The Choice of Alabasta
Deep within the Grand Line in the desert kingdom of Alabasta, a heavy silence filled the royal palace. King Nefertari Cobra, Princess Vivi, and the captains of the Royal Guard stood gathered around a flickering screen. The gruesome sight of King Sterry's execution in the East Blue left them chilled. Vivi instinctively covered her mouth, her eyes wide with horror as she processed the sudden fall of the Goa Kingdom's ruler.
"Your Majesty, what should our next move be?" Igaram, the Captain of the Royal Guard, asked with a strained voice.
Only moments ago, the palace had received an urgent transmission from Holy Land Mary Geoise. The World Government was demanding that Alabasta transport a massive shipment of supplies to the capital. As one of the most powerful nations in the Grand Line and a descendant of the original twenty kingdoms that formed the World Government, Alabasta was a primary target for such requests.
Cobra had originally felt inclined to agree. The Marines had even promised that a powerful Admiral would be dispatched to escort the shipment, ensuring its safety against any pirate interference. But after seeing the broadcast, the King's perspective shifted.
"Refuse them," Cobra said, his voice grave and absolute. "And the upcoming Levely—refuse that invitation as well!"
The room erupted in startled gasps. Vivi looked at her father, her expression clouded with confusion. "Father, why? To defy them now is a huge risk."
Cobra remained silent for a moment, weighing his words before asking, "Vivi, Igaram, tell me—who do you think is more terrifying? The Celestial Dragons or Kaido?"
The question hung in the air, plunging them both into deep thought. Under normal circumstances, the answer would be obvious; the World Nobles held absolute authority, while Kaido was a monstrous pirate. However, their history was complicated. To save their kingdom from ruin, they had once infiltrated Crocodile's Baroque Works, and they counted Monkey D. Luffy among their closest friends. Their view of the World Government and the pirate world was more nuanced than most.
"You should understand the truth in your hearts," Cobra continued, his gaze steady. "As that young pirate on the screen said, it makes little difference to Alabasta who wins this war. Besides, no matter how ruthless Kaido might be, he is simply another version of a Celestial Dragon in power."
Igaram bowed his head, finally understanding the King's wisdom. "I understand, Your Majesty. I will find a way to delay our response and keep the government at bay."
"I appreciate your hard work, Igaram," Cobra said with a look of relief.
While the men reached an agreement, Vivi remained silent, staring at the darkened screen. She wanted to speak, but the words wouldn't come. Her face was etched with worry for the uncertain future of the world.
Confrontation on Egghead
In the New World, on the futuristic Egghead Island, the atmosphere inside Dr. Vegapunk's laboratory was electric with tension. Vegapunk stood flanked by his six satellites—distinct entities sharing his genius—facing off against two of the most dangerous pirates alive: King the Wildfire and Queen the Plague.
They had all just witnessed the broadcast of Page One's execution of King Sterry.
"That's enough, Queen! I've done exactly what you asked!" Vegapunk shouted. He held back his more impulsive satellites, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and irritation.
Queen let out a mocking, high-pitched laugh. "Hey, hey, Vegapunk! We're old friends, aren't we? After all these years, are you really that scared to look at me?"
"Of course I am," Vegapunk snapped, his face pale. "The Marines and World Government personnel will be here at any moment. Even with your strength, King, Queen, you won't be able to stop those monsters once they arrive."
"That isn't something you need to concern yourself with," King interrupted, his voice cold and metallic behind his mask. He stepped forward, the flames on his back flickering. "I haven't forgotten a single thing you did to me and Lord Kaido while we were held captive here."
Vegapunk went rigid, unable to find a retort. He remembered the past all too well. To unlock the biological secrets of the Lunarian race and test their legendary endurance, the research teams led by Vegapunk had performed horrific, inhumane experiments on King. It was a dark chapter of science that fueled King's quiet rage.
King didn't care for small talk. "Tell me where the backups are. I want the data from the studies you conducted on our bodies."
"The data on you and Kaido is classified as top-secret by the World Government," Vegapunk explained quickly. "I wasn't permitted to keep physical copies. Currently, all written records are held in Holy Land Mary Geoise. However, the memory data still exists—it is stored within me and my six satellites."
"Is that so?" King's eyes narrowed. "Then I don't think you'll mind coming with us to the Beasts Pirates' territory. Don't worry, Doctor. While I'd love to kill you, your brain is far more useful to Lord Kaido alive than dead."
"Dream on!" Lilith, the satellite representing Vegapunk's "Evil," screamed at the pirates.
Vegapunk frantically hushed her before turning back to the two commanders. "Kaido doesn't even need me anymore, does he? Your research team already has Queen, Caesar Clown, and Vinsmoke Judge. Furthermore, I know you've obtained the blueprints for the Ancient Weapon Pluton. Your technology is already equal to mine."
Queen let out another sneer. "Hehehe! You really are the great Vegapunk, aren't you? Caesar, Judge, and I always thought you were just a natural genius. But now I see the truth—you had access to things we never did. I heard you scavenged all the knowledge from Ohara, the island of archaeologists, and from your own home on Karakuri Island."
Vegapunk didn't bother denying it. "At Karakuri Island, I discovered the notes of Dr. Tsukimi, a scientist from 500 years ago who studied ancient robots. That is the true origin of our world's technology—it was brought here by people from the moon. And when I heard about the tragedy at Ohara, I rushed there and managed to recover the books the Marines failed to burn."
Queen stepped closer, his eyes gleaming. "Then tell me... is the Iron Giant that attacked Mary Geoise 200 years ago also hidden here?"
Vegapunk visibly panicked, his breath hitching. "Ho... how could you know... no, what are you talking about?"
Before he could lie further, a dark shadow detached itself from the floor behind King and Queen. It coalesced into the form of a young girl in gothic attire: Scarlet, one of the Maiden Knights. In the two years since they had last seen her, she had grown significantly.
"Lord King, Lord Queen," Scarlet reported calmly. "I have found it. The legendary ancient robot is located in the lower levels."
Vegapunk's eyes widened in shock.
"Found it? Excellent," Queen said, turning to leave. "Lead the way, Scarlet. King, I'll leave the Doctor and his satellites to you."
"Understood," King replied.
With a swirl of shadows, Queen and Scarlet vanished. Left alone with Vegapunk, King suddenly paused, his head tilting as he sensed a powerful presence approaching.
"They've arrived," King muttered.
"What?" Vegapunk asked, looking confused.
King pointed toward the massive surveillance monitors on the wall. "Can't you see what's happening outside your own front door?"
Vegapunk quickly tapped the control panel, bringing the exterior cameras to life. The screen filled with chaos. Above the high-tech towers of Egghead Island, the sky was torn apart by clashing powers. Blue lightning crackled through the clouds, colliding with brilliant golden lasers that rained down from the heavens. The war for the future had finally reached the laboratory of the gods.
------------------------
For Advance chapters visit : patreon.com/Mythic_Muse