A Mystery Figure Approaches – Bison's Firm Decision
Tromso panted, clutching his chest. Blood dripped between his fingers, creating a small pool on the floor. The bluish tint of skin was pale, traces of blood around his jaw and neck.
"Geez, so troublesome..." Kai said, stretching out his shoulder. "You got guts, I'll give you that. Tata!" Kai waved and turned around, taking a step forward.
However he suddenly stopped, almost tripping over. Turning around he saw Tromso's hand latched around his ankle.
"Persistent aren't ya." Kai sighed, reaching into his pocket and pulling out another of the metal balls. He lifted it above his head and slammed it straight on the top of Tromso's skull. Blood spat from Tromso's mouth as his hand went lip. "Now stay down like a good dog."
Kai turned around once more and walked away leaving Tromso on the ground. Sticking his hands in his pockets, Kai hummed to himself as he walked through town. Every so often he caught the glances of the pale residents. Ignoring them he continued walking down the trail until he caught sight of something in the distance. A ship.
"Eh...?" Kai raised his hand over his eyes for a better look, when they widened in surprise. He suddenly dived to the side as a cannonball soared straight past him and smashed into the cliff face behind him with an almighty explosion, causing stone to fly every which where.
"What the...?" Kai suddenly stepped back as a hand gripped below him, and a figure pulled itself up. Dressed in a white jacket and boots, with two cigars hanging from his mouth. Pale grey hair was slicked back somewhat.
Kai's jaw practically dropped to the floor. "What the hell are-"
Kai was cut off as smoke seemed to gather around his chest. The smoke suddenly whipped to the side, throwing Kai straight out of the man's way.
Vice-Admiral Smoker walked up the steps leading up to the town, a determined look on his face.
XXX
'No... I'm a part of Dragon Claw... I should be able... to save him...' Tromso tried to get up, but his body just wouldn't respond. The wound was too much, taking away too much of his energy.
"Tr-Tromso?"
Tromso turned his head to see Horatio limping towards him, clutching his jaw. "Who're you? Y-You tried to help my Captain."
"The names Horatio." Horatio said, crouching down next to Tromso and inspecting the wounds. "Saved your life once before. Guess I'll have to do it again."
"You're a doctor?"
"Well... I have medical knowledge. Enough to make you healthier. Geez, those bounty hunters are strong..."
"Red! You need to find him!" Tromso exclaimed, grabbing at Horatio's leg.
"I know, I know. Don't worry, it'll be fine. I'll get you to the doctor's, and I'll go and find him." Horatio let off a small smile, more to himself than to Tromso. "I realise how I can beat her. Then I'll be able to take down Kai and Virto. Come on."
Horatio dragged Tromso and after a few minutes disappeared into a building just as Smoker turned around a building. His eyes scanned the blood in the snow, before coming across the ruined bar. He started walking towards it, puffing on his cigars.
XXX
Back on the mountain, Crasten was looking in disbelief at the bloodied form of Bjord, as well as the own cuts covering his bodies. Glancing back up at Bison, he shook his head in defiance.
"How the hell can you get this strong?"
Bison swung the knives around like a lasso in the air. "I was always this strong. I realise now that I was merely being restricted. Typical, isn't it. I meet a strong rival pirate crew, and they remind me so much of my old crew. Bad memories, it has to be sad."
"How do the Strong-Bone Pirates remind you of the Nameless Pirates? We're nothing alike!"
"What made you think I was talking about you?" Bison questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Dragon Claw. Powerful people with varied powers." With that he snapped the rope forward.
Crasten raised his arm in defence but the daggers spun around and dug into his flesh. Bison grunted and pulled back, using the rope to pull Crasten forward. Crasten stumbled through the snow until he was elbowed in the face by Bison. Crasten dropped to the ground in pain, blood running down his nose.
"Shit... shit!" Crasten cursed, slamming a fist on the ground. "How can I be embarrassed... by a goddamn rookie weakling like you!"
"If you know I was with the Nameless Pirates, then you know that I am not a rookie." Bison sighed. "My Captain had the power to give people new lives. Did you know that he promised each of us that if we died in battle, he would give us life again? That was his flaw. It was all about him! When I met him at the ship... no, years before that. When I first met Jackal, we were compatible! Friends!" Bison grit his teeth, his fist clenched. "Best friends. Yet that fruit got in the way. When people die they die! Where is the honour, the respect in being essentially resurrected? None! To die is to die, no two ways about it! You call me a weakling, far from it. The only person who could combat my captain in all out war was me. In fact, I did defeat him in war. I didn't agree with his terms and I left."
Bison struggled to talk, as if unwilling to admit his memories. "Yet... still, I learned from the best. I was lost in my trophies. No more. Don't you ever call me weak, Crasten."
Crasten smiled, before letting out a laugh. Standing up, his figure started to change into the half polar-bear hybrid.
"You've proved to me you are more than a mere fool. Can you fight me like this?"
"Oh...?" Bison grinned. "So you're finally admitting that I can fight you. For some reason, I'm enjoying this... not a good omen. No matter." Bison swung the knifed-rope in the air again. "Let's do it bear man!"
