Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece, though I wish I did!
Author's Note: Thank you again everyone. Taking some comments on board I have made this chapter a little shorter…though not by much! What can I say, when I start I just can't stop!
I hope you enjoy.
Snap Shots
Chapter 9
"Gum Gum Pistol!" Luffy shouted as he stretched out an arm and aimed it in the direction of Sophia.
"Earth Wall" Sophia called out. A shield of earth surrounded her, shattering once Luffy's fist made impact but providing her with enough time to move out of harms reach.
"I knew it!" Nami said with gritted teeth, jumping up from her seat and running to the railing. She forgot the fact she had been nursing an injured swordsman who now lay on the floor rubbing a sore face from the impact of it being suddenly implanted in the ground.
"Hell Nami watch what your doing!" Zoro yelled, his pride slightly wounded by her sudden interest in their captains fight. His yell went on deaf ears as Nami gripped the railing and watched the two before her carefully.
Robin had been watching the scene amongst her friends and when her gaze met that of the irritated swordsman she could not help but chuckle, especially when a click of a camera from behind her had caught every moment. Zoro, having identified that all knowing look from his female companion and identifying the betrayal of the shipwright, gritted his teeth and chose to storm off to find a more private place to nap.
Robin joined Franky at the front of the railing. Franky noticed the smile on her face and smiled to. "Green and Orange really do make a good combination" Franky thought out loud.
Robin chuckled and replied "yes they really do"
Franky appreciated every small moment he managed to get with their archaeologist. Except for Brook, the pair of them are the oldest members of the crew and he could not help but see her as a worthy partner. After all, more often than not they seemed to be the parents of the group, or rather the fun uncle and cool but smart aunt. Franky felt sudden goose bumps run through his body as Robin held onto the railing in front of them, her arm briefly touching his as it passed. He watched her as she smiled at her captain's pure determination and stamina.
"Black and Blue?" Franky said is an almost whisper.
"Sorry?" Robin looked up at the bulk of a man who had suddenly gone red in the cheeks and focused his attention on their captain, "I didn't quite here that?"
Franky hesitated and was not sure if he should repeat himself but decided to take a chance, yet he stumbled on his words, "um…what about…the colours of ….um…black…and blue?" he asked, holding in a breath as he anticipated her response.
Robin looked at him for a second then back to the fight before her. Luffy's attacks were being met by earth figures or walls and he was beginning to become frustrated with the brunettes constant avoidance and skilful defence. Luffy was covered in dirt and a few scrapes, but had been equally as successful in stretching and jumping away from the girls earth daggers and spikes which formed from the ground beneath him. She couldn't help but think how 'Monkey' was a well suited name for their captain.
"Robin?" Franky spoke her name softly, realising that her attention had gone else where and worried that no response from her was a bad thing.
"Hmm…Sorry Franky…Um to me black and blue sounds like a bruise" Robin responded. Franky's heart sank. "If I were to choose a colour to match blue best" Robin continued, "it would be purple".
Franky was not sure if she fully understood what he was asking but this was a hopeful reply for him. Robin may have dark hair but her favourite colour and quite often the clothes she wore were purple.
"COME ON LUFFY!"
"GO LUFFY!"
"SHOW HER WHAT FOR!"
The voices of the yelling navigator, sharp shooter and doctor brought Franky out of his daze. Satisfied for the time being with that little ray of light his attention joined the others in their captain's fight.
…
"Stop jumping around and fight me!" Luffy demanded, fed up of her defences.
"I could say the same to you" Sophia's sarcastic response came back at him.
Luffy had quickly learnt that the ground was not a safe place to stand on with the earth devil fruit user and was perched on a railing looking down at the brunette and trying to gather his thoughts.
He knew he had the skills to use 2nd Gear or even 3rd Gear, but he didn't want to have to resort to that too quickly. His lessons over the past two years had taught him that he cannot purely rely on his own devil fruit powers and sometimes needed to use his brain in battle. A difficult thing to do, but not something he was unaccustomed to. Luffy was grateful though for having learnt how to partially hone his ability to use Haki. If not for that he would not have been able to break through the woman's defences or attacks so far.
His fights with similar enemies came to mind, like Smoker and Crocodile. Both their bodies turned into something else when attacked, swallowing you up inside them. This woman's body was very similar to that. When one of Luffy's fists hit her it seemed to go right through and his arm became trapped. He had wondered at the time if her body became weak to water like Crocodile's had but in fact the opposite happened, the earth became softer and as a result harder to escape from, yet he managed it somehow!
Sophia studied the young man above her. She could not help but admire his stamina and his will power. He was not someone who gave up easily. Yet she was also aware that he was not using his full potential and that insulted her. She gave him a moment to think while she prepared her next attack. The man thought he was safe from high up, but he forgot that he was under ground.
Luffy watched the woman beneath him and grew puzzled when he saw her smile. He suspected she had something up her sleeve then felt the earth tremble around him. Gasps from the audience behind him drew his attention above. Luffy managed to jump just in time as a spike from the ceiling skimmed past his head.
"Wooohh!" he called as he landed on the ground and stared at the ceiling.
"Luffy look out!" Usopp called from the side lines. Sophia glared at the man who cowered away behind Nami.
Luffy jumped up and somersaulted through the air as several spikes tried to pierce him, a couple managing to graze his arms and legs in the process. Luffy landed on someone's head, ignoring their protests. "Phew" he sighed a breath of relief as he straightened his hat on his head. "You are a crazy woman!" he called out to the brunette.
Sophia was not taken aback by his words and couldn't help but smile at them. Was he only just figuring that out? "Tell me something I don't know" she bit back.
…
Sanji found this fight difficult to watch. As much as he wanted to support his friend and captain, he could not condone a man hitting a woman no matter what. To him all women were sent from heaven and even the cruellest had a kind and soft side to them, just wanting to be saved by their knight or prince. Instead he chose to study their surroundings.
"Nami-san" Sanji's voice broke in. She turned to look at the cook.
"Yes Sanji-kun?" she asked.
"Is it me or is the ceiling looking rather delicate?" Sanji looked up with a cigarette in his mouth and hands in his pockets. Nami followed his gaze. He was right off course. There were cracks everywhere and some of them seemed to be getting bigger. Nami's expression changed slightly as more dirt dropped down from the ceiling.
Sanji's attention turned to the seats above where the man in white watched the fight below. Sanji watched as the man stood and walked over to the wall near by where Robin had previously identified a hidden passage. The earth there was clearly different. Raising a hand the man placed it on the wall and it collapsed with his touch revealing a dark passage way. He turned and spoke to the two large men beside him who saluted the man and remained by the door, guarding it.
Nami followed Sanji's gaze. "Where is he going?" she thought out loud.
"I'd like to know the answer to that to" he said. He thought that out of everyone here this man would want to see this fight through to the end. The sudden disappearing act was suspicious.
"Shall we tell Luffy?" Nami asked.
"No, I think Luffy's fight now is a distraction of some sort. It is probably best to remain here for now. I will go and check it out." Sanji responded. After all, he was always good at working from the shadows and liked to make an entrance.
Nami nodded. In most circumstances she would have been okay with him going on his own, but this was no ordinary arena and there were some strong enemies there. "It could be a trap. Take someone with you." she demanded.
"Nami-san, thinking of my wellbeing is so cute!" Sanji swooned, "but it is best if I work alone" he said in a tone of seriousness. With that he started to walk through the rows of seats and out of sight.
Nami watched him with a raised eyebrow and crossed arms. She tapped her foot in irritation.
"Where is Sanji going?" Usopp asked, noticing the disappearing act of the cook.
"On a hunt for information" Nami answered. A thought then came to her as she turned and looked at Usopp with a smile. The sharp shooter stepped back and placed Chopper in front of him.
"I know that look!" Usopp said with worry in his voice.
"What's up Usopp?" Chopper asked in his sweet tone of voice then looked at Nami to. His smile faded as well.
"Sanji needs some help" Nami then went on to explain the situation. The two looked up at the ceiling and around to where the man in white had been, sweat pouring on their faces. Nami covered their mouths before they could scream and draw everyone's attention to them.
"Chopper I need you to stay here as Luffy might need your support after his fight" Nami explained. Chopper nodded, relieved that he was not being asked to go find Sanji and possibly fight an anonymous enemy.
Nami looked at Usopp who tried to plead with her, "Why me?!" he said.
"Take Franky and Robin with you" Nami commanded.
Upon hearing his two strong companions names Usopp's attitude soon changed. "Leave it to me" he said, running up to his two friends and getting them to follow suit.
Nami stood close to Brook and Chopper and continued to cheer Luffy on whilst maintaining a close eye on their surroundings and secretly wishing that Zoro would reappear sometime soon.
…
Sophia was growing incredibly irritated by this fool of a boy. He did not seem to tire at all but she had barely even scratched him and they had been fighting for what seemed like hours. A vein popped up at the side of her brow as she watched him laughing and grinning like a Cheshire cat. He was finding this whole ordeal fun?! she thought to herself, growing aggravated.
Hearing the cheers from his friends she could not help but become even more annoyed. Glancing over at the young pirates momentarily she suddenly realised that a few of them were missing. With a quizzical look she looked above her and when she noticed her master was no longer in his usual seat she soon put two and two together. She suddenly became concerned and decided to probe them for answers. She had to stop them approaching him no matter what. They had to give up. They had to lose! Her thoughts drawn on something else she started to walk over to the little crew. Forming a large earthen hand from the ground she aimed it towards the red head, certain she would get more answers from them.
Nami grabbed onto Chopper in fear as the hand came their way. Brook stepped in between them, prepared to stop the woman if he needed to.
Seeing the brunette's attempt at challenging his friends to get to him Luffy became angry. He soon realised that this fight was not going to get anywhere fast unless he could out wit or out speed the woman before him. Biting down on his thumb he said, "Gear Second". Steam surrounded him as his body began to heat up. He could feel all his muscles becoming tighter and his senses more tuned. Taking one step he landed in front of the woman at what seemed like lightning speed.
Sophia stopped in her tracks and studied the straw hat curiously. His body had changed suddenly and had a strange red glow to it. His expression was more serious than before and she could tell he was angry.
"Your fight is with me" Luffy said with a deep and serious tone.
Sophia smiled. It seemed that the captain of the crew had the same weakness as the swordsman…and most possibly the other members shared it. The fear of losing their friends or something important to them.
Sophia turned the hand to the man before her and swooped in for an attack but to her surprise the young man was faster than before and she could not keep up with him. She spun around and a look of shock spread across her face as she was met with several hits. "Gum Gum Rocket!" Luffy shouted.
Nami, relieved at being saved by her captain once again, struggled to see what was happening as earth and dust filled the room and the ground began to shake. She looked up at the ceiling and realised the cracks were getting bigger. Looking around she was not the only one to notice. The intensity of this fight was causing a lot of people to vacate their seats and try to find a way out. She prayed in her mind that Luffy would end this soon.
Luffy panted when he finished the multiple attack and stood watching where the woman had been. There was a huge hole in the ground. Where is she? He thought, scanning the area. He could have sworn he made contact with her, but he had been wrong before. When an earth figure appeared before him however he soon became disheartened. The woman had no marks or scratches on her and barely looked worn out. She smiled from ear to ear.
"That was more like it." She said sarcastically, she tilted her head to one side "feel better now?" she mocked.
Luffy gritted his teeth. He had been fooled by yet another clone.
Sophia's face suddenly turned from that of a grin to a frown as her expression became stern. "My turn" she said. She raised a hand and made a fist with it. Suddenly Luffy was surrounded by earth. He tried to move but his feet were trapped and he was beginning to sink. He tried to stretch up and reach for a higher surface to pull himself out but he was not fast enough as his energy began to slow down and darkness surrounded him.
…
Sanji looked up from a mound of bodies he had just pummelled for getting in his way. He slowly lit a cigarette and blew out a puff of smoke. Feeling the earth shake he looked around him. This place was just full of tunnels and the information he had gained was practically useless.
Figuring he had no time to waste he put out his cigarette on one of the men on the ground and headed deeper into the tunnel.
…
Usopp went to fire another round when Robin placed a hand on his arm and shook her head. "Your attacks could make this tunnel collapse on us, leave this to me and Franky". She was right off course, the space was too narrow for a decent long range attack. Although Franky's abilities were also of a long range type he had other advantages to his body and was able to use it as a good shield, his strength coming in handy.
Stepping in front of Robin and deflecting some bullets Franky said "ah this brings back memories".
Robin smiled as she recalled the events of Enes Lobby and how this man, someone who barely knew her, who was raised to believe her to be some kind of dangerous weapon, had saved her life. His words had helped her during a time of emotional turmoil, planting the seed so the rest of the crew's heart felt speeches could be heard.
Usopp saw the moment between his two older friends and suddenly felt like a spare part. He did not want to leave them but as a bullet went wizzing past his head he stepped back and said "I leave it to you!" and ran ahead of his friends praying he would not bump into any more weirdos.
…
Zoro broke through the wall and ran into something, meeting it head first.
"Oi watch where you are going!" Zoro moaned, rubbing his head and looking down at Usopp rolling around on the ground in pain and begging for forgiveness and not to kill him. Zoro sweat dropped, "Usopp? What are you doing here?" he asked.
Usopp immediately stopped his antics and jumped up onto his feet. He started pointing a finger at the swordsman and shouted, "I could ask you the same thing!"
Zoro shrugged and said "I was taking a look around"
"Yeah right, more like you got lost again!" Usopp stated under his breath, Zoro ignored him.
"Where are we anyway?" Zoro asked.
Usopp grew angry "typical, you wonder around in circles and haven't a clue! We are in the tunnel heading towards the place where the white clad man had been". Usopp then noticed the giant hole in the wall behind his friend. It seemed to go on for a while and was dark, as if several tunnels had been connected together. Bodies piled up along the way. Curious he asked, "Where were you going?"
Zoro looked at his friend for a second and then down the tunnel in the direction of the noise of fighting. He then shrugged and said "I figured if I kept going North I would reach where that mysterious man was." Usopp slapped his head with his hand. North…yeah right.
Zoro started to walk in the direction of the noise from where Robin and Franky were. Usopp pulled him back and said "Robin and Franky have that end covered! We have to find Sanji!" After all there was no way he wanted to continue on this path on his own.
"That love cook can take care of himself" Zoro stated and continued to walk on, dragging Usopp behind him who latched onto the man's clothing.
"Did you not hear me before?! He has gone to find the man in white! He could be in trouble" Usopp cried out. Zoro stopped in his tracks. The man in white was exactly who he wanted to search for to. Changing his mind he allowed Usopp to lead the way.
…
Sanji ran through the end of the tunnel and was met with a familiar scene. The underground arena loomed beneath him. Running forward towards the seats where the white clothed man had been he was met by the two large men with spears.
"Where has your master gone?" Sanji asked kindly but they refused to answer.
"LUFFY!" Nami's panicked scream ran through him, he tried to run to the railing to see what was happening but the two men stopped him. Sanji sighed, "I will ask you once, move out of my way" he said, but when both men looked at each other, grinned and then shook their heads he continued with, "Don't say I didn't give you a chance".
Sanji ran into the man on his right and sent a kick flying to his side. The man stopped it with his spear. Sanji used his spear as a step and rising off the ground he pivoted off the spear and sent a flying kick to the man on the left, who also blocked his attack. Sanji landed on the man's spear, spun around and sent a kick towards the man's face, knocking him back a couple of steps as he flipped backwards and landed on the ground in front of the man from the right.
The man tried to hit him several times with his spear but Sanji was able to jump and skip over this, hands still in his pockets. A series of kicks to the man's hands though soon made him drop the weapon. Sanji kicked the man in the groin, sending him up into the air and then jumped up, kicking him in the stomach, chest and head before spinning the man around and kicking him in the back, sending him straight to the ground. Sanji landed on top of him and stepped off, "I did warn you" he said.
"Brother!" The man behind him called out, face becoming angry as he focussed his hate onto the cook. Grabbing his brother's spear and wielding both at the same time he ran towards Sanji. Sanji steadied himself ready to attack when the man suddenly stopped and his eyes rolled through the back of his head, foam leaving his mouth as he dropped to the ground. A gleam of Moss coloured hair loamed over him.
"I could have handled him myself!" Sanji argued.
"Can't steal all the fun" Zoro shrugged.
"You had your fun already!" Sanji spat.
"You can thank me later" Zoro continued.
The two men continued to argue until they heard Chopper's cry "NAMI!"
Usopp ran through the tunnel and onto the seated area. His friends speed never ceased to amaze him. Panting he lent on the side of the wall and looked at the two bodies on the ground. He noticed his friends by the railing and slowly crept around the unconscious men, tip toeing as he went and prodding them with his weapon to ensure they were not awake. He joined the blonde and green haired men at the railing. Their expressions were fearful. Usopp followed their gaze.
…
In the arena Brook, Chopper and Nami were trying to defend themselves when the brunette suddenly turned her attention to them. After a few minutes they realised that Luffy was truly in danger when he did not emerge. The three friends made attempts to challenge the brunette and release Luffy from her hold, but she had already sussed their abilities out and was able to retaliate with ease and appeared to be focussing her attention on the red head.
Chopper was hit in force by waves of earth fists and was sent flying straight into a pillar when he tried to protect Nami as she ran in the direction of the mound of earth where Luffy had been.
"Chopper!" Nami called out.
"Why don't you give up?!" the irritated tone of the brunette appeared behind her. Nami spun around and lifted up her climatact. Logic told her that earth was immune to lightning and became like quicksand when water was added to it. This limited her options some what. She desperately tried to spin her weapon.
"Your attacks will do you no good if you don't have the time to make them" Sophia chided sending an attack Nami's way. Brook managed to step in just in time, blocking the attack with his cane and using his sword to cut up the oncoming mounds of earth.
Nami was not sure which would work best. Ice could solidify the earth and make it brittle, fire could burn it. Forming both heat and cold bubbles as quickly as she could she fired them in the direction of Sophia whilst she was occupied.
Sophia winced as a heat bubble shot through her earthen body. She looked up at the navigator and hissed.
"Nami look out!" Chopper called from the side as spikes rose out of the ground. Nami lost her balance trying to avoid them and tripped over, landing awkwardly. Sophia took her opportunity and sent a small spike through Nami's arm. Nami shrieked in pain. She dropped her weapon and watched in horror as it was soaked up by the earth.
Brook went to help but his feet were stuck in the ground, unable to move. Nami watched in horror as the older man was swallowed up by the ground.
"Oh dear, looks like I will be buried alive" Brook said "though I am already de..a…" The earth covered him.
Chopper tried to run to Nami's aid but a giant hand forced him back and pinned him to the wall, knocking him unconscious.
…
"NAMI!" Sanji called out. Zoro gritted his teeth and Usopp gulped. The cook and swordsman went to jump over the railing.
"Oh looky here. The knights have come to save their princess" a feminine voice called out, "pity you are too late!" An earthen hand lifted Nami into their line of vision and squeezed tightly. Nami screamed. The men went rigid. Sophia's snake like tone sent shivers down Usopp's spine.
Nami could barely breathe. She felt her body heat up as the pain coursed through her. She was pretty certain that at least a couple of ribs had broken. She managed to force herself to look over at her friends. The hand squeezed again. Spitting out blood and coughing she bit her lip and tried to wriggle free, but that only made the pain worse.
"Let her go!" Sanji demanded.
"Why should I?" Sophia answered. "This is my arena and my fight. The rules were 'anything goes' so I can do as I please. It isn't my fault you are all too weak to fight me"
"Stop kidding yourself!" Sanji shouted. "This isn't you!"
Sophia was irritated by the mans words, "and what would you know?" she spat.
"That man in white…your master…" Sanji continued.
"Keep my master out of this!" Sophia demanded, "Admit your defeat!" Admitting defeat would off course mean they would have to remain in the arena as their toys, which was something the straw hats were not willing to do.
"We would rather die" Zoro spoke up.
"Then so be it" Sophia spat. If it was the only way to stop them then she would destroy them.
"I get the feeling she isn't one to listen to words" Usopp spoke up. Sanji bit his lower lip and clenched his fists.
Nami managed to catch Zoro's gaze. He was looking at her intensely, worry on his face and his hands poised above his swords. She then looked at Usopp, "Fire" she said. "Her weakness has to be fire…and…i..c..e!"
Sophia heard the words of the navigator and her face turned into a scowl. "You should know when to quit" she spat before squeezing once more and throwing the red head to the ground like a limp rag doll. Nami struggled to suck in air and everything went dark.
…
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