~M~

Okay, I'll admit I was hoping things would go a little more smoothly, but this was just unavoidable. Especially considering how Ace always charged in without thinking. Not two minutes after I showed Ace and the girl to the clearing, Ace waltzed right out into the open and pretty much declared war. I didn't even get a chance to mull over any possible strategies.

But being reckless was just a part of who Ace was, and I accepted that a long time ago.

Now I had better focus on the present, or I might just end up in trouble. I rolled my shoulders and stepped out into the open, joining in the chaos that Ace created.


~R~

Yikes, there are more pirates here than I thought! Sure I said I could take care of myself, and I can to an extent, but I've been a part of a huge brawl like this. I'm not gonna lie. I'm a little bit afraid.

But at the same time I'm kind of excited. That, and I could see the guy that we came here to rescue. He looks like he's in pretty bad shape, so I want to help him.

I looked around for something suitable to fight with. I spotted a discarded wooden staff lying near me. Not much, but better than going in bare-handed. I grabbed it and darted out into the open. It took me a second to make sense of everything. A lot of the pirates were focused on trying to get around Ace and Marco's defenses. Not an easy task, that much was obvious. I don't see how anyone could fight a couple of raging fires without a ton of water.

The rest of the enemies were scrambling around trying to put out flames that threatened their supplies and treasure. A few took notice of me and started towards me with weapons raised. I braced myself, staff clutched tightly in my hands.

"What are you doing around here, girlie? You're gonna get yourself hurt!" one of them snickered.

I ignored his comment, as well as the other, less appropriate ones made by the other men that stood in front of me. They were all bigger than me, so I definitely wasn't going to win a battle of strength. I just had to hope my wits would be enough. I tried to remember all the weak points that I could take advantage of.

One of them lurched toward me with his arms outstretched to grab me. I saw my chance right off the bat. I spun the wooden staff, bringing the tip straight up between the man's legs. He grunted and I stepped out of the way as he toppled over.

I faced the other two goons just in time to see and dodge their weapons. I backed up and readied myself for their next attacks. I neatly ducked and sidestepped to avoid their haphazard movements. I saw an opening and slammed my staff against the nearest pirate's head. He yelped and hit the ground hard, holding his head. I turned to the third one and took him down in a similar way.

I turned and located Marco, who was freeing his comrade. Most of the goons were down, and Ace was taking care of a few gutsy stragglers who were making a final stand against him. I guess there wouldn't be as much action for me as I thought. I'm a little disappointed to be honest. I craved more excitement.

You know, I really should be careful what I wish for.

Little warning bells went off in my head, so I turned around to see what my subconscious was trying to tell me. I dropped my staff, jaw dropping.

"Guys! We have to go! Now!" I shrieked.

I had a legitimate reason for wanting to run from a swarm of bugs this time, not just because they were big and creepy looking. A buzzing sound started to grow louder and louder, and the thing (or things, rather) that was making the sound steadily grew larger as it got closer and closer. These bugs appeared to be giant hornets. Dangerous. Maybe not so much for Ace and Marco, but definitely for me and their buddy there.

"You're right. Move it! Back to the boat!" Marco said.

I was moving before he even finished speaking. I don't think I ever ran so fast before. I actually raced ahead of the boys, who were taller and therefore could cover more ground more quickly than I could. I practically flew to the Striker and the dinghy. Well, not really. More like I just leaped into the small boat. I panted looked behind me in time to move out of the way as Marco landed in the boat. He set down his comrade, who was out cold and looked even worse up close.

For a few moments that seemed to drag on forever, I couldn't spot Ace. Then he appeared out of the jungle shooting fire at the hornets.

"Oi, hurry up!" Marco shouted.

Ace didn't need to be told twice. He was already flaming when he got into the Striker, so we zipped right out to the open sea as soon as his feet touched the vessel. He also shot a few extra bursts of fire at the swarm so they wouldn't get too close.

It felt like forever, but after a few tense minutes, the hornets gave up their chase and turned back to the island.


~A~

"You were right behind me, how'd you end up so far back?" Marco asked.

"Oh, I ran into the guy who shot that dart at Rory earlier. I was gonna beat him up myself, but...I just handed him over to the bugs." I replied. Looking back, that actually seemed a bit cruel. However I can't forgive anyone that attacks my friends, so I don't care much about what happened to him.

"Harsh." Marco said. I looked over at him, but he was looking at Rory thoughtfully. Whatever he was thinking, he didn't share it with me. Before I could ask, he changed the subject. "So how's Souji doing?"

Rory looked up. "Not so good." she replied. She continued checking our comrade's wounds. "I don't know much about medical stuff but it kind of feels like he's got some broken ribs. And he's been hit in the head a few times, and normally your not supposed to move someone in this condition, but we had no choice obviously." she said. She sighed. "He's gonna need a real doctor and soon."

"The closest doctors I know of are on the ship." Marco said.

"We can't bring Rory there, can we?" I asked. "We already dragged her into that mess."

"Ship? You mean Whitebeard's ship?" Rory asked. Her question went unanswered.

"Its just a quick trip. You'll drop Souji and I off, and then you can take her wherever." Marco said. "He's in seriously bad shape. I don't think he wait very long."

I nodded. "You're right." I said.

"Guys?" Rory asked.

"Get ready, kid, you're gonna meet the most powerful man in the world." Marco said.

"Huh?" Rory sounded completely dumbstruck, and I chuckled. I bet she's never had so much excitement all in one day before she met me.