Neo One Piece
By Nezumimaru
The Trials, Part 3
Zugai lay on his bedroll, wide awake and unable to sleep. He had been staring up at the ceiling for who knows how long, the things he had learn before that lizard-man Squawk came with the bedding.
"Trodgor uses women, and soon Chrissy, as breeding stock." Zugai still couldn't believe what he had heard.
'How could we allow ourselves to be put in this situation?' Zugai thought, 'How could we allow Chris…?' Turning his head, Zugai looked over at where Jin had placed his bedroll and was currently sleeping, and Blitz slept on the only bed in the room. Never mind that bed was big enough for two, maybe three, Blitz insisted that since he was the captain, he should get the bed and he refused to share it. At least with other guys, anyway.
'And how could Blitz sleep so easily? Doesn't he feel the least bit guilty for putting us in this mess?' Zugai was still a little bitter that Blitz agreed to go with the trials, rather than just fight Trogdor outright. 'We could have taken him, even if we outnumbered us. Then we wouldn't be risking our lives!' Gritting his teeth angrily, Zugai cursed under his breath. 'Or risk Chris being a slave for the rest of her life. Bastard…'
"Go to sleep, Bonehead." Blitz said suddenly, startling Zugai, "If all of us are going to win our trials, then we all need to have a good nights rest." Grumbling, Zugai turned to his side, his back to Blitz. "And I had no idea what exactly we were getting into, or what they had planned for Chris, so stop blaming me." Zugai's eyes widen. It was as if he had read his mind or something. "Besides, Chris is one tough customer. I'm sure she's fine." Sighing, Zugai couldn't help but secretly agree with Blitz. Chris is a good fighter. With that little reassurance, Zugai closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep.
The Next Morning
"!!!!!!!!"
Chris Hopkins woke up with a start, sitting straight up and sweating profusely. Looking around her, she saw that she was in a sort of bedroom, though it was sparsely decorated and the only window showed only rock and torchlight. The room itself had only a bed with a side table, on which were Chris's Two Sided Dagger and hat, on top of her folded vest.
"Just a dream." Chris breathed, before flopping back down on the pillows beneath her. Aurora and the others had helped her to this room last night, as she could barely move due to shock, after learning what Trogdor had planned for her if Blitz and the others lost. "Great." Chris mumble, her face mixed with stress and despair, "Now I'm going to have nightmares of lizard-babies for the rest of my life. Thanks, people." She sat up again, clutching her bed sheets and shivering. "Just thinking about that dream sends chills down my spine. I don't even what to know if it's even possible!" Taking in a few deep breaths, Chris tried to calm herself. "Ok, Chris Hopkins, stay calm. The guys can win their trials, and this will all end, just like a bad dream. Just stay calm and don't freak out if anything happens."
Slowly, the door to her room opened, and three armed lizard-men came in, one of them holding a box. Instinctively and instantly, Chris grabbed her Two Sided Dagger from the side table, pointing it at the three lizard-men.
"COME ANY CLOSER AND I CUT YOUR BALLS OFF!!!" Chris yelled, clamping her legs together as tight as she could. She actually had no idea if lizard-men even had balls, but seeing as that the three in front of her paled and zipped from the room, apparently they do, and were just as protective of them as human men. 'Yeah, way to not freak out there, Chris.' She thought with a sweatdrop.
Several hissing sounds could be heard from beyond the wall and door, making Chris wonder what was going on. Eventually, Aurora came in with the box that the lizard-men had, and closed the door behind her.
"Chrissy scare men good." Aurora chirped, "Aurora glad Chrissy have ferocious spirit, like mighty tiger." Chris scratched the back of her head sheepishly, and she placed her dagger back on the side table.
"I…kind of overreacted. I've been a little jumpy after…what I learned last night." Chris said, sliding out of bed. Aurora nodded understandingly, and set the box on the foot of the bed, which Chris eyed, curiously. "What's in the box?"
"King Trogdor want Chrissy wear this during trials, showing others Chrissy is part of prize." Aurora said, opening the box, revealing what was inside. Seeing it, Chris's entire face darkened.
"I…am not…wearing…that."
A Few Hours Later
Blitz, Zugai, and Jin, having just finished eating their breakfast, and had been escorted by Aeon to a very large pit. It was easily 4 or 5 stories deep, and about 75 yards in diameter. Wooden railings surrounded the pit, and a level of scaffolding with railings some distance from the top of the pit. Lizard-men where waiting anxiously by the railing on both levels, over crowding the primitive arena. The three young men where taken to a small gate in front of a sort of lift that went down into the pit.
"Wait." Aeon said, making sure that the three did not get to close to the edge, "Trogdor speak soon." And sure enough, on a section of scaffolding almost void of lizard-men, Trogdor sat on a large throne similar to the one in his throne room, a tunnel entrance behind him. A few other seats where on either side of him, though none were sitting in them yet.
"My kin!" Trogdor bellowed, earning a deafening roar of cheers from his warriors, "Today we have three humans who shall partake in The Trials, normally reserved for those who think they strong enough to challenge the reigning King for leadership. However, you my brothers are getting restless from boredom, as none has yet tried to challenge me!" Another roar of cheers. "Therefore, for your entertainment, these human will risk their very lives, not for the power of leadership, but to claim these!" Trogdor raised his hand and motioned someone from the tunnel behind him. Soon two lizard-men, Squad Boss Mugiu and Trogdor's assistant Squawk, came around to his right. Squawk was carrying a bow with some paper sticking out, holding it up for all to see before sitting down in the seat next to Trogdor. Mugiu sat in the next chair next to Squawk.
"Those were my maps." Whispered Jin, gripping the railing. Continued to stare at the box, barely registering that Trogdor began to speak again.
"What these are, are not important to any of you." Trogdor continued, "Only know that I have them, and the humans want them. Of course," Trogdor smirked, causing Blitz and Zugai to cringe at the mere sit of it, "it would not be fair if the humans were to get something for winning and we would not, so the humans offered this should they fail." He motioned again, this time Aurora came out seemingly coaxing someone to come out of the tunnel and into the open, though was having some difficulty.
"Come-come, Chrissy, please no anger King." Aurora pleaded, trying to get her to sympathize and come out. Sighing, Chris decided that it was inevitable and stepped out into the light, showing all; including Blitz, Zugai, and Jin what Trogdor had her wear. The three men could not believe their eyes.
Chris Hopkins, tomboy and ruffian, was no longer wearing her normal attire, but rather a beautiful flowing white chiffon cocktail dress. The plunging neckline and holster top through them off for a second, as did the fact that Chris no longer had her hat, allowing her red hair to fall to her shoulders. A slight blush of embarrassment adorn her cheeks, as she fiddled with her hands.
"Hey, Trogdor!" Blitz shouted, cupping his hand next to his mouth, "How 'bout as an added bonus, we get to keep the dress, and you keep her regular clothes?"
"F^& YOU, BLITZ!!" Chris cursed, flipping Blitz the bird while having a step up on the railing, with Aurora grabbing hold of her arm to keep her from falling over.
"Wow…" Jin said, tilting his head in astonishment. Having learned that Chris was a girl just yesterday, Jin never really had time to really assess Chris's look until now, and she was very attractive.
"You know," Zugai said, also tilting his and crossing his arms, blushing slightly, "Chris actually looks pretty good with her hair down." Blitz glanced over at Zugai, his eye half-closed and a slight smirk on his face. "What?"
"Nothing." Blitz said before turning back around, "Though you may want to find a way to get rid of that blush before Chris sees you." Zugai swiftly turned his head away.
"If you humans are done squabbling," Trogdor said, tapping a clawed finger on the railing in front of him, "Choose which of you will partake in the first of the three Trials, the Trial of Body." The three look amongst each other, before Blitz and Jin rested their eyes on Zugai, who continued to switch back at the other two.
"What, me?" asked Zugai, pointing at himself. Blitz and Jin nodded.
"Yes you." Blitz said, "Chances are, the Trial involves brute strength, and with your Devil Fruit power you have a better chance of passing it than me or Jen."
"Jin."
"Whatever."
"Oh fine." Zugai sighed, shouldering Honehakaisha and heading over to the lift, where Aeon waited to lower him down. A minute later, Zugai got off the lift at the bottom of the pit, ready for anything that these scale-brains could throw at him.
"Mugiu." Trogdor ordered, snapping his fingers. Mugiu nodded and grabbed up a large club and stone shield. Mugiu then jumped off the scaffolding, landing a few feet away from Zuagi, the ground beneath him crushing as if a boulder was dropped. Mugiu grinned wickedly, licking his teeth as he circled Zugai, his thick tail swaying behind him.
"The Trial of Body! One-on-One combat until one combatant is unconscious, yields, or dies!" Trogdor said, breathing deep. Taking a very gulp air, Trogdor exhaled violently, exhausting red hot flames from his mouth. "Breath of the Dragon God!" The flames roared thought the air, circling around Zugai and Mugiu, resulting in a wall of fire ten feet high and 50 yards in diameter. "In a ring of fire!"
"He breaths freakin' fire!?" Chris exclaimed, reeling back and falling into one of the chairs, next to an already seated Aurora. "Holy freakin' crap!"
"King Trogdor only lizard-man can create fire." Aurora explained, glancing worryingly at Zugai. "Mugiu very strong, second only to King. Chrissy's friend have very hard time fighting."
'Well crap.' Thought Zugai, gripping Honehakaisha. 'Not only do I have to fight this guy, put I also have to endure these hot flames the whole time. Not going to be easy.' Already Zugai could feel the heat, sweat forming on his brow.
"No rest, human!" Mugiu shouted, lunging at Zugai with force. "Shield Bash!" He thrusted his shield at Zugai, aiming for his face. Zugai instinctively swung his axe across the incoming shield. A slight scratch appeared on the shield, and Zugai was sent reeling back several feet.
"Mugiu strong! Stronger than human!" Mugiu shouted, pounding his chest like and ape.
"We all are stronger than the human!" Trogdor boasted, addressing the crowd of lizard-men. "Watch the way the human fight, analyze their weaknesses and strengths, so that when the time comes, we will conquer the human territories known as the East Blue!" Once again the lizard-men cheered, but Jin and Chris were shocked, and Blitz grimaced.
"So not only do we have to win for the maps and to save Chris from a life of making lizard-babies, but also to save the entire East Blue from invasion." Blitz said, biting his thumbnail. "I really did bite off a lot more than I thought."
Back down in the ring of fire, the fight between Zugai and Mugiu continued, both of them exchanging blows and blocking them in equal measures.
"Bone Splitter!" Zugai shouted, swinging upwardly at Mugiu. Mugiu easily back stepped and dodged the attack, though just barely, as Zugai managed to nick Mugiu's chin, drawing a small amount of blood. Mugiu wiped the blood off with the back of his hand, growling menacingly at Zugai.
"Luck shot, human." Mugiu growled, charging at Zugai once again. Zugai rolled off to the side, accidentally rolling precariously close to the flames of the ring. Being so close to the flame made it feel like his very flesh was melting.
"Have…to stay away from the edge of the circle." Zugai grunted, trying to get as far away from the outside of the circle. Of course, that meant getting closer to Mugiu.
"Lizard Smash!" Mugiu shouted, bringing his club down on Zugai's head. Zugai brought Honehakaisha up to block, barely stopping the attack with out his legs giving out. He gave them a little extra density as he held back Mugiu, until he stood at full height, standing toe-to-toe with Mugiu. This shocked Mugiu, not believing that a mere human could push him back this far, if at all.
"I may be human," Zugai said, pushing Mugiu even further back, "But I have power, too." He then punched Mugiu several feet back with a reinforced fist, knocking him off his feet.
"Yeah, that's right! Sock it to him, Zugai!!" Chris cheered pumping her fists in the air. She may have been forced to wear a dress, but watching one of her nakama kick some scaly ass was worth all the while.
"Woah, he is pretty strong." Jin said, amazed by Zugai's power. "You said his Devil Fruit allows him to control bone density, right?"
"Yup." Blitz answered, leaning on the railing. "He's a tough guy, probably could take on a small army by himself if he wanted to. Even with the flames, he'll beat this Mugiu guy in less than ten minutes."
"I wouldn't go that far." Jin said, scratching his head, "I'd say closer to fifteen minutes."
"We'll see."
Rubbing his jaw, Mugiu got back up on his feet, clutching his club and shield with new vigor. He then jumped to Zugai's right, circling around him. Zugai raised his axe in a defensive manner, waiting for an attack. And an attack did come, though not in the way Zugai had anticipated.
"Tail Strike!" Zugai's legs were suddenly knocked out from under him. Mugiu had spun around, taking out Zugai's leg not with his club but his tail! Coming full circle, Mugiu face Zugai just as he hit the ground, his club raised high and ready to bring it down on Zugai. "Power Slam!"
Zugai quickly rolled out of the way, just before the club hit him, creating a small crater in the ground. Rolling up back to his feet, Zugai got back into a fighting stance.
"Take this! Bone Cleaver Trail!" Zugai cried, smashing the ground with his axe. A tremor shook the small area within the ring of fire, and a crack in the ground grew, heading straight towards a staggering Mugiu, causing him to be knocked back on him back.
"Ha…ha…" Zugai breathed heavily, the flames surrounding him starting to get to him. He was working to hard, causing his body to get worked up, raising his body heat in conjunction with the fire. 'If I don't end this soon, I may pass out from overheating.'
"Fire getting to human yet?" Mugiu chuckled, getting back up to his feet. Zugai would have tried to go over and knock him back down, but he was too hot and exhausted. "Human flesh weak. Lizard-men scales strong. Mugiu last longer in fire, much longer than weak human." Standing up at full height, Mugiu tossed his club and shield aside. "Mugiu not need weapons now, to beat weak human." He charged Zugai, teeth bared and claws outstretched. Zugai just stood there, almost incapacitated by the extreme heat.
"Zugai!!" Chris and Jin cried, fearful what is coming. Blitz simply waited, still leaning on the railing. But Zugai did not move, if anything he just dropped Honehakaisha to the ground and fell to his knees.
"Ha! Human no challenge for Mugiu! Easy victory!" Mugiu sneered, closing in on Zuagi. But as he got within inches of him, Zugai rolled to the side. Mugiu passed him, unable to stop. Zugai grabbed Mugiu's tail as he passed, grabbing the very end.
"Evasive Surgery!" With a hard yank, Zugai pulled out Mugiu's tail bone, creating a whip-like weapon. Mugiu tried to turn to face Zugai, but he almost lost his footing. For some reason he was feeling wobbly.
"Surprised?" Zugai mocked, swinging around the tail bone whip, "It appears that, just like all lizards, your tails aren't just for fashion. They help you keep your balance. Your tail may feel numb, because I just pulled out the bone inside it. Without the feeling in you tail, you can't keep you balance. No balance, no speed, no strength or power, no easy victory."
Zugai then whipped the tail bone at Mugiu, wrapping it around his neck. With a yank, Zugai started to swing Mugiu around and around and around, picking up more and more speed. Once he was going fast enough, Zugai let go of the tail bone. The centrifugal force sent Mugiu flying, through the wall of flames, and into the rock wall of the pit. With a loud crack, Mugiu came to a very abrupt stop before falling the ground. And he was not going to get up any time soon.
Silence filled the air, none but five could believe what had happened. Mugiu, second in command of the lizard-men, was defeated in combat. How could this be?
"Less than ten minutes." Blitz said pushing himself off the railing, "Like I said, Jen."
"Jin."
"Whatever."
"Hells yeah!" Shouted Chris jumping up on the railing and pumping her fists, "That's right! Ain't no way anyone can beat the Battle Master Pirates! We're the best!!" Her celebration was cut short as Aurora quickly pulled her back down to her seat.
"Chrissy! More careful, please." Aurora asked, trying to get Chris to settle down.
"Oh stop worrying! I'm fine." Chris assured her, patting her on the shoulder.
"Aurora know Chrissy take care of Chrissy," Aurora said, "But Aurora worried for pretty dress. Only one on island." She pointed to Chris's dress, reminding her that she was no longer wearing pants. Chris's cheek's flushed up while she pouted and crossed her arms, huffing indignantly.
'Well, I won.' Zugai thought as went over to pick up his axe, fanning himself to cool down. 'That's one step closer to getting Chris out of Trogdor's clutches. Though I have to admit,' he blushed slightly as he headed back to the lift. 'I think Chris should keep that dress.'
"Well done." Aeon said, patting Zugai on the back as he got on the lift. "Few beat Mugiu, none in ring of flame." Zugai grinned and scratched his head.
"Thanks." Zugai said, as Aeon started to bring them back up to the top. "You're a good guy, Aeon. A lot better than that oversized pair of shoes you call King." Aeon nodded solemnly. "I bet you'd make a better leader for your people, if only you just challenge his rule."
"Aeon can't." said Aeon, shaking his head, "Aeon not strong, Aeon not have special powers like Trogdor."
"It isn't about having the best powers." Zugai said back, wiping the last of the sweat from his forehead, "It's about have the heart." Aeon stared at Zugai, this previously unknown wisdom sinking in.
"Mugiu lose." Whimpered Squawk, holding his head in his hands. "What we do now?"
"Alert the best archers." Trogdor whispered to him, careful not to alert Chris or Aurora. "Make sure they are hidden for the next Trial. They will not win. Not so long as I am King. I will have the maps, and the female. Then…the East Blue."
End Chapter.
Notes: Well that went well. I really couldn't decide if I should have this at the end of the Trials, but ended up with it like this. Next Trial: the Trial of the Mind! BTW, like Chris's new outfit?
Also, now that vacation is over and I'm back in school, I will have less time to work on this story. So the next update will be next week Friday, and every Friday afterwards, rather than Wednesdays.
Signed—Nezumimaru