A massive clash erupted within Impel Down as countless criminals and jailers fought in brutal close combat. With each passing minute, more released prisoners flooded the corridors, their numbers swelling until the chaos even reached the Third Floor.
"Oh no, it's Magellan!"
"Run, Magellan is coming!"
Panic spread instantly. The criminals who had been charging forward moments ago now turned pale, scrambling backward in desperation.
From behind them descended a colossal, deep purple Poison Dragon. Its fangs gleamed, venom dripping endlessly as it swept through the prison like a living catastrophe. Any criminal caught by its coils screamed in agony before being completely dissolved, leaving not even bones behind.
"Damn it… Magellan is here. Is there really no hope left?"
The sight of the Poison Dragon carving a path of death shattered the last remnants of courage among the rioters. Their earlier madness vanished, replaced by pure terror.
Magellan, the Warden of Impel Down.
Recognized as the strongest presence within the prison, he was a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user of the Poison-Poison Fruit. His towering figure resembled a demon incarnate, horns rising from his head and dark wings extending from his back as venom continuously seeped from his body.
"Zehahaha… looks like trouble's finally here."
Blackbeard and his crew watched as the criminals scattered, their eyes drawn to the approaching Poison Dragon that left destruction in its wake.
"Blackbeard!"
Magellan strode forward, venom dripping with every step as he charged straight toward him. His intent was clear, he would personally drag this instigator to justice.
"Poison Dragon!"
Three massive dragon-shaped torrents of venom burst forth from Magellan's body. Anything they touched would be corroded instantly, leading to a slow and excruciating death.
Whoosh!
A sharp flash of sword light cut through the air. The three Poison Dragons were severed in an instant, their remains crashing to the ground like toxic meteors. Poisonous gas spread throughout the area.
"Shiryu…"
Magellan's expression darkened. He had never expected this man to betray him.
"Zehahaha, Magellan!"
Blackbeard unleashed thick waves of black mist as he laughed loudly. "Someone as strong as you shouldn't rot away in a place like Impel Down. The outside world is your stage. Join us."
"Let this world bow at our feet."
"Blackbeard, you will never leave this place alive."
Magellan showed no hesitation. Ignoring the offer, three more Poison Dragons erupted from his body, roaring as they surged forward to devour everything in their path.
"What a shame."
"Dark Hole."
This time, Blackbeard did not underestimate his opponent. He activated the full power of the Dark-Dark Fruit immediately.
Dense black mist swallowed the surroundings like a raging tide, forming a violent vortex. The previously unstoppable Poison Dragons were dragged into the darkness and erased.
"What?!"
Magellan's face turned pale. His venom had been completely devoured.
"Zehahaha… Magellan, this is the most vicious Devil Fruit in existence. Your Poison-Poison Fruit is terrifying, but against this power, defeat is inevitable."
Blackbeard's laughter echoed through the prison.
Lafitte, Shiryu of the Rain, and the Crescent Moon Hunter did not remain idle. One after another, they launched long-range attacks toward Magellan.
In a dark corner nearby, several figures watched the battle with pounding hearts.
Buggy, Mr. 3 Galdino, Mr. 2 Bon Clay, and Mr. 1 Daz Bones.
A gust of sand formed in the distance as Crocodile appeared briefly. After observing the clash between Magellan and Blackbeard, he turned and rushed toward the Third Floor. Marine reinforcements could arrive at any moment. Staying longer would be foolish.
"That's Mr. 0."
Mr. 1 immediately followed after him.
"Hey, wait!"
Buggy cried out in horror. Passing so close to this battle was insanity. If Magellan noticed them, even a single Poison Dragon would mean instant death.
Meanwhile, on the Second Floor, Vice-Warden Hannyabal led a large force of jailers and Jailer Beasts toward the Third Floor. Impel Down stood on the brink of collapse.
This was his chance.
If he could stabilize the situation, he would finally overthrow Magellan and remove the word "Vice" from his title.
"You'd better hold the Second Floor, or I'll dock all your salaries!"
Hannyabal barked orders while basking in his imagined future as Warden.
Just as he indulged in his delusions, a blazing streak tore through the air with a thunderous sonic boom, slamming violently into the First Floor.
"Mom… Mom…"
The flames faded.
Standing there was Lucien, transformed into Big Mom's form. Towering at nearly nine meters tall, his massive body was draped in a voluminous pink dress. Heavy red lipstick and pale purple eyeshadow contrasted sharply with his calm, amethyst-colored eyes. Napoleon rested at his side, while Prometheus and Zeus hovered above his shoulders, radiating heat and lightning.
The sight was overwhelming.
Behind him, Charlotte Mondor emerged, looking small and frail by comparison. Soon after, Katakuri, Cracker, and the rest of the Sweet Commanders appeared, their presence oppressive.
The jailers who rushed over froze in terror.
"The… the Four Emperors, Big Mom."
"Why is an Emperor here?!"
"Notify Warden Magellan and Vice-Warden Hannyabal, now!"
Katakuri stepped forward, his eyes sharp.
Conqueror's Haki burst outward.
The invisible pressure swept across the area. Jailers and criminals alike collapsed instantly, their eyes rolling back as they lost consciousness.
"Move."
Lucien led the way, heading straight for the elevator toward the Second Floor.
"Vice-Warden, it's bad!"
At the junction between the Second and Third Floors, Hannyabal and the Jailer Beasts struggled to hold back the oncoming tide of prisoners.
"What now? Can't you see I'm busy?"
His dreams of promotion filled his head.
"Vice-Warden, the Four… the Four Emperors Big Mom is coming, with the Sweet Commanders!"
"Just an Emperor… wait, what did you say?!"
Hannyabal's eyes bulged, his voice shrill with disbelief.
"The Four Emperors Big Mom!"
A massive explosion erupted behind them. Prometheus and Zeus surged forward, unleashing flames and lightning that tore through the prison corridor.
"That's Big Mom's homies, Prometheus and Zeus… Why is an Emperor here?!"
"It's over…"
"Contact Magellan and Marineford immediately!"
Cold sweat drenched Hannyabal's face. This was an Emperor, and not alone.
The two sides met moments later.
Lucien looked down at Hannyabal and his subordinates, all of them trembling uncontrollably. The temperature soared as Prometheus burned brighter and Zeus crackled with thunder. Katakuri and the others stood silently, their presence alone suffocating.
Even the usually ferocious Jailer Beasts lay flat on the ground, shaking.
"Is Blackbeard down there?"
Lucien leaned forward slightly, his smile wide and unsettling beneath layers of makeup.
"Big Mom, this is Impel Down. You can't…"
Hannyabal somehow found the courage to protest.
He never finished.
A pillar of fire and lightning crashed down. When the smoke cleared, Hannyabal lay on the ground, scorched and unmoving, the smell of burnt flesh lingering in the air.
"How dare you speak so rudely to Mama."
Prometheus and Zeus crackled with vicious delight.