The Lyneelian Gods (otto)

[etarip]

Prologue

Before Nuovo Romano became the sixth island of the Holy Remunun Empire, it was the home of the Adler Kingdom. The Adlerians were originally rebels from the Lyneel Kingdom. Though the Adler Kingdom became technically advanced before its downfall, many Adlerians lived and died believing in the ancient religion of the Lyneelians. The Lyneelian ancestors had been a group of sea nomads, moving from one island to another, never knowing whether or not they would survive the journey. When they finally decided to settle, the elders of the people began to develop a system of religion that could regulate the morals and actions of the Lyneelians. In short, the religion supported a philosophy of restraint and self-control. A “good” man or woman was the one who suffered in silence, never complaining, never feeling pity. The religion had three royal gods who ruled minor gods and men. The first amongst these gods was Mithram, the god of duty. He was often depicted as a muscular man slaying a white bull (the bull being a symbol for indifference). The second was known as Treach. He was associated with feline hunters, and the Lyneelian shamans prophesized that he would take mortal form when their people were at brink of extinction. The third god was known in the religion’s canon as a cunning rat who plotted against his enemies and made sure that none of the minor gods ever attempted to rise to power.

Though the Lyneel Kingdom is long gone, and most of the Adlerians have fallen or driven to exile, the Lyneelian Gods are not entirely forgotten…


On Nuovo Romano

On a tepid morning that held promise of turning into an extremely hot day, a young Adlerian yawned as he scanned the nearby lake from his position at the doorsteps. After a night of sweating from every gland in his body, he was jonesing for a swim in the enticingly cool water. The liquid seemed to be beckoning him, whispering in his ears of sweet rewards if he entered its embrace. In spite of being an Adlerian – now a frowned-upon minority on the island of Nuovo Romano – life was fairly good. In particular, the youth felt no reason to complain during the week of the Royal Gods. Since times immemorial, the week of the Royal Gods had been held annually to honor the three royal gods and their role in the history of the Adlerians. During that week – somewhat ironically, since Mithram was god of duty – the Adlerians ceased all physical work that was not strictly necessary. The youth began sprinting towards the green lake, but stopped as an uncanny sight met him. It took the breath from him. He recognized the symbolism instantly. On the opposite shore stood a white bull. “Mom, dad, everyone! Mithram returns!”

Romano City, Rem Island – Day 1 of the Week of the Lyneelian Royal Gods

‘I’m lost…’

No, that was an understatement. The South Blue street artist named Ibycus Cornwall was now so far from home that a panicked voice inside his head had begun to question whether or not he had accidentally entered the Grand Line. No more than two days prior, the man with the Crane Fruit had flown in the azure – and normally rather calm – waters outside the Silver Islands when a monstrous whirlwind appeared in front of him. His flying abilities were not exactly brag-worthy, so the vortex had pulled him in. He had been violently thrown back and forth, up and down, until his consciousness decided that it was prudent to get the hell away from Ibycus’ head. While the crane-man was out cold, the whirlwind-party had continued without him. When the crane-man had returned to the world, he found himself on the sandy shores of some strange island that contained architecture that was very foreign to him. Everything was so…white. Marble and white stone was very prominent in the landscape. And the buildings themselves were impressive, built in fashions that did not exist in South Blue. Circular forms seemed especially popular. Somewhere near the center of the island there was also an enormous, no-roof, arena from where loud choir of cheers kept the city awake. Furthermore, the city housed by the island was larger than anything Ibycus had seen or even imagined. How was a society like this possible? A metropolis like this would surely fall into chaos and corruption? On a South Blue scale, the city was probably larger than three average islands combined. Arriving at the outskirts of the city itself, Ibycus felt speechless for a prolonged period time. To measure the extent of the city, he had transformed into his full crane form. A long beak sprouted from his face, his legs hardened and became thin and powerful and rustling feathers changed his appearance entirely. For an hour, he had simply cruised with the east wind, admiring the city and forgetting all about his current dilemma. In the end, a flock of seagulls had surrounded him – confused over the flying monstrosity, no doubt – and he had been forced to land.

Currently, he was browsing stores and stands in some kind of market district on the eastern parts of the city. Exotic fragrances meshed to create an almost sickening mist that covered the entire district. Ibycus thanked the gods that his sense of smell had not improved after consuming a zoan fruit. There were also strange fruits – one in particular, a rainbow colored coconut covered in spiky thorns, seemed almost dangerous. “Hoi and welcome, sir! Do you wish to sample our exquisite hjaroom?” The round-bellied merchant on the stand with the fruit asked. ‘A strange name for a strange fruit', Ibycus mused with concern; he was truly a far away from home. That thought reminded him of the fact that he still did not know where exactly he was. “Maybe another time, my friend. Just a quick question…where am I?” The merchant grimaced and started breathing heavily, as if offended. “I do not find your joke amusing, sir! If you’re not going to buy anything, please get thee gone!” The merchant with the colorful clothes must have seen Ibycus’ confused facial expression, because his disposition instantly transformed and he broke into a concerned smile: “Sorry, sir. It seems that you truly do not know where you are. You are in Romano City, the capital of the esteemed and holy Remunun Empire! If I may ask…how exactly did you end up here without knowing where you were headed? The Empire is known throughout North Blue, so you must be from somewhere else?”

‘North Blue!? Uh-oh…’

[The Shimmering Banana]

Open Sea's North Blue

I can see the shore YES, thought a tired young man in the middle of the sea. His arms feeling like jello from the four day row. Wobbling near the Island of Rem, was a small yet sturdy row boat. He stared blankly at the empty spot in the boat the entire journey there. It had been a some time since his Masters death and the first time he made the trip since then. Rem was the home of Otto's departed master, Master Hut. Every year the pair returned for the week of the Royal Gods, but this was the first time Otto had made the trip by himself. He thought that continuing the ritual would help him return to his normal routine, after all things were going well for him back at the Dojo on Pikt. Memories of his childhood with Master Hut swarm his mind as he gets even closer to the small island. His arms begin to move twice as fast regaining strength from the overwhelming feeling of bliss he had. The isle seemed as if it was smiling back at him with its towering white stone buildings. A sigh of relief bellowing out as the tiny row boat hits the shore. His toes digging into the sand as he hops out and pulls a rope out of his book bag. Then drags the boat off to the side and ties it to a near by tree. He then kisses the tree bows then kisses the solid ground beneath him, as was custom when giving thanks to the God's when returning from a voyage. Otto then slowly rises to his feet and plops back into the boat exhausted from his travels.

Romano City, Rem Island – Day 1 of the Week of the Lyneelian Royal Gods

The city was as busey as he had remembered it to be in the past with Master Hut. That was partially the reason he had come to like there trip here each year, it reminded him of Amino when his parents were still alive. Now it was a city that reminded him of two deaths ironic for someone who only came here to honor God's. Still he was determined to fulfill his duties and enjoy his short time here. The sounds around him called him from his relaxed state laying in the row boat.

"chocolate covered bananas!", yells out a vendor in the distance. still tired for the trip Otto crawls out of the boat and towards the vendor still crawling the whole way to the old man. Otto's face presses on the sneeze guard of the man's cart drooling all over it. The man rushes around to Otto and pushes him away. "Hay you stop drooling on my cart have a bit more class" he says as Otto stands up straight and bows to the man.

"Sorry osan!" Otto replies reaching into his pocket to get his money. He buys four bananas and walks away from the cart. " Mithram be with you!", he yells out waiving and stuffing one into his mouth. The old man just glaring back at him as he walked away.

[etarip]

The lean, tall man from South Blue, his raven-black hair in dire need of a haircut, stared at the merchant with a stunned expression on his face. Unless the round merchant was lying, the destructive weather phenomenon had carried the crane man all the way from South to North Blue. How was that even possible, he wondered? The normally calm and collected street performer felt overwhelmed by all this. Nevertheless, the question burning in his mind was simple enough: who would he even try to approach in order to return to South Blue? Contacting the Marines was an extremely risky business due to unfortunate events that he had played a part in some years prior. On the other hand, the cooperative framework between the Marines of the four Blues might not be perfect, so there was a chance that word of his offenses had not reached anyone in North Blue. He closed his eyes and took a heavy breath, feeling the cool air calm his insides. There was one thing he could do. The one thing he knew would soothe his mind and fill his pockets.

On a market square that consisted of colored tiles, forming images of grand battles and brave generals, there was a patch of grass in the middle. “Patch” might have been an understatement, because there were actually artificial rivers and some cozy bridges on this green spot. Several local families were enjoying picnics or other bonding activities within. It was the perfect place. Ibycus kicked his wooden sandals into the air, and felt the moist grass on his soles. To get the attention of the surrounding people, he jumped into the air and caught the sandals midair, trying to appear as acrobatic and athletic as possible. As he landed, he bowed to the audience. They seemed confused at first, but smiles broke out soon enough. And so did the clapping. Ibycus moved fluidly, kicking and punching imaginary opponents, and turning into hybrid and full form when it was appropriate. Luckily, the local populace did not seem afraid of his metamorphosis. As a grand final act, Ibycus balanced with one hand on ground, jumping around, using his hybrid form’s feathers to increase agility and airflow. With a thump he landed beside a young lad eating ice cream, and patted his head with a smile. He truly enjoyed these performances. “Ladies and gentlemen! If you enjoyed my act, and wish to fund my journey back to South Blue, please do donate,” Ibycus spoke with the voice of a showman, throwing a small cup on the ground. Some people actually laughed at his remark about South Blue. He crossed his fingers and hoped that his performance would at least bring enough beri for food. And it truly did. The local population seemed rather well-off, for they began throwing coins and notes at him as if they had a vault of them at home. By the end of the ordeal, Ibycus had procured 500 beri. 500 beri! From one single performance! Almost smugly pleased with himself, the crane donned his sandals and began looking searching for affordable food. Before he could begin his search however, a cloaked man concealing his face whispered to him from behind a nearby corner. “Psst, you! Come ‘ere!” he emphatically signaled to him by waving his hands up and down. Ibycus saw no reason to distrust the cloaked man. Of course, Ibycus had no common sense, and had he been aware of the fact that cloaked men standing behind corners often are of the evil sort, he might not have approached the man. “Listen, I saw yer act. Quite good. You have the powers of a zoan fruit? Impressive…Well, let’s get to business. I want you to use your powers to scout a manor in the District of Tranquility. I’ll pay well.” The crane felt that the man could be trusted, and inquired upon further details. Soon, they came to agreement regarding monetary compensation, and the cloaked man gave a city map with the location circled out with a red marker. Ibycus grinned: “Thanks! I’ll be back in about three hours.” From what the concealed man had told him, security would be high. Perhaps he could use some help…but who would aid him in a city filled with strangers?

Somewhere within the city...

“Umma athur, alana kattar. Goran miutrei a foray serrath,” the shaman chanted with the others. The ancient language was now known by very few, and he felt pride in the fact that he was one of them. Furthermore, his knowledge of the language was about to help them accomplish something amazing. Something that had not been done in a thousand years.

[The Shimmering Banana]

His tail was wrapped around his waist with some of the end hanging out of his backside. The city more vibrant then he even remembered. He finishes the rest of the bananas as he strolls along the sidewalk. Being the more advanced city that it was Otto felt comfortable walking around in his hybrid form. He stuffs his hairs hands into his pockets and pulls the money he had brought for his journey. Eight hundred beri that not bad he thought then stuffed it back into his pocket. All the while with the same oversized grin on his face. He felt happier hen he has in a long time. He felt at peace and most of all he was on a vacation as far as he was concerned. Well with one stop to make at an old friend of Master Hut. The same location Otto and Master Hut would go to pray each night during the Week of the Gods. He took his arms out of the straps of his book bag and reached inside pulling out a small map of the island with a red X on a manor in the District of Tranquility. Ahh. here it goes good thing this map was with Master Hut's things in the Dojo. He was always bad with directions. He thought as he scans his fuzzy overgrown index finger over the map stopping on the X. He folds the map and places it within the pages of an old journal he had inside the front pocket of his book bag. He continued his stroll down the road when a large billboard catches his eye. The Adventures Of The Monkey King: A Journey to The Land of the Birds

it read with a picture of a man that resembled Otto. Having a long tail and ape-ish features in his hands feet and face. And a few birds sitting on a small island with one palm tree in the center. The show times listed below the island in bold lettering. I have to see this play and there is one starting soon it only a few past noon I have plenty of time. Otto scurries down the road to the theatre. The play lasted a few hours and told a story that was said to be true. Of a man that was named the king of the monkey's and this was just one of his adventures, of a trip to sky island. Where the monkey king helped stop a gang of pirates capturing and selling Skipians. In the play the Skipians help The monkey King in his bout by presenting him with the Staff of the Monkey King. So intrigued by the play Otto insisted to stick around afterward to speak to the writer of the play. Otto waits in a orderly line jumping up and down standing out of place among the other people in the line. As he reaches the front he was surprised to see that one of the men was a Skipian himself. "Its very nice to meet you sir", said Otto as he shook the mans hand vigorously, first with one hand then with two and eventually his tail even came around and landed atop the ball of pumping hands. Slightly startling the man as it touched his hands. He looks Otto up and down and pulls him close looking deeply into Otto's brown eyes. Otto yanks his dead back shocked at the old man. "You look just like him" said the old man. He then preceded to tell him that all the play he saw was one of many that have been written about a real man. And that he was there when all this happened on Sky Island. The old man went on and on as a young skipian woman came and took him away "Im sorry folks my grandfather must rest now" she says as she stands the man up. Otto looks at the man one more time thanking him "Mithram be with you" he hays the old man replies "He is now with all of us my boy" as the granddaughter locks eyes Otto. She grabs her grandfathers arm and runs off out the back of the theater. The line of people disband and the area quickly empties. As Otto gathers his thing he sees an old script for the play he just saw. Otto scanned it over and noticed there was a whole other part that was not in the play and a map attached to it. Otto takes the extra pages of the story and the map and places them next to the map he put away earlier. He then puts on his book bag and returns to the city. The light of the sun, high in the clear sky, blinding him for a moment as the doors open. That was great he thought what to do now he thought as he walked about the city when a small crowd caught his eye. Even more people gathering as Otto approached. The man performed a few astonishing acts as he transformed form a man to a crane and between at some points. Otto watched closely as he was always intrigued by other Zoan's. As the man finished he said to the large crowd

  “Ladies and gentlemen! If you enjoyed my act, and wish to fund my journey back to South Blue, please do donate,”

Otto was low on beri after the show but it being the week of Gods Otto throws in a good sum of beri into Ibycus's cup. He then clapped for the crane man and kept on walking through the city. Still pondering what else to do today. That's when he saw the coliseum in the distance he ran up to the box office "What's the event today?", he asks the man sitting inside a wooden box with a glass window in the front of it. The man points at a sign above his head. Otto looked at the man with a snooty look on his face mumbles a few curse word at the man as he looks up at the sign. Slightly squinting he reads aloud "chariot racing, sounds good to me" he says obnoxiously to the man as he slides his money through a small opening in the box. He then counts his change frowning as he puts it back in his pocket this day was more expensive then i thought what am I gonna do for the rest of the week? He thought to himself as he walks into the main gate. Down the hall the roar of the people got louder and louder as he got closer to the race. At the entrance to the bleachers a small man takes bets on the racers, Otto feels this might be his chance to double his money. He goes up to the man and places his last one hundred beri in his hands, for a two to one under dog to win. He runs up to his seat and starts to watch the first race. It ended horribly as one of the racers purposely side swiped the other chariot shattering it. Sending a man in all white to the floor while chunks of wood from his shattered chariot rained onto the audience. All this Otto took as a good sign that Mithram was with him, defeating a man dressed all in white. Next was the race He was waiting for the shot goes into the air and the two chariot's take off. The two men neck and neck the whole race until the final lap. The race takes a turn in Otto's favor as his racer takes the inside turn taking the lead. The two men reach the final stretch with Otto's racer still in the lead,Yes, YEs, YES, YES! he thinks to him self holding the soon to be winning ballot slip in his hands tightly. Just then the horse steps on a chunk of the old broken chariot piercing its hooves sending it to the floor bleeding in plain. The gladiator rises from the fallen wreck of his chariot and puts the hors out of it misery by slicing it across the throat. Otto's jaw drops as he drops the ballot to his feet it swaying back and forth as it floats to the floor. "NNNOOOOOO!!!!", screams out Otto having just lost the last 100 beri he had. He walks out of the coliseum with his head down now broke and starting to feel hungry. The smells of the city just teasing Otto as he dragged his feet around the city.

"Waite a minute... The manor will have food Master Hut's friend always has food when we go to visit" Otto calls out reaching back into his bag pulling out the map to the manor. As he starts his walk to the house he sees the crane man again this time walking from around a corner splitting ways with a shady looking gentleman. Otto stops and looks at him and thinks or maybe I can earn the money like he does. I can change form it cant be that hard after all its not like I can scavenge of Master Huts friend the entire week. Otto approaches the street performer and bows to him "Mithram has blessed you with such talent's good sir will you show me your ways so I may earn my keep through out my stay in the city for the week of the God's." he says his head still down looking at Ibycus's feet.

[etarip]

The climate on the island of Rem was rather – for want of a better word – pleasant. The sizzling sun was doing its best to heat up the island, but found itself in battle with a series of gentle breezes from the north. There was no winner in this battle, so the temperature settled on “just perfect” as a compromise. The lost man found the weather a great improvement as compared to many of the South Blue isles. Stark contrast was a tradition in South Blue, you see, with islands such as Zarzara being comparable to a furnace on the one hand, and places like Viktas, where a perpetual cold ruled as lord. ‘I could get used to this,’ the crane man nodded to himself, but then remembered that he still knew nothing about the place. This was about to change as a furry chap approached him with what seemed – to Ibycus’ surprise – admiration and respect.

"Mithram has blessed you with such talents, good sir. Will you show me your ways so I may earn my keep throughout my stay in the city for the week of the Gods."

The man, his brown tail tucked neatly around his waist, and fur covering his palms, seemed sincere enough. Several aspects of the request piqued his interest. First of all: Who exactly was Mithram? Why did the energetic lad need to earn for his stay? What did the Gods have to do with anything? The man from South Blue had an ambivalent relationship with Gods and other creatures that assumedly controlled the fate and well-being of mortal men and women. He had lived much of his life in solitude and poverty, but did not see the use of blaming it on some hypothetical omnipotent force. Everything that had happened to him throughout the years had been events that had natural explanations. Cause and effect. Ibycus had no need for Gods in his life. Not yet anyhow. He returned his focus to the exotic creature in front of him. The diminutive man had patches of brown fur on his cheeks and palms, and was clearly someone who was either a Devil’s Fruit user or simply from a people that shared common ancestry with monkeys:

“Thanks! Just a few things first,” Ibycus assumed a pose and facial expression that radiated puzzlement. “Who is Mitham? I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him. Is he another street artist? And another question: Are you a zoan user? And finally, do you know how I can get back to South Blue? Without the help of the Marines, preferably...”

After hearing the response of his newfound comrade, the South Blue native turned his attention to another matter entirely:

“I have an idea. Street performance is something that needs to learned and perfected through years of experience, but I will show you the basics, if you wish. As for your monetary issues…How would you like to earn some money by helping me with a recognizance mission?” The crane flashed a grin.

Somewhere in the city…

The shaman with the golden braids – known as Hamoil - collapsed onto his knees. They had performed the ritual for five hours without rest, and his physical body was just about ready to give up when the chief shaman raised both of his hands into the air, his eyes gleaming with madness and his mouth covered in foam. From the darkness beyond the altar, a mighty roar emerged at that point. It echoed throughout the underground temple, full of ancient rage and terror. Hamoil felt the kind of ecstasy that would last for days. They had done it. They had finally done it. Tears trickled down his cheeks. After years of tyranny and oppression, genocide and war crimes, the Adlerians would receive some justice. Together with the others, the shaman kneeled and bowed as deeply as he could. In the ancient tales, Treach was known to be prone to anger, and Hamoil figured that he might not be particularly happy with his reincarnation to mortal form. “Oh Great One, we beseech you to grant us a final revenge against those who wrought injustice upon us,” the chief shaman cried in common tongue, most likely too tired to utter the words in the ancient language. “Your people stand at the edge of a steep cliff, milord. One push from the oppressors, and we disappear forever!” Hamoil nodded intensely, but stopped as he saw the outlines of the creature in the darkness. It took the form of a man, but an enormous one, and one with fangs and claws. Treach breathed heavily, growls escaping his mouth every now and then. The hall became submerged in an eerie silence, broken only by the sound of the God reborn. Finally, the Lyneelian Deity spoke, his voice rasping:

“At last I am reborn! I shall tear apart the imperialists and feed them to their dogs. Forget Mithram, forget the rat. My claws will suffice!”

[The Shimmering Banana]

The crane-man with an odd but cheery disposition on his face thanked Otto, “Thanks! Just a few things first," quickly adding in a barrage of questions “Who is Mitham? I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him. Is he another street artist? And another question: Are you a Zoan user? And finally, do you know how I can get back to South Blue? Without the help of the Marines, preferably...” Otto replying just as fast and in the same order the questions were given to him replies " A Lyneelian God of course, He could be I guess. Yea Ima Saru-Man I ate the Saru Saru no Mi Model Spider Monkey. And besides my row boat, which would take forever, I guess you could just hop ships the advantage of being a Zoan. No one ever suspects the crane just perched on the sails Haha!" gasping in deeply after blurting the statement out in one breath. Ibycus grinning back at him replying “I have an idea. Street performance is something that needs to learned and perfected through years of experience, but I will show you the basics, if you wish. As for your monetary issues…How would you like to earn some money by helping me with a recognizance mission?” The monkey-man rubbing his head thinking the options over in his head. I do like the sound of this mission thingy sounds official. But then again if I learn to perform I can take that with me, who know how this "mission" will turn out. What to do, what to do... "Ill take the mission!" Otto replies screaming out as if he was on a game show. The two then huddle as Ibycus begins to explain the job at hand. The pair then begin their walk to the District of Tranquility.

The journey not so far out from the hustle and bustle of the main city. It was eerie how calm it was even still, as one approached the district. The houses themselves all seemed welcoming as the two men walk the streets. The sounds of birds reduced to what Otto perceived as bird whispers. It was all to calming, He could remember his childhood and how this was the "chillest" place he had ever been to. As they made a left, then went down for a few more and then a right, Otto had began to notice familiar houses along the road. This is close to where I'm supposed to go later, better for me saves me a long walk back here, and gets me to the food faster. He thinks as his stomach begins to growl,placing his hands atop it sighing. Never the les he continues to blindly follow the crane man to there destination. His face locked on to the map as they walk the streets. The pair make a final right down a dead end street. They were so deep into the district the one would say there were no sounds to be heard at all. There were no children playing there were no dogs barking and there wasn't even the faintest bird whispers anymore. Otto stops dead in his tracts, realizing that this was the exact street he had walked down so many times before and there was only three houses on this street and they were the largest in the distract. One belonging to Master Hut's friend, he reaches into his book bag and pulls out the mad to where he was going later that evening. The map having the second house in the line up circled. The pair begin to walk slowly on the opposite side of the street, a fair distance from the three houses. They walk past the first house Otto starts to breath heavier. They creep towards the second house slowly passing it by. His breath claiming back out as he thought to him self. That would have been oucward, the pair approaching the last house of the three. It towered the other two in comparison. which was even more impressive because they were much like modern day castles. Having three towers the land behind it a large field with mountains in the distance. "This is the place" says the crane-man as they look the modern marvel up and down.

[etarip]

"A Lyneelian God, of course. He could be, I guess. Yeah, I’m a Saru-Man. I ate the Saru Saru no Mi Model Spider Monkey. And besides my row boat, which would take forever, I guess you could just hop ships; the advantage of being a Zoan. No one ever suspects the crane just perched on the sails. Haha!"

‘A Lyneelian God…’ The towering man from South Blue tasted the words in his mouth, and found them a hint sour and ominous. There was nothing scary about the words “Gods” and “Lyneelian” when they were separate. But if you were foolish enough to put them together, the result was something resembling a monster. Religion was a sensitive matter for many, so Ibycus gave a reply that tiptoed around the whole subject: “Who or what are the Lyneelians? Are you a Lyneelian? What’s your name? Sorry if I’m asking too many questions…” the crane looked at his feet, slightly embarrassed at his constant torrent of questions. The monkey also offered interesting insight into the possibility of leaving for South Blue. “Hmm, good point! There’s just one issue…” Ibycus squinted, deep in thought. “During my years in South Blue I never met any civilians from the other Blues. And I arrived here by…erhm…tornado. So I’m not exactly sure if there is a ship that would take me home.” The analysis suddenly gave him an idea. As far as he could remember, there was a point in the Red Line that connected the four blues and Grand Line: the Reverse Mountain. If he could persuade a ship captain to bring him near the mountain, he could make an attempt at crossing over to South Blue by wings. Excited at the prospect of returning home at some point, Ibycus jumped up and down, and gave an appreciative handshake to the North Blue native. “Thanks, you’ve helped a bunch! Now let’s get going!”

The District of Tranquility was everything the name implied, and more. For every manor, it seemed, there were at least two public gardens. The gardens themselves were redolent with the fragrance of newly-mowed grass. Green waters dribbled through minor rivers and met at a pond that contained fishes from exotic lands. The whole image was so perfect that Ibycus cringed. Money could create many things, but authenticity was not one of those. The same could be said about the inhabitants. Their smiles showed a little too much teeth to be genuine. The man from South Blue felt a shiver. “There’s something not right with these people. Can you feel it? What’s the deal with this island anyway?” His discomfort only increased as they reached their location; sounds generated by human and animal life dissipated into a general hum. Their target was a fortress. Instead of the generic metal gates that stood guard outside most of the other houses, this particular house was surrounded by a stone wall that probably imitated the culture of some Grand Line island. Moss and snakelike plants covered the wall, making it seem ancient. Beyond, the manor itself stood. It consisted of three houses. Two three-level houses were built in the same style as the wall, and had everything from small towers to courtyards within. The final house, standing behind the two others, was an aluminum fortress without windows. Whoever lived within, the person(s) were entirely protected...or imprisoned. One metal tower loomed over the others. It had one single window at the top. Ibycus guessed that one could see the whole city from there. Several guards were posted throughout the building complex, he noted. Already at the gates, two bulky men, wearing dark suits and sunglasses that screamed out professionalism, stood like statues. They were the kind of guards that you did not mess with. Except when you were the protagonist of a fantasy story. Then you could feel free to do whatever you wanted. Ibycus grimaced philosophically. ‘Everyone is the protagonist of their own story…so why is it that people still die?’ The question hurt his head, so the crane returned to more practical endeavors. He closed his eyes and imagined himself transforming into a large crane, feathers of red, grey, black and white covering his skin in intricate, but preordained, patterns. “I’ll scout a bit…feel free to enter, if you dare.” Ibycus made an implicit challenge to his companion, and began sprinting in order to gain speed. Finally, he lifted off and felt the impact of the air against his body. Wherever he was, the art of flying always made him feel as if he was home. Wherever home was. Since the disappearance of his mother, Ibycus had been travelling from island to island in South Blue. Street performances had been what held him afloat financially and psychologically. Perhaps it wasn’t such a bad thing that he had ended up North Blue. It was not like he had anything to return to, really.

[The Shimmering Banana]

“I’ll scout a bit…feel free to enter, if you dare.” Ibycus says to Otto as he takes a running start then lifts off the ground flying into the air. Otto taking those words as a challenge changes into his full spider monkey form. He runs towards the walls of the fortress and climbs around the side the first two bodyguards standing on the front of the buildings no even noticing the tiny spider monkey as he scales the walls.  He stands on the top of the walls and starts to run along the wall. Below him he can see many more body guards walking the area around the three manors. He continues to walk the distance of the wall around searching for a blind spot in their routs. he reaches the original spot he climbed up as he looks up in the air and sees the Crane flying high above him. Otto breathes out heavily from his noise and jumps down of the wall onto the mysterious grounds being patrolled by guards. He stays along the wall as he gets as close as possible to one of the houses in front. He waits for a guard to walk past him and runs as fast as passible to the back wall of the manor. Then jumps up and climbs the vines covering the walls of the old estate. Another body guard now walking the path below him as he reaches the roof. From the roof he could see a puff of smoke from the roof of the other identical manor next to him. Then another and another. The smell of beef stew coming from the same direction. A chimney,thinks Otto as he gallops towards the chimney on the roof of the manor. Crossing his tiny fingers as he jumps down blindly a large puff of suttee entering the room below. Hiding in the cloud Otto scurries walking along the walls to know which direction he was headed. He hits the wall in front of him causing him to fall to his butt. He changes into his hybrid form and stands to his feet in an empty room dusting himself off as he rises. He tip toes around the manor which that seemed empty as he enters the kitchen from the dining area. Not a soul in there as he walks past the fridge, his stomach growling, as he takes a step back his face glued to the refrigerator. His tail slowly sliding up wrapping around the handle then opening the door. A white glow shined on Otto's face as he stared blankly at the plethora of food lying within. He tears through the food eating a whole ham in one bite, then moving onto a jug of mango nectar placing the empty jug on the counter grabbing more food stuffing his face. As he has his fill he hears the door to the room start to open and two men talking.

"Man I'm thirsty cant wait to have some of that nectar" one of the body guards says as he turns on the light. A jug of nectar rolling around on top of the counter empty. "What! who drank all my nectar!" Otto hiding inside the crisper of the refrigerator laughing to himself. The man walks up to the counter and picks up the jug turning in upside down two drops falling into his mouth. His comrade pointing and laughing at his as he walks towards the refrigerator. He opens the doors and pulls out some mayonnaise, cheese, pickles, and turkey, placing them on the counter behind him. He takes some bread and behind to make the two men a sandwich. The first man now sitting at a stool on the other side of the counter pointing at the crisper and asking the other man," Hay can you put onions on mine?" The man reaches towards the crisper as Otto thinks of how he's going to get out of this. The man slides out the crisper and jumps back screaming at the sight of a spider monkey biting into the very onion he was going to get.

 The other man standing to his feet to see what was going on, walking towards Otto slowly as he sees the spider monkey hiding in the crisper."Aww, its just a lil ol monkey he was probably just hungry and came in here. Is that right lil fella?" he asks taking a banana out of the cupboard trying to lead Otto out of the house. Otto hobbles to the banana making monkey sounds scratching under his arms as he approached his feet and scurried up his legs sitting on his shoulders the man raising his hand to feed Otto. The pair of men the continue to walk out of the kitchen with a small spider monkey on ones shoulder leading it back outside. The man throws the banana to the grass out back as Otto hops down to retrieve it the two me slam the door and return to the kitchen." See that wasn't so hard it wasn't scary it was just a monkey now hurry up and finish making the sandwich's our break is almost over." he says shoving the other man back towards the kitchen.

Man that was close he thinks as Otto runs out into the yard and climbs back to the top of the manor. Searching for the Crane-Man he climbs one of the towers hoping to get a better view.