Chapter 2 - Let's Start A Riot

Before Ryder could move he felt a hand land on his shoulder. He turned his head to see Genie looking at him, an eyebrow quirked at him. Her expression showing genuine surprise.

"Hold it, young man," She paused before examining Ryder, giving him a quick once over. Ryder could tell she'd come to some sort of reasoning in her own mind. "Did I hear you correctly? I thought I heard you say something along the lines of throwing yourself at a recklessly dangerous situation."

"I wouldn't call it dangerous, at best it's slightly risky." Ryder attempted and failed to defend himself and his choice of words. By this point Ryder had become the center of attention as the townspeople that had witnessed the whole ordeal and were whispering among each other, staring at Ryder specifically.

It's not every day someone openly challenges the highest authority around, more importantly, someone who just smacked a couple of marines around with not much issue. That was an exceedingly rare occurrence.

Not that Ryder really cared all that much, whatever they had to say about him was none of his concern. Everyone had their own opinions, after all, leave them to it in his book, more power to em.

Genie just shook her head before looking at him with a soft yet analyzing gaze. 'He's got gusto I'll give him that…' She had to admit the young man wasn't discouraged by danger alone, while an admirable trait it would certainly bring trouble his way in his future, of that, she was certain.

"You said you're going to the prison on this island correct?" Ryder nodded, "Do you even know the marines that are posted here? You must have heard of their reputation." She had to reaffirm to him how dangerous this was. Although regardless she knew she wouldn't try and stop Ryder from doing what he wanted to do. Who was she to tell him no? However she felt she had to try, after all, she knew why Looney helped the young lad.

"Not a single clue." Came Ryders' honest response. "To be honest, I don't even know the name of the island. I just kind of ended up here."

Genie gave him a concerned and confused look, "How, may I ask, did you get here then? You came here on a boat right?" It was a fair point too, where the hell did this young man come from, and how does he already know Zen?

Ryder just laughed sheepishly, "Well I had nowhere to stay on the last island I was on so I decided to sleep in my boat but when I woke up I was in the middle of the sea with no land in sight." His thoughts went back to his friend that was still on that very island probably worried about him, trying to figure out where he could have gone.

Genie just deadpanned at him, what a way to begin a story. "So you sailed here then? Since you weren't able to find a way back to the island you were previously on I assume so." She expected him to say yes, however…

"Well… I just kind of put up the sail and went back to sleep…" Ryder chuckled to himself. 'I'm going to be in so much trouble once she finds me…' A shiver shot down Ryders shine at the thought of what she'd do to him for this one. He released a breath he didn't know he was holding once those thoughts had passed. Ryder had better prepare for a nasty beating when that time came.

Unbelievable, just what went on in this man's mind?

'This man has no sense of self-preservation…' Genie just sighed in defeat. She doubted her ability to talk the young man out of this so why not return his kindness. He helped her, she might as well help him in return.

"A brave man," She mumbled to herself, "I'll give you a warning Ryder. The marine captain stationed here is a real piece of work." She began, Ryder deciding to listen to what she had to offer. "Six months ago a marine captain by the name of Syluk came and took over command of this island. He and his main lieutenant, Reags, showed up with his rough brand of marines and replaced the old captain that was here." Genie took a small breathe, "Since then Syluk has been coming down on this town like a dictator, nobody can stand up to him. He takes anyone who would oppose him and tosses them in a prison cell."

"Is he actually tough or is he just a tough poser that uses the marines to do his leg work?"

"Depends on the issue. If you personally offend him or directly cause him hassle, he'll go after you, but if you're just causing hassle for others he'll leave his subordinates to do the leg work." Genie explained, she glanced around the town from where they stood as she spoke. "If the other marines heard what Syluk was doing here he'd be swiftly arrested but alas no help has been called. All attempts to leave this island without Syluks permission are prohibited."

Ryder smirked, "Like hell he'd stop me leaving." Ryder stepped in front of Genie. "Do you mind pointing me in the direction of the marine base?"

Genie obliged, gesturing off down the main street. "Follow the natural curve of the town, it's around the other side of that hill."

Ryder glanced in the direction she was pointing. What caught his attention was the large flag pole poking over the hill. Most people couldn't tell from this distance but Ryder recognized the marines' insignia on it. A symbol he'd see many times on his journey. He smirked, that's where he needed to go.

Ryder spun around and gave Genie a grateful tilt of his hat. "Thanks, Genie, good luck!" With that Ryder took off down the street. Leaving Genie alone watching him go.

The townsfolk that had witnessed the whole situation all watched him as he went.

Genie turned away and slowly strolled over to the supplies she had been given. "Where do you find these people Looney." A faint smile formed on her face. "He reminds me of your young one, no wonder you helped him out."

Ryder quickened his run through the town toward the marine base. Seeing the sights of town along the way he had to admit this town was really nice. Bright, sunny, and wide-open, a very welcoming atmosphere. Shame is was being somewhat oppressed by some tyrant of a marine. From what he could tell the townsfolk were nice judging from Zen and Genie. Why would a marine base even be stationed on an island like this?

Ryder was going to have a few words with this Syluk guy.

However, as he continued along his run he caught sight of some commotion ahead. There seemed to be some frantic yelling, and swearing, coming from one loud-mouthed individual.

'Well, that voice sounds familiar…' Ryder thought as he approached the scene. Once there he was greeted with that lieutenant from earlier telling a squad of five marines to find a young red-haired man, and bring him to him dead or alive.

Ryder smirked, he certainly knew who he was referring to and he was proud to be the cause of some commotion.

"You lot bring him to me this instant! Do you understand?!" The lieutenant ordered pointing directly to the frontman of the unit.

He was met with a chorus of nervous understood from the five men with one man adding Yerin to the end. Ryder quickly figured Yerin must be the lieutenants' name not that he really cared for his name that is. A quick glance at the five men gave Ryder a brief estimation of what kind of threat they'd be to him. Each one of them was dressed in your average marine uniform, none of them seemed to be physically strong from an outsiders viewpoint, each armed with a sword on their hip and a rifle in hand. Nothing special really.

"You called?!" Ryder yelled out with an amused smirk on his face, he thought it'd be funny to see how the lieutenant would react.

And it was.

The lieutenant went dead still at hearing Ryders' voice from behind him, he turned in an almost frantic panic almost stumbling backward into the marine unit as he did.

"Bastard!" Lieutenant Yerin yelled, he pointed toward Ryder, "That's him! Get him already you jarheads!" Yerin continued to yell.

The five marines steeled themselves, aggressive looks plastered across each of their faces, rifles trained on Ryder. "Surrender now!" One of the five barked out. You could see Yerin retreat even further behind the group as they stepped forward toward Ryder.

'How does someone like that end up a lieutenant…' Ryder couldn't help but think to himself, Yerin really seemed like a poor choice for a lieutenant, why would this Syluk guy keep him around? Ignoring that for now, Ryder focused on the marines in front of him.

However Ryder wasn't at all threatened by the guns, in fact, he found this to be rather exciting. He slowly lifted his right hand and placed it on the gun in his left side holster.

"Don't try it! We will shoot!" Another marine yelled out cautious of Ryders' movements.

"All I want to see is if you lot know how to really use a gun." Ryder explained, his smirk turned somewhat devilish, "So, who's shootin first?"

The townsfolk all took shelter in their shops and homes but you could still see them, they too were watching all this unfold. Most of them wondering what kind of madman Ryder was to stand up to the marines.

Ryder and the marine unit had a standoff, Ryder waiting to see what happens while the marines carefully observed his movements.

"Fine, me." Ryder quickly drew his pistol, his actions immediately got the marines to open fire. Countering them he fired his own pistol, his bullets intercepted every shot the marines fired, the bullets bouncing off each other. Ryder was careful though to make sure the townsfolk weren't in any danger. Every shot hit an open area away from people.

After a few seconds, the marines ceased firing from both shock and lack of ammo in their rifles. There stood Ryder, not a single scratch on him, not a single shot hit its mark.

Ryder drew his other gun and twirled the first one on his finger, "My turn."

Ryder charged the stunned marines, he reached the frontman before the group could react. He drove his knee into his chest sending him tumbling backward in a heap. The two marines that stood beside each other were next.

One of them had dropped their rifle and pulled out their sword, charging Ryder. Ryder remained where he stood as the marine swung, he was blocked by Ryder as he crossed his arms into an x shape and caught the blade between his two pistols.

Forcing the sword back the marine was forced onto his back foot, Ryder titled his pistol and shot him in the leg. The marine fell with a deep throaty yell of pain. The marine that stood next to him fell a moment later, crying out like his comrade as Ryder had flicked his other gun and shot him in the arm.

The last two marines fired on Ryder with his back to them but Ryder simply dodged each shot, subtly moving his body out of the line of fire.

A brief break in the gunfire Ryder leaped backward into the air, doing a flip as he did. Midway through the flip Ryder swung his pistols toward each marine. The one to his left got off lucky, he just had his rifle shot out of his hands. The other, unfortunately, took a bullet to the foot causing him to drop the rifle in an attempt to tend to his new, painful wound. He left the other unharmed so he could tend to his comrades' wounds.

Ryder landed crouched on one knee, guns outstretched either side of him, in front of the two marines. He stood up, twirling his pistols as he did, observing his handy work.

'Wait for it…' Ryder thought to himself, closing both his eyes, bracing himself for something.

He didn't have to wait long.

A shot rang out.

Followed by two more.

The lieutenant, Yerin, fell backward onto his ass, crawling even further backward quickly as Ryder approached him. Yerin had attempted to shoot Ryder in the back while he was focused on the other marines, like a coward.

It failed.

Instead of Ryder being shot Yerin was stunned when Ryder shot the bullet out of the sky mid-flight before firing a second, disarming Yerin of his pistol.

Yerin was scared out of his mind after seeing that, just who was this red-haired punk?! Why was he even doing all this?!

"Tell me," Ryder began, "Who is this Syluk guy?" Yerin saw Ryder pull the slide on his pistol, loading another round into the chamber. "Make it detailed thanks." He commented with a smirk on his face, Ryder wasn't fazed at all. He actually seemed like he was having fun. Which, to be fair, he was so far.

Yerin froze for a second, sweat pouring down his face. He felt his arms go weak, barely able to support himself. He was brought back to reality as a hand waved in his face.

"Yo Ho! Anyone there?" Ryder yelled out as he continued to wave his hand in his face. "Did I really scare you that much?" Ryder asked, mostly to himself.

Yerin, however, nodded his head confirming he did just that. There was a brief pause between them before Ryders' eyes began to sparkle.

"The marines already see me as a threat." He smiled happily to himself, getting both distracted and off-topic.

There that small pause Yerin tried to crawl away but froze on the spot again when another gunshot rang out. He spun on the ground to see Ryder looking at him, one of his pistols aimed toward the sky. He'd fired off a warning shot.

"Information about Syluk, please." Ryder reminded the cowardly lieutenant. Clearly wanting him to hurry this along.

Yerin swallowed hard, "Alright! Alright!" He began, "I'm going to be in so much trouble no matter what happens." He mumbled at the end.

Ryder holstered both his pistols waiting for the lieutenant to start his explanation. Ryder mainly wanted to know what kind of guy he was, why he did the things he did.

"Firstly, Syluk isn't a marine." While this would be surprising to most people to hear Ryder didn't react. "Syluk is some pirate impersonating a marine captain. To the townsfolk, he's a marine captain, but to all the actual marines on this island, he's a known pirate and killer. Six months ago, Syluk and his small pirate group came here in the dead of night and raided the marine base on this island. We never saw it coming, it was over before it began. The element of surprise is something to never be underestimated. The old captain was defeated and imprisoned here along with all the other marines that tried to fight back. Those of us who didn't or wouldn't fight back now worked him. Some out of fear of dying, others over the threats made against the people."

"Threats?" Ryder questioned.

"Y.. yes, Syluk threatened that any civilian that finds out his true identity would be killed. Any attempts at revealing who he truly was would mean the deaths of the civilian populous of this island. We weren't strong enough to beat him so we wouldn't be able to protect the people of this island. So those of us who weren't imprisoned played along."

Ryder hadn't been expecting this one, one massive hostage situation but the hostages had no idea. Clever, but it wouldn't last forever. One day, someone would find out and then a lot of people were likely to die.

"Alright, thanks for the info," Ryder said, turning toward the direction Genie had pointed in earlier. That should lead to the marine base and also the holding cells.

Yerin was once again shaking, Ryder suddenly didn't seem as frightening. It's like he was a different animal when he was fighting, the strength, skill, his look all said he was a dangerous man yet his personality said otherwise for some reason.

During all this the townspeople became bolder, they peeked further from the safety of their own homes, observing Ryder and his actions. Both curiously, and cautiously.

"W..w..what are you going to do?" Yerin stuttered out, mostly from confusion.

"I'm going to take down Syluk and his pirates." Ryder openly stated.

Yerin looked taken aback, "Do you have any idea of the repercussions that'll have?! Just who the hell are you to making such claims?!" He couldn't help but yell out.

"Rangetsu D Ryder! Pirate Captain!" Ryder stated proudly giving Yerin a mock salute. "You should get going Yerin, you can go warn Syluk now."

Yerin shakily stood up, looking Ryder directly in his eyes. One look was all it took, one look told him he was deadly serious. Stumbling backward yet again, he seemed to do that a lot, Yerin took off in the direction of the marine base. The same direction Genie had pointed.

Ryder waited for a moment, seeming to think something over. "Will I be seen as a hero or a criminal for this…" He scratched his chin. "I hope a criminal. I don't want any of that hero bullshit."

As Ryder went through his thoughts he felt a sudden and odd shift in the atmosphere. A silence descended on the street. He heard the townspeople muttering and whispering to each other in shock and confusion.

Ryder turned back down the street he'd just came from and saw an individual walking toward him.

The individual seemed to be five foot, six inches tall, his face had incredibly soft features, almost as if it had been sculpted from clay with just the slightest protrusion of its structure from his cheekbones. His lips were rather thin and of a soft pink color while his skin was a light hazel shade of brown. His eyebrows were thin and he had rather long eyelashes with five small dark freckles at the corner of his right eye. His nose was small and rounded, with long hair that was styled into wild dreadlocks.

His attire consisted of a black hooded vest that hung down to the center of his thighs both the back and front but splits at his waist along his sides. Underneath the vest, he wore a somewhat baggy long-sleeved white thirst with thick black stripes going down each of his arms. His legs were covered by baggy black pants with black sandals that wrap around his feet finishing off his attire.

On his back was a sword of some kind. The 38" long blade was thin and curved like a katana but double-edged like a Jian. The tsuba was a gold cross guard that curved upward to straight points like the outer portions of a sai. The handle was wrapped with black wrappings with the pommel being capped with gold. It was held within a crimson sheath with a golden snake wrapping around its length. A beautiful and deadly blade, if Ryder knew anything about blades it would be, he didn't.

However, he also carried another weapon. A wooden sword. This wooden sword was rather unique looking due to its blade length being between a katana and wakizashi at approximately 60cm. The wooden blade had a bronze guard in the shape of a Sakura flower with maroon wrappings around the handle for grip.

Ryder had no idea who this person was but he tuned in on the whispering. It became clear this person was rather famous because all the people could say was things like, Is that really him? That's the Lord of the Dead himself! What's a bounty hunter of his skill doing here?! And What's a man like him doing here?!

Ryders' attention turned back to this individual. That's when he noticed this guy was standing not far from where Ryder stood. His body facing him.

"You lost or something?" Ryder called out to the individual which got some of the islanders to go pale. Not that Ryder noticed them of course.

"You must cease your assault of these marines." The individual spoke out, his voice surprising higher than what Ryder expected. It was hard to pin that as a man's voice when you first hear it.

Ryder didn't respond for a moment allowing the silence of the town to pass between them both. "Why?" That was all he responded with.

"I can't allow you to outright attack the marines like this, it's apart of the job. It would be hard to hand over criminals to anyone who isn't capable of containing them." The individual stated pointing his wooden sword at Ryder. "Cease at once."

It was obvious now a fight was about to erupt between the two of them. Ryder could sense this guy was no pushover, he had strength hidden behind his exterior.

But all this did was excite Ryder even more. He pulled out both his pistols, twirling one before asking, "What's your name friend?"

"Minos Rex." The individual now known as Rex openly stated. There was zero hesitation in his words as if it didn't matter if his opponent knew his name or not. Brave. Some would try to track him down if they lost but this Rex guy wasn't fazed. Must be confident in his skills.

Ryder smiled at his attitude, switching his stance. "Good luck, Rex."

This wasn't the most conventional way to meet but this would truly be the beginning of a powerful alliance in the future.

But first, a skirmish was in order.

Disclaimer, I obviously don't own One Piece. All OC' go to their respective owners and such.

AlcatrazDGold - Till the next chapter...