The Power of One Dream (A One Piece x Fairy Tail Story)

Part 22

A/N: Warning: Mention of past child abuse and murder! You have been warned!!

[Back in the Infirmary]

"My, my! All the key players of this grand production gathered together onto one stage, besides Mr. 'Wing' and those few of your confederates lurking around the main door of course but still. Quite the show we've put together, haven't we?!"

Immediately, the present Mages, Pirates and Celestial Spirit readied themselves for a full on assault, but the dual-hair-coloured Dark Mage held up a hand warningly. At which point several portals opened either sides of the chamber, revealing numerous cloaked figures within all aiming hands glowing with Magical energy at the core group. "Now, now. Let us not do anything hasty. I understand Mr. Law there is quite adept at swiftly moving people across significant distances. But do you really wish to take the chance that one of the fair ladies among us might be caught in the crossfire? Not to mention I am now the only one who can call off any looming threats posed by my subordinates against your precious friends..."

Maw gave a dark smirk watching the group before him grimace as they paused their assaults, realising right now he had the advantage. He continued. "Now, if you will kindly indulge my sense of showmanship, even for a moment. I believe a bit of back story, somewhat of a sad back story I'm afraid, is required so as for all of you to understand your roles in this grand venture before our performance reaches its fantastical finale!

"Firstly, I should formally introduce myself to those of you who have met me for the first time. I have served the Manticore Sting Guild from within the shadows under the alias of 'Maw' now for quite some time. But my given name... is Charlotte Fullerman!"

To the Mages of the group this name didn't mean anything in particular. But to the pirates and the large horned figure, the connotation of 'Maw's surname spoke volumes. "You're one of Big Mom's kids!?!" Luffy blurted out in disbelief, to which 'Fullerman' sneered. "Her grandson to be precise. In fact, her first grandson. Or as far as I'm aware. The sheer number of men the old hag let into her drawers over the years, who can say? And on that note you have my thanks Mugiwara, for finally putting her in her place back in Wano. Rather satisfying to see HER as the powerless one for a change, don't you agree?!"

The dark sneer morphed into a calm, charismatic smile as Fullerman's gaze cast over the group who remained wary of him and the innumerable underlings surrounding them. "As I still have your undivided attention, I suppose I should explain the reasoning behind my animosity towards the former Yonko.

"About 28 years ago, there was an old but not particularly well known tribe in the Kingdom of Alvarez. Not well known because they had a knack for keeping their particular speciality from becoming widely known. The practice of a certain Lost Magic! A kind with astounding healing capabilities, often being able to bring people back from the brink of death... Or in some cases, even beyond that..."

He paused again for dramatic effect, gaining satisfaction at the sight of Nami's and Lucy's skin crawling. "Yet sadly for their efforts, they couldn't keep their existence completely hidden from ALL of those who would covet their powers. The forces of a certain Dark Wizard guild, known throughout Fiore as the '7 Kin of Purgatory' of Grimoire Heart... (Meredy tensed)... fancied the tribe's particular brand of Magic for themselves, but didn't much fancy sharing. Needless to say, once the Dark Wizards had learnt all they could from the tribe, they absolutely eradicated them all in one fell swoop. Or so they thought... all but for one humble, unremarkable, and unfortunate girl...."

Fullerman paused again as if lost in reminiscence. Though some of the party may rather have noticed the heavy look on the pink-haired Mind-Link Mage's face. Of the Mages present who knew of her past affiliation with the Dark Guild, they also understood the burden of guilt she bore for Grimoire Heart's many heinous acts. Though surely this particular act was before she was born and had nothing to do with her personally, it served as a bitter reminder of the Guild's acts in later years which she WAS party to as one of the '7 Kin of Purgatory'. Atrocities for which she assuaged her conscience by her misguided belief (as taught to her by Lord Hades) that they would ultimately shape a better world. A misguided belief which she has since abandoned and now lives each day with the shame of her former guild's atrocities in penance for her crimes.