Warriors of Sky, Part 5: Faulty Gamble

Empty field on Mushroom; not long ago

As twilight glimmered in the distance, Doflamingo Jr. gazed upon the field with a crescent smile. "This is pretty nice land. Vegetation is good, the weather is fair… and it's free for the taking. No one would care if someone decided to set up shop here. So, why are you getting in my way?"

He turned to a golden-eyed girl whose form was mostly shadowed in the twilight: Louise Mario. "Duh! Because you're a villain, and cowering in this wasteland ain't gonna change that."

"And who are you to judge what's good or evil?"

"Please, you're the spitting image of your father, and the news had a field day with-"

Doffy whipped a string at Louise, the girl dodging by a heartbeat. "You aren't welcome in my new kingdom, Princess. Now, LEAVE!" The prince shot string bullets, Louise evading as she ate a Bee Shroom. She took flight, countering Doffy's bullets with stingers. Doffy took a few hits before launching and catching Louise's legs with strings, smashing her facefirst against the ground. Louise swiftly cut the strings with the spike of her staff, and when Doffy launched them again, Louise flipped up while drenching that spot with Honey Goop, sticking those strings to the ground. Louise then ran along those strings and jumped against his face.

Doffy detached those strings as severe pain coursed through him; Mushroomians truly did have strong legs. Doffy connected a bunch of strings between surrounding trees and shot bullets at them, the bullets rapidly bouncing between the bungees and hitting Louise from various angles. Doffy also began slingshotting himself into Louise, knocking her out of her bee form, so out of frustration, she changed her staff to Cement Paint and created concrete walls to protect herself. Doffy smirked and merely destroyed the barrier, only to realize Louise fled into a Paint Portal.

She emerged from a nearby portal she painted previously. Louise consumed a Boomerang Flower and sliced all the bungees, until Doffy lunged himself at her and pinned her to the ground. However, the boomerang returned and bonked his head, Louise kicking him off and then jumping on his chest to paint Cement Goop across him. Doffy struggled to break the cement off, but could not before Louise Ground Pounded him, forcing blood out of the prince.

Louise jumped off as Doffy struggled to get back up, panting while holding his stomach. "I'm sick of dealing with bitches like you… who think they're trying to uphold justice. That there's only one way. And all I'm trying to do is start over again—eh?!" Doffy realized his slippers were stuck to the ground with Honey Goop. Before he could attempt to escape, Louise ran up and stamped him in the face again.

"You'll have plenty of time to start over in the Free Kingdom. So long as you play along." Louise kicked his unconscious form onto its front. "Inklings, get the metahuman restraints!" she ordered as she began to paint Doffy's feathers gold. "It's time to haul our bounty!"

Current time, Inkopolis dungeon

Louise's crewmen had locked the Noah's Ark performers in a sewer dungeon, while Doffy was taken elsewhere. The chief Inkling, an orange-haired female one with pink shoes, handed a list to a White Lotus officer, Katniss Everdeen. "So, these are the Devil Fruit powers that these circus performers use. Thank you, Squitaba."

"W-a-ah~!" Squitaba affirmed in her native tongue and saluted.

Aboveground, Sector MG accompanied Louise at an Inkling skate park. "But I STOMPED his back one more time for good measure!" Louise demonstrated this feat by stomping the back of a blue-haired Inkling boy. "And that's basically how the battle went." Louise concluded. "It's a lot cooler if you saw it in person."

"Cough! Yeah, but wait'll you hear how we fought his crewmen!" exclaimed Squam, the Inkling in question. He was Squitaba's co-chief in the group. "First, that Joker guy, he had a power that-"

"Don't bore your audience, Squam." Louise interrupted, stepping off him.

"Bore?! Why don't I get to use you like a punching ba-" Louise poked his eyes. "Yo-o-ow!"

"I'm glad you're as strong as ever, Louise!" Maria grinned.

"Wish I could say the same. Your leg still ain't healed yet, eh?"

"Yes, and that's partially your fault." Cheadle told her firmly. "You almost got yourself and your sister killed with your reckless actions."

"Hey, I had feelings I had to get out, and I'm not ashamed of that."

"Seconded!" Maria nodded proudly.

"Honestly, you girls." Cheadle sighed. "Anyway, Louise, I want to ask you something: since the Sky God Pirates are docked on Mushroom, you aren't planning to invade the capital, are you?"

"Actually, when I was captain, I decreed that the pirates wouldn't attack Mushroom Castle. I had just a teeny bit of mercy left for my parents, though it's mostly 'cause I didn't wanna see them."

"You decreed?" Oliver asked. "I thought this place had no laws."

"None except our own moral laws. I dunno if he told you, but Mr. Vaati's the one who proposed to Skaios that everyone should take turns being captain. We all agreed that if the captains made any sort of important decision, the other crewmen would have to respect that decision. But if someone went against it, or tried to make a law against it, those two had to battle for their belief!" Louise raised her gold-painted staff with vigor. "Still, if someone wanted to steal Toad Town, I wouldn't care."

"Well, I would!" Cheadle argued. "That's why I need to save Mobius! Could you at least have me taken to Peach so I can show her I'm okay?"

"Not ME, that would just be too awkward! Squam can just take you."

"Fine, but can it wait 'til tomorrow? I wanna play in the Turf War tonight." Squam replied, rubbing his eyes still.

"Fine. We still need to help Romeo and Kiki recover, anyway. Let's go check on them now." Cheadle began to push Maria's wheelchair out of the city.

"Can I stay and watch the Turf War?" Maria asked.

"No, your friends come first."

"Whatever, Mom."

"Stop calling me 'Mom'!!"

Santa Hylia; Meeting Room

The Commanders gathered at a round table with a digital map of the Free Kingdom, with a display similar to the Sheikah Slate. Among them were Vaati, Aranea Serket, Meta Knight, Nagisa, Monaca, as well as a black-haired Japanese man in a dark cloak.

"I'd like to thank everyone who chose to attend this meeting." Meta Knight began. "I acknowledge that holding meetings is completely optional and most of you have more important things to do, but I digress. First, I believe Captain Nagisa has news for us?"

"Yes, it would seem that two KND sectors from Earth have been welcomed into our kingdom." Nagisa recapped. "Sectors MG and V. The latter, in particular, is requesting an alliance in order to combat the other three Yonko. How do you all feel about this?"

"Regarding the Emperors," Meta Knight followed, "following Queen Sherry's return, and Kroctus and Mandy conquering Mobius and Hyrule respectively, I have no doubts Skaios will want to liberate their domains. We cannot avoid a war with them. My greatest concern is Skaios himself."

"I agree." Vaati replied. "Skaios is a Firstborn, there's no doubt about that. If the Emperors seize him, they'll harness his power and become invincible. We should find a suitable place to hide Skaios until this war is over."

"I 8elieve I could easily persuade Skaios to come to New Galaxia with me." Aranea offered. "He couldn't resist exploring such a realm, and the Emperors would go M8D trying to navig8 the-"

"Ufufufu." Monaca giggled. "Would you really deny Skaios to take part in such an exciting battle? No friend deserves to be left out. Monaca would be sad if that happens." She twisted her finger into the table with a mopey expression. "And Vaati, you're such a hypocrite. How dare you attempt to deny him his freedom."

"If the Emperors claim Skaios, our quest for freedom will crumble. It would only be a temporary-"

"I think you're jealous." Monaca's eyes gazed at the Minish hypnotically, as if trying to dig into his half of a soul. "Skaios has the exact same goals as you, yet he's become much more successful and powerful. That's why you asked Skaios to let people take turns being captain. You wanted Skaios' perfect utopia to fall apart. You're trying to sabotage us."

"I most certainly am not!"

"Well, it's not Monaca's choice, anyway. It's Captain Nagisa's choice!"

"Huh?" The boy flushed for a moment. "Yes, well… Skaios would be a major asset in the upcoming battle, but I cannot deny he is reckless. And I fear if I tried to reason with him, he would not listen. I would want to keep him out of battle as long as possible."

"So, you're preparing to lead us into a great war all by your lonesome?"

"W-Well, I mean, I'll elect a new captain-"

"But if the decision to keep Skaios out of battle is yours, then we'll have to respect it. Remember, Nagisa, we have a lot of faith in your wise decisions. Our expectations are extremely high."

"E-Extremely… high?" Nagisa began to sweat, his temperature rising from anxiety. More than anything, he couldn't bear to disappoint his family—he means, his crewmen. All the responsibility weighed on his shoulders.

"Nagisa," Meta Knight began, "if this decision is too difficult for you, you may choose a captain who you believe is more suitable. After all, it may be a while before war actually-"

"NO!" Monaca began flailing her fists in a tantrum. "This! Is! His! MOMENT! Nagisa is the smartest! And most capable one! To lead us! In these! Dark! Times!"

"P-Please, be quiet for a second!" Nagisa shouted. "I need a moment to think…"

"Enough!" Vaati shouted. "You're right. I proposed the 'taking turns' rule because I didn't believe Skaios was qualified to run this crew. While I desire nothing more than freedom, an organized leadership is a must to attain that goal. Not everyone on this crew is fit for the task."

"But that's basically what America and other countries do." Monaca replied. "A bunch of old, smelly adults thinking their opinion is right, convincing everyone else to make them the leader. That's what we're trying to stop, isn't it? So, maybe you are a hypocrite, Vaati."

"Monaca, forgive me, but you are bringing us off topic." Meta Knight said.

"No, Meta Knight, you're the one who strayed off topic."

"Excuse me?"

"You joined this crew with the claim that you were the greatest Star Warrior. But that's a lie, right? You never defeated the wielder of the Galaxia Sword. You never defeated Nigel Uno."

"What does that have to do with anything?!"

"I wonder… would Nigel's children be able to hold the Galaxia Sword? Two of them are here in our kingdom. Perhaps you should see if one of them has the sword. Perhaps you should take it for yourself. Our crew should accept none but the strongest, and that includes the strongest Star Warrior. You must bring honor to the crew of Emperor Skaios."

"Y…Yes… You are right." Meta Knight pondered over Monaca's words, only now realizing the tempting possibility. "Perhaps this could be my second chance. I already possess the Aixalag Sword… and if Nigel's children inherited his right to wield the sword—that does not matter now!"

"It DOES matter!" Monaca banged her fists on the table. She was extremely passionate in her words. "It is your DREAM! To be the greatest Star Swordsman! A MAN! MUST NOT! ABANDON! HIS DREAM!"

Vaati grit his teeth, glaring at her. I never understood this girl. She was always the most assertive during meetings, and she almost always got her way. I don't know what her deal is, but… I sense powerful darkness and desire within her.

"Enough!" A lightning bolt struck from one end of the table. All eyes were directed on the Japanese man, his fingers brimming with electric chi. Before his cold gaze, even Monaca silenced, folding her hands politely. "As far as I can tell, no one here is qualified to lead. Especially not some brat. Now, for the sake of progress, my spies have been thoroughly studying the other crews and I've proceeded to develop a strategy. Right now, our immediate threat are the KND operatives in our kingdom. If the Will of Rebellion doesn't awaken inside them and they refuse to join our crew, they must be destroyed."

"Destroyed?!" exclaimed Vaati. "That's my DAUGHTER you're talking about! And besides, Nagisa said they wanted to form an alliance."

"They're as big a threat to us as the other Yonko. And like the Yonko, they have the potential to rule their worlds if they want to. If they don't submit to us, I will personally destroy them myself."

"Not until I have my Galaxia Sword, Commander Uchiha." Meta Knight stated.

Red Leaf Division Commander

"Sharingan" SASUKE UCHIHA

"Now, shall I go over my strategy with you, 'Captain'?" Sasuke asked Nagisa with sarcasm. "Or will you be wise and hand the hat over to me?"

"But you can't force the current captain to surrender their title." Monaca reminded. "Or else Skaios will get mad. Nagisa, I think Uchiha-san is too scary to be Captain, don't you think?"

"Y-Y-Y…Y-Y-Y…" Nagisa wanted to agree, but his teeth sealed his words inside. Sasuke's cold glare was freezing him, and yet he had to either confirm or deny, for everyone was depending on him, as the captain. If he made the wrong choice for the next captain, their mistakes would fall on his shoulders. "T-Too… sca-ry… wr-ong…"

"Ahem, come to think of it, where is Skaios, anyway?" Aranea asked, longing to change the subject.

"I think he's engaged in a rather exciting match right now." Monaca smiled. "Ufufu! And the legendary Sunny-Fist is participating."

Orchid Bay Stadium

The former baseball stadium had been repurposed as a combat arena, using Element Stones to project holographic environments. Sheila Frantic and Tani were doing warm-ups, eager to please the crowds with their prowess. Tani was especially happy; not only did she actually have a chance to battle her hero, the great Sunny Fist, but if she were allowed to become Captain, she could finally free Evan and have Evermore returned to its rightful place.

The battlefield was given the illusion of a jungle with a river, in which they would fight atop wooden platforms along said river. "Yahoooooo!" Skaios cheered, barely noticeable within the stands of citizens. "Give me some bloodshed, maties!"

"Shouldn't the Emperor have a more special seat?"

"Eh?" Skaios flinched when Midna emerged behind him. "Er… well, as an equal to everyone else, I deserve as average a seat as anyone! But since you're here, feel free to sit beside me."

"Or I could do this." Midna lifted Skaios up, took his seat, and sat him in her lap. "Big sisters get to share seats with their little brothers."

"Errrrr…" Skaios blushed.

"Still… isn't that…" Midna recognized one of the fighters. Almost coincidentally, she noticed the Sector V operatives entering several aisles away.

The teammates bolted into the stadium and saw Sheila facing her opponent. "SHEILA! What do you think you're doing?!" Aurora shouted.

"Howdy, fellas!" To their surprise, Kokichi greeted them with a vibrant grin. "This your first time here? How 'bout placing a bet! Matches are always more exciting when your livelihood is on the line."

"That's our friend in there! We didn't agree to sign her up for this!"

"There you guys are." Mason came jogging up the aisles. "Look, let me explain."

"Three…two…one… GO!"

Tani gave a battle cry and ran to jab her spear at Sheila, the Faunus quickly dodging before swinging a kick. Tani back-flipped and shot an arrow at Sheila's right hip. Sheila grunted and began to whirl her fist, evading Tani's arrows while keeping her sights on the pirate. Sheila launched her fist, but Tani dodged and spun toward Sheila with spear outreached. Sheila quickly ran backwards, controlling the thrown Light Fist as she made it ricochet in the air and come back at Tani. The Forest Princess was punched in the jaw, Tani falling in the artificial river, but she willed the vines of a tree to grab her and throw her at Sheila.

Sheila brought up her fist to defend from Tani's whirling kick. The plantbender was swift to bounce back to recovery and cut Sheila's arm with the spear's tip. Blimey, holding back is a pain. Don't mean she's gonna do the same. Hehe, it rhymes, eh? With a humored grin, Sheila used Light Feet to zip circles around Tani, who braced herself to dodge in whichever direction. Sheila finally zipped up, jumped, and brought a foot down, Tani dodging as it broke through the platform. Tani shot arrows, noticing that Sheila was only using one Light Foot now. Tani gasped in realization, but could not dodge in time before the other foot burst up through the platform and kicked Tani in the chin!

During this time, Mason explained what led to Sheila entering this match. "So, she's trying to help a friend." Haruka summarized. "Well, I guess that isn't too bad. And I guess we need to participate in their games, anyway. We were just a little worried because…"

"Oh, so this fight is all a hoax, huh?" Kokichi asked, startling the group; they had completely forgotten his presence. "I see… That's a problem, because Tani kinda made a bet with me before this match started. If she wins, she gets my authority over Goldpaw, and a chance to be Captain. Gee, I shouldn't have taken this bet…" He bowed his head, downtrodden.

"Uhh…" Mason mentally panicked, cursing himself for screwing up the plan like this.

"Oh, no worries." Kokichi smiled modestly. "I won't call the bet off. After all, it's for a good cause, right?"

"Um… okay?" Mason cocked a brow in suspicion.

"CHANGE FIELDS!" The jungle river setting suddenly morphed into a sky, Sheila and Tani catching their balance on a tilting plane! Sheila glanced down left, seeing another plane about to pass below them, and smirked. Sheila jumped and Ground Pounded the wing, causing the plane to spin. "Whoooaaa!" Tani held onto the other wing while Sheila dropped to the lower plane. The upper plane stopped spinning, but was upside-down as Tani hung on the side. Sheila punched a Light Fist up, but Tani dodged by dropping down, falling past Sheila's plane, but the admirer stretched up her potted vines to catch the wing.

Tani swung up onto Sheila's plane and shot Haki arrows at her hero, and with less room to maneuver, Sheila suffered some cuts from the three-shot bow. Sheila spun around with a Light Tail and tried to whack Tani off, the forest girl running and leaping off the wing and onto another plane. Sheila ceased spinning and followed her, but the planes were growing too far apart. Sheila charged up a Light Fist and fired, but Tani ducked and shot an arrow at the propeller of Sheila's plane. This caused the plane to short out and sink. Sheila, still in control of the thrown Light Fist, willed it to bounce around the air again on a route to Tani.

The Forest Princess spotted the fist and decided to jump down to Sheila's plane, the latter having to roll back to avoid being crushed. This caused the plane to tilt, Sheila nearly slipping off the opposite wing, but she pressed her fingers to it to hang on. Sheila used her free hand to control the still-flying fist, and was about to punch Tani off the plane. Tani was one step ahead, imbuing her spear with Haki and BATTING the Light Fist with excellent timing, striking Sheila as she took the fall.

"OW!!" Skaios screamed, blasting air in blind excitement. "I FEEL LIKE I FELT THAT, AND IT FELT GOOD! … …Oops." It was then he realized his air blast killed the audience to his left. All the other surrounding people began to get away from him out of fear.

"YOU IDIOT!" Midna smacked him in the head. "This is why you need to CONTROL yourself!"

"Hey, it's no big deal, they'll just become spirits!"

"Ugh, you really don't understand a thing!"

"C-Can't this wait until after the fight?"

"CHANGE FIELDS!" Just as Sheila was falling, the field morphed again, giving it the form of two large platforms, separated by a chasm. The only way to travel between them is via cannons. Sheila ran up to deal rapid Light Punches at Tani, the girl blocking with her Haki spear as fast as possible, but Sheila managed to get some punches, prompting Tani to back off. Sheila, I get that you're not trying to make it too obvious, but you could start showing a little fatigue.

"Quit runnin', you coward!" Sheila yelled, entering her Midas Body form. Her sunny body warmed the entire stadium.

"The… Will of Rebellion?" Mason questioned, after hearing his friends' explanation.

"That's why we think Sheila is in danger." Haylee replied. "Around Skaios, Sheila could lose her sense of restraint."

"Um, I think Skaios is supposed to be here, but…"

Tani could not keep track of Sheila's light speed, the Faunus laying several powerful punches upon her. "What the hell, Sheila?! You're hitting me too—" Sheila kicked her toward the cannons. "Oh, flip this!" Tani jumped in a cannon and blasted over to the other field. She chose to wait until Sheila's Fury wore off and would use the cannons again if she came over here. However, Sheila appeared to be aiming her fists at the sun and was forming two gigantic Light Fists. Her fists were large enough to cross the width of Tani's area. Once Sheila was finished, she faced Tani and launched both fists. "FLIPPIN' HE—!"

The fists crashed into the side of the stadium, disappearing to reveal a torn Tani. The stadium changed into a regular form as the pirate dropped in defeat. "TANIIII!" Batu bolted onto the field.

"AND SHEILA WINS THE COMBAT!" Kokichi cheered.

"YEEEEEEHHH!" Sheila beamed. "Sunny Fist shines like a—arrrhhh…" Sheila's Fury wore off, the raccoon kneeling in exhaust. "Ouch… me muscles… they hurt."

"SHEILA!" Tani bellowed as Batu carried her to her former hero. "WHAT THE HELL?! You were supposed to let me WIN! You didn't hold back at all!"

"Holdin' back is for sissies! If you weren't tough enough, you weren't worth the—ow."

"Nee hee hee! Such a shame your plan didn't work." Kokichi approached them with a shiny grin. "I guess your precious Sheila was just lying to you. In any case, the bet is fulfilled: not only do I keep my control of Goldpaw, but Evermore is officially MY property! And as the ruler of Evermore, I forbid the Cloudcoil Pirates from setting foot on my land."

"WHAT?! But that totally breaks the rules of this-"

"WHO CARES ABOUT THE RULES?!" Kokichi's skin turned black, and his hair white. "Rules are meant to be broken, that's the entire point of this place! I'm totally gonna remodel Evermore and you'll have NO say in it!"

"The HELL we don't, ye skinny brat!" Batu thundered. But it was then he received a call from Khunbish.

"Captain Batu! All the crewmen have just been forced out of Evermore! We can't get back in because of some barrier!"

"What?! But you…"

"HA HA HA HA!" Darkness shrouded Kokichi. "The Dice-Dice Fruit gives me ultimate control over anything I win! Get used to it, kid, because your kingdom is NEVER going back to its-"

A flaming fist PUNCHED the side of his head, Kokichi keeling over. "You look like a real shady bastard." Chris stated. "You KNEW Sheila was gonna lose her restraint."

"WAAAAAAH!" Kokichi cried like a child. "It wasn't my fault! ! I had no idea what they were planning, honest! I just wanted to make a beeeeeet!"

"You wanna bet?!" Dillon shouted. "You can bet we're gonna beat the crap out of you if you don't-"

"HEY, DILLON!" Vanellope glitched over, wearing a white straitjacket and clown mask. "I'm in the Dice Pirates now!"

"You're WHAT?!"

"I made a bet with one of the crewmen, if Sheila didn't win by the 2nd field change, I would join them. 'Guess you're gonna hafta get Carol in your crew again!"

"Oh, did I forget to mention?" Kokichi asked. "My crewmen are allowed to make bets on my behalf, which means they can sorta use the Dice-Dice Fruit, too. So, Vanellope is now my property."

"Vanel is NOT property!" Dillon argued. "She's a person!"

"Doesn't matter! She's not allowed to work for your team, anymore!"

"Sorry, Dillon, I'll miss ya! Sheila, race you around the top of the stadium!" She zipped away.

"YOU'RE ON!" The excited raccoon raced after—"Ow." She tripped.

"Oh, man." Mason sighed, helping his friend up. "Sheila, your chi paths have been hurting ever since the Blackbeard fight. You need to watch how much you use your power."

"I'll say." Batu said angrily.

"Ah, well, I have places to be, so I can't be your punching bag." Kokichi said, casually brushing the dirt off himself. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of your Penelope." And he calmly walked out of the stadium.

Dillon grit his teeth in anger and was about to correct him, until another sight caught his eyes: "Mortal lives aren't something you can just take away!" Midna was shouting at Skaios. "You spout all this nonsense about freedom, but you don't give them the freedom to live!"

"W-What's the big deal?! Everyone dies and becomes spirits, it's what makes them free!"

"Mortals are meant to live and influence the Mortal World, which will thereby influence the Spirit World. If people die suddenly, their spirits will despair and be corrupted by darkness, ESPECIALLY if a god kills them! I won't sit by and let you think you can do whatever you want!"

"OKAY!" Skaios shut his eye, shrinking in Midna's imposing, authoritive shadow. "I'm sorry! I won't do it again, I promise! …?" Those words stirred an unusual feeling in Skaios. He can't remember ever being scolded, and yet he instinctively knew the right words to say.

"Sigh… Let's go to your room to talk." Midna held his hand and walked him out of the stadium. She glanced at the field, her eye perking up when she noticed Dillon staring at her. She decided to send her shadow to the operatives.

Vanellope was now racing her fellow Dice Pirates around the stadium roof, but she stopped when a heavy feeling touched her heart. "Wait… did I just bet myself?" She took off her mask and looked down at Sector V. "Did I just abandon my team… over a bet?"

"Oi, Penelope, why'd you stop?" a buff Dice Pirate asked.

"Uh, guys? I think there's been a misunderstanding. I'm going back to-" But an unseen force prevented her from going back.

"It's too late for that, mate. You already lost the bet. You can only leave if Cap'n Kokichi lets ya."

"I…I can't?"

Midna's shadow explained the intel she collected to Sector V. "So, Skaios is a Newborn, huh?" Dillon replied. "I should've known."

"But even though he's a god," Aurora recapped, "he received a permanent injury to his eye?"

"Still, this gives us more incentive to make an alliance with him." Artie said. "We want the Newborn on our side, don't we?"

"No, we want them stopped." Harry replied. "The Newborn we've seen so far have caused trouble in some way, and Skaios is no different. Maybe we can make him fall asleep like they did with Hoopa and Horror's Hand."

Or if we can seal him in something, like that pretty mask! Kirie signed.

"At any rate, I'm going to learn more about Skaios." Midna said. "We need to know what kind of darkness is controlling the Newborn, and if it's possible to change them. I don't think Skaios is really 'evil.' Just misguided. I'll report later." The shadow returned.

"Hey, Tani?" Mason spoke sadly. "I'm sorry that Sheila got carried away."

"Sigh… Whatever." Tani replied halfheartedly.

"It's orright, lass." Batu assured. "Your father's a master gambler. He'll get our kingdom back from that clown."

"Oh, goodie…" Tani's tone radiated with doubt for her father.

Santa Hylia; the brig

Doflamingo awoke, surrounded by his faithful subjects from Sector DR and Noah's Ark. His ideal circus was spread around them. The circus turned to dust. Noah's Ark turned to dust. Aeral Sarah and Bison turned to-

"Where the hell are you all going?!" Doffy snarled, his friends barely holding onto existence. "We have a damn kingdom to form! I refuse to do it without you all!"

Forget your New Dressrosa… Forget your title… You are no king, you are a common, everyday person. You are free.

"DAMN YOU! I am a king, and I will have you BEHEADED when I escape this place! Mark my WORDS!"

In reality, Doffy was trapped in a cell, his eyes reflecting those of Sasuke's Sharingan. "You're stubborn, just like that Faunus in the other cell. But I'll break those chains soon enough. Just as I will the others."

Many other monarchs lay imprisoned, from Queen Mira of Artemyra, Pugnacius of Goldpaw, and Evermore's King Evan.

Skaios' room

Skaios joined Midna in a calm, quiet game of Uno. They hadn't said a word for 20 minutes. Midna knew from watching Dillon grow up: when a kid did something wrong, they preferred to sit in silence for long periods. They didn't like to talk about what they did. "…To be honest, Skaios, I didn't understand the meaning of life myself for a long time." The boy glanced up at her. "That was before I entered my 2nd Age. This form of mine is mortal, and I'm not really sure what'll happen when I die. Will I disappear… or will I just be reborn with no memory? It's a little unsettling."

Skaios softly put a hand to his eyepatch. "If that swordsman finished putting his blade through me… would I have died, too?"

"I don't know."

This question weighed on their minds for several minutes. The silence was broken when the door suddenly slid open, and Skaios whipped his head in Monaca's direction. "Hello, Skaios! We just finished our meeting. Would you like me to recap what we discussed?"

"Uh…" Skaios realized Midna had disappeared.

"Huh? Are you playing Uno with someone?"

"Er, n-no, just… myself."

"Ufufu. Skaios, why would you ever play a game as boring as Uno? The Inklings are going to have a Turf War, wouldn't you like to come?"

"I don't feel like doing anything. I…I killed some people by accident, and I…I feel bad."

"But you killed a bunch of people. It's fine, because they just become-"

"I don't care, I don't think we should kill any more people."

"Silly Skaios, pirates are supposed to kill people. And in our kingdom, we should be free to kill anyone we want."

"But don't people deserve the freedom to live?"

"But PEOPLE! Are! STUPID!" Monaca went into another tantrum. "Their logic smothered! By their own flesh! They need the sweet! Release! Of Death! To understand true freedom! It is your DUTY! Not playing a STUPID game! Like UNO!" She began to scatter the cards with psychic.

"But what if someone killed you? Would you be happy?"

"Ufufu! Monaca can't die with so many others being left behind. Monaca wants everyone to experience death. Monaca wants all her friends to sleep peacefully, and then Monaca will join them. So, Skaios, get rid of these silly thoughts that life is important." Monaca picked the god up and sat him in her lap. "Freedom won't truly come until death breaks their mortal bonds."

"F-Freedom won't come… until…"

"You'll understand some day. Now, how about we go watch that Turf War? If we get a front row seat, we'll catch the most paint, ufufu!" Monaca happily rolled out of the room.

Little did she know that Midna had hidden in her shadow. When she questioned the crippled girl's shadow, her response was, Master Monaca knows best. Monaca will change the world.