Please note that I am using the dub version of the names so chaser is known as captain smoker. Sorry for the confusion.
------
CHAPTER ELEVEN.
Traces eyes widened in horror as he stared at the figure in front of him, all around him he could here voices crying out in pain and despair, anguish and hurt but they all seemed irrelevant compared to what he was feeling. Was it selfish of him to think about himself only when his Captain-no his Mentor was dying in his arms? Or when his crew was dying around him? He didn't know and at the moment nor did he care, at this moment in time all he cared about was himself and…. him.
Who did he think he was? Standing there like he had done the hardest thing in the world…well he had…he had shot the captain of the Whitebeard crew, the most feared crew in all of the seas.
But Trace was confused, why was he working with the pirates? Had he betrayed the Navy or just working for his own personal glory? Whatever the case this man had to pay…he had to die.
"I haven't seen you since Alabasta, how ya been?" The mans voice bought Trace out of his train of thought and back into the cold reality. Trace Snarled at the man.
"Didn't think I'd see you with pirates, I thought you hated us." Trace said, finding a little bit of courage in his voice. He was still aware that Whitebeard was in his arms but for some reason calling for Irvine was the last thing on his mind right now.
"You know how it is…I'm actually looking for your brother, ya seen him?"
"Oh like I'd tell you!" Trace snapped, his temper beginning to reach breaking point, the man scoffed at the pirate.
"Brotherly love, it's so sweet, isn't it?" He taunted. "Almost makes me wish I had one"
"What'd you do? Betray him? Kill him? That's just like you!" Trace growled, the man raised an eyebrow at the obvious sign of fury this pirate was showing.
"Funny"
"It wasn't a joke…so now that you are travelling with pirates what do I call you? Cabin Boy Chaser or Poop deck officer Chaser?" Trace taunted at the man.
"That's Captain Chaser to you and don't you forget it!" Chaser snarled at Trace, Trace looked down at Whitebeard, the colour was still draining from his face and it was at this point that his senses kicked in.
"Someone get Irvine, NOW!" Trace yelled at the top of his voice, ignoring the fact that Chaser was laughing at his efforts and calling them futile. A voice responded his call.
"Trace? What are you yelling about?" Taros voice had joined the fray, Trace was unsure when he had got there but he was glad that he was.
"The Captain-" Was all that Trace could seem to muster; the words refused to have a voice and got stuck in his throat. Taro looked over Traces shoulder and saw what he was talking about.
"Holy-"
"Taro, do something!" Trace said, pleading being defined in his voice. Taro bent down beside Trace and took Whitebeard from him, it felt like a great weight had been lifted and Trace looked up at Taro.
"I'll take him to Irvine. Trace, you better deal with this and quick…with the Captain down your our next commanding officer" Trace flinched as he heard these words, he watched Taro rush off towards the medical hut which was being guarded by JT, a small pile of bodies had formed by his feet. Trace looked at Chaser.
"Its just you and me, Trace" Chaser said as he held out his gun. Traces eyes narrowed as he glared at the gun, he wasn't afraid, he had never been allowed to be. He was an older brother meaning that he had to be strong no matter what the circumstances…
How that sucked….
"Yeah…just you, me and a ship filled with my crew…didn't think this out to well, did ya?" He said mocking the way that Chaser spoke, Chaser tightened his grip on the gun and took a step towards Trace. To his surprise Trace step forward also, closing the gap between them.
"You dare to mock me? I'll teach you what happens to those who mock me!" Chaser took another step forward and so did Trace, the barrel of the gun only inches away from Traces head but still he did not flinch.
Suddenly Traces hand shot up and grabbed the gun, a smirk appearing on his face.
"Do you want to shoot me like you shot Whitebeard? Well go ahead, im standing right in front of you or can you only shoot people if they have their backs to you?" The gun that Trace held in his hand began to sizzle and soon a smell of burning metal filled the air. Chasers eyes widened in horror as he saw what was happening…Trace was melting the gun. Chaser let go off the gun and it hit the floor with a thud, leaving scorch marks on the wooden deck.
Chaser looked up just in time to feel a fist connect with the left side of his face. Chaser fell to the floor and looked up at Trace. Trace stood over the man and at once the flames began to dance around his arms, a beautiful yet frightening sight, Chaser scurried away and grabbed at the nearest sword. He jumped to his feet and held it at arms length, trying to widen the gap between himself and the human fireball. Chaser backed away…straight into a railing and his only escape seemed to be jumping into the water…small problem…
"You're cornered…aren't you? Cause people like us don't like the water…do we?" Trace called as he realised Chasers problem, Chaser looked at the floor.
He could die at the unforgiving grasp of the ocean or at the hands of an angry pirate…
Crappy choice….
Chaser swung the sword at Traces head and instinctively Trace put his arms up to protect his face. The sword and fire collided midway and neither fighter budged.
"Today you die!" Trace growled as the flames began to climb up the sword, bending the metal ever so slightly. Chaser smirked and ducked down, sending a sweeping kick towards Traces legs and knocking the pirate to the floor.
"Another day perhaps" Chaser yelled as he called to his men to retreat, Trace clambered to his feet and chased after him.
"Coward!"
"No my dear friend…clever" And with that their opponents ran away, ran away with their tails in-between their legs…they ran like cowards. Trace glared as he watched the cowards flee.
"ARM THE CANNONS!" He cried, making everyone turn to face him. Ethan cleared his throat and Traces head snapped in that direction.
"Trace…just let them go…it's over, we won" Ethan said, sounding completely exhausted.
"Won? Do we look like we won, Ethan? Take a look around you, at all the damage. Did you forget that they shot the Captain?" Trace turned on Ethan, all his anger had boiled up inside him and he hadn't had a chance to take it out on Chaser.
"I'm just saying-" Ethan began but was stopped as Trace took a menacing step towards him.
"Saying what?" Said Trace through gritted teeth, Ethan cowered in Traces glare but held his ground, sort of.
"That we should focus on repairing the ship in case of another attack, and we should make sure that the Captain gets all the care that he needs, that's what im saying" Ethan finished his sentence and looked back at Trace.
"And who made you Captain? If I say load the Cannons then that is what I want you to do!" Trace grabbed Ethan by the scruff of his neck and shook him violently.
"TRACE!" A voice from behind made his drop Ethan, who quickly crawled away from Trace with fear in his eyes, Ethan had never seen Trace like this…ever and he didn't like it.
Trace turned and looked at the direction of the voice. He saw that Irvine and Taro were standing there, both had blood on their hands and tops and Trace knew that it wasn't theirs…hell the whole crew knew that but why was there so much blood, it was only a single gun wound right?
Right?
------
Thank you to all those who have reviewed my story.
Please enjoy this chapter.