When Ace and Thatch finished their respective runs in Alabasta and wished for a break in the monotony, they didn't quite expect this.
The serpentine creature curls protectively around the green haired swordsman, claw tipped reptilian feet over the unconscious man's torso, maw pulled back in a snarl showing shark like teeth with longer than normal serrated canines – a warning for him and Thatch for getting too close and to stay back. A plea for them to not harm the pair and that pained them more than any seastone bullet ever will. The fact that this emancipated creature no larger than a Shetland pony is practically, pleadingly, trying to keep their attention focused on it to help the dying human escape from them even though the swordsman is now barely semi-conscious… It hurt.
"Hey hey," Ace started off, raising his hands slowly and calmly trying to not startle the creature. His attempt failed as when he took a step forward the wary gaze only hardened and the creature's neck visibly tensed. Breathing out slowly, realising that this would take a while – time that the green haired man could not really afford – Ace tried again. "Easy there little fella," he said as he took a single step.
… Wrong thing to say apparently as a plume of flames erupted from the maw of the creature. "Shit!" Thatch yelped as he leapt out of the way. Ace narrowed his eyes as the flames sped towards him and calmly reached out a hand. The fire instantly melded with his palm as he held it skywards and he looked past it towards the dragon-like beast. "See?" Ace said softly. "We're a bit the same. And we –" he gestured to Thatch and himself with his free hand – "want to help you." The creature is looking between them and the controlled flames. Sensing an opportunity, Ace took another step forward after making the fire glow brighter. "Help." He stressed the word as Thatch stepped back up beside him. The mythical creature must have seen something in them as it looked at the swordsman before it returned its eyes to the pair.
Ace dared to advance and this time was only greeted by the creature curling tighter around the man and maintaining an alert and guarded stare. Thatch remained close to his shoulder. About a metre away from the man and creature duo they were stopped by a low growl. The swordsman was trying to stir and the dragon was holding him still. Almost as if it was trying to prevent his injuries from becoming worse. Ace frowned as he took it in and edged forward once more.
The dragon suddenly snarled at him and Thatch, making them freeze. "Easy, remember we just want to help you," Ace replied gently to the fierce nature as he slid his foot through the sand closer to them. That was when the dragon roared – a tremendous primal sound that announced it was ready to fight if need be, in order to protect its companion. From them. It felt as if its fangs had pierced them. Again. It hurt.
What had made it react? Ace followed its line of sight, through the swing of its head, the beast's unsettling large silver eyes with the red elliptical pupil always focused on…him? No…his flaming fist. Realisation dawned, the protective behaviour making sense as he got closer with an open flame. He hastily dispersed the fire. "Whoa, I'm sorry ok? I didn't mean anything – I wasn't going to use it on him," the man with the moniker Fire Fist hastily explained as his namesake got him into trouble. Again.
The injured man grunted as his hand closed on one of his sword hilts, clearly struggling to focus on the them.
The seconds dragged by as the standoff between hopeful rescuers and the tense exhausted duo stretched the air thin. Then the dragon seemed to sag at his words and the extinguishing of Ace's flames. The swordsman's grip slackened, but it was unsure if it was due to trust being gained or blood loss.
The two Whitebeard Pirates commanders were finally near enough to the dragon and man to slowly kneel and assess their condition. Their eyes immediately went to the swordsman's wound – a severe burn mark on his left side that had melted the skin around it. Ace's attention returned to the creature just as one last growl emitted from the dragon's throat, its heavy and heartbreakingly sorrowful pleading gaze piercing through them once more before it closed its eyes and promptly passed out. "Shit!" Ace exclaimed, going to move near to its head, but was stopped by a guttural growl forced through the green haired man's lips. "D-don't touch h-him…" The weak excuse for a threat was accompanied by him trying (and failing) to draw one of his three swords. Curious. Him only managing to unsheathe a third of the blade. Thatch thankfully stepped in, a heavy yet firm and gentle hand holding the one on the sword still. "Your animal let us get this close, he knew we wanted to help. Let us, otherwise neither of you will survive."
A harsh exhale was his response. "He i-is..n't…" Then he too was unconscious. Thatch frowned and hurriedly pressed down on the wound to slow the flow of blood.
Ace, having been freed to examine the creature, scooted to its head and lifted an eyelid tentatively. If it wasn't fully unconscious this dragon could tear him apart if there wasn't enough warning. The eye could have been described as bloodshot and was glazed over. Completely out cold.
"Let's get them back to the ship."