The Tea Party: Appetizers

N/A WORDS @KAMINA @Prankstar

let's join forces, we've got our guns and horses. i know you've been burned, but every fire is a lesson learned.

"Eh... Kill!? Someone killed someone!?" Tiger exclaimed, slightly startled from the crackling of the earth surface from the impending stranger. "Look... I don't know what your rambling on about clown face... but I'm not interested in your justice or whatever ya' going on about. I'm just here score me a glimpse at the Shichibukai... Then hurry back to my ship... or... what was it again I was going in the South?" Tiger pondered as he spoke out loud. "Besides..." Tiger said grinning, steam trickling off his body and exiting his mouth. Tiger's temperature increased gradually, tilting his hat upwards to reveal his left eye but cover his right one, "I'll be up to take on this justice of yours. You marines sit around run your mouth about justice but don't have the balls to follow through with it. At least on these seas, I pave my own way!" Tiger shouted. "Y-Y- you idiot! Do you know who that man is!? He's Commodore Frank... He's feared on these-" John shouted in fear, but was cut off from the signal Tiger gave to John, a thumbs up. Dashing towards the bridge, Tiger ran into an invisible barrier that bounced him about three meters backwards. Tiger's eyes popped open widely, "Magic!?" Tiger said with sparkles in his eyes. "Hey Clown Face! Can you use magic!? That's awesome!" Tiger said wiggling his eyes. "However, try blocking this!" Tiger thought. "Spicy Crystal Balls 1050 Degree Push!" Tiger shouted, creating six two star styled orbs, Tiger hopped into mid-air, launching the balls with his arms one by one in a manner of instincts. Using his long limbs, Tiger was able to push the balls an additional ten meters, creating a pattern to encapsulate the marine. Two two-star balls approached from the left, while another two approached from the right, the final two orbs split in pattern, approaching from behind the man and the final to the front. If the man remained in his current location, he'd be smashed by the six approaching balls. However, if he avoided the impending attacks from the side, he'd only be struck by the two which approached from the front or the back. However, Tiger's real ideal was neither, had try to put up his barriers, the heat of the clashing orbs being intercepted by the spheres of heat would be equivalent of bathing in lava, leaving slow cooking second degree burns on the surface of his skin. As the clash begun, Tiger's body trickled off immense heat, the marines surrounding him fled a few meters to avoid being burnt from the dispersing, "Damn it! What in the world is his body made out of? This isn't the time to be fighting this place is going to house of a World Noble! Even if Tiger won... He couldn't manage to stand a chance against the Shichibukai-" John exclaimed looking on in disbelief. John stopped slightly, his eyes primed on the man who watched from the distance. Anyone who was anyone knew this man, the Royal Warlord of the Seas, Zarna D. Phoenix. The man looking on mouthed the words of the man's name, however, he dare not speak it out in fear of him peering in John's direction. It was at this point that John knew that for him and Tiger to escape her alive, they had to by all means not engage in conflict with that man.

ASTERISM＠ネバーランド

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N/A WORDS @KAMINA @Prankstar

let's join forces, we've got our guns and horses. i know you've been burned, but every fire is a lesson learned.

"He survived that huh... This could be interesting." Tiger thought. "You keep saying that I killed marines today but I assure you if they fought me, I ain't kill anyone! If they did die, they died because their will to live was weak. The wounds I inflicted in the marshlands were survivable. If any man died by my hands today, the Gods will surely deal with me. Doesn't it bore you, Commodore, this cat and mouse game that the marines play with pirates?" Tiger inquired. "This meeting, I'm only here out of my pure curiosity. You plan to punish me for executing my own will. If that's what you see as justice then our goals will never coincide. Though..." Tiger said, digging into his ear with his pinking. Grinning, "I don't care about all that! I'm just pissed that your trying to tell me I can't go where I want! You seem to be a pretty cool guy Franky!" Tiger exclaimed. "Which means... I won't hold back any longer." Tiger said, pressing arms against the ground,wobbling over to John, he grabbed the man. Using his long joints to build up momentum, almost like springs, Tiger attempted launched his body 25 meters across through air in a mad dash across the bridge over head. Using his Push Push Go skill, he launched himself almost like a spring like dart pass the location of where the Commodore was. "OWW! WATCH IT TIGER!!" the merchant exclaimed, his hand almost turned into the outside of an oven mitt from Tiger's immense heat. "Sowwwy! Lemme make it better! I have this new potion that-" Tiger said, with his eyes sparkling, making the blowing motion with his mouth, being interrupted by the chop across his head by John. "That's not the face of a man who wants to help!" John exclaimed, his hand further swelling from striking Tiger. "Those burns look wicked... If you don't treat them soon you might loose that arm" Tiger looked onward concerning. "Who do you think burned me in the first place!? Huh!? Huh!? Who!? Mr.Supernova!?" John said crying apathetically. "John. I'm going to get serious for awhile. Use myself as a distraction to make it back to your ship. I'm not sure if I can beat this dude and his men by myself. I promise once I grab a look of the Shichibukai, I'll be ready to go." Tiger said, whistling at the end, a habit he often did when saying something he was half unsure about. "Are you mad!? If you want to meet a Shichibukai so badly look over there!" John exclaimed pointing to the orange hair man, standing off in the distance from the ordeal. Covering his mouth, John realized that he had just informed Tiger of the Warlord's location, 'would he jump into battle with the man?', was the first thought that flew through the man's mind. "OI! CARROT-HEAD! or is his hair red... OI! SWEET POTATO HEAD! MR.WARLORD!" Tiger screamed loudly towards the man who was identified to be one of the Shichibukai. John could almost die from anxiety at this point. "I have a question to ask each of the Warlord, it's the same question each time but your responses interest me. Of course, your not entitled to answer, I won't mind if you don't. My question is simple, 'Why did you become a Warlord? If you wanted the World Government's influence, why not just become a marine? I'm really bad with wording things... Hmm... Let me put it like this, put more frankly, Don't you want to Pirate King instead holding up these stuffy positions for the snooze fest of a Navy?" Tiger inquired. "Cuz... If it doesn't interest any of you... or more like... even if it does... I came to say this." Tiger ended. "I want to be Pirate King." Tiger said, slamming his fist into his chest, exclaiming proudly with his face pouted.

ASTERISM＠ネバーランド

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N/A WORDS @KAMINA @Prankstar

let's join forces, we've got our guns and horses. i know you've been burned, but every fire is a lesson learned.

Flailing his arms,"Ohoho... The powers of a Shichibukai... and it's a bird! A flashy bird at it too!" Tiger said with glowing eyes of admiration at how cool the man's ability seemed to be. "As much as I'd like to go toe to toe with you, Tsarna was it? My reason here today wasn't conflict or fame. I just really wanted to see first hand and hear the words of what these seas consider the greatest." Tiger said grinning, his heart brimming with excitement, he couldn't even hold it in any longer. "You are correct. John, I need to get you medical attention. If it ain't for you, I couldn't be here or get back to the South.  Commodore Frank and Shichibukai Tsarna, I wish I could've seen the remainder of the Shichibukai before I leave but I have feeling this won't be the last time we see each other on this island." Tiger stated. Cooling down his excitement, Tiger grabbed onto John's sleeve, shooting Steam from nose, the man shot off horizontally off the ground, escaping towards the marshlands. The duo shot off with amazing speed, almost like missile being fired. "By the way! You guys are right! I can't be the Pirate King the way I am now! Once I gather my crew, I'll definitely grasp my dream! Woooooo!" Tiger said, as the steam shot from his nose.

ASTERISM＠ネバーランド

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Whether it was due to the Noble's presence or the natural disorderly atmosphere of the island, but the jaunt from the pier to the meeting locale had been more haphazard and sluggish than anticipated. Saint Focus was living up to his name in his complete immersion within his own thoughts. Despite how impatient he had been up to this point, he was so dreadfully swept up in his own mind that the delay in arrival eluded him entirely. Instead he sat, hunched over in his elaborate, plush carrier, one hand clenched tightly, the other grasping his flustered features. He mumbled to himself a chorus of hectic whispers.

Symetra listened intently to the small wrist snail which informed her of the complications unfolding at the meeting hall. In her other outstretched hand was clutched the bloodied face of an unscrupulous outlaw whose limp body dangled from her rigid clutches. The wounded fellow's colleague tip-toed behind their assailant and brandished his keen cutlass to cut down the agent while she was preoccupied. The agent heard the finished report and ended the transmission in the same instant she flung her empty hand behind her to intercept the incoming blade. The sword struck square on the flat of her palm with a curious 'clang'. The would-be assassin was awestruck by her reflexes as much as the complete failure of his weapon versus her bare skin and solid frame. Symetra overlooked the strike and sighed at the recent update. As she processed her next move there arose a few sparks atop her extended finger tips which burst into arcs of energy bouncing between her fingers. She curled her sparking digits around the metallic item she and her attacker held: then came the screaming.
She felt the decoy transports were in good standing and decided to focus her attention on the main meeting hall to prepare it for the final arrival of her noble client. The cold and calculating agent had disposed of the remaining delinquents and left them in the hands of one of her security battalions. She called for two more battalions to congregate at the courtyard where the Commodore had adamantly defended the gathering place. The Noble and his entourage were close behind her as she rushed to the execution landing.

Agent Prank, I heard reports of your defending this area, where has the guilty party, Meruem, fled to? I wish to organize a pursuit party which I intend to aid once my employer has been sorted out here and the meeting is underway. I will soon have updates on the fleeing individuals, but your added information could prove useful. As it stands I require that you reconnect this bridge with a barrier substitute to alleviate any need to adjust the traversal path of the noble's upcoming transport. Symetra expounded the string of queries and instructions in short order with little recognition of the good work Prank had done to secure the area. However frivolous compliments and encouragements were not to be found among her common diction.

Symetra stood, arms crossed behind her, back straight as a board. Her pride shone brightest in the presence of fellow agents, not seeing them as comrades so much as fellow instruments to accomplish the Government's goals. She had little time for companionship or sociability: she was raised for efficiency and compliance. Punk Hazard was no place for a child to grow up,though she hadn't been one of those for very long. Nostalgia was wasted on her and she held no personal enjoyment from her day to day, simply enacting the ideologies she had been indoctrinated with from youth. Despite the helpfulness of the information and aid provided, she offered no gratitude as she did not understand the concept. Symetra's likeness with a woman was only external; they had done away with her sense of individuality and more long ago. The shell standing before Prank made no concessions for the loss of their target. As the transparent, sheening arch formed behind her she swiftly lifted her right hand to her ear and gestured forward with two finger to the procession of Marines which waited on the far side. They immediately registered the sign and gave wordless confirmation by sidling across in perfect, parallel lines; their marching giving a resounding click as they traversed the clear overpass. They quickly filled the courtyard and established a perimeter for the upcoming carrier. Symetra stepped beside the gateway's entrance as the elaborate transport passed her by. A quick ringing came from her wrist which she abruptly attended to, giving no consideration to the man whom she had been conversing with.

“Make the call....” Came a quiet and hurried voice barely audible enough for her to register.

“Roger that- consider it done.” She responded before clicking the device closed. It was not terribly odd for a Saint to elect wireless communication over face-to-face interaction as they disliked sharing the same air as 'lesser folk' (the inside of the transport was lined with a bubble-like coating in fact).

“The addition of your forces will be an added benefit, but I will provide assistance in the matter personally. As this particular event is my jurisdiction I will ensure any unpredictable elements unaccounted for will be seen to.” Symetra gave her delayed response to Prankster's offer of pursuit of Tiger. She was not one to shirk her duties and leave them to anyone outside her direct authority, however she still had making provisions for her employer as priority.

“For the sake of coordination you had ought to send your forces as an initial pursuit squad and attend to the awaited Shichibukai: Vephist D. Yhs whom I have taken notice of just East of us. Usher him to the meeting hall, as I'm sure you are aware of, and the meeting will soon be underway.” Symetra curtly remarked to her fellow agent as she turned from him and proceeded after her superior in quick step. She reanimated the creature on her wrist and made an outgoing call as requested.

Across the seas, where the transmission had been received, a uniform group descended through the foulest depths known to man. A tall suited man wiped sweat from his brow as he and his associates plunged downward. On either side of him stood a monstrous creature. To his left the wrathful 'Minoboarus' stood with bristled fur, to his right was the the placid, but equally menacing 'Minobison'. As their band plummeted the air grew thin and a horrid chill clung to any exposed skin. The sweat nearly crystallized to the suited man's forehead and he instinctively, though subtly huddled within the man-bison's thick, shaggy mane.

“I never thought I'd receive so foolish an order as this...the existence of these scum being erased took an exorbitant amount of time and effort across all the World Government's branches. The authority from which this order comes is unquestionable, but it pains my very being to execute...”
The man spoke mainly to himself, as the beastly guards who him accompanied were not much for words.

He stepped away from his subordinate as the air grew thicker and danker on their descent. The shuttle's progress crept slower and slower until they reached the very base of its shaft. The symphony of screams which pierced their ears was now a distant whine. The vast chamber they stepped into was quiet as a cellar and echoed with their hefty footfalls. The two inhuman guards both carried a large metallic container from the elevator. They bypassed the gargantuan cages which met them; the target they sought was in solitude, isolated due to inciting violence among fellow prisoners (and killing numerous inmates). The small party came to a lengthy, dimly lit hallway (Minobison and Minoboarus had to twist their bodies in order to fit their wide frames down along the passage). Torchlight flickered onto their grave expressions while they traversed the hall.

'Baleros Saga of the Terrible Eye'....I want even less to do with his depravity than the rest of these lowlifes. The only reason we haven't long since ended his miserable life is because of his deplorable abilities. We could not risk the fruit sprouting again and causing havoc once more. At least keeping him trapped here removed such a threat. The b*stard pulling the strings here is dreadfully ignorant of our workings and protocols...but who am I to challenge the 'gods of this world'...they'll regret their dealings with the devil.” The uniformed commander fumed to himself as he faced the looming metal enclosure at halls-end. There came a resounding rattle of chains and a loud grinding of stone on stone as his words bounced against the thick walls.

“Be on your guard, even restrained he is a greater threat than you realize. Well, perhaps you would.” He said looking up to the man-boar at his back who returned a vicious gaze. A low chuckling flowed from the shadowy cell.

“ Iraaa....is my timeout finally oooveer?? The others don't want to play with me anymore...Oh! Do you gentlemen have any salt by chance? The snacks here are ghastly: always running away and squealing when I take a bite...IRARARA!” The twisted voice was all the more detestable by the shrill, repulsive laughter. A shred of dancing light waved over the thick metal frame and a face slipped from the shade into sight. His jagged teeth clasped the crossbar choking off his deranged cackle. His upper half was wrapped in hefty chains (which would seem more suitable attached to a warship than a man). The prisoner had somehow managed to yank one of his restraints' anchors clean from the wall (and thus the grinding of stone on stone). With his ease of movement within his chamber he managed to press his head against the outer cell-barrier.

“Don't bother, Saga, those bars are Kairouseki- too strong for even you to handle.” The visiting man said with a condescending confidence. A moment of silence passed between the two. The convict began banging his head against the railings disturbing the deathly silence.

“The bars, yes....but the stone...is just stone....” At that moment the Warden could have sworn he heard the walls crack. His heart skipped a beat, but he put his willpower toward repressing the fear in his voice so they might complete their task.

“You two, prepare the vessel for the inmate...let's end our part in this madness and let fate decide the rest.” Said the Warden with a shaky voice. The two massive guards with him hauled what resembled an iron-maiden to the cell's door. They pulled apart its thick, creaking panels and went to carefully retrieve the maniac for transport.

“Ya know without me around,you're gonna have ta find yourself another dentist,eh?Irara...” He chortled to himself gesturing toward Minoboarus' broken tusk (a painful reminder of his originally incarceration). The crazed captive gave little to no resistance as he was passed from one cell to a much tighter one (he knew where he was destined to go). As Baleros was carried in his metallic sarcophagus his chilling snickering passed through the floor as a dreadful reminder of what they were unleashing on the world.

N/A WORDS @KAMINA @Prankstar

let's join forces, we've got our guns and horses. i know you've been burned, but every fire is a lesson learned.

After using two bursts, Tiger managed to place a forty meter distance between the palace's outline through the humid forest, resting atop a tree root which sprung from the ground due to the terrain's rich soil. "Alright. How much do you know about this area?" Tiger inquired to John. Panting heavily, his body heavily covered in wounds from Tiger's Atsu Atsu abilities. "In this area... They are three major points. The shopping district is to the East of this forest, the Palace which is to West of our current location and the final area is here, this forest." John informed. Rolling on the ground in the muddy terrain, Tiger dirtied his trademark blue undercoat to enjoy the pleasantries he gained by flailing around his body. A thrill trickled down Tiger's spine, sending him into a slow sweat. The man's flailing stopped instantly, John accustomed to the man's erratic movements by now was no longer phased, until he saw the look on Tiger's face. "Someone... No, two stronger ones are coming. Crap, I don't think I'll be able to protect you and fight them both at the same time. John!" Tiger stopped abruptly, springing himself upwards to his feet. "Is there anything flammable in this forest!? Like a bark or a plant that burns easily!?" Tiger asked. Panting, "To the east of here... There's something called 'Bomb Flowers', they explode when exposed to immense heat. However, it's impossible to light them, the temperatures there are below-" John stopped halfway through his sentence, realizing the reasoning behind Tiger's question. "Take this." Tiger created a ball of heat, "Looking in my pouch and you'll see heat resistant gauntlets. Wear them and toss this ball at the plants to cause an explosion." Tiger said, taking off his jacket and digging his feet into the earth, staring at the direction of the incoming energies. "I'll give them a run for their money until you can throw that ball into the flower fields. Get out of here!" Tiger shouted grinning. "I'm about to finally have some fun! I had no qualms with the Shichibukai but if I burn down this forest, it'll leak over into the city and I'll use the distraction as means to escape." Tiger thought. "Besides... I've decided, there's something I've been meaning to try out..." Tiger concluded in his thoughts. "Concentrate... Think of every defeating moment... Every disappointment that's plague my life... Every thing that frustrated my soul's core..." Tiger pondered in deep meditation. "Steam Volume!" Tiger shouted. The heat was almost visible, causing blurs in vision to almost all in Tiger's vicinity due to the clenching of eyes from the searing temperatures. Except Tiger, his eyes glowed a luminous light blue, closing his eyes in concentration for the arrival of his pursuers. The nearby ponds started to bubble with heat, almost like pots on the stove tops of raging kitchens all across the North Blue. The natural humidity, combined with Tiger's heat, made all who approached within 20 meters of the man feel at least half the heat of Tiger's glowing temperatures to which he exuded. "Spicy Crystal Balls!" Tiger shouted. Each ball hovered around the area, safely tucked behind the gigantic trees, Tiger using each ball almost as a homing device to which he'll explode in heat for all who approach foolishly. "Alright... It's all set. Now I just need to hold them off until this forest fire commences." Tiger said to himself grinning.

ASTERISM＠ネバーランド

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