Meanwhile, in the north, inside Lexie, Honey, Vivi and Ben were driving forward. "Captain, we are approaching the palace," Honey said.
"Yes, I can see that," Ben replied. He looked to see that the northern entrance to the palace was a fortress of heavy iron and stone. There were large gates and chains.
Lexie roared as her treads chewed up the dirt road. "What shall we do Captain?" Vivi asked as she aimed the turret at the gate. She saw a group of guards adding more chains. "They're trying to lock the secondary gate," she added.
"Destroy the gate," Ben ordered. He thought they could go straight ahead. He was not storming Enies Lobby where they needed everyone together. He thought they had gotten stronger.
"Yes Captain," Vivi replied. She aimed the gun and fired the laser cannon. The beam travelled through the air and struck the gate's central hinge. The metal groaned and buckled, and then exploded.
"That was a direct hit," Honey confirmed as she saw smoke rising from the gate.
"Keep going," Ben ordered.
Honey nodded and put her foot forward. Lexie surged forward and plowed through the wreckage without slowing down. The armored hull crushed the remaining guards.
"There are not a lot of people here," Ben noted. "They must have scattered around as we attacked them from different directions," he added.
"You came up with a great plan Captain," Honey remarked as she steered Lexie straight through the grand hallway.
Lexie smashed through the double doors of the throne room. Dust and splinters rained down as the tank skidded to a halt on the velvet carpets.
Lytton, standing atop the royal dais with his massive Nailpaddle in hand. "What is the meaning of this?" he questioned.
Beside him, Cello looked on in shock. "What is going on?" he questioned as he was tied up.
The tank hatch hissed open. Ben stepped out. His dark wings unfurled. His red eyes looked around.
"Vivi, Honey, I will go after Lytton," Ben remarked.
"You got it, Captain," Honey said as she sat inside Lexie.
"Please save King Cello," Vivi said. "I don't think he is a bad person," she added.
Ben smiled. He thought Vivi had a good heart. "Sure," Ben replied as few towards Lytton.
Vivi looked at the pirate in front of her. "Neo Beam,"Vivi said as the sword glowed dark purple. A dark purple projection was fired and hit the ground. There was a massive explosion as pirates were sent flying back.
Ben flew over to Lytton and descended onto the platform. He looked at Lytton.
Lytton looked at the man with red eyes, a tail and black wings. "So you must be Demon King Ben," Lytton said. "The crew which has 3 Life Gems," he added.
"I am here to offer you a deal," Lytton said with a twisted smile.
"A deal?" Ben asked. He looked at Lytton and thought he looked slimy.
"You have 3 Life Gems," Lytton replied. "You can give them to me, and I will pay you handsomely," he added. "You can join me and I will make you rich," he said.
Ben smiled. "I have plenty of treasure," Ben replied. "Besides, I know you are planning to betray Apoo," he said.
Lytton looked at him. His facial expression changed. "You are a smart one," Lytton remarked as he held his massive Nailpaddle.
"I had sent Helsing after your crew and I have not heard back from her," Lytton said. "What did you do to her?" he questioned.
Ben just smiled.
"You monster," Lytton said as his muscles bulged. He swung the massive Nailpaddle. "Paddle Spoon," he said as he slammed the weapon into the floor and dug up a massive chunk of the marble foundation. He threw it at Ben.
Ben saw it coming and flew to the right and dodged the attack.
Lytton leaped after him. "Paddle Spear." he added as he thrusted the sharp edge of the paddle forward. He tried to impale Ben in mid-flight.
"Demon Fist," Ben said as he channelled his energy into his fist. He swung his fist and punched the weapon mid-air. There was a small shockwave as they both collided.
Lytton felt the shock from the attack vibrate on his arm. He pulled back.
Ben's hands glowed with dark, abyssal energy. "Demon Abyssal Chains," Ben said as black, ethereal chains erupted from his palms and wrapped around Lytton's arms and the Nailpaddle. He had jerked him to a halt mid-air.
"What are you?" Lytton questioned.
With his other hand, he formed a spear-shaped projection of dark energy. "Demon Abyssal Lance," Ben said as he hurled it at high speed towards Lytton who was held mid-air. It hit Lytton at point-blank range. The explosion rocked the room and Lytton spat blood as he flew back and crashed to the ground.
Lytton got up. He panted as there was blood leaking from his wound. Then, he charged through the smoke. "Paddle Nail," Lytton said as he swung the paddle down with bone-crushing force.
Ben saw him coming. "Demon Inferno Kick," Ben said as he spun on leg and channeled his energy into leg and kick and released black fire. He swung his leg and kicked the paddle. There was another clash. The black flames started to melt the Nailpaddle..
Lytton quickly jumped back and landed on the ground once again. He looked up at Ben and panted.
"Why are you against me?" Lytton questioned.
"I am here to save Cello," Ben replied as he looked at the King who tied up.
"Why?" Lytton asked.
"Someone precious told me to," Ben responded. "And I promised her," he added.
Lytton looked stunned. He thought what a foolish reason.
"Demon Inferno Fire," Ben said as he unleashed a torrent of black flames that resembled a high-pressure flamethrower.
Lytton quickly used the flat of his Nailpaddle as a shield. It blocked the flames however the black fire licked around the edges and seared his skin.
"Demon's Inferno Fist," Ben dived from the ceiling as his hand wreathed in roaring black flames. He swung his fist and punched forward. The impact met Lytton's Nailpaddle with a sound like a cannon blast.
Lytton tried to hold him back. However he could see the Nailpaddle starting to form cracks. He jumped back immediately.
Ben then swung his other fist and punched his face.
Lytton got hit in the face. He could feel his nose break as he was sent backwards and crashed into a pillar. He slumped down as he spat blood. His nose was bleeding. He got up and slammed the base of his Nailpaddle into the floor. His bloodshot eyes were filled with rage.
You will not defeat me," Lytton roared. "I will take all of your Life Gems," he added "Paddle Strike," Lytton said as he swung his Nailpaddle in a low, violent circle and struck the floor with such force that the stone tiles fractured and erupted into spear-like shards that shot toward Ben from the ground.
Ben didn't even flinch. "Demon Slash," Ben said as he swiped his hand through the air and sent out a dark energy claw-projectile. It pulverised the stone spikes into dust before they could reach him.
"I have always wondered why you are doing this?" Ben questioned.
"Why?" Lytton bellowed. "For the money and power of course," Lytton added. "When the 5 Life Gems are together, they will create the most delicious food flavoring," he said.
"Yes and that will save our Kingdom," Cello shouted. "Our people's lives will improve," he said.
I cannot see the people's life wither in poverty," Cello said. "The Life Gems will create the food which everyone will like," Cello said. "A long time ago, they came and created the Life Gems for all to enjoy," he said. "They had exported it and brought in money. We will use that money for the hospitals, the schools, the starving families in the lower districts," he said. If this flavoring is what it takes to bring our economy back from the brink and make every citizen rich enough to never fear hunger again, then I will gladly bear the sin of it," he added.
Ben thought Vivi was right. He did care for his people.
"Shut it old man," Lytton said. He then looked to Ben as he spun his weapon over his head. "Paddle Cyclone," he said as the sheer speed of the Nailpaddle created a localized vacuum and pulled Ben toward Lytton.
Ben narrowed his eyes. "Demon Abyssal Whip," he said as he lashed out with a long whip made of black energy. He whipped it forward and caught the weapon. The whip coiled around the Nailpaddle mid-swing. He jerked the rotation to a dead stop.
Lytton smiled. Paddle Piston," Lytton said as he lunged, the weapon downward to force Ben downwards.
Ben came downwards. However he flew forward. "Demon Inferno Kick," Ben said as he spun mid air and ignited his leg with roaring black charcoal flames. He went forward and avoided the Nailpaddle and delivered a devastating roundhouse to Lytton's ribs.
The sound of snapping bone was unmistakable. Lytton was sent spiraling across the room and crashed directly into his own throne.
"I... I am the King of this island," Lytton gasped as he was bleeding from his mouth. He was a bloody mess.
"Demon Abyssal Big Missile," Ben said as he created a missile like projectile using his dark energy. He looked at Lytton sitting on his chair and fired it at him. The black missile went towards Lytton and hit him. It exploded upon detonation and shattered the throne. He could see the silhouette of a body.
Ben turned his attention to the window.