And the long awaited 3rd and final part of the Midnight shadow mini-arc is here :^D

The chapter is pretty long though I didn't really want to make 2 separate ones for this as I want to get moving into the next arc. Plus I wanted to put in that little surprise at the end of the chapter.

New World Bound

Chapter 14: The Midnight Shadow Part 3

To be a Stray

The normally warm hearted town of Myer Island was now quickly deserted and empty. Playgrounds where children would once play had now become a battle field and the town area itself seemed like no one had bee in there for years. Every single light except for the few streetlamps they had were out and not a single person could be spotted except for an odd Gray haired teen who seemed to be tripping over his own feet. The doors had been locked up tight and some of the windows now had bars that a person who had lived here for years could've sworn were not there before.

Inside one particular home a family was huddled up in single room and holding each other closely. It was a father, his wife, a single daughter and a boy that had just stepped out from the bed seeming rather confused. "Mommy, why is the town like this?" He said rather loudly despite everyone else trying their hardest to keep things quiet. The mother quickly shushed him and pulled him close to them now.

"It's because they're here, in our peaceful little town. Which means pirates are here too." The father figure responded, using a more gentle tone of voice than his son had just displayed, obviously trying to set example for the boy.

"Then why are we hiding from them instead of the pirates if they're here to fight them off?" The boy had caught the hint by this point and was speaking at almost the same volume as his father had.

"To be honest son, I don't really know who's worse, the pirates or the bounty hunters here to stop them. The Midnight Shadow are some of the most revered hunters in the West Blue, but their ruthless methods and mannerisms are often comparable to the ones they chase after. Those guys usually make sure to get their catch even at the cost of civilian casualties. If it wasn't for the fact that they had cleared up so much pirate violence around West Blue someone would've reported them to the marines by now."

"They must be pretty strong then." The boy said, seemingly missing his father's point altogether.

"Yeah, they are, especially the captain of their group. His name is Dominic Revont, make sure you don't forget that name." The son nodded and their house was quiet once more for a few moments.

Knock, knock. There was the sound at one of their windows, they all shook as they had realized they had forgotten to cover up the windows. Slowly inching to look behind them they saw a boy in a crimson coat with messy gray hair pressing his face against the window.

A stream of drool hung down from his face and went down the surface. "Grah! Why is there a barrier on this glass window? Ey, you, mind opening this?" The boy said with slurred speech as the family just stared before letting out a terrified shriek

x-x-x-x

The man had placed a surprisingly thick boot against Takato's chest and was cutting off some of his air as he could feel his lungs being compressed under this weight. The barrel of a gun that seem too big for its own good was steadily aimed at his head though the guy's finger wasn't on the trigger. Takato blinked a few times and at this point could recognize his attacker.

The gun toting male seemed to notice that Takato had realized he wasn't prepared to shoot him and chuckled to himself a bit. "Don't think that I'm too scared to shoot you or anything, just that when I turn you guys in I want to get the full price. Damn marines like to short change ya if you turn in dead pirates."

His eyes opened wide as his suspicions seemed to be proven correct. In the short time his attacker had spent talking Takato grabbed his leg and gave it a short twist, sending the guy spiraling off him though not to the ground. Springing to his feet he snatched one of the pistols and held it towards the man kind of awkwardly, making the fact that he had never really held a gun quite evident.

"You're Dominic 'Gunslinger' Revont. Back when I worked under Captain Clayton he told the crew to look out for you and your group. Never thought we'd actually meet." Takato said rather dryly, his concern was rather high though his voice gave the appearance of otherwise.

Dominic had his second identical pistol held at Takato's head, leaving them at a standoff. "Seems like my name has become quite famous around these parts then. Just need to hit the Grand Line and be accepted by them and I'll be set huh?" Takato had no idea who he meant by them but kept his finger on the trigger, ready to fire. "Hey, you need help holding that thing kid?" He mocked.

"I prefer using bow and arrow. My home island didn't really have access to weaponry like this and even when offered a gun by Clayton I promptly refused. It takes no skill, soul, or passion to wield these things."

"Oh, guess we'll see about that? Gun-Kata: Impact Blow." Revont ducked low and underneath Takato's arm to avoid possibly being shot before quickly rising and slamming the barrel into the boy's jaw. Takato felt the oversized hunk of steel slam into his chin and he fell backwards. The recoil was more than enough to give him a chance to retrieve his pistol.

"Gun-Kata?" Takato murmured from the ground with the familiar weapons aimed his way once more.

"You say it takes no skill or soul to just wield a pistol which I'd agree with. It's why I developed my own style of fighting with these babies. Gun-Kata." Dominic would've gone into it a bit more but he had found Takato was already out of it. Not unconscious but sleeping. He slammed the pistol into the side of the boy's head and tossed him over his shoulder while heading back to the Crimson Hammer. Even if he didn't know Hideo's exact location his ship was the only way he could possibly escape this island.

The waters near the Crimson Storm Pirates' ship were beginning to rock rather violently as it was sure that a vicious battle was being fought on top of the vessel. Anyone unable to view what was going would've probably thought the two combatants were going at it with intensity and that it was truly a sight to see.

Unfortunately, the only sight that would be seen was a Black Panther human hybrid beating on a large brown bear. Drops of blood were beginning to stain the wooden deck as the excessive amount of blows being dealt didn't seem to lose their power despite the speed they were being dished out. The bear was forced to the railing of the ship before the panther swung her claw at his bloodied face. In an instant though, he had quickly turned into a small boy in a purple top.

Thinking he was in the clear Ursa was surprised when he felt her powerful grip tighten around his neck as she pressed him against the railing. "It'd be so easy to just toss you in the ocean, but then I wouldn't be able to get you out and if you drowned that bastard Revont would just piss me off even more." She said in a rather sharp tone of voice.

Ursa shifted form once again into his full bear and broke from her grasp before rolling to the other side of the deck in his hybrid mode. Between his heavy breaths he managed to utter a simple "Why?" Ursa had clearly seen better days even though through the blood you could still see him blushing nervously.

"I'm a bounty hunter. My name is Raksha Yokune from The Midnight Shadow group. Just call me Raz though." Her voice was rather boring that admittedly reminded Ursa of Takato though she seemed to speak as if the group really meant little to her.

"There's a group?" He seemed to be stepping out of his usual shy zone at this point once Raz continued speaking.

"Yep, right now your friends should be defeated and on their way back to our ship so we can turn them in. Oh, and you too of course. In fact, here comes that asshole Revont right now." He looked over the edge of his ship to see Takato being hung over the guy's shoulder like his new prize. This was more than enough to set him over the edge.

"I won't lose this family like I did the last one. Girl or not…" His form shifted to the hybrid again. "I'm pounding you into dirt. Diamond Claw!" He leaped forward and cut at her chest. A bit of blood sprayed and Raz was pushed back but not off her feet. On the woman's chest there was now a large gash from his claws in the shape of a diamond.

Raz simply continued their conversation as if the blow she had received never really occurred. "So your friends give you power? Take it from me, allies just slow you down and make you weak. The life of a stray is one I dream for. To be free and work for no one."

"Then why don't you?"

"Because people can't be trusted, another reason the stray life is the best one." Just then Takato's body came up and over the railing and just rolled on the deck. Ursa was quick to drop beside his friend and check his pulse to be sure he was still alive.

"No need for that Bear Cub, turning pirates in dead just earns us less cash." This voice was Dominic's as he pulled himself over as well and placed his heavy boot on the boy's body. Ursa growled in a thick bear like expression.

The Gunslinger simply looked over to Raz un-approvingly. "You should've had this taken care of before I got here. What's the hold up damnit!" He swung his arm around and slammed the barrel of his gun right into her stomach causing the panther hybrid to double over in pain.

"What the hell are you doing, she's in your crew you jerk!" Ursa stood up once more after retrieving Takato from under the guy's feet.

"Because my crew is the strongest bounty hunting group in the entire West Blue so I expect every single member to run at top notch efficiency and do what I say. That includes you too you damn panther freak." He pressed the boot to her side causing her to completely fall back though not to the deck. Ursa stood behind her now to support her weight.

It was something that normally seemed out of character for him, being this close to a girl without passing out or something though he seemed different at this point. "I disagree with you on how you want to live your life, but I understand the reason you can't break free as you wish. He stood her up and got into a fighting position.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Dominic asked, both guns aimed at the bear hybrid.

"Do you even know what she hopes to do with her life? Of course you don't because I doubt someone like you would ever pay attention to the needs of someone besides themselves." Ursa replied, at this point Raz getting back on her own feet as well though looking at Ursa rather surprised. "She wants to live a life her own without your rules and treating her like crap. That just goes and gives me another reason to beat the hell out of you."

"You're the type of pirates I hate the most but at the same time love to catch just as much. You're dreamers like those damned Strawhats. Look at where that got them. At least a couple of them turned out right though." Dominic laughed a bit to himself.

"To dream is to believe in a brighter future." Ursa dashed forward and ducked low as a couple of bullets came his way. Getting in close to the bounty hunter he threw a punch at the man's gut that was blocked by his gun. The other one was now being brought down to bash his head.

"Gun-Kata: Impact Blow!" His hand came down but the pistol was gone. It was now sliding across the deck as Raz stood at Dominic's side at this point. She reeled her fist back.

"You're the type of person I hate most." Her fist rocketed outwards as Dominic was brought to the floor, though he managed to quickly recover and get back to his feet with both weapons once more.

Ursa and Raz stood side by side both in hybrid form and ready to take out the threat known Gunslinger Revont.

Haze seemed to be taking care of her bad luck decently for the most part it seemed. Oddly enough though at this point she was covered head to toe in tar and feathers and Faust was just rolling across the floor laughing. For some reason a kid left a bucket of tar on a seesaw that ended up being tipped by the branch of a tree falling off and sending the bucket flying followed by a low flying flock of birds going past her. This didn't even begin to cover the other things she ended up going through tonight.

She had several injuries on her body though only a couple of them were caused by the battle with the bounty hunter. By this point she had already gotten the whole description of his group and the situation in general and was trying to be serious, but it was difficult when your opponent was literally crying in laughter at your appearance.

She growled and swung her weapon down towards him. The magician now straightening up by this point, he rolled to the side and popped up to his feet. "Hohoho, move a bit faster than that to touch me darling." He reached into his coat and tossed Haze some flowers.

She knew not to fall for that as the swordsman instinctively rolled to the side. Once the bouquet hit the floor it exploded. Haze swung her blade in his direction and sent out a pink wave of energy. Faust honestly hadn't been expecting it and fell to the ground. In a moment he heard Haze get to her feet and head his way. A grin now spread on his face.

"Time for the finale!" He tapped his wand once more and in moments a large iron box rose from beneath the girl and closed around her. There were several slot like holes covering it as Faust approached cautiously.

It rattled and rocked a bit as energy blast attempted to break it open. Just give in now Darling, I've captured many a pirates in this thing and I do say myself, it's near indestructible. Hohohoho." He laughed to himself before feeling something wet drawing down his shoulders.

The gray haired boy was gnawing on him like the magician was a meal of some sort and his drool was running down his arm. "Ugh, that dentist told me to stick to soft foods. You're no good. Too hard!"

Haze couldn't really see from the inside of her new cage and the sound of metal clashing on metal was echoing through the entirety of the park.

"Crimon Bomber Hideo Katsua as well? Revont should surely reward me for this catch. We won't be going hungry for months!" He cried in joy as he pushed the boy off of him. Hideo fell to the ground and simply rolled out of the park.

"Wheeeeeeee." He screamed like a child. "That's okay, I left you a present anyway. Look in your tux pocket." Faust raised an eyebrow and did so, pulling out two lit Crimson Bombers. Needless to say, in moments there was an explosion and he was brought to the ground. His precious tux burned and charred, the man was completely unconscious.

Hideo rolled back to his side and took another bite. "Haze, our next crew member needs to be a chef. I think I just burned the meal."

"Hideo, help me get out of here." The box began to rock a bit more as she blasted more energy and cut away at it. By this point the doped up captain was already heading back into town.

"Now that I found you I can finally tell you to get back to the ship. We're leaving." He began to run back to the ship, skipping no less.

Haze began to shake the box wildly. "Hey, wait, captain!" She gave the side a powerful, energy enhanced kick before the entire thing just fell on its side, a scream being heard from inside. "Why won't this stupid box open? I bet it has some idiotic common like open sesame. With that, a lock clicked op and Haze was expelled from it. She decided not to think much into it and rather chased right behind Hideo and back to their ship.

Back on the ship both Ursa and Raz were breathing heavily and bleeding as Revont held his guns their way. He had a few bruises on his body as well though didn't seem to be in as bad of shape as the two of them. Holes had littered the face of the vessel though it didn't seem like nothing that couldn't be fixed in a short bit of time. "You gonna pay for wrecking my ship?" Ursa asked rather lightly.

"This is pathetic. Zoan users are supposed to be especially strong in combat, yet this is all you two manage? I'm glad to have you removed from my group Raksha. Seems you were a waste of space." He looked over the edge of the ship now and could see Haze carrying Hideo as well as Takato's gear as she near the Crimson Hammer. "I guess that idiot Faust was worthless as well. Oh well, there are plenty of people in this sea that would gladly work for me." He jumped off the ship and landed in the sand below. Walking past Haze as he went.

"Hey, stop! Where do you think you're going?" Haze pulled out her blade and swung at him though it was easily blocked and just as easily overpowered as she was thrown to the ground.

"Despite my strength, this many opponents at once is troublesome. I'll just gather that weakling Faust and get out of here." He holstered his guns and got moving. "Next time we meet Crimson Storm Pirates I expect you guys to at least be worth the bounties you've earned. As much as I like the cash, an easy bounty is no fun and I expect more from pirates worth your amounts." In a few moments he had disappeared onto the other side of the hills.

Ursa warped himself back to his human form and turned to see how Raz was doing. He was met by something oddly warm and 'human' touching against his cheek. "Thanks for the help. You were a real…how should I put this, Night in shining armor?" She kissed his check. His entire face now turned a bright red as the boy passed out and fell to the floor.

Once Haze had pulled herself and Hideo up to the ship she found that their captain had gone to sleep as well and Raz had disappeared, leaving her alone on a battle damaged ship full of passed out guys. "I bet you did this just to get me to clean up this mess!" Haze frowned and kicked Hideo who ended up rolling across the deck and hitting both Takato and Ursa, knocking them down into one of the lower levels of the ship. Weary moans could be heard from the three of them.

Revont and Faust were sitting on their small boat, already having departed from Myer Island. Faust rolled over and sighed. "Sorry captain, guess we'll still need another 230 million beli's worth of bounties hunted before they'd even consider us huh?"

"What, you mean for the Santoku no Umi? (Three Sea's Virtues) Probably more than that. I don't want no damned dopey position as a lackey though. I want to be one of the three." Revont replied as he cleaned his guns.

"So is it true that on each of that man's swords carries a different of the three virtues? Valor, Wisdom, and Benevolence?"

"Who knows?"

x-x-x-x

On an Island somewhere in the Grand Line there was a shockwave like that of an explosion being produced as two fighters were now clashing in combat. Neither seemed to hold back a blow. It wasn't until a sword wielder made a final decisive blow that the match had ended. Blood now stained the grass that they had just been fighting on and a large portion of a mountain collapsed and crumbled from the sheer stress it endured from their bout.

The swordsman placed both of his blades back in their sheaths at his side, though oddly enough there was a third one at his hip as well. He sighed and reached into his pocket, pulling out a Den Den.

"Hello sir, have you caught the pirate?" A voice came over from the other end of the snail.

"Yeah. 115 million Beli. Captain Oliver of the Iron Pirates has been caught, His crew too." The man speaking into the Den Den had green hair that seemed to match the green sash or haramaki tied around his waist. He wore black plants as well as shoes and a dark brown button up top. On his left ear were three ear rings. "Oh, and one more thing."

"Yes, Master Roronoa?"

"Mind helping me get out of here when you arrive?"

Laughter of the he had been speaking to at first as well as several other people could be heard as well as someone saying, "Roronoa got lost again!"

"Shutup you idiots and get your asses down here!" He shouted in the thing before hanging it up. This man was indeed the ex first mate of the Strawhat Crew, Roronoa Zoro.

Man, that chapter took a long time to type. I know it didn't really have any epic fights, but I hope you guys enjoyed and see you around for the next chapter everyone!