Island Skypiea

[Larsi]

Original Post By: chris mic
I wonder if we're in angel beach or not, probably tbh

Lepi realised time had passed, as he was too occuped being astonished by Conis' ''flying wings of flight'' that he was completely mesmerised by. Lepi loved exploring new things and it was enough to distract him from the commotion until the young girl ran away. This gave the young fishman the time of day to investigate his surroundings only to realise there was a fight.

Woah! Fellas, did you do this?! Amazing, you're great at fighting! But I'm also amazing! Did you leave any for me--

Before he was able to finish his sentence though... A LIGHTNING BOLT SUDDENLY APPEARED IN FRONT OF HIM, ATTACKING HIS CAPTAIN! Had Lepi eaten anything recently, he would have practically shit his pants. Lucky for him, he figuratively shit his pants. Shocked and worried, he yelled at the top of his lungs:

CAPTAIN MONKEY!!!!!!!!

joby said:

As the blindingly bright light faded, the area around Jobymamushi’s feet had been completely eradicated, leaving him standing on a narrow pillar of island cloud, in the middle of a giant chasm. A fine layer of soot had collected over his fur, which he promptly shook off like a wet dog.

Feeling the tiniest bit soar—as one would after a nice session of Electro-massage therapy, Joby was feeling a little tired.

“Asshole.”

The young fishman was in shock as the look of worry from his face vanished into one of happiness, which was hard to maintain due to crying from the inspiring feeling his captain had just birthed in him.



I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT, CAPTAIN MONKEY! I'B ZOWWY I DOUBTED BOO

Finding it hard to see through his tears, Lepi kept cleaning himself up for a few minutes before realising it had only just begun. The massacre that is! Because Whatever that ''God'' was, it can't be holy if it hurts my Captain! he thought to himself.

Lepi gave a salute to his napping captain as he was being picked up and turned into a living scarf by Kiki to signify he was on board for going to find ''Cyborg'' and kick God's ass.

Smileyman said:

"IM THE BACKUP CAPTAIN NOW!! FOLLOW MY LEAD!!"

WOAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!! I will follow you everywhere, Kiki! Lead us to the enemy so I can kick their ass and to Cyborg so I can hug him!

The young fishman was eager to follow his comrades and be on his way as soon as possible! Casca, Gatsu and ''Old Geezer'' were already ahead of him and Lepi didn't want to be left behind, getting too emotional to realise the events moving around him. And so, with a mighty jump, he flew in the air and raised his fist to the sky, slowly skipping ahead towards Kiki, ready for action - ANY action!

The Everything Pirates were about to make a move!

 

[Larsi]

Original Post By: ranger

At Shalki's Home
​

*Xatch had arrived at Shalki's house and disposed of the White Barretts in quite the bloody fasion to save his "friend"

Spoiler: Family

The young girl that had turned the corner of the house shrieked out in terror "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH" as she saw the Walking Dead brutally kill two Skypieans right in front of her. She slammed the front door shut and leaned her body up against it to try to put wait on it and prevent it from being opened while locking it with one hand.

Xatch: "DON'T WORRY SHALKI, I'M HERE TOO RESCUE YOU!" Reading the room, Xatch may have been wrong in his assumptions.... He was muffled a bit from the door blocking the sound.

Yera (pronounced "Hera") was a young skypiean girl that looked very similar to the woman in the photo that wounded Shalki, Reli. She had long blonde hair, but it was more jagged than wavy. She had blue eyes just like her mother and was just a few inches shorter than Shalki (who is 5'8"). She wore an apron stained with some kind of fruit and wore a slender dark blue dress underneath. She looked down at Shalki extremely frightened and confused.

Yera: "What are you even doing here!?" she cried out as tears began to form in her eyes "What is happening? First you leave us for some STUPID adventure in the blue sea and return a cyborg, and now there are monsters following you around??? I HATE YOU! ARRRRRRG! I WISH YOU WOULD JUST LEAVE US ALONE! THAT'S WHAT YOU WANTED ANYWAY!!!" She is balling now too "It's all your fault..." she says meekly and sniffles "It's all your fault that mom died! I HATE YOU!" She sinks down sliding on the door.

Shalki hadn't turned to face the White Barretts yet. He instead fell further onto the ground from his knees to his forearms as well.

"sniff huu-uh" Shalki is sniffling and crying and it is hard for him to breath. "I'm... -*huuu-" he takes a breath "It's my fault, Yera. I'm so *sniff huu-uh* so sorry"

Yera: "RAAAAAAAA" Yera lunges at Shalki and punches him in the back over and over "WHY!? Why did you have to do this to our family?" she takes a moment to recooperate and stops hitting him "Shalki I don't want to die too. I'm so afraid of this monster. I-I can't stop shaking" she brings her hand in front of her face and looks at them vibrating"

Shalki finally turns over and sits, looking up at the door. He is furious. His sadness is turning into anger.
"Xaaaaaaaaaaaaaatch!"

 

[Larsi]

Original Post By: joby
AROUND KIKI’S NECK

Sleeping off the fatigue he had experienced from his little spat with the angry 'god' Enel, Jobymamushi was so cozy, wrapped around Kiki's neck and tucked in to the giant's fuzzy shawl, that he could just die.

It was a bit of a bumpy ride, but Joby, being made out of rubber, was quite a good shock absorber--so he hardly felt a thing. He felt very fortunate to have a nakama so much larger than himself. He wished that Kiki could get even BIGGER!

JOBY’S DREAMLAND
a giant woman!

Jobymamushi 'wakes up' to find himself sitting on a gigantically massive and fuzzy bed--only to realize that it isn't a bed at all.

Looking to his right he sees none other than Kiki's massive face smiling down at him! Kiki had seemingly grown to be over 300 feet tall! Joby was sitting on his shoulder! Joby's eyes light up in pure wonderment and joy! Stars shining everywhere! Outside, the sky was a deep dark night-time blue, but every star was out and every one of them a shooting star at that--beautiful.....

"Oh! Yer up Mushabi-Ou-Sama-Chan <3"

Turning his head to face the booming voice coming from his left side, Joby is shocked to see an equally as tall Shalki.... with flowing golden hair down to his waist and red lipstick and velvety eye shadow painted onto his cyborgian face! Not just Shalki either.... but Xatchy, and Lepi, and Proffy, and Gatsu and Casca too! All dolled up to the nines and 300 ft tall!

The shooting stars begin to burst into firework like explosions in the night sky as The Everything Pirates all begin to sing in unison:

 

[Larsi]

Original Post By: smileyman
Kiki stopped... He looked around...was lost.

He had ran to town, to where he thought shalki was, but on his way to town he had completely forgotten about Shalki. Now Kiki stood in the middle of town, unsure where to next.

Then he saw it and it was beautiful. "Capt I know you are sleeping but can i get one for our ship?" Kiki whispered while looking at what appeared to be a carbon copy of the legendary Giant Jack.

Kiki recalled the legend about the giants living at the top of giant jack, making dresses out of pure gold string, or something about gold.

Kiki was off again running at full speed towards the giant beanstalk. No one was getting in his way of getting a golden dress... Kiki suddenly remembered about his friend shalki but he didnt break his stride "Capt will forgive me, its gold and we are pirates." Kiki thought

 

[Larsi]

Original Post By: xatch
Outside Shalki's House

The Skeletal Humandrill having just bashed two white Beret's to death stands in the threshold of His Nakama's house, Thinking he was rescuing a Captured Shalki, Xatch now gets that he has probably just interrupted a very serious moment in a very baaad way. Looking first at the frightened girl then Shalki, Xatch starts to walk backwards slowly and closes the door...

Xatch: I can see everything's copacetic in here... ill just... secure.. the.. per..imeter... (shutting the door, and running away)

Cpt. said:

Shalki finally turns over and sits, looking up at the door. He is furious. His sadness is turning into anger.
"Xaaaaaaaaaaaaaatch!"

That's my Que... Xatch ran off as fast as he could to escape the wrath and awkwardness of his Nakama and the situation he just created... As Xatch was running he Noticed His other crew mate the shiny giant Kiki, running towards a giant bean stalk off in the distance and decided to join him....

Xatch yelling to Kiki: YYOOOOOOOO!!!!!

 

[Larsi]

Original Post By: don smitheroni
Shalki's House

As the group draws nearer to the home of the mechanical man, they hear a comotion. The sounds of shouting, crying and tender emotions... Xatch is seen standing just outside the door, but Kiki, with the captain still draped sleeping around his neck, is not there. The group draws closer and the sounds of shouting and crying grow angrier...

Cpt. said:

"Xaaaaaaaaaaaaaatch!"

Oh dear... The professor says as the group stops walking a few meters from the house. Xatch starts sprinting into the town, and ahead of him, Kiki is seen lumbering in the distance. I get the sense that we might be intruding... Perhaps we should... Follow suit...? Dondigo voices his concerns, quite uneasy about the current situation.

Ah geez... Gatsu voices his distaste for the scene in front of them before receiving a bop on the head from Casca. Ow, what the... Gatsu says about to question Casca's reasoning when she suddenly shoots him an angry look that says "Not now..." and he thinks better of it.

 

[Larsi]

Original Post By: joby
AROUND KIKI’S NECK

Still tucked in and snoring, Jobymamushi is totally oblivious to what is going on around him. Having placed total and complete faith in Kiki's ability to stay focused and find their way to Shalki along with the rest of the crew.....

He was relieved to have such reliable friends traveling with him.

Surely, everything would be just fine when he woke up, well rested and rejuvenated from his minor spat with Enel......

 

[Larsi]

Original Post By: ranger

Spoiler: Ready

Shalki turns to Yera and stands up. He is starting to clear his head a bit.

"I will handle everyone outside. I'm... I'm so sorry. For everything I've done to you. To mom. his tears start to pick back up as he says this. Shalki turns his back to his sister and opens the front door. Takes a step and pauses. "I will avenge her." He steps outside to his crew and closes the door behind him. *Yera kneels on the ground still. Thinking about how everything went wrong for her once happy little Skypiean family.

Outside Shalki's House
Shalki notices his crew is leaving and starts to run after them. He is ready to channel his anger at the correct target, Enel. He yells over to his crew: "It is time to go to upper yard!"

 

[Larsi]

Original Post By: smileyman

(Kiki just before the bridge connecting the clouds to Upperyard)

Kiki stood before what appeared to be a bridge. "It looks like a bridge but there are some boatclouds going over it?" (Kiki has not been informed they are called milky roads) "MR GIANT GIVE ME SOME GOLD!!" Kiki for an inexplicable reason started yelling towards the top of the Beanstalk even though he was still far away from it.

Kiki quickly realised he was going to wake the captain if he continued to scream and stopped. "But how do I get to the other side? Can I jump? Maybe I should swim? But won't this boatclouds make the captain feel sick? Maybe I can swim right side up? I will take much longer paddling like that but I can swim freestyle with the captain around my neck unless he gets on my back, even then it will be too much of a risk." Kiki spoke to himself. "Maybe Skalki will know? But he is still missing." Kiki was getting desperate to get to the other side.

Kiki was about to jump into the milky road when he heard his voice. "Did Giant Jack just scream my name?" Kiki looked around confused.

 

[Larsi]

Original Post By: xatch
Approaching The Bridge to Upper Yard

Kiki stood still as he contemplated the obstacle in front of him, and the implications of proceeding further. Xatch on the other hand was "Losing the non-existent competition" that he was making up in his head... OH no.... 1st Shalki beats everyone too town... now Kiki won the race too the Bridge!...well I wont lose the next leg of the race! As Xatch approached Kiki and his sleeping Captain, Xatch wasted no time running past his Nakama and on top of the cloud ocean bridge...( as a byproduct of my devil fruit, My Mov + my light weight skeletal body allows me to run on water, and water Esq surfaces)

Xatch: Eat my clouds Keek's! I'm gonna be the first to kill a priest! (Xatch yells as he runs past his Nakama ignorantly)

The Skeleton wastes no time, and doesn't wait for his nakama before running off into the "Upper Yard"

 

[Larsi]

Original Post By: chris mic
Arriving at the Bridge to Upper Yard

Following after Kiki and nearly reaching the destination, Lepi really started getting worried about ''Cyborg'' mid-way. His thoughts were filled with doubts about whether or not they would be able to make him a happy metal bird person again after what had transpired, which brought great sadness to him. Soon enough though, he put his little mind to work and figured out a solution.

Hmmm... if I kick Enel's ass... who is responsible for everything... then surely Cyborg will also be saved!

A fire was lit in his eyes as he now more confidently and hastly started moving forward, along with Kiki, he felt his heart resonate with the rest of his crew, so much so that he apparently also felt like singing, like in Captain Monkey's dream. Soon enough, he started singing loudly ''All I want to do, is see you turn into, a giant woman!'' much to the dismay of his comrades who were hiding their criticism of his voice out of pity. Except his still sleeping captain, who smiled while still in dreamland.

Soon enough though, Xatch started running forward to reach Upper Yard! Lepi was shocked to see his comrade so eager to make haste towards the group's destination and, having already accumulated enough badassery, his reckless mind told him ''Psht, Lepi, OUTRUN HIM!''

And so, with a large shout, the young fishman only left a smoke version of himself behind as he ran forward with all his might trying to catch up to Xatch, falling into the water without technique.

YOU'RE NOT GONNA BEAT ME TO ENEL! I'M GONNA BE THE FIRST! AND I'LL KICK THEIR ASSES FOR CYBORG! WHOOOOOOOOSH!!!

Of course, so much pent-up recklessness ended up with Lepi slipping on the tiniest of rocks and falling forward, face first into the water, as he slided forward. But the fishman didn't seem to mind, as the built-up momentum resulted in him getting back to normal in a single moment, now in his natural habitat, advancing even faster, catching up with Xatch thanks to his brilliant swimming techniques and seeing the Upper Yard ahead. They were almost there!

 

[Larsi]

Original Post By: don smitheroni
The Bridge To Upper Yard

As the group draws closer to the bridge they hear Xatch and Lepi shouting at each other as the race across to the other side. One of them running across while the other was... Swimming??? "What's going on here?" Thought the professor as he nealed down dipping his cane into the bridges watery clouds. "Interesting... This bridge appears to made of the same material as what made up that 'cloud-ocean' back there on the... 'cloud-beach'... What a facinating place this is." The professor remarks as he rises back to a standing position.

"That's all well and good Doc. But what are we supposed to do about it? We can't all swim across, and Big Boi over here ain't fittin in one of those little boats." Gatsu says as he motions a thumb towards the dock filled with gondolas next to them.

"Hmmm..." The professor postulates as to how the group can make it across and catch up to their nakama. "Pardon me Kiki! The professor shouted up at his giant nakama standing just beside them, right before the bridge. "Could we possibly trouble you for a lift?" He said pointing his cane up at the Giants shoulders.

As Kiki lifts the group up onto his shoulders they hear Shalki approach from behind while shouting. "It is time to go to upper yard!"

The professor shouts back, greeting his nakama as he approaches. "Perfect timing Shalki! Let us move on together to concure this imposterous God!"

 

[Larsi]

Original Post By: ranger

The Milky Road to Upper Yard​

Spoiler: The Old Plan and the New

Shalki being part robot is quick to change emotions once he realizes something. He is no longer in sorrow, but now has a strong controlled, mournful anger built up inside him. As he runs toward his nakama he is just thinking of Enel.
You'll pay. ENEL YOU KAMI-YAROU!

He grits his metal jaws and his eyes focus past his nakama. He arrives where Kiki, Joby, Dondigo, Gatsu and Casca are!
*unfortunately due to his anger he isn't as helpful as he normally would be Shalki looks straight past his crew mates to Joby and jumps using his magnetic wind turbine to travel up to Kiki's neck (wind is typically stronger near the water so he does not need to use any navigation ability).

As he jumps he says to them in his enraged state "What are you idiots doing? It's a milky road, go get a Gondola if you can't cross." (Kiki would likely have to stand on two Gondola by himself to cross or go get the Free and Easy) Shalki grabs Joby off Kiki's neck (using a bunch of cyborg energy to carry him)

Shalki moves forward taking an aggressive step off of the air in front of him towards the Gondolas. Come Ou-sama I will guide you.

He realizes that Lepi and Xatch went ahead already as he sees a couple odd looking movements in the distance. Gah! Xatch he internally snarls I hope you get there first and die to a priest!

In Shalki's Mind Prior to Reaching Angel Beach
​

Shalki had originally planned to gather his crew at his home and tell them a plan of attack from there. He also wanted them to take 3 separate ships forming in a few different groups just to be safer against a ranged attack (this way they would have multiple means of transportation).

Shalki knew that there were four priests aside from Enel. He knew that Joby was capable of fighting against him since he brushed off Shalki's own lightning attack in training. He saw Joby's power first hand and while he had little hope in himself defeating god, he held his captain in the highest regard. Shalki was prepared to lead Joby to Enel personally on a Gondola.

He thought that Gatsu, Casca and the Proffessor could form a team since htey had experience together and take their own Gondola to fight one of the four priests.

Seeing that Kiki was a giant he thought him capable of taking out at least one priest by himself, but he was unsure on how the giant would get across to the upper yard unless the Free and Easy over the white sea. Lepi, he was quite unsure about to say the least... but he had heard fishmen were stronger than humans. Finally even though he despised him, Shalki knew that Joby had chosen Xatch as Vice-Captain for a reason, he should be able to handle himself and if he couldn't then who needed him to be second in command anyway.

Shalki wasn't aware of the amount of divine soldiers or their power, but he knew the Shandians hated Enel just as much as he did and knew they would attack.

Summary of Shalki's plan:

Joby + Shalki vs Enel
Professor Team vs a Priest
Kiki vs 1-2 Priests
Lepi vs ??? (a Priest if Kiki had trouble)
Xatch vs a Priest

What is happening Currently
​

It is to say that Shalki's emotion and his crew doing some wild things had clearly flipped the plan he originally had upside down. Still, Shalki knew he needed Joby at the very least and it was still possible for his plan to come to fruition, but it would be hard since he wasn't able to communicate it to the crew.

Shalki stopped riding the wind as they arrived at Angel Island Port and Shalki brought the sleeping Joby into his family Gondola heading up the milky road.

 

[Larsi]

Original Post By: joby
Cpt. said:

Shalki stopped riding the wind as they arrived at Angel Island Port and Shalki brought the sleeping Joby into his family Gondola heading up the milky road.

Jobymamushi awakes to cold metalic hands gropingly shoving him into a boat--the shock causes him to instinctively lash out as he flails his big furry arm, attempting to slap his assailant across the face with an unintentionally electro-claden back-hand!

"OI! WHATCH WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GRABBING!?!" The bewildered and embarrassed Mink blurts out red-faced!

Coming to his senses and catching his bearings, Joby looks around and quickly assesses the situation:

Total pandemonium.

Shalki and him were already on a gondola just about to begin onto the Milky Road Bridge--Joby assumes its that way toward Upper Yard.

Xatch and Lepi are nowhere to be seen, and Professor Dondigo, Casca, and Gatsu were all on Kiki's shoulders! The giant was standing on what appeared to be a harbor or bay overlooking the body of milky sea clouds that Shalki and himself were just about to leave behind! Everyone was getting split up! Not to mention the 10 lower level recruits that had been asleep on the Free and Easy when the encounter at Angel Beach had occurred... were also no where to be seen. Are they still sleeping on the ship?! There wasn't any time to worry about them.... they'd probably get killed anyways.

Trying to think quickly about the situation, Joby roars at Kiki and co. :
"GET YER ASS OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!"

Turning to Shalki:

"WHERE'S XATCHY-TAN AND LEPI-TAN!?! WE ARE NOT GETTING SPLIT UP ANY FURTHER! WE WAIT FOR KIKI-TAN AND THE REST AND WE MOVE TOGETHER!"

Joby had experienced Enel's power first hand and if it were any one of them but him.... his friends might have gotten seriously injured. Joby felt a little ashamed for having taken his nap at this point, he hoped that Xatch and Lepi were alright.

Shalki was a man on fire.... What happened at his house? What waited for him there to poses him so? Jobymamushi could feel a cold fire burning deeply in his nakama's heart.... one that burnt for revenge. It was going to get him killed.

Joby wasn't going to let that happen.

Seeing the look in Shalki's eyes, Joby wondered if he would even listen to his captain's orders to wait for the others... or if he would simply continue forward.

They were just about on the 'bridge' at this point. He could only hope that Kiki could catch up to them before it was too late.

They were entering dangerous territory now.

JUST THEN, over the horizon, appearing from the direction of the town, the 10 lowest ranking recruits who had been resting on the Free and Easy show up behind Kiki and the gang.

Joby inhales deeply and shouts with all his might so that there would be no question of them hearing and understanding his orders;
"YOU TEN STEAL THAT BIG GONDOLA OVER THERE AND STICK WITH DONDIGO AND GATSU AND CASCA!!! YOU DO WHATEVER PROFFY TELLS YOU TO YA HEAR ME!?"

Gatsu, Casca, Dondigo, and those 10 were the weakest of the crew... maybe if they all stayed together.... it would be enough!

 

[Larsi]

Original Post By: larsi
As the ragtag group of unlikely friends were to start their travels across the so-called bridge, the speed of which the stream traveled would increase, transporting them at express speed through it winding ways. Along its path they could see strange creatures, tall trees, and a few spooky masks adorning the trees. It was as if hey were warning people who went this way.

Finally, after one last turn, they would be faced by a huge stone wall, with a large face choseled into it. Beneath the face were 4 holes, tunnels, in which the water travelled through. Above each he was a different word:
BALL
IRON
SWAMP
STRING

 

[Larsi]

Original Post By: smileyman
Kiki stood at the bridge as he saw his friend just run across it.

"I wanna do that!" Kiki thought obviously forgetting why he was there. Just as he was about to jump in an effort to run on water another friend came past, trip and fall head first into the water. "Okay, I wont be able to run on it either." Kiki thought, coming to the conclusion that if one friend cant, he cant. He was almost depressed when the friend that just fell in started swimming "ooooooh, I wanna swim aswell!" Kiki thought again.

Kiki was just about to jump into the water again this time with the intention to swim, forgetting all about the fact that he was waiting for his friends, when his oldest friend and two others arrived and asked him to pick them up "Yay im gonna be a taxi." The giant thought. He was ecstatic with the idea that his way of transport will be unique when shalki practically jumped onto Kiki's shoulder, grabbed the captain and sprinted off.

Kiki was just about depressed with the fact that shalki was being a taxi too when 10 more friends arrived "Im gonna be a big taxi" He said.

Then he saw it, the two most beautiful Gondolas. Kiki almost shivered with excitement "Water shoes! I can be a water taxi!" Kiki said and started to run after the captain and shalki.

Kiki stepped into the two Gondolas wearing them like shoes. He was so transfixed he didnt even notice he was ignoring the captains orders again.

Kiki started walking on the boat clouds and he quickly realised that it was not as easy as it appeared. Twice kiki almost fell face first into the boat clouds before regaining his balance "These are slippery." Kiki said almost as if speaking to himself and not realising the silliness of his statement "The captain is always right! I should have taken the big one." Kiki said wanting to kick himself. "This is going to be a pain" hesaid coming to he conclusion after seeing how slow he was going.

(What felt like years later.)
For some inexplicable reason the clouds streams pace increased dramatically just as kiki was about to cross the centre of the boatcloud. And kiki was off, the speed was so great it felt like kiki was traveling in a boat again.

Until he came across an option of 4 routes "Ball" kiki thought about it "maybe its a game you play with balls?" He said excitedly but then thought agian "Maybe they cut off your balls or make you push around big boulders." He said

Then he moved on to the next one "iron" this one was easy to think about "No, Mr lightning man will just fry us if we get near iron."

"Swamp" this one is also easy to decide "No, swamps make dressed eeew and ugly. Sorry prof we are not going to do swamp." Kiki said

"String" Kiki didn't even have to thinking for long about what it could be "Maybe they make dresses?" He said excitedly "But then again maybe they just tie you up?" He said "that doesnt sound too bad" he thought

"Im not good at options!" Kiki said "Prof can you deci..." he was cut off half way though his sentence. There was one thing kiki failed to take into account. The water did not stop. Whichever route kiki wanted to take, was irrelevant now. The water decided when it propelled kiki straight ahead while kiki was stuck thinking about the different options, into the hole with the word "iron" written above it.

Only after entering the hole did kiki realise something "Prof where is the others?" Kiki said referring to his other friends that went ahead of him, he was so caught up in his own things he didnt keep track of them.

 

[Larsi]

Original Post By: joby
UPPER YARD
Joby and shalki

Approaching the four gateways to Upper Yard, Joby and Shalki are propelled by the wild current of white milky clouds, with almost no choice on their part, through the massive stone mouth entrance which read “IRON”.

The air was moist and cool. The sound of the current amplified as they drew into the tunnel of the small ‘waver’ gondola which Shalki had highjacked.

Entering through the dark tunnel, Joby felt at peace in the darkness. He turns to face Shalki, no longer angry about his crew’s recklessness, and more just worried for their safety... he was also concerned about Shalki, he didn’t seem like himself. The cyborg had a cold look in his eyes... his face did not immediately betray a sense of sadness... but Jobymamushi could feel it somewhere deep inside of him. Something had broken.

“Oi, Shalki-tan..... you ok buddy? ....what happened back there? At your house?”

There wasn’t any good that would come from worrying about the others.... Kiki was strong. He could protect Proffy and the others.... Xatchy and Lepi too. He had to have faith in his friends. He did have faith in them.

All he could do was try and be there for Shalki now. And have faith in their Fate.

 

[Larsi]

Original Post By: ranger
Upper Yard
*normally Shalki would say something useful to his captain like "I have never been this far. It is forbidden for Skypieans to come here.", but all that was in his mind was:
Soon. Soon Enel will die. He'll pay.

Inside Shalki's Soul, a Tune of Darkness Sang a Beautiful Lullaby to Ease His Tortured Mind

Spoiler: Requiem

Shalki stood focused at the front of his family's waver. He was an excellent rider. From his muscle memory and his masterful navigation skill he didn't even need to think about piloting. Not that he would be able to in his current state, anyway.

The water splashed up and around the sides of the small sea scooter as is vrooooooomed over the tip of the white sea cloud. Sprinkling a pleasant mist into the air. The atmosphere was quite contradictory of what was looming in Shalki's heart. A strong darkness. Pure and deep. It grew from his inner being. Forged by hatred. Forged by sadness. There, at Shalki's center it stood. Solid and vigilant. Stretching it's absorptive grasp over his soul. Ready. Waiting... it's moment would come to take over. Oh, and it wanted to. But it was patient.

Shalki could feel the rage pressing him forward. It was a quiet. It was even gentle. Beautiful, somehow... Beautiful maybe because it had ... purpose?
------------------------

*FLASHBACK TO SHALKI'S ENCOUNTER WITH A CERTAIN SWORDSMAN 5 YEARS AGO*
"What's with this guy? He doesn't learn... He just wants to fight? It's his purpose? How could someone want that to be their purpose? ... Thatcan't be my purpose.

*Daiki jumps with half of his true ability into the air, but with a full or even greater amount of purpose than before. He is true to himself. He is aware of who he is and what he wants. The same thing cannot be said about C.P.T.

C.P.T. fires off his riffle and the shot does not hit his intended spot, but Daiki's right chest instead.

*Was the head even really where C.P.T. wanted to hit Daiki? Was his aim perhaps just bad? Was it due to luck? Was Daiki still strong enough to evade the actual path of the bullet?

Shoot! He jumped into it... I couldn't bring myself to do it, cpu. I can't kill another man. I missed subconsciously. Even though I feel like he threatens my very existence. Even though he wants to kill me... I couldn't bring myself to become like him! To except his ideals! His PURPOSE!"​

---------------------------
The two pirates entered a dark tunnel. Shalki didn't even bother deciding which path to take. He could feel that it didn't matter.

Yes! Purpose! Something that Shalki had always yearned for. Something that he had known perhaps.... once.... a long time ago.... But this one was different. It was... warped. And now it was close! He could taste it. Shalki's fingers crawled over the bars of the waver like bugs crawling toward a decomposing corpse. A dark tune sang from Shalki's soul.

Joby could sense something was amiss in his dear companion. Shalki was normally focused on the task at hand, but... his demeanor... was... odd.

Joby: “Oi, Shalki-tan..... you ok buddy? ....what happened back there? At your house?”

Shalki smiled back at his Ou-sama. A horrible, tearful smile. Made of steel and spiked jaws. It didn't look at all human.
"Ou-sama, soon. Soon I will be ok. I can feel it. We will be there soon." House. Yeri. Mother. D-dead... Death. Yes! It's wonderful! "Soon there will be death." His tears vanished and he smiled once again at Joby before turning back around to focus at the path that lied before them.

They approached the trial of iron.

 

[Larsi]

Original Post By: xatch
Upper Yard Approaching a Huge Stone Wall

Xatch running at top speed on top of the cloud bridge was impressive, but not when compared to how effortlessly Fishmen can glide through the water. Even with his commanding head start at the beginning of the "Race" Lepi's speed in water/water like substances had the Fishmen out ahead of the skeleton, racing towards a giant stone wall with four doorways. Xatch would not be able too keep up his water running trick forever and was faced with only two options. Jumping up to a tree to catch his breathe Xatch contemplates his choices... I can call out too Lepi and ask for help, or wait here for the crew to pass by and hitch a ride with them.... but Shalki would be there and i can't let him get "one" up on me!... Lepi it is! Calling out to his Nakama who is racing several feet ahead of him.

Xatch: OOOOIIII LEPI-KUN your gonna hit a wall STOP!

from his vantage point it looked like Lepi was on the far left side of the river bridge and there was no open doorway on the far left side only a rock wall, Xatch thought... Lepi probably is concentrating so hard on winning the race he's not looking! Xatch continues to yell..

Xatch: LEPI! STOOOOP, I need a Lift!

Xatch hopes his calls reach the Fishmen who is racing ahead of him so he wont have to face Shalki...

Spoiler: The Lepi-Xatch Timeline

we are still the first too arrive the stone wall

 

[Larsi]

Original Post By: chris mic
Lepi was going full-speed ahead until he noticed that something was off, his competitor was left behind. Excited to see he was ahead of the competition, he suddenly came to a halt much to his dismay as he heard Xatch shouting about something. Wondering what was up, he stopped and saw his skeletal nakama just stand there. Lepi wondered if that was a trick in order to move him back and instead allow Xatch to take the lead.

This is difficult... my nakama are smarter than me... what if this is a trick? ...Only one way to find out.

And so the young fishman went on to swim back and find his crewmate. Their eyes met for a second before he made a move... he wanted to ask a question.

Oi, Xatch! Is this a trick to get ahead of me? Huh, you tricked me bad...

A full minute of silence followed by a facepalm on the part of Lepi who realised his mistake.

Oh my god! I'm so stupid! Sorry, asking my competitor if they want to get ahead of me and whether or not they are tricking me, what a joke! Xaxaxaxaxaxa!

And then he sought to correct it.

Obviously you mean that you want me to inflate my body so we can both more easily navigate the strainuous waters of this peculiar river so that both of us may reach our destination safely in the environments in which we are most safe and effective, me in the water and you on my enlarged back so that we may enter one of the doors and progress towards our goal! Sorry I didn't catch that

*cricket noises*

A stupid smile accomodated Lepi's eyes looking derpy as they drifted away from each other, closed followed by smoke and steam fuming out of his ears. It was a strange sight.

*more cricket noises*

Not waiting for Xatch's reaction to what he had just said, Lepi breathed in with tremendous force, making his body large and more spacious, although bouncy all the same. It would be hard for someone to stay steady on top of the young fishman, but that was not taken into account, as the cap-wearing fish ball grabbed the legs of the skeletal chimp, forcing him to lose his balance and fall on the fishman's back.

Now, we're in business! OFF WE GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

The two crewmates awkwardly drifted towards the doors, as they encountered weird writing on each of the entrances which made Lepi stop, and Xatch on top of him. A confused expression was all over the fishman's face.

Hmmm... I like choices! But which is the best among them? This is tricky... VERY! Hmmm... I'll make a good and wise decision after carefully thinking about it!

String? I am not sure, I don't like wearing strings. Only speedos look good on me. I'll pass.

Ball? I mean... I don't like making assumptions about people rudely, but this could be an offensive slur against me, but I don't care! I'm proud of my body type! I'll just respectfully pass.

Iron? Hmmm... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm............ hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM............ HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM... I don't know what iron is. Next.

Swamp? Somebody once told me-- I mean... uh... someone once informed me that swamps are dangerous areas for fishkind to live in, and that only the toughest fishmen or merfolk manage to survive the dangers effectively... this sounds like a good trial! I'm gonna make everyone proud and prove myself! XAXA!

And so, after an entire 30 seconds of deep thoughts, a difficult task for the young fishman, as well as a non-stop and obnoxiously audible ''HMMMMMM'', he pulled the hand from chin, having come to a conclusion. without any further ado, Lepi screamed ''WE'RE GOING TO A SWAMP!!!'' before swiming full-speed ahead. But he was later for one thing...

Oh wait... I didn't ask Xatch.

Hey, Xatch, where do you think we should-- OH NO WAIT

Unfortunately for them, Lepi had already crossed into the swamp gate, and there was no turning back. Their journey into the Trial of Swamp had begun!