Marguerite stared in wonder at the bright colors of the festival. It was the anniversary of Salvation, the day when the young empress Boa Hancock had returned to Amazon Lily after having been away for so long. It was also Marguerite's birthday. She would have liked to think that it was her own personal festival; dedicated to her and her alone, but that would be selfish.

Marguerite got dressed in her festival clothes, and ran down the stairs.

She nearly tripped on her red robes, and stumbled on the last step.

"Marguerite?" called her mother, "Are you alright?"

"Yes mom!" answered Marguerite, running into the kitchen. Her mother was slicing meat with expert hands. Marguerite wished she could start weapon training. But she was too young.

"Are you going to the festival?" asked her mother, dropping the cubed meat into a boiling pot.

"Yeah! With Aphelandra and Sweet Pea!"

"You sure are close with them aren't you?"

"Mmhmm! When we grow up, we're gonna be warriors of Kuja, and sail with the Empress on her pirate ship!" she said, thrusting her fan in front of her, as if it were a sword.

"Wow! Well you better get going if you want to impress the Empress!"

"Huh?"

"She's agreed to be on a float in the festival. Originally, she didn't want to, but Elder Nyon managed to convince her."

Marguerite's heart began beating excitedly. She would be able to meet the Empress! She wondered if Hancock was as beautiful as they said. Margeurite hated to say it, but sometimes she doubted the Empress. Though she had never seen her in person, Marguerite had heard that the selfish Hancock made some awful decisions sometimes, and was uncaring for the Kuja. But she was pardonned because of her beauty, and Marguerite didn't understand that. There were many beautiful women in Kuja, but if they kicked Marguerite's puppy, or threw her out of the castle, she would never forgive them. Of course, Marguerite respected the Empress for her strength. The Eye of the Gorgon granted the Empress and her sisters incredible powers, and although the Empress might have been cruel and shallow, she defended the Kuja proudly, never allowing the Marines to get but 10,000 metres from the island. So Marguerite supposed it was all right.

"I'll see you later, mom!" shouted Marguerite, running out the door. She saw Sweet Pea and Aphelandra walking towards Town Square.

"You guys!" shouted Marguerite, sauntering towards them.

"Marguerite!" they chorused, laughing and embracing her.

"Did you hear?" asked Marguerite, "Empress Hancock is making a public appearance!" the girls squealed, jumping up and down.

"We know!" said Aphelandra, "that's why we're going!"

"Isn't it exciting?" said Sweet Pea, "Oh, and Marguerite! It's your birthday, right?" Marguerite nodded, "Then we'll make sure to have lots of fun at the festival today!"

The three entered Town Square, and were quickly pushed to the sidelines by a Kuja pirate.

"Move away from the center!" they shouted, "That's where the parade will be passing by!"

Marguerite, Aphelandra, and Sweet Pea pushed their way to the front of the crowd, right before the crowd began screaming. Empress Hancock's float was coming round. Bacura, Boa Sandersonia's pet panther, was pulling the great red platform. The great black beast itself was wrapped in snakes, as if they were jewelery. The float was decorated in gold strings that led up to the throne centerpiece. Marguerite's eyes instantly fell to the strings, and her eyes drifted slowly upwards until she saw her: Empress Hancock.

The woman, no, goddess, was indescribable. Marguerite had a sudden urge to wait her hand and foot, and to give anything to see her smile. 'What a lucky being I am,' she thought 'to simply be on an earth that posseses what must be a celestial being'. It was if she had been hypnotized.

Caesar was sick and tired of Vegapunk getting all the fame and glory. The Marines cheered his name every time a new shipment of weapons came in, yet what did Caesar get? Nothing. Not even a handshake. It was infuriating! He spent just as much time as Vegapunk in that stupid lab!

'Too dangerous' they said 'Civilian protection' they countered. His weapons were genius! They were unstoppable! So what if a few innocent people died in the process? It would all be worth it in the end! And to make matters worse, Vegapunk tried to 'help' Caesar with his designs. Yeah right! It just wasn't enough that his colleague got all the credit for his designs, now he had to steal Caesar's too! Caesar was envisioning a way he could get back at Vegapunk when suddenly, one of his scientists burst into the room.

"Caesar! Caesar!" the man yelled, frantic. "They've fired you!"

The Clown collapsed, his head spinning. For the first time in ages, his cloak dissapated, and all that remained was his solid form. 'Fired'. The word spun in his mind. 'They can't fire me!' he thought, 'THEY CAN'T FIRE ME!'.

"VEGAPUNK!" he roared, shaking his fists towards the sky.

A.N.: Today's one-shots were rather cliff-hangery, don't you think? I was kinda picturing them a little differently, but I definitely like Caesar's 'mad scientist' bit. Clichéd? Definitely. But who isn't up for some cliché every once in a while? Marguerite's part took a little more time, and was a bit more complex. I tried to give it a sort of 'snake-charming' vibe. I don't know, what do you guys think? Reviews, Favourites, Subscriptions, and Requests are welcomed and much appreciated! See you on April 13th for Axe-Hand Morgan!