“You need to leave,” Conis urged, and she took a step back.
“Conis,” Nojiko remarked. Nojiko felt the same. Listening to Ben and hearing about Enel. It reminded how she was under Arlong. She was not going to run away.
“Ben, this is like Arlong,” Nojiko pointed out, her voice carrying a weight of recognition.
Ben considered her words, acknowledging the parallels with the notorious pirate Arlong. Although, in his mind, the current situation seemed to be on a much grander scale.
Vivi nodded solemnly, her thoughts drifting to the perilous times when her country faced the threat of an evil pirate's takeover. The memory of that dark chapter lingered, and she couldn't help but express gratitude for Ben and the crew who had played a pivotal role in preventing the loss of everything they held dear.
“Arlong?” Conis inquired, her curiosity evident in her tone.
“He was a fishman who was a dictator and ruled over Nojiko and Nami's hometown. He would kill people for fun, exploit others, and use fear as a tactic,” Kaya explained.
“But we took them down,” Ben interjected with determination.
Her skin got pale. “Conis, remember what we said, we are not afraid,” Ben stated.
Ben approached her and put his hand on her shoulder. “We trust you,” Ben said.
Conis looked at Ben, she thought those words mean something. They were not empty. She could not let them suffer the same fate. Tears came down her face. “I can't do it,” Conis said. Pagaya looked at his daughter with concern,
McKinley got up. He looked badly beaten. However, he looked nervous. He had a drop of sweat from his forehead.
“Can't do what?” Ben asked. He knew however he wanted her to say it.
“Please,” Conis said in tears.
“Don't say it,” Pagaya urged.
“You would not dare,” McKinley added.
The rest of the girls stayed silent as they witnessed the exchange.
“Say it,” Ben shouted.
“We will be killed if we don't lead you to the sacrificial altar,” Conis uttered, her voice quivering with fear, tears streaming down her cheeks.
McKinley and Pagaya stood frozen, shock etched across their faces. “That is blasphemy against our god,” McKinley declared, his tone a mix of disbelief and outrage.
“My daughter,” Pagaya choked out, his eyes welling up with tears as the weight of the situation pressed down upon him.
Conis, overwhelmed by the dire predicament she found herself in, continued to weep. Ben pulled her into a protective hug. “You took a risk against your life to tell us; you have a good heart,” Ben whispered,
At that very moment, the sky underwent a transformation, turning into pure white. A radiant blue light, intense and otherworldly, emanated from above. The sudden spectacle drew the attention of the crew, capturing their focus as they witnessed an enigmatic event unfolding.
“What is that?” Zala queried, her eyes wide with curiosity, trying to make sense of the display.
“It is bright,” Marianne remarked, her voice tinged with a mix of awe and wonder.
“It's lightning,” Nojiko explained.
“What?” Mikita exclaimed, a note of disbelief coloring her voice as she struggled to comprehend the extraordinary occurrence.
Sensing an underlying danger, Ben, in the midst of the radiant transformation, issued a commanding directive. “Get back now,” he ordered.
“Yes, my love,” Alvida replied.
“But, Ben and Conis,” Vivi voiced her concern, a hint of worry coloring her expression.
“Now,” Alvida repeated, her tone firm and decisive.
In unison, the crew members nodded and took a step back, creating a safe distance as instructed by Ben and Alvida.
A brilliant blue light beam cascaded from the sky, homing in on Ben. As the transformative process began, his body enveloped in the radiant dark energy, he instinctively used his long, black wings to shield Conis from the beam. The blue beam hit them square on.
A massive aftershock followed, sending shockwaves through the air. The force of it caused the crew, caught off guard, to lose their balance. As they staggered to regain their footing, the atmosphere crackled with tension and anticipation. There was smoke everywhere.
“Ben!” Saphir shouted, her voice carrying a mix of horror and concern. The crew's eyes widened as they watched the aftermath unfold.
“Is everyone okay?” Mikita asked.
“We are,” Kaya said as she got back up on her feet.
As the smoke cleared, they saw Ben and Conis. Ben had a few scratches and bruises on his body. There was some pain circulating his body. The attack did hurt however it was nowhere near as bad as he thought. The ground around them was destroyed. There was a hole however he was okay. It was a gamble he was willing to take.
“Are you okay, Conis?” Ben asked.
“I…” Conis struggled to comprehend the surreal events that had just transpired. She was alive, and the reality of it began to sink in.
“I will protect you,” Ben declared with unwavering resolve, his words carrying a sense of assurance that resonated with Conis's heart.
His fearless defiance against a god left a profound impact on Conis. She observed him, standing tall and unyielding, seemingly unaffected by the divine forces he challenged. There was no fear in his eyes, and Conis felt her heart respond to the courage emanating from him, her own heartbeat echoing the rhythm of this extraordinary moment.
“Will you join my crew?” Ben asked, his gaze steady and sincere.
Conis, locked in a gaze with Ben, found herself captivated by the fearlessness reflected in his eyes. The uncertainty that had clouded her thoughts moments ago dissipated, and a sense of trust blossomed within her.
"Yes," Conis replied, her voice carrying newfound determination.
Ben smiled. This was a gamble. He was not sure he could tank the hit. However he knew it was coming. Conis has a good heart. She will risk her life to protect others. She is beautiful as well and Ben wanted a Skypiea or two in his crew. She was the perfect candidate. This action, while seemingly stupid and dangerous, was exactly what he needed to do to win her over.
“Looks like we have grown again,” Mikita said with a smile on her face.
“Time for another girls time,” Alvida said.
“That was dangerous,” Zala voiced, her concern apparent in her tone.
“It was reckless for sure,” Robin added, her pragmatic outlook contributing to the gravity of the situation. However, she smiled. This was Ben, she thought.
“Kaya, you might want to have a look at Ben,” Nojiko suggested, her attention shifting to the potential aftermath of the daring move.
“I will,” Kaya responded, her focus shifting to Ben's well-being as she prepared to assess the consequences of their recent actions.
Conis, still processing the whirlwind of events, found herself snapping back to reality. She had just agreed to join this crew, and the realization hit her: she didn't truly know who they were or the extent of their capabilities. However, as she observed the camaraderie among the girls and sensed their happiness and contentment, a newfound calm settled within her.
“Conis, I know this was a big decision, but I truly want you. Would you accept a gift from me?” Ben asked.
Conis, puzzled by the unexpected offer, questioned, “Gift?”
“You will lose your ability to swim; however, it will grant you great power,” Ben explained.
“A devil fruit?” Conis asked.
“Yes, I want you to have one,” Ben replied. He smiled.
“Okay, I will take it but my father will be endangered,” Conis said looking worried.
“Don't let this old man slow you down, Conis follow your heart,” Pagaya urged.
Ben whispered into her ear, “We will take Enel down.” Conis knew he meant it. There was something in his words that showed this conviction.
(Sweetie redeem Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Solar Phoenix)
[Redeeming Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Solar Phoenix]
Ben held his hand out. A bright light appeared. As the bright light disappeared, a devil fruit was in his hand. It was red and round.
Pagaya and McKinley alongside his guards saw the devil fruit appear in his hand. They were shocked. This man had large black wings. He had horns and his eyes were red. He looked like a God.
“It is yours,” Ben offered.
Conis nodded, accepting the devil fruit from Ben's outstretched hand. The peculiar fruit felt weighty and mysterious in her palm. With a deep breath, Conis closed her eyes. She brought the devil fruit to her lips and took a bite, only to be met with an unexpectedly unpleasant taste. The bitterness clung to her taste buds.
“This tastes awful,” Conis said.
The girls chuckled. “They all do,” Alvida remarked.
All of a sudden, the tips of her wings were on fire.
“Your wings are on fire,” Ben said.
