A/N: Hey guys, so erm, yeah. I'm dreadfully sorry this has taken so long again, but this is a fight chapter and i'm not very good at writing fights. Plus i didn't really get many reviews on the last chapter which was quite disheartening. It doesn't even feel like I'm writing this for anyone but my self anymore, but I made myself write this just in case i do have any loyal readers left. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter. It has a twist at the end, so let me know what you think of that, and let me know how well you think i did at the fighting too. Afterall, if you don't tell me what could be improved, i wont know for next time, will I? Anway, here we go!

Diclaimer: One Piece still does not belong to me, it never has and it never will.


Chapter 9: The Monster

They heard the noise again, louder, only this time it sounded less like an innocent laugh and more like a low, rumbling growl.

Zoro drew his swords and took a step towards the boulders, peering at the stream of water falling onto the largest boulder, trying to make out what was behind it. Everything was distorted by the constant movement of the water though and he couldn't make out much. Zoro stumbled back in shock however, as a piercing scream rang out across the lagoon and a pair of glowing red eyes shone through the water.

Luffy's eyes widened in shock and he quickly clamped his hands over his ears, trying to block out the scream that was threatening to make his ear drums bleed. The noise was making his mind fuzzy and he felt dizzy. He dragged his eyes over to where Zoro was standing and he seemed to be suffering from the same effects. Luffy stumbled forwards, certain that the owner of the red eyes was the one making the scream. The red eyes, which had been transfixed on Zoro, turned to glare at Luffy.

Before Luffy or Zoro had a chance to react, a figure flew out from behind the stream of water steadily falling on to the carved stone. The figure was porcelain white and seemed to be smoking, wispy tendrils of white rising from the body. A long mane of knotted white hair grew from its head, tangles and untamed. Its hands were outstretched, long sharp claws aimed for Luffy's throat.

Despite his dizzy state Luffy was able to duck out of the way and the figure flew past Luffy and tumbled to the ground a few feet away, its unearthly scream cut off with a muffled "oof". It quickly rolled over and rose to its hands and knees, crouched on the ground in an animalistic position: arms stretched slightly out in front; legs curled in, poised to spring; head low down to the ground. White wisps of what looked like smoke curled in the air around it, and seething red smoke drifted out of the eyes giving it a sinister appearance. There was no doubt in Luffy's mind that this was the monster terrorising the Nawambie.

Before the monster had chance to gather its wits and open its mouth to scream again, Luffy drew back his rubber fist and let loose a powerful punch with a cry of "Gum-Gum Pistol!". The monster saw the attack coming the moment it was launched and dropped to the ground and rolled away, the punch missing it by inches. "Luffy, stop! Remember what the chief said!" Zoro shouted from behind Luffy, drawing his swords and tying his bandana around his head. Luffy glanced over his shoulder in confusion. "What do you mean stop? This is the monster attacking pop's village!" He shouted, twisting to the side to avoid a large stone that had been launched at his head with some force. The monster hissed.

"Tollu'k said that anybody who touched it collapsed! Or had you forgotten?" Zoro shouted, dropping to the ground and rolling away as the monster sprang at him. Having missed its target, the monster stretched its arms out and grabbed hold of a low branch, swinging its self up onto it.

"Oh yeah! What does that mean then, I can't punch it?" Luffy asked, taking up stance below the branch the monster was perched on. "Yeah, I guess it does. I can still attack it with my swords as long as I don't touch it, but you'll have to find some other way to attack." Zoro said, slashing his swords out in front of him as the monster leapt down from the tree.

Luffy frowned as he watched Zoro and the monster exchange blows, Zoro using his swords and fists to attack and the monster using its claws and any rocks or branches that were close to hand. Luffy glanced around the lagoon, his frustration at being unable to join the fight rising with each passing second. Suddenly another ear piercing scream rang our through the lagoon and Luffy cried out, clamping his hands over his ears again. He swung around to look at Zoro and the monster, and was surprised when he saw a black stain on the front of the monsters ragged clothing. Zoro seemed to be grinning despite the earth shattering scream and Luffy realised that he must have cut the monster. The scream died down and the monster resumed its attack.

Suddenly Luffy had an idea, and he tore off his red jacket and ripped it in two. He wrapped the scraps of fabric around his fists and his wrists and swung his arm back. "Gum-Gum Pistol!" He shouted, before launching his fist forwards. In its injured state, the monster was slow to react and took the full force of Luffy's punch in the gut, sending it hurtling backwards and splashing into one of the pools of water. Zoro turned and smirked at Luffy who grinned in reply.

The two turned their attention back to the pools of water when the monster shot out of the water with a loud splash and floated in the air, suspended five feet above the surface of the pool. The black blood had run down the monster's side, staining its clothes from the hip down. It's previously wild hair was now limp and plastered to its face and shoulders, water droplets dripping into its face. One of its clawed hands was clutched protectively over its injured belly and it was slightly stooped over. It had an enraged look in its eyes, though the water dripping from its body and rolling down its face detracted slightly from its ferocity. It snarled at Luffy and Zoro, who dropped into fighting stances once again. The monster screamed again as if flew at the pair, hands outstretched and ready to impale the pirated on its talons. Both Luffy and Zoro rolled to the side, avoiding the spear-like claws by inches. The monster whipped its head around, snarling, trying to decide which pirate to focus its onslaught on.

Within moments it directed its attacks on Luffy, who had only just managed to pull himself to his feet. Unprotected as he was, Luffy was limited in his attacks and blocks, and had to focus most of his energy on dodges. He knew that if the monster was able to lay a hand on him he'd be done for, so he ducked, jumped, and rolled out of the way of most of the monsters attacks, throwing in a few of his own whenever there was a window of opportunity.

While Luffy seemed to be dancing with the monster, Zoro was biding his time at the side of the fight, trying to work out a plan. He knew they needed to subdue the white beast before nightfall, or there was the risk that it might make its way back to the village. However with them being unable to physically touch it, their fighting tactics were greatly reduced. Glancing back at the fight, he could see that Luffy was beginning to tire. His foot work was becoming slightly clumsy and he was starting to throw reckless attacks. That being said however, the monsters injuries were affecting its fighting ability too. It was slowing down, and any sudden movements seemed to aggravate its still-bleeding wound.

The best idea Zoro could come up with was that he join the fight and they keep on trying to wear it down until it gave in to its exhaustion.

Tightening his grip on his swords, Zoro darted forwards and aimed a slash at the monsters midsection. It saw him coming out of the corner of its eye and twisted its body around to avoid the sharp blades, however while it's attention was on the steel inches from its belly Luffy threw a punch that caught the monster in its ribs. It spluttered in surprise and tried to jump backwards to regain it's footing, but it found its path blocked by the green haired swordsman. Snarling, the beast whipped out its clawed hand, its talons whistling past Zoro's cheek. He ducked out of the way and the beast sailed over him, landing on unsteady feet with its back to the pools of water. Luffy and Zoro span to face it, and Luffy was pleased to see a flash of uncertainty in the white creature's eyes. Luffy swung both his fists behind him, and once they had stretched back a suitable distance, he flung them forwards, palm out, and struck the monster in the centre of its torso. The monster fell back with a cry and before it could recover, Zoro dashed forwards and slammed the hilt of his sword into the beasts head. The monster fell to the side, landing hard on its back and gasping in pain. Without missing a beat Zoro kicked the monster in the gut, its white body folding around its boot and sent it flying backwards.

This was it; he could see the monster was on its last legs. Just a few more moments and it would be over.

"Luffy!" He shouted. His captain nodded and ran forwards to where the monster was struggling to get on to its hands and knees. He swung his fist up, preparing for the final blow, the monster twisting its head around to stare at Luffy with terror in its red eyes. Just as he was about to bring his fist crashing down into the monster's body, his eyes widened as he saw the white beasts red eyes fade to cerulean blue, its sharp, pointed fangs retract, revealing ordinary teeth and heard a girls voice screaming for him to stop.