One Piece: Admiral 'Eclipse'

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"You're not like any marine I've ever met... but that doesn't mean I trust you. People with power always have a price, and I'm not about to pay it."

— Nami, after meeting Kaelen for the first time.

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| 1522 / Early February, the next day - Marineford / Near Port - With Kaelen D. Morvayne:

Marineford was alive with the hum of disciplined chaos, as marines scurried across the stone pathways like ants, loading supplies onto ships and calling out orders to one another, their voices mingling with the steady crash of waves against the port's pylons.

The golden morning light gleamed off the towering fortresses behind them, casting long shadows over the organized bustle of the grand naval base.

Kaelen, cadually standing at the height of two and a half meters tall, strode through the activity with a commanding presence, his white, gold and silver cloak billowing slightly in the sea breeze. The black colored word 'Justice' boldly written on it, screaming authority and power everywhere he went.

Many marines stopped to salute him, their postures snapping to attention, faces reflecting a mix of respect and wariness,— as Kaelen's reputation preceded him, and the recently given title of "Eclipse Lord" was no mere ceremonial honor. (A/N: Later on, he will be called 'Eclipse Admiral', hence the title of the fancic.)

By his side walked Sabo,— his second in command,— and while not quite as tall as Kaelen, he was and his still a commanding presence amongst the 'normal' marines.

Clad in a crisp Marine uniform that starkly contrasted with his trademark air of quiet curiosity and his gently swaying blonde hair, he remained silent, keeping pace with Kaelen.

Kaelen's sharp violet eyes scanned the port as well, taking in every detail with the precision of a predator. His warship stood out even among the many vessels anchored there,— a sleek, ominous craft with reinforced steel plating and golden accents along its hull, a testament to both power and craftsmanship. The flag of the Marines waved proudly from its mast, but it was the ship's menacing aura that turned heads.

"Vice-Admiral Morvayne's setting out." one marine whispered to another as Kaelen passed by, his words laced with awe and relief,— because as much as his presence was inspiring, very few envied those who had to stand in his way.

For they all knew who Kaelen was, and what he was capable of.

Sabo however, finally broke the current silence, his tone light but thoughtful. "The crew is already aboard, Sir. I confirmed that our supplies were well secured, and we'll be ready to set sail as soon as you give the order."

Kaelen glanced at him, a faint smirk curling his lips. "Good, I like efficiency. So let's not waste any more time lingering here, we have work to do." And Sabo nodded at him a second after, as both of them reached the gangplank of Kaelen's warship, the assembled crew immediately snapping to attention.

Kaelen's gaze swept over them, measuring each face with an intensity that made even seasoned marines shift under his scrutiny.

"Men!" he began, his voice carrying effortlessly over the din of the port. "Today, we set out to enforce the justice this world so often lacks. So you would do well to remember that the strength of this crew lies not in the ship we sail or the weapons we wield, but in our unity and resolve." A few seconds passed as he delivered then his final words. "Disappoint me, and you'll wish the sea itself had swallowed you whole."

The crew saluted in unison, their voices echoing back, serious and loyal. "Yes, Vice-Admiral!" With a satisfied nod, Kaelen stepped aboard the warship, Sabo following closely behind.

The deck was pristine, every rope and cannon perfectly aligned,— a reflection of Kaelen's demand for excellence.

He then took his place at the helm, gripping the railing as he turned to face the horizon with a quiet presence. "Set sail." he commanded, his voice firm but not cold.

The ship's engines roared to life, and the marine crew moved like clockwork, hoisting the sails and releasing the mooring lines.

The warship eased away from the dock, its prow slicing through the blue, clear waves with a silent purpose. Kaelen lingered at the railing, watching as Marineford's imposing silhouette grew smaller in the distance.

And yet, he didn't glance back again, his focus already set on what lay ahead,— a path paved with uncertainty, and opportunity.

Beside him, Sabo leaned on the railing, his expression pensive. "I wonder how Base 16 will try to excuse itself..." he said after a moment, and Kaelen's smirk returned, colder this time. "Excuse themselves as they might, nothing will change their fate,— if they have indeed become as corrupt as we think."

The blond haired, Sabo, nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Then let's hope they are not a dumb bunch, and come out clean, no?"

The warship surged forward, cutting through the waves with unyielding determination.

"Let us hope so." Kaelen replied, his eyes narrowing slightly with concealed distaste at the mention of corruption.

And so, the first adventure of Kaelen and Sabo had just now only begun.

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1 day and a half later...

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"Vice-Admiral!" A marine's sharp voice rang out across the deck, carrying urgency.

Kaelen opened his eyes lazily, the golden glow of the setting sun framing his figure.

Rising from his throne-like chair, he straightened his coat, his movements unhurried but commanding. "What is it?"

The marine stepped forward, a Den Den Mushi clutched tightly in his gloved hand.

His expression was tense, his voice steady.

"Sir, we've just received a distress call from a merchant vessel nearby. They're requesting immediate assistance." Kaelen's gaze flicked to the marine, then to the endless horizon stretching westward. He let out a soft sigh as he began to descend the short steps from his elevated seat, each step deliberate, echoing faintly against the polished wood.

"How far?" The marine turned and gestured west, the horizon barely touched by the fading light. "Roughly three hours at full speed, Sir. Coordinates have been logged."

Before Kaelen could respond, Sabo, who had been leaning casually against the railing with a faint air of disinterest, straightened.

"Are we going to assist, Sir?" Kaelen glanced at his second-in-command, his expression unreadable. His voice, however, was resolute. "We're marines, Sabo. Of course, we will. Set course for the coordinates, with haste."

The marine snapped to attention, saluting crisply. "Yes, Vice-Admiral!" He spun on his heel and barked orders to the helmsman.

As the crew sprang into action, Sabo's voice broke the brief silence that followed, his tone held a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "A merchant vessel in distress out here? Pirates, maybe?" Kaelen tilted his head, his eyes narrowing at the darkening sky, painted in hues of amber and crimson. "Likely a pirate attack,— perhaps a shipwreck. Either way, it's our duty to intervene." He clasped his hands behind his back, his gaze distant as the ship's pace quickened.

Sabo fell into step beside him as they approached the ship's railing. "This will take us off course, then?"

Kaelen shrugged lightly, his nonchalance masking the calculation in his tone. "A minor detour. Once we're done, we'll stop by the Baratie to replenish supplies, it's on the way, and the men could use a proper meal."

Sabo smirked faintly, the corners of his lips quirking upward. "A chance to sample that floating restaurant everyone's been talking about?" Kaelen's lips tugged into the ghost of a smile. "Call it a strategic decision."

Sabo chuckled, the sound low and fleeting.

"I'll inform the men and ensure we're ready."

He turned, his coat trailing behind him as he moved with purpose. Kaelen resumed his place at the center of the deck, the breeze tugging gently at his hair and coat. With eyes closed, he leaned back into his chair, a picture of calculated ease. "Do what you must, Sabo."

From a short distance away, Sabo glanced back briefly, a subtle smile playing on his lips as the ship cut swiftly through the waves.

"Aye, Sir."

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Three hours passed in an instant as Vice-Admiral Kaelen D. Morvayne's warship closed in on the coordinates of the distress signal.

The tension aboard was palpable, the marines alert and ready, when finally, a sharp voice broke the anticipation.

"Vice-Admiral! We've spotted something!" A marine monitoring the horizon turned toward Kaelen, his tone serious and urgent as ever.

Kaelen adjusted his pristine 'Justice' coat as he stepped toward the railing. "Report." he commanded, his voice calm yet authoritative

The marine saluted sharply. "Two ships ahead, Sir. One flies a pirate flag, and the other matches the merchant ship's description. The latter appears to be the source of the distress call we received."

Kaelen's golden eyes narrowed as he considered the situation. Then, turning to face his crew, he barked his orders, "Men, you know what to do! Let's remind these scum what justice looks like!" A resounding cheer erupted from the marines. "Yes, Vice-Admiral!"

Satisfied, Kaelen nodded and addressed Sabo, his second-in-command. "Full speed ahead! Prepare for engagement." And as the warship surged forward, the cries from the merchant ship became audible-pleas for mercy and the guttural laughter of pirates.

The grim reality of the scene caused Sabo's jaw to tighten as he stepped beside Kaelen.

"We're almost in range, Sir. What are your orders?" Kaelen's expression darkened.

"Circle around and position us parallel to the pirate ship,— I want them flanked." Sabo nodded but hesitated as Kaelen took a few measured steps back, testing the deck beneath his boots. "Sir..." Sabo asked cautiously, "What are you planning to do?"

Kaelen smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes as he rolled his neck, eliciting a satisfying crack. "I've been sitting behind my desk for far too long, Sabo. It's time I stretch my legs."

The marines around him exchanged looks of awe and anticipation, their admiration for their Vice-Admiral evident. Sabo, however, frowned. "Vice-Admiral, are you sure-..."

Kaelen however, silenced him with a sharp look. "Once we're alongside their ship, fire the cannons and sink it. Leave no room for any of the pirates to escape." The sudden coldness in Kaelen's tone left Sabo speechless.

He'd seen this side of Kaelen before,— the unyielding enforcer of justice, a man who tolerated no compromise when it came to evil. Yet, it still froze him in his stop.

But before Sabo could even think of a response, Kaelen sprinted to the edge of the deck and leaped into the air, the sheer force of his jump rocking the warship side to side.

The marines erupted into action then, executing their Vice-Admiral's orders with precision.

Onboard the merchant ship though, chaos reigned. Pirates indulged in depravity, their brutality unchecked.

Women screamed in agony as they were abused, their cries piercing the evening, while the few remaining men were beaten, bloodied, and bound,— roaring in futile rage.

It was then, that a thunderous impact shook the deck as Kaelen landed amidst the carnage.

His 'Justice' coat flaring dramatically in the wind as the ship trembled under his arrival.

All activity ceased as every eye turned to the imposing figure now standing at the heart of the chaos. "Who?" a teenage boy muttered, his voice choked with desperation.

A pirate stood on his back, pinning him down as he made the boy watch his mother being r*ped by two pirates mere feet away. The pirates in question, who were holding and abusing the woman froze, confusion overtaking their drunken glee.

Fortunatly for the world, and unfortunetly for them, they would not live long enough to regret their hesitation, as Kaelen moved like lightning. "Fly." he muttered, and in an instant, both pirates were hurled into the ocean, their ribcages shattered by his fists.

Blood sprayed into the air as their bodies disappeared beneath the waves, and the remaining pirates and captives stared in stunned silence.

Kaelen straightened to his full height then, brushing off his pristine white suit as though removing a speck of dust. His voice, cold and cutting, broke the silence. "Two animals down. Forty-three to go."

At the other end of the ship, the pirate captain emerged from below deck, a severed head, from the merchant ship's Captain, dangling from his hand. Blood dripped onto the wooden planks as he glared at his subordinate, who was by now trembling in fear.

"What is it now?" the captain barked, his voice dripping with irritation, and the subordinate stammered, his voice barely audible. "T-The marines... They're here."

Before the captain could process the words, a small boy, the son of the ship's captain, darted past him, sprinting toward Kaelen with tears streaming down his face.

How the boy had hid from the pirates was a question none could answer, but his tears and shouts were now heard by everyone.

"Please help my sister!" he cried, clutching a battered Den Den Mushi in his trembling hand. "They killed my father, and did bad things to my sister... She is hurt, please help her!"

Kaelen expression darkened, as he knelt to meet the boy's eyes. Fortunetly, no pirate was able to process what had just happened, and so the boy got safely to Kaelen's side.

"You were the one that sent the distress call?" Kaelen asked him, his voice still cold, and yet tinged with warmth for this little, corageous boy.

The boy in question nodded his head, his lips quivering. "She's... inside. Please, Sir, help her." And Kaelen's jaw tightened even further. "I will. Please rest now,— knowing that your sister will be alright. Can you do that for her?" The boy nodded meekly, before collapsing from exhaustion.

Fortunetly, Sabo landed right beside him then, catching the young boy before he hit the wooden deck. Peace didn't last long, as the pirate captain snarled in response right afterward, drawing his gun as he barked at Kaelen.

"W-What is a Marine of your stature doing here?!" the pirate captain stammered, his voice a mix of fear and defiance. Kaelen didn't flinch, his piercing gaze locking onto the man like a predator sizing up its prey.

When he spoke, his voice was cold and resolute, carrying the weight of unshakable authority. "You would question why a man of justice stands before you? Your very existence is an affront to the seas we sail,— I am here to simply cleanse this world of your wretched filth." The pirates hesitated at that, a primal fear overtaking them as Kaelen's conqueror's Haki surged.

Waves of invisible force swept across the deck, knocking dozens of pirates unconscious where they stood, while their captain stumbled, clutching the rail for support.

With ruthless efficiency, Kaelen's marines boarded the ship quickly, their elite training evident as they swept through the remaining pirates with ease.

Gunfire and screams echoed as one by one, the pirates were killed, and then thrown overboard. And as the chaos subsided, Kaelen turned to Sabo, who approached with a mixture of concern and respect. "Vice-Admiral." Sabo began, his tone firm yet questioning, "Why did you act alone...?"

Kaelen merely raised an eyebrow at him.

"Are you questioning my decision, Commander?" He asked, unsurprised. "Yes, Sir!" Sabo admitted without hesitation. "We could have handled this together."

Kaelen's lips curled into a faint smirk, humour present on his gaze. "Perhaps,— but justice waits for no man. Besides, I was bored of my mind..." Sabo sighed but didn't press further, as he knew Kaelen's resolve was unshakable.

And together, they looked out over the sea, where the pirate ship had sunk beneath the waves,— a fitting end for those who dared prey on the innocent.

Such was the legacy of Kaelen D. Morvayne.

A protector of justice, scourge of evil, and a man whose actions inspired both fear and hope across the seas.

"Well then… shall we call for reinforcements and make our way to the Baratie?" Kaelen suggested, his tone calm but commanding as he surveyed the deck. Around them, marines were already tending to the wounded and combing the ship for any lingering threats.

"That would be nice..." Sabo replied quietly, his voice tinged with unease, a faint frown shadowing his face as the horrific scenes they had encountered earlier replayed in his mind.

And so, they set their course for the Baratie, the marine vessel cutting steadily through the clear, small ocean waves. While unbeknownst to them, the Straw Hats were also en route to the floating restaurant, blissfully unaware of the fateful encounter that awaited them all.

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| One Piece |

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