurt anyone with her robots," Coral added sadly. "It seems weird for her to be involved in terrorist acts."

"The same I could say about the blond girl," Fortune added. "She looked like a child, and yet she was able to crush one of the androids with no problem. The weird thing is that when that Gajeel guy caught up with our group, he was unharmed and said that he beat her."

"There were some interesting people we've come across back on that island," Honey said.

"Yeah, you should have seen the people I met ~!" Summer suddenly announced eagerly. "The straw hat boy was able to stretch his limbs like rubber! Next was a pink-haired guy that can spit fire out of his mouth~! Oh and then there was the woman who had some cool armor that creates explosion when she punches! The androids were no match for those three powerhouses~!" 

"They don't sound like normal people," Princess mumbled with a sweatdropped.

"Finally there was that spikey-haired boy~!" Summer almost forgot. "What was his name again?"

'You were the one who encountered him out of the six of us~!' Flamingo and Fortune face-faulted.

"I think the nun called him Touma," Coral recalled.

"Yeah, Touma that's his name~!" Summer realized and then beamed. "He was amazing at how he handled the weird dog man~! He even stops the entire island from being blown up!"

"Really?!" Lovely and Princess asked in awe.

"I didn't see how though, but once the light was gone I saw him still standing while the demon was down!" Summer explained jumping up and down like a child. "I don't know how to describe him! He looks so normal but he'-

"Some kind of monster,"

All the girls glanced at the mermaid who jumped out of the tablet on the table.

"L-Laura?" Summer blinked at her words.

"You weren't able to sense him but…" Laura shuddered. "I felt a sudden chill when I first laid eyes on him."

"Chills?" Papaya asked.

"Hey, don't you think you're a bit too harsh?" Flamingo glared at Laura. "As I recall, Touma was able to fight against the demon and now you call him a monster?"

"I know," Laura declared firmly before being quiet. "He doesn't seem like a bad person. But at the same time, he's not normal as well."

"Not normal?" Summer repeated a bit confused.

"Just, keep him away from the Tropical Pacts or the Mermaid Aqua pot," Laura sternly instructed. She returned to the Mermaid Aqua pot before the girls could ask her.

"I have to say, I wasn't expecting for things to turn out like this," Maria said.

"The black hole? Or the fact that we've been saved by a pirate ship?" Hibiki asked. While the members of SONG decided to stay at the stern of the ship, Fairy Tail was at the bow of the ship.

"Both along with everything else that's happened on the island," Maria replied, recalling seeing Sanji and Cure Honey's strength.

"There were a ton of things on that Island that made no sense," Chris admitted with a scoff. She then revealed a brown piece of paper that show Luffy smiling. "Especially this."

"What's that?" Kirika asked.

"It's a wanted poster for the straw hat moron," Chris replied.

"EH~?! L-let me see~!" Hibiki snatched the paper and glanced at the picture. Her jaws dropped. "N-No way. Luffy's a criminal!?"

"T-That's a lot of zeros!" Kirika blurted out with the same reaction as Hibiki. "But he doesn't seem that intimidating though."

"I would agree with you, if I hadn't seen their reindeer doctor in action," Chris claimed. She admits that the reindeer was helpful in taking down Suu's annoying robot. 

 "Still, if he's a criminal then we need to apprehend him and his crew," Tsubasa declared sternly. 

"W-Wait right now?!" Hibiki exclaimed as she stood up. "B-But he and his crew haven't done anything bad though on the island!"

"Then how do you explain his wanted poster then?" Tsubasa questioned.

"Calm down Tsubasa," Maria interfered. "They're not the only ones on the ship. If we attack them right now, then we stranded with no boat. Who knows how far we are from land." 

"Why don't we pummel their captain and persuade them to bring us back to Japan," Chris suggested with an eerie grin. 

"I get it, brute force~!" Kirika nodded in agreement. "What do you think, Shirabe?"

"..." The girl stared out at the vast ocean horizon. She was so consumed with thought that she barely heard their conversation. 

"Um Shirabe?" Kirika glanced at her friend.

Chris tapped Shirabe's shoulder, getting her startled. "Huh?"

"What's wrong with you?" Chris asked. "You've been acting strange ever since we got on this ship."

"Sorry, I'm just wondering if he made it out alive," She wondered.  

"He? Oh you mean the boy you were carrying earlier!" Kirika realized. "I never got the chance to thank him for everything he's done for us." 

"Yeah, we would've ended up like that island if it weren't for his help," Hibiki agreed with a nod. "I sure hope he made it out of there too."

"As long as they escape…I don't care if I die while being hated." 

"Me too," Shirabe whispered. The boy's words still echoed in her head, giving her more questions than answers. 

Gray slowly awoke after the incident involving Chris's fist. But the minute he sat up, Juvia immediately embraced her crush.

"Juvia is glad that you're okay Gray my darling!" Juvia shouted crying anime tears.

"Can't…breath…" Gray gagged trying to escape her death grip. The Fairy Tail mages were sitting at the front of the ship. Natsu, Cynthia and Gajeel were sprawled out on the ground on their stomachs, their faces swelling up like they were going to barf.

Once Gray escaped Juvia's love embrace, he turned to the others, rubbing his head. "What happened?"

"You got your butt kicked by the white haired gorilla," Happy answered immediately, trying not to burst out laughing.

"Hehe," Natsu weakly laughed. "That's what you get for being a loser perverted ice cube."

"Sais the guy who looks like a retarded starfish," Gray shot back with a mocking grin on his face.

"WHADDA CALL M-Ugh!" Natsu yelled only for his stomach to interrupt him as his face swelled up again.

"Please Wendy…" Cynthia weakly dragged herself towards her best friend. "...I can't take this anymore. At least cast a Troia spell on me."

"H-Hey!" Gajeel and Natsu weakly yelled, raising their heads.

"W-What? I'm the second youngest so I should get healed by the Troia spell!" Cynthia yelled back.

"Sorry Cynthia, but Natsu's already immune to my Troia spell and I don't want the same to happen to you two as well," Wendy sadly replied, causing the three to groan.

"Tch…" Everyone turned to the Tartarus demon Jackal who had his hands handcuffed behind his back, and his legs tied together. He looked annoyed at the sick Dragon Slayer he fought. "I can't believe you Fairies have been causing us so much trouble."

"Remind me again why we're not kicking him off the ship?" Cynthia asked, groaning.

"Yes, it's rather uncomfortable being on the same boat as the one that tried to kill us," Charla agreed.

Jackal chuckled. "Wouldn't you like that don't you? Getting rid of me like you did with Erebus and Seafall?"

Hearing the two demon's names caused Lucy, Cynthia and Wendy to shudder, having painful memories sprung into their minds.

"Then again, those two were weak," Jackal continued, shrugging it off. "To think that those two little girls and the blond bimbo were able to kill them."

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A BLOND BIMBO~!" Lucy retorted with shark teeth.

"That reminds me!" Levy shouted suddenly, getting everyone's attention. She dug into her pocket and took out three small white pills. She then walked over to Gajeel and kneeled beside him. "Here, eat this."

Gajeel groaned as he opened his mouth, causing Levy to hesitate at first, but she lightly threw one at his mouth. Once he swallowed it, the pain in his stomach suddenly disappeared. "What the…" He slowly stood up on his feet, which surprised everyone, especially the two dragon slayers. "My stomach feels fine…"

"WHAT!?" Cynthia and Natsu cried out, their eyes comically widened in shock. They then turned to Levy with glowing red eyes gazing at the two pills in her hand. Feeling a dark aura surrounding the two Dragon Slayer mage's body, she set it down on the deck and stood back as Natsu and Cynthia crawled towards the pills, each swallowing one.

"YEAH~!" Natsu roared as he's up on his feet. Fire spewing out of his mouth. "I FEEL GREAT~!"

"And noisy," Charla said with a sweatdropped pouring down her head.

"Thank you thank you thank you very much, Levy," Cynthia said happily as she shook her hand.

"Don't thank me, the small reindeer was the one who gave it to me," Levy replied.

"That kind of makes sense since he's a doctor," Cynthia said, remembering how Chopper treated Touma. She flinched when she saw Natsu punching the unexpected Gray in the face, causing him to stagger back.

"What the hell was that for!?" Gray asked angrily.

"You didn't think you would get away with calling me retarded starfish you Frosty Stripper?" Natsu grinned as he cracked his knuckles.

"Why you!" Gray growled as he got to his Ice-Make stance.

"Natsu, Gray!" The two boys shivered as they turned to Erza, who was staring at the ocean's horizon. Even though she wasn't facing them, they can tell that she was furious with a dark aura surrounding her body. "Mind explaining why the water slide was frozen at the resort?"

"Well uh…" The two stuttered trying to think of a good excuse. "It was all his fault!" Natsu and Gray yelled, pointing their fingers at each other. "My fault?! You're the one wh-"

"SILENCE!" The two comically shrunk by Erza's voice as she turned around giving them a dangerous glare. "I don't care who's fault it was. Both of you were near the area and that means that you two are the prime culprit." She walked towards the boys while cracking her knuckles. Despite being rivals, Gray and Natsu clung to each other shivering. "Now stand still and accept your punishment!"

"GAH!"

Erza began pummeling the two up in a dust cloud, causing the rest to sweatdropped by how violently she was with the two, but just shrugged it off and began talking to each other. Lucy began to give Levy the round down of what happened, Gajeel, Happy and Lily and Jackal were amusingly watching Natsu and Gray getting chased by Erza, and Wendy and Cynthia were having a conversation. Charla was silently listening in but froze when she suddenly had strange visions in her head.

A tall diamond-like tower in the middle of an island. The sky had dark green clouds hovering over the tower.

Cure Summer who was covered in blood stared horrified at the disembodied arm flop on the ground in front of her.

The boy stared with his eyes widened in horror. In front of him was Cynthia. Her blue eyes that were once life were now empty gazing at him with a pleading expression.

It was then revealed, the boy had his right arm form as a wind sword pierce through her chest.

"W-Why? Why does this keep happening?"

A city was in ruins when a serpentine dragon had glowing yellow patterns all over its body hovered above it. It then launched a powerful stream of dark air at a white mansion, obliterating it.

When the visions were done, Charla had a mixed expression of puzzled and horrified by what she just saw. She didn't even sense Cynthia's finger poking her cheeks.

"Are you okay Charla?" Wendy asked, looking concerned for her companion.

"Yeah you zoned out for a second there," Cynthia said as she stopped poking the white cat.

"I'm fine," Charla answered. "I was just thinking about our predicament."

Curiously, the two were about to ask Charla, but the sound of the door creaking got the mage and the SONG group's attention. The two groups both noticed Usopp peeking his head out, with a microphone near his mouth.

"Attention guest! Attention Guest~!" Usopp announced, causing the Pretty Cure's and the students from Academy City students to come out of their rooms. "We have made our decision. Please come below deck in an orderly fashion. Thank you~!"

Some of them sweatdropped as the sniper slowly returned back down below deck. Academy City students went down first, followed by the Precures, and Team Natsu with Erza carrying the KO'ed Natsu and Gray on her back.

The members of Song were the last to go down. However they noticed Shirabe staring at the distance.

"Shirabe?" Kirika was about to walk up to her, but Maria stopped her.

"Leave her be," Maria quietly suggested. "She just needs some time alone with her thoughts."

"B-Bu-," Kirika testified.

"Don't worry Kirika," Shirabe called out, giving her a reassured smile. "I won't do anything reckless."

"Okay," Kirika finally gave in and climbed down the trapdoor. This led Shirabe alone on the deck, gazing at the vast ocean while thinking out loud.

"This has been a very stressful day," Shirabe whispered to herself. "Dealing with that strange dream. Barely surviving a bombing, fighting a terrorist and escaping from a black hole." She pouted slightly. "I thought vacations were suppose to be relaxing." 

Shirabe leaned back staring at the clear blue sky. "Still, I wonder if he did escape. I still want to thank him for all he did for us...As well as scolded him for saying that he's okay dying so easily." 

The second her eyes glances at crows nest, an idea pop into her head. "I wonder if..."

Slowly, Shirabe began climbing the ladder to the top of the Crows Nest. Upon reaching the top, her eyes grew wide in surprise. Laying on his side was the boy she met in the hotel. She wasn't able to see his eyes, but could tell by the boy's slow breathing that he was sleeping.

'Oh thank goodness. He's alive,' Shirabe exhaled with a small content smile. 'He must've used the last bit of strength to fly up here.'

Sitting silently opposite him, Shirabe watched the boy curiously. While Wendy was able to heal the wounds he had, Shirabe could still see some scars on his hands and arms. 'I wonder why she called him a plague? All that stuff that happened at the island wasn't his fault. Only…'

"I-I'm sorry,"

Her thoughts were interrupted when he spoke. Shirabe glanced at him, and saw him trembling, his expression depressed and hurt. "I-I'm sorry…I didn't mean to-No!" He was gripping his shoulders tightly and began leaving marks on it. "S-Stay away from me. Please! I-I don't want to you to d-die!"

Shirabe noticed the boy digging his nails into his skin, purposely trying to inflict damage to himself. In concern for his well-being, she went over to him and gently shook his body. "Hey, Hey~!"

Hearing her voice, was enough to wake the boy up. He sat up faster than Shirabe expected.

DONG~!

Which cause their foreheads to collide.

"Ow~!" The two were seeing stars as they clutch their heads groaning in pain. The boy was the first to recover and glanced at Shirabe.

"I-I'm so sorry!" He spluttered panickily. "I-I didn't mean to harm you!"

"No, it was my bad," Shirabe recovered a bit quietly. "You're mumbling in pain, so I want to wake you up."

"I-I was?" He realized guiltily. "I'm sorry if my voice was annoying you!" 

"…Jii," Shirabe just stared blankly at him. Despite the boy's bangs cover his eyes, he shifted his eyes away from hers, sweating nervously.

'She m-must really hate me right now,' The boy thought, feeling her eyes were on him, despite turning away.

'Why would he apologize for something like that?' Shirabe wondered. 'It's like he thinks everything he does is a burden to people. Is that the reason why..."

The boy quickly turned to face her, his face turning red. "I'm so sorry if my presence is bother-"

"Stop apologizing," 

"Bu-,"

"But nothing!" Finally having enough, Shirabe grabbed his shoulders and pulled the boy closer so that they were face to face. "How can I thank you properly when you're being too hard on yourself!?"

Her outburst did not startle the boy, but rather those words did.

'Thank you,'

'W-Why is she thanking me?' The boy asked, confused. 'I...I don't deserve it…Because of me, their lives were in danger. S-She should be hating me for that!'

Shirabe couldn't see his eyes due to his bangs covering them, but she somehow could tell he was shocked speechless. She decided to continue, "You protect me from the bomb, you helped those girls fight off the woman, and saved us from the blackhole. Don't just think I'm so shallow that I don't show gratitude for what you did!"

Hearing those words, the boy felt conflicted in his mind. "You…don't hate me?"

"No," Shirabe answered instantly. "Which brings me to my second complaint. Don't you dare ever say that you're okay dying while being hated! I don't fully understand why you're called a plague, but that doesn't matter! What happened at the resort wasn't your fault! Got it?"

The boy slowly nodded without a word.

"Good," Shirabe said, a bit softer. 'Normally Kirika would be the one to introduce me to new faces due to my shyness. But something about this boy and how he just talks to himself like he's a worthless person made me so angry...I hope I wasn't too harsh on him.'

"S-Sorry for asking but," Her thoughts were interrupted when the boy spoke, turning away. "Would you please stop staring at me so intensively?"

Shirabe realized that she was still holding onto his shoulder, "O-Oh, sorry." Shirabe let go, blushing a bit.

"No worries," He replied quietly. Back on the island, he recalled how she never once treated him like a monster when he revealed his powers.

'How long will this last I wonder?'

"Are you okay?" The boy's thoughts were shattered by the girl's voice. He then realized that he'd been staring at Shirabe for a while, causing his face to turn red, as he quickly looked down.

"Y-yeah, I'm f-fine," He stuttered, nervously. "Sorry, I-I zoned out a bit…"

"You really need to stop apologizing," Shirabe mumbled with a sweatdrop. "I was wondering about your wounds. When we met, you were beaten up…"

"P-Please don't worry about me," He stuttered, attempting to hide his surprise expression. "I'm okay, r-really. I'm just glad that no one d-died this time."

'He sounds so...insecure. It must be his first time talking to someone who doesn't want kill him. And what did he mean by this time?' Shirabe noted in her head. 

"Um…" The boy stuttered quietly. It was a struggle for him to look at Shirabe directly in the eye.

"One day you won't need to be afraid. You will be able to make friends." The man said to the younger version of the boy.

"Really?" He asked.

"Sure, I know you have a fear of people staring at you," The man replied. "But, there will be at least one person who you trust."

"...I'm not good at interacting with others, but..." The boy glanced at Shirabe with a nervous smile. "My name is Shervan K-Kazero. I apologize for n-not introducing m-myself sooner."

Shirabe's eyes were widened, a bit startled by his sudden introduction. She shook it off and gave him a warm smile. "My name is Shirabe Tsukuyomi. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Shirabe…" Shervan repeated. For the first time in his life, he felt a warm feeling in his chest.

At the bottom of the deck, the room was silent. Everyone was staring at Luffy who had a wide grin on his face.

"That idiot," Zoro mumbled facepalmed.

"W-Were dead… We're so dead," Usopp and Nami clung on to each other, crying anime tears.

Sanji (who had hearts for eyes), Robin, Tsuchimikado , Cure Lovely, Summer, Last Order and Jackal were the only ones who were smiling at him, while Natsu, Chopper, and Index stare with a puzzled look.

Accelerator, Cure Honey, Erza, Gajeel, Lily, Papaya, and Tsubasa were startled, but not compared to the rest of them who had their jaws dropped to the ground and their eyes widened in disbelief.

"Y-You want us to be what?" Cynthia asked. She hoped that this was all a dream, but Luffy's grin grew wider as he answered her question.

"I've decided that I'm going to force you all to join my crew!"

Next chapter: Cast Introduction

Few minutes after the previous chapter

After talking among themselves, the four groups went under the deck to meet with the Straw Hat Pirates. While some of them were wondering how to get back to their homes, others like Cure Princess, Tsubasa, Kuroko, and Erza were highly suspicious of the pirates. The other crew members were a bit relaxed, while Usopp, Chopper, and Nami were scared of them.

"Wake up!" Erza ordered while bashing Natsu and Gray's heads together, instantly regaining consciousness.

"What the hell was that for!?" Gray and Natsu yelled, but immediately covered each other's mouth when they noticed her glares.

"Sit down and be quiet," Erza commanded.

"A-Aye!" The two quickly responded frightened.

"I hate to be on her bad side," Usopp mumbled, a bit shaken.

"Alright focus people!" Nami clapped, getting everyone's attention. "I understand that you might be a little shaken up by what happened back at the resort, as well as feeling uneasy on a pirate ship. Just so you know, we will not harm any of you unless you attack us, or if you have any gold or mone-"

"OI! Nami!" Usopp comically yelled.

"I'm kidding! I'm kidding!" Nami joked, laughing. She then turned to the group. "Anyhow, how about we get acquainted with each other?"

"You first," Kuroko said sternly. She still didn't believe that they're real pirates.

"Fair enough," Nami ignored her tone of voice. "First off, my name is Nami and I'm the Navigator of the Straw Hat Pirate."

"Navigator?" Cure Summer asked puzzled.

"That job is to navigate ourselves into dangerous hazards across the sea. As well as keeping these three idiots from doing anything stupid." Nami pointed to Zoro, Luffy, and Sanji.

"So you're like the leader of the crew right?" Maria asked.

"Somewhat. Moving on," Nami turned to Zoro who was leaning on the wall with his arms folded behind his head, looking like he was taking a nap. "The scary man over there is Zoro, our first mate swordsman."

'Swordsman?' Tsubasa and Erza thought, observing Zoro's three swords beside him.

"Why do you have three swords?" Kirika asked curiously.

"I use Santoryu," He answered without opening his eyes.

"Santoryu?" Cure Lovely repeated with a puzzled look on her face.

"I think I've heard about it from a book once," Awatsuki responded. "Santoryu means someone skilled with using three swords."

"Eh?! Three swords?!" Lovely eyes widened in disbelief as she turned to Zoro.

"Three swords?" Tsubasa whispered, eying him curiously.

"How can you use three swords at the same time!?" Cure Princess exclaimed a bit shaken.

"Figure it out for yourself," Zoro answered coldly as he suddenly dozed off.

"He's already sleeping?" Maria asked with a sweatdropped.

"Don't mind mosshead, he's always like that," Sanji said before introducing himself. " I'm Sanji, the chief of the crew."

"You're a cook?" Cynthia asked, looking a bit surprised.

"That right my dear. If any of you lovely ladies are hungry, I will prepare a dish that suits your taste buds." Sanji poet answered, earning a sweatdrop from some of the girls.

"Hey what about us?" Natsu asked.

Sanji glared at the guys. "If you waste any of my food, you'll be thrown overboard."

"Great another one of those guys," Lucy sighed, remembering Daryan, and some of the mages of Blue Pegasus.

"The one cowering in the corner is our sniper Usopp," Nami announced, pointing to the long nose guy in the corner.

"I-I'm not cowering!" Usopp shouted. "I-I'm just looking for my contacts. T-The one that makes me see 250 miles ahead."

"Really?!" Wendy, Lovely, Summer, Natsu, Luffy, Chopper, Hibiki, Kirika, Index, and Last Order asked in amazement. While the others can tell that it was a lie.

"Of course," Usopp declared proudly. "Why else did they call me 'The Great Warrior Usopp!' Ruler of twelve powerful nations under my belt!"

"That's so cool!" The ten of them shouted with sparkles in their eyes.

'That was an obvious lie,' Chris muttered dryly.

"Anyway," Nami said, ignoring Usopp's monologuing as she turned to Chopper. "This is Chopper, our doctor of the crew."

Chopper hid behind Nami horribly when he felt their gazes. Noticing his actions first hand, Chris spoke. "So what's with all the weird transformations you did back on that island?"

"Oh those were my devil fruit powers," Chopper answered her shyly. "I used to be a normal reindeer until I ate the Human-Human fruit."

"The Human-Human Fruit?" Lucy repeated.

"Devil Fruit?" Misaka asked with a puzzled look. This causes some of the straw hats to be confused by their reactions.

"You guys never heard of devil fruits before?" Nami asked in disbelief.

"Well you did mention it back on the island," Cure Lovely replied.

"You mean when you idiots were talking about exploding snot?" Accelerator commented.

"Let's not start that again," Princess cringes in disgust.

"It shouldn't be a problem to explain it to them," Robin informed as she set her book down. "Devil Fruits are rare, mythical fruits which are said to be fruits of the sea devil. When eaten they give the consumer power or a special trait. Like fusing with an object, or transforming into an animal."

"Or a guy who has explosive boogers?" Kirika added.

Before Maria could scold her, Zoro spoke. "Not just his booger, that guy can turn his entire body into a bomb. Even his breath."

"T-That sounds terrifying," Coral thought, shivering in fear.

"How strong are these Devil Fruits?" Kuroko asked curiously. 

"Depends on the user, and the power," Robin answered. "You will never know what kind of powers you get until you eat it."

"So you gambling on what kind of power you get if you eat it," Maria explained, trying to grasp the meaning.

"And I'm guessing you're a devil fruit user as well, Robin?" Tsuchimikado guessed.

"Correct," Robin grinned. She demonstrated her ability by having multiple arms bloomed out of her real right arm. Some of them jumped in surprise at the sight of the extra arms while others just stood there with their mouths open. "I ate the Bloom-Bloom Fruit. I can replicate and sprout parts of my body from the surface of any object or living thing."

"Holy crap!" Chris took a step back startled.

"That looks a bit creepy," Flamingo said, a bit disgusted.

"So does that mean you can wash your own back without any help?" Natsu asked, a bit amazed. Lucy and Gray facepalmed by his stupid question.

Robin giggled. "Perhaps, or I could break the necks of thousands of people without ever moving."

'That's a bit morbid!' Lucy, Wendy, Touma, Cure Princess and Maria thought a bit terrified.

"Although Devil fruits are unique, they all have the same weakness," Robin continued. "Devil fruit users are hated by the sea and will become helpless when submerged in water."

"Even if you're a skilled swimmer?" Papaya asked.

"Correct," Robin replied.

Hearing this from her tablet world, Laura cringed a bit. "If I ate one of those things, does this mean I won't be able to swim?"

"Then that means your body turned to rubber when you ate a Devil Fruit?" Hibiki asked Luffy.

"Rubber?" Tsubasa, Chris, Maria and Kirika asked, puzzled.

"Yup," Luffy stretched his cheeks wide. "I ate the Gum-Gum Fruit, making me a rubber man!"

"That's so cool!" Natsu, Lovely, Kirika and Summer said, looking amazed. Some of the others were either surprised or disturbed by his stretchy face.

"I want devil fruit powers, Misaka shouted, looking amazed by the rubber man," Despite the warning Robin gave. Last Order thought having a Devil Fruit would be cool.

"So you have a navigator, cook, sniper, swordsman, doctor, and an archaeologist," Tsuchimikado listed. "Judging by the sail flag logo, I'm guessing the rubber boy is the captain, am I right?"

"Wait, you think this idiot is the captain?" Kuroko asked skeptically.

"He's right," The Straw hats answered in unison. Almost everyone minus Natsu, Touma, Index, Summer and Hibiki just stared at Luffy in disbelief.

"You're kidding right?" Cynthia asked, thinking that it was a lie.

"No," The Straw hats all answered with a deadpan look.

"Hi I'm Monkey D Luffy, and I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!" He introduced, earning a few odd glances.

'This guy is delusional~!' Kuroko exclaimed in her head. 

"King of the Pirates…?" Papaya asked curiously. 

"A-Anyway," Erza stared at Luffy. "If you're the captain, then could you please return us to Magnolia?"

"Nope," Luffy answered instantly. This caused both sides to be shocked. Robin giggled while Tsuchimikado had a wide grin on his face.

"W-wait Luf-MPH!" Usopp called out. But was quickly silenced by Robin who covered both Usopp and Nami's mouth with her sprouted limbs.

"And why not?" Erza questioned sternly with a bit of venom in her voice. Despite her voice making most of them shiver, Luffy stared at her with a deadpan expression.

'Oh gosh, Luffy, I hope you're aren't saying what I think you're saying!?' Usopp and Nami pleaded. Chopper was confused a bit, Sanji was too busy staring at the girls, and Zoro just sighed knowing full well what his captain was going to say.

"Because I've decided that you're all joining my crew!" Luffy announced with a big wide grin on his face.

Present

With mixed expressions on their faces, everyone stared at the captain. Some, like Cure Lovely, Last Order, Cure Summer, Hibiki, and Kirika, were thrilled to become pirates, while others were either shocked or angered by the captain's declaration After a few seconds of silence Flamingo, Tsubasa, Kuroko and Cure Fortune were about to angrily shout at Luffy, but Usopp and Nami beat them to the punch.

POW~! 

...literally.

"YOU IDIOT~!" Nami yelled. She and Usopp began to stomp on their captain's head after they punched him to the ground. "DIDN'T WE SPECIFICALLY TOLD YOU NOT TO ASK THAT QUESTION~?!"

"I know...that's why I forced them," Luffy replied weakly from the dust cloud.

"THAT'S STILL THE SAME THING MORON~!" Usopp angrily replied.

"Again, how is he the captain?" Cynthia asked again with a sweatdrop. The other just stared dumbstruck as the navigator and the sniper continued to pummel their captain. Once the two were satisfied, they picked him up by his shirt, his head was covered with bruises and two bumps.

"You know no matter what you do, he won't change his mind," Zoro replied to Nami and Usopp.

"Can you at least tell us why you want them to join?" Usopp asked.

"Because they're so cool!" Luffy answered cheerfully, despite being bruised up. "I mean the pink-haired guy can spit fire out of his mouth, the brown-haired girl had cool armor that makes music! Oh and the girl just shot a sun at the weird looking dog beast!"

"I'M NOT A DOG~!" Jackal comically yelled.

"Okay here's the deal," Nami stared sternly at Luffy. "If 'Everyone' agrees to join then I'll accept it. But if at least one of them declines, then we're dropping them off to their hometown, and you aren't allowed to bring that discussion up once they drop off. Got it?!"

Luffy nodded, still too bruised up to speak. Nami turned to the group. "So what do you guys say? Do you want to join us?"

Before anyone could respond, or angrily yell at the pirates, Tsuchimikado went forward getting everyone's attention.

"Now before you guys start lashing out at these pirates, you might want to take a look at this," he suggested as he laid a paper out for everyone to see.

Curiously, they all went around the table to take a look at what he found. The Straw Hats realized he was showing the map of the Grand Line, but everyone else stared at it with a puzzled look.

"Um, what are you showing us exactly?" Touma glanced at Tsuchimikado.

"It's the world map," Tsuchimikado declared.

"That can't be," Levy said while inspecting the map. "How come half of the world is filled with water?"

"Better question is, where's Fiore?" Gray asked.

"Fiore?" Misaka glanced at Gray oddly. "Is it a town in Hawaii or something?"

"No, it's one of the countries of Earth Land," Charla replied.

"Earth Land? Don't you mean earth?" Touma corrected oddly. "And I never heard of a country called Fiore."

"Neither have I," Papaya nodded in agreement. She turned to the pirates. "What kind of map is it?"

"Uh, that's the map of the Grand Line," Nami asked, a bit confused by their reaction.

"Grand Line?" Everyone minus the Straw Hats and Tsuchimikado asked, puzzled.

"You guys haven't heard of the Grand Line?" Luffy asked, somehow recovering from the beating. "You guys are really stupid."

"You have no room to talk idiot~!" Nami comically yelled.

"This is just weird," Usopp said looking confused. "I mean I understand them not knowing about Devil Fruits, but every person out at sea should be familiar with the world map."

"...!" Erza and Fortune had eventually reached the same conclusion as Tsuchimikado and Robin. Unlike them though, the two eyes wide in disbelief, "...No way...it's impossible."

"W-What's impossible?" Princess asked Fortune.

"Erza?" Cynthia glanced at her concernly.

"So you guys realized it too," Tsuchimikado said seriously.

"Realized what?!" Chris asked impatiently.

"I'm not a hundred percent sure of this theory," Fortune said, sweating nervously. "But I think those girls we fought in the resort... "

"We're responsible for dragging us all from our worlds, and into this one," Erza concluded in the same manner.

The entire group were stunned by Erza and Fortune's conclusion and the mystery terrorist's involvement in this manner. Compared to SONG and students from Academy City, the Pretty Cures, and Team Natsu (minus Cynthia and Levy.) understood the concept of multiple worlds, yet they were surprised how those four girls on the island were able to pull off such a technical plan.

"You mean...we've all ended up in this world by force?!" Kuroko was lost for words.

"That's the only conclusion I can think of," Erza replied calmly. "However, all I can remember was waking up this morning on a ship taking us to the resort. Anything else that happened yesterday is just a blur."

"Wait, you too?" Flamingo asked in shock.

"Does anyone have any memories of events that happened yesterday?" Maria enquired.

"I ate some of Usopp's bait for fishing," Luffy answered while picking his nose.

"AGAIN!?" Usopp comically yelled.

"...Minus the Straw Hat Pirates," Maria rephrased with a sweatdropped.

"All I can remember is entering on a cruise ship," Coral spoke out. "The captain said that he was going to take us to Manatsu's home town, but made a pitstop to the resort."

"We were also prepared to head out as well," Wendy answered. "We had a request overseas, and had to take one of the Council ships."

"Yeah, they told us we can relax at their resort and get more information about the request the very next day," Lucy added.

"Third rate won some dumb contest and somehow got drag along thank to this brat," Accelerator said, glaring at Last Order.

"No one was forcing you to come," Misaka retorted.

"Tell that to your sisters," He spat out.

"Anyway," Tsubasa cleared her throat. "We were also heading on a vacation to the resort. Yet, my friends and I traveled by plane."

"A very expensive plane," Hibiki added.

"What's a plane?" Happy and Chopper wondered.

"A plane is a-OW~!"

"Now's not the time, moron~!" Chris barked after punching Hibiki.

"So if I have this right, each group were traveling to the Island resort," Usopp summarized, after hearing their story. "Did they tell you the name of it?"

"Yup, it was called the Rainbow Resort~!" Kirika replied. Team Natsu, Pretty Cures, and Academy City residents surprisingly glanced at her. "D-Did I say something wrong desu?"

"That's the name of the resort the captain told us!" Princess gawked in disbelief.

"Us as well!" Kuroko added in a perplexing tone. "How long did they say it will take to reach The Rainbow Resort?"

"Three days," Summer, Natsu, and Hibiki answered in unison. Kuroko stared stunned at their answer, indicating that it was the same amount of days they were told.

"This is starting to get freakishly weird," Sanji commented.

"Not only did they bring them out of their worlds, they also stole two days worth of memories?" Usopp asked, shivering. "What kind of people are capable of doing that?"

"Yeah, so much for a relaxing day at the resort," Nami groaned, weeping comically.

"THAT'S SO COOL!" Luffy eyes sparkled in amazement. "My crewmates are from different worlds!"

'Read the mood moron~!' Usopp, Sanji and Nami fumed in their minds.

"H-Hey, who said w-we were joining your pirate crew?!" Princess blurted out, still shaken.

"I did," Luffy answered with a straight face.

"I thought that was obvious," Happy interjected.

"Shut up~!" Princess retorted.

"Look I understand you guys are frightened that we're pirates, but we're not the bloodthirsty kind," Usopp said, noticing them being tense. "I mean I know our three idiots can be scary sometimes, but they won't harm someone unless there's a reason."

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING AN IDIOT~!?" Zoro and Sanji comically yelled at Usopp.

"AHH~! HELP ME THEY'RE GONNA KILL ME~!" Usopp screamed in terror.

"To be honest, I don't think these pirates are bad people," Cure Honey replied, with a warm smile.

"Yeah~! Bad pirates won't give us motion sickness pills!" Natsu nodded in agreement. He then flashes a grin at Chopper. "Thanks by the way!"

"C-Complimenting me won't make me happy, dummy~!" Chopper gushed while dancing.

"He's acting like Chris," Hibiki and Kirika mumbled. Then they shuddered when they imagined Chris doing the same dance as Chopper.

"I heard that," Chris seethed in annoyance.

"Look, I know the last thing you guys want to do is to join a pirate crew," Sanji said, smoking a bit. "However, the Grand Line is well known for being a graveyard for sailors."

"G-Graveyard?!" Misaka blurted out stunned.

"You're joking, right?" Gray asked.

"No, it's no joke," Nami replied seriously. "The Grand Line is very dangerous, due to unpredictable weather, sea monsters, other phenomenon's. Not to mention their home to the most powerful devil fruit users."

"Yeah, like Crocodile," Chopper replied.

"Crocodile?" Flamingo repeatedly puzzled.

"A couple of months ago, we just took down a criminal organization known as Baroque Works," Nami explained. "Their leader Crocodile had a devil fruit called the Sand-Sand Fruit turning him into a sandman."

"Sandman?" Papaya asked.

"Yeah, not only he can manipulate it, he can turn his whole body into sand," Usopp replied, causing some of them to be surprised. "He used his power to dry up all the water in Alabasta causing a war between the king and the rebel army."

"How horrible," Levy said in shock.

"Luckily, I kicked his ass!" Luffy announced determinedly. "That's what he gets for making Vivi cry!"

"I knew it! You guys aren't bad people after all!" Hibiki declared happily.

"Yeah, you're like superhero pirates~!" Summer agreed.

"No way!" Luffy bluntly denied. 

"EH!?" Summer and Hibiki exclaimed in shock.

"Listen! I may like heroes, but I never want to become one!" Luffy declared.

"But why though?" Lovely asked, a bit confused.

"Heroes have to share their food with everyone! But I want all the meat to myself!" He announced proudly.

"I like the way Luffy thinks!" Natsu nodded in agreement.

"That's how you define a hero?" Flamingo asked Luffy with a sweatdrop.

"So they're vigilantes," Kirika labeled with stars for eyes.

"Ignoring the idiot's stomach," Nami said, shoving Luffy out of the way. "The only reason Luffy got a bounty is only due to beating up bigtime pirates. Other than that, we aren't the kind of pirates who would attack villagers or cause blood shed."

"If I may, what did Luffy mean by becoming King of the Pirates?" Papaya wondered curiously. 

"The former pirate king was a man named Gold Roger," Robin informed. "He was known as the most powerful man beyond the seas. He and his crew have explored every place in the Grand Line, gaining wealth, fame and power."  

"Wow~!" Hibiki, Lovely, Natsu, Happy and Last Order gaped in awed. 

"What happened to Gold Roger after that?" Kirika asked. 

"He was caught and received a public execution," Robin's words cause some of them to shuddered. "But before he died, Roger's last words caused many pirates to search for his legendary treasure known as-" 

"The Great ONE PIECE~!" Luffy announced, causing Robin to giggle a bit. 

"So pirates like you are searching for Gold Roger's treasure?" Lucy wondered in awed.

"Pretty much," Nami nodded. "Gold Roger was the one who started the pirate era." 

"Interesting," Papaya whispered intrigued. 

"So what do you guys say," Luffy asked again, turning to everyone, "Would you like to join our crew?"

The group was silent for a moment until Natsu stepped forward. "Do we get to fight?"

"Yup~! We'll have to fight for our lives," Luffy answered.

"Well count me in!" Natsu proclaimed with a smirk.

"Aye!" Happy added.

"Gehehe~! If Salamander joins then I'm joining as well," Gajeel grinned. Lily nodded in approval.

"You can't be serious," Lucy sweatdropped.

"We have no other choice. Like they said, we'll be sitting ducks if we sailed on our own," Gray said, not noticing himself taking off his swimsuit. "And I don't want the Pyromaniac to get all the fun."

"If Gray goes Juvia will follow," Juvia said admiring Gray stripping. Luckily Erza knocked him out before he could fully take it off.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt to becoming a pirate," Erza declared. She gave Zoro a challenging smile. "I'd like to see how well I do against a gifted Santoryu swordsman."

"You too?!" Lucy asked shocked but sighed in defeat. "I guess I'm in as well."

"Me too," Levy nodded. "I can't wait to read some of the books in this world."

"I wanna join too!" Cynthia blurted out. "This is the first time I haven't felt sick while I'm on a boat."

"If Cynthia's joining, then I'm joining too!" Wendy beamed, standing by Cynthia.

"And of course I'm joining as well. Someone needs to keep those two from pushing themselves," Charla replied.

"I never thought of myself being a pirate, but I guess it's better than nothing," Touma sighed.

"Thinking about using your pirate status to snag up more chicks for your harem?" Tsuchimikado taunted.

"Shut up!" Touma snapped.

"I'll go wherever Touma goes!" Index said while glaring at Touma.

"We'll join as well," Awatsuki said with Wannai nodding.

"Fighting people stronger than me in a new world? I'm game," Accelerator grinned.

"I wanna join so Accelerator doesn't do anything stupid!' Misaka said agreeing with becoming a Straw Hat Pirate!" Last Order agreed.

"If the idiot's joining then so am I," Misaka declared.

Kuroko stared at Misaka in shock. "You too sissy?!"

"You saw the evidence. We might as well stick together until we can find a way back home," Misaka reminded. 

"Fine, I'll join," Kuroko groaned, finally caving on their logic. "But only because sissy's joining~!"

"I'm gain on becoming a pirate~!" Hibiki nodded excitedly.

"Me too desu~!" Kirika called out.

"Being a pirate won't be so bad," Chris just shrugged her shoulders, grinning wickedly. "With my arsenal, no pirate ship will dare fire at us. Unless they want to be sleeping with the fishes."

Kirika whispered to Hibiki, "Chris is already drawn to the pirate persona, desu."

"No surprise there, she's always been a rowdy girl to deal with," Hibiki whispered back.

"You two are really lousy at whispering," Chris fumed with tick marks on her forehead.

"I am honored to be your crew captain," Tsubasa said while bowing at Luffy.

"T-That's a bit excessive Tsubasa," Maria said at Tsubasa. He turned to Luffy. "I will join as well, knowing Tsubasa has a hard time taking care of herself."

"M-Maria~!" Tsubasa blurted out, blushing a bit.

"Let go~! TROPICAL SHINE~!" Summer announced.

"...Tropical shine?" Usopp sweatdropped.

"That's just her way of saying, she will join," Coral explained shyly. "...I'd also don't me joining you."

"Us two as well," Papaya nodded calmly.

"O-Oi, I can answer for myself~!" Flamingo stuttered at her friend. "I don't mind being a pirate."

"Wait! You guys are serious?" Princess said shocked.

"Come one Hime this could be fun," Lovely beamed.

"As long as we don't harm anyone I'm okay with it,"  Fortune nodded.

"Me too,"  Honey said.

"Eh..." Cure Princess could feel many eyes staring at her as she pondered her next move. Since her friends were joining, she couldn't simply leave them with the pirates, even though she didn't trust Luffy or the straw hat pirate.

"FINE I'LL JOIN~!" Cure Princess comedically yelled, and she pointed to Luffy. "BUT I STILL DON'T TRUST YOU~!"

"Great~! That's everyone!" Luffy grinned, despite Princess's outburst.

"Hold it! You have one more person," Nami said.

"Yeah, the buzzsaw girl!" Cynthia realized.

"Buzzsaw girl?" Sanji repeated.

"You mean Shirabe? She's still on the deck," Maria answered.

"Let's go up on the deck, it's a bit crowded in here," Touma said feeling a bit squished.

One by one, the groups emerged from under the deck. The symphogears being the first ones out, they spotted Shirabe climbing down from the crowsnest.

"Shirabe? What were you doing up there?" Maria asked.

"...!O-Oh~! I want to get a good enough view that's all," Shirabe hesitantly answered.

"Buzzsaw girl~!" Shirabe was startled when Luffy immediately got in front of her. "Join my cre-."

BONK~!

"First of all, her name is Shirabe," Chris declared after bonking her new captain upside the head. "And second, don't just scare her like that!"

Upon getting out, Wendy froze when a familiar scent caught her nose.

"What's wrong Wendy?" Charla asked.

"Nothing it's just...I can sense the air from before," Wendy answered.

Curiously Natsu sniffed the air and picked up a scent that made him grin. "He's here."

"Who's here?" Lucy answered.

"The boy who saved us twice," Gajeel replied. Hearing that got everyone's attention and caused Shirabe to flinch.

"Wait, he's here?! Where is he?!" Luffy asked eagerly.

"Shirabe, do you know where he is?" Hibiki asked.

Before Shirabe could answer, Natsu suddenly called out. "Come on Happy!"

"Aye sir," Happy sprouted wings and carried Natsu up towards the Crows Nest. The two noticed Shervan curled up on his side sleeping.

"Hey, guys he's in here!" Natsu shouted. The shouting was enough to wake up the boy. When he looked up, the boy came face to face with the menacing silhouette of Natsu.

"AH!" Shervan screamed. He was so terrified that he didn't realize he had jumped out of the Crow's Nest.

"Oh no~!" Shirabe shouted as she and others noticed him falling. With quick thinking, Cynthia raced toward the boy in an attempt to catch him. She tripped on the last step of the staircase and tumbled across the deck.

Cynthia landed on her back just in time as Shervan landed on her stomach. Wendy ran up to her friend to find them both unconscious with swirls for eyes.

Above deck, everyone sat in a circle after Cynthia and Shervan recovered. Shervan sat close to Shirabe, clinging onto her arm like a terrified child, which caused Kirika to pout and cling onto Shirabe's other arm. Due to scaring him almost to his death, Natsu had three lumps on his head thanks to Erza, Nami, and Misaka.

"Now that we've introduced ourselves, I think it's time for you to explain who you guys are," Nami said, breaking the silence.

"Yosh! We'll start!" Natsu shouted, despite the injuries. "My name is Natsu Dragneel and this is my partner Happy! My friends and I are from a guild called Fairy Tail!"

"Fairy Tail? Sounds like a childish group," Kuroko commented.

"It's not childish!" Lucy angrily replied. "Fairy Tail is like a home and family to us. Just like a pirate crew."

"In our world, people like us can use magic," Erza explained. Touma, Index, and Tsuchimikado raising their eyebrows upon hearing this.

"You guys can use magic?!" Summer asked in awed.

"So what kind of magic do you guys use?" Misaka asked.

"Well, Wendy, Gajeel, Cynthia and Natsu are Dragon Slayers!" Happy announced.

…

…

"...WHAT?!" This got half of them, who weren't in Fairy Tail to shout in disbelief.

Shervan was also surprised. 'They're dragon slayers? I thought I was the only one?'

"Y-You four slayed a dragon?!" Touma asked, looking at Cynthia and Wendy.

"W-Well not really," Wendy answered, leaving the part about when they fought King from Dealer. "Three of us were born from dragons."

…

…

…

"WHAT?!"

"A human born from a dragon?! How's that even possible?!" Misaka shouted, surprised.

"An egg?" Papaya innocently asked. "That's how reptiles are born from."

"That...still sounds weird," Touma thought out loud.

"Our dragons disappeared on us on the same day, when we were young," Gajeel explained. "We kept looking for them for a long time, but all we know is that they vanished on 777, 7th day, and 7th month."

"That's a lot of sevens~!" Kirika exclaimed.

"Our parents taught us Dragon Slaying magic," Natsu demonstrated by engulfing his fist into flames. "What's different from other magic is that we can eat our own elements. Mine is fire, Wendy's is air, and Gajeel's is pathetic iron."

"I dare you to say that again you stupid hothead!" Gajeel growled.

"Who are yah calling stupid you metal face!?" Natsu growled back. The two comedically butted heads but was interrupted when Sanji slammed his heel down on both of their heads.

"Sheesh these two can't go one day without fighting," Sanji scoffed.

"You have no room to talk," Usopp mumbled.

"Wait, you said that you three were raised by dragons, but what about Cynthia?" Flamingo asked.

"Well I'm the Omega Fire Dragon Slayer, a Second Generation," Cynthia answered.

"Second Generation?" Accelerator questioned.

"She wasn't born from a Dragon, but her father planted a magical item called a Lacrima inside her possessing Dragon Slayer magic," Charla explained.

"So your magic is like Natsu?" Coral asked.

"Yup, only stronger," Cynthia grinned.

"Wanna bet?" Natsu yelled as he suddenly got up.

"That was a fast recovery," Touma commented, but almost fell when Natsu went back into KO'd. "You woke up just to pick a fight with her!?"

"That Natsu for yah, desu," Happy said.

"Aye!" Kirika added.

"...Did those two swap catchphrases?" Lucy mumbled with a sweatdrop.

"Speaking of cats, I'm Charla, Wendy's guardian, and partner," Charla introduced.

"And I'm Lily, Gajeel's partner," Lily introduced.

"Do all cats in your world fly?" Luffy asked.

"No, we are a special kind of cats," Happy answered.

"I'm Lucy Heartfillia, and I'm a Celestial Mage," Lucy greeted. "My magic allows me to summon sprites with my keys."

Seeing some of the golden keys on her belt, Nami's eyes turned golden. "May I please touch one of them?"

"Don't do it Lucy. Nami will probably try to sell it for berries," Usopp warned, one solid glare from Nami caused the sniper to hide behind the mast.

"Can you show us one please?" Cure Lovely asked.

"Okay," Lucy agreed as she took out one of her golden keys. "Open Gate of the Twins: Gemini!"

The key began to glow a golden light and two small blue figures emerged in front of her.

"Piri Piri!" They chanted floating beside Lucy. This caused Cure Lovely, Cure Princess, Hibiki, Summer, Luffy, Last Order, Chopper and Index eyes to sparkle with excitement.

"So what do those two do exactly?" Wannai asked.

"You'll see, Gemini transformed into me!" Lucy ordered. The two turned into puffs of smoke revealing another Lucy.

"That's so cool!" Lovely, Hibiki. Princess, Chopper, Usopp, Last Order, Index, and Luffy shouted in amazement.

"It's kinda like Mr. 2," Usopp mumbled.

"Hey clone Lucy, can you poop?" Luffy asked.

"What kind of question is that~!?" Lucy yelled.

"Yes, I can poop, Piri Piri!" The clone Lucy answered cheerfully.

"Don't answer him~!" Lucy yelled, flailing her arms.

"Can they clone one of us too?" Misaka asked.

"Yeah, Gemini transforms into her!" Lucy said, pointing to Misaka. The Lucy clone disappeared and formed into Misaka.

Without warning, Kuroko teleported beside the clone Misaka hugging her. "Oh, I love you clone sissy! I Kuroko Shirai will never leave yo-"

BTZZZ!

Everyone sweatdropped as Kuroko landed on the deck. Her body twitching from the electricity clone Misaka gave to her.

"They also copy our abilities as well," Lucy answered laughing nervously while the clone Misaka disappeared back into the spirit world.

"I guess I'm next," Gray said. He created a small Fairy Tail symbol made of ice. "I'm Gray Fullbuster and my magic is Molding Magic with Ice element."

"Ooh!" Cure Lovely and Princess awed by his magic.

"Is that the reason why you strip your clothes all the time?" Chris questioned glaring at him.

"I do better fighting without them," Gray answered.

"Yeah right," Natsu grumbled.

"Natsu...Gray…" Erza warned, causing the two to stop fighting.

"What is your magic Erza?" Kirika asked.

"I'm a Requip mage," Erza answered. She transformed into her Flight Armor, which caused Sanji to have a nosebleed. "I use different kinds of armor for fighting."

"So pretty~!" Coral, Lovely and Princess said in unison. Zoro and Tsubasa were interested in her armor.

"So you have like a variety of outfits you can wear?" Misaka wondered. "Where did you keep them all?"

"It's similar to Lucy's spirits. They're from the spirit world, so Erza keeps all her armor like a dimensional pocket," Happy explained.

"So it's like a magic pocket that can hold any kind of armour?" Luffy asked.

"Yeah," Happy answered. This got the Straw Hat pirates minus Robin to stare at him shocked.

'Did Luffy actually understood something?' They all thought.

Luffy then turned to Erza with sparkles in his eyes. "Does this mean that you can store a huge amount of meat in your pocket?"

Robin giggled, while the rest of the Straw hats, sweatdropped by his stupidity. 'That lasted long.'

"You know, I've been thinking about creating a meat made outfit," Erza pondered. 

"Seriously?" Lucy sweatdropped.

"I wonder what it would look like," Kirika wondered. A thought bubble above her head revealed Erza wearing a dress out of steaks. Kirika, Lovely and Misaka thought the same thing with different kinds of meat: bacon, sausages, and fish.

Natsu, on the other hand, had a weird picture monkey dancing on top of a table. This caused all four girls to comedically yell at him. "THAT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE~!"

"W-What did I say~?!" Natsu asked, confused.

"My name is Juvia Lockser and I'm a water mage," Juvia introduced next. Demonstrating her magic by turning her body into water. "I can turn my body into water so attacks won't hurt me."

"You know some people might mistake you for a Logia type Devil Fruit,"  Usopp realized. 

"Yeah the Liquid-Liquid fruit," Chopper added.

"Liquid…?" Juvia turned to Gray feeling another visual.

Juvia's Perverted Fantasies.

Juvia: Here's your water bottle my beloved Gray.

Gray: Thanks Juvia, (he took the bottle of water and drank from it. Juvia admired his bare chest. Once he was done, Gray gave it to Juvia)

Juvia: G-Gray…

Gray: You can drink some too. I don't mind if your liquid is inside yours

Juvia: A-An indirect kiss?

"G-Gray-Sama~!" Juvia sobbed as she fainted, with hearts for eyes and blood pouring from her nose.

"What the fuck was that about?" Accelerator questioned.

"Another one of her twisted fantasies about Gray," Happy answered.

"I bet you're thinking about doing perverted things to Gray," Hibiki whispered to Chris.

"I-I'm not you dumbass~!" Chris hissed quietly.

"Finally, I'm Levy Mcgarden. I'm a Solid Script mage," She introduced. She summoned a huge IRON word made of actual iron.

"Whoa!" Chopper and Luffy awed.

"Can you create a giant melon bread with your magic?" Summer asked.

"Uh, I don't think so. It's only for fighting," Levy said, causing Summer to pout.

"We're up next!" Hibiki announced. "My name is Hibiki Tachibana and these are my friends. Tsubasa, Chris, Marie, Kirika and Shirabe. We're part of an organization called S.O.N.G~!"

"Song?" Usopp asked, a bit confused.

"Cool we finally got musicians~!" Luffy said excitedly.

"While Tsubasa and I are singing idols, that's not what our organization does," Maria corrected. "SONG is just an abbreviation meaning Squad of Nexus Guardians. We're a defense response team that assists with disasters humans can't handle."

"So you guys are super heroes~!" Chopper exclaimed happily.

"You can say that!" Hibiki nodded.

"What about your armor?" Wendy asked.

"Are armor is what we call Symphogears," Maria explained. "Back in our world, there was once a race of beings that would kill any organism upon contact. But with our Symphogears we're able to fight against them."

"J-Just by touching? That sounds terrifying," Princess gulped frightenedly. 

"Why do we hear music playing when you're in your armor?" Natsu asked.

"It helps us fight better, desu," Kirika answered.

"That's it?" Kuroko questioned. 

"What, you want us to explain in nerd scientific terms how our gears work?" Chris asked, a bit annoyed. "When we sing, we kick ass. That's all you have to know."

"R-Right, my bad," Kuroko sweatdropped.

"We're next," Cure Lovely stood up along with her friends. The others wonder what they were doing.

Lovely: Immense love spreading throughout the world! Cure Lovely!

Princess: The blue wind dancing in the sky! Cure Princess!

Honey: The life of light from the earth that bears fruit! Cure Honey!

Fortune: The stars of hope that lights up the night sky! Cure Fortune!

Lovely/Princess: Happiness Injection!

Honey/Fortune: Charging with elation!

All four: Happiness Charge Precure!

Summer: Joyful Everlasting Summer! Cure Summer!

Coral: Glittering Jewels! Cure Coral!

Papaya: Sparkling Fruits! Cure Papaya!

Flamingo: Fluttering Wings! Cure Flamingo!

Summer: Four of us are...

All four: Tropical Rouge Precure~!

"WOW~!" Luffy, Wendy, Kirika, Last Order, Chopper, and Hibiki eyes sparkled by their group poses while Sanji had hearts for eyes. The rest, on the other hand, couldn't help but sweatdropped.

"You're right Happy, these girls do look like a comedian group," Natsu commented. This caused the Pretty Cure's to instantly anime-fell.

"We're not a comedy group~!" Cure Princess yelled while standing up. "Pretty Cure are warriors of hope, and save the world and everyone from evil~!"

"So you girls are comedian superheroes," Gajeel summarized.

"We told you that we're not comedians~!" Cure Princess comically yelled with shark teeth.

"It's really hard to take you seriously with those weird poses you just did," Misaka commented.

"Not to mention your names," Chris added.

"That's coming from the girl who has a guy's name," Touma muttered.

"Does this mean you can turn into a large flamingo~!!" Luffy eagerly asked the red haired Precure. "Or fire small flamingo's out of your hands!?"

"That would be cool, desu!" Kirika exclaimed.

"No, what kind of weird powers do you think I have?" Flamingo blankly muttered with a sweatdrop.

"Ignore him, he always ask dumb questions," Nami said rolling her eyes.

"The four of us are new to this Precure thing," Summer announced. "We were just regular people until I met Laura~!"

"Laura you mean the fish girl?" Index asked.

Everyone was startled when Laura emerged out of Summer's aqua pot. She angrily yelled at Index with shark teeth. "HOW DARE YOU CALL ME A FISH GIRL~!"

"SOMETHING CAME OUT OF SUMMER'S WEIRD BOX~!" Chopper exclaimed.

"I-Is that a mermaid!?" Kirika blurted out.

"M-mermaid?" Sanji asked dreamily, with hearts for eyes.

Laura cleared her throat, controlling her composure, "Greetings, my name is Laura Apollodoros Hyginus La Mer! And yes, I am a mermaid, from the Grand Ocean. I recruited Summer, Coral, Papaya and Flamingo Pretty Cure to help save my home."

"It's a pleasure to meet such a gorgeous mermaid like yourself," Sanji was already on his knees looking up at Laura who was startled by his action. "Allow me to gaze at you beauty mademoiselle." 

"W-Well then," Laura coughed a bit before smirking. "I will allow it since you called me beautiful."

"Great, just what need, someone to raise her ego more," Flamingo groaned.  

"Hey, do mermaids poop?" Luffy asked bluntly.

"ACK~!" Laura frozed in shock at his question. 

"PFTT~!" Flamingo turned around trying to hold back her laugher when she saw Laura's reaction. 

"DUMBASS~!" Sanji yelled with shark teeth after he slammed his heel down on his captain's head. "YOU DON'T ASK SUCH VULGAR QUESTIONS TO A BEAUTIFUL MERMAID~!"

"Seriously though, can you poop?" Natsu asked curiously.

Sanji comically kicked Natsu in the head, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"

"Okay, moving past that…" Touma said, trying to change topics. "Are we supposed to call you by your real names or superhero names?"

"I would prefer for you to call us by our real names outside of our Pretty Cure personas," Fortune replied. Her body glowed, deforming herself back into her usual clothes. "You can call me Iona."

"I'm Yuko," Honey also deformed into her usual clothes

"I'm Megumi~!" Lovely announced as she deformed as well.

"And I'm Hime," Cure Princess answered. Unlike her friends, she stayed in her Pretty Cure form. "I'm staying in my form just in case you pirates do something funny."

"My name is Manatsu~!" Manatsu introduced. She and her friends deformed as well. "And these are my friends Sango, Minori and Asuka."

"Aww," Luffy pouted. He and Kirika glancing at Asuka in disappointment. "I was hoping your real form was a flamingo."

"Wait, you thought I was a bird?!" Asuka exclaimed.

"Are there more of you pretty cure comedian heroes?" Happy asked.

Megumi nodded. "There are 54 of us. We each represent a different universe, but we often come together for celebrations or battles."

"5-54?!" Usopp shouted in shock. "And all of them are as strong as you girls?"

"Yup," Cure Princess said with a nod. "There's even a group called Go Princess Pretty Cure!"

"Pretty Cures are legendary heroes after all," Laura boasted.

"Alright that settles it. I wanna face the toughest Pretty Cure in your group!" Natsu declared, which caused the cures and Laura to stare at Natsu like he was crazy.

"W-Why?" Iona asked.

"I'm always eager to beat someone stronger," Natsu answered. "If I can't take down Erza, Laxus or Gildarts, then I might as well take on your most powerful member. Hell, I'll fight them all!"

"What's wrong with him?" Laura asked, thinking that Natsu is insane.

"I think Natsu's starting to lose it," Lucy mumbled.

"Aye, desu," Happy and Kirika said in agreement.

"...And now they're combining their phrases," Lucy dryly said with a sweatdrop.

"Idiot," Accelerator scolded. "Why waste your time with these magical wimps, when there are two Level 5's aboard this ship."

"Level 5?" Nami questioned.

"Correct," Kuroko nodded. "We're students from Academy City, a place where we develop advanced technology, and students focus on academic achievement, and physical athletic skills."

Many of them understood what she said. However, Megumi, Manatsu, Hibiki, Kirika, Luffy, Zoro, Natsu, and Gajeel, were confused and stared out in the distance.

"In simple terms, we have powers that are based on science," Misaka simplified. Which got the others to understand as well.

"We're called Espers," Kuroko explained. "Our bodies emit AIM fields that give us our abilities."

"AIM? What a weird name," Luffy commented.

"We have a way in Academy City to measure the quality of our AIM fields. Ranking students from level one to level five," Kuroko explained. "Since Level five is the highest rank an esper can have, there are only seven of them in Academy City."

"So what's rank are you?" Gray asked.

"Glad you ask, pervert," Kuroko grinned. "My name is Kuroko Shirai and I'm a Level four Teleportation."

"In other words, your powers are only useful when you're running away from a fi-GAK!" Gajeel was disrupted by a barrel teleported above and fell on top of his head.

"You were saying?" Kuroko grinned while Sanji, and Natsu laughed at Gajeel's pain.

"I'm Wannai Kinuho and I'm a Level 3 Water Manipulator," Wannai introduced, which interested Juvia.

"And I'm Awatsuki Maaya, I'm a Level 3 Buoyancy Manipulator,"

"Buoyancy Manipulator?" Cynthia raised her eyebrow in confusion.

"A person who has the ability to manipulate an object's force, regardless of its gaseous or liquid state," Levy explained. "If Maaya is strong enough, she can make Gajeel float in the water when he has his iron scales on."

"Wait, does that mean you can make me float on water?" Luffy asked, hoping that she could save him from drowning.

"I can only do objects, sorry," Maaya said, causing Luffy to frown.

Kuroko cleared her throat. "And here's the one and only, strong, smart, beautiful, hardworking, childish with wearing unde-"

BANG~!

"I can introduce myself!" Misaka growled after she slammed her fist on top of Kuroko's head. "I'm Misaka Mikoto, and I'm the third Level 5 Railgun."

"Railgun?" Maria asked.

"I could explain it, but it will be easier to demonstrate it," Misaka grinned. She stood up and walked to the side of the ship. Then she reaches into her pockets and pulls out a coin.

"What is she gonna do with a small coin?" Laura asked.

"Maybe she's gonna eat it," Luffy replied.

"Is food the only thing on your mind?" Shirabe asked.

As blue sparks flowed above her head, Misaka flicked the coin into the air. In response to the coin's fall, she flicked it forward, releasing a beam that caused a tremendous boom. Everyone minus Robin, Minori, Accelerator, and Kuroko who was unconscious had their eyes bulged out of their heads. The beam went straight 3 times faster until it disappeared into the horizon.

"HOLY CRAP!" Usopp yelled in shock.

"That attack can easily take out a Marine warship," Nami added in disbelief.

"SO COOL!" Luffy, Manatsu, Natsu, and Megumi's eyes were sparked in amazed.

"Boring," Accelerator yawned, getting everyone's attention. "I can repel Third Rate's pathetic attack, no problem."

"You can!?" Cure Princess asked in shock.

"Of course," Tsuchimikado nodded. "Accelerator's not called the 1st rank Level 5 in Academy City for nothing."

"1st rank?" Lucy reuttered turning towards the albino hair boy. "Y-You mean he's the strongest esper in Academy City?"

"He's right," Misaka agreed with a groan. "His ability to manipulate vectors is unmatched. I fought him once, and he bounced every blow I sent his way."

"Enough talk!" Natsu sprinted towards Accelerator with his fist held back. "FIGHT ME ACCELERATOR!"

"Natsu wait!" Lucy yelled. Natsu failed to hear Lucy as he prepared to attack Accelerator, who casually flicked his choker on and tilted his head, evading the punch. Before Natsu could plan his next attack, Accelerator simply flicked him in the forehead with his esper ability, sending him soaring to the sky like a comical missile.

"TOO STRONG~!" Lucy comically yelled.

Happy was able to get Natsu back on the ship, but he was still unconscious from Accelerator's attack.

"He's still out?" Cynthia asked in shock.

"I don't know about you, but it's much quieter when he's out," Sanji said.

"And be glad that I hold back," Accelerator said, snarkily. "I would've left his arm in a mangle state."

"T-That's was you holding back?!" Laura exclaimed in horror.

"Trust me, he can do a lot worse," Misaka warned.

"Hi I'm Last Order, and Accelerator is my guardian, Misaka Misaka introduced," Last Order announced.

"Is there a reason why she talks like that?" Shirabe asked.

"And what kind of name is Last Order?" Kirika added.

"No clue," Accelerator lied. "I found her following me on the street. So I decided to be her guardian."

"Your world is weird," Luffy laughed.

"Not as weird as yours," Misaka said with a sweatdropped.

"I'm next," Index stood up, proudly. "Unlike these science people, I'm Index Librorum Prohibitorum and I am a magician!"

Hearing that got the Fairy tail mage, including Natsu who just woken up with his ears perk up. "Did you say, magician!?"

"Although I'm a magician, I don't have any spells like the other magicians back home, but I have 103,000 grimoires in my head," Index explained.

"WHAT?!" Levy yelled in shock.

"What are Grimoires?" Hibiki asked.

"There are books that contain knowledge about magic," Levy answered. "Some of them contain spells that can kill a person just by reading them."

"She's right," Index explained. "But I'm immune to their spells, and I only use the grimoires for knowledge, or combat."

"Now for us~!" Tsuchimikado grinned, grabbing Touma by the shoulders. "I'm Tsuchimikado, the brains, and the handsome one between Kamiya and I."

"Great another guy like Loki," Lucy sweatdropped.

"And this handsome young man is Touma Kamijou. By the way, if you want to be in Kamiya's harem, just let him fall on you an-" Touma was able to grip free and punch Tsuchimikado in the face interrupting him.

"Would you quit it with the harem crap~?!" Touma barked with shark teeth.

"Touma Touma Touma," Tsuchimikado sighed, rubbing his head, "When are ya gonna stop being a damn idiot. You have a selection of beauties to add to your harem. You already have one of the Precures," Tsuchimikado pointed to Manatsu who was confused. "What are you scared of Misaka and Index pummel you fo-."

POW!

"How many times do I have to tell you, I DON'T HAVE A HAREM~!" Touma yelled as he landed another punch, the two began fighting each other, creating a fighting cloud. This caused everyone to sweatdrop.

"What the hell is going on?" Chris asked, gazing at them.

"Those two look more like a comedy duo," Shirabe mumbled.

"So what level are you two?" Hibiki asked. The two stop fighting with Tsuchimikado trapped Touma in a headlock.

"We are both proud level 0's," Tsuchimikado answered.

"Zero? I thought there were only five Levels," Lily said.

"That's true, but Level 0 refers to students who have no abilities," Kuroko explained.

"...

...

...WAIT WHAT?!" Manatsu and Laura blurted out in shock.

"THAT'S BULL SHIT~!" Jackal yelled, causing some of them to be startled by the demon.

"I completely forgot he was still here," Chris admitted while catching her breath.

"You better be joking," Jackal glared at Kuroko. "Because without that boy, I would've been back at Tataros, and you would all be dead!"

"H-he's right," Manatsu said, a bit frightened by Jackal's outburst. "Touma just used his power to fight Jackal! Without setting off his glowing bomb thing~! H-He even stopped the island from being blown up!"

"You better have an explanation, boy!" Laura ordered, pointing to Touma. "How does a person who's level 0 have such a terrifying ability?!"

When Touma noticed everyone staring at him and waiting for an explanation, he felt uncomfortable. Tsuchimikado, Misaka, Index, and Accelerator were the only ones who witnessed his right hand before Manatsu noticed but still wanted an explanation.

"Tsuchimikado a little help?" Touma whispered but noticed Tsuchimikado giving him a thumbs up while mouthing. 'Good luck.'

'Damn my rotten luck,' Touma groaned, before he began to explain to the group. "Well um...my ability is called the Imagine Breaker."

"Imagine Breaker? That's a cool name," Natsu said.

"Before you ask, it's something I was born with," Touma continued. He raised his right arm. "Whenever my right hand comes in contact with any magic spells, or espers abilities, it cancels it out."

"Cancel?" Minori asked.

"It may be hard to explain it in words, Misaka can yo-," Before Touma could finish, Misaka let a small spear of electricity at him which surprised almost everyone, including Touma who quickly put his right hand which blocked the electricity. A glass-shattering sound filled the air as the spear vanished.

Misaka noticed the boy glaring at her. "What? You told me to demonstrate."

"At least let me finish my sentence~!" Touma comically yelled.

"See! That's the same sound I heard when he punched me!" Jackal yelled.

Touma turned to the group, which had mixed reactions. Robin, Tsuchimikado, Index, Minori (Which is seriously hard to tell by her poker face.) and Accelerator were the only ones who weren't fazed by his ability. Erza, Tsubasa, and Lily were a bit surprised, but not as compared to the rest, some had their jaws dropped dramatically and eyes widened in shock, while others had sparkles in their eyes.

"SO COOL~!" Usopp, Luffy and Chopper yelled in amazement.

"That's got to be the greatest power I ever saw!" Megumi shouted with delight.

"You're like an eraser! You just wiped out the lighting like it was nothing!" Hibiki added.

"The higher ups must be pretty oblivious to label him a level 0," Laura scoffed while glancing at Kuroko.

"Hey, I'm lost as well," Kuroko argued. "The system keeps resigning him as a level 0, despite witnessing him blocking sissy attacks."

"FIGHT ME~!" Natsu roared while comedically lunged at Touma with his fiery fist.

"NO I WANT A PIECE OF HIM~!" Gajeel roared as he kicked Natsu out of the way. He then charged at Touma only for Natsu to punch him. Soon the two broke into a fist fight against each other.

"Come on I already got one zapper, I don't need two more!" Touma cried out. 

"MOVE IT~!" Erza yelled, kicking Natsu and Gajeel away from Touma. She then glared at the boy. "Touch my armour."

"...Say what?" Touma and Misaka asked with their jaws dropped.

"You said that your right hand can cancel out esper and magic, I want to see if it could withstand my armor," Erza said. The look on her face made the two sweat nervously.

"B-But," Touma stuttered.

"Don't worry about hurting me; I dealt with worse injuries," Erza replied.

'That's not the problem,' Touma sweatdropped. He sighed as he slowly put his right hand on Erza's shoulder which was covered by the armor.

…

…

…

...CRACK!

Erza's armor quickly broke off after waiting a few seconds. Luckily for Touma, it only revealed her white outfit.

"H-He destroyed Erza's armor!" Lucy said, still shocked.

"So it cancels out esper, magic and curses," Manatsu beamed in awe. "That is such an awesomely tropical shine~!"

"I wouldn't call it awesomely...whatever you just said," Touma replied solemnly. "I can't really switch it off and on like any of your abilities. Which means it cancels out healing magic or enchantments."

"O-Oh," Wendy said sadly, "No wonder I couldn't heal your wounds earlier."

"Also," He glanced at Hibiki. "It's best if you keep those red crystals you have away from my right hand. I don't know if it's possible, but it may shatter as well."

"That's a terrifying thought, desu~!" Kirika said shakened.

"I wonder, can you also nullify a devil fruit power?" Minori asked.

Tsuchimikado grinned as he went behind Touma. "Well, why don't we find out shall we?"

"Wait Wh-," Tsuchimikado kicked Touma in the back before he could finish. Touma was trying to regain his balance, as he was about to tackle Robin who graciously evaded him without any trouble. However, Maria wasn't quick enough as Touma crashed into her.

" Ow," Touma groaned as he slowly opened his eyes, but only revealed darkness. His eyes widened as he found himself on top of Maria in a compromised position with his head in her boobs. Luffy, Natsu, and Last Order who were a bit confused. Tsuchimikado, Kuroko, Kirika, Accelerator and Happy who had a sly grin, and the rest were just dumbfounded at the position he was in. Maria was blushing furiously, too speechless to react.

It took Touma a moment for his mind to start working before he managed to remove his head from her chest. "I-I so sorry Mar-!

PUNT~!

"GET OFF OF MARIA YOU DAMN PERVERT~!" Sanji roared comically while kicking Touma in the face, sending him comically flying off the ship.

"This seems familiar," Happy giggled as he thought of Natsu being sent flying by Accelerator.

"Oh, I forgot to mention that Touma's right hand also dispels his luck. Which makes his luck kinda crappy," Tsuchimikado replied.

"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO PUSH HIM~!" Misaka, Lucy, and Manatsu comedically yelled.

Happy once again had to retrieve another person. Since it was Touma, he had to avoid touching his right hand. He was still unconscious from Sanji's kick. Luckily for him, Misaka and Index were waging their anger on Tsuchimikado and Sanji. Index was biting Tsuchimikado's head, while Misaka shocked Sanji unconscious.

"Well, at least I wasn't the only one who got harassed," Chris muttered.

"Is that supposed to be a good thing?" Shirabe asked with sweatdrop.

"So is it true?" Megumi asked in concern. "Does his hand really cancel out his luck?"

"Yup," Tsuchimikado replied. Even though blood was coming out from where Index's sharp tooth was, he was still able to stand with a grin on his face. "Bad things always happen to my friend here. It's the price you pay for having a power like that."

"Or is it that you and your friends are causing all these unfortunate things to happen to him," Lucy replied with a sweatdropped.

Index let go of Tsuchimikado to speak. "Touma is a really nice person, but sometimes stubborn. He always gets into trouble and ends up in the hospital."

"No kidding," Misaka nodded in agreement. "He also tends to help people everywhere he goes. Even though he's not supposed to be involved."

"Like you with Judgment?" Kuroko asked, Misaka nervously laughed.

"Wait, are you saying this wasn't his worst injury?" Iona asked. Index nodded in silence. She along with Manatsu, Kuroko and Misaka can remember a time when Touma came out of nowhere and saved them from their problems. Accelerator can remember his fight with Touma, that he was still standing despite how much blood he lost.

The deck began to become quiet until Natsu broke it with a wide grin on his face. "Don't worry, I won't be too rough on him when we have our fight."

"Quit breaking the mood!" Lucy and Nami yelled, slamming their fists into his skull.

"Now that everyone's acquainted with each other, we can finally talk about the elephant in the room," Kuroko stated. Everyone except Zoro, who was asleep, stared at the boy next to Shirabe…

Who had his face covered up by a white oni mask.

Next Chapter: Omega and Delta: Dragon or Devil

The group was puzzled by the boy, who had yet to introduce himself, when they noticed he wore a white oni mask. Everyone except Zoro, who was sleeping, stared awkwardly at him, making him even more nervous.

"Um, what's with the mask?" Usopp asked, breaking the silence.

"Who knows, he never wore it before," Cynthia answered a bit unsure.

"Uh, is he going to be okay?" Coral asked, looking concerned. "He looks scared."

"You would be too if you just witnessed two people being sent flying off the ship," Lucy replied.

"Are you sure this was the same boy who blew us off the island?" Princess asked, looking a bit unsure.

Shirabe noticed Shervan holding onto her arm tightly. When he glanced at her, she gave a sincere smile, and whispered. 'Don't worry, I'm here if you're scared.'

Feeling her comfort, the boy took a deep breath before he nervously spoke. "I'm sorry...My name is Shervan Kazero. I know you might have a ton of questions about me or what happened at the Rainbow Resort. I-I'll try to answer as b-best as I can."

"You sound like you're going to break down any minute," Gray stated with a sweatdropped.

"In that case, allow me to ask the first question," Kuroko said, sternly. "Who were the people who attacked us and what were their intentions?"

"Naru, Mistune, Sarah, and Suu are part of a Hinora Clan," Shervan explained instantly, which startled Kuroko a bit. "I was once in their group, but left after realizing that they were terrorist. I'm not sure what their goal was, but you guys weren't the only ones to visit the Rainbow Resort."

"You mean..." Touma blinked in realization. "There were more victims?"

"That's right," Shervan nodded sadly. "I only heard about it a few days ago from sailors. Yet, it's been happening for almost a month now. Any ship whether be pirates, marines or even normal sailors would enjoy themselves and let their guard down…"

"And that's when the androids attack them, right?" Fortune finished.

"Yes, and even if they could handle the androids, Naru and the others would interfere k-killing them," Shervan shuddered at the memories. "...When I got there by a marine ship. I-I was captured by Sarah and was f-force to watch those marines and their captain get slaughter."

"That's just…" Misaka muttered, stunned and angered. 

"Awful, and inhuman," Erza finished lookin peeved.

"Those bastards," Natsu growled.

"I wouldn't imagine going through which watching people getting slaughter," Megumi shuddered. "Especially someone so young."  

"Did you hear how they were going to bring four of us into this world?" Maria questioned.

Shervan shook his head. "No, and I don't think the Hinora clan knew about it either."

"They didn't?" Asuka replied with shock.

"If they were, then Mistune would've known about my ability," Accelerator explained. "I think there was a fifth party responsible for this hellhole."

"And I'm betting that they were the ones responsible for the black hole as well," Usopp inquired.

"That would be their boss. He only goes by the name Ring Leader," Shervan informed quietly. "I saw his ability before hand when disposing...bodies." 

"That's insane," Lucy gulped. One man responsible for destroying an entire island, shouldn't be taken lightly. 

"Hey," Natsu said suddenly, staring suspiciously at Shervan. "Are you a Dragon Slayer?"

"I-um w-well," Shervan stuttered.

"Quit scaring him you flame brain!" Gray yelled as he pushed Natsu aside.

"W-Why is this guy naked?" Shervan asked Shirabe while turning away flustered.

"I-I have no idea," Shirabe answered, also looking flustered. Several guys and girls looked away due to his naked body.

"What wrong with you g-AH!" Gray realized that his pants were missing. "Where did my pants go?!"

"For fuck sake, put some clothes on~!" Chris cried out while covering her eyes.

"You loooove him~!" Happy and Kirika chanted.

"I. Do. NOT~!" Chris barked, annoyed.

"Sorry, but you might've mistaken it for a Devil fruit," Shervan replied back. He demonstrates his power by turning his left arm into pure wind. "I ate the Wind Wind fruit, which allows me to manipulate and turn myself into wind."

"THAT'S SO COOL~!" Luffy eyes sparkled.

"How interesting a logia type devil fruit," Robin said intrigued. 

While some were amazed and interested by his devil fruit. Shirabe, Charla, Natsu, Gajeel, Wendy and Cynthia knew that he was lying, but didn't say anything.

"Are there different kinds of Devil Fruits?" Minori wondered. 

"Yes, Luffy and Robin are Paramecia type. Which mainly can manipulate their body or environments," Nami explained. "Chopper here is a Zoan type, which can transform into species of animals. Then finally there's Logia the most powerful of the Devil fruits. It's give the consumer the ability to become an element of nature; like sand or wind." 

"Or in this case water," Usopp added reminding them of Juvia's magic. 

"Sounds like Logia's are a pain in the ass to deal with," Chris said bewildered. 

"They are," Sanji agreed. "Punches, kicks, slashes, and even guns aren't able to harm a Logia type. They're able to turn their bodies into the elements." 

"YAWN!" Zoro stretched his back getting everyone's attention. "What I'd miss?"

"You've been sleeping all this time?" Tsubasa asked, looking surprised.

"If you think that's bad, wait till you see him in a storm," Usopp mumbled.

"Now all the introductions are done, what should we do with this bastard?" Chris asked, turning to the tied up Jackal.

"I say we hand him over to those Marines you guys talked about," Natsu suggested.

"You idiot, If we go to them, then they'll capture us as well," Gajeel argued.

"Then what do you think we should do, Bag of Bolts?!" Natsu angrily asked.

"I dare you to say that again you Pyromaniac!"

"I'll say it as many times as I want, Tin Can!"

"Quiet!" Erza roared, causing the two to whimper in the corner. She then slammed her sword almost near Jackal's neck, causing him to comedically flinch. "Your guild has been messing with us long enough. Now it's time you face your punishment!"

"W-Wait are you actually gonna kill him!?" Megumi asked in shock. "I mean I know he tried to kill us on the island, b-but…"

Jackal may not have been involved in the Hinora Clans plans, but he didn't make the situation any better when he tried to blow up the entire island. Fairy Tail has dealt with demons in the past, so they know how dangerous they can be. He would be dangerous to anyone who found him at sea.

'If he's that dangerous then we should finish him off with a Mix Tropical,' Laura suggested, glaring at him.

Before she could suggest it to her friends, a hand touched the sword, instantly breaking it. The group turned to see Touma standing there. His hair covered his eyes.

"I understand that Jackal is your enemy, and killing him is definitely on the minds of everyone at the moment," Touma declared seething in anger. "But you're just giving him what he wants!"

"W-what do you mean?" Laura asked, a bit angered.

"This bastard doesn't deserve death, that's the easy way out for him!" Touma declared, harshly startling Laura. "If he was scared of death, then he wouldn't have tried that stunt back on the island. Killing him will just prove his damn point! Demons killing humans, humans killing demons. Why does that matter when you are all in the same boat?!"

The entire group minus a few were stunned by Touma's outburst. Accelerator, Misaka, Index, and Tsuchimikado knew full well that Touma wasn't going to let anyone die, whether they were human or not.

"Damn, I never knew he could get angry," Chris muttered a bit frightened.

"Me neither," Summer said looking in awe.

"He doesn't discriminate," Shervan mumbled to himself. Yet, Shirabe overheard him also agreeing with him.

"I...I agree~!" The Precures were shocked when Honey went beside Touma looking determined. "I don't think you should kill him!"

"Me too!" Summer announced as well.

"You guys are kidding?!" Laura exclaimed, peeved. "Didn't you forget this demon guy tried to kill all of u-."

"Interesting," Erza interrupted. Her frown turned to a warm smile, creating confusion between the three. "You thought that I was gonna kill him?"

"Uh..." Touma and Yuko were lost for words as they blushed in embarrassment.

"Fairy Tail mages aren't the kind of guild to take someone's life, unless it's necessary," Erza explained. "No matter what our enemies are or what they do to our guildmates."

"T-Then why did you say punishment?" Touma asked.

"Courtesy from the captain," Erza folded her arms, as she turned to Luffy. "His punishment is to be the pet of our crew."

…

…

…

"SAY WHAT~!?" All Straw Hat minus Robin yelled in disbelief. Everyone else minus Fairy Tail Mages and Jackal was also shocked by Luffy's sudden decision.

"Y-You mean Jackal is joining the crew too?" Princess stuttered.

"Yup," Luffy answered with his signature grin.

"When the hell was that decided!?" Nami asked.

Erza ignored Nami's question and turned to Jackal. "You're stuck as the Straw Hat's pet until we can get back to our world."

Jackal's eyes twitched in anger. "I would be killing you all at this very moment, if it weren't for these strange handcuffs."

"Well, you'd better get used to it," Usopp glared at Jackal. "Because we aren't taking them off until you promise not to destroy the Going Merry."

"Eh?" Jackal menacing glare caused Usopp to hide behind Gajeel.

"So now we recruit a demon dog man?" Sanji asked.

"This is the strangest pirate crew I've ever been on," Accelerator said grinning.

"He does look kind of cute," Robin giggled.

"How exactly?" Lucy questioned. 

"Alright~! Let's start the party for our new crewmates!" Luffy announced.

"I'll make you my famous delicacy ladies~!" Sanji twirled around with hearts for eyes.

"Uh thanks Sanji," Maria said, a bit startled by his dancing.

"Fuckin idiot," Zoro mumbled.

"What'd you call me lazy bastard?" Sanji questioned as they started glaring at each other.

"And they're at it again," Cynthia said, glancing at the two. She then realized something. "Oh Shervan, there's something I want to ask you about?"

"He left back on the crows nest," Shirabe replied emotionless. Besides her was a dotted outline of the boy, who was gone. 

"That fast?!" Cynthia exclaimed comically.

"Luffy," With a smile on her face, Nami walked over to her captain. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Okay," Luffy replied. Nami dragged Luffy into the room and shut the door. After a few seconds, everyone heard crashing sounds, followed by Luffy screaming, which made half of them jump in fright. It lasted for about a minute until Nami came out dragging her battered captain.

"I'm sworry for not twelling you abwout Jackal," Luffy apologized.

"In situations like this, I wonder if Nami is a better choice for captain," Lucy mumbled.

Two silhouettes were facing each other in a bizarre looking place. One was light green while the other was dark. The floor was white while the sky was black.

"This is interesting, I'd never expect them to take them from their worlds," The dark green one spoked.

"No kidding, those guys sure look interesting, especially the Omega Dragon Slayer. Hey, how long do we have till we can use our magic?" The light green one asked.

"Until tomorrow morning."

"Alright, that should be enough time to relax a bit,"

"Should we intervene?"

"Let them be, they're not a threat to us in the long run. Let's just watch and see how things will go."

"Wow, this is really delicious, Sanji!" Megumi said happily after swallowing a piece of carrot from her plate. After the introductions, they wasted no time celebrating their new crewmates with a feast. Sanji, Yuko, and Maria were able to prepare and serve the food to everyone.

"I never knew you were such a good cook Sanji," Lucy added, also enjoying her plate.

"That's why I picked him," Luffy grinned, taking a bite out of a big chunk of meat.

"This is the best cake I ever tasted!" Wendy chimed.

"*Yes, this is divine~ !" Erza gushed. Her eyes sparkled by her strawberry cake.

"Okay seeing her like this is creeping me out," Chris whispered a bit startled by Erza's expression.

"Strawberry cake is the only thing that can calm her down," Gray answered, wearing a white T-shirt Nami picked out for him.

"Just try not to squash her cake," Happy warned while eating a raw fish. "She can get really, really really angry if you do."

"Hey, why don't I get any cake?" Cynthia asked, noticing how she got rice, carrots, potatoes, and chicken on her plate.

"Sorry, Cynthia but, Charla told me about your...sugar rush," Maria answered sincerely, causing the young girl to glare at the white cat.

"Hey where did Shervan go?" Summer asked, not noticing him.

"After Sanji gave him his plate, he went back to the Crows Nest," Shirabe replied.

"Is he that scared of us?" Index asked.

"Well you would be too if you got a bunch of insane morons with temper tantrums," Laura huffed. "Especially someone who bites a certain boy on the head."

Index pouted. "I was hungry,"

Minori was about to take another spoon full of rice, but her plate was instantly taken out of her hands. She looked down with an emotionless expression. "...Where did my plate go?"

She noticed Luffy's arm snatching Usopp's plate, making him angry, "Hey, Luffy~! Stop stealing people's plates~!"

"Bastard!" Gajeel growled as he butted heads with Natsu's. "You're gonna regret stealing my steak, Salamander!"

"I didn't take your stupid steak!" Natsu snapped. "Maybe you already ate it, you trash can freak!"

"I would've known if I ate my own damn steak, stupid pyro!" Gajeel argued.

"Those two fight about the stupidest things," Kuroko sighed, glancing at the two.

"They kinda remind me of you and Kongou back at Tokiwadai school," Misaka joked.

"Sissy! You know full well that we don't act like those barbaric apes!" Kuroko blurted out. The two didn't get the chance to react as Luffy's hands grabbed both of their plates out of their hands.

"Hey!" Kuroko screamed at Luffy. Due to his rubber ability, Luffy was swiping almost everyone's plates. Robin, Erza, Tsubasa, Iona, and Asuka were able to defend their food. Accelerator slammed his fork on the table the second he saw Luffy's arms near Last Order and Index's food. There was enough force for the captain to retreat.

"Oi~! Didn't I tell ya to quit taking food from the ladies!" Sanji roared as he kicked Luffy's neck. Luffy's head stretched from impact and headbutted Zoro right in the stomach, waking him up from his nap.

Zoro glared at Sanji and Luffy. "You two better have a good reason why you wake me up from my nap,"

"How about you get your lazy ass up and do the dishes," Sanji growled.

"Jeez, can't they stop fighting for one minute," Gray mumbled, watching the two engaged in a stare-down. He was pushed by Natsu and Gajeel who were in a fighting cloud.

"YOU'LL PAY FOR STEALING MY MEAT~!" Gajeel yelled.

"I TOLD YOU I NEVER TOOK YOUR DAMN MEAT~!" Natsu yelled back.

"That's it~! Time for you two to chill out!" Gray declared. He forced his shirt off and joined the fighting cloud.

"Ew!" Hime gagged as the shirt landed on her face. "Can't you keep your clothes on for one minute!"

Once she got the shirt off her face, she was met by Juvia's murderous glare. "Juvia's new love rival!"

"AHH!" Hime screamed as she began running from the water mage right into the fight cloud.

"What a bunch of morons," Chris sighed, glancing at the fight cloud.

"Aren't you going to root for your boyfriend?" Hibiki teased.

"H-He's not my boyfriend~!?" Chris blurted out.

"Come on don't deny it Chri-chan~!" Hibiki grinned, nudging her a bit. "You're blushing that you got close to a man's abs~! Not once but tw-."

POW~!

"SHUT UP BAKA~!" Chris roared, delivering a punch that launched Hibiki comically off the ship.

"Is this going to be like a current theme in this ship?" Touma wondered with a sweatdrop. He was then hit in the head by a plate. "R-Rotten luck."

"So...is this normal for you guys?" Asuka asked.

"Pretty much," Straw Hat, Fairy Tail, and Symphogear students answered blatantly.

It took the group a short time to realize the fighting cloud was headed towards Erza. She was unaware of them until Natsu got kicked out of the scuffle and landed on the table, which sent a strawberry cake flying.

Time slowed down as the remainder of the Fairy Tail mages' jaws dropped in comical horror, while the others were confused by their reaction. The strawberry cake was about to land on the deck, but Natsu leaped out and grabbed the plate.

"That was close," Cynthia replied in relief.

"TAKE THIS!" Natsu roared as he launched the strawberry cake towards Gajeel's face. The remaining mages turned white including Natsu who just realized what he just did.

Juvia, Hime, Gajeel, and Gray halted their fight and nervously turned to Titania, who was emitting a powerful dark aura.

"T-This is bad," Lucy shivered.

"S-She's pissed," Misaka said, also looking nervous.

"Any last words?" Erza questioned quietly, with a hint of venom in her voice.

"I-I'm not scared of y-you!" Hime declared confidently. "My friends are going to stop you!"

Unfortunately she and the four victims turned around to find that everyone was gone, the door to the kitchen closed.

"THEY DITCHED US~!" Hime, Gajeel, Gray, Juvia, and Natsu comedically yelled. The five turned back towards Erza who summoned her sword.

"Prepare for your punishment!" Erza announced, causing Gajeel, Gray, Hime, and Natsu to hold onto each other frightened. Juvia, on the other hand, noticed Gray holding onto her and her eyes turned immediately into hearts.

'Juvia regrets nothing!' Juvia announced in her head.

At midnight, everyone had fallen fast asleep after the party. The boys slept in the boy's rooms and the girls in the girl's room. Hime, Juvia, Gray, Gajeel, and Natsu were hanging on the back of the ship. Luckily the yelling and screaming ended, leaving them fast asleep.

Shervan stayed in the Crow's Nest, thinking back to when he lied to them about not being a Dragon Slayer. 'It's for the best, they might think I'm a plague and lash out questions of how a dragon slayer winds up in the pirate world.'

He looked up at the moon in the sky, 'Still though, Crimson Blood was known to be an secret yet advanced Organization. They have so much high class weaponry that could eliminate an entire fleet of pirates and they have numerous experiments going on to develop abilities of devil fruits. Like how an inanimate object can obtain devil fruit powers. But, I didn't know they were capable of involving other worlds…

...Is that how they got that Dragon Slayer Lacrima?'

Shervan recalled the surgery they had to do to him when he was young. It was the only way he was able to survive a tragic event in his life...

An event that he had no memory of.

He shook it off a bit, 'Now's not the time to think about that. When I have regained my strength, I will leave this ship before any more Crimson Blood soldiers attack them.'

"How can I thank you properly when you're being too hard on yourself!?"

Shirabe's words echo in his head, making him flustered. "Shirabe...she really was grateful for rescuing her and her friends. Still… as a friend…"

"You don't deserve to live, you plague~!"

"My mom and dad are dead because of you~!"

"You scumbag, you'll regret killing my men~!"

"We can't let him leave~!"

"There is no escaping the blame from a plague such as you! You were the one who killed Keitaro~!"

The last comment caused him to shudder. He tried to ignore those words, but they kept haunting him like an ugly rash. His body was slowly trembling by the thoughts. 'D-did I really killed Keitaro? I-I can't remember anything...If I lose c-c-control might I kill Shirabe a-a-and t-the others?'

As his body was trembling, a hand from behind went over to his shoulder. The second it touched his right shoulder, something triggered in Shervan's mind. Alarming, he instantly snatched the intruder's wrist, yanking them forward and jab his elbow into their stomach.

"Ugh~!"

Hearing a familiar female voice, the boy's eyes widened to find out that the intruder was one of the dragon slayers, Cynthia Rose. She staggered back and crouched down, holding her stomach.

"N-Nice elbow jab," Cynthia wheezed, wincing from the pain.

"Oh my God~! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you!" Shervan yelped in fear as he panicked comically. 'I just attacked one of the dragon slayers?! W-what's wrong with me!?'

"No worries, it was my fault for trying to scare you," Cynthia replied while standing up a bit. She had one arm holding her stomach. "I wanted to ask you something, but wait until the others are asleep to tell you."

"O-Oh~!" Shervan quickly put on his mask. "...What did you want to ask me?"

"You put that mask up fast," Cynthia commented with a sweatdrop. She shook it off and got straight to the point. "Anyway, why did you lie to the others about not being a Dragon Slayer?"

"...W-What?!" Shervan blurted out a bit shocked. "I-I mean, what are you talking abo-."

"Dragon Slayers are able to smell other dragon slayers easily," Cynthia answered instantly. "We have a great sense of smell."

"W-We do?" Shervan asked, a bit surprised.

"Yeah…~!" Cynthia was confused by his stunned voice, but realized something. "...Wait, you couldn't smell me approaching you?"

Shervan shook his head, "From what I remember, my nose can't smell anything at all. I-It might be due to my devil fruit powers."

"So you didn't know about us being dragon slayers until we introduced ourselves," Cynthia said, then realized something. "W-wait if you are a dragon slayer then how did you wound up in the Grand Line? Dragon Slayers like us usually come from my world."

'...There's no point hiding it,' Shervan thought sadly, before answering. "Remember when I told you all about the Hinora Clan? Well they're just one fragment of the Grand Line's most dangerous secret organization; Crimson Blood."

"Crimson Blood?" Cynthia mumbled stunned. 

"They've formed around hundreds years ago," Shervan explained. "They remained anonymous due to their secret operations and hideout. In order to keep it secret, anyone outside who knows about it are either kidnapped or killed. The reason they are so dangerous is that they possess advanced skills and abilities that were unknown to the pirate era. Also, they're are numerous experiments to develop children with powerful yet dangerous powers."

Cynthia shuddered upon hearing about experiments. Images of her father Aiden Viscard came to mind. "So...you are one of those experimented children?"

"Somewhat," Shervan answered with his hand on his chest. "I don't remember the details, but I was injured upon death when I was really young. In order to survive, they implant a Lacrima and a devil fruit inside where my heart was."

"..." Cynthia's eyes widened by the information she heard. As opposed to her psycho father who forced her to have the Lacrima implanted into her body, Shervan had to have it to survive.

"...I was physically abused by Naru and her friends after that," He continued sadly. "One time we...came across members attacking a village," His breathing was setting into panic. "I was able to beat them. B-But everyone at the village were killed. T-That's how I got the title as the Ultimate Plague."

"Ultimate Plague?" Cynthia blinked in shock. Hearing Naru mocking him, made her angry. "But it wasn't you fault!"

"T-They wouldn't believe me~!" Shervan blurted out frighteningly. "Few of the member's posed as survivors when the marines showed up, and blamed me for killing them! That's how I got a bounty at a young age."

'H-he's the same age as me, and he's wanted?' Cynthia asked to speak quietly, still stunned.

"...Even If I was f-framed, they're not wrong," Shervan said, his voice now sounding hollow as if he lost hope.

"What do you mean by that…?" Cynthia asked in concern.

"Naru was right, I am a plague," Shervan was overcome by a state of traumatic panic as images of gruesome scenes hovered in his mind. "I cause so many lives to be taken b-by my hands and I don't even remember it happening. And if they haven't died, they would blame me for being alive and want me d-dead. I tried to get away, but the moment I passed out, I woke up with c-corpse around me with their blood my hands...

...It's my fault that you guys are trapped in this world~!"

Cynthia stood silently. Her hands formed into a fist causing omega flames to erupted around them.

"...A plague like me doesn't deserve anything but death," He softly said as he faced Cynthia but didn't look at her eyes. "Don't worry, once I regain my magic, I'll be out of your lif-."

SWIPE~!

"...!" Shervan froze when his mask was slashed off of his face by a trail of omega flames. His visible emerald  eyes widened in disbelief. Cynthia's left arm was extended out, her fingers formed into a claw. She then grip his shoulders tightly, making him flinch in fear. Her eyes were cast over by her hair with a frown on her face.

"...I won't let you leave…" She declared a bit louder. Shervan was startled by her response and was afraid of what she'll do next.

'She must be so angry at me after hearing that,' He thought as he closed his eyes tightly. 'Here it comes, the threats, hatred, and abuse.'

"...I'm sorry…"

He expected Cynthia to yell at him in disgust and kick him off the ship. However, her soft words made him open his eyes.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all of this, and I understand why you lied about being a dragon slayer to the rest of them," Cynthia softly said, her voice slowly cracking. "But I won't let you leave...I won't let you be alone anymore."

"B-But..." Shervan was speechless, stunned. 

"Listen...I understand how you feel," Cynthia continued, her voice aching. "To be treated like a weapon of mass destruction. To be labeled as a criminal by the whole world. Watching helplessly as everyone that you care about gets injured or worse, just because you exist...If it weren't for Wendy or Fairy Tail, I would've been like you, alone all my life."

He was surprised by her words, and even more so when he saw tears streaming down her cheeks. "For that reason, I can't let you leave..."

Cynthia finally made eye contact with him, her teary eyes meeting his. "Because you're our friend~! And I will never abandon a friend who's in pain~!"

Hearing those words made Shervan's heart skip a beat. After escaping Crimson Blood a few years ago, he has been alone ever since. Everywhere he goes, he is treated like a plague that deserves to be killed. But Cynthia along with Shirabe and the others didn't think of him as a plague or a monster...

...But a young boy who needed to be loved. 

"...I'm sorry," His voice caused Cynthia to flinch. "...I'm not good at s-socializing with others. Especially a large group l-like this."

"Then we'll help you with that!" Cynthia declared determinedly. "We'll make it so you don't have to use that mask to hide yourself from us, trust me!" 

"I'll stay..." Shervan confessed He glanced at Cynthia with determination. "Even if it's not my fault, I'm still responsible for not stopping the Hinora Clan earlier. I'll do what I can to get you and the others back to your worlds. I promise!"

"That's great~!" Cynthia beamed with wide smile on her face, showing her white teeth. Seeing her smile, caused Shervan's heart to skip again with his cheeks turning red. 

"T-Thank you~!" Shervan blurted out as he did a quick bow- 

DONG~!

-which caused his forehead to slam into Cynthia's.

"Ow~!" The two cried out in pain and the two crouched, clenching their heads.

'T-This is the second time this has happened,' Shervan comically wailed in his head. "I'm so sorry Cynthia!"

"Don't worry, Shervan. It's gonna take more than a headbutt to knock me out," Cynthia responded, rubbing her forehead. "Aren't you coming below deck though? It's a bit chilly here."

"Thank for the offer, but I prefer staying here," Shervan answered quietly. "I've always been traveling across ships by hiding in Crows Nest. So I'm use to resting here. Also... I enjoy watching the stars at night. To me, it feels peaceful."

"Oh, mind if I stay with you for a while? I never really got to enjoy being on a ship, due to my motion sickness," Cynthia asked.

"I-I don't mind," He stuttered. He was glad it was dark out so she couldn't see his red cheeks. He stopped and realized something. "Wait, are Dragon Slayer supposed to have motion sickness?"

"That right?!" Cynthia blurted out. "You don't feel sick at all?"

"Not that I remember," Shervan replied quietly. "I might be due to my devil fruit. Since I can't swim."

"You're so lucky," Cynthia admitted. "I wish I had the same resistance like you and Wendy."

The two preteens stared at the clear sky. Little did they know that Wendy and Charla were listening to their conversation on the deck.

'I didn't know he was alone for so long,' Wendy thought, looking sad. 'If I just abandon Cynthia, would she do the same thing?'

'So he really is a Dragon Slayer, with devil fruit powers. After hearing what he's been through, I understand why he lied,' Charla also though. She recalled the visions she had earlier. 'Still, I should keep an eye on him. He's mentally unstable compared to Cynthia, and he might do something he'll regret.'

The tall slender man sat on a tall red throne in a dark room. His leg was crossed, and his face was covered by a crimson robe. In front of him was a girl with blue hair and glasses.

"It seems that the Hinora Clan failed to apprehend the Ultimate Plague," She informed him. "Furthermore, they suffered a humiliating defeat by the victims they summoned to the Grand Line. Naru, the leader, is recuperating inside some nuclear tank. That is all your grace."

"Excellent," The red-hooded figure said, with a light, yet mischievous chuckle. "Their defeat was predicted due to their high ego. Their only means of returning to their world has already been destroyed by the Ring Leader. The prophecy foretells that the heroes will perish in the grip of Crimson Blood."

"And what about the Ultimate Plague?" The woman asked.

"Oh the Ring Leader has something special for him," The man snickered. "After all, a boy like him has so much potential. Aiden Viscard was too blinded by the fact that the boy was responsible for her daughter's escape to notice. Just like him, the Hinora Clan lacks understanding and only wanted bloodshed. Tell them that if they try that stunt again...

...I'll reduce them and this world into nothingness~!"

"You're really a Dragon Slayer?!" Luffy, Manatsu, Hibiki, and Megumi exclaimed with starry eyes.

The next day, Shervan revealed to the others that he's a dragon slayer and a brief reason why he hid it. He avoids mentioning anything involving the Crimson Blood organization.

"Yes, I'm known as the Delta Sky Dragon Slayer. I apologize for lying to you Natsu," Shervan said while looking down. He already had another mask hiding his face. 

"Nah it's all good~!" Natsu answered casually with a grin. "We already know you were lying anyway."

"Delta Sky, it's similar to Cynthia's Omega Flames," Erza stated. "Which means that you're a stronger version of the Sky Dragon Slayer, right?"

"I don't think so, Wendy is more powerful than me," Shervan modestly replied. 

"No I think you're more stronger Shervan," Wendy modestly said. "I-I can't turn myself into wind like you can." 

"Well, let's find out!" Natsu suggested. "You and Wendy should fight to see who the stro-." 

"Like hell you two are~!" Usopp dope slapped Natsu upside the head. "No magic fights on the ship~!" 

"Well it's looks like we have another young protégé," Levy teased.

"Protégé?" Touma asked.

"Cynthia used to follow Natsu's techniques since they both are fire element dragon slayers," Levy recalled. "So it's possible that Shervan might get inspired by Wendy's spells."

"Inspired, don't you mean ripped off?" Gajeel bluntly stated. His words punctured Cynthia and Shervan in the head.

"You're just jealous that there isn't a stronger Iron Dragon Slayer," Natsu mocked.

"Gehe~! Why would I be jealous of having a 2nd generation brat with a stronger iron?" Gajeel retorted back grinning.

"Ha, like your iron can match my flames~!"

"You wanna test that theory?!"

BONK~! BONK~!

"Would you two shut up~!?" Nami fumed after quieting the two down with her fist.

"So you'll join my crew?!" Luffy asked eagerly.

"Y-Yes," Shervan answered as he quickly bowed. "I'm honored to be in your crew, Captain Luffy!"

"You don't have to be so formal, just call me Luffy," He replied with a grin. "Let's celebrate our new crew member!"

"Didn't we just have one yesterday?" Asuka asked.

"She's right we don't have time for that," Nami stated, annoyed. "In case you haven't noticed, we don't have enough food for the next three days, since someone ate all of it during the night!"

"What?! Who would do such a thing?!" Luffy asked dumbfounded.

"THAT WAS YOU DUMBASS~!" Nami, Sanji and Usopp barked with shark teeth.

"He's even a bigger black hole than Index," Touma muttered under his breath.

CLACK!

"Ow~!" Touma winced when he felt something land on his head. "What the heck just hit me?"

"What are you ta-."

CLACK!

Shirabe asked only to be interrupted by something landing on her head. She quickly caught it, and glanced at it. "Chipped wood?"

"Is someone attacking us? " Touma asked as he gazed upwards. Zoro woke up when another piece of wood fell on his lap.

"Huh?" Iona also noticed small pieces of wood falling in the water. "It's raining wood?"

Everyone looked up, wondering what was going on, but what they saw shocked everyone.

A massive Gallon falling from the sky…

Next Chapter: Salvage King Masira.

"Stupid Orangutan," Usopp grumbled. He was working on the repairs after their encounter with Shoujou. Chopper was carrying some planks while Minori was observing the two. "Making me redo the repairs he destroyed."

"So it seems this ship is on its last legs," Zoro declared as he was working on the masts. "We need a new one."

"HOW DARE YOU EVEN CONSIDER THAT!?" Usopp comedically yelled. "YOU ARE AWARE OF THE ORIGINS OF THIS SHIP DO YOU~?!"

"YEAH HOW DARE YOU!?" Chopper added.

"We all know the story Usopp," Luffy said calmly. "You don't have to be so defensive."

"Yeah, you said the Going Merry was part of your crew, and we'll handle it all with care," Natsu added.

"You don't have to do it alone," Hibiki nodded in agreement. "We'll make sure that it will be ready for Skypiea."

"You right guys," Usopp began crying, while Chopper was making faces to get Minori to react. "I'm sorry."

CRASH~!

Luffy, Hibiki, and Natsu hammered too hard causing a chunk of the ship fell apart. "...Oops,"

"DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Usopp screamed comical. "ARE YOU GUYS TRYING TO FIX IT OR DESTROY IT!?"

"We're trying to fix it," Luffy defended as he banged another piece of wood off the ship. "Oops, I did it again."

"LUFFY~!" Usopp and Chopper cried in anger.

"The Going Merry won't last long if Natsu keeps "fixing" it," Happy said, while trying to hide his smirk. 

Wendy came out of the infirmary after treating Shervan. Shirabe and Cynthia quickly went towards her. "Is he going to be okay?" Shirabe asked.

"Yeah, he just passed out due to magic loss," Wendy answered.

"Thank goodness you were able to stop him before he destroyed Shoujou's ship," Yuko said to Touma.

"I said he should let the brat send those morons flying," Gajeel grumbled. "That Orangutan is tone deaf as hell."

"Like you're the one to talk," Lucy deadpanned.

"So...was he really trying to kill them?" Shirabe asked, hesitating a bit.

"It's hard to explain," Touma answered, scratching his head. "While he did cast that magic on Shoujou's ship, he didn't sound like himself...As if someone took over his body."

'Someone took over?' Cynthia, Shirabe and Wendy all thought the same thing. They recalled the incident with the fight against Naru. 'Could that be the reason why…?'

You went a bit far don't you think?

Shut up~! That dumb ape was asking for it! His voice had enough frequency to bring those horrible images in our heads...I thought we were done with those nightmares.

However, the others are likely to raise suspicion now. There were only two people on the scene who saw you: the Honey girl and the Imagine Breaker Welder.

Yeah, that shit was crazy. Who would've thought the boy could cancel me out of his body! That's never happened before.

I have to agree. I advise not to switch whenever he's around. We are lucky that it was just small traces of blood coming out of his eyes and nose.

Whatever I'll try to held down my anger, but if that ape or anyone else does that again, I'll kill them.

Following a route that circled the island to the east, the Straw Hat pirates reached the island's northern shore.

"WHOA~!" Chopper, Usopp, Hibiki, Hime, Manatsu, Megumi, Natsu, Happy, and Luffy starred in awed by the huge colorful castle at the edge of a small cliff.

"So this is where Noland Cricket lives?" Iona asked in awed.

"It's so huge~!" Kirika stated.

"This is the biggest house I've ever seen," Usopp said. "He must be loaded with treasure!"

Zoro scoffed. "Look closer morons."

"It's impressive how you made it seem as if it were an illusion," Robin stated

"That's gotta be the ugliest house I've ever seen," Jackal commented.

"What are you talking about?" Hibiki asked. Luffy, Natsu, and Happy jumped off of the ship. Once they got a better look at the castle, their eyes popped out of their sockets in shock.

"THIS HOUSE IS A FAKE~!?" The three boys yelled.

"WHAT!?" Usopp, Hime, Megumi, Manatsu, Chopper, Kirika and Hibiki yelled. Behind the giant board, the house was half the size of the plywood.

"So it's just plywood," Kuroko said, a bit stunned. "You can't tell from so far away."

"Why would Noland Cricket live outside of the city?" Sango asked.

"I don't know all the details, but I believe it has something to do with a ton of gold hidden around Jaya," Robin said.

"No way? Actually gold!?" Misaka asked.

"Duh," Index smugly said. "Honestly short hair, it shouldn't be surprising that gold exists in an age of pirates."

"I don't want to hear that coming from someone who doesn't know how to use a cellphone!" Misaka exclaimed annoyingly.

"Alright Chopper Jackal! Start digging!" Nami ordered suddenly.

"How in the hell am I supposed to dig when I'm tied up~?!" Jackal yelled, while Chopper turned into his full reindeer form and began scraping dirt with his hooves. While everyone else begins to explore the vacant area, Touma, Accelerator, Cynthia and Wendy stay back on the ship.

"It must be hard to live alone in this place," Sanji said, scouting the area.

"Excuse me Mr. Cricket!" Megumi called out as she went inside the house.

"Hey! Don't just barge inside someone's house!" Usopp exclaimed.

"Hello!" Megumi inspects the inside. "I guess no one's here."

"Would you get out of there Megumi!" Usopp whispered loudly.

"Yeah, what if this guy is dangerous?" Hime added.

"But no one is home," Megumi said.

Minori noticed a picture book on a stump and picked it up, "A picture book?"

"Noland King of Liars," Tsuchimikado read over her shoulder. "It looks a bit old."

"It says here that it was created from the North Blue," Minori replied.

"North Blue you say? That's where I was born from," Sanji said.

"Really?" Usopp asked, a bit surprised. "I thought you were born in the East Blue."

"Enough Chopper! What are you doing?!" Nami yelled, causing the reindeer to gawk in comical shock.

"This chick is messed up," Jackal mumbled.

"So what does it say?" Levy asked. As the others gathered around, Minori began reading the book. Luffy and Natsu weren't really paying attention as they noticed something in the water.

Four hundred years ago, in a country in the north blue, there was a man known as Montblanc. His stories are always filled with exciting adventures that he lied about to the residents in the village.

One day, Noland went out to sea and returned to report to the king. "I saw a mountain of Gold across the seas!"

Wanting to see for himself, the King joined Noland along with a thousand of his finest soldiers to the island he was talking about.

During their travels they have endured massive storms, and fought bloodthirsty monsters. At the end of the journey only Noland, the King and one hundred soldiers survived. Once they got to the island though, they found nothing but a jungle. Furious, the king sentenced Noland to be executed for lying. His final words were:

"The island of Gold...has sunken into the ocean," This made the King shocked. No one believed him as he kept telling lies...

"...Until he died," Minori finished. She closed the book and sighed while glancing at Usopp. "Without being able to prove himself to the people."

"OI! Don't stare at me when saying that!" Usopp yelled.

"Whatever you say, Noland," Chris crackled.

"MY NAMES NOT NOLAN-"

"...! WAH!" Luffy and Natsu were both suddenly flung into the sea.

"Natsu!" Happy cried.

"Did Luffy and Natsu fall into the water?" Wannai asked. Before anyone could react, a figure jumped out of the water where the two boys were.

"Who the hell are you people?" The muscular middle aged man asked angrily. "You punks have a lot of guts to enter my territory! I suggest you leave or else!"

"Usopp! Go save Luffy and Natsu!" Sanji ordered. Usopp along with Awatsuki and Happy went to help the boys. Before Sanji could say anything else, he quickly ducked his head to avoid an oncoming round-house kick. The man then took out a small knife and thrust it at Sanji who barely avoid it, nicking a bit of his clothes.

"For an old man, he sure is good with combat," Asuka commented.

"Should we transform?" Iona asked.

Nami shook her head. "I'm sure Sanji can handle hi-"

BANG!

Everyone was startled as they found the man fired his gun at Sanji. Luckily for him, he leaned back just in time to avoid it.

"Sanji!" Maria shouted.  "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, he has a terrible aim-," Sanji replied, but couldn't get the chance to finish as the man continued firing. Sanji dodged every bullet he fired. "HEY CUT THAT OUT!"

"Idiot, that's what you get for taking him seriously," Zoro said, unsheathing his sword.

"What the heck is going on here?" Cynthia called out on the ship. She along with Wendy, and a well rested Shervan came out of the sickbay. They noticed Accelerator, Touma and Shirabe on the side, observing the battle.

"Lover boy is getting his ass kicked by an old man," Accelerator replied.

"Well, let's give him the element of surprise," Cynthia said as her fist enlightened.

"Can't believe I have to save this stupid cook's life," Gajeel sighed annoyed.

"W-Wait!" Yuko shouted, getting everyone's attention. "Something's not right with him!"

"What are you talking abo-Eh?" Gajeel's question was answered when the man suddenly collapsed on the ground. At the same time, Usopp and Happy were able to get Natsu and Luffy out with the help of Awatsuki's esper ability.

"What were you idiots doing?" Usopp asked in between deep breaths.

"W-we found something bubbling on the shore," Natsu replied weakly. "We thought it was a fish, so Luffy and I waited to catch it."

"T-Then a weird Chestnut appeared," Luffy continued, still panting heavily. "We were thinking of good things to eat with it until two hands grabbed both of us and tossed us in the ocean."

"Well I'm glad you two are alright," Awatsuki sighed.

In the small house, the others gathered around while Wendy and Chopper treated the man.

"So what happened to him?" Kirika asked.

"Is he really sick?" Index added.

Chopper nodded. "Yeah, he has Decompression Sickness."

"Decompress- what?" Manatsu repeated.

"Decompression Sickness," Chopper replied. "It's when you start having mood swings from diving into the water too long. The extra nitrogen goes through the blood vessels causing bubbles."

"Ah I get it...so it's a mystery sickness," Luffy replied. Natsu, Hibiki, Megumi, and Manatsu nodded in agreement.

"So this idiot just dived deep down and raised too quickly?" Jackal questioned.

"He must have been diving every day," Chopper remarked. "The bubbles must've got ahead of him causing him to pass out."

"Why would he do this though?" Gray asked. "Diving into the water like that when he's alone could almost kill him."

"George mentioned that he would often visit Noland from time to time," Shirabe stated.

"Hey, do those two look familiar?" Index asked, noticing a picture of the guy with two familiar looking people.

"You're right. I think we've seen them before," Sango said, also looking at the picture.

"HEY OLD TIMER ARE YOU ALRIGHT!?" Everyone turned to find Masira and Shoujou 's heads between the small doors.

"AHH~!" Usopp and Chopper screamed frightened.

"It's Shoujou and Masira!" Tsubasa declared, grabbing her crystal.

"So you guys want round two?" Natsu smirked, pumping his fist.

"What are you people doing here!?" Shoujou asked angrily.

"And what have you done to our friend!?" Mashira accused.

"We are trying to help him out," Luffy said sternly. "So you guys should either help or get out of our way."

"Don't antagonize them, Luffy!" Usopp barked, frightened. "Y-You think these two savages will listen to reason!? After what happened?!"

"If you guys wanna fight then I'll give yah one!" Hime said as she prepared to transform.

The two animal-like humans stare for a second before weeping comical tears. "Thank you very much for helping our friend!"

"They listened~!?" Usopp, Chopper, and Hime slid down crashing into the wall.

"So you guys live here?" Luffy asked. He, Manatsu, Natsu, Kirika, Index, Megumi, and Hibiki were outside talking with Shoujou and Mashira.

"This is actually our boss's home, not to mention our hideout," Shoujou explained. "But we spent most of the time on our ship."

"Yeah we're more comfortable in the sea since this house is too short for us," Masira said.

"You two are too big for your own house?!" Natsu questioned as he and Luffy laughed.

"Those guys are sure looking cheerful," Usopp said as he, Zoro, Gajeel, Chris, and Asuka were leaning on the house.

"Well those guys do have a lot in common," Gajeel replied.

"Considering the fact that Luffy found three other monkeys who understand him," Zoro said, referring to Natsu being the third "monkey."

"You know I'm kinda surprised how you guys were able to kick Masira off your ship," Shoujou complemented. "Seeing how you guys are small fries."

"Yeah, it wasn't too hard," Natsu replied. "Anyone can kick this monkey's ass!"

"What's that?" Shoujou questioned, while Masira was puzzled.

"Hey, guys!" Wendy called out. "He's starting to wake up!"

"He's awake?" Hibiki said.

PUNT!

"AIIII~!!"

Hibiki, Manatsu, Megumi and Happy sweatdropped when Shoujou sent Masira comically flying off the island.

"What do you know, I can kick his ass," Shoujou said surprised.

Luffy and the others entered to find the guy standing up. "Hey Chestnut guy, I want to ask you a question."

"He has a name you know," Misaka scoffed. "He's Montblanc Cricket."

"Sorry for attacking you," The guy, known as Montblance Cricket said after puffing some smoke. "I thought you were another bunch of bandits coming to steal my gold."

"Gold!?" Nami asked, her eyes turned to dollar signs.

"Calm down Nami," Lucy sweatdropped.

"So what do you guys want to ask me?" Cricket asked.

"We heard you knew how to get to Sky Island," Natsu explained. "Could you tell us how to get there?"

"You're serious...?" Cricket questioned, after which he laughed. "You actually believe in that folktale?"

It took Hibiki, Usopp, Lucy, Touma, and Asuka to hold down the raging Nami. "LET HIM LIVE NAMI! LET HIM LIVE!" Usopp pleaded.

"So is there really no such thing as Skypiea?" Megumi asked.

"Nobody knows if Sky island or Skypiea really exist," Cricket answered calming down. "But there was one man who knew about it and he's considered a liar."

As he said that, Luffy, Happy, Kirika and Megumi slowly turned to Usopp with gaping mouths. "WHAT ARE YOU GUYS LOOKING AT!?"

"There's an old folk-tale book about that liar. He's known as Noland the King of Liars," Cricket explained, causing the four to turn to Usopp again.

"STOP LOOKING AT ME, YOU GUYS! MY NAME IS NOT NOLAND~!?" Usopp yelled

"Now that I think about it, are you related to Noland?" Levy questioned.

Cricket nodded. "He's my great-great great grandfather. Our families were exiled out of the North Blue. Hated by everyone who's heard of us, but none of my family hated Noland for it because to what the story has told," Cricket picked up the picture book. "Noland was actually an honest man."

"He was?" Minori asked, surprised…

...Honestly it's hard to tell by her poker face. "That's not what it says in the book."

Cricket took the book. "As the story goes Noland's last words: "The island of Gold...has sunken into the ocean. Despite grinning like an idiot that day, he was shedding tears of hate."

"After hearing it, the story does seem one sided," Shirabe realized. "The king in the story sounds like a jerk who cares more about the gold than his own people. Out of anger, the king sent Noland to execute when he didn't get what he wanted."

"You're right," Cricket said. "Noland's imagination wasn't fake. He believed there was a city of gold, thinking that the earthquake might cause the city to sink into the ocean. Yet, no one still believed him."

"I get it," Usopp said. "So you want to prove that your grandfather is telling the tr-,"

BANG!

When Cricket intentionally missed Usopp with his gun, everyone was alarmed. Especially Usopp who was gawking in fear.

"Hey!" Misaka yelled, holding back her attempt to shock him. "What was that for?"

"I don't care about my grandfather's adventure, or if he was a liar or not!" Cricket angrily yelled. "Because of his stupid beliefs, and being a decedent of that bastard! I had to deal with myself getting ridiculed by strangers!"

As all of them were silent, a few of them understood what he meant. Having to be treated differently due to being a monster, or a certain power.

"Anyway," Cricket continued calming down a bit. "In the past hundred years, many of my descendents have sought out the city of gold. I, on the other hand, wanted to be away from my family, which is why I became a pirate."

"You were a pirate?" Chopper asked.

"Yeah, that wasn't my true goal. I just wanted to escape Noland's curse, but I ended up gathering a crewmate," Cricket admitted. "I was then seen as a leader, not a laughing stock. After 10 years, I came to this island by faith or something. Many of my family have died looking for it, so I thought maybe this was faith I was brought here. Sadly, my crewmates left me. I don't care whether Noland's theory was true or false. What I'm doing is believing in my destiny. This is a battle between me and my Grandfather. Before I die, I want to settle this."

Hime, Wannai, Usopp, and Erza were touched by Cricket story that they were tearing up a bit. "That was a wonderful story." Usopp cried trying to hide his tears.

"You humans are pathetic with your tears," Jackal grumbled.

BANG~! BANG~! BANG~!

Everyone cringed as a tearful Erza silenced the demon, leaving him with three lumps on his head.

"Um…" Shervan stepped in. "I heard from George that you and them were friends. How d-did you meet them?"

"And the monkey's?" Luffy asked curiously.

"Yes, they must be another emotional story," Hime replied tearfully. "Your life like one big picture book,"

"Actually they were just fans of the legend," Cricket bluntly stated.

"JUST FANS~!?" Hime and Usopp asked comical shock.

"How did they find you?" Lucy asked.

"George, Koneko, and Ray met ten years ago. Those two knuckleheads followed a few months later," Cricket explained. "They thought gold existed and wished to assist me in finding it."

As soon as he said that, they heard the two monkeys comically fighting outside.

"Noisy bunch," Accelerator grumbled.

"I started searching about 4-6 years ago when I met George and his crewmates, along with those two apes," Cricket said. "They entered my life without permission and resigned them as crewmates without even asking. Even though the only sane person is George, they're better crewmates than I can imagine."

"That's a really touching story," Usopp cried.

"Y-Yeah true comrades always stick together," Hime added.

"Boring," Natsu yawned.

"Are you done without your life story?" Luffy asked, also not interested.

"SHUT YOUR MOUTHS YOU UNGRATEFUL BRAT~!" Usopp dope slapped Luffy.

Hime did the same to Natsu. "YEAH IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE STORY THEN DON'T LISTEN TO IT~!"

Natsu shoved Hime out of the way, while Luffy comically threw Usopp to a wall. "Look, all I really want to know is how to get to Sky Island!"

"Geeze, straight to the point with this guy," Kuroko mumbled.

Cricket chuckled. "You two are an impatient bunch, but the only person who saw sky island was Noland."

"Was there any record of him going to Sky Island?" Iona asked.

"The book doesn't say," Cricket answered while skinning through a book.

"Wait, did that Captain's log belong to Noland?" Nami asked.

"Yeah," Cricket tossed her the book. "Read the bottom of the page."

"This book is 400 years old," Nami said as she began reading.

"Year of the sea 1120 June 21st clear weather. I set sail from the lively Jolly Villa. We went northeast straight out of the dock, with the wind in our back. In the afternoon I met a merchant ship and brought a unique object. It was a small board-like object, he said it was called a Sky Waver."

"A Sky Waver?" Megumi said. Soon Luffy, Usopp, Chopper, Hime, Megumi, Natsu, Happy, Index, Last Order, Manatsu, and Kirika crowd around Nami listening quietly.

"It is a small mysterious boat that will move even when there's no wind; in fact, it seems to generate its own wind and sail at remarkable speed even on a still day. There seems to be a secret method to master this equipment since I failed at it many times. It was a popular toy among the crew. No way I want one of those!"

"KEEP GOING! DON'T STOP READING!" The eleven of them shouted, looking excited.

"Okay okay!" Nami snapped back as she continued reading. "The source of the Sky Waver's energy we were told only exists in Sky Island. Which brings me to another interesting thing. An adventure once showed me a strange and unique species. A living Sky Fish."

"S-Sky Fish?" Happy began to drool.

"The Island remains the only unexplored domain," Nami continued. "It's impossible to go up there with our ship, but as a Sailor, I wish I could go to the Sea in the Sky someday: Montblanc Noland."

After Nami finishes reading, she turns to the others. "Do you guys know what this means?!"

"SKY ISLAND REALLY EXIST!" Luffy cheered.

"SKY FISH!" Happy chimed.

"Oh, boss, you're up?" Masira announced as Cricket walked out of the house. "How are you feeling?"

"Better than my old age," Cricket replied. "Now quit fighting and let me ask you something? Do you like those pirates?"

"Why do you ask?" Shoujou asked.

"Because they want to get to sky island," Cricket explained.

"What? But there's only one way to get them up there!" Shoujou said.

"Yeah and they'll die if they go up there on their own," Masira added.

"Well that's why we're helping them out," Cricket replied with a grin. The three watch the group inside cheering.

"Alright everyone listens up," Cricket said, as everyone minus Sanji were inside cooking with Masira and Shoujou. "The following information might be rumors that aren't true, so it's up to you to believe it or not."

"We believe you," Luffy, Manatsu, Megumi, Natsu, and Happy nodded in agreement.

"Wait till he finishes explaining," Usopp dope slapped Luffy.

"Well, to begin with, there's some strange phenomenon that happens at sea. The sky begins to darken due to the clouds," Cricket explained. "When it suddenly became dark due to the Columbus clouds."

"Columbus clouds?" Lucy questioned. "But they can't make it dark."

"You're not that smart, Crickle," Natsu added. "When there's a bunch of clouds it's just called an eclipse."

"Yeah, the clouds that cover the sky are just cloudy," Gray corrected.

"Yeah cloudy," Happy agreed.

"Be quiet and listen!" Erza ordered with a menacing glare.

"A-Aye!" The four answered frighteningly.

"As I was saying, the empire columns are known as cloud dense," Cricket continued. "There's no air current condensation within it and it appears blocking out the sun."

"Wait, so you're saying that a petrified cloud that doesn't produce water will block out the sun?" Kuroko questioned. "That's ridiculous!"

"I get it now," Luffy said, fisting his palm. "So there are mystery clouds!"

"Yeah, I guess that's a simple way of putting it," Cricket agreed.

"You're so smart Luffy," Megumi, Hibiki, and Chopper said in awe.

"Morons…" Chris and Gajeel mumbled.

"So as long as you come across that phenomenon, you should be able to find Sky Island," Cricket stated.

Luffy stood up grinning. "I get it! Let's go guys to the top of the clouds!"

"Uh, Luffy…" Sango started.

"Zoro, wake up!" The Straw hat yelled.

"Morning already?" Zoro announced drowsily.

"Alright, guys! Let's go full speed to the clouds," Usopp ordered, causing Natsu, Kirika, Happy, Manatsu, Megumi, Hibiki, and Cynthia to chant.

"HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO TELL YOU! WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET THERE~!?" Nami angrily yelled with shark teeth.

Break

"You guys do realize that you're risking your own lives doing this," Cricket replied. Nami was able to quiet the nine down leaving them bruised and beaten up.

"We're already half dead," Natsu, Luffy, Usopp, Happy, Hibiki, Manatsu, Megumi, Kirika, and Cynthia groaned.

"Let me ask you guys something," Cricket said after smoking a bit. "Have you guys ever heard of a Knock Up Stream?"

"I heard of it," Shervan announced quietly. "It's a powerful pressurized water stream that shoots upward to the sky from an underwater cave."

"Yeah I think Bellamy mentioned something like that," Happy added.

"Well, you need to ride the stream to get to Sky Island," Cricket replied.

"So all we have to do is sail it upward?" Kuroko asked, looking a bit skeptical. "That sounds too good to be true."

"You're right," Cricket nodded in agreement. "You need timing to get up there. It only happens for a minute. Then the current changes every five months."

"F-Five months?" Happy repeated feeling like his dream was shattered.

"Even though we enter the Columbus Clouds. If Sky island isn't there, then we will crash down just like that Gallon," Wannai said frightened.

Usopp face faulted and turned to Luffy. "M-Maybe we should forget about Sky Island Luffy. It would take all the luck we have to get up there."

"Don't worry, we'll get up there," Luffy said with an excited grin.

Usopp wept. "H-How can you say that? I mean look at the Going Merry. It wouldn't last that long if it crashes into the ocean."

"He's right," Cricket said, agreeing with Usopp. "No matter if it's new or old, that worthless junk won't make it up there."

"SAY WHAT!?" Usopp growled at him.

"Speed, weight, and force will be enough to be broken by the current," Cricket explained.

"He's right, you know," Tsuchimikado agreed. "The Going Merry isn't airworthy for traveling upward."

Usopp shook his head, in satisfaction. "See. It's hopeless, it can't be done!"

"Fun wrecker," Last Order pouted.

"Downer," Index frowned.

"Dream crusher," Happy sadly replied.

"Pinocchio desu," Kirika added.

"But," Cricket continued as he turned to Masira and Shoujou in the house. "These two will make some modifications to your ship in order to get up there."

"Don't worry!" They both cheered. "You can count on us!"

"Thanks for the help!" Luffy, Natsu, Happy, and Manatsu yelled back.

"Yeah, thanks," Usopp, Nami, Lucy, and Hime said sadly.

"Luffy, have you realized that we can't stay here at most one day?" Nami reminded. "The Log Pose has a day until it resets to the next island."

"Yeah, that's right!" Hime added. "There's no way we can make it in time! Having the Columbus Cloud and the Knock up Str-."

"It will be tomorrow noon," Cricket interrupted. "So you have today to find it."

"T-TOMORROW~!?" Usopp yelled in comical shock.

"You mean we can get there in time!?" Hime added.

"I'm afraid so," Cricket answered. Hime and Usopp didn't look convinced by his explanation.

"Y-You're lying!" Hime shouted, startling some of them. "We only met you about 24 hours and you're suddenly still nice to us?"

"Yeah isn't that a bit suspicious?! Helping us like that!?" Usopp added.

"Usopp!/Hime!" Luffy and Megumi began but were stopped by Misaka who put her hand on both of their shoulders. She and some of the others understand what the two were saying.

"You're saying that we can reach Skypiea tomorrow at noon?! You're even going to remodel the ship!? FOR NOTHING!? You are an ancestor of the famous Noland the Liar!" Usopp accused.

"Yeah, so what are you hiding!?" Hime demanded.

…

…

…

"FOOD READY!" Shoujou announced. He, along with Masira, Sanji, came outside.

"YEAH COME GET IT TILL ITS COLD~!" Masira joined in.

"You two are way too noisy...Ladies, I've prepared some delicio-" Sanji stopped as he and the two brothers noticed a silent atmosphere. "Did we miss something?"

When Cricket walked towards them, Hime took out her device while Usopp put his fist. "You want to fight?!"

Cricket wasn't phased by their outburst. "Masira told me that at midday, the Columbus clouds appear in the south the next day and based on the five months, I'm guessing the Knock-Up Stream is at the same time." He walked behind Usopp and Hime who were speechless and surprised. "Now I'm not 100% sure if these two phenomenon's will happen, but you never know."

As he walked back to his house, he chuckled. "I'm lucky to run into you fearless buffoons'. You guys are true pirates. Now come inside friends, and let's have some lunch."

Hearing this made some of them smile. Luffy giggled, and Jackal just growled by the happy atmosphere. Usopp and Hime went down on their knees in shock.

"Let's eat!" Luffy announced. He was about to dash inside the house, but Happy who flew tugged his shirt. "Hey what gives?"

"I'm not gonna let you eat my fish again!" Happy said, determined as he pulled him back.

"Ladies, I made a special delicacy for you!" Sanji announced.

"Geez, you're an annoying piece of crap," Gajeel growled.

"What'd you call me?" Sanji glared at Gajeel.

Erza glared at the two. "Don't even think about it."

"Come on sissy! Let's go before the apes eat everything!" Kuroko said, tugging onto Misaka's arms. Everyone was starting to head back inside, but Chris stayed behind near Usopp and Hime.

"Are you two coming or are you just gonna stand there swallowing flies?" Chris asked.

"Chris, can I ask you something?" Usopp asked without turning to her. "Am I a coward?"

"Nah, you're not just a coward, but an idiot as well," Chris declared bluntly. "And that goes for you too shortstack."

"GHECK!" Hime cringed as she felt the word "Idiot" and "Coward" stabbed her and Usopp in the back.

"What Chris is trying to say is, we understand how you two feel about getting up to Sky Island," Maria said smiling. "Now let's go inside before Luffy starts eating all the food."

Hime and Usopp looked at each other for a minute. Then suddenly dashed at Cricket embracing him. "WE'RE SORRY~!"

Cricket was taken back from the two. "Hey get off of me idiots! You got snot on my leg!"

The situation either made everyone laugh or made them roll their eyes. However, it was cut short when a black oval-shaped portal appeared in front of them. It startled everyone minus Cricket, Shervan, Cynthia, Wendy, Shirabe, Erza, Robin, Tsuchimikado, and Touma.

"SHERVAN~!" Some of them flinched at this, Shervan literally shook in fear from the voice.

"Not her again," Cynthia groaned.

As soon as Kinoko leaped out of the portal, everyone was shocked not only by her sudden appearance, but also by what she was wearing. She was wearing a micro swimsuit that Kuroko wore, only it had a white net around her upper body. Almost all of them blush minus Accelerator, Robin, Cricket, and Tsuchimikado who whistled, impressed.

"Kinoko used Sweet Kiss: Super Effective!" Kinoko lunged at the young boy, with her lips puckered and arms out like she was going to hug him.

Shervan blushes fiercely. His eyes were shut tight as he turned into wind using his devil fruit. Kinoko phase through his body and tackled the second person behind him, causing the two to fall to the ground.

"Target lock: commence make out session~!" Kinoko moaned. She then began to kiss the person, which happened to be Touma.

"..." Almost everyone was speechless by what was going on. Index, Misaka, and Manatsu were the most surprised, while some like Luffy, Natsu, and Gajeel, were either puzzled or didn't care.

"...When he's not beating up demons, he uses his right hand to get a girl to kiss him?" Jackal gawked in utter shock.

"That's Kamiya for yah," Tsuchimikado growled. "He always gets the girls to like him."

"This is so fucken hilarious though~!" Accelerator mocked, while laughing at the situation.

"...She has good taste," Kuroko admit admiring her swimsuit. 

"You should shut up now," Misaka warned, looking very pissed off.

"T-Touma! I'm so sorry I didn't know you were behind me!" Shervan apologized.

By opening her eyes, Kinoko allowed her lips to be released from Touma's. Her gaze, still fixed on Touma, seemed confused, while Touma's expression seemed nervous.

'I'm going to die,' Touma comically weeps as he prepares himself to get pummeled.

Kinoko simply shrugged and pressed her lips onto his, causing Touma's eyes to widen in shock.

"GET OFF OF HIM~!" Misaka and Index comically yelled. Touma attempted to push her off, but found her grip to be strong and constricting. Manatsu quickly rushed towards them trying to pull her off as well.

"What the heck is going on here?" Zoro wondered with a sweatdrop.

"I have no clue," Gray answered, also clueless.

"Damn bastard," Sanji and Tsuchimikado said, having the urge to beat up Touma.

"Touma~!" Index growled, baring her fang, while Misaka cracked her knuckles.

"W-Wait why are you blaming Touma~?!" Manatsu exclaimed getting between the two. "He's the victim here~!"  

BOP~!

Everyone froze when a fist appeared out of a small portal and slammed down hard on Kinoko 's head, instantly knocking her. This gave Manatsu a chance to shoved her off of Touma and help him up.

"Honestly, what am I going to do with that girl?" Everyone turned their attention to the portal as George along with Ray emerged out of it.

"Hey everyone~!" Ray greeted with a cheerful grin on his face. "Sorry for my sister's wonderful presentation~!" 

Wanting to break the awkward silence, Shervan walks up to them. "Um, everyone. These are my friends Ray, George, and Kinoko," He pointed to the KO'd twin tailed on the ground.

Next Chapter: Power of the Former Ultimate: Natsu vs George

After the sun has gone down. The Straw Hat Pirates were having a feasts with monkey alliance, George, Kinoko and Ray. 

"This wine is the best I ever tasted!" Cricket laughed as he chugged down the bottle.

"Eat as much as you want!" Sanji announced, serving some food to the others.

"It's really hard to eat when Ice Prick can't go one day without stripping his clothes," Accelerator grumbled.

"Yeah, are you sure you're not some kind of exhibition pervert?" Chris asked.

"What are yo-CRAP WHERE ARE THEY NOW!?" Gray yelled realizing that his shirt was gone.

"I like what I'm seeing here," Kinoko said while staring dreamily at Gray. "Fanservice for the female gaze."

"Love Rival!" Juvia chanted, glaring at her.

"You got a problem, overweight juggler?" Kinoko questioned, glaring back at her.

"Is Kinoko always like this?" Asuka asked while staring at the two glaring at each other.

"Pretty much," Ray answered. "She is always like that to guys she comes across and handsome men...including me."

"Wait what?" Asuka blinked.

"Yeah, there were times when she would sneak into my bed in her underwear," Ray replied nonchalantly.

"B-But aren't you siblings?!" Asuka exclaimed, a bit shocked.

"Not by birth. In fact, her real brother is a big fat scumbag," Ray stated with a straight face. "Oh, and I hope you're not going to eat your food."

"What are you ta-~!" Asuka found her plate being raided by Luffy's stretchy and grabby hands. She was able to grab Luffy's wrist just as it was about to grab her bread, and gave him a murderous glare. "Drop the bread."

"OI~! Are you trying to bite my hand off you stupid ape?" Gajeel questioned angrily.

"What did you call me?!" Masira asked glaring at Gajeel.

"AHH~! It tastes so good~!" Kirika moaned with sparkles around her.

"You're so messy Kirika," Shirabe scolded while wiping her face with a napkin.

"Heheh~!" Kirika chuckled, grinning. "Sorry~!"

"HOT!" Masira and Gajeel cried out in unison. They emit flames from their mouths.

"HAHAHA!" Usopp laughed. "YOU TWO FELL FOR MY HOT SAUCE GAG!"

"DAMN LONG NOSE BRAT~!" Gajeel and Masira yelled, Usopp quickly fled from the two.

"Hey ladies," Cricket said drunkenly to Megumi, Erza, Iona, Nami, and Maria. "Why do you sit here?"

"Oi Oi~!" Sanji placed his foot on his head. "Slow down there, you're a thousand years too late old man."

"Who are you calling old?" Cricket glared at Sanji.

"You're a good drinker~!" Shoujou smirked. He and Zoro were having a drinking contest.

"Same to you~!" Zoro said, smirking back.

While this party was lively, Natsu has been awkwardly quiet throughout the whole thing. He didn't even snap when Luffy swiped his plate.

"Are you okay Natsu?" Sango asked.

"Yeah," Natsu answered with a deadpan look.

"He's been like that ever since Ray, Kinoko and George appeared," Happy stated, munching on a fish.

"I wonder what he's thinking about?" Sango wondered, glancing at him.

"Probably something stupid," Misaka thought out loud.

"...ALRIGHT I MADE MY DECISION!" Natsu stood up and announced suddenly. This got everyone's attention. Then he pointed at George. "I CHALLENGE YOU TO A FIGHT!"

…

…

…

"He's been deciding whether to fight George this whole time~?!" Sango, Misaka, and Happy comedically questioned in shock.

"Y-You want to fight George?" Shervan asked, startled.

"I knew he would say something stupid," Lucy sighed.

"Didn't he learn from the last few times, or did Accelerator mess up his brain when he flicked him?" Chris harshly said.

George laughed at Natsu's outburst instead of being shocked. "Very well Natsu was it? I accept your challenge."

"HE AGREED!?" Lucy and Sango yelled in shock.

"Seems like Pinky hasn't learned his lesson, does he?" Accelerator said, with an amusing look.

George and Natsu were at opposite ends of the field preparing for their duel. The others were standing close to the house.

"So who do you think will win?" Minori asked.

"Natsu for sure, he's a Fairy Tail wizard after all," Cynthia answered.

"What, does being a Fairy Tail wizard make you invincible or something?" Accelerator mocked.

"Well we're a top guild in Fiore for a reason," Lucy boasted a bit.

"After seeing Erza get his ass kicked by the fox woman in the resort, I'm not convinced," Accelerator harshly replied.

"I...admit I was caught off guard by her ability," Erza said, looking unphased. "But if we cross paths again, I will take her down."

George's eyes glowed red as he used his Scope Devil Fruit to analyze Natsu who was stretching. 'Natsu Dragneel: Fire Dragon Slayer. Highest stats: Attack, Defense, Speed, and Explosion. Weakness: Motion sickness, and his own flames...Hmm, I wonder.'

"So you're ready?" Natsu asked eagerly.

"Before we begin, I want to give you a challenge!" George announced. "I have no intention of countering, blocking, or dodging your attacks. Should you fail to defeat me after five strikes, I will start attacking."

"Why five hits?" Iona asked.

"George is very known for his durability, and strength," Kinoko replied. "Ray had come close to beating him with his aura, but he lost."

"Really?" Cynthia asked a bit awed.

"Yeah, he's one of the few who can bypass my aura," Ray nodded in agreement.

"So you're willing to accept the challenge?" George asked again.

"Deal~!" Natsu roared. Having wasted no time, he rushed at George, pulling back his fiery fist. "Fire Dragon Iron Fist!"

George didn't bother to dodge as Natsu's flaming fist landed in his stomach. Despite Natsu's strength, George didn't flinch or skid back.

"How could he have taken Natsu's attack so leniently!?" Lucy stared in shock. Natsu jumped back in surprise when he noticed scorch marks on him.

"Tough guy aren't yah," Natsu grinned. He then began to puff his cheeks. "Fire Dragon Roar!"

"Warp Vacuum!" George extended his hand in front of him, creating a small black portal. Natsu's funnel of flames was absorbed inside the portal like a vacuum.

"That small portal was able to swallow Natsu's roar?!" Happy state shocked. Natsu appeared in front of George, and his knees came down on his chin, causing him to lean back as a result. Natsu flipped over, using the flames on his feet to boost himself towards him. Delivering a powerful headbutt to his chest, sending him skidding back a few inches.

"That's three hits so far," Lily noted.

"Despite that, he does not seem to be hurt," Misaka added.

"Go Natsu!" Wendy and Kirika cheered.

"Impressive," George grinned, not looking phased by his injuries. "You've done the same amount of damage as Ray and Kinoko on their last hit."

Natsu jumped up in the air while his arms were on fire. "Fire Dragon: Wing Attack!"

"Warp Vacuum," George had two portals in the palm of each of his hands, swallowing the two streams of flames.

"Dang it," Natsu grumbled as his attack was sucked up.

"You still have two hits left," George informed.

"I can knock you out in two hits in no problem~!" Natsu smirked. His body suddenly enlightened with a spark of electricity combining his flames, startling everyone.

"I did not see that coming!" Misaka's eyes widen in disbelief.

"First flames and now electricity!?" Masira shocked.

"That's Natsu's Lightning Flame Dragon Mode," Erza explained. 

"I had no idea Dragon Slayers could eat other elements," Maria said startled.

"Usually it would hurt a dragon slayer if they swallow another element," Lucy explained. "But Laxus gave him that power," Lucy explained.

"So it's not just Cynthia or Wendy who can do that," Shervan mumbled.

"It's pathetic compared to my iron shadow form," Gajeel mocked.

"What you say tin can~!?" Natsu roared with shark teeth.

"You look so cool!" Luffy and Kirika shouted with starry eyes.

"GO GET HIM NATSU!" Hibiki, Chopper, Megumi, and Manatsu cheered.

"Impressive," George acknowledged. "I always thought Dragon Slayer can only withstand their own elements, but you along with the two girls proved me wrong."

"Lighting Fire Dragon: Sword Horn!" Natsu charged at him engulfed in flames and lightning, landing a devastating headbutt. Although George winced at the headbutt, it only pushed him back. Suddenly, Natsu created a pillar of lightning and flames, sending George skyrocketing into the air.

"T-That pink prick went easy on me?" Jackal asked in shock. 

"Is George really going to be beaten by Natsu?" Ray asked in disbelief.

"Please don't let this be," Kinoko pleaded. "I love the pink-haired boy, but I don't want that tomboy brute to be right."

Natsu uses the flames on his feet to boost himself into the air above George. He raised both of his fists above his head, one with flames and the other with lightning. "THIS MAKES FIVE! LIGHTING FIRE DRAGON! HAMMER!"

He swung both of his fists downward, delivering a devastating blow on George's back hurling him down towards the ground.

"Holy crap," Chris managed in awed.

"So he's not some sort of hothead masochist," Accelerator commented, a bit intrigued.

Shervan glanced at the dust cloud intensively. Unlike a few of the others, he didn't think George was down that easily. Natsu was on the ground, with his Flame Lightning mode worn out from magic consumption, but he was still able to stand and stare at the dust cloud.

"Impressive…" Everyone including Natsu, minus Robin, Shervan, and Cricket were shocked when they saw George upside down with his right arm extended out on the ground, which left a crater. He was scorched from the attacks but didn't show any signal of tiredness as he got right back on his feet.

"N-no way!" Lucy gasped in shock.

"What endurance!" Lily stated, a bit impressed. "To think he was able to withstand Natsu's powerful attacks."

"Now let's turn the tables shall we?" George grinned. He snapped his fingers forming a portal above Natsu's head and out shot a funnel of red flames towards him.

"Natsu look out!" Wendy shouted. By jumping back, Natsu dodges the fire as it crashes down on the ground where he landed.

"WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT~!?" Masira and Shoujou yelled.

"Would you two shut up," Zoro growled annoyed.

"I have to admit that your portal magic is way cool," Natsu complimented. "But you're not the first Portal Mage I've fought!" He then charged at him with his flame fist. "Fire Dragon Iron Fist!"

"Warp Snatch!" George formed a small portal in the palm of his hand. Just as Natsu aimed for his hand, his fist disappeared. Before Natsu could react, another small portal appeared beside the dragon slayer, and out came his own fist, striking him in the cheeks.

"He finally gets a taste of his own medicine," Jackal chuckled.

Natsu slid backward, unaware that two small portals had appeared between him. It fired off two streams of orange flames at Natsu, making direct contact. "ARGH!"

"Natsu!" Lucy, Happy, and Cynthia cried out. After the dust cloud cleared, Natsu was seen on his knees, breathing heavily.

"I thought Natsu could eat flames," Megumi said, looking a bit confused.

"He can, but not if he summons his flames by himself," Levy explained, staring at Natsu and then at George.

"That's the reason why he stored Natsu's attack," Kuroko stated. "Even if Natsu was able to damage him with five of his strongest moves, George was able to get him in that state with three."

"If you can't beat George in only five hits, then there's no chance you'll ever beat Crimson Blood Elites," Ray whispered. Shirabe was the only one who heard him, while the others were more into the fight. 

'Ultimate Elites?' Shirabe wondered. 

"I ain't done yet," Natsu winced as he slowly stood up. After one final push, he charges towards George with his fist pulled back. Then, when Natsu was close enough, George tilted his head to the left to evade his fist. Natsu puffed his cheeks preparing a close-range roar attack. "Fire Drago-GUAH!"

"Checkmate," George mumbled as his fist connected to the Dragon Slayer's stomach. Almost everyone winced especially, Ray and Kinoko who trained with George. The Fire Dragon slayer eyes rolled back as he fell back KO'd.

"Natsu!" Lucy and Happy shouted.

Natsu's injuries were immediately treated by Wendy and Chopper. George slumped to the ground, crossed-legged. "That was a remarkable duel. I can tell by the way you fought that you are a skillful yet violent fighter."

"Now I wanna spar with someone~!" Luffy said, looking excited with his eyes sparkled. "I wanna fight you, flamingo girl~!"

"My name is Asuka, not flamingo girl~!" Asuka comically snapped.

"I think Natsu's fighting addiction is rubbing off on them," Misaka commented. Touma and Kuroko stared at Misaka who noticed. "Wh-what?"

"Oh, nothing..." The two answered simultaneously. Being a rare times the two actually agreed on something.

After the duel ended, Levi and Robin spent some time reading the duel log book. "Hey Robin, doesn't this log look a bit odd?"

"Yes it does," Robin answered.

"In the skull's right eye, gold is seen," Cricket suddenly noted. Levy jumped by how close he was while Robin sweatdropped.

"Did someone say gold!?" Nami turned with sparkling eyes. Her outburst got everyone's attention, including Natsu who slowly woke up.

"The pages with the tears on it contain Noland's final words, " George explained.

"However we don't even know what it means though," Cricket replied. "But here is another hint in his entry. Captain's log: 21st day of the 5th month. Year 1122: Today I arrived at Jaya. Once I got there, I heard a huge amount of chirping from the woods followed by a loud ringing noise from the great bell made of gold. Its ringing can be heard throughout the Grand Line."

"Bell made of gold!?" Nami's eyes sparkled.

"It made us speechless," Noland continued to narrate. "Hearing the bell, which changed civilization across the Grand Line, it made us feel uneasy."

"GO NOLAND!" Masira, Shoujou, Luffy, Manatsu, Index, Last Order, Natsu, Happy, Kirika, Megumi, Hibiki, and Cynthia cheered.

"From the way you're performing, you actually like your ancestors," Wannai said smiling.

"Really now?" Cricket chuckled as he stood up and went towards his shelves. He picked up four bundles. "Then I'll leave it to your imaginations."

"What are those?" Yuko asked.

"Why don't you look for yourselves," Cricket said. Yuko unwrapped the first one which got everyone surprised.

"A G-Golden Bell?!" Sango said, amazed.

"This was the one Masira found on his travels," Ray replied.

Nami picked it up and started to nuzzle it. "Ah-treasure!"

"Geez what a creep," Jackal mumbled.

"Amazing," Awatsuki said. "I've never seen gold like this before, and it's still looking brand new."

"Was this the gold that Noland was talking about?" Touma asked.

"Don't be such an idiot," Misaka scolded Touma's dense mind. "The entry said that the bell was big."

"Yeah, how do you consider this big?" Iona asked Cricket.

"This isn't the one my grandfather mentioned," Cricket chuckled. "It was a bell-shaped token."

"Token?" Hibiki repeated, confused. "Like the ones you use to play video games?"

"Where the hell would you find video games in a pirate-era moron?" Chris asked.

"My crew and I found three of them on the seabed," Masira said proudly. Cricket unraveled the first two, which were golden bells.

"So that means Sky Island exists?" Luffy asked.

"Not necessarily," Shoujou informed. "You can find gold like this across any gold ruin in the Grand Line."

"Finally, Masira, would you do the honors," Cricket said to his ape companion.

"You got it," Masira obeyed proudly. He unraveled the last golden statue revealing an odd exotic-looking bird, about the same size as Chopper.

"This is the last of them," Cricket sighed. "This one wasn't more popular than the other three, and it was the only thing I could show for it."

"What the heck kind of bird is that?" Index asked.

"It looks like a toucan only larger," Minori thought while observing it.

"That kinda looks like you Happy," Natsu said.

"How exactly?!" Happy asked in shock.

"Well you both have wings, and you're both holding bells," Natsu informed.

"A bird holding a bell," Sanji ignored Natsu's logic and stared at the statue. "So is this like some kind of symbol or something?"

"I'm not sure, but they are called South Birds," George explained, "They exist on the island and you can still find th-!"

"Huh? What's wrong?" Hibiki quickly asked. Masira, Shoujou, George, and Cricket froze on the spot with a shocked looks on their faces.

"THIS IS BAD!" Cricket yelled.

"W-What wrong!?" Hime asked, startled from their outburst.

"Damn it, This is really bad," George cursed himself. "Listen, we all have to go south in the forest!"

"Why?" Kuroko questioned.

"Don't waste time!" Cricket warned. "You need to catch one of these South Birds!"

"B-But why?" Lucy asked, puzzled and confused.

"Listen," George said sternly. "Tomorrow you'll be sailing towards the Knock-Up Stream directly south from where we are. How will you get there?"

"Don't we just go south then?" Megumi answered.

"We can't," George answered. "When you're on the Grand Line, you lose all your sense of direction in the open sea."

"Not to mention that you guys aren't going to an island," Cricket added. "That's what the bird is for. They exchange a compass signal inside them, enchanting their direction sense."

"Just like pigeons," Wannai said, finally getting it.

"So Mosshead is worse with direction than a pigeon?" Accelerator chuckled.

"Yeah, you're stupid than a bird," Natsu and Luffy mocked, laughing at Zoro.

"YOU TWO HAVE NO ROOM TO TALK!" Zoro yelled.

"The south bird has the best sense of direction. No matter what direction you turn its head too, it will always turn south," Cricket explained. "If you guys don't get it, then you'll never get to Sky Island."

Natsu, Happy, Hibiki, Kirika, Manatsu, Cynthia, Chopper, Usopp, Index, Last Order, Megumi, Hime, and Luffy eyes widened in shock. "HOW COME YOU JUST MENTION IT NOW~!?"

"S-sorry I forgot!" Cricket answered honestly.

"Less talking, more finding!" Cynthia said dashing out of the house followed by the others.

"You expect us to go in the middle of the night to find it!?" Usopp yelled at Cricket.

"Not without these," Ray casually tossed a bunch of nets onto Usopp.

"Remember! You need to catch a South Bird before daybreak!" Cricket yelled. He along with Masira, Shoujou, Kinoko, Ray, and George watched as the team left.

Hiding in the bushes, Loni and Lenora were spying on the group and noticed the Straw Hats running into the forest. "Wait, are those the straw hat pirates?"

"No shit Sherlock," Loni scolded.

"I'm not Sherlock, I'm Lenora, your younger sister," Lenora answered.

"Never mind!" Loni groaned quietly. "Still it's kind of odd, I was informed there would be just six of them…"

She shook it off, "That doesn't matter. We'll use the forest to give them the element of surprise."

"Got it," Lenora answered. "One question though,"

"What is it?" Loni asked a bit tired.

"What are these black thingies?" Lenora questioned pointing to two small portals in front of the two.

"Sh-," Before Loni could finish, two pixelated fists fired out of the portal, landing a direct hit on both of the girls. Loni was able to cross her arms just in time, but the impact pushed her and her sibling into an open area a few feet away. Although Loni pushed the fist back, she landed on her feet, but Lenora was not as fortunate as the fist sent her flying into a tree.

"Are you alright Lenora?" Loni called out with her eyes forward.

Lenora slowly stood up. "Y-yeah, but my dress is ruined!"

"Well I recognize that annoying voice," Kinoko called out. She along with George and Ray emerged out of the forest.

"It's been a while, Loni," George said. "In my last encounter with you, you were in need of aid."

She stared in silence before a slight grin appeared on her face. "Yeah, I appreciate what you've done, but that's in the past. Right now, you along with Ray, Kinoko, and the Straw hats are on our hunt list!"

"Hunt list? What are you yammering about?" Kinoko asked.

Instead of answering her, Loni charged at George with tremendous speed. Kinoko and Ray were surprised at how fast Loni was, but George blocked her punch without hesitation. "I've been waiting my whole life to finally take you down."

"Well, I wouldn't want to disappoint you," George snarled back. Although he had been able to push her away, Loni attacked him right away. George pulled back his fist and clashed with Loni, causing a massive shockwave, pushing Ray and Kinoko back slowly.

"She's more powerful than last time we've fought," Kinoko struggled to hold her ground. She was worried about George that she didn't notice Lenora appearing behind her, preparing to launch a roundhouse kick to her neck. Luckily Ray was able to block the attack in his metal rash form.

"Wah!?" Kinoko was taken back by the unexpected attack that she landed on her butt. Lenora jumped back, glaring at the two.

"Lenora, it's been a while," Ray smirked. "But of course you wouldn't remember the time you beat me."

"I don't care about that," Lenora said sternly, eyeing Kinoko. "That bitch wretched my outfit and now I'll wretch her...uh.." Lenora's mind went blank for a bit, before shaking it off. "Oh hey, Ray! I didn't notice you."

"You were just talking to him for a second!" Kinoko comically yelled.

"Anyway, my friends and I are a bit busy," Ray said, getting to his fighting stance. "So why don't we make this battle quick."

"Oh it will be quick," Lenora's personality changed from clueless and cheerful into a serious and determined. White electricity suddenly surrounded her body. "I took you down three times, and I can do it again."

"Kinoko," Ray said, not leaving her eyes on Lenora. "You go back to Cricket! He may need some help with Bellamy's crew!"

Kinoko wanted to object since Lenora and Loni were deadly without their abilities, but she knew that Cricket's group would be attacked by Bellamy and his crew. "Okay, but please don't get captured!"

Ray watched as Kinoko disappeared into the forest. He sighed in relief and then turned to Lenora, who was a bit puzzled. "Wait, why did you let her go like that?"

"I don't want to be like last time," Ray answered. "She almost killed you and Lunar and I don't want that to happen again."

"Aww that so sweet," Lenora cooed. "I don't know why you want to become a pirate when you don't want to kill anyone. Maybe you can like, join our team of Bounty hunters!"

"Love to, but it's hard since you're with an alliance with Crimson Blood, " Ray stated.

"Oh I forgot about that," Lenora said as she chuckled a little. Loni and George who were in the middle of close combat stared at the two and sweatdropped by how they forgot that they're enemies.

Next Chapter: Hunters and Hunted.

Team#1: Levy, Lily, Gajeel, Last Order, Accelerator, Hime, Megumi, Hibiki, Asuka, Tsuchimikado

"You're really adorable~! Misaka Misaka said, hugging the cute black cat~!" Last Order chimed. Lily struggled to escape from her tight grip, without transforming into his muscular form.

"Get away from that cat brat," Accelerator scolded as he continued walking. "You have no idea where that shit has been."

"Oi, that my cat you're insulting, bastard," Gajeel growled back. "And it's your fault that your runt is crushing my cat!"

"You got a death wish, scrap shit?" Accelerator smirked glaring at Gajeel.

"I'm not like that pyromaniac," Gajeel smirked back at him with an intense glare. "I don't give a damn that you're the strongest. I'll beat the shit out of you."

"Would you two quit arguing for once?" Hime asked, a bit annoyed.

"Shut up!" Gajeel and Accelerator snapped in unison, causing Hime to freak out by their menacing glare.

"Be nice you two," Levy scolded.

"I don't do nice," Gajeel growled. "Especially to someone who insults my cat."

"You know those two may act all tough, but they are acting like tsundere," Tsuchimikado said.

"Do you wanna die?" Accelerator snapped at the boy.

"There's something I wanted to ask you, Accel," Hibiki said curiously. However her nickname caused the Gajeel, Hime and Tsuchamikado to snicker. "Does that black collar have something to do with your esper powers?"

"Somewhat…" He replied before being silent.

"He's not that talkative isn't he," Asuka said, eying him.

"What's up with him?" Hime huffed, annoyed of the Level 5's cold shoulder.

"Misaka Misaka doesn't know for sure, but Misaka thinks that he got that choker when he saved me," Last Order explained, sadly unsure.

"Saved you?" Hibiki repeated.

Last Order nodded. Accelerator and Gajeel walked up ahead as she spoke. "Misaka Misaka is the final of the 20001st clones of Misaka."

Asuka, Hibiki, Hime, Levy, and Megumi stared at Last Order, stunned. "2-20001 clones?!"

Team#2: Usopp, Sanji, Nami, Yuko, Shirabe, Kirika, Shervan, Misaka, Kuroko, Erza, Jackal, Lucy,

"Don't worry ladies," Sanji turned to the female members of his team. "Your knight in shining armor will protect you no matter what."

"Me too?" Usopp pleaded.

"Quit being such a baby!" Sanji scolded Usopp.

"The sooner we find that bird, the sooner we can get out of this creepy forest," Misaka added, a bit creeped out.

"Let's all settle down and try to listen for it," Erza suggested. Sanji's group stopped for a minute and listened to the bird's cry.

"...JOH!"

"I can hear it!" Kirika exclaimed.

"JOH!"

"Me too," Lucy concurred. "It must be nearby."

"JOH!" Everyone realized that Usopp was making the noise. Sanji angrily threw his net over the sniper's head. "Hey, why are you catching me?" Usopp angrily replied, but noticed something. "Hey, that is a nice accessory Nami. Where did you get that thing?"

"What thing?" Nami asked, confused. Everyone stared at her back, revealing a huge black hairy spider. "AHHH! SPIDER~!"

Nami, along with Sanji, Shirabe and Lucy dashed behind a bush, while Yuko gently picked up the spider. "Aww~! It's so cute."

Kirika and Shervan crowded around her to get a good look, both were in awed. "A-Amazing, this is the first time I've seen a tarantula up close." Shervan quietly said.

"I've always wanted one as a pet, but Maria and Shirabe wouldn't let me," Kirika said.

"I HATE SPIDERS THROWING IT AWAY!" Nami screamed in fear.

"N-no spider should be that big!" Shirabe added.

"Get rid of it Yuko!" Lucy yelled.

"What is their problem?" Jackal asked, staring at the four hiding behind the bush.

"They're a bunch of babies," Kuroko scoffed. "At least you're not scared of spiders, right sissy?"

"..."

"...Sissy?" Kuroko began to turn only to see Misaka's dotted outline. She facefaulted when she notices her role model hiding behind the bushes with the others.

"Don't worry you guys, it's just a tarantula," Usopp said while gently petting the tarantula. "As long as you don't make it angry or frightened, it won't bite. While I was a little kid, I used to play with them often."

"Are you out of your mind?!" Misaka blurted out. "Giant hairy spiders are scary!"

"Just throw it away, I don't want to even get near it!" Nami yelled.

"What about the moths and centipedes behind you?" Jackal asked with a grin. The five shook in fear as they noticed millions of centipedes and moths behind them.

"AHHHHH!"

Team#3: Zoro, Robin, Natsu, Happy, Gray, Wannai, Awatsuki, Chris, Minori, Tsubasa, Iona, and Juvia.

"What was that!?" Awatsuki asked. She and others were a bit startled by the screams.

"It sounds like Nami's group have encountered some monsters," Robin replied calmly.

"They must've come across something big out there," Natsu grumbled looking bored, " I wanna fight something, COME OUT YOU STUPID MONSTERS!"

"Would you shut up!" Gray snapped annoyed, "Your big fat mouth will scare off the South Bird,"

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A BIG FAT LOUD MOUTH~!" Natsu yelled at Gray. Before a fight broke out, Iona smacked both of them upside the head. "What the hell Iona!?"

"We don't have time to deal with your childish argument with Gray," Iona lectured.

Suddenly, Zoro unsheathed his sword and swung it behind him. Everyone except Robin was startled. Before anyone could ask, a giant centipede fell right in front of him. It squirmed a bit before it went stiff.

"H-Huge!" Happy yelled in shock.

"What quick reflexes," Tsubasa muttered in awe.

"You really shouldn't be killing every creature we come across," Robin said to the swordsman.

"Well, It's his fault for coming after me," Zoro shot back as he continued walking.

"Where the hell are you going?!" Chris snapped, noticing the swordsman walking back to where they just came from. "That's where we just came from!"

"GHK~!" Zoro twitched in annoyance.

"JOH!"

"There it is again," Minori declared, looking up at the tall trees. "This time it's much closer."

"Alright let's go beat up that bird!" Natsu announced. Before anyone could react, Natsu already ran ahead leaving a dust trail.

"Aye, sir!" Happy agreed, using his Max Speed magic to catch up to him.

"I'm not gonna lose to a hot-headed loser. I'm going to freeze that bird," Gray growled in annoyance. He took out his shirt and charged after him.

"WE'RE TRYING TO CATCH IT NOT KILL IT~!" Iona yelled with shark teeth.

"Seriously, why can't this ice pervert keep his clothes on!?" Chris growled while hiding her blush.

"He's so dreamy when he's running in the forest naked," Juvia swooned.

"You need serious help," Chris muttered with a sweatdrop.

"This way Mr. Swordsman, and be careful, the ground is slippery," Robin warned.

"What are yo-!" Zoro began but stepped on the slippery area. Had Tsubasa not grabbed his hands and pulled him up, he would have gotten stuck in the quicksand.

Team#4: Luffy, Chopper, Sango, Maria, Manatsu, Laura, Wendy, Cynthia, Charla, Touma, and Index,

"GOTCHA!" Luffy suddenly shouted.

"Did you find the South Bird?" Cynthia asked eagerly.

"Nope I found an Atlas," Luffy picked up a stag beetle from behind a bush.

"EEK~!" Maria screamed comically at the size of the beetle. "A-A bug?!"

"Not just any bug," Manatsu said, eying it. "An Atlas Beetle is one of the rarest insects, next to the Hercules and Rhinoceros Beetle."

"What makes this bug so rare?" Laura asked curiously.

"People catch them and sell them for high prices," Luffy explained. "But they're really hard to catch though."

"Which is greater? The One Piece or the Atlas Beetle?" Manatsu asked curiously.

Luffy thought a bit, but it looked like he was in pain. "Eh, It's hard to decide!"

""Hey! I found another one," Chopper announced, pointing to another beetle on a tree.

"We don't have time to be looking for beetles!" Charla barked. "Don't you guys want to get to Skypiea or not?"

"AH~! It's flying away~!" Cynthia acknowledged. She, along with Manatsu, Chopper, and Luffy, began to chase it.

"Honestly," Charla sighed, rolling her eyes. "I still don't understand how he's the captain."

"I wonder about that myself," Maria nodded in agreement.

"AHH~!" They all turned their heads to find the five zipping past them. As soon as anyone could react, they heard buzzing and turned to see a swarm of hornets approaching them.

"RUN!" Cynthia shouted as they ran away from the swarm of hornets. Unfortunately the hornets were able to catch up with them, showing no mercy to the group.

"H-How horrible," Levy could only say. She along with Asuka, Megumi, Hime, Lily, and Hibiki were stunned when the young girl told them about the Level 6 experiment.

Last Order told them how scientists in Academy City use Mikoto Misaka's DNA to create millions of clones of her. Last Order is the 20001st clone and the command station for the Misaka Network. She also explains to them how Accelerator was a part of the project since he was 1st rank Level 5 in Academy. Researchers thought that if Accelerator killed 20,000 Misaka Clones, then he would be able to reach Level 6 faster than if he did the current curriculum. She also mentioned how Misaka found out about it, and her many attempts to stop the experiment by any means necessary.

Even sacrificing herself.

"That's just awful…" Megumi gasped, shuddering a bit.

"I know he was a monster, but to kill so many clones," Asuka muttered bitterly. 

Last Order frowns. "Accelerator didn't want to kill them! 'Misaka Misaka yelled defending him.' Misaka has the memories of all the clones in the Misaka Network, including the ones who died. When Misaka first met Accelerator after the savior defeated him. He was living alone in an apartment. It seems that he didn't have any friends throughout his childhood."

"He was alone…?" Hime asked, looking down. She can relate since she didn't have any friends before she met Megumi. Iona didn't trust her because she found out that Hime was the one that caused the Phantom Empire to take over the Blue Sky Kingdom.

"Being the most powerful level five must've been rough for him," Hibiki said sadly.

"I'm guessing that the savior who stopped Misaka from killing herself was Touma, right?" Lily asked.

Last Order nodded happily. "Not only does the savior save our remaining sisters and the original, but Accelerator as well! 'Misaka answered happily.' Since they heard that Accelerator was defeated, they had to cancel the project."

"That's a relief," Levy sighed a bit relieved.

"Hey, slowpokes!" Gajeel called out in a distance, stopping their conversation. All of them minus Tsuchimikado, had their jaws dropped in disbelief at what they saw. Accelerator and Gajeel were standing on piles of unconscious giant snakes.

"What happened here?" Hime asked in shock.

"While you were enjoying the scenery, these serpents foolishly ambushed us," Accelerator replied. "Luckily I was able to crush more skulls than Tin Can over there."

"In your dreams," Gajeel shot back, smirking. "I took out more since you reflected some of them back to me!"

Although Luffy's team managed to escape the swarms of hornets, they were stung multiple times. They stopped running to catch their breath.

"Finally they're gone," Chopper gasped while leaning against a tree.

"I think my stupid luck has affected you too," Touma groaned.

"Your luck has nothing to do with it," Charla replied, glaring at the five suspects. "What gave you the foolish reason to just attack the hive like that?"

"We didn't! The hive fell off the tree right in front of us!" Manatsu defended.

"You expect us to belie-," Charla couldn't finish as another hive landed right in front of them. They were attacked instantly by the swarm of hornets that emerged from it.

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS FOREST~!?" Cynthia yelled.

"It's the bird!" Chopper said suddenly, running in his Walking Form.

"A bird?" Index asked.

"The South Bird is the one who has been dropping hives on us," Chopper answered. "He said that he'll kill anyone who enters this forest!"

Back on the mainland. Cricket, Shoujou, and Masira were facing up against Bellamy's crew.

"Now now little boy, you don't want us to get angry do you?" Shoujou questioned.

"Yeah you can't just waltz in here demanding gold," Masira said, cracking his knuckles. "Now beat it! We don't have time to deal with your creeps."

"BAHAHAHA!" Bellamy laughed. "You must be his bodyguards and the ex-pirate Mont Cricket. I heard your ancestor's sad story back at the tavern, it moved me to tears. Anyway, I came here to take your gold considering I'm a pirate!"

He took off his cape, revealing his muscular body. "Before we begin Cricket, It's time I told what they call me before I steal all your lifetime gold. Bellamy The Hyena!"

"HOLD IT!" Kinoko shouted as she came out of the forest and slid in between the two sides facing Bellamy's crew. "If you think that you can just attack us like that then you got another thing comin-!"

Kinoko froze when he noticed Bellamy. Her body was shaken, and sweaty. Bellamy noticed this and laughed. "What wrong little runt, cat caught your tongue?"

"Kinoko, if you can't fight then stay out of our way," Cricket ordered.

"S-sorry," Kinoko shook her head and got into her maker stance. 'Gotta stay focused...It can't be him.'

Luffy's team were now being chased by a swarm of praying mantises.

"DUCK!" Touma shouted as he, Luffy and Wendy's bent down just in time as one of the mantis did a horizontal slice, which was sharp enough to cut a tree beside it clear off.

"These creatures aren't normal!?" Cynthia was shocked when she noticed the tree being cut.

"Since when do birds control bugs?!" Maria asked while running.

"Nothing in this world makes any sense~!" Touma yelled.

"Do you guys hear something?" Erza asked suddenly as he and the others suddenly heard an odd noise.

"I don't know, but it's not a bird," Sanji answered.

"Um, guys look?" Shirabe shouted. Above them, they noticed a bunch of round bug figures tumbling down towards them.

"Is that a rock slide?" Lucy asked.

"No, their ladybugs," Nami yelled as red spotted ladybugs were tumbling down the hill.

"Huge ladybugs~!" Kirika yelled out. She quickly jumped out of the way from an incoming one. Some of them hit Jackal and Usopp while Sanji and Erza were the ones to knock out incoming ones rolling towards them. Shervan lured some away from the others and used his devil fruit to let the ladybugs roll past them, being phased by them.

On top of a tree, multiple Birds that were similar to the South Bird, began to mock them.

"Ha! I took down more of those cricket things than you did!" Natsu laughed victoriously. He along with Gray were on top of piles of human-sized crickets. While Natsu's pile was covered in ashes, Gray's pile had frostbite.

"So what? I took them down faster than you," Gray yelled back.

"How do you know?" Natsu asked.

"Stupid crickets!" Zoro yelled as he whacked one of them with the hilt of his sword. "Do you really think you can beat me? Do yah?"

"I think they get it now," Wannai sweatdropped by how violent Natsu, Zoro, and Gray were with the monsters.

"It would be better to see the birds instead of hearing them," Robin said.

"Aye," Happy agreed.

"Hand over the gold geezer, and I'll promise to let you live," Sawkie ordered. He delivered barrels of punches to Cricket, who was able to block all of them with ease.

"You didn't say please!" Cricket answered. He delivered a kick on Sawkie's chin, causing his body to flip over landing on his stomach.

"You damn bastard," Sawkie cursed. He slowly stood up, twirling his big knife. Cricket got in a fighting stance waiting for Sawkie to make his move.

When Sawkie lunged at Cricket, the latter with great timing kicked the sword off of his hand, shocking the man. "A kid like you shouldn't be playing with knives like that."

"Monkey Punch!" Shoujou and Masira took down Bellamy's lackeys using a union punch.

"Pixel-Make: Twin Blades!" Kinoko summoned two-pixel swords while dodging bullets coming from two of Bellamy's men. With quick speed, she slash the two leaving medium size gashes on their chest. Not enough to kill them, but enough to knock them out.

Watching the battle with an amusing look on his face, Bellamy licked his lips. "Looks like the boys need a hand. Time for me to show them how it's done."

The captain knelt down, causing his lower legs to morph into gray springs. "Spring...Sniper!" Bellamy launched himself towards the unexpected Masira, landing a powerful punch to his guts.

"GAH!" Masira coughs up some blood. Bellamy used Masira's head to bounce himself towards Shoujou, hitting him with a hard haymaker. The impact sent the orangutan tumbling, leaving a small amount of blood behind.

"What the..!" Cricket quickly sidesteps to evade the spring man as he lands on the Straw hat ship. He launch himself off of it, causing part of the ship to break off.

Knowing he is aiming at Cricket, Kinoko appeared in front of Cricket in a Mold-Making stance. "Oh no you don't, Pixel-Mak-."

Kinoko froze again when staring at Bellamy, flashing back to another guy that was similar to him. '...Brother?'

Before she knew it, Bellamy connected his fist into Kinoko's stomach. It was powerful enough to hit Cricket too, sending them both crashing to the ground.

"So what do you think of our captain's Spring Spring fruit powers old man?" Sawkie mocked. He walked over and kicked Cricket. He only responded with a grunt. "Aw, he's speechless."

"Clean up this trash now, and be quick about it," Bellamy ordered. Before anyone could head to the house, Kinoko stood up and ran in front of the house with her arms extended out.

"I'm not letting you get Cricket's Gold!" Kinoko said, determined with her eyes covering her hair. 'Damn it! I still haven't recovered from my fight with Cynthia and Wendy.'

Bellamy just laughed at her words. It's amusing, but you'd better stand down unless you want to get hurt."

"Didn't you hear me?" Kinoko growled. "I said you aren't getting that gold! It belongs to Cricket!"

"Well then, it seems that you need a lesson on respecting your elders little girl," Bellamy chuckled.

"I can't take this forest anymore!" Hime yelled as she leaned behind a tree tired. The group reunited back in where they split up, looking tired from coming across animals and bugs in the forest.

"Why are you complaining?" Accelerator asked. "We took care of them right?"

"Shut up~! You two have been flinging the monsters randomly~!" Hime angrily shot back at Accelerator and Gajeel. "You almost crushed us with that giant adult snake~!"

"It's like finding a needle in a haystack," Zoro acknowledged. "We didn't even see one of them."

"Only because you wound up wandering in the wrong direction," Tsubasa pointed out.

"Shut up!" Zoro comically snapped.

"Well, we saw the South Bird," Index bitterly replied. "But that stupid bird kept sending animals after us."

"So forty-five people can't even catch one bird? That's just pathetic," Usopp scolded.

"You have no room to talk," Jackal mumbled. "You were screaming like a maniac every time we came across an insect."

"We've been doing this for hours," Lucy whined as she collapsed on her knees. "I don't think I can run anymore."

"JAW~!"

They all turned to find the South Bird landing on the branch. With a sly grin on his face. He then chirped at them.

"Hahaha! You think you morons can capture me? Pathetic," Chopper translated.

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING PATHETIC~?!" Natsu, Hime, Chris and Gajeel yelled at Chopper.

"W-Wait~! that's what the South Bird said, not me!" Chopper defended.

"Hold on, you can understand what it's saying?" Maria asked.

"Yeah, since I was usually an animal once," Chopper replied.

"Do we have to take this thing alive to get to the Knock-Up Stream?" Misaka asked ready to launch her electricity at it.

"Well Cricket didn't say we have to bring it in perfect condition," Accelerator grinned, ready to grab the tree.

The South Bird continued to mock them, until two arms sprouted on the branch blinding the bird by wrapping around his eyes. Another one flinging it down to the ground. They all slowly turned to Robin who had her arms crossed. "If I can see it, I can grab it."

After blocking Lenora's kick, Ray slipped back, looking winded. The fight between Ray and Lenora looked kinda even since both opponents received a few blows from each. However Ray still didn't recover from transferring Wendy and Cynthia's pain from their fight, so he was at a slight disadvantage.

"Hey, aren't you going to your demon-like form, like before?" Lenora asked, mocking him.

Ray just smirked. "I don't think I need it to take you down, and what about you? I think you've been going easy on me."

"Am I?" Lenora asked innocently. "Well, why don't I step up my game."

Lenora took a deep breath as she began as sparks began surrounding her. "Screech of the…"

'Here it comes,' Ray thought. He wasted no time forming his skin into metal and crossed his arms.

At the same time, Loni was being pushed back by George and noticed Lenora preparing her attack. "Lenora no!"

"Storm Phoenix!" Lenora released a large funnel of blue lightning towards Ray. The attack hit him, causing a massive explosion. Lenora smirked, staring at the dust cloud. "How do you like that?"

"...Not bad…" Lenora's eyes widened when she saw Ray was still standing. He was hunching back a bit while still in his Metal Rash form, breathing heavily. "...You've approved from last time, Lenora."

"Really?" Lenora asked like she was getting praised.

"Don't take it as a compliment!" Loni yelled. Before she could react, George found an opening and delivered a powerful roundhouse kick into Loni's side. Due to George's physical buff, Loni was launched right into Lenora slamming into her. The two landed hard on the ground, both of them KO'd as a flash of light returned them back to normal.

"That was close," George sighed. "If we fought much longer, the whole island would've been in danger if Loni uses her esper ability."

George snapped his fingers, summoning a portal underneath the two girls. Ray and George watched as Loni and Lenora sank into the portal. "I sent them back to their bo-."

George collapsed on his knees, which got Ray's attention. "You okay George?"

"I guess Loni got a lot stronger last time we fought," George replied. He held his chest a bit, wincing in pain.

"We better get back to aid Kinoko, and the others," Ray said as he helped George up. The two boys limped back into the forest.

'I hope Kinoko's doesn't do anything reckless,' George said in his mind, looking a bit worried.

"Amazing, this is a fine piece of gold," Bellamy stated, intrigued by the gold they found in the house. Kinoko, Cricket, Shoujou, and Masira were sprawled out on the ground, beaten badly by Bellamy and his crew members.

"And now it all belongs to us," Sawkies said.

Cricket slowly sat up cross-legged, panting from all the injuries. "No way…you scumbags have no right to touch that gold."

"No right?" Sawkies growled at Cricket. "I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT GIVES US RIGHT?!" He charged towards Cricket while twirling his swords. The man wasn't able to move due to being too injured.

SLASH!

Cricket eyes widened in shock as Masira appeared in front of him in a split second. Masira grunted as his eyes rolled back, blood squirting behind his back where Sawkies cut him. "Y-You damn fool," Cricket whispered in shock as Masira collapsed unconscious.

"YAHAHA!" Sawkies laughed. "We are way stronger than you old man! That means we can take what we want when we want!"

Kinoko slowly stood up, growling at Bellamy. "I'll kill you…"

Bellamy and his crew noticed Kinoko's left arm was glowing with a dark purple aura. The color of her eyes was purplish as well. Before she could make one step, a guy grabbed her hand. "Look brat, you should just stay down. You're no match for Bell-What?"

Everyone minus Bellamy stared disbelief as the guy's hand was slowly dissolving into pixels. Shocked, he let go of Kinoko, but that didn't stop the plague that he had. "W-What's going on!? Someone help me!"

Sawkie's eyes widened in horror as the guy's entire body turned into pixels, and disappeared like dust. "S-She killed him...Who the hell is she?"

"BWAHAHA!" Bellamy laughed crazily. "Well boys, we've found a big treat tonight! First some fine gold, and one of the prisoners of Crimson Blood: The Dissolver! I heard rumors that she has the ability to dissolve anything she touches with that left arm."

"RAH! DROP DEAD!" Kinoko roared as she dashed at Bellamy. At the same time, Bellamy's legs turned into springs.

"If you think that I'll be intimidating by your Devil Fruit, then you've got another thing coming kid," He replied as he knelt down,

"Kinoko stop!" Cricket shouted, but Kinoko continued running blindly. Her head was filled with rage.

"Spring Snipe!" Bellamy rockets himself at Kinoko with his right arm pulled back, also turning into springs.

"NO KARINE!" Cricket yelled, but it was too late. Kinoko missed touching Bellamy as the Spring user slammed his fist into Kinoko's side. The impact from his springs arms knocked the wind out of her, with her eyes rolled back into her head. Cricket could just watch as Kinoko was sent crashing right into the house and into the ocean leaving a trail of dust behind.

Cricket could just watch in anger. His mind flashbacks to when he met George, Ray and Kinoko, Shoujou and Masira found gold, and how they found out that his great-grandfather was telling the truth about Skypiea.

"We're done here, let's go and bring the gold," Bellamy ordered.

His crewmates went back to the ship with Cricket's gold. Bellamy then turned to Cricket. "Grow up old man! This is a new era. Stories like what your grandfather mentioned are just fairy tales. You gotta act smart if you want to be a pirate! Your dreams will never come true!"

Despite the beating, Cricket stood up causing Bellamy to stop midway between Cricket and his ship. "You know what junior?" He took out a cigar and puffed a few before he continued. "...Some punks who call dreams worthless...don't deserve the right to call themselves a pirate."

Bellamy slowly turned with a menacing grin on his face. "What was that?"

After they dealt with Loni and Lenora, George and Ray rushed back only to find three bloodied bodies, a destroyed house, and the Going Merry's broken into two.

"C-Cricket?" George rushed to the old man's aid. "Are you okay? Speak to me!"

"S-Sorry old friend," Cricket weakly responded. "W-We tried our best...but they beat us good."

"Kinoko!" Ray called out as he noticed Kinoko floating on the surface.

"HEY POPS~! WE CAUGHT ONE OF THOSE BIRDS!" Luffy yelled as the group came out of the forest. The second they saw the carnage, their victory was short lived. 

"Cricket!" Manatsu gasped in horror. Chopper and Wendy rushed to Cricket's aid right away. Sanji noticed Kinoko and wasted no time swimming towards her and carrying her back to shore.

"Masira...Shoujou..." Maria gasped by how injured and bruised the two were.

"What happened to them?" Hibiki asked in horror.

"Better question is who caused all of this?" Misaka asked, with a fit of anger.

"Kinoko…" Ray called out to her, once Sanji set her down. "Kinoko, speak to me!"

Kinoko slowly opened her eyes. "R-Ray...George...everyone…"

"AHH!" Usopp yelled once he saw the condition of the Going Merry. "W-What happened to her? Whoever did this will pay!"

"Damn it, we're too late," George growled. He clenched his left fist while still holding his chest. "If I had beat Loni sooner, then none of this would've happened."

"I'm sorry…" Kinoko sobbed. "I let them down...It's my fault... I let my emotions get the better of me...None of this would've happened if I didn't get distracted."

"Don't worry about it," Cricket mumbled weakly.

"He's alive," Luffy stated. Cricket coughed violently, a bit of blood. "Don't try to move okay. Just take it easy."

"Sorry, we did as much as we could to stop them, but it wasn't enough," Cricket wheezed. He slowly stood up. "I gotta get moving. The ship isn't going to patch itself."

"Wait Cricket," Yuko said, looking worried. "You're still injured."

"Calm down," Cricket sighed. "It doesn't matter anymore. Did you get a South Bird like I told you?" He noticed the bird held by Erza and smirked. "Well what do you know, you caught one."

"Never mind that," Iona said with a serious yet worried look. "Who did this to you?"

"This is bad!" Kirika yelled in shock, she noticed the small house had been wrecked. "Cricket's gold is all gone!"

"W-What?!" Megumi choked in shock.

"That doesn't matter," Cricket said. "Your dreams are more important than the gold, we have to get-,"

"How can you say that!?" Usopp yelled. "It took ten years to get that gold, diving in the bottom of the ocea-!"

"Shut up!" Cricket snapped coldly. "What happens to the gold is our business alone. Right, all that matters is getting you guys up to the sky! With the Monkey Alliance, we'll get your ship fixed by dawn! I promise you that!"

"Cricket…" Misaka quietly said. Half of them felt a pain of guilt in their mind, feeling that they couldn't do anything to help Cricket. Zoro noticed a familiar symbol on the broken part of the Going Merry.

"Hey Luffy, take a look at this," Zoro called out. He pointed to the painted symbol which was a smiley face with an eyepatch on its left side.

"No way," Lucy said in disbelief. "T-That's-"

"Bellamy," Natsu seethed in burning in anger.

"The guy who caused the carnage back at Mock Town?" Cynthia asked.

"Yeah we came across him at the bar," Happy added.

Gazing at the logo on the ship, Megumi felt anger within her. The memory of watching him beat up Luffy, Natsu, and Zoro at the bar still haunts her mind as she clenched her fist.

"Do you need any help?" Zoro asked while Luffy walked past him.

"No," Luffy answered with a serious tone. "I can handle this myself.

"Wow, he looks so cool!" Kinoko awed with stars in her eyes.

"No way Luffy!" Nami called out. She understands what Luffy was planning. "We don't have enough time for you to get to Mock Town and back!"

"She's right," Asuka added. "We only have less than three hours until dawn!"

"Hey Robin," Luffy ignored them and turned to Robin. "If I run by the beach area, I can get there quicker right?"

"Yes you can," Robin answered.

Suddenly, a bright light engulfed the group for a second. Everyone turned to find Megumi...no Cure Lovely walking towards Luffy with a serious look. "You too Megumi!?" Hime asked, shocked.

Lovely nodded as pink wings sprouted behind her back. "We can get there faster if I fly you there. If that's okay with you Luffy."

"Not at all," Luffy answered.

"Wait! What are you guys doing!?" Cricket yelled once he noticed what was going on. "I told you this is my prob-"

"If you want to stop them, you have to use this," Zoro said, showing his katana shocking some of them.

"There's no stopping Luffy when he sets his mind on something," Sanji advised.

"Same goes for Megumi," Yuko added. "She's stubborn when it comes to helping someone in need."

"You two better kick his ass good!" Natsu yelled out to the two. "Because If you don't, I'm burning the whole town down!"

"Are you trying to make the whole town hate us?" Kuroko snapped.

"Remember you two!" Maria yelled. "We only got three hours. The rest of the time will be used to get to the Knock-Up Stream by the afternoon!"

"And if you're late, then the chances to get to Skypiea will be lost!" Nami added. "So get here exactly by dawn, got it?!"

"Got it!" Cure Lovely and Luffy nodded. The pink Pretty Cure grabbed Luffy by the waist and flew into the air.

"I can't believe we lost to those two again!" Loni shouted in anger. After they woke up on the boat, they sailed away from Jaya.

"I'm sorry," Lenora sobbed. "I forgot that he has that ability to turn into metal."

Loni pinched her nose with her fingers. "Lenora, it wasn't your fault. You did beat Ray a few times. I let my guard down again with him."

"Oh…" Lenora said, a bit clueless. "Well, are we going to call the chief?"

"And told him that we've failed again to capture George and Ray?" Loni questioned Lenora's logic.

"Yeah?" Lenora answered with a puzzled look.

"Never mind," Loni sighed as she stomped downstairs. "I'm going to be alone for a minute, don't bother me."

"Aye eye Captain Loni!" Lenora saluted, accidentally poked her eyes with her hand. "Ow~!"

"Idiot," Loni mumbled as she went down at the bottom of their boat. "Someday I'll beat you, George Sihara."

Cure Lovely and Luffy were soaring through the air, on the side of the beach. The trip was quiet as the two had a determined look on their faces, however, Cure Lovely looked conflicted.

"Luffy," Lovely broke the silence. "May I ask you something?"

"Sure," Luffy replied, cheerfully. "What's up?"

Cure Lovely took a deep breath before she began to speak. "P-Please let me fight Bellamy!"

Luffy was quiet for a bit, noticing how Lovely was hesitating to ask. "...Why?"

"Eh?" Cure Lovely looked down.

"Why do you want to fight him?" Luffy repeated. Lovely can tell he was sounding serious. "He hasn't harmed you in any way, and pirates tend to steal gold from other pirates."

"I know..." Lovely replied as she looked down a bit, but felt a bit confident in herself. "However, watching you, Zoro, and Natsu getting beaten by Bellamy at the bar, makes me feel useless. Before you ordered us not to fight him, I had an urge to punch Bellamy in the face!"

Luffy was quiet while Lovely continued. "The violence they committed against Cricket, Shoujou, Masira, and Kinoko back there, was the last straw. If I knew that Bellamy's crew were coming after Cricket's gold, then I would've stayed and fight him."

"..."

"Please Luffy," Cure Lovely pleaded strongly. Luffy can feel her fist tightened. "Let me be the one who kicks Bellamy's ass!"

The silence from Luffy made Lovely worry that she might have angered him. Luffy's grinning surprised her a little. "Sure!"

"Really?!" Lovely asked with a mix of shock and joy.

"Yup," Luffy nodded with his goofy grin. "This is my first time seeing a Pretty Cure fight! You better kick his ass hard, and I'll make sure his crewmates don't try anything to interfere with the fight."

"Thanks, Luffy," Lovely said as she blushed a bit with a soft smile. She then looked forward with a serious grin on her face. "You better be ready Bellamy, because I'm about to kick your ass."

Next Chapter: Cure Lovely vs Bellamy Hyena.