The Great Escape Arc: Aftermath

Disclaimer: I just own my ocs and the locating I made.

The sun slowly rises over "The town of the beginning and the end" showing a squad of marines on the dock, looking at a scorched donkey figurehead, while it slowly disappears into the sea, while pieces of burnt woods and crates floats on the surface.

"What the hell happen last night?" one of the officers asks out loud as he stares at the wreck.

"I'm not sure..." said another as they stares at the damage and bite his lower lip, "None of us does."

"Agree." said another as he glance beside them and ask them, "By the way, do you know what did we drink last night?"

"Did we drink anything?" ask the one who started the talking, while glancing at them.

"I'm not sure..." answer the other as he glances around, biting his lower lip, "But I know who cause it."

"I'm not sure that's his M.O."

"True, but tells that to them," he said as he moment to the two standing on the other side of the dock.

"I can't believe he did it, again." Smoker growls as he lite two cigars and waves the match out, "This is the third time he did this to us.", then glance at his Master Chief Petty Officer, who was staring at her sword.

"I should have been stronger." Tashigi said as she stares at the damage caused on the edge of her blade, "And be more aware of his escape."

"No." he said as he shut his eyes, "We all at fault.", then blows smoke out in anger, "We all know his reputation of escaping marines' hands."

"I know," she as she resheaths Shigure and turns to her captain, "but I thought we got him this time."

"I know." Smoker said as he turns around and the two begin to walk away, "So, how did we ever figure out how he did it?"

"...No..." she answers as she thinks about it, biting her lower lip, "In fact, everyone around the surrounding areas seems to be missing eight hours."

"I wonder how he did that." the marine captain said as the two keep moving, with a couple of marines following him, "but I guess we won't know that, till he captures, again."

"True." the swordswoman said as she keep up with him, "So, what do we do?"

"Knowing the old geezers, they will just cover up this incident and perhaps give him a new bounty." he answers as he bites down on his cigars, "As for us, we need to help clean up the mess before the town people start to freak out and pirates think they can run free."

"Aye, aye, sir." said the marines said and turns around, marching away from the captain.

"Oh, and Tashigi."

"Yes sir."

"First, get your sword taken care of." Smoker said with the woman give nod and rush off to the Arms Shop, she been known to visit. "Why must you always make it hard for us, Draco?" he asked under his breath as he headed toward the marine base, passing a cafe with two familiar faces, but he couldn't place it, but he pay the couple no mind and keep moving.

"I been meaning to ask, Puddin'." she said after taking a bite of his chocolate chip muffin, "Do you find this whole thing annoying."

"You mean how noise you are, eating your muffin?" Gwynplane asks after finishing his coffee and chuckles lightly as she glares at him.

"You know what I mean."

"Well, I do miss the line light." he said as he wave the waitress down for another cup, "I mean the people who hear "The Hyena" name and my laugh used to wet themselves."

"With piss?"

"That and blood." he replies before a hazed hair woman walks up. filling up his cup, then walks away, "Now the world forgot about me and some spring heel dummy took my name."

"So, why do we use the virus?" she asks before taking another bite of her muffin, who just smirked.

"Testing, mostly." he answers with a shrug well he begins to pour sugar into the coffee, "But it also gives us some two on one time with a certain dark-haired moron."

"Well, last night seem to be four on two." France said as she chew the last bite of her muffin, watching the pale skin man making a small island of sugar in his drink, only to put it away and look up at her.

"True." Gwynplane replies as he shrugs and sighs, "Seem like we might have to talk to our doctor about that special project.", then take a spoon, beginning to stir his coffee.

"Which one?" she asks as she raises a brow at him, "He has some many projects that it's hard to figure out which one you mean."

"My special project."

"Oh!" she said as she begin to smirks and leans back, "Project Aces & Eights."

"Hopefully, it's out of the testing stage." he said as he tips the spoon on the cup, only to bring it to his face, taking in the scent, "I am so tired of killing lab mice.", then take a gulp.

"And people?"

"Silly." he said as he put down the cup and chuckled, "Only the mice.", then they heard something making a sound underneath his jacket.

"Purupuru! Purupuru!"

"Look like we're being summoned." Frances said as she glance at her purse on the table, shaking as it ring, "So, I guess we should pop out."

"Good idea." he said as he quickly finish his coffee, then reach inside his vest, looking for something.

"What are you doing?" she asks her partner in crime, who finally pulls out a silver ring that looks like a snake holding a blood ruby in its jaws, "Wait...Isn't that from the one royal ass?"

"Yeah." he said as he look at the jewelry, "I remember how much blood he was spraying out, after taking it off him."

"He should have paid our price after ending his lil' civil war for him." she mutters as Gwynplane puts the ring on the table, "Is that the payment?"

"Yes." he answer as the two got up from their seats, "Plus, a very good tip."

"I say, but why leave it here?" she asks as they walk away from the table.

"Let's just say it's for entertainment value." Gwynplane answers with a light chuckle as they quickly move toward the closest alleyway before the young woman walks up to their table and begin to giggle at what they left.

"Glissade Hole!" Frances said as happy laughter was heard in the background, which she pushed open, showing a crimson-tinted atmosphere, then the two climbed in. After two or three minutes walking through the crimson realm, passing through several buildings, trees, and other objects, till they reach a large room, showing a plain room that has a table, two chairs, a large bed, pictures, books, several weapons all over the place, and a large half circle window, lighting the room and showing that their somewhere in a forest.

"Glissade Hole!" she said as she pushes open an opening, that allow the two to return to the more natural reality.

"Purupuru! Purupuru!"

"Frances, my dear, if you don't mind." Gwynplane ask as he took a set and lean back in a chair, "Please answer that snail."

"Right away, Puddin'." she said as she pulls out her small black and gold den den mushi, only to push the button, "Hello! This is Pantaloon's House of Waffles. Home of the monster pancake. How can I take your order?"

"I know I should have called Gwynplane." the den den mushi groans as it seems to rubs its left temple.

"I have no reason to answer it." the pale skin man replies with a light chuckle and begins to lean back in his chair, "We did our job and we deserve a week break, only to do the next job."

"That's not going to happen." their boss growls through the snail, "We all know that you two like playing with Draco."

"He is one of our favorite playthings." Frances said as she take a set and place the den den mushi on the table.

"True." Gwynplane replies with a shrug and pulls out a deck of cards, beginning to shuffle them, "So, you called for a report?"

"That and I have another mission for you."

"Figures." she said with a sigh as she pulls out a notebook and pen, getting ready to write down the coming mission.

"Now it's just a simple pick-up mission." he said as the sound of a lighter was heard, lighting a cigar, which the creatures copied the action in front of the two.

"You're fooling no one."

"What that's supposed to mean?"

"Nothing is simple with you." the man said as he begin to set up the cards for a game of patience, "You always speak with a forked tongue."

"On some days, both figuratively and literally." she said with a smirk as she begin to play with her pen, while the den den mushi just rolls its eyes.

"That joke is getting old." their boss said with a groan as the snail glares at her, "All I need you two to do is pick up at least four to five men on a certain marine ship."

"Oh. A breakout." she said as she begin to write down the order, "Haven't done that in a long time."

"It should be interesting," he said as he begin to play his game, "depending on who we're picking up."

"You're picking up fishman."

"Oh, but the fishman in the East Blue tend to dislike human." Gwynplane replies as he flips the cards, "Yet alone work for them."

"Don't you worry about that." the den den mushi said as it blow invisible smoke from its mouth, "The person that's interested in them got it cover."

"You're not talking about that parasite?"

"You know we're on good term with, Sancho." he said out loud as the snail act like he was taking a long drag and blow invisible smoke, again, "He gives us slaves and test subjects and we give him money and other goods."

"You mean like that devil fruits you got for him, even though he still paying off?"

"Or the weapons and men he got from us," she said as he twirls the pen in her hand, "which help him took over the island he wanted."

"Might I add two of the top lab assistant of our favorite doctor." he added as he put down the card return to the deck, searching for eight of the clubs.

"Yes. I know how much they owe me over the last couple of years and they will either pay one way or another." the den den mushi said with a smirk and begin to chuckles, "Besides, we lost nothing when we give him Ivo and his gun-loving brother."

"Fair enough." Gwynplane said with a shrug as he put down the card, "Since you bring up science, did the good doctor finish the special project?"

"Again with that." his boss groans out loud as the snail begins to rub its temple, "You're such a child with that project."

"It's a project that Puddin is very passionate about." she said with a grin as she look at her partner, who just blow her a kiss, after putting down the queen of hearts.

"So, true!"

"Well, I do have some good news about it." he said as the snail blows more invisible smoke, "It's finally ready for human."

"Oh, I can't wait to starts the testing."

"Now just wait a minute"

"Is that Albert I hear?" she said out loud, after putting the pen in her grinning mouth.

"That's Dr. Caine to you, harlot." the snail said out loud at the woman, who just rolls her eyes.

"Watch your tone, Doc, and you might be only able to breathe through a tube and mask." she growls out loud after biting down on her pen, "Isn't right, Puddin'?"

"Not right now, Poo." he replies as he glares at the snail, "Daddy needs to talk business to good ol' Dr. 666 and our boss."

"There's nothing to talk about, moron." the doctor said through the den den muahi, which has a grim look at him, "You not getting a drop of Project 118."

"I do believe you meant Project Aces and Eights"

"No. It's Project 118."

"Project Aces and Eights!"

"Project 118!"

"PROJECT ACES AND EIGHT"

"PROJECT 118!" the snail shouted at the pale skin man whom beginning to think of killing the creature, on for the den den mushi's face goes back to their boss' face.

"I have enough of this!" he yelled out loud, making the two shut up, while the creature glared at two, "I don't care what it's called! I just want it tested! Do I make myself clear?!"

"Yes, sir!" the doctor answered on one line, while Gwynplane let out a gulp in fear.

"I understood, boss."

"Good." he said as the den den mushi blowing invisible smoke, "Now here's the deal. Gwynplane "

"We do this job of yours," he said as he move the cards around, "You will give us Project Ace & Eight. Right?"

"As well as the normal pay." Frances added as she return to her notebook, ready to write the information.

"That's pretty much it." the snail answered with a grin, "In fact, once you two pick up that group, one of them will give you the special drug."

"Oh, I can't wait to used it." Gwynplane said out loud as he pulls out a small book from his vest pocket,

"I so many people to test Ace & Eight on."

"Don't get too drug happy." the doctor said to the two, while the snails glares at them, "You're getting enough for five doses."

"Hmm...Why not more?"

"Cause it took six months to make this project just right."

"And it's going to take another six months to do it?"

"More like three..." their boss said as the den den mushi acted like he took in the cigar, "But more to the point, we want you to be smart with this and choose the right test subjects for this."

"Sound good to me." Gwynplane said as he grins as he turns a copy of pages, only to stop, "I do have a couple of test rats in mind."

"Sound promising."

"Knowing him, he just going to shoot some drunk moron, who bump into him." the doctor replies from the bug, which makes the pale-skinned man growls as he slams the book on the table.

"Still sound promising."

"Just give us the numbers already." Frances groans out loud as she gets tired of all this.

"She does have a point, Gents." Gwynplane said in a calm tone and sighs, "That gives us the numbers, and well get to it."

"E44." the Den Den Mushi replies with a grim smirk, "B79. N2200."

"Thank you!" she said as she write down the code on the paper, "Anything else?"

"Yes." the bugged answer as it blows fake smoke, "Try not to kill too many, but have fun on the way."

"We make no promise on the first part." Gwynplane said as he begin to laugh maniacally, only to hang up the phone and look up at his partner, who just smiles at him, "Look like we're going to have some real fun real soon, Sweetheart!"

"Heh...Dealing with collars, cuffs, and chains." Frances said as she took a set in front of him and hold up a whip, "Maybe I should bring this with us?", then crack the whip at her partner's shoulder.

"Geez...You're warp." he said as he brush his shoulder and snickers, "I think that's why we work well together."

"Very true." she said with a grin and lean forward, as she look at him "So, do you think our favorite toy makes out a life?"

"That's simple." Gwynphane answers as he leans back with a simple grin, "If I can survive it, he can."
"...So, does that mean you're both are roaches?"

I really wish I could replace her with a monkey.

~somewhere in the East Blue~

"Good thing there was a boat was next to your ex-employer's ship." Draco said as he lean against the mess of the boat, feeling the wind against his smiling face.

"A shame all they have to eat is cheese, crackers, apples, and water." Jessie reply out loud as she bite into a cracker and glanced at Roy, who was holding a fishing pole, "Hurry up and catch something."

"It's kind of hard to catch a fish with no bait."

"What happens to cheese?" Jessie asks after taking another bite of the apple.

"...That was bait?" he asks as he look at her, after pulling up line, "What fish would go after cheese?"

"You be surprised." she said as she glance at Jack, who just landed on Draco's shoulder and lean over to his ear, moving his beak.

"She does have a point." Draco replies with a grin, while he rubs the parrot's stomach, "I see a guy reel in a panda shark with a wheel of cheese."

"Really?"

"Really." he answer as the parrot was enjoying being petted, "So, keep trying to catch a fish, Roy."

"Fine." Roy mutters as reels the line in and glances over his shoulder, spotting something interesting and asking, "Is that land?"

"It's might be." Jessie said as she glance over want looks like a large rock picking out of a thick fog bank, "Though I'm not sure."

"I wonder if that's Unity Island?" Draco said with a weak grin as he rubs the back of his neck, while the boat seem to move toward the fog.

"Never hear of that island." Roy said as he glance at the young woman, who was holding the rudder in place.

"Same." Jessie said as she look at Draco, who just stares at him, "Is it nice?"

"It's an interesting island." he answers with a shrug, "And the people are pretty interesting, too."

"You sound like you been there." Roy said as he return to sending his line into the sea.

"I had."

"How long?"

"Long enough to make friends and enemies." he said as he rubs the back of his neck and sigh out loud, "I help take down a pirate captain, that has a weird crab fetish."

"Huh. Weird."

"Anything else we should know?" Jessie ask as she notices the way Draco was acting a little weird.

"Well, there is one thing." he said with a sigh and his neck again, "How do you two feel about fishman?"

"I have no feeling toward the race." Roy said as he keep an eye on his line, "Mainly, I never really met one."

"I have." Jessie said with a hint of pain, while she looks down, "And I wish I never met them."

"Where are you from?"

"A village that was wiped out by them." she said as she look at Draco, who was facing with a surprising look on his face.

"Arlong?" he asks as his face grow grim, which cause Jessie's eyes widen in shock, but right before she could answer, green smokes begins to form below, causing her to fall forward, knocking out, which Roy follow suit, then the world starts to spin for Draco.

~from the fog cover docks~

"And that's how it did." said a cap and orange jumpsuit-wearing, pale skin man as he lean back against a metal chair, as the chair move downward.

"You miss them, Senor Mure." said a dark skin young man, looking through a pair of binoculars.

"I wasn't trying to kill them, you ignoramus." Mure said as pulls out a cigarette and lit it, once it get into his mouth, and took a long drag, "You get more if you bring them a life.", then he put his firearm in its back holster.

"That's a lie and you know it." said the man as glances at the sniper and chair return down to the dock, in fronting of a large blue cannon, that's bolted to the dock and is loaded with a large harpoon, "Though one is still standing."

"Barely standing." Mure corrected after he blow a ring of smoke out and took hold of the two handles on the cannon, aiming at the boat, "But I'm sure he'll fall once we start to reel them in."

"You mean once I reel them in." he asks as he watches the jumpsuit-wearing man push a button and fires the harpoon, piercing the boat's mast, causing Draco to hit the boat's deck.

"Inagoshotto." he said with a smirk and look a the man while enjoying this feeling, "It's only natural for the pupil to follow the instructor's words and lessons."

"I don't remember being your pupil." the man glares at him, before moving beside the cannon and beginning to turn the crank, slowly reeling the line, causing the boat to move toward him, "I thought I working under Senor Johnny."

"You did, till you try to do hook up with his ladyfriend."

"Is that what she told him?" he groans as he keeps turning the crank, "She was the one, who jump on my lap, while I was trying to eat my lunch."

"That's might be true, but still I'm your instructor," Mure replies as he leans back, putting his feet on top of the cannon, "till you're ready for fieldwork."

"Tsk...I have been doing fieldwork way before I join this organization." he mutters as he stops for a moment, wiping his brow, and was about a return to the crag, but notice something.

"Less yelping and more work, moron." Mure order to put out the cigarette and get out another, only to notice the boat was moving faster, than earlier, "That's more like it.", then he notice the dark skin man standing up looking through his binoculars.

"You might want to take a look at this, Senor."

"What are you talking about?" he asks as he set up, pulling his rifle, only to look through the scope, finding Draco standing, but also pulling on the line, which causes Mure to whistle, "Don't see that every day."

"I thinking we better wound him before he gets here." he mutters as he goes for one of his pistols, planning to put a bullet in dark hair man.

"Tsk...Amateur." he muttered as reloaded his rifle with two clear shells, holding some sort of lime green liquid, and point it at the tired, but angry-looking man and fire it, "Gashotto!"

~back to the boat~

"When I get my hands...on the asshat..." he pants as he pulls the rope, while the world still spinning for him, "I will...I will...I don't know what I'll do..."

He was cut off as something hit his chest, causing green smoke to hit his face. His arms go limp, after letting go of the rope and begin to fall, letting his arms hit the surface of the salty ocean.

"...You're going to pay..." was the last thing he said before his eyes shut.

His eyes snap open after a splash of saltwater hits his face and finds himself on the sea surface, holding on to a plank of wood, which one could think it's from a broken boat.

What the hell? he thought to himself as he moves around, trying to figure out where his, only to find fog cover all around him, wanting to find an island or something.

A wave crash against his body, causing him to hang on to dear life, trying so hard not to fall into the sea, while he hiss in pain. After a few more waves hitting him, the sea calms down and Draco sighs in relief, and thinks, At less, I'm moving me toward land.

Then something came to him as he also notices it's too quiet and shouts out loud, "Jack? Jack?! Where are you?!" However, not a single word was heard, let alone a sound of flapping of the parrot's wings.

"Great...I'm alone, cold, wet, in pain, and bleeding." he mutters as he tries to move his upper body on the wood, thinking it would be a way to get out of the water and maybe find a way to get closer to land, "Well, it can't get any worst"

As if on cue, a large fin slide out of the surface of the water, only for its return to the sea. I should have kept my mouth shut. Draco growls to himself as he looks around for the fin, planning to face the beast, "If I'm going to meet my end, I'll face..", then he was cut off, thanks to the fact that he was pulled under, leaving behind the piece of wood floating away.

Techniques:

Glissade Hole: A technique that Frances uses to make an open that's big enough for a person to enter or exit into a crimson-tinted atmosphere room. This is great for hit and runs, surprise attacks, or just entering well-guarded and locked rooms.

Inagoshotto(Locust Shot): Mure shot a harpoon out of his harpoon cannon and reeled it back, capturing the target.

Gashotto(Moth Shot): Mure shot a clear shell, holding some sort of lime green liquid, from his rifle, hitting his targets or near the targets, letting green smoke in the air, knocking the targets out.

And we're stopping here for now. I like to point out that the last scene of this chapter is a nod to the first scene of a certain shark movie. Please remember to read and review. It will help me out if you all give me some feedback.