Chapter 7: The Unicorn Painting
After promising to protect them from the dreaded creature Blade's party encountered in the dark, called the Crawler, Blade, Ben, Andrew, and blind Walter headed back to the main land.
While passing through Bowerstone Industrial one day, Blade was informally courted by Reaver. If Andrew hadn't walked by the exact moment that he did, Blade didn't want to think of what Reaver would have done to her. Reaver was whispering something in Blade's ear and Blade froze, stunned. Just when Blade was about to murder Reaver, someone tapped him on the shoulder.
"Excuse me," came Andrew's voice.
Reaver turned to see who had spoken to him, when Andrew punched him square in the nose. Reaver stared at him, bewildered.
"Do not touch Blade," said Andrew.
The girl bolted away from Reaver, Andrew at her heels.
They escaped to Bowerstone Old Quarter, where Blade followed Andrew under a bridge to catch their breath.
"Andrew," Blade frowned, "I am a big girl; I can handle my own battles, especially battles with Reaver."
"Oh, yeah," Andrew grinned at Blade, "you had it under control."
Blade couldn't help but smile at him. She reached forward to hug him. Andrew wrapped his arms around her petite waist and closed his eyes for a second. Blade let go of him and pressed herself against the bricks of the bridge.
"I want to try something," he said and leaned in close to her. Blade peered at Andrew, who tilted his head slightly. Before she knew it, he lifted her to her toes and closed the gap between their lips. Blade's head spun. She absentmindedly kissed him back.
In Millfields, Andrew and Blade stood in front of Reaver's mansion.
"What are we doing here?" Andrew raised an eyebrow at Blade.
"I left something during the party."
"Blade, that was weeks ago."
"Yea, I just remembered."
"Let's go get it, then."
Andrew began walking toward the manor.
"Wait!" Blade called after him, "I'll get it. You can stay and keep watch."
"Keep watch?"
Blade had already charged into the manor. Seconds later she came out with a painting tucked under her arm.
"What's that?"
"Sh!" Blade pressed her finger to her lips, "We gotta get out of here before-"
Too late. Reaver darted around the corner and stared wide-eyed at the pair.
"What are you doing?" he demanded, "Is that...?"
"Run!" screamed Blade.
"Get back here!" Reaver chased after them.
"What did you do!?" shouted Andrew.
Blade threw the painting to him. It depicted Reaver and a unicorn.
"You're the worst kind of criminal!"
"Hey!" Reaver was losing his breath.
"I think he's on to us!" Blade shouted.
"You think?"
Blade laughed. They lost Reaver and headed to Mispeak Valley.
In Mispeak, Forge and Blade were ambushed by mercenaries. The rebel princess firmly clung onto Reaver's painting and refused to let it go. One mercenary yanked a fistful of her long hair, causing Blade to scream. The mercenary smiled. At the sound of his partner-in-crime's painful shriek, Forge was instantly alert. Although surrounded by mercenaries, he seemed ready to take action at any moment.
Forge turned to the opponents, that were closing in on him. One lunged at him, but Forged evaded the attack, and quickly countered it. He stabbed another in the side, causing the assassin to fall to the ground in pain. Carefully stepping over the doubled-over enemy, Forge struck the last man standing. Their swords collided, as both fighters stubbornly stood their ground. The merc drew a small knife and began trying to stab Forge with it, while holding onto his sword and keeping a close eye on the blacksmith. Forge kicked at the knife, dodging the mercenary's endless attacks.
Meanwhile, Blade unsheathed her sword. She glanced her captor, who seemed engrossed in the fight unfolding before them.
Blade raised her weapon.
"Don't even think about it," said a voice behind her.
Blade froze. She glanced at the mercenary again, who was staring back at her.
"I'm not stupid," the mercenary said. "You're trying to escape. Classic move."
"Well," Blade spoke up. "You're either going to kill me or enslave me. I assume you're not accustomed to prisoners?"
"Smart girl," said the merc. "Orders are orders, I'm afraid."
"Do you have any idea who I am?" Blade asked.
The merc shook his head.
"Daughter of Sparrow, ring a bell?"
The merc loosened his grip on her hair. "You're-?"
"The princess, yes," said Blade.
The merc laughed and yanked her hair tighter. "Don't make a difference."
Blade raised her sword again.
"Wait-" the merc said.
But it was too late. Blade took the sword in her hand and cut her hair. It fell to the ground in clumps, except for the quarter of it that remained fastened to her head.
The mercenary watched in shock. He glared at Blade, now facing him. The enemy cried out and lunged at her. But something jumped in his way and he could hear the sound of metal against metal. Next thing he knew, the mercenary was face-to-face with Forge. The blacksmith kicked his opponent back, forcing him to fall in the snow.
"Keep your hands off my girlfriend," Forge seethed, holding his sword toward the merc.
The mercenary could feel the cool metal against his cheek, as the weapon was driven into the ground. He stared at the sword, then Forge, bewildered.
Forge glanced over his shoulder at Blade, and bent over, adding, "This is the part where you run away."
The merc nodded, furiously, and stumbled to his feet. He sprinted away, looking back terrified.
"You really didn't have to do that," said Blade, shaking her head.
"At least he escaped with his life," Forge pointed out.
"You're the worst kind of criminal! " is a purpleeyeswtf quote from None Piece Episode One.