Too late

Markus stood on the front deck of the marine's ship. The call came in late last night that the Frost Kingdom was under siege by multiple pirate crews consisting of some of the strongest Pirates from the New World.

Big Names like The Black Lion, The island Smasher and Long Horn.

A troublesome situation indeed. It wasn't unheard of for pirates to band together every now and then to achieve a similar goal. But it was always a major problem for the people and the Marines.

The damage one of these crews can do alone is disastrous. Put them all together and there's no telling what might happen.

Regardless, this was going to be a full-blown battle. Hopefully, the Kingdom's forces will still be alive by the time they arrive.

" What's the matter?"

Markus turned from his distraction to see Vice admiral dalmatian walking up to him.

" Sir? Guess I'm just doing some thinking." Markus told the man.

" Thinking about the frost kingdom?"

" Yeah. The call came in last night. We might have been close by, but do you really think they managed to hold out all night? Or... Are we just walking into a massacre."

" Realistically, probably a massacre. But that doesn't change what we need to do. If there's even one person still alive. We need to rescue them." Dalmatian stated.

" Yeah." Markus muttered. He focused his mind on the coming battle. This would be the toughest fight he's had yet.

....................

four more days later...

The air was chilly, colder than anything Markus had felt yet.

The Frost kingdom was well within sight, and by now they could see the smoke and flames coming from the island clearly.

On the beach there were large protrusions of rocks. Like the earth itself had been dragged out forcefully.

The Marine base that was stationed at docks to the island, were completely in ruins. Nothing but scraps and iron remained.

" This is... This is.... Who would do something like this?"

" It get worse." Markus spoke. " Look at the beach." Markus pointed to the beach and the other soldiers all focused their attention on the blood red sand.

" Cro... Crosses?!"

Coming through the thick fog around the docks, a sick feeling began welling up inside the stomachs of even veteran members on the ship.

Standing at the entrance to the kingdom, Marine soldiers, and the soldiers dressed in the royal armor of the Frost Kingdom were lined up and crucified, Men and women both.

" This... This is a nightmare." One of the Marine soldiers spoke.

There was a clear air of dread plaguing the hearts and minds of the Marines, but now wasn't the time to be feeling afraid.

" Alright, that's enough. Advanced squad grab your gear and prepare for battle. Private Shihioh, contact Marineford and tell them to send reinforcements to the North Blue. Everyone else dock on the beach and keep a watch out for any more pirates, and one more thing.... Get those people down. Everyone understand their mission?"

" YES SIR!"

Markus along with Dalmatian led the advanced troupe onto the island, passing by the dead soldiers rotting atop those wooden crosses.

Passing them felt painful. Like they were passing what could be themselves.

" Don't pay it any mind, you lot. Their suffering is over. Focus on yourselves. If you aren't prepared, this could be you." Dalmatian spoke.

Walking through the ruins, the Marines saw the numerous bodies and severed limbs strewn about the ruined Marine base. The putrid smell of rotting flesh cursed the noses of those still alive.

Needless to say, it was a scene out of a nightmare.

" Dalmatian-San. I don't sense anything living here, but us. Perhaps we should move further towards the city. Maybe we'll find more survivors there?" Markus told the man.

Dalmatian grunted. " Yeah but keep your guards up everyone. We don't know what we're walking into. Stay in tight formation and keep your eyes open for any kind of movement." Dalmatian stated.

The crew quickly moved past the naval station and towards the city.

It was quite the hike, as to be expected. The city was situated quite a distance from the naval base. The reason is because if there was ever an attack, then the people would have time to evacuate in case things got too bad.

However, as the Marines finally came within view of the great city located in the snow, the thought that anyone survived quickly perished from their thoughts.

The entire city was smoking. Smaug and ash filled the sky, completely blanketing out the white flurry going around them.

The city was completely destroyed. Towers were torn down and had massive holes in them. Blood was everywhere.

" There! On the front Gate!" One Marine shouted.

The others looked up to the high-rise gates that stood over the city. And there strung up high for all to see was a woman. Her clothes torn off, revealing her chest.

" Good lord, that's the daughter of King Frostbjorn. Norin Bjornsdottir."

The men all stared in horror.

The woman was bloody from head to toe. He beautiful green hair was stained completely red, her snow-white skin was covered in dirt and dried blood. So, much so that not even a drop of her skin could be seen past the mess.

She had gashes and lacerations all over. On her arms and legs, and one going across her stomach.

However, what surprised them most, was what happened next.

" H... Huhhhh." Norin took a deep and painful breath, wheezing and groaning slightly.

" She's still alive!" Markus exclaimed. He jumped into the air and cut the ropes stringing Norin up in the air and held her in his arms. " Gotcha."

" Lieutenant, get back in formation!" Dalmatian shouted.

Markus was already on his way back down to the ground. However, before he reached the floor, two figures appeared behind him.

Markus looked behind him, he turned his body slightly to the side so that Norin was safe and used his armament haki to help block two attacks coming right at him. " Ugh!" Markus grunted. He was sent crashing back down to the ground with force.

" Hey! What do you think you're doing with that, huh?"

" Yeah, that's our property. You shouldn't go stealing things that don't belong to you."

Markus stepped out from the dirt, still carrying Norin in his arms. " Private Newarski, take this woman and run back to the ship with her."

" Yes sir. Er- Vice Admiral?'

" Do it, Newarski." Dalmatian told the man.

" Yes sir!" Newarski ran to Markus and carefully grabbed Norin from him and started running back the direction of which the Marine's had come from originally.

" Dalmatian-San. Who are these men?" Markus asked.

" The big one on the right with the bald head is the vice-captain of the charging Rhinos Goro. And the smaller guy, the one with the green hair, he's a member of the Black Mambas, the one called Sidewinder." Dalmatian told the man.

" It's not nice to go around speaking about others, especially when they're right in front of you ya know. It just makes me so very... Very angry. Ya know? What about you boys? Does that make you.... Angry?" Sidewinder spoke.

Pirates started forming around the front gate.

" There's nothing left for you people, here. Our bosses are already gone. The people are gone. This island is ours now. You ca n leave now or not at all." Goro stated. " But first, return our prisoner."

" See that's gonna be a problem." Markus told the man.

" Very well. Then come on in Marine's! Let's see if you lot do better than those losers we left on the beach, giyahahahahaha!" Sidewinder shouted.

He and Goro jumped back into the city, where they would wait until the Marines finished running through the gauntlet of pirates still waiting for them at the front gates.

" Vice Admiral, sir.... What's the plan?"

" Well, you seemed to have worked that one out yourself. Whatever's left of this city, we take it back. And that means, we take them down." Dalmatian told the man.

" Yes sir!"

" Alright men! Let's go!" Dalmatian yelled.

Dalmatian led the charge towards the front gates.

As soon as the two forces met, the Marines immediately started running through the pirates. Bodies were flying left and right from the force of the two front men.

" Whew! It looks like our forces are quite literally getting slaughtered." Sidewinder joked.

" Let them come. Doesn't matter anyway. The little resources this place has left has no value. The slaves are worthless."

" Then why are we still here?" Sidewinder asked the man.

" Because I enjoy crushing Marines more than anything else."

...............

Elsewhere in the North Blue.

" We drained all the resources that the Frost Kingdom had, destroyed the island. Tell me, why did we leave it?" Long Horn asked.

" Because the Marines were notified too soon. So, I had to change up the plans a little bit. But the end goal is still the same." Terris told the man.

" If we aren't gonna keep the island, then why did we leave our men?" Long Horn asked.

" Because we need to keep the Marines busy long enough."

" So, we left our men to die?!" Long horn asked the man. He was a little angered by how easily Terris sacrificed his men.

" Nothing is ever won without a little sacrifice, Long Horn. And besides, there's no need to worry. I left the twins there. They can handle a few Marines."

" Janten.... Manten... You left those younglings alone?"

" They may be young, but they take after their older brothers very well." Terris told the man.

" Yes, they do. Zohakuten and Bankotsu trained them well." Long horn stated. He had seen firsthand how terrifyingly effective the four brothers were in combat. " But things are different when you don't have brothers to watch over you. And those two are quite reckless."

" Yes, but this will be their chance to prove themselves personally in battle. I can't think of a better way, can you?"

" There's always another way. Sacrificing your men should never be an option. I would have thought a man whose been on this sea as long as you have would know that."

" I've been alive this long because I am willing to make those sacrifices. And if you want the chance to do the same, I suggest you start learning." Terris told the man. He quickly turned on his heel and walked away from Long Horn. ' Though with that being said, I 'd hate to be the one responsible for killing one of them. Zohakuten and Bankotsu are already quite troublesome to deal with. If anything happens to those two, I better be ready to deal with them as well.' Terris thought to himself.

.....................

And there we go; the pirates are already on their way to their next target and the Marines are only just now beginning their fight with the pirates left behind. Markus and Dalmatian have quite the trouble ahead of them. First dealing with Goro and Sidewinder. And then there's also the looming threat of the Starlight twins Janten and Manten. And what about Zohakuten and Bankotsu?

Do you think they have what it takes to bring down four strong pirates at the same time? Let me know what you guys think by leaving a comment below!! See ya!