So here is part one of episode 2, unfortunately I'm exhausted from study all last night for a test so this is all I will post today but I will likely post the second half of the chapter tomorrow afternoon after I pack for my trip to Disneyland this weekend so look forward to that. Also don't forget to review it is greatly appreciated. Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece, the only thing I own here are my main character and the characters I create to keep the story moving.

Thanks for reading!

Episode Two: Monsters & Magic Fruits

I cling to the side of the tiny vessel as it is violently thrown, my sights instantly find the man I'd just saved to ensure he is still safely aboard. Despite our earlier arguing I don't want any harm to come to him. As I watch him I notice the sharp glare his eyes hold as he stares at the spot where the water had exploded. Curiously I slowly turn back around and at first I don't believe what I'm seeing. I can fell my gaze widen and my jaw drop into a gape as I hold tighter to the side of the boat.

The creature I am now staring down almost resembles what I recognize as a type of sea serpent. Scales cover its entire body that raises at least two stories above the waters surface. Sharp jagged teeth line the inside of its gapping maw and beady black eyes are focused on me placing me under their paralyzing spell. Frozen in fear and white knuckling the side of the boat, I have never seen anything like this creature in my entire life and I think that is what scares me the most.

"Damn it we're not anywhere near the calm belt." I hear from behind me. Unfortunately I don't get a chance to comprehend what the statement could mean because as I turn to look at the man standing behind me I am stunned to find his right arm engulfed in flames. Again I am frozen in place gapping. What the hell is going on right now? Monsters and flames that spontaneously combust from random body parts? None of it makes any sense.

"Hey your arms on fire." I stutter like an idiot. For some odd reason I can't bring myself to freak out, but I can state the obvious just fine.

"I know." The man replies clipped, his focus solely directed at the monster.

"Okay." I reply meekly. Suddenly a deafening roar splits the air and I release my death grip on the boat and move it to my ears. Everything is set into motion again as the monster launches its attack. I quickly duck out of the way as the man before me steps up without any hesitation, right arm still engulfed in flames. Amazingly he stands at the edge of the boat right in the path of the attacking creature and doesn't even flinch. Only draws back his flaming fist and smiles knowingly. What comes next has me floored.

"Hiken!" the man shouts as he launches his fist forward producing a column of flames that is aimed at the creature. For an instant it looks like the attack will hit its mark and incinerate the creature, but seconds before the serpent dives beneath the water sending another wave into our tiny piece of safety. I flail helplessly as the boat tips one direction and rights itself in another. To add to the chaos something hits the haul from below and the next thing I know I am airborne floundering for something to grab onto before I hit the water. I find nothing in reach and seconds later hit the water with an audible smack.

My nose burns with the force of water that has just invaded it and I keep my eye screwed shut. I can feel myself tumbling through the water, head over feet, twisting and turning until I've lost all sense of direction, then finally everything stops and I am forced to open my eyes. Worst decision ever, I stare down into a dark abyss that leads to the ocean floor. Quickly looking around for the surface I find it and start swimming for it with everything I have, fear of the depth driving me all that much more. At that moment I have all but forgotten the creature that is the reason for all this, until a shadow blots out the sun above me.

My efforts to reach the surface halt as I stare up at the dark mass above me terrified. A deep burning sensation reminds me I can't breathe water and if I don't continue to the surface I will die, but still I don't move. How can I when facing down a creature one-hundred times my size. We are frozen for another moment before a split second decision has the creature darting forward at me.

It move impossibly fast for something its size and I barely have time to react. I swim as quickly as possible to the right just narrowly escaping its craggily teeth. Unfortunately I am sent reeling through the water again from the currents swirling around its body. I recover quickly and start for the surface. Not even chancing a look for the creature. I already know it's going to come after me again.

I explode from the water's surface only pausing long enough to look for the small boat and am almost surprised that it is even still here, but I don't have time to think about that. Swimming as fast as I can possibly manage, I refrain from looking behind me as the water explodes toward the sky. Having almost reached the boat it is then that I notice all around me are little orbs of light that flicker as they float in place.

"Go under!" The demand isn't harsh but stern and I instantly did as told, sucking in a breath before ducking under. As soon as I am under I spin around in time to watch the surface light up like the fourth of July. The water roils at the surface as if it is being boiled, but thankfully it doesn't reach me and after a few moments the light dissipates and everything stills. Hesitantly I swim back to the surface on the opposite side of the boat, noting the warm temperature of the water. Breathing in deeply I watch as the man frantically searches the water opposite me. I clear my throat.

"Over here." I call and it catches his attention. He switches sides and kneels down as I swim over. He makes it look effortless as he lifts me out of the water. Once on board I stare at the now half charred remains of the creature that had attacked us, still unable to comprehend what just happened. I concentrate on breathing in and out at a slow pace, not wanting to hyperventilate.

"Hey you okay?" He asks and after a long pause of nothingness I draw in a sharp breath. My knees buckle beneath me and I fall backwards, my tail bone connecting hard with the ledge behind me. He almost jumps out of his skin reaching for me, but relaxes when he realizes I won't fall any further. I lift my gaze from the charred mass now just below the water to his soft deep brown eyes, utter shock absorbing my every thought. Finally after what fells like an eternity I am able to find my voice, but it sounds distant and meek to my ear.

"What the hell was that? No better yet what the hell are you?" I sputter out and for a moment we are quiet. Until out of nowhere he begins laughing hysterically, like I just told the funniest joke in the world. Confusion creeps over my expression; I don't think I've asked a funny question. "What?" is all I can manage to choke out still too dumb founded for complete sentences. His laughter slowly dies out into a chuckle.

"For real?" He questions sounding a bit disbelieving, "I know not a lot of people have heard of Devil Fruits but not knowing a sea king is, now that is unreal." He jokes a broad smile across his lips. I just stare at him blankly. Devil Fruits? Sea king? What the hell does a fruit and Pokémon have to do with anything. The terms sound vaguely familiar to me but I am drawing a blank. "But yeah I ate a Devil Fruit called the Mera Mera no Mi and now I'm made of and can control fire. Kinda cool huh?" he states with all the confidence in the world.

I continue to stare, my expression unchanging. There's a feeling like I should know what he's talking about, but again I draw a blank. Instead of dwelling on that I push the feeling aside.

"You ate a what?" I ask confused, what does a fruit have to do with his human torch act? No pun intended. Instantly the confidence drains from him, replaced by my growing bewilderment. A strange silence passes between us. Our gazes fall from the others and we fidget uncomfortably.

A gentle breeze picks up around us causing me to shiver, I reminds me of how exposed I actually am with only a bikini top and shorts. I cross my arms over my chest in an attempt to keep warm. The man before me must have noticed because he quickly kneels down to his previously forgotten bag and begins digging through it. I watch curiously as he pulls out what looks like a balled up shirt. Unfortunately as he shakes it out water flies everywhere proving the shirt is a soggy mess, but that doesn't deter him from slipping it on.

What comes nest happens instantly, steam billows out from the shirt. Like rain on a hot summer black top and I watch in awe. Once the steam has blown away on the wind he takes it off again and tosses it over my head.

"To keep you warm." He mummers as I snag the fabric off my head. It is surprisingly warm in my lap like it just came from the dryer. Cautiously I shrug it on reveling in its warmth.

"How did you…" I begin to ask then catch myself, "Right, thanks."

"Were you born under a rock?" he questions and it reignites my irritation with him and I throw a glare his way.

"NO," I snap, "Were you?" it's a childish come back and it cause him to frown, but I am too annoyed to care.

"Are you always this difficult?" he retorts sharply and I can feel an argument brewing between us.

"Only for people who ask really stupid questions," I shoot back. We hold each other's glares for a few tense minutes.

"Alright look," He begins with a sigh, his tone is even again, "You're right and I'm sorry. It's just most people know about these things. So it's a little strange to find someone who doesn't know anything." The explanation is understandable but for some reason I can't bite back the next jab that spews from my mouth.

"Well excuse me for not knowing about your fruit and monster issues." I huff and cross my arm again, guilt quickly washes over me. I know this guy is probably just as lost with me as I am with him and my irritation isn't helping the matter, "Sorry." I apologize hastily, glancing at him before down casting my gaze to my bare feet. It was enough to catch sight of the gentle smile that settled over his lips.

"So you can control fire?" I ask still a bit skeptical despite the earlier demonstration.

"Yeah." He chuckles.

"You know that's not normal." I reply and again he laughs. I'm so glad he finds me humorous, I roll my eyes at him.

"Seriously where are you from? Another world or something?" He jokes and a cord is instantly struck in my mind causing me to go ridged. Another world? I am suddenly reminded of my situation, panic builds in my chest tightening everything and forcing me to breath heavily. "Hey you okay?"

Intermission…