Hunters of Lady Frigga

Disclaimer: Don't own One Piece.

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"It's gonna be alright, don't worry! Everyone, remain calm!"

Herman shepherded the civilians of Sky Island to one of the large ruins for their safety while his friends went to the battlefield. He had originally intended to go into the fray to fight the invaders, but Axe ordered him to stay behind and protect these people in case some enemies got through their defenses. Herman did want to fight alongside his nakama, but he knew that with most of the fighters either out in the battlefield or wounded and out of commission, then these people wouldn't be able to survive for long against this strong enemy from the New World.

"Father, hurry!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

Herman swiveled an eyestalk around to see Conis and Suu urging Pagaya towards the shelter, a large pack on the man's back. No doubt he was trying to get some of his beloved possessions and supplies to the shelter for safety. The large merman walked over and pulled the pack off the man's back, slinging it over his shoulders.

"Come on," he nodded to the shelter, ushering father, daughter, and Sky Fox along, "We need to get everyone inside!"

"Herman...," Conis looked up at him, "Will your friends be safe?"

The lobsterman grinned, "You kidding me? These guys are better than a lot of people I've come across...they'll be just fine. I bet you that right now, they found Austin and Aisa, safe and sound!"

-----

"HEY, AUSTIN! AISA! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS?!" DJ yelled, hands cupped over his mouth, "COME OUT, COME OUT, WHERE YOU ARE!"

The swordsman sighed and scratched his head, "C'mon, guys...if something happens to you, both Laki and Devon are gonna kick my ass off the Sky Island,"

The sound of rustling foliage made DJ spin around, hand on his sabre's hilt. He stared at a thick group of bushes not too far away and watched as they shook.

"Austin...?" he called out softly, "Aisa? Is that you?"

Suddenly, something large burst from the bushes and within a split second, DJ was swiping at it with his sabre.

"DJ! IT'S ME!"

Stopping just inches from her face, DJ recognized the voice and stared at Kirsty, who was panting for breath, hair all a mess with twigs and leaves stuck in between her blonde hair threads.

"Kirsty...sorry about that," DJ sighed in relief and lowered his blade, "Where's Devon?" he looked her over, "Look, if you guys did what I think you did, then you should know that-,"

The blonde doctor slugged him in the face, sending him into a nearby tree, a vein throbbing on her forehead. She growled and picked the stuff out of her hair, "DJ, I have had one hell of a night. First, I get kidnapped by these New World freaks, then Austin and Aisa come, then we escape, then I lost sight of them, now I run into you and the first thing you say is that Devon and I made out?!"

"S-Sorry...Kirsty-san...," DJ muttered, sliding down the tree, "Are you okay?"

"More or less," Kirsty dusted herself off, "I'm a little drained, but nothing major," she paused and listened to the explosions and screams that filled the air, "Looks like the battle's already begun, huh?"

DJ pulled himself from the tree and shook out the splinters in his face, "Yeah. The Shandians and whatever White Berets are left are fighting the Enforcers while the rest of us are hunting these New World assholes,"

"Then you're hunting some major trouble," Kirsty cracked her knuckles, "From what I've heard from Devon and their leader...these guys are no cake walk,"

"What do you mean?"

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"Norns, anything on the runaways?!"

"Lady Frigga, we know where the woman is...but the two children...we cannot see them,"

"What do you mean 'you can't see them' ?" Frigga snapped, "With your three crystals' power, you could see where anything is, but you're saying you can't find two brats?!"

The triplets nodded in unison.

Frigga cursed loudly, "Fine...we'll worry about those two later. Where is the woman?"

"A fair distance away...and she's not alone,"

"Is it the Champion?"

"No, but someone who has some skill with a blade,"

Frigga groaned, irritated, "I dunno how they escaped...but when I get them back, I'll make sure that they learn not to disobey their Goddess. Hod, Heimdall!"

Instantly, the blindfolded archer and the ram head-wearing man appeared before her, kneeling, their heads bowed.

"Yes, Lady?" they asked together.

"Go and bring back the woman!" Frigga ordered, "If she must suffer some pain first, then let it be so, but bring her back alive!"

"And her friend?"

"I have no use for him...kill him!"

"Yes, Lady!"

With that, the two men disappeared in a blur.

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DJ stared in complete silence as Kirsty finished her story. She told him everything, from Devon's story, to the crystals that gave the Pantheon their power.

"You...have got to be shitting me,"

"I shit you not, DJ," Kirsty shook her head, "We're in serious trouble, along with this whole island unless we find a way to stop these guys!"

DJ nodded in agreement, "Alright, here's what we do. You head back that way," he pointed the way he came, "If they're still in their battles with the Enforcers, then the others need to know this,"

"What are you gonna do?"

"I'm gonna keep looking for Austin and Aisa before something or someone finds them,"

"Or us for that matter,"

"Too late for that...,"

Kirsty tensed at the sound of the new voice. DJ held up his sword and looked around, "Who said that?! Show yourself!!"

A loud whistling sound was heard seconds before DJ cried out as a sharp pain made itself known in his shoulder. Dropping his weapon, DJ winced and looked at his shoulder to see a large arrow sticking out of his body, blood already trickling out of the wound.

"DJ!"

"Shit...," DJ yanked hard on the arrow and bit his lip as he ripped it out, allowing more blood to pour from his wound. He tossed it to the side and clutched his shoulder, his blood smearing against his flesh, "Where'd that arrow come from?"

"From a bow. What are you, an idiot?"

Kirsty looked everywhere around them for a short time before finding the source of the arrow. On a tree branch directly in front of them, stood Hod and a man wearing a goat's head ontop of his own head. She grit her teeth and turned to DJ, placing a hand over his wound. Moments later, a white glow appeared between their flesh and soon, the wound was gone.

"Thanks...,"

"No problem,"

"So, that is your gift?" Heimdall mused, jumping from the tree branch and landing effortlessly on the ground, "A Devil Fruit user?" he looked back at Hod, "That explains why she healed so quickly from the arrow in her back...,"

The man with bandaages on his eyes nodded in silence, "Seems that I can't injure anyone near her without her going to save them from certain death. First, she flings herself in front of the man she cares deeply for, then she heals this weakling,"

"Weakling?! Why you sonofa...," DJ stopped and looked at Kirsty, who had a slightly red face, "Kirsty,"

"DJ, run," she whispered.

"What?"

"I said run!" she urged, "You're the only fast enough to go and tell everyone about the crystals! Leave me behind, I can deal with these guys,"

"But-,"

"Go, you idiot!" she hissed, shoving him away, "I got this...trust me!"

DJ looked at his nakama, then back at the two men in front of them.

"IF that's what you want...,"

"It is! DJ, run like hell, and never look back!"

"Good luck, Kirsty-san," DJ picked up his sword, sheathed it and sped through the forest of Upper Yard.

Hod chuckled as he knocked another arrow in his bow, "Does he really think he can escape us?" he asked, lifting his bow.

"Hod!" Heimdall held up a hand, "I'll deal with him. You take care of the woman...take her back to Lady Frigga, but try not to kill her,"

"I'll do my best, but it's all up to her,"

Heimdall grinned and pulled his serrated sword from his belt, "Be back soon," he promised before disappearing in a blur.

Hod lowered his bow at Kirsty, "Your friend may be fast, but he's nothing compared to Heimdall...,"

That was an understatement. Within moments, DJ was nearly back in Shandora, but he skidded to a stop when he saw Heimdall standing in front of him, sword over his shoulder, blocking his path.

"Where do you think you're going?"

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Kilnorc: DUN DUN DUN...looks like the first two major battles in the New War for Skypeia has been decided! Can our pirate heroes find the strength to defend themselves and the paradise in the sky from these enemies from the New World? Stay tuned!

On the next chapter of Homeland...

Heimdall: You call that speed? Boy, you are no where near the level of me or my comrades!

DJ: At least I don't use the abilities of some rock!

Heimdall: Says a guy who ate a Devil Fruit!

DJ: I can win this...I've got to!

Speed of the New World! Heimdall vs DJ

DJ: I'll show you true speed!

(the fights will be lengthy, believe me!)

Before I go, I will like to dedicate this chapter to my best friend and the one who I've modeled the Axe-Head crew's First Mate, Devon, after. The reason I dedicate this is because today is his birthday. Happy Birthday, man! Couldn't be here without ya!

Cast of OP and other Axe-Heads: HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEVON!