Chapter Twenty-Four: Brides from the Sky
~Faythe/Primula~
"What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that vile creature, when he had a chance!'' ''Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need.'' ~ J.R.R Tolkien
The next morning was completely uneventful. Nami read a book on areas in the Grand Line while Robin chose to read a book on Archaeology. Brook, Usopp and Chopper were laughing away. Zolo was in the gym lifting weights. Primula was being given food by Sanji-kun and I spotted Luffy and Ace talking on the back deck by Usopp and Robin's plants. I figured Franky must've been below deck as usual.
''Morning, Faythe-chan!'' Brook said in a sing song voice.
''Morning!'' I said back, taking a seat on the grassy deck.
''We should be at the next island pretty soon. I spotted it off in the distance. It looks like another chain of islands.'' Usopp said thoughtfully.
''Sounds like fun. I'm kind of itching for a fight.'' I replied.
''Marines!'' I heard Nami yell. I whipped my head around to see a whole fleet of navy drifting our way.
''Damn. Should we fight?'' I asked.
''I don't know! That's a pretty big squadron, and they're splitting up to come at us from all sides. If they get a chance to fire their cannons…the Sunny is in danger!'' Nami answered, peeking at the ships.
''Then we have to make sure they don't have time to fire the cannons.'' Sanji said smoothly, taking a puff from his cigarette.
The Navy reached a certain point before everyone sprang into actions. Sanji, Luffy and Zolo hurried to attack the men on the ships while Usopp sniped from a high point on the Sunny. Primula fired off her guns with deadly aim and Nami sent lightning storms their way. However, we were running out of time. The marines were getting closer to the Sunny every minute, gaining speed at an alarming rate. Ace hurried inside the ship to avoid being seen while Franky headed out to see what all the commotion is about.
''Franky, we might need to use Coup de Burst.'' I said, watching the fight escalate.
''I agree. Let's avoid cannon fire.'' Franky hurried to activate the burst while we called the other crew members back. Luffy was very irritated, as this seemed to be all too common with the marines now. You couldn't keep up a fight with them because sooner or later they would block you in and blast you to bits. We didn't want to relive the scenario with Z. Finally, the Burst was activated and everyone scrambled to hold onto something. It was in that moment that we looked down and noticed we were flying above water and then suddenly… we were right above land.
''I guess the island was closer than I thought!'' Usopp yelled through the roaring wind. I saw Primula's hands slip from the mast and she tried desperately to grab onto something as she went shooting off the ship and towards the island below that appeared to be covered in cherry trees.
''Prim!'' I let go and went flying to a location nearby, not willing to let anyone be alone. If we got separated, at least we would be in a pair. I used my chi to create a small shield as I flew into a tree. I fell straight down into the dirt from there.
''Primula!'' I called out, seeing my friend unconscious on the ground.
''What was that strange noise?''
''I am not sure. Let me go check. It came from over here…'' I heard a male voice say. A young man appeared, dressed in a red and black tunic.
''Brides! They have fallen from the sky!'' He said excitedly.
''Brides? We are no one's brides-''
''Be silent, woman. You must come with us.'' He ordered. I stood to my full height and I punched him in the face.
''I am not going anywhere with you.'' I told him as he staggered from the force slightly.
''You don't really have a choice in the matter.'' Another man emerged from the forest of cherry trees and bamboo behind him. My arm was forcefully grabbed and I watched in horror as a needle was injected into my arm and some strange fluid was flowing into my veins. Within moments, I started to black out.
When I awoke, it appeared I was in some sort of house. It was very humble and charming, with little fountains and statues everywhere. I was wearing a long red gown with golden flowers all along the bottom. When I looked in the mirror, I was shocked to see my face had been painted white with makeup. Half of my hair was curly and left down while the other half was twisted into two round arches pinned together by a clip that also held real pink flowers.
''What did they do to me? I muttered, both confused and intrigued.
''Hello, wife.'' A deep man's voice said. I turned to see a rather large man standing in the doorway, admiring how the dress looked on me.
''I am not your wife. I need to find my friends, so if you'll excuse me-''
''You don't need friends now. You have your husband.'' He replied, giving me a lewd stare. I frowned and looked away. As I did so, I spotted my old clothes lying underneath the bench I woke up laying on.
''That's right. Give me a moment to freshen up before we do anything, okay…husband?'' It was degrading to talk like this, but I needed him to go away. He nodded and left. I rushed to grab my jeans, and I pulled out Luffy's snail.
''Luffy! Psttt… Luffy!'' I spoke. I watched as the Den-Den Mushi twitched to life and relief spread across my face.
''Faythe? Where are you?''
''It's an island with lots of cherry trees and the men here are absolutely obnoxious. I was knocked out and forced to marry some creep! I don't even know where Prim is!'' I said quickly and quietly.
''Don't worry, we will find you! We are far from that island, though. The Sunny landed pretty far. We all split into groups to look for you.'' Luffy said reassuringly.
''Well, I hope someone finds us soon because I have no idea what this guy has planned!'' I said nervously, hearing his footsteps approaching. I tucked the snail back into the pocket of my jeans, and I slipped them on under the weird dress/rode thingy. I looked around and spotted an open window nearby. I hurriedly tried to climb out before the man came back, but I ended up tearing the dress in the process. Feeling much better, I landed on the dirt outside and I slipped off into the nearby forest. This house was in the middle of nowhere…. I had to wonder where Primula could have been hauled off to….
~Primula~
My eyes opened and I instantly felt that something was wrong. Someone had removed my clothes and slipped on a beautiful light blue kimono. I gasped when I noticed my guns were missing! Angrily, I stood up to find that my hair was put up into a rather thick bun, and my face was covered in makeup. I wiped the makeup off with the sleeve of the dress. Yuck!
''What are you doing, you ditzy girl?'' A woman yelled. She had just entered, carrying a handful of flowers.
''What are you doing? And where are my pistols!?'' I glared at her.
''You are a bride! Yo do not need such weapons! They have been wrapped and are going to be a present for your new husband.'' She said bitterly.
''No, they won't! Those are my mother's pistols! What have you done?!'' I yelled, grabbing her by the front of her dress and throwing her aside. She got up quickly and came after me, but I slammed the sliding door on her fingers and that slowed her down to give me enough time to start ransacking the house. At last, I found my clothes and my guns tucked away in a closet. My pistols had already been wrapped and were inside this strange box. I grabbed their holsters and I tore the middle section of the kimono off so that I could attach the guns to my hips properly. The bottom of the dress now clung to my waist tightly like a skirt as I attempted to find a way out of this strange house. The woman snarled and grabbed the back of my hair. My bun fell apart and my dark blue hair spilled out as I turned and threw her off me. I pulled out my pistol and aimed it straight for her head.
''Don't think I won't. I don't want to waste a bullet on your pathetic hide, but I will if I have to.''
''Go ahead, leave. But you will be back here soon enough. Women are rare on this island and any that cross the border onto this territory must become a bride. They will never stop hunting you.'' She smirked.
''So why aren't you married if it's so important?'' I asked.
''Because I cannot bear children.'' The woman replied sadly.
''Oh… I am sorry.'' I put my gun away without hesitation.
''You're going to let me live?'' She asked, tears welling in her eyes.
''Of course. I overreacted… but I have friends I need to find. So, I have to go now.'' I turned to head out the door.
''T-thank you.'' Her voice shook slightly. I felt awful for attacking her now as I left the small home. I peered around and all I saw were homes in this small village. No one was walking around and there weren't even any lights on. It seemed to be a very strange place as I peered around. I had to find Faythe and soon…. Who knows what could be happening to her?