Ω•Trafalgar Law•Ω
Alistair let out another long and shaky sigh as he drank his sleepy time tea in his favourite armchair. His mind rest wouldn't let him fall asleep. He's very worried about something and for some unknown reason; it's making him very restless and uneasy. So the past three hours, he's been trying to calm himself down but it wasn't working. He looked at the clock for the umpteenth time and sighed.
12 AM.
Frustrated, tiered, and nervous, Alistair made his chair recline while covering himself with his quilt blanket. 'Maybe I'm over thinking again.' He mused as his eyes closed on him. 'Xander will be alright.'
As the smaller blond dozed off, other events were taking place and they were anything but peaceful.
"Room!"
A light blue sphere appeared before expanding outwards from his hand. Encircling himself and Xander, still blinded by his rage. He attempted to cut the boy in half with his nodachi but Xander stopped him by firing his gun once again. Forcing him to release the Room in order to avoid getting hit by the bullet. Before he could use his devil fruit again, Xander suddenly rushed at him. Jumping into the air and gripping his cane with both hands, he swung down hard at Law's head. The Heart pirate raised his blade upwards to stop it, hearing two metal objects collide as the result.
'It's…metal?' Law gritted his teeth while they pushed against each other, trying to overthrow the other to the ground. On closer inspection, Law discovered that his cane is a modified baton. He made the normally medium length and collapsible weapon longer, sturdier, and harder to retract to a smaller size. Grunting, he managed to push Xander away with a well aimed kick. Watching it spark as the two metals skid against the two surfaces while they separated.
'A modified baton eh?'
The fighting duo back away but the hunter took out his gun and shot at the pirate captain again. Barely missing his head and shattering a mirror when it crossed paths. 'That would've hit me if I hadn't ducked.' He mused after he did a quick shoulder check. This went on for three hours. Three long, intense, and grueling hours.
'Okay, he's pretty good at close combat and his marksmanship skills are very advance. I can't use my ability when I'm constantly moving, namely,' Pausing his thought as another bullet came and miss, Law glared at the boy. 'Making sure I don't end up like swiss cheese.'
Xander charged at him again, swinging his baton at Law's legs but he countered it with his blade and attempted to side sweep him to the ground. However, Xander somehow predicted his move and jumped up before his leg could hit. The pirate rolled to the side and swiped his bade at him, barely cutting his left arm but it was just enough for Law.
Because at that moment, he figured out how blind Xander really was. The hunter wasn't aware he had done that until the sharp edge had touched him. Giving Law a perfect view of his shocked expression as the result of doing so. He just found his weak spot. A very good one, might he add.
'That explains why he keeps the baton on that side.' Law thought as he took the offensive and thrusted his blade to the same side, defected when Xander quickly blocked it. Causing Xander's baton to rattle and make a low pining sound from the impact of his blade.
'The minute something touches or hits it, the metal vibrates. Depending on what hits it, it'll be followed by a soft ping.' He observed while continuing his slash attack as the other countered it back. Law debated again when they finally separated from the little sparing session. 'This may be a tiny sensation for others like myself to detect. But its just enough to alert him that something or someone is trying to harm him.'
The two attacked each other for another ten minutes, wielding the same result. Neither one barely moved a inch when engaged in close combat but Law has the upper hand. He can strike faster and more precise than the other. However, Xander has the upper hand when it comes to long distance. Law can't use his devil fruit until his 'Room' appears but he cannot move when it's up. Xander figured this out from the get-go and now shoots whenever he tries. If Law wants to win, he'll need to distract or disable Xander's gun. He may have figured out his weakness but he's still hard to reach because of his strength. Distance and quick shots from his flintlock.
Standing straight and both hands on his hilt, Law heaved another sigh. 'He may have poor depth perception and can't see anything from the left side. His heightened sense of hearing and touch, however, make up for that loss. This in turn makes it harder for me to attack him head on. Unless…' Pausing, Law smirked as he looked at Xander's gun. 'Let's try this, shall we?'
"Aren't you worried about running out of bullets?" He baited.
Xander rolled his eyes at him. "Shouldn't you be worried about getting hit?" He poked back while reloading his gun, making the fatal mistake of looking down and tucking his baton underneath his one arm
Law grinned madly. 'I was correct. He need's both hands and his eye to reload his gun. Making him oblivious to anything that may be happening on his left side!'
The captain activated his devil fruit and forced a sturdy table to hit Xander's left side. He didn't waste any time as the hunter flew into the air. Law warped himself above him and placed his hands onto his back. Xander cringed when feeling electricity sparking off his metal baton. The last thing he'll remember seeing after passing out is Law's cocky smile.
"Counter Shock!"
Law sent a huge amount of electricity into the unsuspecting boy's body. He made sure it wouldn't kill him but it'll knock him out, which it did. Everyone watched as Xander bounced like a rag doll into the air from the sudden surge of energy entering his body. Landing a few feet away and stopping at Penguin's feet. Blood tricked out of his mouth from the sudden impact and when Law had kicked him earlier. The pirate bent down and checked his vitals.
'He's a interesting boy.' Law mused as he stood up and watched from afar. 'Perhaps I made my decision too quickly, now that I've seen what he's capable of.'
After a few tense seconds of silence, Penguin nodded. "He's stable." Turning Xander over, he examined and performed basic mobility tests. "And he didn't break any bones or ligaments. The blood is just from the shock and impact."
"Good." Law remarked while making his way to him. "So much for keep a low profile." He sighed.
"Don't worry about it. This isn't the first time the lad has done this."
The group turned to see the bar tender, lighting a cigarette before doing a long drag. "Don't blame yourself for this, since I'm positive that this your first run-in with the lad. Otherwise," Pausing, the man smirked a wicked grin. "You wouldn't have made that comment knowing a bullet will be coming shortly afterwards."
Penguin frowned. "You sound as if this is a everyday occurrence."
"Pretty much!" The man laughed. "Xander shoots at someone at lest once a month. Maybe twice, depending if pirates come or not." He shook his head while looking at Xander. "…He's a good kid with a huge heart but his self-confidence him hard. He's very sensitive about his image, especially when others tease him or his family about it." He sighed. "Everyone knows about this so when it does happen, we don't say anything about it." The bar tender looked back at Law with a small smile. "He'll pay for the damages and make sure you'll be hidden from the marines."
Looking down at Xander, Law decided not to hold a grudge at him. Not after hearing about this. Handing his prized weapon to Penguin, he picked him up and shifted his body to be on his back. "I'll pay for the damage since I was the one who instigated the fight." He shifted his gaze back to the man and nodded. "Where does Mr. Alexis live."
Surprised by Law's comment, the man didn't answer right away. After a minute of two, he chuckled. "Behind the hunting store is a reddish brown cabin. Behind that building is a large posh looking two-story house; that's where they live."
Penguin nodded and looked to his captain, who in turn gestured to follow. His crew members went to work and started to clean up as the duo left. When they entered the old cobble street, Penguin glanced over to Xander's face. He can see slight fluttering underneath his eyelids and just noticed his scar on the left, isn't as clean like he first thought. It's very jagged on the lid but you'd never have noticed until, like this moment, his eye is closed.
"He's a interesting character, eh captain?" He whispered while gently tracing the scars path. Penguin smiled when Xander shifted away from his touch, grunting while doing so.
"He is." He answered with a soft chuckle. "Never thought a timid rabbit could end up with a wolfs temperament." Law causally glanced to Xander and smiled. "But his sharpshooting is like a pit-viper. Very precise and accurate. If I hadn't ducked or moved to the side; I'd be badly injured or dead." Law's smile vanished when he heard him groan louder and as his arms flinched. "In my back pocket is a syringe. Jab him with it."
Penguin didn't question his order. He knew how men are when they're pissed off and hurt after they've been knocked out. They'll become more violent and dangerous, so it's best to keep him under for long as possible. Until he's in a better environment and away from his source of rage; namely Law and at home, Xander needed to remain asleep or knocked out. Grabbing the sedated-filled needle, Penguin removed the safety cap and injected the medication into his jugular vain.
Xander flinched from the sudden jab but he didn't do anything else. He quickly succumbed to the effects by becoming limp and relaxed. Giving both pirates a great sense of relief now that he won't go on another rampage. Placing the cap back onto the dirty needle, Penguin checked his pulse and nodded. "He's under."
Feeling Xander's chest rise and fall at a stable pace, Law chuckled. "Good." Looking ahead he quickened his pace. "Let's hurry. I have a few things to say at his younger brother."
Penguin caught his irritated tone. "You've met him before?" He spoke again after Law nodded. "How?"
Law sighed as a chuckle escaped his lips. "He's the one I got the information from."
The other finally relaxed and laughed quietly. "Let me guess: he didn't mention about his brother's temperament or condition when you asked about him." He chuckled harder when his captain glared at him. "He made his own grave, eh?"
The two continued this light discussion as they continued walking towards the brother's home. Just like the bartender had told them, behind the run down cabin is the largest house Penguin has ever seen. It's a two story home with large and spacious balconies on the second level. The entrance is level, easy access, and very welcoming by the dark stained door that stands out of the white wash finished exterior. It's still a cabin but it's been modified over the years. Blending in with the other victorian and country styled homes. Small statues of dogs, frogs, and a small wind chime greeted the pirates when they reached the large door.
Penguin let out a low whistle. "I'd never have guessed this was their house." Looking at the black titanium metal door handle, he nodded in approval. "Nicely built."
Law managed to ring the door bell as he replied back. "Neither would I." He chuckled to himself while taking in the small details of the wood. "Reminds me of the North Blue houses. They were built similar to this but used more thicker material to withstand the cold and harsh winters." He smiled as the memories came through his mind.
Before Penguin could ask, the large door slowly opened. Revealing a surprised and half dressed teenager in a traditional wheelchair. Law knew it was Alistair and judging by his cloths and glassy eyes; he'd been asleep. He become more alert, however, when seeing his brother slumped over Law's shoulders. He's body became tense, his eyes widened, and mouth open in attempts to speak. When nothing came out, Law spoke. Heavy in amusement and sarcasm.
"Package delivery for a Mr. Alistair Alexis. The fee will be a explanation on why you've failed to inform me about your brother's disability and temperament."