Trials for Treasure, Part One

Disclaimer: Don't own One Piece.

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If things weren't bad enough for those at the temple shrine went Axe barged in and started to beat the crap out of them, the poor souls didn't stand a chance when a geyser of seawater burst out of the secret door leading to the government testing facility underground. The recovering temple workers screamed and fled in fear as numerous Fishpeople and merfolk rose from the watery depths, finally free of the government's hold on them.

"Finally...I thought I was gonna die in that place," a mermaid muttered, holding her head.

A Fishman nodded, "Who would've thought a human would free us?"

-Flashback-

"Hey, it's that red guy again!"

The merfolk and Fishpeople turned to see Herman and a human in black standing outside the fish tank, the lobsterman tapping the glass.

"That bastard, he's working with the humans now!"

The human grabbed the Den Den Mushi and held it up to his mouth, "Don't worry guys, we'll have you out in a jiffy...Herman?"

"I can't punch it. They must've made the glass to withstand our strength,"

"Alright, lemme at it. Just make sure I don't die, alright?"

"You got it,"

"You guys may wanna move back," the human warned before stepping back.

Before anyone could ask what he was gonna do, the human kicked the air and to their amazment, a beam of light shot from his leg and cut clean through the glass of the fish tank. The glass cracked and seconds later, the entire glass panel broke away and the sea water inside the tank poured out, dragging the occupants out.

-End Flashback-

"Anyone see them on the way up?" another mermaid asked.

"Look!" an older merman pointed to the secret door.

Everyone watched as Herman's red shell appeared, shortly followed by his entire body. The lobsterman climbed out of the stairwell, carrying the unconscious human under his arm. One of the Fishmen looked at him as he set the human down.

"Why'd he save us?"

Herman turned a stalk to him while his other stalks stayed on his captain.

"He saved you because he can't stand innocents get hurt," he said quietly.

"Why'd you save him? To return the favor?"

Herman chuckled and shook his head, "No. I saved him because he's my nakama, as well as my captain,"

"WHAAAAAAT?" every non-human cried out, gawking at him.

"Hang on," Herman clenched a fist and rammed Axe's chest, "COME BACK TO LIFE!"

As soon as Herman's fist hit Axe in the chest, the young treasure hunter jerked and a fountain of seawater erupted from his mouth. With the water out of his lungs, Axe coughed, trying to clear out the rest of it from his body.

Sitting up, Axe wiped his chin and looked around, "You're welcome, everybody...," he looked to Herman and patted him on the shoulder, "I am so glad I know a Fishman!"

Herman just laughed.

Axe grinned and looked at all the water around them, "Still can't believe that they had that much seawater in there...,"

-----

"You mind repeating that?" Zev glared at the nearest soldier, "One more time?"

The soldier gulped, "The temple shrine in town, milord...it's been flooded and the Fishpeople have emerged from within! Our contacts have also reported that the man in black was seen with them, with a huge diamond axe on his back!"

Zev growled and turned back to the window facing Kinmo, "That is both unexpected and a nuisance,"

"That's Axe for you,"

Zev glanced at Dusty out of the corner of his eye. The kitsune was smiling slighty despite the scoldings she received from Lian who was trying to teach her things on how to be a proper Wakanda.

"Milord, what are your orders?"

The red-haired man kept looking out the window for a while.

"If this gets back to the Freedom Fighters, then no doubt they may see this as a chance to increase their forces and attack us," he thought aloud, "This may give us an advantage. Prepare our forces, it's time to teach those fools who have the power here!"

The soldier saluted and ran out of the room, leaving Zev alone with his family.

"Funny how things turn out," Dusty said to no one, "I may have agreed to stay here for the sake of my mother's life, but Axe and the others seem hellbent on overthrowing you, eh Uncle?"

That earned her a hard slap from Lian.

"Shut your mouth, Dustine!"

"Lian!"

The lord's wife looked up at him as her niece held her burning face, "What is it, dear?"

Zev turned to his family, "Don't punish Dustine, she still has her heart on leaving this place. She can't help her attitude and behavior towards us. Now, Ayane," he looked at his daughter, "You and Haschel go and lead our army against the Freedom Fighter's base. If any resist capture, kill them without hesitation!"

Ayane smiled and bowed her head, "As you wish, Father,"

-----

After regaining consciousness and finding his wounds healed thanks to Kirsty, DJ told everyone what had happened to him the night before, as well as the dream he had before coming out like he did. When he was done, silence greeted him.

Devon was the first to speak.

"So, this sword is supposed to be in this mountain...," he pointed to the crescent mountain the near distance.

DJ nodded, "Yeah, that's what I was told,"

"..the mountain with no entrance whatsoever?"

"...yeah,"

Devon nodded and turned away, "Makes sense,"

The others knew he was criticizing a little bit, but they chose to ignore him.

"DJ," Niri looked at her nakama, "Are you sure you wanna do this? I mean, it's based off a really weird dream...,"

"Niri-san," DJ looked right at her, "I have a gut feeling that this dream was telling me the truth! I need to find the sword so that I can go and save Dusty-chan! Please believe me," he bowed his head, "I do this for her love,"

Devon groaned and walked behind a tree.

"What are you doing?" Kirsty asked him as he walked away.

"I do this to throw-up from Macleod's lovey-dovey crap,"

After arguing, exchanging insults and other things, the group of outlaws soon found themselves a the base of the mountain, looking for the entrance that DJ was shown in his dream. DJ spent only a few moments running around the mountain, but he couldn't find anyway in, only large boulders and trees. When he came back, he kicked a pebble, "Dammit, where is it!"

Carmen looked at Niri, "Devil Fruit user, hm?"

"Yeah," Niri nodded slowly.

DJ ran his hands along the side of the mountain, "Come on, it's got to be here somewhere!"

Devon looked at his nakama, Macleod may be a wimp and a weaker swordsman than me, but I know what it's like to be in love... he looked at Kirsty, then back at him and sighed, "Macleod, you so owe me for this," he growled as he unsheathed Geri.

DJ looked back at him and facefaulted, "This is not the time for a fight, baka Demon King!"

Devon glared at him, "Just get the hell out of my way unless you wanna get killed by this," he gripped Geri with his right hand and held it outward, "Ittoryu...,"

"Everyone, back up!"

"Tyr's Hand, Leaving's of the Wolf!" Devon pushed off the ground and flew past a collection of boulders. Everyone watched as Devon landed on the other side of the boulders as a large set of cracks appeared on the rocks.

Carmen watched in amazement as the boulders crumbled apart into tiny pieces, Such raw power in this boy! I haven't seen swordsmanship like that in a long time...

When the dust and rocks settled, everyone was surprised to see a large doorway cut into the side of the mountain. Devon sheathed his weapon and walked back to the group, "You're welcome, and let's go already,"

As Niri and Carmen took the lead, Kirsty and DJ turned to Devon.

"How did you know it was there?" the two of them asked at the same time, "And why didn't you tell us?"

Devon snorted, "For one thing, I grew up listening to stories about legendary treasures back in Roguetown. If they're hidden in something that has no visible way in, than it's usually hidden behind something. As for why I didn't tell you...," he shrugged, "...I thought Macleod would've been able to figure it out on his own, but well...ya know,"

DJ's eyebrow twitched, "Sonofa...,"

"You're welcome, now come on already!" Devon cut him off and began following the two thieves into the mountain, "Watch yourselves,"

Kirsty stared at him as DJ walked off as well, "That still doesn't explain how you knew which rock to cut! Hey, wait for me!"

-----

The inside of the mountain was surprisingly open. The passage leading in was large enough for a much larger group to fit inside, and the walls were not only smooth, but there were even some evidence that it wasn't naturally made.

"Looks like we weren't the only ones looking for the sword,"

Kirsty looked at Devon, "How can you tell?"

Using one of the torches they made from a discarded pile of wood, Devon lowered the light source to illuminate the floor, which seemed to be littered with skeletons.

"AAAAAAAAHHHH!"

Devon was surprised when Niri screamed and leaped into his arms, shaking like crazy. Kirsty looked at Devon, who held his hands outward.

"I am completely innocent here, Kirsty!" he said defensively.

Kirsty rolled her eyes and walked to the back of him, looking at Niri's terror-filled eyes, "Niri, what's wrong?"

Niri whimpered and shut her eyes, her nails digging into Devon's back, "D-D-Dead things. I hate dead things!"

Carmen looked at her and shook her head, "An ex-Marine turned thief who is terrified of dead bodies," she sighed, "Niri, what would your father think if he was alive to see you now?"

The sharpshooter glared at her, "Shut up, Isabela! Everyone has their fears!" she pointed to Devon, "This guy's terrified of spiders!"

Devon facefaulted, "Niri!" he glared at Kirsty, who conveniently turned away, whistling loudly.

DJ snickered, "Oh, that's priceless,"

"Rookies and idiots," Carmen shook her head and looked at the skeletons around her, "These things are really old by the level of decay on the bones. At least a couple hundred years old. Judging from the decay and the entrance being hidden...I get the feeling that no one wanted anyone else to come in here,"

"Well, with a sword that can supposedly cut lightning," Devon pushed Niri off him and onto DJ, "I'm not surprised that someone would want to keep this place hidden. I mean, just look at the corpses...or at least what's left of them,"

Kirsty looked at the bodies to see that a lot of them looked like they had been crushed by something heavy. She grabbed Devon's torch and looked at the ceiling, but all she saw was more darkness above her.

"Can...we please...get the hell away from here!" Niri hissed, "Just get the hell away!"

"Alright, alright," Carmen rolled her eyes and took the lead again, "With the bones around here, there's bound to be booby traps, so don't set any of them off," she warned the kids, "I'd rather not die here...,"

A loud clicking sound was heard and everyone turned to DJ, whose foot had pressed down on what looked like a pressure panel of some kind.

"Aw crap...," DJ sweatdropped as a loud rumbling was heard and the hall began to shake.

Devon glared at DJ, "You stupid sonofa-,"

"Shit!" Carmen pointed to something behind them. Everyone turned and went pale when they saw a huge boulder rolling towards them.

"WHERE THE HELL DID THAT COME?"

"Run for it!"

Like bats out of hell, the group of outlaws ran for their lives as the boulder chased after them.

"DJ, I HATE YOU!" Niri screamed in his ear.

"SO DO WE!" Kirsty and Devon shouted.

"I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY!"

As they ran for dear life, the boulder got closer and closer to them, The threat of them being crushed seemed dangerously close. When it looked as though they would all die, something amazing and unprecedented happened.

The floor disappeared. One right after another, the adventurers fell into a pit of darkness just barely missing the boulder as it rolled over the pit. Despite their luck, the group hadn't escaped without suffering some injuries. They all lay on top of each other, limbs, paws and flippers sticking every which way.

Carmen looked up at the hole above their heads, "Well, for one thing, that was extremely lucky of us. Secondly, Macleod?"

"Yeah?" DJ's muffled voice came from somewhere in the pile of bodies.

"Where are you from, originally?"

"East Blue,"

"Are all the people from the East Blue a total spaz?"

"Pretty much," Devon grunted, "Macleod, get the hell off me!"

WHAP!

"OW! Who hit me!"

"Everyone from the East Blue is a total spaz?" Kirsty snapped, "Devon...you, Austin, Dusty and I are from the East Blue, remember?"

Devon became silent.

Carmen sighed, "I hate working with rookies,"

"Says the so-called master thief who couldn't see a booby trap right off," Niri reminded her, "How could you miss that!"

"Hey, even the masters have some off days! Besides, it's your idiot friend who set it off. Nice going, Macleod, you almost killed us all!"

The pit went quiet for a short while.

"So, are we gonna try and get out of here, or are we just gonna die here?"

"We're moving, Niri and...okay, who the hell is touching my ass?"

"Sorry, Kirsty," Devon apologized, "Yeah, let's get untangled here before I end up touching Macleod's groin or something,"

"Too late,"

"I hate you so much...,"

-----

While they were looking for the sword that could save Dusty, Ayane and Haschel marched through the forest, leading their armed forces towards the Freedom Fighters hideout.

"Uncle Haschel, is the information reliable?" Ayane asked, turning to the elderly man.

Haschel nodded and donned spiked, metal gloves, "Very reliable, my dear,"

Ayane smiled and fingered her jutte's handle, "Good. I've been looking forward to some fun like this for a long time,"

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Kilnorc: Alright, the first chapter of the treasure hunt is done! I know it's kinda blah, and the giant boulder thing is Indiana Jones-ish, but I wanted some booby traps in this area, and with the help of a few friends, I'll have some good ones in here. Later ya'll, hope ya'll enjoyed it so far!

On the next chapter of Bloodline...

Niri: DJ, if you ever do that again, I will strangle you myself!

Carmen: Alright, if we're gonna find this thing and get out alive, we have to be careful.

Devon: Move, move, move!

Kirsty: Don't step into the light!

Trials for Treasure, Part Two

DJ: We're almost there, I can feel it in my gut...or is that hunger?