Post by Flame on Aug 12, 2019 0:11:13 GMT -5
Story Name: The Starry Sky - Flames at Sea
Character: Kano Toro
Word Count: 10,109
"Ready men!"
There came the call answered by a varied set of hurrahs huzzahs, and ohs. "Port-side volley on my command. Boarders get ready to take her down!" There was a clamor as those whose role were below deck hurried to position on the gun deck below. At the helm a muscular rapscallion raised his rapier above his head. His brown hair blew in the wind and he smiled as he looked down upon his crew. "This day is for- ... where's the fool at?" The smile of confidence on his face paused as he looked around searching the crowd for the idiot he'd been left with.
"He's aboard the enemy ship." A light voice said from beside this captain of men. He turned to look at the speaker and then to the enemy ship. Flames exploded from aboard their deck. The fool had gone on first, dropping the rapier in his hand his head fell into his palms instead. An audible sigh left his lips, conditions were changing fast.
His head coming out of his hands he pointed to his communications officer. "Get the horned den den up and running! Men prepare to board!" If they hurried they'd still be ready. Everything had to move up, they were about to take the plunge. The die was rolled, the time to go, NOW.
....
Meanwhile aboard the marine warship havoc and confusion ran aplenty. Chaos on deck as flames ran about it. In the captain's quarters the ruckus was making itself known. A shock hit the ship, flames rose and fell. The sound of it was what woke him, the captain of the ship from his unearned nap. Knocking him from his chair he awoke to himself sprawled upon the floor the sound of a ship in trouble sounding about him.
"What the-" a second explosion sounded from somewhere above his cabin. Auburn eyes widened, the door slammed open and he scrambled to his feet. His fists were already up as his eyes laid themselves upon his second in command. The lean lieutenant saluted. "Captain! We're under attack!" The bumbling idiot's statement seemed obvious given the cacophony coming from above. The captain grabbed the officer's jacket sitting on the floor and marched forward brushing past the man.
Who would attack a marine patrol so close to the Flotilla? Pirates never came through here for a reason. "Revolutionaries?" He asked the lieutenant who was scrambling on behind him. "No sir! More imp-"
"No? Then pirates? Hmmm ... someone contact command about this." He said firmly on his march towards the deck.
His lieutenant responded again in his hurried squeaky voice. "Command is not responding Captain. We tried by Den Den multiple times already." Not responding? That was weird, what was happening. Who the hell had the balls, to attack a marine ship so close to-"SIR!"
He reached the door to the deck "What!?" Exasperation with his subordinate seeped through his words. The captain turned to face his lieutenant. From his chiseled chin he looked down upon his man his displeasure showing through."It's not pirates, so far as we can tell."
The lieutenant reached for the door and pushed it open. "It's one man. It's him!" He said pointing as something dropped from the sky exploding onto his deck, a wave of flames explodes off of the deck sending marines tumbling away. "It's the Wild Spark!" The captain blinked as he stepped outside to the sound of a cackling voice.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!"
Kano laughed as he floated in the air above the marine warship. He'd gone a bit ahead of the pirate ship he'd arrived on. They were supposed to be going off to battle and dealing with the patrol ships that formed the perimeter. He was doing just that, so what if we has a little ahead of the group. Besides, a crazed grin was struck upon his face as he reveled in his chaos, this was much more fun. His eyes looked down as he pulled his arm back to send down his next attack.
Red eyes met auburn as he looked down at the man stepping out of the door. "WHAT THE HELLL!?!?!" The captain yelled his eyes aiming upwards to match the young warrior laying siege to his ship. The Wild Spark's eyes twinkled as he looked upon the captain's officer jacket. "Nebula Shell!!!"
Fist and forearm gave way to a grey metallic shell bulging out from the elbow. A twist of the chest and it went flying forward. Propelled by fires, momentum, and gravity the shell shot down towards the ship. Meters above it, the flames hit the trigger. Sound and shockwave cracked pushing outward a fireball formed at ignition. A wave of fire engulfed the deck of the ship once again sending marines scrambling and some diving off the edge even. Then like a chain reaction more explosions crackled to life as the smaller explosives that made up the cluster bomb Nebula Shell was hit the deck explodes in mini-fireballs.
Diving down in the aftermath Kano twisted in the air before dropping his propulsion away to land at a knee in the center of the deck. Fire and flame raged about him crisping the ship. He'd laid down enough fireworks to dry up the wood to the point that the flames were beginning to catch. Recovering from the craziness marines with the heart to do so stood upon the deck in hodge podge of a circle all eyes on the new arrival. Standing up the Wild Spark turned his head around to look upon them. He smiled.
"Why hel-"
A maul of a fist crashed into the young fool sending him flying into the mainmast amidst cheers of his enemies. "****ing pirate." The marine captain blew upon his fist before rubbing it against his button up. Kano groaned, pushing himself up to his feet once again leveraging himself against the mast. "Now that wasn't very nice." The fool said with a smile on his face. Before him dozens of marines raised their rifles, the click of flintlocks sounded in the air.
His legs bent, "FIRE!" Explosions fired off of his feet as he jumped up. Basically flipping over himself he jumped to land feet first on the mast itself as a volley of bullets cracked the wood beneath him. He grinned as he kicked off the mast directly into the nearest crowd of marines. Bowling head first into the mass he sent them sprawling to the side as he landed on his hands.
"Hoooo" he exhaled as his arms bent. "Fiery Orbit!" His feet turned to fireworks shells as he stepped forward with his hand. His body twisted with each movement as he spread his legs and spun. Like a top he swung his fireworks feet at his bowling his way into the marines on the flank. One after another explosions rang out as his fiery feet slammed into targets.
"Stop ..." A marine held before him as his foot slammed into them the firework exploding on their chest. Unlike the others he held firm, that marine's lanky form wavering yet unbroken against it. The enflamed fool cracked a smile, "Ah a challenger arrives!" He said. Hands twisting together he sprung off them landing with flourish on the body of an unconscious marine.
"My bad." He held up a single open palm in a solemn head nod to the man beneath his feet.
He turned to face his challenger. The lanky marine wore an odder outfit than most with the coat of justice upon his back. Kano began to laugh as he charged forth off the marine body. His feet pressed against the wood of the deck, slamming it he accelerated towards the marine. Before him the marine drew back an arm, the fiery fool grinned drawing back his own fist. If the marine wanted such a contest he'd surely give him just that.
The marine swung forward as Kano did as well, fist and fist met with a crack of the air. He held against the fiery fool for a moment but to no avail. The corners of his lips perked upwards. A soft crackling of sparks was the only indication before miniature booms resounded from Kano's elbow as his fist suddenly forced itself forward. The added force sent his opponent spinning away.
But the Wild Spark was hardly going to let his pray take that moment's respite to regain his footing. Kano's feet were at the deck in an instant as he charged up behind the marine. Tilting his right arm back his fist disappeared only to be replaced by a metallic fireworks shell. "Shell!" His fireworks fist dropped down exploding on impact with the marine. The lieutenant was immediately pressed against the deck from the force of the explosion. Standing above him Kano's fist retracted, the man's heart beat, his eyes flickered, his clothes blackened by the heat.
For good measure, Kano smiled as his fist became a fireworks shell once again, he raised that arm backwards winding up-
A volley of booming sounds slammed into his ears and the deck and ship he was on got raked by cannon fire. Hollers and shouting echoed across the deck as boarders hit the marine ship with a familiar face in the lead. Pirates with all manner of weapon came aboard the port-side of the ship running directly into the melee with the confused marines. "Get em men!!!!" A familiar voice yelled as the raid began.
The fool smiled as he saw his temporary shipmates come aboard. He looked down at the half conscious marine beneath him and winked. "Shell!" His arm swung down once again hammering the marine once again with his explosive ammunition. Looking up he smiled as a wave of pirates engulfed him upon the deck. The clash of pirate blades, the bang of pistol and musket formed a cacophony. Not that it bothered Kano, he only had eyes for one thing, from across the deck another marine moved towards him, the Captain.
The pair charged each other, the air was a little different with this one. The fool smiled, once again fist and fist met. But the explosion at Kano's elbow came immediately, he held no punches this time. Both marine and pirate were knocked back by the collision. The fiery fool tumbling into a jumble of marines and pirates knocking them like pins to the ground. Unperturbed to the slightest he stood back up passing by a dazed pile of intruders in his fight. His head twisted on his neck a crack at each turn.
"Good, lemme show you something fun!" The blonde bombshell charged forward his feet crashing upon the deck. His eyes, burning bright and red had only the marine officer in them. And for him he had something special, something unique. In his eyes the night sky reminded him, the name he'd chosen.
"Did you know, even in the day, the night sky can shine through." He asked as he closed upon the marine. A twist of fate, "Shigan Koburi!" The marine's finger fired out at Kano in a flurry of blows, dipping low Kano dove beneath the assault wincing slightly as a pair of the fingers slammed into his shoulder stinging as if bullets themselves. But he didn't stop, a sound of an explosion rang out but none appeared.
Instead bright radiance seemed to stream from beneath Kano. His hand swung out in retaliation, his usual skin was now shining in burning brilliance. "Stellar Smash!" His open palm shot forward. "Tekkai" Palm hit chest with radiant glory, Kano frowned, the man's chest was like iron. "AHHHHHHHH" The marine fell back clutching at his chest, Kano smiled, burn marks in the shape of a palm were upon the marine.
He drove in, chasing the marine's retreat. Now then, the next, ducking low he dodged a returning strike a finger aimed at his eye. Instead it cut a line of blood upon his cheek. Tilting forward, the fool smiled, feet! "BLAST!" Two explosions roared against his feet sending him barreling into the marine before he could react.
Kano's shoulder impacted the marine sending him flying skyward. Upward the marine went as the Wild Spark recovered from the impact whistling as he watched his prey. "Time for a finale! Rocketman!" Leaping skyward his lower body disappeared only to be replaced by a burning rocket propelling him towards the officer.
A little closer, a little closer, he closed on his target at speed. And then suddenly he let his propellant disappear. His head turned down and Kano moved into a forward spin. And then for a little thrill, an explosion roared from inside his leg. His secret technique much untested, exploding fireworks inside his body to superheat himself. His left leg lit itself up glowing even through his shoe.
He was nearly there, just a moment. In a blink of crimson eyes Kano was above the marine who though recovered was not able to gather his aerial balance. Soft words were spoken unheard by Kano save for as garble. He blinked curious for a moment at the crossed arms of the marine. Not that it'd stop him. Lips parted and he raised his voice in a raucous call.
"STELLAR DROP!!!"
A twist in the air, his extended leg slammed down upon the metal-like shield of arms his enemy presented. The meeting was hard, but with nothing to brace against the marine had no choice but to be forced down as Kano's leg threw all of its momentum into that single impact. Like a rock the marine fell slamming down towards the deck of the ship.
Above Kano floated in the air for a moment looking down at the marine's crater on the deck. The marine was still for a moment but almost already he began to move if only a bit. But it was there, he saw it with his own eyes. "Good! Great!!! Don't worry I've got something extra ready for you!" Kano exclaimed to no one in particular. He began to fall, he looked down, it was perfect, he'd used it once before, now the perfected version. A gaping maw, his own opened from it a large metal piece came, growing as it left the bounds.
An arm reached forth, fingers grasped about it. The item, no weapon grew and grew to Kano's wishes. Until in his hands was his weapon, the anchor, twice as tall as him, a bulging metal shell with sharpened ends. He laughed, he smiled, truly the Wild Spark, he'd done it once he'd do it again. Eyes turned upwards widening at the sight of the large anchor in the fool's hand.
"That fool! Run!!"
Feet slammed the deck running for the edge. Others in white clothes turned their eyes up in surprise. Guns rose up to aim at him, a few fired bullets crossing his midsection burying scratching across his side. Not that it'd stop him he laughed through the burning pains.
"HULLBREAKER!!!!" His anchor like a giant weight swung forward sitting itself between Kano and the ship, Kano and the bullets. The fool braced, with gravity on his side the anchor tip drove into the ship's deck. Each arm a sharpened blade of metal as it spread out from the anchor clove the wood it faced apart and the anchor dug in. Momentum carried it as it nearly split the ship in two from the first moments of impact alone.
But it didn't the ship was not that poorly made. But it was enough. Kano stood their hanging from the main shaft of the anchor as it sat in the body of a divided ship. He looked up, about him pirates fled off the ship, but the marines standing on either side of the ship as it did it's best to hold itself together stared down at Kano. Rifles raised, and the marine officer stood though burned and looked upon him. He was surrounded, "Bastard ..." the word was a whisper as the Captain met eyes with him. "Men take aim!" He pointed towards Kano with vehemence.
But the situation didn't seem to bother Kano. The fool smiled as he looked around at the marines surrounding him. He smiled, they saw naught, which was why, they didn't run. They should have, for now this was his moment. The power to destroy a ship, or more, it was his. He laughed, any moment now. He cackled, any second now, he - it exploded.
The anchor that dug itself into the ship's hull all the explosives within finally went off. An inferno of fire, a shockwave of air and sound, turned to a fireball which consumed the ship. Beneath it wood shattered, even the strongest bits cracked beneath the pressure. All the marines were engulfed in a moment in the hell of flames. But not just them unlucky pirates not fast enough to de-board found themselves as well. And at the center of it all Kano stood surrounded by the fiery terror. Laughing, he smiled admiring his work.
Or at least for a short while, the force of the explosion sent him flying skyward. The smoke from the explosion filled the air as he set his lower body into a rocket once more. Not bad .. not bad at all he smiled to himself as he shot out of the cloud of smoke out above the open ocean. Now then where was, his eyes turned about, spotting a ship speeding away from the burning wreck of the marine vessel. His ride!
Turning in the air he shot through it towards the ship. He moved quickly turning off his acceleration a little late until he crashed onto the rear of the upper deck, finally being stopped by some wooden railing that he rolled into. A little pain, but he smiled unphased by it in the slightest.
"Fool."
The sound of a familiar voice brought a smile upon his face as Kano sat up. Pretzling his legs beneath him he looked over at his feline friend. The black cat, named Oliver, was moving towards him with silently padding paws, annoyance was noticeable even to Kano. He wondered why, he'd done what'd been asked of him no, they needed to disable the patrolling ships. "You absolute f***ing f-" Oliver's ears perked for a moment and he shut away.
The reason was immediately obvious, Kano's ears perked as he heard the rush of stamping feet that Oliver had reacted to. His head turned as a muscular man hurried up to him. To sing his praises no doubt, Kano smiled through his everything as he turned and raised a hand. "Hey Grea-mmph" The man's hand slammed down on Kano's head making him bite his tongue as his head dropped to the deck.
What the- what was this reaction, he'd "YOU IDIOT!"
"Damn fool, why did he leave me with you. God freaking, you know we lost ten good men to your stupid attack." Anger and annoyance filled the man's voice. His hand reached forward and grasped the neck of Kano's clothes lifting him up above the ground. That man's fist flung forward smacking the young fool across the face.
"Owwww-"
The captain's blood was boiling, "Why I oughtta-""Stop. I know you want to but, hold off, he'll be important for the operation."
Kano's feline friend came to his aid with a solid logical response. The captain cursed, "Damns, can't you keep him under control." There was a catty laugh, Kano smiled, anyone who knew him should know better. Did he feel remorse for the lost lives sure, but this was the world. He surely put his life on the line everyday. They needed to understand that, to see that."You've seen him, what do you think I can do ..."
The pirate grunted as he threw Kano to the ground in annoyance. A finger came down and pointed at him furiously. Blinking he looked up, ooh this was serious. "Do you remember what he said to you in the meeting?" The man's voice was stern and filled with wrath. The fool before him blinked thinking back.
What had it been? Did he remember? The question of why he was doing what he was, was a good one. It was rare for Kano to have hung around a group so long, or for one to have tolerated his idiocy. He smiled looking at those around him, turning his head he looked forward. What kind of question was that, of course Kano remembered, the beginning of any adventure was good to remember, it helped cement the dream, cement the story he would tell. But what he'd been told? He thought back ...
~ A Few Days Ago ~
"'Lo you awake?" The feeling of a hand smacking across his face awoke the fool from his slumber. He blinked feeling soreness on his cheek. What the? Wait, when had he fallen asleep last he remembered he'd been flying across the sea, he'd left ... where had it been? Red eyes opened to look upon whoever was speaking to him. Apparently the movement of his eyes to open was noticed. "Ahh sleeping beauty awakes. Captain' he's up." Kano's eyes fell upon a tall woman of discerning look who stood towering over him, or was he sitting, oh, the latter.
But looking past her his surprise actually held. He was in a large room filled with people. Pirates? Probably many of them looked the part. Animosity spilled from most, much more than would from crewmates, or at least he suspected that much. "Wha's" he tried to move his limbs only to find they were bound. His arms were stuck behind him and his ankles were tied together before him.
The fool's eyes narrowed, if there was one thing he disliked it was bindings, he took a breath. His hands turned to sparklers in a second burning at the rope that bound his wrists. "Oh is he - Jules!" A voice spoke up in sudden concern of smoke began to rise from behind Kano. "Huh? Oh STOP THAT!!" Before the ropes came undone an open palm slapped itself across his face sending Kano spinning and a bucket of salt water washed over him to put out his sparklers.
"Uggghhhhh"
Kaon groaned from the hit and again as he put his strength against the binding ropes still remaining. "Can you just untie him. I told you that was a bad idea." A familiar voice, a friendly voice is he ever heard one spoke up.
"Hmm .... Perhaps, you'd know best sir cat. But you must understand his reputation proceeds him, we couldn't just leave him untied wherever." The other new voice said in response. "Jules if you will."
"Now then nothing crazy, or I'll slap you a second time." The woman warned Kano who sheepishly smiled comfortable in the knowledge that they would unbind him in a moment. First the arms and then the legs came free of the bindings. Subconsciously he wrung his wrists though they were barely pained if at all. With his legs and arms with a full range of motion Kano staggered to his feet glancing at the filled room centering about a table where a familiar cat stood.
"So what's up!" He asked in a peppy tone as he looked around the room to the incredulous eyes that followed him about. He looked about for a moment, none of them seemed to really want to tussel with him. Save for one, a familiar voice spoke "Hullo Kano, this'll be our first time meeting." The fool turned to find the source of the voice, his eyes laying themselves upon a highly charismatic man.
Standing above him, this man stood above even Kano probably by another foot or two. Kano found him to have a rather rugged character and yet he seemed a bit inspiring. He had a certain appeal to him that the fool didn't understand as a hand was placed before him. "The name's Mateo, Mateo Coppers." He glanced down at the hand held before him and then with little more than a thought he reached forward and grabbed it.
"Kano, Kano Toro."
This Mateo of sorts looked down and nodded at him, there was a solid smie in response. "Right then, now your friend tells me you're always down for a good fight." The man nodded his burnished brown hair over to Kano's friendly feline, Oliver who stood on a table carefully watching what was going on. Kano's smile widened as he tightened his grip on the hand. "Is that a challenge?" Kano's voice was cheeky.
Mateo looked back at him, and suddenly the grip upon Kano's hand tightened greatly. A force pulled on Kano twisting his arm, "Hu-h" Before Kano could tell what was happening he found himself flattened on the ground with Mateo standing over him. There was an assured look in the man's eyes. "No not me, but the lot of us are about to start a big fight. One that'll be heard the world over. And I was wondering ..." he let go of Kano's hand standing back up tall before putting his hand out once again.
"If you'd like to be a part of it." Mateo cracked a smile, there was a glint in his eye. The cat shook his head slightly, even he could see what was going to happen. For Kano, the words tempted him, each was a taste, an adventure, what more did he ever want.
There was no question of what the Wild Spark would do. His hand reached up and grasped Mateo's. It had a firmness to it, "Absolutely, count me in." With Mateo's help Kano came to his feet, it was not that the help was needed but it was symbolic.
"Right then, why don't you take a moment to meet the captains." Mateo said with a spread of his arm to the room as a whole. His introductions were quick, many were not particularly interested in him, most almost felt openly hostile, that so many were here was amazing. They were held together by Mateo's charisma. The introductions took a while and he finally came over to speak to Oliver.
"So many, this seems like it'll be a blast. I'm surprised you're okay with this though ..." The cat shrugged his shoulders. "The circumstances change, we don't have a way around this one. For my goals ..." Oliver trailed off. Kano glanced at him with a moment's clarity, the cat his friend was rarely so forward. They needed to do this huh, Kano nodded along. "Then I'll see it through, for you as well." The blonde youth said with a happy smile raising a fist to bump. Oliver laughed in his meowing way.
A few claps turned down the sound of voices in the room. "Some of you already know it." Mateo spoke "But to reiterate for those who don't." The man gestured this time, Jules walked forward bringing a smaller map to the table. She rolled it out putting paper weights at each end. "This is our target, the thorn in our side. That which must be removed."
Kano glanced down at what looked like a map of an island. Was it? He looked down more carefully. It seemed to bee a bunch of interconnected parts. There were marks all over it, notations upon it. "What exactly?" He whispered to Oliver, Mateo wasn't gesturing at any part of it in particular.
Mateo's eyes turned towards Kano and he smiled. Perhaps he'd expected this question, Kano didn't know, but Mateo responded to him all the same. "All of it. It is the Grand Steel Flotilla, it must be completely removed. And that's why we need every single on of you. You're all important, every piece a step." Kano's eyes widened, the whole thing. A grin was creeping upon his face, yeah, this'd be fun. About him there was the soudn of agreeing nods from the crowd of pirates, of captains. What was represented here, was a fleet.
And near the front of it Kano now stood. At the bow of a ship, not his own obviously. As he looked out before the open ocean. About them had appeared the mass of ships, where he'd met two dozen captains when he'd met Mateo, the fleet had swelled to attain more still. Now the forest of masts representing nearly forty different crews and even a contingent of men supposedly from the Revolutionary Army. They arrayed themselves in a long line across the sea, separated into group of eight or so crews with specific objectives. For the sake of this, Kano and Oliver were apparently counted as a crew. A distinction he was particularly proud of.
Here at the front, Kano looked on smiling, beside him his cat watched the air carefully, a thin fog sat upon the ocean today. This had been chosen as the day of attack. Mostly for reasons that Kano hadn't paid attention to as they didn't interest him. Before him as the fog thinned a little more, the walls of Grand Steel Flotilla came into view. Even from here Kano could tell they were massive. Like large middle-fingers to the world they stood as the first test of this motley gang.
He smiled as he looked out on it. Oh yeah, this was going to be a fun day. He- a voice rose over the call.
"THEY'RE RANGING IN ON US!"
What he hadn't noticed, became obvious as smoke rose from the walls of the Flotilla. Moments later, the sound of cannon fire swept across the crews. And then finally the impacts, massive craters appeared in the water about the ships. Giant geysers of water rose into the air setting the oceans rocking. Great cannonfire hung in the air as the ships off the line pulled on their masts to get a move. The silence broken the pirate fleet lurched forward in an uncoordinated movement.
The next volley came in, Kano jumped skyward, his eyes narrowed. His legs turned to a rocket forcing him upward. "Fireworks Shell!" His arm pulled back, his fist turning from flesh to steel. As he threw it forward he launched the firework forward it met a cannonball in the air exploding in a fireball above the ships. If there was a cheer for that Kano didn't hear it.
There wouldn't have been, while Kano stopped one, the rest of the cannon shots landed. More geysers shot into the air appearing right next to ships. Others hit their mark crashing down onto a ship smashing timbers with a single landing. To his right a ship took two hits nearly mauling away its bow and sending the mizzenmast tilting to one side. Elsewhere along the line it seemed similar things were happening. The marines were excellent marksman and the creaking of ships seemed unending.
He wouldn't allow it, Kano flew forward before his gang of ships. With his firepower at command, he opening his mouth alongside both of his arms turning to fireworks. A bundle of smaller ones appeared in Kano's mouth. Between it all he mumbled words that went by unheard. They lashed out in a massively wide arc to meet the next incoming round of fire. Cannonfire met fireworks in the air exploding in multiple explosions that blotted out the air in smoke. The force of them all sent Kano tumbling in the air for a bit before he was able to recover. But he was not enough, even at this he'd let much of the cannonfire that aimed for his strike group through. The other groups wouldn't have him, he turned to look towards the main one. With Mateo at the head the largest contingent would face the largest amoutn of fire.
He looked, and his eyes widened. Before that convoy were three massive waterspouts that were spinning forward. Cannonfire slammed into them exploding on impact but did nothing to harm them. They swept before the vanguard of their fleet keeping everything away. The fool's eyes widened who? He paused for a moment watching in awe at what was happening before reality came calling. By some act of god, a cannonball glanced off of him rather than spearing him through. It was just the minimal of impacts but it caught him in the side sending Kano spiralling downwards.
Catching his consciousness took him a few seconds, his balance in the sky took longer. Kano's head whirled from the motion, thankfully he'd felt this before. He thought back to the aerial maneuvers back at that ferry he'd met after the storm. His limbs were thrown out to catch the wind. Bursts of fireworks exploded to reverse momentum. And he stopped spinning. His eyes found the ground (or the sea in this case) and he manged to right himself. Fireworks exploded upon him as he made his way back to his ship. He flew over its bow before crashing in at the bowdeck.
Oliver met him, as the cat always seemed to do when he crashed back down onto deck. "You did well." The cat commented to Kano's smile. It was a nice message to get, "But now leave this to that engineer and his creations."
"Wha-" Oliver looked at him for a moment then shook his head. The cat's surprise was short-lived, he should've known that Kano hadn't been paying attention when this part was described in their plan. It was such a crucial part. But, the cat sighed, he should've known better of his foolish friend. The fool stood up walking back towards the ship's bow as Oliver explained.
"It's some new tech, underwater submersible ships. They're using them to get beneath the walls to knock them out from beneath. Or so says the plan." The cat said, "So any mo-" their ship lurched forward again as the ship went full mast picking up speed as it moved towards its landfall. Oliver looked forward his whiskers twitching in the wind. There came an excessive sound, thunderous and powerful it exploded, well not one but many.
Before the wall, multiple giant pillars of water rose into the air obscuring the wall from view. Percussive shockwaves rocked the ship as it came to a near stop from the force of it the timbers creaking under the pressure even from the range they were at. Kano's eyes widened as it knocked him off his feet quite literally. Only many little explosions from pores on his back kept him from doublign over knocked back by it. His feline friend was not so lucky as he was blown away and wailed. The seas grew rocky but still Kano looked forward.
Such powerful blasts, could he make something like that. He wondered, the destructive force of them, they're effect, he wanted to see it with his own eyes. The pillar of water dissipated at its parts fell back to the ocean revealing the results. The wall stood, the bastion on the marines sat unnerved by the attack. Kano's jaw dropped, nothing? How much more powerful would he have to have been. Maybe they were weakened, he didn't dare look around to see what the pirates about him were thinking. They needed the ray of hope, he took one prepatory step and kicked off from the bow jumping skyward. His legs disappeared as his lower-body morphed into a rocket. For them, a Hullbreaker, that'll do it. Kano drew fuel towards his rocket legs as he sped across the distance towards the wall.
He sped forward slowing only at the sound of groaning. The loud sound of groaning that filled the area, it must've been heard for miles in every direction it was so loud. So beyond anything a human could make. It, his eyes widened, water pushed out in a wave as a whole section of the massive ramparts began to sink into the ocean. And then a second and third. Kano smiled and laughed, as he flew through the air pumping his fist into the air. "YOSH!!" There was still more to contend with but they needed to take the advantage here.
Below him the seas roared with turbulence. The waves of change were washing over the Grand Steel Flotilla. The forces of the pirates advanced towards their objectives and at the vanguard, Kano arrived. As he did, it was with a bang, flying through the air he was a mere speck until he wasn't. His arrival was heralded by the appearance of his newest weapon of destruction. "Hullbreaker!" The anchor bulged its way out of his mouth as he grasped it with both arms the full force of his rocket-based propulsion needed to keep him afloat for the final arrival.
But his thoughts weren't on that. Before him were arrayed a multitude of scattered marines still in shock from the destruction of a vast amount of their defensive structure. The sudden appearance of the anchor before them and the enemy appearing literally out of the sky was no doubt a shock to they who saw the enemy fleet still approaching. Taking the anchor to one side, Kano's muscles bulged, smaller explosions at his elbows set him turning and he swept it across the battlement as he arrived at the top. Multiple marines caught in the swing were pulled along and tossed off the side of it.
The Wild Spark smiled, he'd arrived. The marines were slow to react as his feet hit the ground. With one, then two steps he started spinning. The rotation of the anchor keeping it from dragging along the ground. "One, two! HAA~!" With the release of his fingers he sent the anchor flying at the nearest gun emplacement. The crash of anchor and gun emplacement let blow the anchor's innards. As with all of Kano's creation it was in the end a firework. A massive explosion erupted from the side of the emplacement swallowing it in a fireball.
With the battlement temporarily cleared of marines Kano turned and looked out. "WOAAAHHHHHHHH!!!" His mouth opened in awe, it was a playground of war, of battle. Before him stretched what seemed to be a small town dotted with tall structures of the marine-design. He'd arrived, they'd arrived. His foot marked the first landfall. This was the Grand Steel Flotilla. It was gigantic, it was great!
The precipice stood before that young man. Here he stood before the Grand Steel Flotilla, it was laid out before him. A town of roads and housing mostly it was a bustle of energy. Groups of troops ran about readied for the oncoming invasion. Large structures rose up, styled in the usual marine way this was truly a marine base. A thorn in the side of those who stood free on the seas. No doubt it needed to be removed. Kano smiled.
Behind him the pirate ships approached en masse. Here he stood, he was the vanguard, well to be honest he wasn't supposed to be here, not yet. But that didn't matter. Now then ... where to start?
The Wild Spark's eyes turned about, coming down on a partition of the base nearer to him. The docks, his memory flickered to life, Oh yeah, this was the objective ... He grinned, to be so close it could've only been luck. Definitely not the position of his group being chosen to be nearer to it. That while known to others was ignored by Kano.
He set off, his feet carried him multiple steps as the Wild Spark turned down the battlement in the direction of the docks. The first objective of his squad, Port Steele. As the pirate ships sailed toward the docks Kano ran. While the section he'd landed on had been cleared of marines, as he looked forward more of the men of blue and white appeared.
Kano pulled his arm back, his fist and forearm disappearing as in their place a thick metal-plated fireworks shell appeared. "OVERLOAD SHELL!!" He screamed throwing his arm forward. He loved this part as the fireworks shell flew towards the many. It hit the ground in a second consumed the mass of them in a flame sending a few sprawling to either side off of the battlement walls. Not that it particularly did anything to stop him.
He charged into the inferno knocking aside those he found in his path and passed through the other side. Kano ran, the wind in his face, the heat of his explosions, it was exhilirating. His red eyes danced with joy. He- something flickered in the corner of his eye. His next foot hit the battlement with a solid stopping step. Before him a marine came crashing in. Another step would've put Kano directly in the path of it.
She stopped glancing at her outstretched fist with surprise. "Huh ... where's the blood?" The marine looked at her fist curiously, Kano watched bemused, she was still wearing the colors but wasn't in the usual outfit. He giggled slightly in amusement and she turned her attention at the sound of it. "Awawawa! I missed!!?!?" What a weirdo, Kano watched as she turned to look at him. "Ensign Birges, reporting for duty. Dispatching subject on wall." She said with certainty.
The Wild Spark tilted his head sideways at that comment. Doing what exactly? She leapt at him her fist slamming in towards him. A sidestep put him aside that but he could feel the rush of air as her fist passed through the place his head had once been. "Ara ara? Where'd the target go?" Kano whistled, he grinned. "Wild Spark Kano Toro. Pleased ta meetcha."
"Wild Spar-"
The sound of recognition swallowed her voice for the moment before Kano struck back. Unlike the marine ensign, Kano was not one to miss. At least against one so unskilled in combat. Well by comparison anyways. "Thunderous Overcharge Shell!" His fist became a fireworks shell and his elbow exploded forwards accelerating into the marine's side. It hit her head on. An explosion engulfed the pair.
Kano felt her grasp onto him. Her grip weakened as the fires settled but she managed to whether the hit. He whistled appreciation as she collapsed before him her body blackened and bloodied from the heat. The fool gave a two quick claps before letting her drop onto the battlements and running on. He didn't have time to waste with this.
His head turned forward, the expanse of one of the broken walls fell out before him. One, two ... The fool launched himself into the air with a powerful jump. "Blast!" two fireworks replaced his feet setting themselves off almost immediately to give him the propulsion he needed to get across. On the other side more marines awaited him. The explosions that he'd caused before meant their attention was already turned. His grinning face was met by the rise of marine muskets.
The volley fired, Kano grinned, multiple explosions roared from his chest and limbs lifting him up above the bullets as they passed beneath him. Two more explosions came from his feet and Kano accelerated forward directly into the marines. He dove towards them spiralling down onto his hands. "Fiery Orbit!" His hands spun beneath him walking him forward in twirling motions. His legs swung in circles knocking aside marines left and right.
Like a train he moved onstopping down the battlement. The Wild Spark was unstoppable, the marine soldiery were incapable of stopping him. At the very least no one was on the walls who was capable. And before one could get there his path of destruction lead him to the edge of the wall. Before him it opened to the entrance to the Port Steele-addition to the Grand Steel Flotilla. Looking to his left the ships of his convoy were pulling in, the marines pooling at the port had their eyes on them.
Perfect, Kano smiled. He jumped into the air, moving upwards above a large mass of them. Both of his arms pointed downwards, each were replaced. "NEBULA SHELLS!!!" Two of his new tech, the shells-in-shells nebula cluster fireworks shot downwards toward sea-level and the docklands. Partway down they hit their first explosion, the flames of them shot out the smaller shells within spreading them about the air to fall upon the bunched up marines below.
Like flowers blooming across the deck the small explosions of each mini-shell in the nebulas exploded in a blossom of flame. A whole portion of the harbor roared into flame, all the while Kano cackled with laughter falling to the ground. His descent was fast stopped only barely at the end by his own choice. Crashing onto the dockworks he stood up and glanced to the ships coming into harbour. Kano waved with a smile on his face. Now the true attack begun. The destruction of Grand Steel Flotilla commence.
The first ship of his convoy docked to the sight of Kano surrounded by the burned bodies of marines. They gaped at his casual wave, they looked ahead where more marines began to appear. Little did they know, the damage this ally of theirs would do. Little did the marines know. The sun was starting to set on the Grand Steel Flotilla. The deeds of the day still to come.
What a day, what an adventure, Kano's blood was boiling and it was just the beginning. He felt on top of the world in this moment. Well now that they were here, he paused. Should he wait for Oliver? His friend should be on one of the front-running ships. Kano glanced back, his red eyes searched the first ships to dock. What would the cat say, did he want to wait that long. Give these other pirates their moments of glory. It wasn't a bad idea for certain but, nah, this glory was for him. He wanted it, he needed the full satisfaction of the day everything it would bring.
The chains of Oliver, his words which reigned Kano in, he could have them later. Today he would enjoy it, he would see his strength, measure it against the innumerable marines on the island. "Oli-" A voice drowned out by the roar of landing pirates didn't reach Kano's eyes before the Wild Spark took off. Behind him the first crew of pirates was disgorging itself onto the docklands of Port Steele. The second crew was not far behind, before him a mass of marines was stationed. Was it a hundred? Probably at least, the first of them stood in two rows, one at a kneel and the other standing above. A bristling row of muskets faced down the docks towards where pirate ships were landing.
Hmmm, what to do about this, they couldn't be allowed to fire on the arriving forces. How did he deal with them, the usual? Probably, that seemed the best option, at the very least he needed to take their attention onto him. That for sure he could do, he'd give them something to talk about. His arm came forward, "Let's give em somethin' good. O-VER-CHA-RGE-SHELL!!!!!" The fist disappeared, then the forearm, from the elbow a fireworks shell grew out of it.
It bulged upwards, he tilted his arms upward before launching it into the air. The weight pulled it down a bit as it arced through the air. To the perfection of position just right, he flickered a grin as he moved into a sprint. Above his fireworks set off, a massive explosion rocked the solid stonework that laid beneath the marine battalion who stood before them. Its fires set the docks into an inferno. All the while he ran, Kano put foot to wood then pavement, the true meaning of speed beneath his feet now.
The fool dashed into the smoke beneath a hail of uncoordinated and poorly aimed musket fire. Still shots hit him, a few were good enough or lucky enough to guess where Kano was. Bullets slashed against his arms, a single one slammed into his side running him through. It slowed him for a moment but he ran anyways. There would be no stopping him, there would be no. "Rising Soru" The voice was a whisper but then it crashed into him. The feeling of a shin pressed into his chest was only followed by the appearance of the one whom it owned to. The shin hit him like a truck sending Kano sprawling backwards rolling out of the dust cloud. Kano groaned, slightly.
"Captain Ardul, reporting for duty at Port Steele."
The captain spoke with calm assuredness from the center of the smoke Kano'd used as cover. "Yeah it's as reported sir. There's a strong one here. But not to worry, with your teachings, I'll be more than enough." A new enemy, a smile spread across Kano's face, a captain at that. Also one with the guts to turn their attention away from him after landing the first blow. Obviously they needed a lesson in respect! Kano's hands reached back pressing against the ground as he pulled his legs above him springing back onto his feet.
He faced the cloud of dust still sitting upon the ground before him. Behind him he could hear the clamor of steps and voices. Kano drowned it out, it was unimportant, now then ... his opponent. He sniffed the air, where was this captain of the marines. Smell told him nothing, unfortunate. Well if his opponent wasn't going to come out he would go to them. Besides, this time he knew what to look for. He'd no plans of being caught by surprise for a second time.
"Comin' at ya!"
He called out as he charged back into the dust cloud. The young fool, the Wild Spark ran back in with his strength and speed at his beck and call. "Geppou." The voice called from before him, huh? Kano raised his arms to intercept any attack that might be coming forth from the dust cloud."Falling Kamisori!" The voice came from above, above? Kano's arms began moving up as that same shin slammed into his shoulder. Kano's eyes widened as his right side buckled and he was knocked aside.
Not this time! Multiple mini explosions roared from his left side stopping his knocking aside. In return his leg swung out as his opponent was likely standing back up from their victory. A wide roundhouse gathered Kano's strength as he kicked across propeled by more his explosive empowerment. There was a soft grumble as Kano's foot only met open dust. "Bullish Soru!" The voice came from, exactly where Kano expected. Wait what was that, he- a shoulder, his opponent's came flying into him slamming the fool in the chest.
Mmph, multiple explosions on his back pushed back on the hit rocking his chest in pain from the contending forces. Kano grunted left arm swinging in with a firework on its end. "Left hook, with ... a boom?" The captain said curiously as their right arm raised up blocking Kano's incoming punch. What? His attack was read? Not only that but the blocking arm caught itself beneath Kano's hand lifting his firework skyward letting it shoot off away from the fight. What was this? The Wild Spark swung again, a kick that was blocked fine.
He began a flurry of blows, his body twisted through its natural poses. Small explosions accelerated him along empowering his attacks with their power and speed. And yet, he was thwarted, each attack was blocked and some were named. This was strange, his style, was known to none, it was an amalagamation of so much, only two people in the world understood it, and one of them was him. And yet, Kano growled in annoyance as he continued to slam attacks at his opponent. Though not all were dodged, almost everyone was either blocked or dodged, this was cruel and frustrating the repayment he dealt was nothing compared to what he took.
In return, powerful strikes slammed into him in response. Thrice a speedy finger punctured Kano's chest sending him staggering. More times a knee or elbow slammed into Kano. Annoying, quite ... annoying. Kano jumped back clearing the dust cloud. He raised an arm into the air, the arm disappeared "Sparkler Arm!" Striking out of Kano's arm was a whip like sparkler, he swung it down towards the captain. With a sidestep the captain dodged it as if he wasn't surprised by the sparkler arm.
"Launcher Soru!"
The marine was fast, he blurred out of sight appearing beneath Kano. He needed to react, fast! Kano's leg kicked out in response, explosions at it launched it forward. The captain launched himself upwards, he took the kick in the front with surprise but his momentum was already carrying him to his aim. Coming up beneath Kano he body slammed the pirate sending him skyward momentarily blacked out. "Dynamic Slam!"
The marine jumped airward, he jumped off the air itself rising up with Kano. But he was turned away, the marine kicked the air again. But this time it didn't send him up it sent him into a backflip. The marine's leg arced over and hit Kano as he flew up to meet it. It slammed into Kano reawakening him as he slammed back towards the ground. Eyes widening he managed a few mini explosions at his front to brace the impact before he landed though he still slammed into the ground. Pain radiated across him as he landed pushing dust about him. Losing? Was he actually doing that. Kano spat out what tasted like blood from his mouth.
Kano pressed up, he paused to two voices. The first followed a soft buzzing, "Yeah not to worry, I've got it handled here sir." Kano grinned, that sort of overconfidence would be that man's loss. The second, "Kano!" His eyes turned up to see his feline friend racing towards him. Kano met Oliver's eyes, he shook his head. This was not for the cat to concern himself with. Oliver paused before looking about making sure not to get overrun by the incoming wave of pirates surging toward the marine line.
Between the two groups were still Kano and his opponent the marine captain. He'd have to finish this, Kano stood back up. But how, his opponent was anticipating his attacks with unnerving accuracy. How else, he supposed, there was only thing he did well, so many were annoyed at him for it. He'd have to be even more unpredictable than before. Kano grinned, as something roared in the back, a rush of wind gusted through the Port. It pushed away the dust cloud and finally Kano got a look at his opponent.
It was a lanky fellow, probably a few inches taller than Kano himself. He wasn't the strongest looking fellow but perhaps the bonyness aided in some of his attacks. He had strangely blue hair but that was just an interesting thing to note. "Kano Toro," he wiped blood from his lip. "I'll be going serious now." He said with assurity. The marine looked at him bemused.
The fool ran forward, now with his opponent in clear view. Would that change anything? How would he hit now when he hadn't before? These questions, he looked forward straight towards the marine captain. These questions were useless, he'd change, easy as that.
"Rising Soru!"
The marine disappeared, Kano'd heard this before. But his reaction was still a little slow, the marine appeared before him his knee already at the ready, already about to slam into Kano's chest. Rather than bracing the impact, two mini explosions roared at his feet lifted him up slightly allowing more of the momentum to be transferred straight into him. Kano was knocked back, but he was ready for this part. He'd had a little experience with this already. At once mini pore-blasts came from his shoulders and back keeping him from flying away.
Instead he flew back towards the marine. This time, ooh he had a plan! Kano's fist turned white hot, "Stellar Smash!" His fist swung forward radiating a burning heat. As to be expected the marine dodged to the right of the attack expecting the return blow. Kano grinned all according to plan! "Blast!"
"Hmm!?"
There was a mildly startled sound from the marine's mouth as Kano set off mini-explosions from his pores instantly changing the trajectory of his extended white-hot arm to swing right towards where the marine had dodged. The marine ducked down in a lunge as Kano's arm cleared the area atop him. The lunge sent the marine forward, and the captain took full advantage as he punched forward landing two heavy punches into Kano's side.
The hit came in fast and Kano was pushed backwards his feet grinding against the ground for traction. The fool frowned, it hadn't worked, but ... there had been surprise. That was a good start, then maybe he just needed to be faster about it. Kano weighted himself forward. "Blasts!" His feet kicked off like fire. Kano accelerated towards the marine. He rammed shoulder first into the marine. Kano grinned as he felt the impact run down his shoulder to be absorbed by the rest of his body. Before him his opponent staggered back. No hesitation this time. The second Kano's feet hit the ground two more rockets exploded beneath his feet. In an instant the fiery fool was flying forward. Beneath his chest he readied an arm. Now was the time, his fist was replaced by that signature explosive shell.
And he swung in!
"OVERCHARGE SHELL!"
His fist spiraled forward into the marine's chest. IMPACT! The explosion engulfed the pair of fighters. Kano's returning hand grasped the marine's ribbon. He felt the crackle of cinders as he pulled on it. Blonde hair swished forward, as cranium clashed with cranium. Pain, the annoyance crackled across his head as the weight on his arm increased. His opponent collapsed and Kano's fingers released their grip as he fell to the ground.
The smoke cleared as he looked down at the crispy marine. Kano grinned his usual grin as he took in the chaos of battle around them. Kano jumped in immediately but it was soon that the marines began to break. Word of the Captain's defeat at Kano's hands spread among the rank until the marines as a whole turned tail and ran from the fight at the port. For his part it was a little disappointing of an end. Kano stood among the victorious pirate rabble milling about as Oliver ran up to him. The black cat jumped from shoulder to shoulder until he finally landed on Kano's. "Good job." Oliver said sliding his tail against Kano's cheek as congratulations.
Kano smiled and nodded "It was a fun fight!" The fool said with a smile as he started walking forward to leave the port. There were more things for him to be getting done. More action to be had, more adventure! "Wait Kano." Oliver's paw pushed on Kano's cheek turning his head towards some large structures set up around a what seemed to be a ship's frame. "One last thing to do here. Go over to those dockyards."
Ahh, Kano paused turning and changing his direction towards them. If they wanted him to do it, then there was really only on thing they could want. The fool walked over to the
nearest dockyard building. A large construction of wooden and some steel scaffolding. He stood beneath them looking up, his eyes widened. "Engineering is really amazing ..." he said mostly to himself.
The Wild Spark whistled as he looked up at it admiring the ingenuity and skill taken to build this. "You can keep staring at this or, you can get on to more fighting." Kano glanced at Oliver for a moment before nodding his head. Yeah, that was right, Kano's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Earth to earth, dust to dust and all that." Kano said with a smile and then a laugh.
He went to work his hands grasping the wooden pillar before him. Both of his hands exploded and the wood creaked. It groaned, and it fell. One by one he came and did it to each of them, the dockyards of Port Steele fell and crashed into the ocean.
In the end Kano walked away, the first step of the plan was complete. Wiping the marines off the island was the goal. With that Kano crippled the naval production in the area. With the taking of the Port the ships at dock were gone they cracked the naval strength of the marines. With that the first gear stuck into place. Kano grinned, the event that he would be central to. The beginning of the infamy of the Wild Spark began here.