The Great Ghost Race: Start??

[highseasmods]

[The morning of the race is cloudy and oppressive with a muggy heat, but there’s a general cheer and anticipatory air, though everyone seems to be looking over their shoulders for someone or something. In any case, whether you are spectating or participating, the race starts off much as it did last year.

Except the announcer this year sounds a little more apprehensive? Perhaps it has something to do with the Naval Ships threaded among the participants, or some number of the crews looking dead-eyed, wearing faintly pulsing shards and staring upward at the peak of the rushing water.

This is the 111th Annual Great Ghost Race! Now, participants!]

GET YE GONE!

Comments

The Intruder

[highseasmods]

[The sails snap open and the ships race forward. Davy Jones appears as he normally does, standing and laughing above the peak, but there is someone else at the peak, too. Someone not altogether familiar, though her voice might be as she chants something that sounds almost magically amplified since you can hear it loud and clear. The words are unfamiliar, though, and it almost sounds like singing. Even Jones himself seems to be perplexed.

An even more familiar voice shouts:]

DAMN YOU, CAT!

[But it’s too late. The woman raises her hand and the shards flash. If you’re holding a shard, any shard, you’ll start to feel like you’re being drained of energy and fast. Hold onto it too long and you’ll drop dead like the others who refuse (or can’t) let go. The red seems to pulse at the center of Jones’ chest, too as a red mist coalesces around him and there is a roaring of great wind. Hold on to something or you might find yourself sucked up and in and who knows what may happen if you end up too close to that red cloud.

If either death or cloud claim you, it will not end so favorably.

Fleeing might also be a problem, as panicked people and ships try to flee in all directions and the Navy begin firing. They don't seem to be aiming at you, but that won't help you if you're in the way.]

The Problem

[highseasmods]

[As it fades, though, Jones still remains, as large as ever but he seems more present somehow. As if something has changed him from his ghostly state into something near fleshy that can actually impact the world. As if he’s become undead.

You can clearly hear Cat’s voice above the wind saying:]

Now you are under my control! Nothing will stand in my way!

[But after a moment of surprise, Jones just grins at her, plucks her from the rock where she stands and— ...Well. It’s best to look away. You won’t be able to forget her scream as it is. His laugh is loud and long as blood drips from his hands and the seas start boiling, turning red as ghost ships and zombies rise.

Jones looks down with eyes blazing red in the pits and then says in a booming voice:]

I'LL SHOW YE THE TRUE MASTER OF THESE SEAS!

[Will you flee or try to fight? Or just hope to avoid being crushed by the rush of ships attempting to escape? Whatever you do, be careful not to fall in the water, as those that do seem to come out of it somewhat possessed and more than a little angry.

This, however, will wear off...

In a few days.]

SPADES

[om_nom_namur]

[It's like the year before, alright. Namur stands on the prow as they move into position as participants in the race. It's just him this time, no Ace at his back, and he feels his brother's absence like a cold chill where there should have been warmth. It's fine, he'll just have to let his haki burn that much brighter. He lets it build, the feeling of dread, the feeling of inferiority, the absolute knowledge that any attempt to move against this ship or its crew will be met with certain failure. Other ships begin pulling back, giving the Sun a wide berth. Namur laughs at them, his spirit beginning to soar as he builds himself up. He feels warmth begin to creep in where the chill was and stands up straighter because of it. The air nearly crackles around him, even as Cat exults in her victory and finds herself the first true casualty of the races. Jones's baleful glare only strengthens Namur's resolve and he sends his Will careening outward as he yells in defiance, teeth snapping.] LIKE HELL Y' ARE MAGGOTBREATH!

[doomkitty]

[well Venour had been wanting to speak to Jones and this seemed like his chance, so he took off from the ship and started to fly towards the ghostly figure, staying low]

[however when Cat started to chant her spells and things began to get turbulent as Venour got closer, he seemed to change his mind... There was some power struggle going on here, and Jones seemed a little bigger, more powerful and less likely to actually be a rational entity than Venour had initially thought....]

[he attempted to turn around and fly back, but by then it was too late...the powerful winds were sucking everything that wasn't nailed down towards the red mist surrounding Jones. Ven hadn't been super close when it started, but perhaps close enough... He was a powerful flier but wouldn't be able to resist such winds for long. Would he get sucked into the red mist before the wind stopped?]

[yep]

[om_nom_namur]

[Holy shit that new guy's an idiot.

That's really all Namur has time to think before he has to relinquish his spot at the front of the ship in order to see to the sails and hopefully keep them from getting too shredded in a volley of cannonballs. There's not a lot of room to maneuver, but maybe they can pull around behind Jones for a pickup. Leanne's wings aren't strong enough to keep her safe, and hell knows what Marco's going to do, so that's the best Namur's got. Be safe, dumbass, and don't die in the next couple of minutes!]

[doomkitty]

[he was just trying to help....himself, pfff]

[soon after the exchange between Jones and Cat though; it was evident the wind had died down and the red mists were starting to settle. Venour had been strong and maneuverable enough to at least grab a rock and cling to it for dear life to avoid being pulled right into Jones' reach, but breathing in that most may have not been a good thing...]

[a few moments later he came flying back towards the ship, so far looking no worse for wear....but is it just your imagination or does he look really pissed off?]

[om_nom_namur]

[Does he ever not look really pissed off? >.>]

Oh good, yer back! Get yer ass down here an' keep that line taut!

[Namur motions to one of the ropes which has obviously come loose in the storm. It takes the whole crew to sail the ship in a storm and Namur isn't one to take excuses when it comes to keeping everyone afloat.]

[letteropener]

[Celestia told you so.]

[Still, at this moment, the Princess of the Day calculates her actions carefully, weighing probabilities and considerations. With her powers circumscribed here, she doesn't believe she can actually muster the strength to defeat their foe. On the other hoof, she does believe her powers are antithetical to his, which might provide the boost she needs to succeed.]

[In the end, the Straw Hat Pirate really only has one option.]

[Light, a thunderous column of it, cracks over the sea and the peak, the full force of Celestia's might hurled at Jones with all the delicacy of a hammer.]

[yourotherleft]

[Now that? That is an amazing sight. Zoro has no idea if it's going to make a dent in Davy Jones, but he can hope. He's standing on deck just behind her, swords out, ready to roll, but how the hell do you even roll against something like that?

Of course, if Jones can be hit...Luffy's going to try to hit him. Zoro has already put himself on alert to fish certain hammers out of the water.]

This is not good.

[understatement]

[thetruehistorian]

[Robin is quiet, at war within her own mind as Cat makes her move and meets her grisly end. At least she's got enough focus to hang on, and help others remain anchored as well.]

He can crush any of us just as easily as he crushed Cat!

[The words seem like they ought to be a declaration of despair, but instead Robin seems elated. She makes her way to the front of the ship, watching for signs of Celestia's attack having any effect. If he can crush, he can be crushed. She mutters under her breath, watching Celestia's attack hurtle toward their forsaken "benefactor".]

Come on, come on, come on.

[chasing_waterfalls]

[He must have blacked out briefly because he has no memory of how he'd gotten on the floor. Still, he can remember what happened, and his chest hurts at the thought of what had happened to Cat. She wasn't....she couldn't...

Breath hitching, Lyrik slowly begins to become aware of the others of his crew. Already they've leapt into action, even though at a glimpse, the battle looks hopeless. Hauling himself to his feet, the young water dragon can only stare in horror at the waters that have become angry and a disturbing shade of red. It makes him feel sick to his stomach for how wrong it looks, and his legs threaten to give again.

No, no no no, this isn't happening...!

But it is, and he can't help but feel completely helpless as he lifts his head looking on at the monstrous Undead and his slowly amassing army.]

[yourotherleft]

[Zoro looks back when he can hear Lyrik moving again. Kid fainted, huh?]

Looks like it's time to see what you can do with that sword of yours.

[or magic, but really, that ocean is looking untamable right about now.]

The Beast

[highseasmods]

[And as if things weren't bad enough...]

[rebellions]

[Following this ominous journal entry, something appears on Port Chance. A huge, terrific monster with eight heads, each letting out a deafening cry.

The Black Beast.

It only has one purpose, and that is to destroy everything in its path. Buildings, ships─ it doesn't matter. Everywhere where there are people, it follows. Smashing them with its claws and fangs. Killing them. Devouring them.

It may very well come after you next.]

open...?

[youhearthebells]

[Since the Hazmats aren't racing this year, the Nightfury is still docked, and good thing too since holy crap what the hell just happened up there on the mountain? Being anywhere near the starting line looks like death and disaster waiting to happen, so Gan Ning is really glad they hung back. They're in the safer (?) zone for now.

Except not.

That sky-rending roar behind him makes him turn around, and if he'd been holding his sword he would have dropped it on the spot.]

What...the hell...

[It's close. Too close. He's standing at the bottom of the ramp leading up to his ship and even that's too far to run, it'll be on them in no time flat. Gan Ning knows it, and so he draws River Master.]

I dunno what that thing is, but I'm goin' after it!

[follow him or don't, crew, but he's going to go make sure there's a chance for someone, anyone, to get away. That's not a beast you run from, you have to take it down.]

[crankyshark]

[the Bloody Roses' ship had been docked nearby as well when the giant monster appeared. Thash had been similarly glad they weren't at the starting line, though he'd love to have a crack at Jones if he wasn't so...huge and undead]

[this monster was too close to feel safe from, though. He saw other ships fleeing and his own crew was surely scrambling to get away as well. He could help them, but he knew they could get it going themselves and besides, one overpowering thought was taking over his mind...he had to protect them. There just wasn't any other thing he could do right now]

[so he grabbed his large sword and went to join some other crazy-looking guy that seemed about to attack this beast. He glanced at the guy then watched the monster]

Any idea just where thing thing came from?!

[youhearthebells]

[oh, hey, another armed fellow. Gan Ning's probably seen him before but right now he's not really thinking about that.]

No clue. Dunno if it's with Jones or not. Don't care! I ain't lettin' it get my crew!

[he also has the sickle and chain hooked to his belt, just in case, but right now the broad-bladed scimitar is the way to go. His bells jangle with every step, as he races for the thing without fail. Coming around some buildings, he can see that its feet are on land - it's not a sea beast, after all. Good, easy access!]

Feel like takin' it down with me?

[crankyshark]

Yeah...no way I'm letting it touch my crew either! Let's kick it's tail!

[course, that'd be easier said than done, this thing was huge....Thash had tangled with large sea monsters before but this one being on land made it more difficult for him.]

Somethin' tells me hacking up its toes will only piss it off...maybe we can get it to swallow some explosives!

[he ran alongside this stranger with a familiar face, also getting close enough to see its feet]

[willwork4sugar]

When it rains it pours, huh?

[The thief stands atop the railing of the ship, geared up and ready to go. That eerie red glow's around him again, and in the next moment he's pulled his mask over his face before reaching back for his sword.

With their captain charging off, Gaius leaps down to follow suit. It isn't a matter of defending their ship so much as themselves- that creature's huge and won't be stopped if they just stand there.

He hears a familiar sound as leathery wings take off shortly after he's made his move, and he doesn't need to look to know that Hiccup and Toothless have set out as well.]

[youhearthebells]

Ugh.

[as he runs, before meeting up with other fighters, he points things out to Gaius. People fleeing, dragony heads biting off roofs...]

That's a lotta targets. Maybe we oughta split up and try takin' some of 'em out.

BRIEF CAMEO

[occupational_hazard]

[While this is an 'Oh gods no' moment, Hiccup has been used to the idea that Gan Ning will never turn tail from a fight.

He doesn't exactly follow him on the ground, though. It's more like following from above? With his trusty Night Fury, of course.]

Thinking like a viking, Gan!

HI HICCUP HI

[youhearthebells]

[he hears the cry above and salutes with a raise of his sword]

Go get 'em, guys! Rip some heads off!

[it's no guarantee, but man, take a look at his crew. He loves his crew. Let's just hope they don't all die together here.]

for Hiccup and OPEN

[fastandfuryous]

[Seems like no matter where they go, there's always SOMETHING with lots of teeth that's like a hundred times bigger than them. Taking to the skies almost instantaneously, the Night Fury and his Viking glide around, surveying the area and the large creature that's appeared.

Now how'd something like that get here without anyone finding out?]

ATTACK ATTACK

[occupational_hazard]

Will you look at this? It's like a Zippleback tied to three other Zipplebacks! Except they look a lot meaner...

[When they both hail from a world full of dragons, it's almost inevitable. Hiccup has to laugh a little, cut and dry as always.]

...Heh. I'm getting flashbacks...

[Underneath the sardonic commentary, he is a bit on edge. In fact, he's thinking the same exact thing Toothless is thinking. But considering how determined the beast is to destroy everything, they can't waste any more time.

The viking checks his helmet before shifting positions, lying flat against the Night Fury's back, hands gripping tightly onto the handle of the saddle. Fight mode engaged.]

All right. Keep clear of this thing, bud! Let's find an opening!

[fastandfuryous]

[Toothless glances back, growling in his talk-like way. He snorts something of an affirmative, tilting as he angles closer towards the many-headed thing.]