Dusk didn't have much luck at the Zero Marine Corporation, and she cast the very same curse she had cast on his rival fleet onto his own fleet. Furious, she stormed off, and climbed into the small boat she had arrived in. She might as well head back to Fantanzia if she can't get a simple job here. It wasn't a good idea to stick around after the curse was cast anyway.
Meanwhile, Ten Cents, and Sunshine were delivering fuel to Lillie Lightship. Despite the slight changes in his appearance, Ten Cents had grown to like this transformation. He was able to detect any possible dangers from a great ways away, and he liked the independence it gave him. He didn't need human assistance at all. It gave him freedom. He was able to pick up objects with his claws, which really helped the dock workers speed up the process of loading his barges. He hasn't stopped for coal or water at all today. It was nice to no longer be tied down by what was a necessity before his transformation. He even swiped at a couple annoying seagulls, and knocked them right out of the air, and into the water. That was when he discovered a more... delectable scent: blood. He had never smelled anything so sweet before. Curious, he licked the blood off his claws, and and his eyes popped wide. It tasted as sweet as it smelled. He wanted more, but work came first. He needed to focus at the task at hand.
Sunshine wasn't sure if he should be concerned, or curious. His senses had sharpened so suddenly to where it was overwhelming. There were so many new smells, and sounds. He wouldn't have a problem with it if it was permanent. It was actually pretty nice. He would be able to detect a rival Z-Stack from many miles away. They dropped by Demder Rocks to deliver Lillie's fuel, and Sunshine swore he could hear the sailors' heartbeats. Something deep inside him wanted to just snatch them up, and rip them apart, but that thought was quickly pushed to the back of his mind when a sailor accidentally cut himself on the lines keeping the oil barrels down on the barge. That was when a sweet aroma reached his nose: blood. He had never expected blood to smell so sweet. He shook it off, and looked at Ten Cents, who was biting his lip.
Ten Cents struggled to not give in to the powerful urge to just tear the poor sailor apart. His stomach rumbled. This only made him want to slaughter the sailor even more. He wasn't sure what this meant. This was all new to him. The sailor had his wound dressed, and even then, Ten Cents could smell the sweet scent of blood through the bandages. To hang around, and talk with Lillie was pure torture. The sweet scent of blood was tantalizing, almost irresistible. He tried to take his mind off of it by concentrating on the conversation he, and Sunshine were having with Lillie, but to no avail. His mind kept wandering back to the blood, the sweet nectar, of the sailor's wound. It seemed to be an eternity until he, and Sunshine bid Lillie goodbye, and went on their way back to the Star Dock. Something deep inside him told him he should've taken the sailor while he had the chance, and that he had missed an opportunity. It was going to be a long day.
Ten Cents, and Sunshine continued to do small jobs together. Captain Star was probably testing the waters with this new form. Ten Cents's stomach continued to complain of hunger. Sunshine seemed to notice, but never pointed it out. He must not have known what it meant either. Ten Cents finally gave in, and snapped his jaws shut on a pelican that had flown into his range. His stomach growled with ravenous hunger the moment the blood hit his tongue, and he immediately swallowed it. He noticed this new feeling wasn't as intense. What he had been experiencing was hunger. The pelican was no more than a snack to him, but it would have to do for now, or at least he finds something bigger to eat.
That night, Ten Cents, and Sunshine were headed back to the Star Dock. Ten Cents grimaced as his stomach growled and cramped. He needed food now, but he couldn't kill something in front of Sunshine. It would be a gruesome sight for Sunshine to watch him devour his next meal. Ten Cents froze when he heard Sunshine cry out, and whipped around to see Sunshine transform before his very eyes. He rushed over to Sunshine's side as the smaller switcher's metal frame broke, and rearranged. Sunshine was undergoing the same transformation he had gone through the night before.
Sunshine screamed in agony as snake like fangs poked through his gums, and his internal mechanical workings transformed into organs. The ropes to his anchors twisted , and his anchors contorted into what looked like claws.
"Sunshine!" Ten Cents exclaimed as the final touches were made. The pain began to subside, leaving Sunshine shaking, and panting. Sunshine grimaced as his newly formed stomach growled, and cramped. He was starving.
"You're hungry like me, eh?" Ten Cents raised an eyebrow at him.
"Yes, I'm starvin'!" Sunshine panted. Ten Cents knew they would have a better chance of finding food if they worked together. It meant they would be able to take down larger prey. However, humans was the largest prey available in the port at the moment. There were several human gangs in the port. If he could find one of the hideouts, the two switchers would have a feast tonight.
"I think I know where we can find some food. C'mon, follow me, Sunshine." Ten Cents picked up the distinct scent of human, and followed it, hoping he would find at least something for him, and his friend to eat, as Sunshine trailed behind him.