Chapter 2
Enter the Blaze
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece or it world. I do however own my characters, my own concepts brought into this world, and even some of the Places. If I owned this world, I don't think I'd be doing this fan-fiction. You would.
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Shadow
Great I get to Carry him back.
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I was walking through Dawn Village. It was summer time, at about noon. I had landed a few hours ago and was still trying to find a place to find a crew mate, and hopefully a ship. No such luck though. I walked into the pub I had found, by the name of Hooded Cobra. There weren't that many people in it, but there was a request board.
I looked on it trying to find some job or someone offering their services, but no such luck. It was empty. I sighed loudly, my hopes and dreams falling around me. This was going to be just Peachy.
So I took a seat at the bar and ordered a drink. As I sat there and drank it, I wondered if I would ever find a crew. I noticed the place seemed very shady by normal pub standards. I hoped to never come to this place again. I had sat there about twenty minutes when I heard some of the people gossiping.
"He is such a barbarian, both him and his sister." said one of the three guys sitting at the table next to the bar.
"Yeah, I just can't believe someone would do that to the mayor's son. I mean Baldwin's such a good kid. Why did those barbarians do that to him?" The other guy said. Maybe I need to to take care of this. It would definitely bring my notoriety up.
"So I've heard you people have barbarian trouble." I stated casually. They all looked at me like I was stupid.
"You only know causing your sitting over there and can hear every word we say. Idiot." The smallest guy said, smirking as he said it.
"Cal, he has a point. We do have barbarian trouble." He sighed at Cal's comment. "What my associate over here meant was that we do indeed need some help with our barbarian trouble. Let me introduce myself. My name is Swift. Alongside me are my associates Barnaby and Cal." The leader of the three said picking up his mug and taking a swig.
"It's quite alright. Never know who you can trust these days." I commented as we shook hands. He seemed nice enough.
"True enough, True enough. I didn't get your name..." He stated, pointing at me.
"Its Torey...Torey Matthews. I'm a bounty hunter." I stated hoping they would take the lie.
"Nice to meet you, Torey. Honestly your just the kind of person I need. Please, sit down." Swift stated, motioning to a chair at a nearby table.
I took one of the chairs from a nearby table and swung it to the table they was at. I plopped down in the seat to take a listen.
"So what's the story on these 'barbarians'?" I asked leaning forward towards the three.
"Well their names are Draegon and Flarise. They terrorize our town constantly, killing livestock, taking what they want, destroying our property. The list goes on and on. They other day though they took it too far this time." He said shaking his head at this story.
"Well, what did they do?" I asked, hoping that they didn't kill someone.
"They beat up, our friend, the mayor's son in turn gravely injuring him. The mayor says he might not make it." The guy finished. Well this is just Peachy. I thought. I guess I do need to help them.
"So I'm going to guess that you need me to bring them in." I responded, feeling very excited about this. My first bounty, but it wasn't a pirate so no fame for it. Epic fail.
"Yes we need your help, and of course you will be handsomely rewarded. How does one hundred thousand sound?" He asked. One hundred thousand would help get my adventure started. I mean compared to my measly five thousand. I could start saving for a ship for my pirate crew, I need to take this then.
"I'll do it then. Where can I find them?" I asked, finishing my drink.
"You can find them deep in the mountains. Good luck with the pair." He answered. I looked toward him with a grin.
"Swift I don't need luck, I have skill." I stated as I got up and walked out of the Hooded Cobra. As soon as I shut the door I heard laughter. "Must have been something I said." I stated.
A few Hours Later
I was extremely hot, and extremely thirsty. Now I know why Luffy, the last pirate king, was powerful. You'd have to be to survive in this place. That's so not Peachy.
I hate this bounty, next time if I want a bounty I'll just let my crew do it as I sit back. I can see it now. Me sitting in a lawn chair while a hot chick feeds me grapes, my bounty hunter bringing me back a million belle. Yup that's the life.
I dreamed about this, while walking up the mountain. And boy was it ginormous. I was just beginning to enjoy my scenery. Yeah Right. I thought. That's when I smelt the wonderful scent of meat cooking. Well at least I'll get dinner and a bounty. That would be nice.
"Anyone over there." I called out. All I heard was some rustling in the bushes. A boy about my height with spiked crimson hair and piercing green eyes came out. He wore spiked lightweight armor that was orange, red, and yellow. Attached to his waist was two knight swords.
This guy doesn't look like a cruel barbarian. It couldn't be that Draegon guy I'm looking for.
"Obviously." The guy stated rolling his eyes. "I assume you're lost." He asked. I should just play this out until I find out if he is the guy or not.
"Yeah I am. My name's Torey, could I trouble you for a meal?" I asked hoping he would say yes. He looked at me, almost as if he was studying me. Trying to decide my intent.
"Sure. I've got enough wild boar for everyone. Come on. I'll fix you up a plate." He replied, motioning for me to follow. We walked a little bit in the forest, before he stopped and turned back toward me. "Oh by the way, The names Draegon Blaze. It's good to meet you Torey." He said as he continued walking towards his campsite.
Well this just sucks. Now I'm gonna have to bring this guy in. We walked into this elaborate campsite he had set up. There was two green tents, divided by a fire with a pot over it. There was a clothes line set up with several clothes hanging on it.
"So Torey what yea doing in these mountains. Not many people travel up this way." Draegon asked me while getting a plate of his food. Just peachy.
"I heard there was some treasure to be found up here." I stated, hoping he would take the bait. He took a bite, studying me intently.
"Ha ha...Sorry Torey, but there's nothing of the sort here. I mean The Pirate King hid it all on Raftel. Anyone knows that. But that tells me your a pirate." Draegon answered, cutting right through the lie. Damn.
"Yes I am a pirate, as for the treasure I honestly thought that he might have left something here." I retorted, trying to keep the story alive.
"Hmm..I don't think you thought that, not one bit." He stated gulping his meal down. I wish I was good at this kind of thing, but I suck at lying. Dad always said I'm about as subtle as a sledgehammer.
"I'm sorry you think that." I said finishing my meal. He had already finished his. "I guess you know why I'm here then." I stood up pulling my huge sword out of my sheath.
It was a Zweilhander, which is a claymore type sword. The handle was red and shaped like a cross. It was double edged and made out of a new type of steel my Dad's crew had been experimenting with. Supposed to be lighter and stronger then anything out there. It stood about seven foot tall.
"So that idiot is sending dregs to come get me." He stated as he pulled his swords out twirling them in his hands. "He's gonna have to do better then that." He looked towards me, his eyes gleaming dangerously at me.
I sighed at this crap. He seemed like a nice guy and I really didn't want to bring him in, but...if he did harm someone I have to. "Draegon you seem like a good guy, but you hurt someone. I can't stand that. So prepare to be defeated." I stated putting the sword on my shoulder, ready to attack.
"So that's what they told you. I don't want to defeat you, cause your the innocent one in this war. But if it's a fight you want." He said posing one sword above his head and the other near his waist. "Dance of the Dragon." He called charging toward me, jumping up and spinning. I held my sword up to block his attack. I don't want to attack just yet. I thought as he struck my blade, I used his momentum to knock him aside.
I jumped toward him slamming my sword into the ground where he had been. Rolling away from the spot he had been in, around to my side where I felt two blades dig into my ribs.
"Piercing Blow." He called after doing the attack. He pulled the swords out of my side and shoved me away with his foot. "See. I told you it would be you. I am sorry I ended your journey though. I pray your spirit makes it to paradise." Draegon said as he twirled his swords in his hands. "Dragon Cleaver!" He screamed, jumping through the air, blades raised high over his head.
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Authors Note: First I would like to personally thank CSpacian and Tough Chick for reviewing the story. I would like to thank the other people who read this story. Yes I will keep updating whether I have two or two hundred reviews. Have a nice day and hope you enjoyed the chapter.
