Chapter 2: A Stepping Stone
"Eehihi!" Lamar laughed, as his fist came down onto an enemy's head before using him as a base to flip over, bringing his foot crashing into the side of another.
"Tch…" Fitts grunted as he threw hooks and haymakers knocking people this way and that.
Left and right, the Rotten Apples fell like flies to the brute force of Lamar and Fitts. This caused Core to begin panicking and thinking of an exit plan for he obviously underestimated them. It was then he looked back behind him towards a small forest beyond the buildings.
"That's it…" Core grinned as he looked back to the last of his crew falling. Making a quick get a away, he vanished into a panicked crowd thinking he was going to kill again. Through an alley way and out the back yard of local house, Core disappeared into the trees.
Fitts punched one of the last remaining pirates to the ground, his face a bloody heap after being pummeled. "That seems to be the last of them. Now where did their captain run off too?"
"I don't know. I was having too much fun to realize that he had run away. Better not of made his way back onto the boat to try and flee, I already claimed it as my own." Lamar grumbled as he looked back to make sure 'his' boat was there.
"Even in the midst of battle you show signs of complacency. One day you will figure that the mind needs to stay in the here and now in order to survive."
A woman ran up to the both of them. It was Misoo. "Lamar, Fitts! Thank god you two are ok!"
"Misoo? What're you doing here, it's dangerous." Lamar said quietly. "Head back to the restaurant and wait it out until we deal with the pirates."
"That's why I am here…" Misoo panted. "We saw him running through the streets towards the forest… I think he plans on escaping to the clearing on the other side."
"What a coward! Some pirate he is leaving his nakama to get beaten up!"
Fitts raised a brow. "Strange, I thought that devil fruit users were powerful. This man seems to be rather lacking in his abilities. Not to mention if he plans on making his way off this island he can't swim nor does he have access to his boat." Motioning towards the large structure just on the beach behind them.
"How do you know he can't swim?"
"It's a fact that devil fruit users cannot swim. Some consider it a curse for eating the fruit and a punishment."
Lamar stared blankly at his friend who only stared back moments later. Confused as to how he would come about such knowledge as this. He didn't even mention anything about devil fruits in the many years they've known each other. Lamar's thoughts were interrupted when Misoo shook him slightly to see if he was ok.
Lamar only nodded before turning to Fitts. "C'mon, let's go after him before he gets away."
The two bolted off in pursuit, the townsfolk wishing them luck as they went. As the two young men vanished into the forest as well, the townsfolk looked back to the defeated pirates. Confusion struck the minds of many.
"Who would've thought those two youngsters had so much potential!" one elderly said. "To fight off pirates like that and with ease!"
"I know it's rather strange thinking about it that they were living right here in this town the entire time and not once had we problems with them. It was as if they were waiting for something like this to happen just so they can show off their skills." Another commented.
Misoo listened to everyone talk before shifting her attention on the tree line. "Either way, if they don't deal with that pirate captain, we may all feel his wrath in the end. Lamar… Fitts… good luck you too."
"Hah… Hah!" Core panted as he made his way into a clearing. Hunched over he looked around deciding this would be the perfect spot. "Good. Let those punks catch up to me now." Pushing off his knees he walked towards the center of the trees and smirked. The scent of the trees stimulating his senses. "They won't even know what hit them when I am able to use the full extent of my powers."
"Core!" A cry came from behind him.
"What? They already caught up to me?" Turning to face his opponents, Core growled. "We spent weeks planning coming here with the little amount of supplies we had and you two had to ruin everything for us! You couldn't just mind your own business!"
Lamar and Fitts' sprint slowed down to a jog.
"You attacked our hometown so that makes it our business." Lamar yelled. "We couldn't just let you get away it."
"If I remember correctly you were more infatuated with the fact of stealing his ship at first." Fitts blurted out.
An exchange of looks between the two friends lasted a good minute before Lamar broke the silence. "Ok enough of the distractions let's focus on the strangely shaped man over there."
"You both obviously don't know who you're messing with! I'm 'Rotten Apple' Core, the man with the 18,000,000 beli bounty! I've killed civilians for looking at me the wrong way and killing marine officials for even thinking I am the man on the wanted poster!" Core shouted over them getting angry.
"We dispatched your crew with ease while you fled in attempts to lose us in the woods. It would make one think how you've come to earn a bounty at all especially with the cowardice you've displayed. It would seem the marines are just throwing bounties out without even knowing what a meager threat you really are." Fitts calmly spoke.
"Why you…!" Core started to shout but was interrupted with a fist smashing into his face. The force so hard, his head whipped violently backwards sending his entire body into a full spin before landing onto the floor, rocks and gravel digging into his back. He cried out in pain as he held his face.
"Enough. I am done with you." Fitts began to step forward before being stopped by Lamar.
"Hold on there, killer. I can't let you have all the fun." Lamar laughed. "Eehihi!"
Sighing, Fitts stepped out of the way. "Fine, but end it quickly. We can't tarry any longer with this man. Not while his crew lay unconscious in town. They could wake up and cause problems."
Both of Core's arms shot up suddenly. "Seed Seed Shower Spray!" This caught both Lamar and Fitts off guard as a flood of seeds spewed from his hands in rapid succession from the ground up, leaving a small trail of plants.
The two jumped apart from each other, as Core's hands followed each of them. Core was a lot more coordinated than he appeared homing in on the two gracefully dancing around him avoiding every seed shot and when the pirate captain realized it was pointless in trying to hit them, he stopped but grinned none the less.
"So that's his devil fruit power. He shoots seeds out causing him to grow plants wherever he pleases." Lamar said very much intrigued as he stepped on one of the plants and smothered it into the ground. "So like… why is he a pirate then? He should consider a job in landscaping."
"You don't understand, Lamar. You let one of those seeds hit you and you can pretty much say good-bye to your life. He hit a man earlier with one and it looked like it latched onto his body and began to drain his life force. I couldn't hear much else due to the commotion of everyone panicking."
"Well great. So neither of us knows the real reason behind his area beautification skills then. Wonderful." Lamar laughed.
"I'm sure it's just to make pretty scenery in case you happen to die." Fitts added.
Suddenly the two burst into a sprint, kicking up grass as they moved unnaturally.
Shit! I need to give the plants at least a few minutes to gather enough energy to rejuvenate myself! A small sweat drop trickled down his face as he thought to himself.
Lamar swung first; aiming high, Fitts going low. The pirate captain managed to dodge between the both of them twisting his odd shaped body. A quick snap of his wrists, both of Core's hands flung outward catching the two men in his reach. Following his motion he spun faster launching the two of them in opposite directions, Lamar hitting a tree forcefully and Fitts recovering in mid-flight.
"That was quite unexpected." Fitts said as he dabbed his cheek for signs of blood drawn. As soon as his words left his lips however the shoulder of Core plowed into Fitts, driving him into the thick bark of a tree. "Kuh!" Fitts coughed.
Core grabbed him for the collar of his shirt and lifted him up, Fitts' feet off the floor. "Guyaya! See what happens when you try to play hero? I admit you had me worried for a second but in the end you're just a bunch of cocky kids getting involved in something beyond your insignificant roles! If only you'd just listen to me and give me the treasure hidden on this island we'd be on our merry way!"
"You would've killed us anyways. I know how you pirates work." Fitts spit.
Core growled as he whipped him onto the floor aggressively. "Shame. You shouldn't believe every story that's been told about pirates."
"Fitts!"
Lamar sprang into action as he threw himself onto Core, driving an elbow directly to his forehead.
"Guoh!" Core howled in pain stumbling back.
Lamar continued as he then sent a barrage of punches to the captain's face. The force behind each blow was enough to violently throw Core's head around. A quick jaw splitting punch was enough to finally send Core tumbling over, his legs tangling up on each other. The loud thud of the captain's body hitting the floor was forceful.
Fitts' looked up, holding himself up with his arms. "Lamar."
Panting and breathing hard, Lamar looked at the body of Core. "Damn. I didn't think I would get tired this quick. And for someone who didn't seem that strong sure had a lot pack behind his punch."
Managing to pull himself to his feet, Fitts wiped his mouth. "It's true what they say, 'You can never judge a book by its cover'."
As the two regained their composure, they looked on at the motionless body when they noticed the strange plants that cluttered the area began to wither and die. Even the woods around them seem to of lost its vibrant color. Looking for a reason, Lamar and Fitts grew worried.
"What the hell is happening?" asked Lamar as he looked to the dying trees.
"The vegetation here… its dying." Fitts remarked as he noticed leaves had begun to fall from tree branches.
"Guyayaya…" Core body began to laugh. He threw himself up onto his feet then, his structure giving off a strange aura. All the injuries that Core sustained disappeared almost as if he wasn't hit at all.
"Shit! That can't be good!" Lamar cursed as he stepped back.
"I told you that I have the power of the Seed Seed fruit. I can absorb any of the plants I make's power and add it to my own. In the process the plants absorb the energy of anything it has taken root of until it is completely drained of life!" Core cackled as flit his wrists around before forming balls out of his fists.
Fitts growled. "So that is why he ran to the woods. We're in his element where he can have an endless supply of power while we fight until we are exhausted. I must admit we fell for his trick."
"I already feel drained just by wailing on him." Admitted Lamar as he was still panting. "We need to think of something."
Core piped up. "Allow me!" The seed man coming with breakneck speed, placing his hands on each them. "Seed Seed Expanding Blossom!" Large plants erupted from his palms that overwhelmed the two men launching them backwards with force.
Roots and small branches smashing into the faces of Lamar and Fitts was devastating as when the roots ceased growing, the two men continued to fly back until they hit the ground exhausted and worn. Sounds of pain and stress emanated from their mouths as they tried to sit up.
"Damn… Our first encounter with a devil fruit user and it had to be last one we see. We're going to die Fitts…" Groaning, Lamar stumbled to his feet.
"I have this strange feeling that he is draining our power but I don't know how it is he is doing it. No doubt it has to be connected with his devil fruit." Wiping his spit, Fitts scowled.
Core immediately went after the two, a large foot stepping down and a fist arching downward towards Fitts' head. Easily dodging, Fitts wrapped his legs around one of the large pirate captain's leg and twisted. Cursing, Core went down with Lamar rolling towards him in hopes of a quick finish. A knuckle came whizzing down but missed when the pirate captain rolled to the side, grabbing Lamar by the ankle and tossing him directly into a tree. Crashing head first, the young man fell motionless onto the roots.
"Lamar!" Fitts cried out but was intercepted by a backhand knocking him flat on his back.
"The pirates are all bound, sir." A villager said while bundling up some rope.
The villagers gathered together and collected the unconscious bodies of the Rotten Apple and tied them up. They had also called for officials to come pick them up as well as come to apprehend the pirate, Core, should the two young men, Lamar and Fitts, fail.
"Fantastic. Thank you, sir." Misoo said with a smile.
"You're welcome little lady. You just be careful around these pirates. They can still be dangerous even when bound."
"I can handle my own, thanks. What about the town? Everything is going alright?"
"Of course. Everyone who was hurt are being tended too while, unfortunately, the dead are being moved away to a more isolated area away from everyone else. It'll be some time before we can identify who they were." The man pointed to the pirate ship. "As for that, I'm sure whatever marine official they send out here they will take care of the ship."
"That's fine. Any word of Lamar and Fitts?"
"You mean the two boys who went after that pirate? Do you know them?"
"They are my friends and are capable enough of dealing with Core themselves. It's just… not knowing for certain what's going on out there makes me worry. For all we know, Core could've killed them and made it to the North side of the island." Running her hands down her face, Misoo sighed quietly.
"Oh please, woman."
The two turned to see who it was. To their dismay it was the pirate captain, Core. In his hands were Lamar and Fitts being held onto by the collar of their shirts. Their bodies thrashed. "You think I would run from a bunch of fools? Guyaya! You offend me!" Lifting his foot, he placed his boot on the woman's back, knocking her to the floor.
"Ah!" She cried out, hitting the deck below her. A large scratch scraping her across the cheek.
The towns people saw this and fear struck again. Many had hoped for the two young men to of dealt with the captain. Instead it was the other way around… making his way back to town, Core was dead set on getting his hands on the island's treasure.
"Quite meddlesome these two have been and will cost you all greatly. First of all, free my men this instance!" Shouting, he pointed to his crew. "Secondly, you will give me the damn treasure Tele'i is hiding on this island now least you all share the same punishment as these two!"
The town was silent… no one even bothered to step up and defend Lamar and Fitts…
"So be it! I will make an example out of these two and then you'll all realize how serious I am!" Core raised a hand toward Fitts' head. "Seed seed show-"
A swift crack of a paddle came across Core's head, breaking on impact. It was Misoo. "Leave him alone!"
"You little whore!" Core yelled as he swiftly brought the back of his hand to the woman's face. She let out a yelp dropping to the floor. "You all aren't taking me very seriously and it's starting to piss me off! I will kill every last person capable of fighting and then torture the remaining before feeding you to my seeds!"
The men and women of Tele'I looked at him fear and a new emotion… anger… and it was becoming more and more evident as the villagers began stepping closer. Misoo took a risk that could've easily cost her life, just as the two men did. The villagers began to rally amongst one another.
"Are any of you listening to me? You sons of bitches! I won't be made a fool by a bunch of fish smelling idiots!" Throwing his hands up he shouted, a vein visible on his forehead and his neck. "Have it your way!"
A tight grip came across Core's ankle, which distracted him. Looking down, he noticed Lamar had come too, his nails digging into Core's pant leg. "You…" Whispering quietly to himself.
"How are you conscious? You're just a glutton for punishment!" Kicking his hand off, Lamar responded with a burst of speed. The only thing Core remembered was a knuckle flying into the side of his brow, causing his vision to blur substantially. "Wha-a-t?" was all he could spit out. Stumbling over his own two feet, Core hit the floor.
The villagers stared on in shock and awe, most of their jaws dropping. They were certain the two had lost the will to fight. It was a miracle to see the young man up and about again! Cheers quietly came from the crowd before it erupted into a roar of chants.
Lamar managed to go to Fitts' aid, hoisting him up. "Hey buddy. You okay?"
"L… Lamar?" Fitts groaned quietly. "Hah… you always were stubborn…"
"Don't worry bud. I'll take care of the rest." Smiling, he rested his friend gently back onto the ground. "Alright, Core."
"You're standing! This seems almost unreal for you to be standing. Do my plants have no effect on you at all?" Core growled as he slowly stood up. Rubbing the side of his face, he pulled his hand to see blood stained on his fingers.
"I have a dream…" Lamar glared heavily onto Core's face who showed a bit of panic. "And it wasn't until you came to this island, I found out how I wanted to start working for it."
Core didn't want to hear anymore. Quickly, he ran at Lamar, his hand in position for an Expanding Blossom again but Lamar noticed this right away. Side stepping out of the way, he wrapped his arms around Core's and locked his elbow. Core let out a cry instinctively at the pain. A whirling spin followed, hurling the pirate captain at his own ship, crashing through the wooden surface into the deck below.
"Guh… what on earth?" Core said shakily as he stood up from the rubble of his ship. He was down below where the apple shaped cannonballs had been stored. "The boys strength is… unexplainable. If only I could hit him with a seed, I could use his energy to refuel mine!"
"It's about time you retire, Core." The voice of Lamar could heard through the gaping hole of the ship. He made his appearance bounding into the ship and towards Core, not wanting to drag this on any further.
"Seed Seed Poplings!" the captain held out a hand as a buck shot of seeds burst from his palm only to have them pop during their trajectory. Lamar hissed quietly as he noticed they had morphed into a net made entirely of roots. Core continue to fire off a hefty amount these in attempts of immobilizing his opponent but every seed was dodged.
A bursting knee found its way into Core's side causing him to cough blood up. Hurling himself over to cover his side, Lamar grabbed him by his uniform and held him up straight, Core wincing in pain. Smiling Lamar leaned in close. "Core… pirate captain of the Rotten Apples. You've caused a great distress on my town and yet… I feel like we are brethren."
Core gritted his teeth. "What are you talking about boy?"
"You see… I have a dream and that is to become a great pirate, great enough to find the fabled One Piece and become Pirate King."
"You're crazy…" Core couldn't help but smile.
"How so?" Lamar raised a brow at the small comment. "You're a pirate too. Isn't that what you're striving for?"
"Don't be foolish. Pirates in this day and age are executed on the spot. You can't even mention the fabled One Piece without attracting the wrong kind of attention!"
"My dream is my own and I will follow it through to the end." Lamar said. "With that said what's your dream if it isn't finding One Piece?"
"Why does it matter to a punk like you?"
"Because everyone has dreams and I wanted to know what drives you. You even said it's a risk to be a pirate yet here you are stealing treasure that won't do you any good in the long run…"
"Piss off!"
Lamar blinked. "Fine then. Don't tell me." Pushing him off, the captain almost instinctively grabbed for his side that throbbed in pain. Lamar leaned over, picked up one of the cannonballs and examined it carefully. "Nice arsenal you have too. I think it'd be fitting to repay the favor to you after what you did to the town."
Core's eyes twitched as he managed to look up. "What?" He let out a wheeze, the cannonball burrowing into his stomach. Spiraling backwards, the captain again crashed into the structure of his ship.
"I would also like to say that you had a nice ship until I had to put a hole in it. Don't worry though I'll make use with whatever's left over."
"What… what do you mean whatevers left over?" Core groaned as he rolled the cannonball off of him. He tried to stand but his body was in so much pain it didn't respond.
Lamar had turned and walked away, hands in his pockets. "Obviously I can't sail in a boat with a large hole in it so I figured I'd start from scratch. Blow it up and use the rubble to build my own. Oh! I almost forgot…" Pulling a hand from his pocket, Lamar had a small device in hand, similar to the one Core uses to detonate his cannonballs. "I hope you don't take offense to this, Core… but I think it's time to hand over the reins! Eehihi!"
"Wait! Hold on a minute!" Core reached out.
"Ciao, captain." Lamar pressed the button before throwing the device away, himself exiting the ship and out of sight.
Core's face paled as the cannonball next to him began to crack and shone brightly.
Lamar was walking up the shore with everyone smiling and sighing in relief. Misoo, cheering and waving her hands while Fitts stood there, his arms across his chest. Mere seconds later, the ship exploded into a giant fireball sending debris everywhere, the giant mast in the middle tumbling over from the blast, the iconic symbol on the sail burning up. Everyone stepped back startled and confused at the occurrence. Even the pirate crew looked on in horror, them all crying for their captain.
The day went on, and a marine ship docked in town. One by one, the pirates were led single filed onto the ship with marines escorting them, others exploring the wreckage of the Rotten Apple. Many questions about the pirates popped up and who stopped them. Only the names of Lamar and Fitts were given while they were actually MIA.
"Lamar and Fitts, eh?" the captain scratched his chin. He was rather tall, about 8' 0 exactly. He wore a marine cap on his head, his jaw rather round and a large sleeve shirt whose shoulders were puffed out. Over this was a blue vest and a polka dotted bow tie to go with it. His belt donned a large buckle while all he had was an average sword with the hilt having a small white puff ball on the end. His lower body looked like the standard marine attire wearing the average blue marine pants and shoes. "I wish they were here so I could thank them for dealing with this pirate. Shame it ended like this though."
"They did what they had to, Captain Pafu." responded Misoo.
"Well if you see them give them my regards and their reward for Captain 'Rotten Apple' Core." Captain Pafu smiled as he turned around and boarded his ship.
On board he waved a marine over. "We might need to start patrolling the waters again here in South Blue."
"Yes of course, captain." The marine said as he saluted. "The pirates are still out and about it seems."
"It's not that. Those two, Lamar and Fitts… they managed to beat a pirate worth 18,000,000 beli. Pirates these days have trouble getting 9,000,000 beli bounties. After the last Pirate King disappeared and the World Government's iron fist rule over everything, pirates have given up their dreams on attaining One Piece. Staying well below the line in which they would be noticed…"
"I don't understand what you're saying, sir."
"All I'm saying is that there's potential out in the world strong enough to throw the balance of things off. These two men, of no real background beat one of the most wanted pirates in South Blue. What do you think?" Captain Pafu explained as the boat began to depart Tele'i.
"Perhaps we should stay until the two arrive back in town and then question them?"
"I thought about it but the town has been through a lot already. It'd be best if we just pick up these trouble makers and be on our way." Sighing, Pafu turned and walked back towards the cabin. "What are the odds that these two kids will be out at sea? Let's just head back to headquarters shall we?"
"Eehihi!" Lamar laughed as he sat on his claimed ledge on the cliff overlooking the South Blue. "So what did you think?"
Fitts was next to him his legs crossed, his hands on his knees. "About what? You defeating that pirate back in town?"
"I think it's a perfect way to start in achieving my dreams!"
Fitts sighed looking out at sea, the marine ship sailing off into the distance. "So you plan on hiding in secrecy on a small island, waiting for pirates to come so you can defeat them one by one until every last pirate is defeated? Not a very well thought out plan."
"Fitts."
"Lamar?"
"I will become Pirate King one day…" Lamar jumped to his feet and held his arms out. "And I want you there by my side! As my first mate!"
"With what ship?"
"Don't worry about that. There's enough debris left over from that Rotten Apple guy's boat that we can build a small ship the size of a traders boats."
"And you plan to plunder large amounts of treasures and recruit handfuls of people on this small vessel of yours?"
"I must admit, it will take a good while before we can get it up and sailable."
"A carpenter before a pirate. Humorous."
"It's just the first step, Fitts. Don't worry. So what do you say are you in?" Lamar held out his hand towards his friend.
Fitts eyed his hand before making eye contact. "You're a fool Lamar..." Lamar's face sank. "But a fool who would do anything to follow his dream and I respect that." Lifting his hands, he grabbed Fitts' hand and stood up.
"Nice! I knew I could count on you!" Lamar laughed as they both looked out to sea. "The world will soon know us, Lamar and Fitts, as the greatest pirates in the world!"
