"LUFFY!"
Sanji and I whirl around to see a giant purple cloud of spores outside the castle. That's right! Luffy was fighting Spore Guy! And judging by Nami's scream that must mean...oh no…
Sanji notices the growing fear on my face before Wapol bursts out laughing. We turn back to him as he changes back to normal size from his cottage form (I cannot believe I just said that out loud…).
"Finally, Mushul finished off that pesky Straw Hat!" Wapol says gleefully. "Now nothing will stand in my way!" He turns to a giant door that was in the back of the area. "This is the castles arsenal and I'm the only one who has the key to it!" Wait, this castle has an arsenal? Oh crap… "Inside are some of the most fearsome weapons known to man; all I need to do is devour them and I'll become the most powerful being known to man! The two of you don't stand a chance!"
Sanji and I both tense to lunge towards him as he reaches for the key but… Wapol freezes as his hands grasp nothing. The key isn't there. It probably fell off when Sanji kicked him or when I rammed him. Well, it's definitely better off lost than in his hands; maybe we can find it later before he does.
But for now, what about Luffy and Nami? Sanji and I look behind us at the castle entrance again to see that the cloud has kind of dissipated, but there are still a lot of spores hanging in the air.
"Ha! Those guys are goners!" Two Face says with a grin while Wapol scours the ground for the key. "Not even Devil Fruit users can survive Mushul's poisonous spores!"
"Poison?" Sanji exclaims, finally fully understanding my fear. "Shit! Nami!"
Both Sanji and I turn and start to make our way towards the entrance and I hear Doctorine, "Chopper! Get to the lab and put something together!" she yells.
"Right!" Chopper responds. Oh yeah, I almost forgot that we have two doctors here with us! I just hope Luffy and Nami are okay!
I suddenly skid to a halt as I hear Sanji's footsteps slow down immensely. I turn just in time to see him sway on his feet. 'Sanji?' My eyes widen as Sanji collapses to the ground with a groan and I bolt back towards him. 'Sanji!'
His face is red and his eyes are half-lidded...oh no, don't tell me! I place my paw on his forehead and feel him heating up greatly. His fever's back! "Dammit...not now…" Sanji mutters, trying to stand on all fours.
"Pika pi!" I whine, my worry escalating by the second as I mentally kick myself. Chopper had said for Sanji not to move around too much! The bacteria must be acting up again!
"Well, it looks like you were mostly talk after all!" Two Face sneers. Before I can react, a boot kicks me aside and four arms throw Sanji against the giant middle column. Sanji's eyes widen and he gasps for breath from the impact, and I squeak in terror. Even though the fever wasn't as bad, I didn't want to risk Sanji getting even more damaged from any kind of shock!
I hear four wooshing noises and I look up just in time to see four arrows pinning Sanji to the column by his jacket. Sanji tries to escape, but the fever stops him easily. I get to my feet, my heart in my throat as Two Face is holding two bows loaded with arrows and aiming right at Sanji. "Say goodbye!" he taunts, Sanji glaring at him through sickened eyes.
I zoom between them just as Two Face releases the two arrows and I make my tail iron. With a quick swipe, I chop both arrows in half just in time, the pieces harmlessly showering Sanji. I land and glare dagger at Two Face, standing protectively in front of Sanji. "Pika pika!" I growl. 'Touch my friend again and I'll make you pay!'
Two Face chuckles, "Well, looks like the rodent has some fight left!" He loads his bows again and lights the tips of the arrows, "I could use some extra target practice!"
My eyes narrow, watching him carefully, and I charge up my electricity. He fires the arrows and I shoot my lightning, making them fall to the ground as pieces of black wood. I start running towards him and he shoots two more arrows. They aren't aiming for Sanji so I easily dodge them before leaping up and shooting him with electricity.
Two Face wobbles a bit but stands his ground, only slightly fazed by my attack. "You're fast." Two Face comments, putting his bows away. "But let's see if you have the power to back it up!"
I tense as Two Face pulls out four giant wooden mallets. I grit my teeth and sparks fly from my cheeks before shooting towards him. White energy surrounds me as I bolt towards him and he raises one of his mallets. I leap towards him to ram him, but the face of one of his mallets meets me. I fight against the mallet for a while until my speed runs out and the white energy disappears around me.
Seeing his opening, Two Face gives the mallet a hard swing and smacks me right into the column above Sanji like a baseball. I peel off the column and fall to the ground, barely able to land on my feet. I shake myself off but my body is aching from the sudden impact and my paws sting a bit from that landing. Guess Sanji's not the only one who shouldn't be fighting.
Sanji grits his teeth, "You bastard…" he growls. He tries to get up but his fever quickly stops him, making him slump against the pillar and hold his head. As worried as I am about his fever, I'm glad that it's keeping him out of the fight. If he doesn't move maybe the fever will be easier to bring down again. I move between Sanji and Two Face again and get ready for another round.
"Still coming back, eh?" Two Face asks. He grins and raises his mallets. "Let's see how long you can last!" Two Face runs towards me and I launch another lightning attack. It hits, but Two Face runs right through it, taking the damage in stride. Crap, this isn't good! They may be goofy looking, but they're lethal!
I make my tail iron and jump towards them. I swing my tail hitting the side of their top face, but a mallet swings and hits me right towards the column again. But this time, I'm ready. I quickly position myself to land on the column and leap off towards them, using the momentum they gave me. I make my tail iron and start to somersault over and over, like I did with with Pearly Guy on the Baratie and I hit my mark, right on Two Face's head.
However, Two Face just snickers as I push off his head with my tail. It...It didn't even faze him! I put all my strength into that hit!
"You think a pipsqueak like you can stop me?" Two Face taunts. Before I can react, a mallet hits me, sending me to the ground. I try to get up when another mallet hits my chin, sending me spinning into the air. "You're just a pathetic puny rodent!" I hear Two Face say before I feel two mallets slam into me, sending me back to the ground, leaving a large crater in the snow.
Darkness quickly begins to eat up my vision when I hear Sanji. "Pika-chan…!" His voice is still weak but getting a bit stronger.
I force the darkness away and look up to see Two Face aiming his bows at Sanji again. Oh no, not if I have anything to say about it! I leap out of the crater and zoom towards the arrows as they fire. My mind runs at a mile a minute as I approach them; they're too fast! I can't stop them!
I reach out with my paw and smack the head of one arrow, making it go way off course and move to do the same to the other. But this one isn't as friendly. It moves off course, but not before I feel a sharp sting on my side. I let out a cry as I land in the snow, Sanji still untouched by Two Face.
"Pika-chan, no!" I hear Sanji yell with more vigor. I guess his strength is coming back quick. I can feel warm liquid matting a small part of my fur. I open my eyes for a second to see an open wound dripping blood onto the white snow. The cut isn't too big and it's only dripping blood so that's good. I've definitely had worse than this, but it still hurts.
The bandages on my left paw are also cut, revealing my still healing paw. It's still red and has dried blood on it, and I wince as the cold bites my exposed skin. I close my eyes again as the new pain combines with my sore muscles and stinging paws; this fight is not going well for me. At least Sanji's still safe. My ears twitch slightly as I hear tiny footsteps that sound familiar.
I crack my eyes open and they suddenly fall on Chopper. The little reindeer's a few yards away from me, holding a tiny vial in his hoofs. That must be the antidote for Luffy. Chopper's watching me intently, while moving sneakily around the fight probably to get past without being seen. I quickly turn my gaze from him so I don't give him away and I get up, facing Two Face again. Dammit, he's going for Sanji again!
My tail becomes iron and I run towards them, ignoring my new injury. "Pika!" I yell and jump towards them.
Two Face turns to me, swinging a mallet at me which I quickly block with my tail but Two Face grins. "Too slow!"
I scream as two mallets sandwich me between them almost crushing me flat.
"Pika-chan!" I hear Sanji yell.
The moment the two mallets release me I feel another slam on my head. All I see is snow as a mallet practically shoves me into the ground and spots dot my vision. No way...I'm not letting this joker get the best of me! Chopper's eyes widen as I shakily get to me feet and place myself between Sanji and Two Face once again. I bare my fangs and growl, ignoring my aching muscles. "Pi...pikachu…" 'I told you...don't touch my friend…'
Sparks fly from my cheeks once more and Two Face laughs hysterically. "Boy, you're the most persistent pest ever!" he says. I take a deep breath and lunge towards them again, ready to unleash another lightning attack, but a mallet slams into me before I can even fully charge up. "But this fight is over!" Two Face yells.
I slam onto the snowy ground and try again to get up, but the snow makes me slip back onto the ground. I'm reaching my limit...I can barely stand up now. But I can't give up! I have to protect Sanji! If I go down he'll be next! I manage to get onto all fours despite my whole body shaking and Two Face hovers over me, his shadow draping over me like a cape of doom. I stare at them in defiance and get up on two legs.
I slowly spread my arms wide and breathe heavily through my grit teeth, a final feeble defense to save my partner. I may be tiny compared to this guy...but I'm not backing down! "Pikachu…" 'Do your worst…'
I watch as Two Face raises two of his mallets. "Time to die, rodent!" he yells and the mallets begin their descent.
"Pika-chan!" Sanji yells in horror. I close my eyes and brace myself for the blow...but it never comes.
I open my eyes and they widen to see a giant hulking furry thing in front of me, blocking the attack. It takes me a minute to place the pink hat and the antlers; no way...is that Chopper?! He knocks the fusion back a good few feet and glares at them, "You keep away from them!" he yells.
I watch as he slowly shrinks back down to normal size. Forget Wapol, this is one bizarre Devil Fruit! "Pika?" I wince slightly from my injuries as I realize that the little bottle is nowhere in sight. What did he do with the antidote?
Chopper glances back at me, "Don't worry, just rest for now." he says. "I can take this two faced guy on, easy." He then shoots a glance behind me and I turn around to see Doctorine at the castle entrance, holding the tiny bottle. I let a weak grin grace my face; he must've thrown it to her at the last second. Smart move Chopper. At least Luffy and Nami will be alright.
Chopper steps towards Two Face, an angry glare on his face, "I'm taking you down; no one attacks my patients while they're recovering!"
Two-Face laughs, "Yeah, you and what army, ya little freak!" he taunts.
"Freak?" Sanji spits. "That's like the pot calling the kettle black." You can say that again.
My eyes widen as Sanji attempts to get up but Chopper shouts out to him. "No, stay down and don't move!" he orders. "If you keep moving around the bacteria could easily infect your body again and make your fever worse!" Chopper then looks at me, giving me a small smile, "Keep him safe, okay?" he says.
I stare at him for a moment and nod my head. I slowly limp back towards Sanji as he continues to sit against the column. I almost fall over once I reach him, but Sanji quickly catches me, pulling me close in a protective manner.
Chopper nods in satisfaction and faces Two-Face again, "Listen up!" he barks. "My name's Tony Tony Chopper, not freak! The World's Greatest Doctor named me, and I'll never forgive you for disrespecting him!" My ears perk up greatly at the harshness in his words; who knew the little guy had so much fire in him!
Two-Face laughs, "The only one who won't show forgiveness is me!" he retorts. "I'll stomp you flat!"
Chopper says nothing and reaches into his pocket. He pulls out a tiny golden sphere, not taking his eyes off his opponent. "This is all I need to beat you; in three minutes, you'll be the one stomped flat!" he says.
"Three minutes?" Sanji asks.
"Pikachu…" I say, just as intrigued; how is that little marble gonna help him defeat this guy in three minutes?
Two-Face laughs, "You couldn't beat me in three years, let alone three minutes!" he says.
Chopper tosses the ball into the air and catches it in his mouth. "Rumble!" he says, clenching it between his teeth and chomping into it. Wait, is that thing some kind of medicine or candy?
Two-Face readies his two bows, loaded with one flaming arrow each. "You're no match for this!" he yells, firing the arrows at him.
Chopper runs towards them, "Walk Point: Leg Boost!" In the blink of an eye, Chopper grows slightly, becoming the four legged form I remember earlier and he easily jumps past the arrows with amazing speed.
"So you're a Reindeer Human, huh?" Two-Face asks.
"No! I'm a Human Reindeer!" Chopper retorts. "Heavy Point: Weight Boost!" His hooves disappear, replaced with human-like hands and feet not losing any speed.
Two-Face laughs, bringing out the four mallets again. "Please, I've seen all your forms; I know exactly how to take care of you!" He raises his hammers to strike but Chopper doesn't slow down.
"Jumping Point: Jump Boost!" His body changes again, becoming longer and less bulky and he springs high into the air, easily avoiding the attack.
"Geez, that guy can jump!" Sanji comments.
"Pika." I agree, watching with wide eyes. This guy has speed and agility that I don't think I can even match! Two-Face is caught off guard, but he gets ready to land another hit. "Arm Point: Fur Boost!" Chopper yells. With a poof, his fur completely surrounds him as a furry shield, blocking Two-Face's assault. Chopper bounces safely onto the snowy ground before allowing his head to pop out.
"How's this possible?!" Two-Face demands. "I thought Zoan-type users only had a three form transformation!"
Chopper glares at them, "After five years of researching I discovered a medicine that can allow me four additional transformations!" he answers. "Do the rest of the math yourself!" Whoa, seven forms?! That's incredible! Talk about 'more than meets the eye'!
Two-Face begins shaking with rage, "No...it's impossible, I don't believe it!" He charges towards Chopper again and the reindeer bounces towards him, keeping his shield up.
"Arm Point: Arm Boost!" Chopper bursts from his shield, fur flying everywhere. His head remains small but his arms become extremely muscular, easily allowing him to smash the mallets into pieces. "If you think that's impressive, you should see what my iron hooves can do against rocks!" Chopper bites out.
My eyes are probably about the size of the moon right now; that strength is unbelievable! He's getting all this from that tiny little Rumble thingy? He's so small...and yet he's completely incapacitating the equivalent of two trained warriors!
Two-Face grits his teeth, "Take this!" he takes out four iron axes, replacing his destroyed mallets. He slams the blades into the snow, making two large slices of snow waves rush towards him. One of the waves hits Chopper's arm, but it doesn't leave a scratch, allowing the rest of the wave to slice through the stone of the castle wall behind him.
"Damn, that reindeer can really take a hit." Sanji comments.
"Pikachu…" 'You can say that again…'
"Damn…" Two-Face mutters before running towards Chopper, "Let's see you dodge this!" My heart leaps into my throat as Two-Face begins slicing at Chopper from every angle. I watch as he rapidly changes forms, flipping, spinning, and dodging the blades with grace and ease, making use of his every form.
"You're not fighting, you're just dodging! Pathetic!" Two-Face comments.
Chopper flips away from him, "Brain Point: Brain Boost!" He shrinks back to normal size and lands. "I wasn't just dodging," he says. "I was looking for your weak spot!" All our eyes widen as Chopper puts his front hooves together, making a diamond. "Scope!"
We wait in anxious silence as his eyes seem to cut right through Two-Face, looking over every inch of his body. Two-Face roars and runs towards him, "Weak spot, huh? I don't have one!" He raises his axes, but Chopper doesn't move. "Your little parlor tricks can't save you this time!"
I can't help but let out a frightened squeak as one of the axes drops towards Chopper, only to have him dodge at the last second. Two-Face looks into the air, expecting to see him, but he's nowhere in sight. Where did he go? I glance around until my ears twitch ever so slightly.
"Hoof Print…" My eyes go to the ground right underneath Two-Face. There's a blast of snow as Chopper jumps out, his arms muscular once more. "...Roseo!"
I wince as Chopper's hoof slams right into the jaw of the lower face with a loud crack, leaving a bright red hoof print behind. Two-Face's eyes go blank as he flies backwards and lands hard in the snow, his axes falling all around him.
Chopper shrinks back to Brain Point and pats the dust off his hat, "Three minutes." he says happily.
Chopper's Rumble scene is one of my FAV fight scenes! I apologize again for lack of Mushul in this chappie as well, I promise I'll give you more next chappie, okay? I swear on Pika-chan's creation. After all, we still need to take care of Wapol!