Epilogue: Liberation

Disclaimer: Don't own One Piece.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After the battle with his former masters and the so-called "goddess", Devon slept for at least three days, his body covered with bandages, which Kirsty changed constantly. Outside the large tent, his nakama and the Sky People were busy cleaning up the city from the carnage that Frigga and her minions had created.

Dusty wiped her forehead, "Man, this is hard work...," she looked to the tent where Kirsty and Devon were, "I don't get this. We all know that the Water Moon can help him heal faster, since Kirsty's trying to gain back her ability, so why doesn't he use it?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Niri stopped her work and shot a sly grin at the fox-girl, "You know how those two feel for each other. What's better for them: spending a lot of time together or taking the fast and easy road?"

The kitsune's ears twitched, "Oh...good point,"

"You actually understood that?"

"Yeah, why?"

"But...you never get anything,"

"I do too!"

"Pfft, whatever," Niri rubbed her neck and looked at the Sky People as they cleaned up the area so that they could rebuild in the future, "At least they'll be able to live free and happy lives,"

On the other side of the city, Azu had just told the rest of his nakama what had happened while they were out of it. Herman, DJ, and Axe were stunned at the news.

The young captain shook his head slowly, "Kirsty turned into a dragon, Austin got sliced, and Devon kicked three people's asses despite injuries like that?!" he smacked himself in the face, "DAMMIT!"

DJ's jaw dropped, "Kirsty-san did all that damage out there?!"

Herman gulped loudly, "Note to self: do not piss off Kirsty and Devon,"

The others nodded in silent agreement.

-----

On the evening of the fourth day, Kirsty entered the tent to see if Devon was awake yet, but she was surprised to see that he wasn't in his bed anymore. Confused, she walked outside of the tent and looked around.

"Anyone see Devon?"

Herman, who was walking by, stopped and shook his head, "No. Ain't he inside, sleeping?"

Kirsty shook her head, "No, he's not...he should be resting, but he's gone,"

"Hmm...," Herman rubbed his chin, "Come to think of it, I haven't see Austin for awhile either,"

"Huh," Kirsty scratched her head, "Where are those two?"

-----

"Despite their actions, they were both great and honorable warriors, and they deserve the proper burial rites,"

Austin handed Devon a large torch and the blonde swordsman advanced on the two piles of wood he had cut earlier that evening. Even though they attacked his people and attacked him, he held great respect for both Hugin and Munin, who had died when Devon delivered the final technique of the Nine Realms.

Normally, people would be sad, but Devon knew that this is how those who served Odin lived and died. To die in battle is a great honor, for they would be escorted into heavenly paradise by shieldmaidens...according to the texts anyway. Devon looked at the two bodies of his masters as they lay still on the separate pyres he had made for them.

"Hear me, O beautiful Valkyries," Devon said loudly as he lowered the torch, "Come and escort these mighty warriors of Odin from the earthly plane and take them to Valhalla, where they may eat and enjoy the company of the true gods!"

With that, he lit the pyres and backed away, both he and Austin watching as the pyres quickly caught the flames. The two half-blood Shandians watched as the two people that raised them after their mother died were cremated, their flesh smoking and clothes burning as the flames licked their bodies and danced around them like strange little wisps.

From a distance, Nido watched the funeral pyres burn and consume the two swordsmen. He sighed and lowered his head.

"Hugin, Munin, I thank you for all you've done for this lad. May you be welcome in Valhalla,"

-----

As Devon and Austin cremated the people who raised them and taugh them, the Skypeians and Shandians were celebrating their freedom once again. Chizuru thought it amusing, the Sky People celebrating freedom again so soon after Straw Hat and his crew got rid of Eneru and his Priests, though a couple of the Priests were still around. However, she held her tongue as the Sky People filled the night air with music and laughter. Even Nola, the giant python was up and about again, happy as she could be.

A few of the Shandians were eating a large feast prepared by Herman, Niri and Dusty were dancing and singing around the giant bonfire that they all made from the displaced trees. She laughed when she saw not just her captain, who was still injured, but Aisa engaged in an eating contest with Braham and Genbou. To their great surprise, Aisa nearly outlasted Axe, but in the end, she fell over with a large belly, moaning.

"Kid, you're alright!" Axe laughed, looking at Aisa, "For a kid, you can pack it away,"

"She must've gotten that from Shidyk," Laki observed, walking up to them, looking impressed and stern at her little cousin, "Aisa, how much time did you spend around him?"

"As much...as I could...," Aisa said slowly, "He and Jin-chan were really nice to be with,"

"Jin-chan?" Axe stuck another steak into his mouth, "Who's that?" he asked, his voice barely covered by the meat.

"That, Captain, would be Jinko of the Dancing Blade," Chizuru explained, walking up to them, "Assassin, just like Shidyk D. Shade, whose bounty was recently changed from 216,000,000 Beli to 271,000,000 Beli,"

Chizuru pulled a piece of paper from her hat and unfolded it to reveal a bounty poster with a picture of a beautiful, long haired woman dressed in dancer girl clothing. Aisa nodded and pointed to the poster, "That's Jin-chan!"

Axe looked at the poster, then at Chizuru.

"Something wrong, captain?"

"What the hell is up with your hat?" Axe reached up, swiped it and looked inside, "I swear, you keep pulling random things out from under this thing...reminds of Rayo-aniki and his jacket,"

"Oh?"

Axe nodded, "That guy's thin and he doesn't have a big jacket, but you'll be amazed as to what he can fit in there," he checked the hat over again, "It's like he's got a bottomless hole in that thing somewhere,"

"Interesting," Chizuru snatched her hat back and placed it on her head, smiling, "Aisa, you can keep the bounty poster of Jinko, since you're a friend of hers. Since you're up here, and they're down there, you'll want some reminders,"

Aisa smiled, "Thanks!"

"Oh," Chizuru reached under her hat and pulled out Rayo's and Shidyk's posters, "Here ya go, two more for the road,"

"OH, C'MON! HOW ARE YOU DOING THAT?!"

While her nakama were celebrating with the Sky People, Kirsty sat on a large stone, watching them and wondering where Devon and Austin had gotten to.

He really shouldn't be up and moving around, but what can I do? I'm also still wondering what the hell this thing is... she pulled a black gem from her pocket, I saw this inside Devon while I was working on him. It can't be a Fragment, it's not the right color, so...maybe he got stabbed with a gem in the past? she sighed and shook her head, I should've just tossed it away, but for some reason, I can't.

Footsteps from behind made Kirsty turn to see both Austin and Devon walking up to her. She smiled and got to her feet, "I was wondering where you two were," she walked over and slugged Devon upside the head.

"OW! What the hell was that for?!" Devon shouted, holding his head.

"That's for wandering off without at least telling your doctor where you're going!" Kirsty scolded, "Out of all of us, you had the worst injuries and lost enough blood to fill a pool! How the hell you're still standing is beyond me, but you shouldn't be up and about like nothing happened!"

"..."

"..."

"...enough to fill a pool? Really?"

Kirsty turned away, "I may have exaggerated, but...,"

"Hehe, whatever," Devon muttered as Austin ran over to join the others in the party. He walked up to Kirsty's side and looked at the bonfire celebration, "I hate to say it, but us coming here pretty much caused the destruction of most of Shandora," he observed, looking at the ruins.

"Buildings can be rebuilt, but lives cannot be returned," Kirsty reminded him, "They haven't shown any hatred towards us for what happened, so I think we're off without a hitch,"

Devon nodded and turned to Kirsty, looking at her as the light from the bonfire danced around them. Kirsty noticed him staring and turned to meet his gaze as well.

"What? Something on my face?"

Devon shook his head, "Kirsty, I...I...,"

"You...?" Kirsty nodded slowly, "What is it, Devon?"

Devon continued to stare at her, trying to say the words he wanted to tell her, but in the end, he just shook his head.

"Aw, screw it all," he muttered before coming in and planting his lips on hers.

Kirsty's eyes widened. She knew that they both had feelings for each other, but she didn't expect this! Not this soon. Still, she didn't care. She returned his kiss and wrapped her arms around him while his wrapped around hers. After what seemed like a wonderful eternity, Devon pulled back and laid his forehead against hers.

"I love you, Kirsty,"

The doctor smiled gently, "I love you, too, Devon,"

"OH! MY! GAWD! GUYS! LOOKY!"

"It's about damn time, you two!"

"Way to go, Devon!"

"Aw, that's so cute!"

"Touch her butt!"

WHAP!

"Pervert!"

Devon and Kirsty turned to see their nakama, as well as some of their new friends looking at them. No doubt that they caught their confession to each other and were obviously very happy...except for Azu, who was on the ground, a large lump on his head, thanks to Niri.

"If you guys wanna watch, it'll be 200,000 Beli for each person!" Devon joked, earning a slug to the shoulder from Kirsty, "I'm kidding, I'm kidding!"

Kirsty giggled, "I know. By the way," she pulled out the black gem, "I think this belongs with you, Devon. I found it in you when I was patching you up,"

Devon looked at the gem for a few moments, then nodded and took it, "Thank you," he whispered as he embraced her again. As he hugged her, his eyes looked to the celebration. He saw everyone dancing, singing, and gorging themselves as they celebrated the defeat of the New Worlders.

As he looked around, he caught sight of something that surprised him greatly. Austin was playing with Pierre, but that wasn't what surprised him. There, sitting just a few feet away from his brother and the freaky bird, were his mother, Hugin and Munin. The three of them looked up from Austin and turned to the warrior. Hugin and Munin bowed their heads while Celeste rose to her feet. Her mouth began to move, and even though she was far away and the noise of the party was high in volume, he heard every word.

"Thank you...,"

"Devon, are you okay?" Kirsty asked, noticing something strange about her nakama. Devon shook his head and looked at her, "Uh...yeah, I'm fine. Sorry, I guess I just need to rest a little bit more,"

Kirsty sighed and began pushing him towards the tent, "March! I'll bring some food and drink for you, but get your ass in that bed and take it easy!"

Knowing that she wouldn't be deterred, Devon allowed himself to be pushed towards the tent. He took another look at the area where Austin was playing, but this time, he didn't see Hugin, Munin or his mother. He couldn't help but smile a little though; it felt as though something, a great weight, had been lifted off him.

"Alright," Kirsty opened the tent flap and pushed him in, "Lie down and rest!" she turned back around, "I'll go for something to eat so-YAH!"

Kirsty's wrist was grabbed by Devon and she was pulled into the tent with him. A short ways away, Pingu and Sora saw what had happened and they knew that they shouldn't be disturbed.

Pingu shook his head, "Humans...,"

Sora nodded, "Yeah, they're weird. Oh, by the way," the Sky Fox trotted away, "Niri said I'm coming with you guys, so you got competition,"

PFFFFFFFFFT!

His drink dripping from his beak, Pingu stared at the Sky Fox as he was picked up and hugged by Niri.

"WHAT THE HELL, MAN?!"

-----

On the Blue Sea, under the beautiful night sky, a large galleon lay anchored in the water, it's black sails flapping gently in the wind. Most people, when they see a ship this creepy, they get away as far as possible. However, a small group of people were on the ship, looking as though they could care less about the appearance of the galleon.

Two of these people were in the large dining room of the galleon while the rest of them were waiting for them outside. Kairi Lumina knew of these people and their reputations, yet she was unafraid of them. Stein Madro and Black Crow, highly wanted men in the Grand Line, were sitting at the large oak table with her.

Kairi held up a wine glass and took a whiff of the red liquid inside, "Perfectly aged drink...," she took a sip and looked at her two guests, "So, gentlemen, what do you want with me?"

Madro pulled out a few WANTED posters and slid them towards her. Kairi looked down and immediately recognized one of them as Axe. She growled a little and looked up at them again, "You have business with my old captain, do you?"

"Yes, some," Madro nodded, "Tell me, Blood Countess, do you know of the Kindachi Goten Sankaku?"

Kairi thought for a moment as a young woman brought her a bowl of tomato soup, then shook her head, "Those words...I do not know of them,"

Madro cleared his throat, "Well, simply put, that is a prophecy regarding the Pirate King. The second Pirate King to be exact,"

"Second?" Kairi stirred her soup with a large spoon, "I wasn't aware someone found Roger's treasure yet,"

"They haven't, but it relates to that," Madro explained, "There are three important points in this prophecy, and one of them is your old friend Axe,"

Black Crow nodded, "According to Madro, it also regards his grandson and the assassin, Shidyk D. Shade,"

"That bastard Shade!"

Kairi shot a glare to Toby, who was now standing behind the two guests. She looked back to the two of them, "Forgive Toby's rudeness. While on the trail of our...friend...at Whiskey Peak, we ran into Shidyk D. Shade and Toby here," she nodded to her First Mate, "Got his ass handed to him,"

Black Crow chuckled, "You actually challenged Shidyk?" he looked back at Toby, "You're a fool. Lucky for still being alive, but a fool nonetheless,"

Toby growled and reached for his katana.

"Toby!" Kairi snapped at him, "These people are our guests and if you think you had a tough time with Shidyk D. Shade, then you'll have a worse time with these two, because they have about the same level of strength and power of the assassin. Stand down!"

The lycanthrope growled, but backed down.

Kairi cleared her throat, "So, you say that my former captain has something to do with this prophecy? What does this have to do with me?"

Madro smiled and leaned forward, "We know that you're hunting him, and before you ask us how we know, let's just put it on the table that we both have our information sources. Anyway, I feel as though that Axe could be beneficial to me, regarding this prophecy,"

"So, what you're saying is that when I find him, you don't want me to kill him, but to hand him over to you so you could use him as you see fit?" Kairi reasoned, "If I don't?"

"I'm sure that something will happen that one of us would regret,"

Kairi slowly stood up from her seat, "Are you threatening me, Madro?" she asked evenly, "Because if you are, I should warn you that I've got my own power and my own connections. So before you go off, demanding the life of someone that I'm hunting down, you think very carefully!"

Madro became quiet, but a small smile was glue to his face.

Kairi snorted and sat down, turning to Black Crow, "I doubt any Revolutionaries would really care about another Pirate King, so what's your business here?"

Black Crow reached forward and held up a certain poster, "White Dragon Kirsty. She is a part of Axe's crew,"

"So, what, you have a thing for her or something?" Kairi asked as she began to eat her soup, "Kind of young, for you, don't you think?"

Madro chuckled while the Revolutionary narrowed his eyes from behind his mask.

"This young woman holds a power that can tip the very balance between the Three Powers of the World, Captain Lumina," he explained slowly, "She was already captured once for her power, but Axe broke her out. I assume you heard the news about Slayheim?"

Kairi nodded, "Aye,"

Black Crow shook the poster a little, "The Government wants her captured or dead because they fear the potential this girl has for overthrowing them if she's on the wrong side-,"

"You mean your side," Kairi interjected as she finished her soup, "So, let me get this straight," she pointed at Madro, "You want Axe alive and you," she pointed to Black Crow, "...want this White Dragon girl for the Revolutionaries,"

Both men nodded.

Kairi sat back in her chair and drummed the armrest, "If I run into this crew before either of you, and I give you who you want, you do realized that you won't be getting them without giving me compensation?"

Madro nodded, "Of course, of course.What would you like?"

The Blood Countess shook her head, "I'll need time to mull this over," she rose from her seat again, "Gentlemen, I believe this meeting has reached it's end. When I think of a proper way to compensate myself, I'll send word,"

Madro and Crow rose from their seats as well and exited the dining room. Toby shut the door behind them and growled, "Damn fools...,"

"You may call them fools," Kairi took her wine glass and walked to a window, looking up at the moon, "But to have people as powerful and dangerous as those two as your allies can prove very useful,"

She looked down to her deck to see a couple of strangers scramble to Madro, terrified looks in their eyes. Kairi couldn't help but laugh, "Looks like Madro's company had a run-in with the new recruits..,"

"Or maybe they just looked at Gaine's freezer," Toby cracked.

Kairi watched as the people with Madro, Madro himself, and Black Crow suddenly vanished from the deck, taking a sip from her red drink.

"Do you really intend to hand Axe over to them?"

"Toby, even though I wanted Axe for myself, I have a feeling that I should at least consider their proposal," she downed the rest of her drink and licked her lips. Toby watched as his captain's tongue ran over to pointed teeth and looked away, "I don't trust them,"

"Be that as it may, Toby, we should keep an open mind," Kairi set down her wine glass on the windowsill and looked up at the moon again, a smile crossing her face, "What a perfect night. The kind of night that makes me want to have a bite to drink,"

"Again? Captain, you just had a bowl and a glass of the stuff, do you really need more?"

"Shut up...,"

-----

The next day, the Axe-Head pirates were loading up the Tomahawk with supplies for their journey. They had found Skypeia and Devon and Austin learned the truth about their family. Now, there was really no reason to stay in the sky. As they left, everyone received a parting gift of their own.

Dusty was given a large collection of Ball Dials for her to play with.

Pingu was given a box of sky fish to eat as special treats.

Austin was given a much larger selection of Dials for personal or crew use.

Herman was given all sorts of Sky Island food and recipes to try out on the Blue Sea.

Azu received a box of the drink prepared by the wolves of Upper Yard, as well as supplies and building manuals for Wavers and Sky Skates from Pagaya.

Niri and Axe were given a large collection of golden artifacts from within Nola, although Niri left the exploration of the snake to Axe and the Sky People.

Conis gave DJ his own harp to practice on, since he had taken an interest in the instrument during their stay.

Kirsty's gift was strange, but amazing healing plants and fruits that were hidden around Upper Yard.

Chizuru received a brand new map of Skypeia, drawn by some of the best Shandian and Skypeian scouts.

Finally, Devon's gift. It wasn't gold, it wasn't a map, it wasn't Dials, food, or even a musical instrument. It was a very old photograph, no doubt taken by someone from Roger's crew. In the picture, he saw his mother, his father, and even people he recognized from WANTED posters.

So, Shanks and Buggy were on his crew, eh? Devon grinned, "That'll be interesting for Macleod to find out,"

The time had come for them to set sail. The pirates soon found their ship being grabbed by a large Sky Octopus, which would take them gently back down to the Blue Sea. As they drifted from Upper Yard, the Axe-Heads saw most, if not all, of the Sky People giving them a fond farewell.

Aisa waved wildly at them, "BYE, YOU GUYS! THANK YOU, DEVON-ANIKI!" she screamed, "THANK YOU ALL!"

As she and the others gave the pirates a sendoff, Aisa realized someone was missing from the group.

"Hey, where'd Wiper go?" she asked seconds before a very loud, but beautiful sound filled the air.

Laki and the others turned to the direction where it was coming from.

"He's...at the belfry?"

Wiper was at the belfry, ringing the giant golden bell of Shandora as he watched the pirates leave Upper Yard. He remembered the story of Calgara and Norland from his childhood. The great Shandian warrior rang this same bell when his friend from a far off place was leaving the island, swearing that he would wait for his friend's return to the island.

The Shandian stood on the edge of the cliff and took a deep breath.

"YOU HEAR ME, DEVON!?" he screamed at the top of his lungs, "YOU AND YOUR BROTHER, YOU ARE SHANDIAN! GO AND FIND SEFU, TELL HIM TO COME BACK HERE SO I CAN KICK HIS ASS! YOU HEAR ME, SONS OF SEFU? SEND HIM BACK TO SHANDORA!!"

Back on the Tomahawk, Devon and Austin stood on the deck, looking back at the Sky Island, hearing both the bell and Wiper's cry. Devon took a last look at the picture of his parents, then back up at Upper Yard.

"I'll send him back, Wiper, you have my word!"

Soon after he said those words, the Sky Octopus began to descend into the White Sea, leaving the Shandians and Skypeians to look at nothing but the puffy clouds of the White-White Sea. As the crew enjoyed their gifts, and while Pingu was still angry that another cute animal that Niri liked was on board now, Axe looked through the pictures he took while on the island.

The giant bell, the Poneglyph, and even the large group photos he took of his crew, the Sky People, and Nola, who somehow got into the picture alright. He grinned as he leafed through them, "That was definitely worth the trip!"

The End

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kilnorc: -sighs- That's the end of my Skypeia arc! First off, I would like to thank the help I received from Shidyk D. Shade/Rayo Verrani and Dude of Doom. If it weren't for them, this arc may not have been what it is. Thanks guys, much love! Now, while I won't go into details, I will say that my next arc will be original and before Water 7.

Hope it was good, hope you enjoyed, and I also hope that I didn't go too OOC on Wiper...

LATER!!! -waves banner- PAST THE 400 REVIEW MARK!