Chapter 11: Ice ice baby

Zolo looked up. It was heading towards midnight. They had to find her soon.

"I'm hungry." Luffy whined. Zolo stopped and looked in disbelief at his companion.

"Luffy. Mystery's in danger." he snapped. Luffy flinched.

"I can't help it. How do you even know she is in danger? What, do you have some incredible Mystery sense or something." Luffy said spitefully. Zolo cocked his head. Was that…jealousy?

"Luf? Is something bothering you?" Zolo asked quietly but quickly, aware that Mystery may need their help. Luffy hesitated and he shook his head.

"No. Apart from being hungry." he mumbled. Zolo looked around and smiled as he spotted an apple tree. Luuuucky.

"Look. Apples. Grab a few and let's keep going." Zolo said. Luffy looked up and then grinned. He stretched an arm up and then grabbed about five and then they ran on, Luffy crunching on the apples behind him.

I have been neglecting Luffy in favour of Mystery. But, she seemed so lonely. Zolo sighed. He hoped they would reach her in time. He had a bad feeling in his stomach that he couldn't explain.

Saccharine shivered as something cold twisted her insides. It was painful and it drove her to her knees. But, she was tough. She could handle it, and she would fight back. Focusing her power, she began forming a small knife inside Odium's body. At first he didn't seem to notice, and then he doubled over in pain and Saccharine let the knife disappear as she was let go.

Saccharine, combined with Mystery, wasn't as merciless as she used to be. That had only been a tactic to get herself free. Odium laughed and then held out a hand. His fingers turned into solid ice and became as sharp as blades. Cold air was visible as it wisped from his hand.

"Let's play." Saccharine mocked and then Odium leaped forward, slashing out his hand and barely missing Saccharine as she did a flip backwards and her boot caught him in the chin, sending him stumbling back as she landed back on her feet easily. Odium smiled. Saccharine didn't pause as she leapt forward, slashing her finger blades towards his throat. Odium jumped back and brought the ice up to block. He brought his other arm around and Saccharine brought her other hand up as well, but instead of them sinking into Odium's arm, it hit an ice shield that thickened and then began to creep down the blades. Saccharine smiled and let the blades go, quickly dropping her hand and then bringing them back.

"Nice try." she muttered. Odium pushed off her and twisted to try and kick her, but she leapt up and aimed a punch for his cheek. Odium twisted away and performed a back kick that barely missed Saccharine's stomach. Blade's sliced up the ground at Odium's feet and he flipped backwards, as the blades came up, one after another, nearly catching his head as he flipped back.

They stopped and Odium leapt up into a tree and then pushed off, curling into a ball in mid-air and coming down towards Saccharine's head. She looked up and smiled, jumping back and leaving a blade in the ground, point up. Odium's eyes widened and at the last moment he turned into an icy wind, flowing around the blade and then reforming beside it.

"Not that easy." he said and then jumped forward. Saccharine leapt back, glaring at him.

"What the hell do you want from me?" she grunted as she dodged Odium's vicious swipes. He smiled.

"You made me like this. So called saving me." Odium growled making a particularly violent swipe and managing to hit her with an ice blade. Saccharine hissed and looked at her ripped side. The wound had instantly frozen, meaning the blood wouldn't flow until it she warmed up. The frozen side would inhibit her, but it was okay, she would manage.

"Saving you? When did I save you?" Saccharine asked. Odium laughed.

"Oh yes, that's right. Your fabled 'lock the memories away because they hurt too much.'" he spat at her and Saccharine's lips twisted into a snarl.

"Back off." she said and twisted a knife inside his gut again. Odium screamed and fell to his knees.

NO! Mystery screamed.

"He's a bastard. He deserves to die." Saccharine hissed between clenched teeth. Odium whimpered as the knife twisted again. Saccharine sighed and let it dissipate again. "Sorry. Taking control. Alright. We'll beat him into submission." and with that she leapt forward.

Odium whimpered as he stood and spat out blood. Saccharine aimed a punch for his gut and succeeded…or so she thought. Odium laughed as cold began to creep it's way up her arm and she whimpered in pain and pulled her arm back. It was solid frozen. Useless.

Fine.

If that's the way he wanted to play, then so be it. Saccharine focused, making tiny blades poke their way into Odium's skin. Odium winced and then stood firm as he used his ice power to freeze the blades in place. Saccharine growled. Odium shook his head.

"You could have joined us. You could have survived"

"No." Saccharine hissed.

"So be it." Odium said and then a violent cold wind whipped up around him. His hair blew in a swirl and Saccharine shivered. Odium blasted the wind towards her, freezing her before she could scream.