Edward's Dramatic Entrance!

Everybody has their Own Problems!

Edward was fast approaching the gate of the Marine Base. The thoughts of his new Devil Fruit powers had put him into his own little fantasy world. He hadn't heard of what the new Devil Fruit power could be. The Marine had yet to piece the puzzle together either. That was the whole reason it was still there. No Marine had wanted to risk their Devil Fruit chance on some possibly lame Devil Fruit. But Edward didn't care. Two incredibly lame Devil Fruits were still better then one. And he was the only person in the world that could handle two.

He felt himself propelled through the streets. His stride a little bit more fast-paced then his usual sluggish and unmotivated walk. No, now he was STRIDING with both speed and motivation. His goals were all coming together. The Devil Fruit powers made his mouth wet with anticipation. Sadly, though, Edward also had to remember the awful taste of his last Devil Fruit power. The taste that reminded him all too much of sand, kitty litter, and his brother's armpit. He shivered at the thought of having to endure the torture of eating it once more, but he persevered and continued on his path to the Marine Base.

His gunslinger of a brother was slinking behind him, he seemed to lack the same drive and motivation that currently propelled Edward. He was bored and wanted a way to entertain himself. This Marine Base mission was one of stealth, not of action. He didn't see the point in getting out of bed everyday unless he could shoot someone (and he often did with or without his brothers' approval). He hovered behind Edward even as they approached the Marine gate and the large twin doors blocked their path before them.

Edward was the first to notice the gate guard who was laying inside the small booth stationed just outside the Marine gates. The man looked like he had been drugged. Next to him laid a large empty pie pan. His wakening groans of probably stomach pain could easily be mistaken for the groans of a man who had been knocked out. The man looked up and stared Edward in the face. The man had the stupidest look displayed on his face. It was dimwitted, slow, and probably as unmotivated as Edward's gunslinger.

Edward paused before he spoke almost believing that he should just knock the gate down and launch a complete attack on the Marine Base. If the guard was like this, Edward had to wonder what the people inside were like. If they were all lazing around with empty pie pans stretched next to them, but Edward decided against that and spoke, "excuse me good sir. I need to run in and get something for a Marine friend of mine. You may know of him, he is Captain Alexander. Gwa ha ha ha ha!" Edward's hands jumped to cover his mouth. Sadly, he didn't inherit his 'father's' silver tongue. Whenever Edward lied he had to laugh...it was an unfortunate problem.

The guard's face lit up for a second with devilish grin as he remembered how he got his pie, completely ignoring Edward's uproarious laughter, before he calmed back down, "oh, yeah, I know him. He is a swell guy. He actually bought me my pie." The guard motioned to the empty pan behind him before continuing, "I'm going to need see his Identification card, though. We stepped up security here since the last attack."

"Ah, I know." Of course, Edward knew he was the one that launched that attack, he was the one that told him and his fellow bandits to launch an attack. And they ALMOST succeeded. Edward produced the small piece of plastic he had stolen from Alexander and slid it under the window to the guard. The guard nodded slowly as he examined it and made sure it was the authentic thing instead of a cheap replica.

First off was just to simply make sure they got the materials. A small plastic card...not a a paper card like villains tried to pass off. Nope, this thing was the real deal. Then it was a simple cross check. Make sure the Marine number on the card matched up to the Marine number of the person it was issued to. It was. Finally, was the secret. Lacking any better methods to make sure nothing was ever duplicated, the Marines have opted for a small vivre card stowed away behind a small hidden compartment in the card. The vivre card pointed to the current Fleet Admiral, therefore unless someone charged the Fleet Admiral it would be impossible to duplicate. If all three of these things were in order, the Marine Identification card would be considered 'the real deal'. This one was. The guard smiled smugly as he handed the card over to Edward. 'I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

"No problem at all," chuckled Edward as he tried to hide his tell-tale laugh. "The last thing I want is for some evil bandit to steal into the Marine Base and waltz to the Devil Fruit you guys are hiding in here and just take it right from under your noses. I mean that would be just plain terrible! I would never...gwa...want...ha...that to...happen...ha ha ha ha ha!"

"Y-yeah," stuttered the guard off-taken by what just transpired. He calmed down fairly quickly and joined in with Edward's laugh. "That would be down right terrible! I do indeed hope that never happens! Especially not while I am the gate guard!"

"Right, right," laughed Edward uncomfortably as he began to slowly to step past both the gate guard and into the large iron gates that protected the Marine Base.

The gunslinger slumped behind him. Out of the three of them he was probably the only one that was well aware of how stupid they were acting while they were both in charge of such an important role. They were both acting impotent and reckless. Edward just basically declared his intent to rob this place and the guard let him through without batting an eyelash. He chuckled to himself as they entered the gate. "Well, boss, I think it be best if we split up here. In about twenty minutes, I'll create a big of a disturbance as possible. That will be your cue to..."

Edward stuck out his hand silencing the gunslinger, "excuse me. I believe I am the head of our bandit organization, I believe this was my brilliant idea, so I believe you shouldn't give me any commands! Now here is my plan...we will split up. In about twenty minutes you will create a large disturbance signaling, this will distract the Marines, and allow me to steal the Devil Fruit more easily! This is probably my best plan yet! Gwa ha ha ha ha!" Edward stifled his laughter.

The gunslinger had an obvious sign of irritation written over his face, but be it as it may Edward's strength still dwarfed his own. The blasted Devil Fruit Edward had devoured made his strength probably about ten times the strength of his...if he could get his hands on this Devil Fruit though...slowly but surely a small but extremely possibly plan began to form in his head. He had all the materials to do so and twenty minutes was more then enough time..."yes, boss," lied the gunslinger as he slithered away to put his plan into action.

Edward smiled. He had such trustworthy companions. First Boris was detaining the one Marine who knew about the plan, Kane was gathering a second hostage, and now his last partner was helping him steal a Devil Fruit! This called for a celebration. Maybe a slice of that pie that the gate guard had eaten? Yes, that would do quite nicely!

(-With Rina & Hayate-)

Rina slumped through the mountains, kicking up a pile of dust every time she even attempted to move her feet. Its been awhile since Rina and Specter had gone up into the mountain and as time passed she was growing ever more worried that Specter had beaten her back to the Marine Base. She didn't really care about the free meal that would be the victor's prize, her concern was more about wiping the smug look from Specter's face.

She gazed back up at the sky. If it had been night she could've used the stars to judge their positions and made an accurate guess, if they were at seas she could've found a viable current, if they were anywhere except in a stupid, damn mountain she would've been correct. She would've accurately been able to figure out where she was and how to get back to the Marine Base. She let out a brief sigh as she continued on her path.

Even Hayate was starting to move more sluggishly, Rina noted as she watched her friend struggle to compensate for the difference in leg length. Whenever Rina made one step, Hayate had to work double time and take two or three. They were both properly trained and all...but...they'd been on the move ever since morning. And by now, judging from the sun, it was probably noon. Rina just recalled that the duo had skipped breakfast and intended to eat once they met back up with Alexander...now they also skipped their regular appointed lunch time.

Rina noticed a small cluster of rocks just ahead. A small break wouldn't hurt, after all, she was confident that Specter had beaten her back to the Marine Base, so stopping for a lunch break wouldn't hurt her chances of winning, now would it? She raced up to the rock formation with Hayate close behind, sensing a slight alleviation in the heavy presence. Rina took out a handkerchief and her water bottle, along with a small travel-sized dish for Hayate. She poured Hayate his bowl of water first and then took her own sip. Afterwards was a slab of meat for Hayate (being placed on a handkerchief as to not get dirt on it while Hayate ate it) and a small sandwich for Rina.

The duo were so wrapped up in the meal that they failed to take note of the large man a few feet over behind the large rock. He, too, was too wrapped up in...what he was doing to take note of them. After a few seconds of happily munching, Rina heard him. It sounded like a large man humming a child's lullaby...out of tune, but it still sounded like a child's lullaby. But there was another sound hidden beneath the humming...almost like...water running...mo, more like trickling. Rina looked around her carefully, which of course, alerted Hayate. Hayate quickly located the man and let out is loudest bark "ARF!"

"Aya!" shouted the man, his gentle humming disappearing. "What da 'ell! Can't a man empty 'is bladder in piece no more?" The sound of someone's pants being zipped up could be heard. Rina immediately felt both grossed and almost her personal space had been invaded, by the man. The man came out from behind the rocks and approached the two.

"Da name be Boris!" shouted the man, his voice booming with pride (despite just coming back from a bathroom break). "I am one of da most fearsome bandits in dis here mountain! Me an' me three bruders have captured a Marine Captain so I wouldn't be messin' wit' us!"

Rina was still reeling from the thought that a man, much less a complete stranger, was relieving himself just a few feet away from her! "What the hell is the matter with you?" shouted Rina approaching the man. "Don't you know how to use a bathroom like normal folk!" Her usual shyness disappeared due to the incorrigible man's manners.

"Hey...yous be kinda' cute now. What do yous say ta us goin' back ta ma place and havin' a nice friendly chat," said Boris as he wrapped his arm around and put his hand on her shoulder.

A large tick appeared on Rina's forehead as she brought her leg straight up and back down upon Boris' large head smashing him down into the rocky terrain below, "WASH YOUR FUCKING HANDS BEFORE YOU DARE TO TOUCH ME!" Rina took out a spare handkerchief and began to try to wipe her shoulder clean from the man's rancid and urine-stench touch.

"Dat wasn't very nice," muttered Boris as he stood back up. Rina gazed at his head, no bump or bruise was on it despite the powerful kick that just sent him into solid rock. Rina thanked heavens for the kick, though, it allowed her to calm down and view the man standing before her. He was huge. He reminded her of a great ape. Only bigger with less hair. Rina chuckled nervously as his breath began to fill her nostrils. It smelled of barbecued chicken, pork, and other assortment of meat. It was nauseating.

Okay, okay, okay...I am very very late. But I have a very good excuse...a dog ate my computer! Kidding, kidding, mostly. After I finished the chapters on my home computer it died forever (a moment of silence please) and I lost all of my work...then I rewrote it on my laptop...then it crashed, BUT it was successfully revived! But I still lost all my work...so this is the...third...rewrite...THE THIRD!

Even though the three rewrites made this chapter a lot better. The original was shorter and had less important information and I didn't include as many plot developments. So, I hope you enjoyed this chapter...for all the blood, sweat, and tears it cost me. Anyways, be sure to leave me reviews...