Black Bone Tower Part 24

Previous: Black Bone Tower Part 23

Drake stood tall toward the elder pirate, and while his subordinates stood behind him, they knew that there was no way they could possibly win against such a man as him. Snowbeard stood atop the ridge, staring down at Thomas, neither of them giving way for the other. Snowbeard popped his neck, moving the gigantic beads on his shoulders around a bit as he glowered.

Snowbeard: Your arrogance and stature have given you the path of destruction, my old friend. Your name soars among the high seas as the destructor of evil, and a man who bows to no size, shape or form of this corrupt Government. I have waited for the day that our paths would cross once again, but I had no idea it would be like this. I demand you leave these shores at once, this is my home, and you will not have what you seek.

Thomas: Enough! I told you the day that I left that I would have no more of your commands! You have said all you need! I vowed never to deter from my path, no matter what the obstacle! If you wish to be one, then so be it!

Snowbeard: Thomas, stubborn as ever. [His arms, which were crossed, fell to either side of his enormous figure.] Ever since Olive died, your pig-headed qualities rose to the point of no return, and now it has come to this. You may have never been chosen as my first mate, but among my crew, you were the most tenacious and reckless of them all. While I find those to be great qualities in my crew, they have led to the mistake you have made now.

The two of them removed their shirts, the tension between them could be physically felt among both of their crews. As both of their subordinates drew their weapons, both hands rose from their Captains to stand down. With their orders given, all of them scattered, leaving Nicholas Omage, and Thomas Drake in a vast field, nothing between them but air and opportunity.

Drake: So it was true what those legends say... a beast does guard the treasure of this island...

Snowbeard: Marukenpo [Said in his growling, low voice.]

Drake: Little did I know it was a beast from the roots! [Lunged toward Snowbeard, and with a huge swipe of his arm, came at the elder pirate with a strike from the side of his wrist.]

Snowbeard: Boukyaku! KIRE!! [His hand painted with black haki, hardened stronger than any diamond and stopped Drake's attack dead in its tracks, catching his wrist in his palm with a grip that would crush solid steel.]

Drake: Errrr, you haven't lost your touch! [His head jolted forward, smashing it into Snowbeard's face, causing him to recoil back with an impact that literally could be felt several yards away where Snowbeard's crew cringed at the sight of their Captain being harmed.]

Snowbeard: Nor have you. [With perfect form in his arm, he chopped Drake in the face with the edge of his hand, and knocked him several feet back.]

Thomas Drake hit his back onto the ground and landed on his feet.

Snowbeard: Marukenpo! Sukai Genkai! [Lunged straight into the air, almost an entire mile into the sky, then wasted no time in taking a new stance.] TenKen!

With the thrust of his palm, he brought forth an energy force that Thomas Drake could feel pushing him down to the extent that he found his knees bending and shaking as it felt that five tons of pressure was trying to smash him into the dirt. It wasn't long before a gigantic hole formed underneath him, and the pressure created a wind that blew up a huge cloud of dust. Thomas struggled to keep on his feet, beads of sweat drizzling down his face as he strained his whole body against such a powerful strength.

Soon the pressure dissipated and Snowbeard landed on the ground. As the dust settled, Thomas Drake still stood, though the sweat on his brow was tremendous, he stood tall, trying to hide the fact that he was panting for breath. As the dust settled, it became quite evident to those who noticed that they now stood in the middle of a three hundred yard wide imprint of a hand that was ingrained into the land around them.

Drake: I must admit, I am honored that you do not hold back against me, Captain Nicholas. I will show you the same respect. [He lunged toward Snowbeard once again, who held up a fighting stance of the Marukenpo style, and as he unleashed another chop at Drake's neck, Drake surprised him with a serious elbow to Snowbeard's crook of his arm.] Earth Spire! [Smashed his elbow straight into Snowbeard's chest that drove him straight down.]

Ami: Captain! [Called out from far back in the sidelines, reaching out toward Snowbeard, but then bit her lip and put her hands on her mouth.]

Drake: [Looked down at the fallen elder, and then lifted up his elbow to bring it down straight toward Snowbeard.] Diamond Fall! [With the force of a hurricane he brought down his whole body into that falling blow.]

With a grunt, Snowbeard grasped the elbow, and once again stopped it in its tracks. With a thrust of his foot, he collided a kick into Drake's abdomen. Drake cringed as he was sent up into the air, and Snowbeard kipped up instantly.

Snowbeard: Marukenpo! Kujiku! [Smashed the palm of his hand into Drake with enough force to smash a stone into small sand particles.]

Drake was sent flying straight back into the side of a gigantic hill. That hill was demolished to the fullest extent and lay in ruins upon Drake's impact.

[WIP]