The Trap Has Been Set

Zesiro paused at the large metal door. He hesitated for a moment as he examined the opening mechanisms. He got there first, which was surprising, he was wondering what Hiro-Shu and Enma were doing, but nonetheless he was thankful that he had a chance to get off of this floor. He was starting to feel sleepier by the moment. He had set Maria down on the ground and had Ridley watching out either for the rest of their crew or for the tapirs to come back. Zesiro hoped that the crew would come by first. They managed to escape the tapirs as they lumbered around slowly, but still the fact that they barely managed to get here was a testament to the jail's dedication. Not to mention this door to the next floor was also hard-to-crack.

Zesiro was sure that it was sealed to be airtight so the pollen from this floor didn't drift upwards, but nonetheless, it didn't help him out. The machinery used in it was foreign to Zesiro. Well…half of it was. He recognized plenty of Blue Sea machinery present in the device, but he also took note of several dials and other skypiean technological advances. Unless you had a perfect understanding of both technologies you weren't going to hack your way in. If you had the password it would be easy. However, if they had the passwords that meant they had come prepared to this jail rather than being thrust into it as a result of one of their crewmembers and their captain's short-sightedness. Zesiro sighed as he turned around and took up watch duty with Ridley. They didn't see any prisoners that were still awake and they didn't see any prisoners that looked like Rosa's quick description.

"No such luck, huh?" asked Ridley as he looked over at his down-trodden partner. Ridley's fingers were still anxiously moving about his guitar; Zesiro assumed it was because he was afraid of falling asleep, but then wouldn't playing the thing be the more logical choice? Maybe he was just trying to piece together an old song or something. "It figures that we'd get locked down on this floor. I mean, I enjoy a good nap and all that, but falling asleep here means falling asleep forever apparently." It was an exaggeration the tree's pollen simply leaked into your lungs and made you fall asleep. As long as you stay exposed to the pollen you'll remain asleep, however, once you leave the pollen the pollen would slowly start to leave your lungs and you'd wake up eventually. Sage said at most an hour.

Ridley's gaze drifted over to Maria, who was still unconscious. If they had to fight through the next two floors without her, they would be screwed. The prison was definitely not a place they should try to handle with any crewmembers missing. Ridley relaxed for a second, with a second pair of eyes on the floor he could afford to get comfy. He sat down and stretched back against the wall, using it to prop himself up. Zesiro was a little annoyed at the fact that he was so calm in a situation like this, especially when staying awake was key. Zesiro's hands never left his swords. "We're just going to wait for them I guess." Zesiro's first thought had been admittedly breaking down the door. After all, it was in their way and they needed to get out as quick as possible. But if the pollen spread to the entire prison then they would be just as screwed if they stayed on this floor. They would just have to wait.

Or their decision would be made for them.

The door was blasted off of its hinges and nearly took Zesiro down. It would have actually if Zesiro hadn't turned around and quickly brought his blade upwards, slicing through the metal door without a second thought as to who or what could've done it. He immediately took up his other sword and prepared for the incoming intruder, be a prison guard or another rebelling prisoner Zesiro would have to be ready to defend both Maria and Ridley if it came down to it. Zesiro's eyes flashed back to its animalistic state as he readied himself for the fight.

"What do we have here?" asked the man as he came into sight. He was tall man and well-built and he was dressed in a nice suit. A small cigarette danced in between his lips. "Looks like some fellow pirates. Hmm, then again I guess I'm no longer a pirate now that my captain has become a Shichibukai." Zesiro's eyes went wide, a pirate that was on a crew of a Shichibukai? He took a step back and braced himself. This man was on equal footing as Makada was, possibly even better as he was a pirate that had also infiltrated the prison. Makada was cooped up in the URA forever, so this man may be a force to be reckoned with. "Not going to greet me, are you?" The man cocked his head to the side and smiled. Zesiro almost dropped his guard. The man didn't have any killing intent about him and he didn't seem hell-bent on their destruction.

"Sorry, about that," said Zesiro lowering his guard slightly, but keeping both swords trained on the man. "We're under a lot of stress here. We're trying to take down the prison, you see…" Suddenly, Zesiro was lifted up into the air. Zesiro looked around him only to see smoke, flowing all around him and it was coming from the man's cigarette. "What are you-" Zesiro was flung through the air before he finished his sentence. Zesiro hit one of the walls and slid to the ground immediately, his vision was blurred, but the man had just thrown him across the room using only the smoke from his cigarette! Was that even possible?

"This cigar is a Skypiea specialty," explained the man, "it was made using the fog from Eisen Dials, a once nearly extinct Dial, but they recently discovered a landmine on a different cloud and these cigars are now being mass-produced. It is a shame. These things are the best cigars I've ever had, but you can only use them up in Skypiea." Ridley had sprung into action, leaping to his feet and swinging his guitar at the man. Only problem was the same smoke that had thrown Zesiro was now covering the man. "Eisen Dials release a special cloud called Iron Cloud. It is as tough as iron, but as flexible and free as a cloud." The iron cloud that was surrounding the man suddenly lashed out, spinning rapidly and throwing an iron whip of cloud-like materials and Ridley and knocking him back into a tree. "Too bad you guys didn't encounter me about a month or two earlier. I would've helped you out here, but sadly, my boss is a Shichibukai and we can't go losing that title now…not when we are so close to achieving our goal."

"Skewer Fish!" shouted Zesiro immediately leaping back into the middle of the fray. Zesiro rushed forward and at the man. The man chuckled once more as he directed the heavy smoke to his side. Zesiro's powerful forward thrust had proven ineffective. While it may have been able to pierce a shield and armor, the heavy smoke that surrounded the man was too much. There were multiple thick layers that were in between him and Zesiro. Even with Zesiro's monstrous inhuman strength, he could only plunge the sword about halfway into the clouds.

"My name is Hozuma Ichiro," said the man as he lowered his eyelids slightly and looked over Zesiro through the thick smog. "A man should at least know his superior." Suddenly the iron wall that were between them changed. It was no longer just an iron wall, sharp spike protruded from every inch. Zesiro looked at them and immediately knew he had to back off. He tugged at his sword, but it was holding tight. Hozuma didn't want Zesiro backing off. He had shrunk his clouds down in order to use the spikes and in doing so he had made another opening for him. He stepped forward and had grabbed a hold of Zesiro's blade. Zesiro could not longer back off without losing one of his main weapons. "Such a shame," muttered Hozuma. "I believe if we were on the same side we could've become such wonderful allies." The iron spiked cloud roared to life as it snapped forward and shut like a book, its deadly needles all aimed inwards and at Zesiro.

(-With Enma-)

"Of course, this would happen," Enma said as he lowered his head down and shook it in disappointment; he couldn't believe things kept turning out for the worst. Rosa, Hiro-Shu, and Sage were now with him. With Mikoto being 'kidnapped' Rosa and Hiro-Shu believed the smartest thing to do would be go seek help, besides their search for Lily was turning out just as pointless as Zesiro's had. They were ready to move up as well, if only they had their captain then now would be the perfect time to make a move on it. They would even arrive at the scene of the fight in order to help Zesiro defend against the mystery intruder, but…they couldn't, cause they didn't have Mikoto. Enma dropped his tools, apparently if they were going to get ready to leave he wouldn't need them. He let out another yawn as he stretched. He hadn't moved in awhile, he had found this prime patch of the trees that stretched all around him. It was the perfect place to try and conduct research in, but it had already proven be a pointless endeavor.

Enma swore under his breath for a brief second. They needed to get moving, they were waiting for nothing and his own imagination was starting to get the better of him. There were no guards posted on this floor, the entire crew was exhausted and sleepy, and their captain was missing. It may not have been just his imagination, but something was definitely starting go wrong. "We need to head out." Enma said solemnly. "We waste any more time on this floor, Mikoto won't be the only one falling asleep." Little did he know Maria was also sound asleep at this exact moment. Their military might had already been cut down by a third at least. With two floors left to go could they really do it?

"Are you suggesting we leave him behind?" shouted Sage, the outrage obvious on her voice. Sage had been with Mikoto the longest out of their current group, the only person who had been with him longer was Ridley, who had actually left the group for awhile back after they fought Karasu for the first time. So, actually Sage probably had been with him for the longest time. It was evident in her undying trust and loyalty in their captain. "We can't just leave him! He's our captain! We're here because of him!"

"I'm not suggesting we leave him…not forever at least," Enma argued. "We need a break from the sleeping nightlocke. The longer we stay the higher our chances are of losing. We bolt for awhile get the pollen out of our lungs and come back down to retrieve him after we recover." On top of that that would give them the chance to regroup. Right now there forces were halved, they couldn't wait any longer. They were giving their enemies too much time. If they waited any longer who knew who would show up. Another Shichibukai was possible, heck, due to the fact that they were attacking a prison it was entirely possible that even Admiral would show up. "We need to get finished as quickly possible," explained Enma with an exasperated tone. He was tired like everyone else was, there was no strength left in his body, he was feeling himself become more and more agitated just by fighting the urge to sleep and now fighting his own crew. Was this another trap laid down by the prison? Cause dissention in the group? He was already questioning Rosa's loyalty before they had even arrived here, if it got any worse he may just turn on her.

Sage murmured something to herself. She couldn't believe Enma was really going to do something like this. It seemed so wrong, especially to Mikoto. Mikoto wouldn't back away just because of some silly trees. He would've dug his heels in and stayed on this floor until he found everyone. He would've done it for strangers and he certainly would've done it for them. Sage supposed it was time she returned the favor, "I'm staying here and looking for him." The entire group was shocked both by Sage's bluntness and her determination. She wasn't backing down on this opinion of hers. She'd stay here all day if she had to. She had a built-up immunity to this thing. She could stay on here for another hour if need be before she fell asleep, she still wasn't even the tiniest bit sleepy. "Go regroup if you want to. I'm going to spend some more time trying to save my captain."

Sage knew she was doing the right thing. How many times had Mikoto dove into perilous dangers to save her? She could think of a dozen of times at least. Even when they first met Mikoto was already sticking up for her, choosing to go after Oz to save her even taking a hit for her…and that was when they had just met. After that there was the time with Snazzington Pimp, who had kidnapped her. Mikoto had rushed in all by his lonesome in an effort to win and he did win, he saved Sage once again. Time and time again whenever Sage was backed into a corner, Mikoto was there for her. There to save her and anyone else on the crew. She couldn't call herself his nakama if she didn't return the favor at least this one. She was finally being of true use to the crew.

"That was a little harsh," pointed out Hiro-Shu as he looked on at Sage's back as she turned around and walked away. "She's just trying to do what she believes in." Enma growled for a second. He didn't have the same authority as Mikoto did. He supposed some people just made natural born leaders and others didn't. He was trying to usurp Mikoto's throne from him at all or anything of that sort. True, he had originally set off to become his own pirate captain, but he was happy being with Mikoto's crew. His only desire right now was to protect everyone on it. He wanted to protect Mikoto, too, but he had to do so in the most logical and safest way possible. He had to get them to safety and try again when they were ready.

"Let's go," commanded Enma as he turned around and started to head for the exit. He was starting to understand the base's layout. The location of the stairs fluctuated, but they were kind of predictable. He supposed it was to make racing between floors faster since this prison seemed to lack an elevator. He quickly took his small troop towards the stairs, although Hiro-Shu and Rosa both seemed to lag noticeably behind him. Both of them were questioning who was right in this scenario. Enma or Sage? Enma's plan was probably the best in terms of strategy, but it would leave them with a guilty conscience forever. Sage's plan was much more compassionate, however, the question was would it work like she planned? In the end they both supposed Enma's plan was the safest one for everyone, Mikoto included. Besides he was only asleep and no guards had been sighted on this floor yet. What was the worst thing that could happen?

(-on the next floor-)

The prison guards weren't just sitting on their laurels. They were preparing. The entire prison had congregated on this floor, standing around with guns and swords in hands. They were ready for the intruders, the instant the pirates reared their ugly faces they were ready. They had sealed off one of the two main staircases, leaving the pirates only one choice to ascend the path they had left open, the one Zesiro and Ridley were currently fighting at. The instant they dragged their weary, tired, and exhausted butts up here it would be a bloodbath. The Vice Warden, fully cloaked with not even his face showing was in attendance. Along with the Longarm Enma had seen earlier, a tired look on his own face while he spun his trident around with anticipation. Another notable person in attendance was the Head Jailer, a man that was a formidable wall of muscles, and a small black duck resting on his shoulder. Taisho was noticeably absence, taking root on the floor above them to deal with intruders in his best form. They were prepared for anything.

"Why do I got to be here," said the Longarm stretching and yawning at the same time. "Do you really need me? Can't you guys handle it by yourselves for once?" It was obvious he would rather be anywhere but here. The rest of the guards shot him dirty looks after all they all had to be here as well. He was one of the head jailers of this place and yet he wanted to leave. Didn't he feel even the slightest amount of responsibility towards this place?

A Questionable Charge?

The trap. The prison's entire force has gathered on the floor above them. If the Infinity Pirates charged...they would be walking into certain death...if they stayed on the current floor? They would be trapped and eventually put to sleep. With what seems like absolutely no escape...what options do they have?

For those of you wondering it seems like my update schedule for this story will be rehashed into being on Mondays or Wednesdays.