Chapter 1
The girl in red
Marco flew on in his full phoenix form. He was on a mission for Whitebeard to find out about a large red bird said to be scaring a village that was under his protection. As Marco got closer he could see the villagers running around yelling. He saw a young girl running through the streets with the villagers chasing her. He flew down and landed in front of her in his human form with his arms turned into wings.
As the girl skid to a halt he could that she was wearing a blood red bikini top and orange cargo shorts with a yellow sash through the belt loops. She wore black fingerless gloves with sea stone plating covering the knuckles and a sea stone plate protecting the back of the hands and palms. On her left hip was a light red-hilted katana in a ruby red sheath. On her right hip was a black holster holding a silver pistol with red bird details. Her red hair blew like fire in the wind.
Suddenly the villagers caught up with the girl and stopped behind her. One of the men brought up a rifle and shot the girl in the shoulder. She jerked forward, grabbing her shoulder. She spun around to glare at the villager. Marco was able to see another holster, containing what seemed to hold four metal sticks, hooked onto the back of her shorts. On her back was a big tattoo of a red phoenix in flight, flames reaching up to her shoulders. She turned back around and ran straight at Marco pulling the metal sticks from behind her. She spun the sticks together to form a metal bo-staff. As soon as the staff was complete she veered right just before she got to Marco, heading towards a house. Using her staff she vaulted onto the roof where she began running in the direction of the forest. Watching her leap over the first gap between houses snapped Marco out of his surprise. Jumping onto the roof, he started to chase her. Just as he started to gain ground the girl reached the edge. She launched herself off the edge of the building. Landing in a roll she dashed into the forest. Marco skid to halt, panting, looking into the darkness the girl had disappeared into.
Turning around he headed back to the village. When he got there the mayor came up to him. "Did you get her?" Marco shook his head negative. "Why were all of you chasing her, yoi?" He asked. "She is a demon!" one villager said. "She stole knives from my store!" another said. Marco looked around, thinking. "When did she first show up?" the villagers paused. One shy woman stepped forward. Marco looked at her with an eyebrow raised in expectation. "S-she first showed u-up around the same t-time a-a-as the d-demon bird." She stuttered. Marco thought for a minute. He then sighed, "Look, I have been traveling well over a week to get her with only a few stops. Adding on the chase today I think I should sleep before making any decisions yoi." At that he turned around and walked towards the highest building, flying up to the top of the roof, and laid down to sleep.
Little did he know that the bird he had come to take care of was not going to let him sleep peacefully.
I do not own One Piece. Oda does