It has been tooo looong! It feels good to be back! I took a break from writing this story to focus on my Assassin's Creed Syndicate fic. If you are interested in reading it I'll post the link below and love and appreciate any and all feedback you have. A great deal of time and research went into that story (as I try to with all my writings) to keep it as canon as possible. I no longer work at the place where I conducted 99% of my writing, so I will continue writing, but in my spare time. To all my readers, past present and future, I thank you all for your patience with me and commitment to this journey. I will post chapters when I can, but there will be no regular shcedule. If you want to be notified when a new chapter comes out you can "follow" this story and will send you an Email when I upload. If you want to be notified if I post ANYTHING (not necesarily One Piece related) then feel free to follow me as an author. Massive thanks to all those who have followed and favourited me (and/or Rise Of A New Heart) since my last update! 💜 I can't thank you all enough for the love and support this story has recceived and I love you all in return. 💛 💛 💛
s/12624041/1/A-Dance-of-Knives-and-Flowers
⭐️ I NOW PRESENT TO YOU... ⭐️
Chapter 21 The Ambush Part 2!
Enyo neared the road but stayed in the shadows, watching the marines. They we're nervous, shakily clutching their firearms, it was time to strike. A platinum tendril flew out of the forest, seizing the arms of the nearest soldier and yanking him forward, straight into a thick tree trunk where he was knocked unconscious. The other two opened fire on where the first assault came, and Enyo sent out another attack. This time, pushing one of them with such force that he too was slammed into a tree, and went lights out. Only one remained, he made a break for it, either out of fear or to get reinforcements… It didn't matter. Enyo stepped out of the trees.
"Don't let him get away! He has the key!"
The woman smirked devilishly.
"Don't worry, he won't."
The piratess willed her ability forward, and like an arrow, straight and true, it shot through the air and lassoed the fleeing man. Wrapping him in another Stirling cocoon, the grey haired woman dragged him back before pilfering the key from his person. She hurried over and unlocked Spud's cuffs.
"Is it true? Did they really capture the captain? "
"I'm afraid so." Enyo said, as she released Pierro.
"How did you know we were here?" Bart asked as she fiddled with his restraints.
"Before Law- I mean, the captain was captured, he gave me a message: Lavender town."
Pierro leaned his weight to one side and placed his hands on his hips as he spoke.
"So wait a minute, why weren't you captured?"
"I thought I would be, but the Marines ran straight past me. They mustn't know I'm part of the crew."
"Hmm, makes sense. You haven't even been with us for more than a week." Spud concluded.
"Is there anyone else who got away?" Bart questioned, but Enyo shook her head.
"The head marine guy said they had everyone, and the ship too."
Bart hummed in thought.
"We need to leave this area, the rest of the marines could be on their way back."
"We need to get these guys out of sight" Pierro said, glaring at the unconscious marines.
"Allow me."
Enyo said, and her serpentine hair came alive, wrapping itself around the limp bodies, binding and gaging them. Once again she used the Selene sickle to cut her hair and separate it from the bonds. After hiding the bodies deep in the brush, the pirate quartet began to move towards the docks as the sun slowly disappeared.
…
As they reached the port the pirates hid behind some large supply crates.
"I don't see any navy ships, surely they wouldn't hold pirates captive on their own vessel?" Enyo said.
"They wouldn't." Pierro answered before continuing.
"They would have taken the captain and the others to their ship which is most likely anchored in the main bay."
"Then what should we do?" (E)
"We need to get the sub first. No point rescuing the others if there's no means of escape." (P)
Enyo nodded and Spud turned back from where he was peeking around the corner.
"There's two men guarding the sub and another two patrolling the boardwalk heading this way."
Spud looked to Pierro as he finished speaking and the pair wordlessly nodded, scuttling over to the edge of the crates they waited for the patrol to get closer. As the two marines strolled by, chit chatting about trivial things they were set upon by the pirates who knocked them out and dragged them out of sight.
Just like in the books she'd read about thieves and assassins the uniforms fit the pair quite well, and after tying up the near naked men Pierro and Spud walked along the dock towards the ship. Enyo and Bart watched as they approached the marines on the far side, and after a short exchange of inaudible words a tussle ensued. Luckily, the pirates were victorious and threw the men off the dock. After the splash they turned and waved their arms to signal the all clear. Bart and Enyo ran up and boarded the ship with the others before any reinforcements could come. Within minutes the sub had disappeared beneath the dark nighttime waters.
…
While the others prepared, Enyo went to her quarters, she stepped through the threshold and instantly spied something resting on her bed.
"What's this?"
She peeked back out and checked each direction of the hallway, empty. She closed the door behind her and approached the mysterious shopping bag with caution. The steely haired woman leaned over and looked inside, packing tissue and dark fabric. Enyo reached in and pulled out the article of clothing, holding it by the shoulders her eye widened.
Enyo quickly changed and surveyed herself in the mirror. The night black jumpsuit was sleek as it hugged her form, the sleeves rolled halfway up her forearms and a large, equally dark hood hung from the back of the collar. A brilliant, gold Jolly Roger sat proudly embellished on her back, and the other rested on her left breast pocket, beside her partially zipped cleavage. Trying to ignore the disturbingly accurate sizing, Enyo beamed at herself one last time before heading out to meet the others on the bridge.
Conversation stopped as the lady pirate walked through the door, Pierro and Spud in a sort of shock at the new uniform, Bart gave a knowing smile and nodded, Enyo returned the gesture and approached the group.
"So what's the plan?"
Their surprise had warn off and everyone gathered around the table.
"All Marine ships are based off the same design, these are some blueprints we managed to get a hold of a while back. We need you to memorise the layout as best you can before we go."
"Okay."
Enyo began pouring over the document as the others explained the plan.
. . .
'So far so good'
Enyo and Spud successfully infiltrated the ship while Bart and Pierro stayed with the sub right below them. At first the pair were suspicious at the lack of guard, that they might be walking into a trap, but after overhearing a couple of marines it would seem most had been sent out on a search party for their missing commander and the escaped pirates. As the two silently walked the halls of the ship Enyo got a strange feeling, like a shiver from a cool wind. It was the same thing she felt before running into the thief woman, but this, this felt different, it felt familiar. Spud noticed his companion's hesitation and halted.
"What's wrong Enyo?" He whispered.
"I - I think it's… the captain…"
"Huh?"
"Down that way." She gestured with her chin, and Spud screwed up his face.
"We know for a fact the cells are this way, there's nowhere else he could be."
But Enyo just stared down that hallway. She took a step, but Spud grabbed her arm.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm just going to go check, I'll meet you down in the cells straight after, I promise."
The short round man gave the girl a look and shook his head.
"Alright, but be careful, and if anything happens call me."
At his last words he gestured to her pocket where they each kept a mini den den mushi, she nodded and the pair parted ways.
Enyo cautiously crept down the hallway of the enemy ship. The further she went the stronger she could feel Law's presence, and that of another. The end of the corridor came into view and with it three doors, two on her left and the last at the very end on the right. The feeling was so overwhelming Enyo almost failed to hear the sounds of boots barreling down from the direction she had come. Panicked, Enyo tried the first door on the left, locked. The approaching feet got closer and soon they would round the corner and meet her. She quickly tried the second door, success, she entered the dark room and shut the door as quickly and quietly as possible, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw the room was empty, save for a few storage boxes. Enyo listened as two bodies ran past and a loud knocking was heard on the farthest door, she pressed her ear against the wood.
"Commodore!"
"What?"
An older gruff voice answered them, and Enyo recognised it as the Marine commander that apprehended Law and the others.
"Lieutenant Remus has been found sir! He wishes to speak with you immediately."
"Good, He'd better have a good excuse for disappearing on us. Any news on the missing pirates or their ship?"
"No sir…"
The elder marine grumbled and Enyo heard him mumble something about being back, then the door closing, and his heavy footsteps as he followed his men. Once they were a good distance the piratess emerged form her dark sanctuary and went over to the final door. She reached out and grasped the cool brass knob, turning it anxiously she tried to anticipate what waited on the other side. The portal opened to reveal a spacious office, the left and back walls were shelves filled with books, against the far right wall stood a wooden closet with some old framed charts hanging either side, and a large globe sat in the right corner closest to the door. She spied Kikoku resting against the back wall behind a large wooden desk, and finally, sitting in the centre of the room on an old yet sumptuous tapestry rug, sat none other than Law, bound to a chair in chains.
"Enyo-ya?!"
"Captain!"
Law seemed genuinely surprised to see his latest addition coming to his rescue, and the latter was delighted that her newfound sixth sense had not led her astray. Coming back to reality Enyo shut the door behind her and approached her captain.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah, where are the others?"
"Bart and Pierro are with the sub, Spud is freeing the others further below deck."
"Okay, so how do you plan on getting us out of here?"
(OoO?)…
"Well… umm… I was kinda hoping you would help with that when I found you."
She did not make eye contact and twiddled her index fingers. Law sweatdropped ( -_-'), then a sigh escaped his lips.
"How did you find me?"
"Uhh… that's, hard to explain. We should get you out of here first."
"Well I cant do anything in these chains."
Enyo scanned over the restraints that wrapped around Law's chest and bound him to the chair, arms by his sides and a large padlock at the front.
"Then we're just gonna have to get them off aren't we?" She spoke with determination as she got closer to her imprisoned captain. The steely haired woman reached out to grab the chains.
"Wait! Enyo-ya it's-"
But it was too late, as the tips of Enyo's Porcelain fingers grazed the metal, her expression fell, and her once bright eye became dull and listless. All the energy seemed to sap from her body as the kairouseki put her into a lethargic trance.
"OI!"
Law snapped, and brought Enyo back from her daze. She immediately pulled her hand away and held it close to her chest.
"I - I'm sorry…"
"It's fine. Are you okay?"
Enyo clenched her fists to her sides as she nodded. Then the female pirate had a lightbulb moment. She grabbed the soft handle and drew forth Selene from her side. Law eyed the crescent moon blade.
"And what are you going to do with that?"
"Pick the lock." She said frankly.
( -_- ) …
Law had his doubts, but stayed silent as his subordinate set to work. He watched tight lipped as Enyo bent over and concentrated fully on the task at hand, her brows knotting as she fiddled with and jiggled the lock. His eyes wandered from her features down her neck, he saw that she was still wearing the heart pendant necklace he had switched with her collar the day he saved her. She wore it every day it seemed, aside from when she slept, evident by its absence during her near drowning. The pair were pulled from their thoughts as the sound of multiple footsteps echoed poorly through the wooden hallway. The captain's eyes met Enyo's, and hers filled with worry, she stood straight and looked to the door.
"They're coming." She whispered.
Law looked around the room, then back to his accomplice.
"Get in the cupboard." He said with a jerk of his head, but at the words Enyo froze. Law watched as her eye widened and she became distant. Her subconscious bleached to white as raw memories pulled her back in time.
***Flashback***
Teal eyes sparkled like jewels as they brimmed with tears, while two soft, creamy hands clasped the frail, shaky one that hung from the bed.
"[cough, cough] someone's coming, you must go!"
"I won't leave you!" The silvery haired girl wept.
"Don't worry about me child, I'm-"
"This way." A voice could be heard from downstairs.
"It's too late, Enyo, you must hide. Get in the cupboard."
"But!"
"Do as I ask, in the cupboard, and don't come out for any reason!"
The sound of a collection of heavy boots reaching the second floor signalled that their time was up, and as she was told, Enyo hid in the closet. Strained eyes peered through the slats at the scene before her.
*** End Flashback***
"Enyo-ya! Oi! Get ahold of yourself!"
Law whispered harshly, and Enyo came back from wherever the hell she was and looked at him, his expression was as serious as his tone.
"The cupboard. Go!"
She heard the marines closing in, they were probably only a few meters from the door. Enyo rushed across the room and pulled open the doors of the cabinet, she stared inside.
"Enyo-ya!"
The brass knob began to turn and Enyo stepped fully into the cabinet, closing the doors and peeking through the gap.
The first to enter was the commodore, he was a tall man with broad shoulders and a thick off-white beard. He had equally thick, long hair which was braided and pulled back out of his face, while the rest flowed freely behind him. He wore the classic blue navy pants and a white, long sleeved jacket with gold double breasted buttons down the torso. Perched on his side was a large scimitar, it's hilt was a golden lion with its jaw open from which the blade came out. Behind him entered a familiar face, lieutenant Remus, whom Enyo had acquired the lovely Selene from. It would seem he hadn't replaced her as only Apollo rested by his side, Enyo watched as they approached her captain.
"Hello again Trafalgar, this is lieutenant Remus. He has some questions he'd like to ask you, I hope you will be more accomodating to him then you were me."
"We'll see." The captain replied with his trademark smirk, causing Remus to frown deeply. The latter took a step closer, and reached into his pocket producing a handful of soft, silver strands.
"Do you know what this is?" He asked in a deep grumpy tone. Law leaned forward in his bonds to inspect the ashen fibres, he then reclined back with a smug look on his face.
"I have no idea…"
"You're a liar!... My men and I were attacked! your underlings escaped! And this shit was everywhere! So I think you know exactly what this is!"
The cocky pirate merely shrugged and the marine clenched his fist and teeth in anger.
"No matter, there are ways of making you talk."
The lieutenant reached to his side and brought forth his fearsome golden sickle, twisting it in his palm so the spikes faced forward. The surgeon of death studied the strange weapon, it bore great similarities to the one Enyo had, so he guessed this was where it had come from. The spikes were wide and blunt, clearly crafted to inflict blunt force trauma. It's inner blade came to a sharp edge from its thick centre, it was obvious the silver blade was for slicing, this one was for splitting.
Enyo watched as Remus raised his arm, preparing to strike Law with the Apollo.
'Shit! Shit! What do I do?!'
She couldn't see Laws face.
"I can't do anything in these chains."
'That's it!'
Enyo burst out from her hiding place and sent her ability flying towards the prisoner, careful to avoid the dangerous kairoseki her silk mane wrapped around his waist and yanked him back, just barely sparing him from the lieutenant's heavy swing. The captain of the heart pirates let loose a heaved breath as he recovered from the jolt.
"What the hell!" Remus exclaimed.
"Hmmm." The commodore's brows knotted, and he brought a hand up to stroke his beard in thought. The pirate stood beside her still captive superior, and his interrogator growled.
"You!"
"Lieutenant, am I correct in assuming this woman is the one who attacked you and your men?" Aries spoke calmly as he drew his sword. Remus nodded.
"What now?" Law asked, slightly concerned about their new situation.
"Ummm…"
Enyo trailed off as she took a step behind the immobile captain.
"IM NOT A SHIELD!" He shouted with a vein-pop. Suddenly, the atmosphere was broken by the sound of alarm bells on deck.
"The prisoners…" Aries said more to himself that anyone else.
'Yes! Go Spud!' \ ( ^ w ^ ) /
A smirk appeared on Enyo's face, and she teased.
"Looks like you can't keep us for very long huh?"
Remus gritted his teeth at the jest and finally noticed the little yellow insignia on her suit.
"You're one of them." He seethed in disgust, which only made the woman's smile grow.
"And you're slow."
'What are you up to Enyo?' Law thought as she kept making jabs.
"Tch- then I'll just dispose of you both right here!"
Remus lunged forward, lifting Apollo high above his head for a devastating downward slash.
'Perfect.'
Enyo thought, because that's exactly what she was counting on. She grabbed the chair and spun it around, in a split second Law's face was mere inches from Enyo's full chest, it took a moment, but he swiftly averted his gaze to the floor. Almost instantly, Law's muscles flexed in retaliation to the immense pressure of the chains that held him, but… one after another they released their hold, and Remus's eyes widened as he watched his golden blade carve through the thick, black chains. Enyo stepped back, allowing the tanned male room to stand full height over her, his eyes shadowed by his hat and a dark don't ever fucking do that again vibe flowed in waves off of him, causing his saviour to break out in sweat and trembles. The surgeon of death felt his strength return to him and flexed his fingers as he raised his hand.
"Room… shambles."
In an instant Kikoku was returned to its rightful place… Law's skilled hands.
"Are you ready?"
He looked to his new crew member as he spoke. Enyo nodded.
"Lets go."
Remus attacked once more but he was too late, with another smooth gesture of Law's tattooed hand, he and Enyo were teleported onto the main deck. There, they were met with the chaos that was the Heart Pirates vs the Marines.
[End chapter]