Enel and his group effortlessly subdued the Shandians. When they arrived back at Angel Island, leading the vast procession of Shandian people, it quickly caused a commotion among the Sky Islanders.
Mont Blanc Cricket witnessed this scene. Seeing Vergo at the head of the group, he instantly understood: Doflamingo had conquered this place. Excitement surged through him – his lifelong dream might finally be within reach.
"Brother Vergo! It's me!" Cricket hurried towards the group, calling out eagerly to the man leading them.
"Insolence! How dare you address Lord Vergo like that!" one of the Divine Soldiers immediately moved to block Cricket, preventing him from getting any closer.
"It's alright. I know him," Vergo waved his subordinate away, his tone as flat as ever. "It's been a while, Mr. Cricket."
"I never expected... so it was you who took Angel Island! Is there any chance I could see Mr. Doflamingo?" Cricket asked, his voice filled with hope.
"You can come with us," Vergo replied with his usual curtness.
"Thank you so much!" Cricket said gratefully.
Only then did Cricket notice the Shandian Chief and his people trailing behind. "Chief," he asked curiously, "what is all this?"
"It's nothing," the Chief replied, his voice heavy with meaning. "Simply the way of the world: the winner takes all. I didn't realize you knew these people."
"Don't worry, Chief! Mr. Doflamingo is a good person. You'll be alright," Cricket said confidently. And in a sense, Doflamingo was a good person – if you obeyed, everyone benefited. If you didn't... well, that was another story entirely.
The Chief offered no further reply, simply following the large group towards God's Island to meet the new God.
Soon, the entire procession arrived at the Shrine. They had come to pay respects to the new God – Doflamingo.
The throne high above was empty. Those who had come to offer fealty saw no sign of their supposed God. Instead, the Shandians curiously observed their surroundings – the Shrine, this land, all of which was once theirs. This was their ancestral homeland.
Bzzzt... Bzzzt...
The crackling sound instantly drew everyone's attention. A mass of blue-white lightning began to coalesce upon the throne, gradually taking human form, revealing Doflamingo's figure.
This display was certainly eye-opening for the Shandians. The 'God' before them was surprisingly young – a blond man with sunglasses, wearing a white shirt open to reveal his chest, and flashy capri pants. They had expected the new God to be at least middle-aged.
"What's wrong? Surprised I'm so young?" Doflamingo read the astonishment in their eyes and spoke first.
"Respected God, we didn't expect you to be... so youthful," the Chief replied humbly.
"Fuffuffuffu. You must be the Shandian Chief. Well done. You showed considerable courage," Doflamingo offered praise freely.
"You are too kind, respected God," the Chief answered politely.
"I am aware of the four-hundred-year feud between your people and Angel Island," Doflamingo continued. "However, enmity is best resolved, not perpetuated. No matter how deep the hatred, it's time to let it go. I grant you Shandians the same rights as the people of Angel Island. You may live here as well."
Doflamingo's decision stunned everyone present.
"Th-this... God, are you serious?" The Chief felt overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events, finding it hard to believe.
"Of course. My word is law here. Isn't that right, Gan Fall?" Doflamingo asserted his absolute authority, the power of life and death held casually in his hands.
"We humbly obey God's command," Gan Fall replied, surprisingly calm. There was no trace of resistance. "We are willing to put aside four hundred years of hatred and reconcile with the Shandian people." The other Priests echoed his sentiment, daring not show any disrespect. Their former master was gone; they held no sway now.
"We humbly obey God's command!"
Hearing Gan Fall and the others agree to reconcile, the Chief felt a weight lift from his shoulders. After all, the four centuries of conflict had always been about this land. Since the new God was allowing them to live here, they would accept this boon gratefully and not push their luck.
"Mr. Cricket. It's been some time," Doflamingo turned his attention from the Chief.
"Yes, Mr. Doflamingo, it has! I was wondering... about... that..." Cricket looked at Doflamingo, his voice tight with nervousness and anticipation.
"Follow me. The City of Gold and the Light of Shandora you've all been searching for are right here," Doflamingo declared without preamble, immediately leading the assembly towards their sacred goal.
Following Doflamingo, they soon arrived before the massive beanstalk, Giant Jack. Doflamingo couldn't help but marvel at the incredible power of nature. Such a colossal vine could surely only exist in this world!
Four hundred years ago, when Shandora was thrust into the sky, it was pierced by this Giant Jack. The city's symbol – the Golden Bell – had been carried up with it, ending up hidden in the clouds near the very top of the vine. For nearly four centuries, no one had been able to reach the clouds above God's Shrine where it lay hidden, perpetuating the long war.
Everyone had been waiting, waiting for the moment the bell's chime would sound again.
"Magnificent!" Doflamingo breathed, standing before the Golden Belfry. He couldn't help but offer genuine admiration. "This is truly the pinnacle of artistry!"
"Th-this... Is this the Light of Shandora?" Tears streamed down the Shandian Chief's face. "The final cry of the Great Warrior Kalgara before his death! We did it, Kalgara! You can rest easy now!"
The other Shandian warriors were overcome as well. Men who had endured the harshest battles and most grievous wounds without showing weakness now wept openly, their cries echoing around the belfry.
"My ancestor, Noland... I've finally seen it... everything you spoke of!" Cricket sobbed uncontrollably, overjoyed to have finally cleared his ancestor's name. "You were the greatest explorer! You weren't a liar!"
Doflamingo observed Cricket and the Shandians behind him, their faces awash with tears and excitement. They knelt devoutly before the Golden Bell. Even Gan Fall and his men seemed awestruck by the sight.
While the others were still lost in their wonder and joy, Doflamingo's sharp eyes noticed an ancient stone monument at the base of the belfry – a Poneglyph. Inscribed upon it were profound, difficult-to-decipher characters: the forbidden Ancient Script, suppressed by the World Government.
Doflamingo couldn't read the script, nor did he have any particular interest in the True History it contained. However, that didn't mean the Poneglyph was without value. This piece of history might become a useful bargaining chip later, Doflamingo mused, something to leverage for my own benefit.
He quickly shifted his gaze away, his attention caught by a different set of characters carved near the golden base, clearly distinct from the Ancient Script. This wasn't ancient text, but the common script used across the seas.
"I have come here and will lead this message to the end of the world – Pirate Gol D. Roger!"
Doflamingo read the words aloud, his voice cutting through the emotional reverence.
His words drew everyone's attention.
"Doffy... the Pirate King, Roger, was here?" Vergo asked, incredulous.
"The world is a vast place, Vergo," Doflamingo replied cryptically.
He then raised his right hand, transforming his index finger into crackling lightning. Beside Roger's inscription, he began to carve his own message:
"The world is fascinating because of me --- Pirate Donquixote Doflamingo."
This casual display of power left the Shandians gaping in wonder. How could a person do that?
"Go on. Light it up. Ring the bell!" Doflamingo declared, playing the part of the master dream-fulfiller. How could he let them miss this chance?
"Thank you, God! For your benevolence, the Shandian people will be eternally grateful!" The Chief led his people in another deep, respectful bow towards Doflamingo.
"Brother Cricket, let's do it together," the Chief invited.
"Me? Can I?" Cricket stammered, overcome with emotion.
"Of course. You are forever our brother," the Chief stated firmly.
Together, they approached the base of the Golden Belfry. Gazing up at the massive Golden Bell, both men trembled with excitement. Gripping the large striking log together, they swung it with all their might.
DONG~ DONG~ DONG!
A clear, profound chime echoed outwards. It spread first across God's Island, the Hidden Village, and Angel Island. Then, it reached even the distant sky island of Birka. Finally, the sound resonated down to the vast Blue Sea below and drifted further up into the endless sky above!
This was the sound that declared the end of the war. This was the chime of a promise fulfilled, ringing out once more after four hundred years!
The City of Gold was real! And for four centuries, it had existed here, hidden in the vast expanse of the sky!!
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