A/N: This Chapter is a flashback that takes place 9 years ago on Bala Bala when Lulu was 14 years old & Bon was 27, it will explain what happened to start Simon D. Bon & his twin sister Temperance D. Bon (from my story 'a Gathering Storm') on their individual paths to become the people they are now. You'll also meet Abigail Tome which is the main Character to my story 'Turn the Page'.
As a warning, this is an extra-long chapter b/c I don't want to split the flashback into multiple chapters & there is lots of violence & un-pleasantries ahead.
Laughter, it rang out along the path and the villagers could hear the siblings before they saw them. They smiled as the two came up the path, Lu had her arm wrapped around her brothers as they walked and his loud laugh drew everyone's attention as always.
Gran chuckled from his spot on a rocking chair, he was enjoying this pleasantly warm day as was the rest of the village. He waved to the siblings with a smile as they got closer. "You two seem in high spirits."
"Yup yup!" Lu said with a wide smile. "Big sis sent us a letter!" She held it up with a laugh.
"Oh?" The old man gave a few puffs on his pipe. "And how is our little fire cracker doing?"
Bon grinned. "She's doing great." He rubbed his nose with a bit of a snicker. "I still can't believe she's stuck with it. To think, one day my sister is gonna be a big shot Marine."
Lu touched her fingers a little and shifted her weight nervously. "Do you think… I could be a marine too?" She blushed a little, she loved the stories that big sis told of all the different type of people she helped… she wanted to help people too…
"What's this?" A woman with shoulder length black and white streaked hair came walking up to them with a young fire headed child in her arms that was no older than three years. "Why would you want to do a silly thing like that Lu-love." She gave the girl a wink. "Being a pirate is way more fun."
"Oye oye oye!" Bon waved his hand to dismiss the thought. "My baby sister won't be doing either, it's way too dangerous."
"Oh but Booooon." Lu whined a little.
"No arguing." He ruffled her hair affectionately before turning back to the woman. "And you, no putting ideas in her head." He went to her and wrapped an arm around her waist giving her a kiss on the cheek as he did.
She smiled and leaned into him, he was such a protective fool… but she loved him for it. "Can't be helped my love, it's what I do."
Gran chuckled, they always had this little light hearted debate. Abby and Bon had been together for twelve years now… sporadically. She'd leave at random, the call of the sea was too strong for a young pirate like her but she was one of the good ones and a brilliant doctor to boot. "So young lady, do you plan on returning my grandson or will you be kidnapping him again."
She laughed a little as she hugged the boy in her arms. "I just can't help it, he's so cute!"
Bon gave a little blush as he watched her, she was so good with kids. He moved behind her and wrapped them both in a hug, putting his face beside hers as he eyed the child. "Maybe we can have another one." He said with a smile. "or two."
She smirked at that. "Are you sure we should spawn another." She turned a little and nodded her head to a certain young boy with messy purple and black hair that was flirting with the baker's wife. "He's only ten and yet he's wooing the ladies at every turn."
Bon laughed. "He's gonna be a heart breaker… but that just means the next one will be more reserved."
Ah he was a persistent one. "Can't we just adopt this one." She gave the little boy a squeeze. "I'd love to have a little red headed son like this."
"Now what a minute." Gran arched a brow. "No stealing children you, especially not my grandson."
Lu just watched the exchange quietly, her siblings were so lucky. Bon had a family of his own and big sis was doing great things with the Marines, plus she had met a man of her own… another Marine that liked to smoke about as much as she did… But most of, they were both so happy… she hoped she could find someone to make her smile like they did and have children of her own one day…
"Are you alright Lu?"
Hearing her name gave her a start, then realized the other three were looking at her. "Yea." She smiled at them. "I'm gonna head back to the house to help mama and papa."
They waved to her and Abby gave a sad little sigh. "Do you think she'll be ok?"
Bon sighed as well, she worried about Lu more than anyone… but he couldn't argue it. Lu was the only fishwoman here and the more time passed the more the entire village saw that she was going to stand out… and that wasn't referring to her pink skin or fins. She was only fourteen years old but already she was as tall as he was and looked like a grown woman… He wanted her to be happy and he knew she wanted a family of her own… He shook his head and pushed aside the sad thoughts. "Yea, that girl has so much heart there's nothing that she can't bounce back from." He gave his lady a kiss to the side of her head to reassure her. "Now how bout you release that child to the old man so you and I can escape while the boy is distracted." He eyed their son who was now chatting up a few ladies who were out shopping. "We haven't had any 'us' time lately."
"Don't worry." Gran said as he took his grandson from her. "I'll make sure Sam stays out of trouble."
"Thank you." She smiled and stroked the child's hair one last time before disappearing with Simon, she should enjoy her time while she could. They were planning to leave again in a few weeks and this time… she wasn't sure when she'd be back.
Out at see a large ship moved across the water, sails full of wind. A man stood at the helm and his eyes peered straight ahead. "Can you see it?"
Beside him another man handed over the monocular. "Yea, the island is right up against the calm belt. Just like the rumors said. I'd give it a few hours and we'll make land Captain."
The other man grinned, they had been searching for this damned island for a while and all they had were bits and pieces of clues to follow but at long last he'd found it. He only hoped it had the woman his Master was looking for, the treasured bride…
"Gran-Ba!" A young lad called out as he ran through the town, behind him his friends were close behind. "Gran-Ba!" He yelled once more.
"Settle down lad." The old man answered as he gave his grandson a bounce, beside him Sam was making faces at the youngling to cease his crying. "What's the matter?"
"A pirate ship is coming this way."
"What?" He arched a brow, they've never had a ship sail this close to calm belt before unless it was one of the merchant ships but everyone here knew those ships and they always send notice before hand. "Are you sure lad? Could you be mistaken?"
"No." Another young man answered. "We all saw it and made sure, it sails a black flag with a weird jolly roger." He leaned over to catch his breath, they had all ran at full speed from the docks to find Gran. "Is pops around?"
Gran gave a grumble; he wasn't sure what to do. "He's at his house… Someone should get him though, and another needs to find Simon." The lad was the only devil fruit user on the island, his ability to shrink things wasn't the most useful but it would be something… "Give Abby's ship a call as well, they are docked on the far side of the island at the old base." He knew they had a devil fruit user as well but he never used his abilities so there was no telling what he could do.
"What's going on Gramps?" Sam asked, he didn't understand what the fuss was about. Mom was a pirate and he spent a lot of time on her ship, all the pirates he knew were really good people.
He looked down to the boy and put a hand on his head… he had to protect the children as well… "Gather up all the women and children, send them to the old base. They'll be safer there than anywhere else." He handed Sam his grandson and knelt down to look at him in the eyes. "I need you to protect Sebastian, go with the others to the old base and keep him safe."
The boy still didn't understand the urgency but he gave a firm nod. "You can count on me Gramps, I'll protect him. He's gonna be my little brother one day." He smiled as he held the little one close, Sebastian really was important to him. Mom always had him when she came home and they were growing up together… so one day, when he got older, they'd exchange cups of sake just like the grownups do and become real brothers.
The old man smiled, he knew he could count on him. They were very close and Abby might as well been the child's godmother since the boys own parents were not around. The mother, his daughter, did not survive the birth and the father was a sailor that stayed only for a season and left before they even knew she was with child… he sighed as he stood back up. "Go now, the others will be following shortly."
Sam gave a determined nod and was off, he'd lead the way and help to keep everyone safe. One day he was gonna be a great doctor too and sail the seas with his mom… so he had to be strong like her and his dad… he'd be a man that could protect everyone.
The ship hit the docks and the crew's feet hit the ground running, they all knew the drill. They'd swarm this little island and turn over every last stone till there was nothing left hiding. The Captain's heavy bots landed hard and the broken dock creaked under his weight as he strolled forward. "What a pathetic little island…"
Already he could hear yelling coming from the village up ahead, the men knew the orders. Give no explanation just round them all up and kill any man that interferes… they'd kill the women next, if they fail the test. In the end none would survive, their Master was a man of secrets and his word was law. No one would know they existed or what happened to this island and its people.
"Captain!" One of the crew came running up. "The villagers are putting up a fight but we should be able to detain them shortly but it looks like it's only men."
"Hmph." They must have hidden the women and children somewhere… He stopped and looked up to see some of his men flying… "Hee." He made a sound of curiosity. "It looks like they have a strong one."
The other man gave a grumble. "It's just an old man doing kung fu, we'll have him handled shortly. There's no need to worry."
The Captain grabbed the other man's neck and lifted him off the ground to make eye contact. "Does it look like I'm 'worried'…"
He kicked his legs feebly and grabbed the large hand around his neck. "N... no… sir… I didn't mean…"
The larger man threw the crewman aside and went to were the commotion was, he was agitated now. He could see the old man, a fox faced old bastard… "You seem to know what you're doing old man."
Gran looked up, he was already breathing heavy. Damn he hated getting old… he was regretting spending so many days lounging and napping but he never thought he'd need to fight again. The man coming too him must have been the Captain, a mountain of a bastard with a cold look in those black eyes. He didn't like it; these pirates gave no warning or even demands as to what they wanted. They just attacked and began capturing or cutting down whoever they please, beside him… one of the lads that had warned him of these pirates lay dead at his feet… he was still just a young man, too young to have his life stolen. "What do you want, why are you attacking us?" He didn't ease his stance at all, the other man's aura chilled him to the bone and he knew if he backed down even a little this predator would attack. He just had to hold on, wait until Abby's crew came. Wait until Simon arrived. He just had to wait, just a little longer.
"You've taken down many of my crew." He cracked his knuckles with a wide toothy grin. "As such you've earned a little of my respect, old man. So I will tell you my name." He removed his coat and let it fall to the ground, he would not underestimate the old man. "The name of the man who will kill you and everyone else on this island, is Barron Von Kaizer."
The old man scowled, this man… he was no man. It was a monster wearing the flesh of man… the skin was covered in scars from innumerable cuts… but they did not seem like things he received from fights. They were too uniform… to precise… and deep in his gut he knew that this man before him was too much for him… but he would fight. He would wait…
Abby smiled to herself as she reclined against Simon's chest, she eyed the calm belt with a sigh. "One day I'm going to fix up my ship to sail through that nest of beasts."
Simon chuckled. "You would get excited for that, all you need is to fix your ship up like the navy do and you'll be good to go." Thanks to his sister sharing a little extra info they knew how to do it already but they were still working on gathering the sea stone for the ship coating.
"Yup, then I'll be free to come and go through the seas just like the navy. I can travel all over the world and find all the best medicines…"
He hugged her tightly, his super doctor. Out to cure all the illnesses of the world. "That reminds me, I heard an interesting rumor."
"Oh?" She craned her neck to look at him. "And what might this rumor be?"
He pointed up to the clouds with a big smile. "That there's islands in the sky!"
"What?" She rolled her eyes and returned her gaze to the sea. "You would believe a fanciful thing like that." Her love, the dreamer. She shook her head with a smile.
He poked her in the rib playfully. "I'm serious, when you go to the grandline you'll see I'm telling the truth. They have these shells too that can do all sorts of things, like trap the wind so you can use them to propel things." He gave her a squeeze as he continued to smile. "I'd want a bunch of those things if I had a ship, then I'd have the fastest ship in the whole world."
There he goes… dreaming again. She gave a sigh and reached up to wrap her arms around his neck. "Alright then, my brave sailor who's never left this island unless I drag him aboard my ship." She teased him a bit, he loved this island too much so she doubted he'd ever be able to live a life out at sea. "When I go to the grandline, I'll ask about these sky islands and your little shells… but I swear if I become the laughing stock of the line I'll never forgive…"
"Cap'n!"
The other two looked up to see a large tiger running up to them, one that was easily three times the size of a normal one, Abby sat up with a questioning look. "Forrest? What is it?" She eyed his back and saw her two katana strapped to him. "And why do you have those?"
The tiger's body shifted as it stood up on two legs and went to the human-beast form with a snarl. "God damn it woman! Where tha 'ell is yer baby snail!" He growled. "Been try'n ta call ya!"
She looked around blankly, she thought she had it… but maybe she had forgotten it back at Simon's house…
"Never mind, take this one." He let out another snarl as he tossed her one, damn absent minded woman. "We 'ave ta go; pirates 'ave attacked tha island." He tossed her the swords when she got done juggling the snail and turned back around.
"What?!" The two shot up, hearts racing. Simon stepped forward. "Where's Lu?!"
The other man turned back a little. "Don't know fer sure, we got tha call ta warn us tha women and children were coming to our ship. When I left she 'adn't shown up yet." He turned his attention back to the Captain. " 'alf tha crew 'as stayed ta protect tha weaker folk an tha other 'alf are on their way ta rescue tha village; we need ya with us Cap'n." He bent down and returned to his animal form, waiting for her to get on. They'd move quicker if he carried her.
She hopped on his back without hesitation, she wanted to go to the ship to make sure Sam and Sebastian were there but she had to have faith in Gran-Ba. He would've gotten them to safety first... But that didn't help to ease her worrying "Simon?"
"I'm going to my house, I have to make sure my parents and Lu are ok." His dad could hold his own but his mother's health was never very solid and Lu had never even seen a fight before… he had to protect them, at the very least he had to make sure they got to Abby's ship.
She gave him a nod. "Be safe Simon, I love you."
"I love you too baby." He barely got it out before the tiger left, he was off on a dead run with her leaned close to his back to limit the wind resistance. Those two would make quite a sight when they hit the village, Abby was a strong woman and that old tiger was brutal. "Keep her safe Forrest!" He called to the tiger before they got out of earshot. "Or I swear I'll turn you into a rug!"
"Hmph." He smirked a bit as he picked up speed, brat still had the mindset to be a cheeky little fucker. "Don't 'old back with these pirates, Cap'n. They aren't tha type to be reasoned with."
"What do you mean?"
He scowled to himself and wrinkled his nose. "Ya can't smell it yet… but I can." He could safely say this was the only thing about being a zoan type devil fruit user that he could not stand… the stench of death always hit him hard. "Tha air is filled with blood… too much for just a wee scuffle."
Her fists clenched around his fur and her swords and the knot in her stomach tightened, this island was such a peaceful place… why would pirates come here all of a sudden?
Lu wrapped a shawl around her mother's shoulders to keep her warm, they had gotten the call from the village to head to sister Abby's ship but her mother was not feeling well today and was moving slowly. "Are you ok? I can carry you, mama."
The older woman patted the girl's hand affectionately. "Don't fret my sweet child, I'll be fine."
"Are you ready yet?" A burly man looked into the room as he loaded the rifle, his wife was standing now with the help of their daughter. He chambered a round with an aggravated sigh, he should have prepared better for this. He never thought that pirates would ever come to their little island, there was nothing here of monetary worth to draw them… "I'll see you to Abby's ship, you two stay there until me or Simon come and get you. Understand?"
Lu nodded. "Yes papa." Her heart was racing. Why? Why were these people attacking them, they never did anything wrong... All the villagers here were so nice and gentle so why? Why were these people hurting them?
"Come on." He met his wife's eyes, she didn't look well… she wanted them to leave her but he could never do such a thing.
They heard the door open and Lu perked up. "That must be Bon!" She went to call out to him but her father's hand went over her mouth.
"Shhh…" He hushed her as he readied his gun, Simon would have called out for them by now… was it too late… was the enemy already at their door? "Stay here and hide, don't make a sound."
"Papa?" She whispered now, the look in his eyes scared her.
He sighed and hugged them both. "I need you to be strong now baby girl, protect your mother."
Lu bit her lip to ebb the tears threatening to fall, she was scared… so scared. She nodded her head firmly, she had to be strong. Strong like papa and brother. Strong like big sis and sister Abby.
The two watched him sneak out the door and shut it behind him quietly, they could hear movement in the house down stairs and they knew… It wasn't Simon who had come home… Lu looked around, they needed a place to hide… Her eyes went to the window. "Mama, we have to go."
The older woman kept her eyes on the door, the image of her husband still lingered there… and she knew… She turned to her precious baby and cupped her cheek. "I love you my sweet child, I love you so much." Even though she did not give birth to her, this girl was her most beloved child. "Out the window now." I am sorry my darling…
Lu nodded as she opened the window and swung her leg out so she sat on the window sill. "I can carry you down mama, I can keep you safe." She smiled at her mother's soft touch as she held her face again, her hands were always so warm. "I can protect you, just like papa said."
A gunshot erupted from below them and startled them both, Lu's eyes grew wide as she heard yelling. Papa was fighting now… she shook her head and took her mother's shoulder. "Hurry mama, we got to go now."
"My baby… it's a parent's job to protect their children…"
"Mama?" She asked in a questioning tone then suddenly… she was falling.
The woman had called up every last ounce of the strength she had remaining and pushed her child, the fall would not hurt her. She was a durable girl, her fishman blood made her so… there was so many things she wanted to do still. She had so many things she wanted to teach her and say to her… but all she could say now… "Run. Run sweet child."
Lu hit the ground hard, the wind knocked out of her as she laid there in shock… her mother looked down at her from the window above… no, no she wasn't supposed to be up there still. She fumbled and stood, crying uncontrollably. "Mama! Mama! Jump down! I can catch you! I can still protect you! Mama!" She cried, her eyes burning as she screamed, she was supposed to protect her, she told papa she would… "Mama!"
Another gunshot, a man's muffled scream… the woman turned away from her sweet child and went to the nightstand beside her bed. She pulled out the hand gun that she kept, it would not stop them all and she doubted it had all the bullets in it… but if this could be the last act to protect her baby then she would gladly do it. The door opened slowly and she raised the heavy weapon.
Below the window Lulu cried out, banging her fists against the side of the house. Please mama… please come back… Another gunshot, from the room this time. "Mama!" She screamed as she stepped back to see into the window better. "Ah!" She could see her back, she smiled wide with tears still streaming. "I'm still here mama…" Her voice cracked a little and her body seemed to freeze, something fell past her… it was heavy and landed with a thud… she didn't see it though. Her eyes still looking up to the window… that wasn't her mother standing there. That wasn't her mother leaning out with a terrifying grin and blood splattered face. Who was that man standing in her parent's room and looking down at her? Where… where was mama… the scent of blood. It filled her senses… her eyes moved downward. To the ground at her feet where something lay, crumpled and lifeless… the throat slashed so deeply the head barely hung on… the eyes… her mama's eyes… why didn't they seem warm… "Ma…ma…" Why wasn't she moving. "You… have to get up mama." Her voice was barely holding it together as she looked down at the body, she couldn't look away. Her eyes glued upon the face of her mother. "I told papa… I'd protect you…" She fell to her knees, shaky hands hovering above the woman's lifeless face. "I told… papa… I told…"
"Heee…"
She jumped as a voice came from beside her, another man stood at the edge of her house. Half of his body hidden but she did not need to see more, he was towering… the largest man she had ever seen and his body was splattered with blood. Blue hair now two toned with red and those black eyes stayed locked on her… She did not like him, she did not like anything about him… Her heart pounded, she wanted to run but her body wouldn't listen. She froze in fear at the sight of this man that stared at her like a beast eyeing its prey.
"I did not know this island had a fish running about it." Kaizer eyed her with a grin. "Are you the treasured bride?" He took a step out, dragging the corpse of the man from the house. He was not nearly as fun to fight as the old man from the village but he wasn't here for fun…
She looked at the body he dragged along by the head, the man's large hand held onto it and covered most of the face but she knew… she knew her papa's smile… why papa… why would you be smiling when… when your…
"Run little fish." He threw the body of the man at her, it landed up against the woman's carcass with a delightful squish that made his grin grow wider. "I like it better when they run."
She couldn't breathe… her body wouldn't move. Move legs, please… move! Her eyes met her mother's, they stared at her blankly… lifeless… She never stopped crying, she didn't even have the will power to scream any more… but she fought to move her body. Scrambling and crawling away till her feet found the ground below her and she ran, she had to get away. Get away from that blood covered man and those black eyes…
The man in the window snickered to himself as he watched the fishwoman run off into the forest and licked the fresh cut on his arm. "Want us to catch that one?"
"No." Kaizer tilted his neck till it popped and made pleasurable growl. "I want to chase that one myself." He liked the unique ones and if that one failed the test then he'd take his time in making her scream. "Find where the women and children are being kept, contact me when you do." With that he took off after the little fish, he had given her enough of a head start but to be honest there was none that could out run him. It took the fun out of the chase sometimes but then again, they weren't here for fun.
Lu's feet moved her forward, it was all they could do. She had to run, she had to find someplace safe… she had started to head towards Abby's ship, they'd be able to help. They were strong and… She stopped… she stopped when she realized that she couldn't go there. She'd be leading the ones chasing her to where the other villagers are, to all the women and children… to Sam and Sebastian… she couldn't protect mama… but she could protect them. She shifted and began running in a different direction, she'd head to the sea… if she could get out to the water she'd be able to hide there. They wouldn't be able to chase her underwater, it would be ok… she could do this, she could…
"Heeee…"
Her heart stopped and her feet faltered and tripped over themselves, she hit the ground and skidded to a stop. She could feel a cut on her arm but she tried to ignore it, her eyes darting around. She heard it… she heard the tall man's voice but she didn't see him…
"Behind you."
She let out a scream, the voice was beside her. She rubbed away the feeling of his hot breath against her ear and scrambled away from him, how? How did he get right behind her so quickly? "Get away!" She screamed as she threw handfuls of dirt and forest debris at him.
He let out an agitated growl as he grabbed her by the throat, slamming her head against the ground and putting his weight into pinning her. As a fishwoman she was natural blessed with greater strength than an average human… but he was no average human. "Enough of your playing, little fish." He wiped away the remnants of dirt on his face and slipped the knife from its sheath on his waist. "I have lots of people still left to kill." He touched the blade against the skin of her stomach and delighted in how her body tensed. "And you have a test that would be in your best interest to pass…"
She held her breath as he moved the knife along her stomach, she knew if she twitched even a little she would be cut. He didn't release the grip he had on her neck and his weight was on top of her as he straddled her body and kept her pinned, she wasn't used to this… she was used to being so much stronger than everyone else on the island… she never thought there would be such a terrifying man in the world… and what was this test he mentioned… how was she supposed to pass something she knew nothing about…
He grinned as he watched her, scared little fish. Trembling so pathetically… he brought the knife up and held it above her face.
Her eyes watched it sway above her head, she wished he would just get it over with… being toyed with like this… was too much… the knife moved downward and she closed her eyes, waiting to feel the pain… she waited… but it did not come. One eye peeked open then the other as they widened in shock, he did not cut her… he cut… himself.
He frowned as he eyed the cut… the blood flowed freely, it did not stop… it did not heal. "Another failure." He let go of her neck and slipped the knife back into its sheath. "That's not good for you, little fish." He gripped her face, forcing her to look at him. "It was the only thing that could keep you safe from me…"
Fresh tears started to fall, his hand gripped her face painfully. His weight was suffocating and he loomed over her till his massive form shielded her from the light of the sun and his shadow covered her… she was scared… She was so scared… Bon… Save me brother… please… save me… I'm scared…
Abby buried her katana into the stomach of one of the pirates, around her the sound of clashing metal rung out. Beside her Forrest was shredding his enemies with bellowing roars and embodied the beast he took the form of. The ground was soaked with blood; the pirates blood, the villagers blood… even her own. These bastards fought like demons, they didn't care if they got hurt. They didn't fall back they just pushed forward. She didn't want to kill them, she wanted answers as to who they are and what they wanted but they gave her no choice. They attacked until the were killed, even if limbs were severed they kept coming… what the hell were these people?
"We are subduing them!" Forrest yelled, around them her crew cried out triumphantly. They had not won but they were gaining the upper hand by sheer numbers alone but something didn't seem right.
"Abigail!"
A familiar voice called out to her and she turned to see the old man using a building to support his weight. "Gran-Ba!" She ran to him, kneeling down to wrap an arm around him. He was hurt, bad. "I got to get you to safety, your wounds…"
"To hell with my wounds." He interrupted her. "You have more to worry about than an old fool like me. You have to get to the house!" He winced in pain, damn it all. That towering man beat him soundly and he could tell he wasn't even trying… damn it all…
She furrowed her brow, his ribs must have been broken. His breathing was too labored… "What are you talking about?"
"The Captain… to these monsters." He began coughing, blood splattered the ground in front of him. Damn it all… he could not stop him… "He's heading to the Bon house; you have to stop him."
Her heart stopped. "Did their Captain do this to you?"
"Yes, he's… he's even worse than these little underlings… he's a demon Abby… you have to stop him."
"Simon…" Her eyes went to the path that would take her to the house… Simon was on his way there… No, he should've gotten there already… Oh god. "Lu."
Gran pushed himself away from her. "Go, you have to hurry. They'll need all the help they can get to take that man down."
She nodded her head firmly and stood. "Forrest! Take command!" She started running, please be ok… please. She didn't know if Simon and his father could hold off this man… she didn't even know if she could either but she had to go. Her family was in danger, Simon… Lu… Sam… Sebastian… All of them were in the path of a monster.
"Where are ya goin?!" The tiger yelled out, this was no time for her to be running off. To the side, movement caught his attention. Damn it all. "Reinforcements! Brace yerself lads!" It was more of the enemy; these ones must have been out searching for the other villagers. He had thought that the numbers of the bastards seemed too small… His men were already getting winded, these people didn't fight like normal humans. They were men possessed, berserkers that were drunk on the stench of blood and death. Who the hell were these guys…
"Mom! Dad!" Simon called out as he broke into the clearing. "Lulu!" Oh god… the front door was open… He barreled into the house but it was empty. Did they get out in time?... A bullet hole in the wall caught his attention, not far away a familiar rifle lay discarded… Dad… slowly he started noticing the blood droplets on the ground, splatter along the walls… Oh god. "Mom! Lulu!" He dashed upstairs, throwing open the bedroom doors. The rooms had been ransacked, belli and jewelry were still scattered so they must have been looking for people not riches. Where were you guys? He went into his parent's room… no one… his eyes went to the open window. Maybe they escaped, he looked out and below… and his heart stopped cold… bodies… there were bodies… he had stopped breathing, hands trembling…
He pushed himself away from the window and ran to the steps, clearing most of them in leaps as he dashed out the door and around back. His vision was blurred by the tears, whose bodies… whose bodies… He stumbled and fell into them, they weren't as warm as they should be… "Mom…" He touched her face, her eyes were open still… her throat… dear lord. His shaking hand went to face and closed her eyes… he looked over to his father… Damn it… why do you have to be smiling at a time like this… He swallowed his despair and wiped away his tears, he… he could cry later. Right now he had to find his sister. "Lu!" He called out as he stood and ran back around the house. "Lu sweety!" Where was she? There was no sign of her here so she had to have gotten away…
"Heee…"
A sound got his attention, he spun on his heel but there was nothing behind him. What the hell… he knew he heard something…
"Heee…"
There! He turned and saw the shadow beside his home, he knew there was no one there a moment ago. "Who are you!" He yelled as he slipped off the ring he wore on his left hand; he couldn't take any chances… if this was one of the pirates then he'd not hold back in using his devil fruit abilities.
"Who am I?... Who am I…" Kaizer stepped out from beside the house. "I don't think you really care about that do you." He sneered at the boy in front of him, he had heard him yelling so he knew who this person was and could guess who he was just calling for. "I think… this… is the one you care about." He held up the little fish, she was still alive… but only barely. She had broken quite easily…
Bon's eyes grew wide; he was holding up his baby sister like she was nothing more than a doll. "Lu… Lu sweety…" His voice was cracking; he couldn't lose her too… not her. She wasn't moving… please no. Her eyes… they weren't dead but… she looked like her soul had been shattered. He bit his lip, drawing blood from himself as he tried to stop the tears. Her clothes were ripped up and she was bleeding everywhere like he had taken his time to beat her… to torture her. "What have you done… What have you done to her!" His fists were clenched so tightly he could feel his nails digging into his palms. "She's just a kid!"
"Hm?" The other man held her up so he could look at her face, other hand gripping her body and giving it a feel. "That's the problem with fish… you can never tell their age…"
"Let her go!" He screamed the words that turned into a roar of rage, he reached into his vest and pulled out something small with his right hand then tossed it into his left. A poof of smoke obscured his vision for a moment but it did not slow him as he raised the newly restored gun to point at the other man. He did not wait for him to act as he pulled the trigger and fired a round.
"Heee…" Kaizer grinned wildly, a devil fruit user huh? How interesting, it was rare to find one of them outside the grandline. He did not dodge, instead letting the bullet collide with his shoulder. "Stupid boy, you should have aimed for my head."
"Tch!" Bon spat, his aim was terrible. He hoped he'd hit him in a vital spot but that was really the best he could do? On top of that the guy didn't even budge… he let himself get hit. To hell with it, if the guy wanted to get shot then he'd be more than happy to do it… He just had to get Lu back… at all costs. "Let my sister go." He raised the gun again, he'd make damn sure he hit him in the head this time.
The other man sneered. "Catch." He tossed the little fish with a growl, he'd break this boy as well. He hated when little runts like him acted too big.
His eyes got wide as he saw her coming at him, he opened his arms and did his best to catch her. "Lu! Lu sweety… I got you…" Suddenly he felt a pressure in his gut, it knocked the wind out of him and sent him tumbling back with Lu barely in his arms.
Kaizer laughed loudly at the spectacle of the boy being thrown backwards by his punch. "Come now boy, even that old man from the village could take it better than you."
Blood hit the ground as he coughed heavily, that hit was like nothing he'd ever felt before. How could someone be that strong? A large hand grabbed his neck and lifted him up, he lost his gun in the tumble and it was his only one… he only had one more option… He slipped his other ring off and grabbed onto the arm that was holding him up.
"I'm going to enjoy breaking you, boy. Just like I did to your sister…Hm?" Something was wrong, he could feel… something wasn't right. The other man seemed to be getting bigger… no! He was shrinking! He dropped the boy and backed away… what had he done?
Bon steadied himself as he slipped the ring back onto his left hand, he didn't want to risk accidently restoring this man's size.
The man arched a brow as he watched the boy… so that's what it was. One hand to shrink things and the other to return them to normal… No matter. "Your trick will only work if you touch me." He cracked his knuckles, it had been a long time since he was caught off guard. He gave a grin as he took a deep breath, time to return the favor.
The younger man didn't have much time to react, he felt the heat and before he knew it there was fire. He screamed and rolled around on the ground to extinguish it but he knew one side of his face was burned good. This man… this man was a monster.
Kaizer laughed loudly as he watched the boy roll, that pretty face of his would be ruined. "Don't worry boy, I'll end your life before the day is over. You won't have to live with being ugly for long."
Abby cursed to herself, her lungs were on fire as she tried to run at full speed but these damn pirates kept getting in the way. They emerged from the forest around her like a swarm, how many where there? What the hell did they want?
Purupurupurupuru
The sound of her baby Den Den Mushi rang out but she couldn't get to it, that would involve her putting down one of her swords and that really wasn't an option right now. She had to break away from his group… but if she made a dead run to the house then they'd follow her and she didn't want to bring even more enemies for them to fight… still, there was something in her gut telling her she had to get there… she had to reach Simon…
Purupurupurupuru
She cursed loudly and bolted through the group, they were barely good fighters so that's not what the issue was. It was the sheer force of their damn numbers and the way they didn't stop coming no matter how much they were wounded.
Purupuru… click
"Whoever this is better have a damn good message." She yelled into the snail as she continued to run, she didn't like having one of her hands tied up with a call but she couldn't ignore it on the chance it was important.
"Quit yer bitch'n woman."
The voice was Forrest, she smirked a bit, he must have gotten things under control. "What's the situation?"
"Shit storm an a 'alf, been try'n ta capture tha shits but they've been bite'n off their damn tongues. 'ad to gag the fuckers."
Holy hell… "Well if you got things settled I need you with me, the Captain is at Simon's house."
"Fuck'n 'ell… I'll be with ya Cap'n, gonna 'ave our ship off with the weaker folk. They'll be safer on tha water than docked."
"Good call… leave a skeleton crew on the ship. I want what people we can spare at the house and capture as many as these fucks as you can."
The face of the transponder snail gave a sneer. "Aye Cap'n, see ya in a tick."
The line went dead, she shoved the little snail into her pocket and drew her other sword again, the children will be safe… she just hoped that Lu got to the ship in time. Now all she had to do was worry about Simon… Behind her she heard the pirates chasing her, with any luck Forrest will be hot on her heels with crew to handle them… She had faith in them.
The path started to widen, she'd be at the house soon… Simon… I'm coming… I'm coming my love… Her feet pounded against the ground, she could see the clearing… any second. She heard him before she could see, drawn to his yells of pain. "Simon!" She screamed as she ran towards him, a larger man had him pinned. Holding Bon's right hand above his head as he straddled his body, a flash of silver before it disappeared and Simon yelled once more. Her feet carried her faster as she barreled into the side of the man, one sword burying itself into his leg as she used all her strength to shove him off of her lover. She stood defensively over him, one sword held out in front of her and the other still stuck in the enemy's leg. Her eyes darted down… "Oh my god…"
Bon coughed up more blood, her voice was a godsend… He looked up to her as best he could, one eye didn't seem to want to work, he reached up with his left hand to touch her face… he had to make sure it was really her. "Baby… get Lu… get her… and run." This man they fought… this monster… it was nothing like anything he had ever seen before.
She was trembling, she could feel her tears falling silently but she couldn't even muster a wail… Simon… his face… his body… She swallowed her sorrow and replaced it with rage, she had to remain calm… Lu, he said Lu was still here… She looked around and paused when she saw her, the girl's body was laying a bit off… but she still breathed, shallow and barely noticeable but she was breathing.
"Heee…" Kaizer stood up, brushing himself off and eyeing his leg then back to the woman. "Finally." He grinned wildly. "A proper woman." He broke the hilt of the sword off then finished pulling it out from the other side of his leg. "And a fighter… I didn't think there were any women here with a proper backbone."
"Shut up!" She growled at him, she hated the sound of his voice and the look in his eyes. He didn't look at her like she was a person, she was just a bit of meat to him. "This island is under my protection! So do me a favor and die!"
"Protection?" He tilted his head to one side as he eyed her. "What exactly are you protecting?" He took a step forward, opening his arms wide. "Did you 'protect' that little fish?" Another step. "Did you 'protect' that man at your feet?" Closer. "Did you 'protect' the family of this house as my men slaughtered them!"
Her eyes got wide… Mother… and Father… Oh god…
"Tell me woman!" His voice bellowed. "What is it that you are protecting!"
"Shut up!" She screamed and lunged forward, her heart filled with rage, who was this beast! Who was this person who would hurt everything she loved!
"Abby! No!" Simon sat up as best he could to try and stop her but his gut was cut open good and his voice was barely there. Please no baby, don't fight him… I can't lose you too… he started crying and tried to crawl to her, he had to stop her… she can't win against this monster. Please baby, just run… it hurt to move. His hand was broken and there were stabs in his legs so his muscles screamed with every attempt to move and his tears burned. He couldn't help anyone, he couldn't save his parents, he couldn't stop his sister from being hurt… he was so fucking weak…
Kaizer laughed loudly, this woman had more spunk than the rest and more fighting ability too… but she was still no match for him. He grabbed her arms, crushing the wrist of the one holding the sword till he heard it snap and her added scream of pain. Beautiful. "You are not the treasured bride either…" He licked the side of her face were blood flowed freely down from a gash in her head.
She winced and struggled, the feel of his tongue against her cheek made her stomach churn. She kicked, her boots landing solid into his gut but it didn't faze him. "Let me go!" She couldn't stand it; she couldn't stand the fact that she was so damn helpless…
He let go of the broken wrist so she dangled freely by one arm, even with that boy on the ground shrinking his size this woman was but a doll to him. "I'll release you from this world woman…" His free hand grabbed her crotch and began to rub her roughly, he reveled in the look of horror in her eyes at the revelation of what he planned. "After you receive my blessing."
"Abby!" Simon screamed as he watched, no… no, he couldn't witness this… don't do this… don't do this!
"Cap'n!"
A new voice broke into the clearing and drew everyone's eyes as the massive tiger gained momentum and dove into the side of the man holding his Captain, claws and fangs digging deep. Behind him a group of his men followed with weapons held high and voices yelling, they came for her. Their Captain.
"Tch!" Kaizer spat as he dropped the woman and took note of the new faces, so that's what had happened. Bad luck that there was another pirate crew hiding here… and this woman was its Captain… heh. She might not have been the treasured bride but it was a prize regardless, his Master would want this one… He let out a growl, first things first would be to deal with this zoan that was making a mess of his abdomen. He inhaled, readying another flame in his gut.
Forrest let out a snarl, he could sense the man was up to something. He released and darted away just as the monster exhaled a stream of fire that blanketed the ground and would have done more than singe a few of his hairs. "Stay back lads!" He called to his men, they had scattered and went to each of the wounded. It looked like the boy had the worst of it though. "Son of a whore is a devil fruit user!" He shifted his form to that of the man-beast and let out a snarl.
"You have good sense about you." He stared at the cat and then shifted his gaze to the other men, most likely his own crew had been taken down and he could hear more people coming and he doubted any of them were his… His body shifted and grew, skin hardening into scales as he hunched over onto all fours. "Today is a loss…" His teeth sharpened to fangs that gave a sneer. "but I will find you again 'Captain Abby'…" His neck elongated and hair flowed into a mane of flames. "And you will receive my blessing."
" 'oly mother of god…" Forrest was never shaken by much but even his eyes grew wide at the sight of the creature before him, this monster's true form…
Abby's heart sank, she never had a chance… one on one, none of them would have survived… "a mythical zoan… the Kirin…" She could hardly believe it… what was something like that doing in the west blue?
Kaizer leapt into the air, clouds forming beneath his hooves as he floated above them all. He'd remember this place and especially that woman, it had been a long time since he had to report a failure to his Master… this moment would never be forgotten. He gave a growl and turned away, climbing higher and higher. He would find an island or a ship, whichever came first and return to his Master… but first… he had one last thing to do.
They watched the monster retreat but it gave them no solace… not when the direction he was heading sunk in. "The ship!" Abby screamed the words just as the rest of her crew made the realization. "Warn the ship! He's coming!" Her mind was ready to break, they rounded up everyone… everyone was on board… and there wasn't enough people to protect them.
Forrest gave a challenging roar to the sky. "Come back 'ere an fight ya bloody coward!" It was no use though, his words meant nothing to the monster and he knew it. None of them meant anything. "To tha ship lads!" He commanded as he shifted back into animal form and looked back to his Captain, he had never seen her looking so helpless… and he never wanted to see that look again. God save those people; he'd never ask for anything again… just save them. Especially the children… without another world he left, as fast as his feet would carry him he ran. He had to save Sam at the very least, that boy… he meant the world to the ship and was like a grandson to him… God forgive him, he'd let every last villager die if it meant saving that one boy. He just prayed it didn't come to that.
"Warn the ship." Abby found her voice and turned to the crew mate beside her. "Warn them about what's coming… I… I have to…" She tried to get up but hands came from around her to stop her.
"Don't move Captain."
"You need to get that wrist wrapped."
Voices around her tried to stop her but she strained not to listen…
"Abby baby…"
His voice reached her above the others, she looked around and saw him struggling against her crew just like she was doing. "Simon…" She breathed his name, he looked terrible… but he was still trying to reach her. She shrugged off the hands holding her from running off and she went to him. "I'm here… I'm here…" She pulled him into her lap as her people worked to stop the bleeding, was this really… all she could do right now?
He tried to hold onto her but he could barely move his arms, he was thankful… so thankful. She didn't get hurt bad… she wasn't… he didn't… his eyes widened. "Lu…" He licked his lips, his throat felt dry despite the blood he had been coughing up. "Lu… where is she?"
Abby looked over her shoulder, more of her people were taking care of Lu. It looked like she had finally passed out… a nod from her crew mate… "She's fine…" She hugged the man in her arms as best she could without hurting him. "She's fine…" She said it again but she wasn't sure who she was trying to convince…
Purupurupurupuru
The sound from her baby transponder snail caused her to jump and she scrambled to find it, answering it hurriedly. "Yes? What happened? Is everyone ok?"
"Calm yerself…"
It was Forrest, his voice didn't seem distraught… please let that be a good sign.
"Tha beast is gone…" the face sighed and looked away. "Set fire ta tha ship but all the weak ones were down below, wasn't after them…"
She breathed a sigh of relief, finally some good news. "What was he after then?"
Another sigh with a few grumbles came over the transponder. "Beast took off with one of our flags… we've made a right terrible enemy today Cap'n… 'e knows our scent an 'as our mark. Bastard will be lookin fer us now."
She gripped her face and cursed every god she could think of… "Pull the ship around the island to the main dock… we have a lot of people needing medical attention…"
"A lot more of 'em will be needing a bit more than that."
"Handle it… please." She closed her eyes… how many of these people were killed today… when her ship gets brought around there will be a nightmare waiting for the people there… "Take the adults aside and prepare them… don't let the children leave that ship." Not until… dear lord… she's never had to deal with something like this before.
"Rest easy Cap'n… I'll take care of it."
The line went dead after that and all she could do was drop the snail and hold her lover… She knew what she had to do… and she knew Simon wouldn't like it…
A week had passed… the longest week any of them had ever experienced. The held a mass funeral for all the people that were killed, Forrest led them in pray and gave the final rights to them all… it was the first time they had seen him so solemn as he performed his duty but none of them faulted him for it.
Abby eyed the ship of the invading pirates, in its bowels the surviving crew were chained and left. She did not waste the supplies to mend them nor did they spare them food or drink… these prisoners were slowly dying and she only wished she could prolong the suffering… but her rage had to be put aside. She and every other person on this island were filled with a fury they had never felt before and many of these kind hearted people have changed… she could see it in their eyes. The beasts that invaded their home weren't driven off… they now resided in each and every one of these people's souls. She saw movement on the deck of the ship and turned her attention to the two people now walking down the ramp, wiping their hands clean of the blood from their latest venture into the ships belly.
Simon winced as rubbed the blood away, his hand was wrapped tightly so the bones could mend and ever step hurt like hell but he couldn't stay in bed and rest. Not when these bastards still breathed.
Gran looked ahead, his face stern… it had taken a good bit but they finally had answers. "Hm?" He looked ahead and saw the townsfolk gathering, the women, children… and what men were still left. His heart… ached at the sight of all these faces, from young to old… filled with such malice and blood lust.
Abby looked down when she felt a hand touching hers. "Sam…" She stroked the boy's hair affectionately… where was her gentle child, the little flirt that would woo the baker's wife out of her sweet cakes… that innocence was gone… they all lost something in this raid but this was the saddest thing of all. What a terrible world they lived in, were a child would be tainted with such rage.
"What's the news?"
"Tell us Gran-Ba."
"Why did they do this?"
"Who are they?"
Voices called out from the crowd, everyone desperately wanting the answers to why they had to suffer like this. Simon stepped forward and raised his hand to quiet them. "A moment." He said sternly, he had stepped up during this and taken charge. He might not have been strong to prevent this from happening but he sure as hell would never let it happen again. "Before I start… where is Lu?"
The villagers exchanged glances and a few murmurs but ultimately they did not know.
"Rest easy lad." Forrest came walking up from the back. "She's on our ship, 'asn't left all day."
Simon gave a nod; she hadn't left Abby's ship since the attack. She couldn't even bring herself to attend the funeral and he didn't try to force it. He didn't know what happened to her in the moments before he got to the house, he didn't know what she witnessed or what was done to her… but they all feared the worst and none of them wanted to add to it by having her be a part in what was about to take place. "We didn't learn much but we have a name now."
"What good is a name?"
"That won't give us answers."
More arguments sounded and he raised his hand again to quiet them. "We've stripped this ship of all its wealth, I'm going to use that money to commission a ship from Galley-La. The fastest ship the world has ever seen and I will hunt down the boss of these people, this 'Yeagar Faust'… and I'll make him pay."
"But what can you do?"
"What about the island?"
"I'll become stronger, we all will." He rubbed his broken hand tenderly, the thought of how easily he was beaten painfully fresh in his mind. "And I have a plan… a way for us to become stronger and make this island flourish…"
"But first…" Abby turned to face the others. "As soon as you all are healthy enough… I'm leaving Bala bala." She felt Simon come up beside her and put a hand on her shoulder, they had discussed this for days and Simon did his best to talk her out of it… but there was no other choice. "We won't ever return."
"What?!"
"We need you here!"
"Why would you leave us now!"
"Listen to her!" Gran stepped forward now. "It is true that without Abby and her crew, this island would've been taken but now her being here will only endangers us more."
She raised a hand to silence them before they could argue. "The monster that led these people and attacked my ship now has a personal vendetta against me, the longer I stay here the greater the chance of him returning. I'm going to enter the grandline and head straight for the new world, I'll put as much distance in-between us as I can to make sure you all stay safe from that man."
A few people murmured but none could argue, not one of them wished for that man to return…
Simon turned away from them and walked back towards the ship. "You all have my word…" He raised his bandaged hand, unwrapping it and slipping off the sea stone ring he wore. "We will never suffer like we did ever again." He placed his hand on the ship, the shrinking slowly taking effect. "I swear to you…"
They all stood and watched as the ships mass grew smaller and smaller, soon they could hear the yells from the prisoners still inside that were unaffected by Simon's touch, Abby looked down and saw that Sam's eyes were glued on what was happening. She tried to shield him but he refused to turn away, her eyes turning upward to see the other children that had gathered… all intently watching. No one looked away as the sounds of screaming grew louder and just faintly you could hear the sickening crunch as the bodies began to be crushed… Still no one looked away. Every survivor went to the dock to watch these intruders be erased from existence, their hatred not being quenched as they watched Simon shrink the ship and knowing full well there were living people still inside. People that screamed like they had screamed, that bled, cursed, cried and experienced pain just like them…
In these moments… No one looked away.
End of the Flashback… The Main Story Will Continue…
A/N: Well now, that one was a bit of a doozy. I hope you all enjoyed (for lack of a better word) this flashback, the next chapter will pick back up into the normal story. Please leave a review, I'd love to know what you thought.
